History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 110

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

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Benjamin Morris bought a farm a short distance north of that purchased by his ia- ther and occupied it throughout his remain-

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ing days. He wedded, for his second wife, Mary Spinning. a daughter of Matthias and Hannah ( Haines) Spinning, who lived about two miles west of Lebanon. The Spinnings trace their ancestry to Humphrey Spinning, who came to America in 1639 with the Puritans. He was one of the foun- ders of Elizabeth, New Jersey, in the year 1665. He was married October 14, 1657. tc AAbigail, daughter of George and Mary Hubbard, and his death occurred in 1089. He was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters, including Edward. the father of Matthias Spinning. The last- named was born in the year 1750 and died in 1830. He had three brothers and two sisters, including Judge Isaac Spinning, of Montgomery county, Ohio. Matthias Spin- ning was a quiet and peaceable man of ster- ling worth. He served in the Revolutionary war as a private minute man of the Essex county, New Jersey, militia, and suffered much for the cause of American liberty. He and his brother Isaac were captured and carried to New York, where they were con- fined for several months within the loath- some walls of what was called the Sugar House, famous as a place of confinement for the American prisoners of war.

The children of Benjamin and Mary ( Spinning ) Morris were ten in number -- five sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of this review was the eighth in or- der of birth. The father died in 1861 at the home of this son, near Bellbrook, Greene county, whither he had come on a visit. Af- ter the death of his wife, Mary Spinning. he had married again, the third union be- ing with Sarah Weaver, of White county. Tennessee.

The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm, where his boyhood days

were also spent. His educational privileges. were those afforded by the common schools. The first schoolhouse in which he was a student was a log structure with slab seats. Sections of the logs were cut out and the apertures covered with greased paper, which served as windows. Writing desks were made of slabs laid on jins driven into the wall. Only quill pens were used. His early education was afterward supplemented by study in the schools of Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Morris was a good student in all branches. but showed particular aptness in mathemat- ics and geography. He began teaching school at the age of twenty years and followed that profession for eleven years, mostly in Warren and Butler counties, Ohio, with a short period in Richmond, Indiana. During that time he also studied civil engineering and land surveying, and in the former ca- pacity was employed on the Warren county canal for about three years. About 1838, in connection with others, he surveyed the road from Lebanon to Dayton, also from Dayton to Springfield.

On the Ist of December. 1844, Mr. Mor- ris was united in marriage with Mary Pence, a daughter of William and Martha ( Hunt ) Pence. He then gave all of his attention to farming and land surveying. In 1858. he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Bellbrook, Greene county .. to which place he and his family removed the same year and on which he spent his re- maining days. Politically he was first a Whig and then a Republican. In early life he became a member of the Church of Christ, or Disciples' church, as did his wife, and throughout the years of his Christian life he was deeply interested in church work and much devoted to the denomination of his choice. In his home life and personal

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department he was gentle and good, and also showed firmness and resolution. He was the father of twelve children, of whom two sons, William Hayden and Benjamin Franklin. died in infancy, while one daugh- ter. Lucy Elvira, died in early childhood and two others, Clara and Abbie, died in young womanhood. Two sons and five daughters grew to maturity. For these he made every necessary sacrifice to educate and make useful men and women of them. In all this he was ably seconded by his wife. who was ever ready to surrender her own personal comfort that her children might equip themselves as thoroughly as possible for the battle of life.

Through his declining years Mr. Morris spent much of his time in reading. . At eighty-seven his mental faculties remained unimpaired and he was interested not only in things pertaining to the welfare of his own neighborhood but shared with intelli- gent appreciation in the larger interests of the country and humanity. He died April 3. 1898, and his wife died October 19. 1886. Their surviving children were: Olive and Wickliffe Campbell, who reside on the old home place, and the latter has two daughters, Bertha Lucile and Frances : Martha, who became the wife of Samuel E. Raper, of Dayton, Ohio, and died June 7. 1800. leaving one son, William Morris Raper : Mary Alice, who became the wife of J. Wilbur Fulkerson, of Spring Valley. Ohio, and died October 13. 1901. leaving an infant son, Morris A. Fulkerson : Lucy. the wife of W. Calvin Williamson, who re- sides near Bellbrook, and by whom she has a son, Calvin Morris: Clara Jerusha. the wife of Frank C. Thomas, who resides near Spring Valley, and by whom she had four

children-Olive, now deceased. Homer Morris, George Huber and Margaret : William Spencer, of Dayton, who married Luella A. Scarff and has two sons. William Stanley and Howard Laverne.

JOHN B. ALLEN.

Honored and respected by all for many years, John B. Allen occupied a most en- viable position in the business world of Greene county, becoming one of its wealthy citizens, yet commanding respect not alone because of his success, but also because of the straightforward, honorable policy he ever followed. Although the history of his public career is largely known to residents of Ohio, it is but just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that his business record was ever one that any man might be proud to possess. He advanced steadily step by step until he occupied a po- sition of prominence and trust reached by very few men. Through his entire business career he was ever looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an en- gagement that he did not fulfill and stand- ing as an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of char- acter. But it was not his success alone that made him one of the leading citizens of Greene county. He was honored and re- spected for his sterling qualities of manhood which in every land and every clime com- mand respect. He was kindly, generous and upright. freely assisted those who needed aid, was quick to encourage merit and at all

Ano. B. Allew

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

times gave his influence to the true, the good and the beautiful. He was also a leader of public thought and action and was honored with high political preferment.

John B. Allen was born August 5, 1816, near Mount Jackson, Shenandoah county, Virginia, and from August, 1836, until his death, in the latter part of the century, he was identified with the interests of Greene county. He was a son of John and Cathi- erine ( Holker) Allen. The family was of English origin, but through several genera- tions representatives of the name had been numbered among prominent and influential people of Virginia, and John Allen was the owner of a large estate there, but died when John B. Allen was only a year old. The lat- ter was given liberal educational advantages, attending the college at Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania, and about the time he attained his majority came to Xenia, where his sister, Mrs. John Walton, had previously located. He established a private bank in this city. and it was soon demonstrated that he had superior ability as a financier as well as the power of readily winning friends, whom he drew closer to him as the years passed. In all that he undertook he was successful, owing to his enterprise, keen discrimination and straightforward business policy. At the time of his demise he was serving as the president of the Xenia National Bank, which had become one of the most important and reliable financial institutions in this part of the state. Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Aun Nunnemaker, the wed- ding being celebrated on the ioth of De- cember, 1839. They became the parents of two daughters, who are yet living: Mrs. Mary A. Kinney and Clara. Mrs. Allen died April 30. 1902. Mr. Allen was a man

of strong domestic tastes who found his greatest happiness at his own fireside and counted no personal sacrifice too great that would promote the welfare of his loved ones. In his home he showed a genial nature and an interest that was always awake to every- thing pertaining to the happiness of his wife and children.

In his political views he was a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party, and while not an aspirant for of- fice he served his city and county faithfully In the different official positions that came . to him. He was a member of the city coun- cil for many years, and for some time was its president, and his well known financial judgment was of much value to the city. Ile also was a member of the board of county commissioners for a number of years. In 1891 he was elected a member of the state legislature and was again elected in the fall of 1893, but his death occurred on the 21st of December of that year, before entering upon his second term.

Mr. Allen had a very deep and sincere interest in young men, and often assisted them to gain a start in life, aiding them not only by wise council and experience, but also with financial support. The poor and needy found in him a warm friend who never sought his help in vain. He had the reputation of being a very liberal man, yet he was entirely unostentatious in his giving. He never cared for public approval upon his benevolent actions, content in having done his duty toward his fellow men, and often even those who were the recipients of his bounty knew not from whence came their aid. Churches and charitable institutions benefitted by his liberality, and his wealth was so worthily used that the most envious.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

could not grudge him his success. In his business affairs he prospered-and who de- serves prosperity more than such a man? His banking interests were attended with success and also his investments, and he left his family in very comfortable circumstances. He regarded himself, however, only as the steward in charge. Few men have realized more fully how much good can be accom- plished for the public welfare, but Mr. Allen was continually alert to the opportunities for assisting those around him. The best thoughts and efforts of his life were wrought into Xenia's prosperity. He stood in his old age, when clothed with the honor of · wealth and the regard of hosts of friends his life work had won, just where he stood fifty years before when a young man beset with difficulties-for the best elements of Chris- tian progress, for education, for temperance. for absolute justice, for the dignity of man- nal labor and for the Bible. Such a life record is well worthy of study and of emula- tion. The story of his achievements should inspire all young men with a truer estimate of the value and sure rewards of character.

JOHN CHARLES DODDS.

John Charles Dodds is well known in the business circles of Xenia as the junior mem- ber of the form of George Dodds & Son, dealers in marble. He was born in Xenia. January 24. 1874. and in the public schools acquired his education. When about six- teen years of age he entered upon his busi- ness career, at which time he began learning the trade of a marble cutter, carver and en- graver in the employ of his father. For him

he worked on a salary for seven years, dur- ing which time he mastered the business. be- coming an expert in that line. He was then admitted into the firm, which since 1807 has been known as George Dodds & Son. Their patronage is extensive, covering a wide ter- ritory and the excellence of their work in- sures a liberal continuance of a large trade.

On the 23rd of June. 1897. Mr. Dodds was united in marriage to Elizabeth S. Ste- phens, of Nenia and a daughter of Rev. O. P. and Mary C. Stephens, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Protestant church and is the father of Chancellor D. S. Ste- phens. D. D., of Kansas City University. He was very well known in his denomination and for some time served as a pastor of a church in Xenia. His influence was of a superior order for his work proved very ef- fective in promoting the moral development of the county. He died during the infancy of his daughter Mrs. Dodds who was the youngest of six children. Her mother now makes her home with our subject and his wife, whose marriage has been blessed with two children; John Charles, who was born on the 12th of July. 1898, and Mary Kath- erine, born April 22, 1002.

In politics Mr. Dodds is an independent Prohibitionist. He is a member of Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & .A. M. Both he and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Xenia, and teachers of the Sunday- school and for three years he was president of the Epworth League. Their influence is widely felt ia church circles and their efforts are effective in promoting the cause of Chris- tianity. They are now occupying a fine resi- dence which Mr. Dodds recently erected at

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No. 218 Hill street and their home is noted for its gracious hospitality. Mr. Dodds is one of the young business' men of Xenia. possessing the enterprise and progressive spirit so characteristic of this land. His laudable ambition, keen business sagacity and strong determination have been salient factors in promoting the success attending the firm of Dodds & Son. The house bears an unassailable reputation and its prosperity is well merited.

ALBERT F. HERING.

For over a century the Hering family has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Greene county, and have taken a very active part in its develop- ment and upbuilding. The subject of this sketch was born in Beavercreek. township, December 16, 1845, and is a grandson of Jacob Hering, one of the honored pioneers of the county, who came to America from Switzerland, and in 1795 settled in Greene county, Ohio, about two miles south of where our subjpect now lives in Beavercreek township. He was married to Miss Bar- bara Richenbach Palerm, a native of Swit- zerland, and to them were born four chil- dren, one son and three daughters, namely : Elizabeth, Margaret, Barbara and Jacob, all now deceased.

Jacob Hering, the father of our subject. was born on the old homestead in Beaver- creek township. in 1808, and amid pioneer scenes he grew to manhood, his education being obtained in an old log school house east of the farm. In later years he built a school house upon his own land which he

donated to the district. He remained with his father until the death of the latter, and after attaining his majority they engaged in farming in partnership. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harri- son, and continued to support the Whig party until its dissolution, when he became a stanch Republican, and always took an active and prominent part in local politics. For twelve years he served as treasurer of his township, was trustee a number of years, and school director most of his active life, always taking a great interest in educational affairs. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. No. 52, of Xenia, and both he and his wife held membership in the Reformed church of Beavercreek township. F1 1831 he wedded Miss Mary Steele, a na- tive of that township, and to them were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, as follows: Amanda, a resident of Beaver- creek township: Ebenezer, John William, Nancy Ann and Angeline and David W .. all five deceased : Henry Harrison, who was born in 1840, and is now a physician of Min- nesota : John Jacob, deceased : and A. F .. of this review. In 1861. at the opening of the Civil war. Henry H. Hering enlisted in Company E, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made first lieu- tenant, and after serving four years was mustered out with the rank of captain. His brother, John J. Hering, was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was later transferred to Company .A and was made adjutant of the regiment. . After serving three months he contracted typhoid fever and was sent home, where he died in October, 1864.

During his boyhood and youth A. F.

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Hering attended the public schools of his na- tive township and completed his education in the schools of Xenia. At the age of twenty years he commenced farming for his father upon the home place, and remained under the parental roof until 1802, when he pur- chased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of about one hundred acres in Beavercreek township. Here he is now en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising. and is acknowledged to be one of the best and most successful agriculturists of his community. AAlthough he raises cattle and hogs, he makes a specialty of horses, and is a good judge of the noble steed.

In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ilering and Miss Matilda Munger, a daughter of Harris and Elizabeth Munger, well known farming people of Beavercreek township, although previously residents of Montgomery county, Ohio, where Mrs. Her- ing was born. She is a first cousin of Judge Munger, of Xenia. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely : Clarence F. married Alice Wilson, of Lon- don, Ohio, where they now live; E. Russell is a resident of Hamilton. Ohio; Jacob Earl still lives at home and is now attending a commercial school in Dayton; Mary E. and Ilarris M. are also at home.

In his political views Mr. Hering is a stalwart Republican, but has never been prevailed upon to accept political hon- ors. lle takes, however a deep in- terest in educational affairs, and has been a member of the school board for a number of years. He and his wife and four children are members of the Reformed church, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they

EDWARD O. GERLAUGH.

With the agricultural interests of Bear- ercreek township Edward O. Gerlaugh has long been prominently identified, and is ac- counted one of the most skillful and success- ful farmers of his community. . \ native of Ohio, he was born in Montgomery county, February 27. 1846, and there spent the first six years of his life, but since that time has made his home in Greene county.

Jacob Gerlaugh, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Beavercreek, this county, in 1810, and was a brother of Arthur Ger- laugh, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The former grew to manhood upon the old homestead in Beavercreek township, and was a student in an old log school house which stood about three-quar- ters of a mile below the farm. It was a primitive structure, light being admitted through oiled paper instead of glass, and seated with slab benches. At that time the early settlers shelled their corn by the horses tramping over it. Jacob Gerlaugh assisted in the work of the home farm until thirty years of age when he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Miller, who was born in Vir- ginia, and on coming to Ohio made her home with an uncle in Montgomery county, until her 'marriage. Thirteen children blessed this union, namely: William, de- ceased : Oliver, who died in infancy : Lydia Ann, who married Jacob R. Black and lives in Illinois: Edward O., of this review : Tay- For, also a resident of Illinois: Mary Jane and Martha Ellen, twins, the former of whom is living in Dayton, and the other on the old home farm in Bath township, this county ; Haines, a resident of Illinois : llat- tie, the wife of Charles Weiffenbach, of Bel- laire, Michigan : Alice, who died in infancy ;

E. O. GERLAUGH

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Jacob. who makes his home in Illinois : model farm of the present day. Mr. Ger- Henry, deceased : and Saran Belle, wife of laugh has made a specialty of breeding and Frank Weiffenbach of Dayton. Of this raising Hereford cattle and has registered stock at the head of his herd. He was one of the first to introduce this variety in the county. He is a member of the Hereford Preeders' Association and is interested in a high grade of cattle. family William Gerlaugh was among the brave boys in blue during the dark days of the Civil war. being a member of Company E. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He left Alpha on the Ist of May, 1864, but was soon taken pris- In 1870 Mr. Gerlaugh married Miss Martha Ellen Harshman, a native of Beav- ercreek township, and to them were born seven children, as follows: William and Anna, both now deceased; Edward, a resi- dent of Dayton; Oscar, Luella and Jacob, all at home ; and Earl, who is attending high school. In politics Mr. Gerlaugh is inde- pendent, voting for the men and measures that he believes will best advance the public welfare. He withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to promote the moral, social or material welfare of his community. oner by the rebels at Moorfield, and was starved to death in Salisbury prison, North Carolina, dying February 15. 1865. The mother of our subject died in 1893, and the father passed away in February, 1897. Throughout life he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, his crops being principally corn, wheat, oats and bar- ley. He kept good grades of horses and cattle, making somewhat of a specialty of the best Leicester sheep and short horn cat- tle, and he took great pride in his stock, be- ing a lover of all dumb animals which have become so useful to mankind. Mr. Ger- laugh was a man of high moral character MARTIN PETERSON. and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him.

Edward O. Gerlaugh was educated in district school No. 4 of Bath township, where he continued his studies until seven- teen years of age, and then took his broth- er's place on the farm where he now lives. the latter having died in the service of his country. He now owns two hundred and eighteen acres of highly improved and pro- ductive land. it being considered one of the best and most desirable farms of its size in the county. The old house was destroyed by fire in 1887. and he has since erected a more modern and pleasant residence, and made many other useful and valuable improve- ments, the place being supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a

For almost a century the Peterson fam- ily has been identified with Greene county, its representatives contributing their full share to the development and substantial up- buikling of this portion of the state, and the work which his ancestors began Martin Peterson is carrying steadily forward for he is accounted one of the loyal and pro- gressive men of his section. He now follows farming in Spring Valley township, where he has a pleasant home and a valuable prop- erty. It was upon this farm that he was horn, first opening his eyes to the light of day on the 9th of May. 1836, his parents be- ing Jonas and Susan (Coiner) Peterson. His great-grandfather came from Switzer- land to America and probably settled in Vir- ginia. Martin Peterson, an uncle of our

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

subject. served as a soldier of the war of 1812.

Jonas Peterson was born in Berkeley county West Virginia, and his wife in .Au- gusta county. Virginia, and both came with their respective families to Greene county about 1806. The paternal grandfather of our subject resided for a time in Ross coun- ty, Ohio, and later spent a year or two near Columbus, but for some time made his home in this county. Later he removed to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, where he purchased land and carried on farming in connection with blacksmithing, having learned his trade in early life. The dual pursuit was his means of livelihood throughout the years of his manhood. He died in Indiana at a ripe old age. The father of our subject also learned and followed the blacksmith's trade. and farming claimed a portion of his atten- tion. Hle operated a smithy on the farm where the brother of our subject is now liv- ing. As the years passed he made extensive investments in real estate until he was the owner of about one thousand acres of land lying in Spring Valley and Cedarcreek town- ships. In his political views he was a Demo- crat and was long a faithful member of the German Reformed church, in which he served as an elder for many years. He died upon the home farm, and the mother of our subject has also passed away. In their fam- ily were ten children who reached mature years: Jane, who married John Huffman and at her death left four children: John. who made his home in Spring Valley and at his death left five children : David, who died at his home in Montgomery county. Indi- ana : Hannah, who became the wife of John Mallow and died leaving three children : Paris, of this county, who left three chil-

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 110

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