USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 117
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of Taylor Gerlaugh, is now deceased : Eliza- makes his home in Dayton, Ohio: George is beth Jane, the wife of Benjamin Nichols, also residing in the latter place: Henry is also a resident of Dayton; and Mrs. Ella Klump lives upon the old home place in this township.
resides in Darke county, Ohio: Harriet . 1 .. the wife of John Walch, resides in Bath township. The father of this family died February 24. 1894. at the age of eighty-one years, while his wife passed away in 1879 at the age of fifty-nine years. Both were interred in the Fairfield cemetery. Mrs. Warner was a member of the Christian church. Mr. Warner was a Democrat in his political views and both enjoyed the high regard of many friends.
Paul P. Warner, the subject of this re- view, received his education in the district schools near his home, and with the excep- tion of the first six months of his life has always resided upon the old home farm. He early became familiar with the labors of field and meadow, and as the years have passed he has continued to engage in the tilling of the soil, thereby winning a com- fortable competence. Hle was married on the 27th of November. 1884. the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Catherine Barr, a native of Bath township and a daughter of John and Susan ( Miller ) Barr. both of whom were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they were married. On coming to Greene county, Ohio, they settled in the southern part of Bath township. where they remained until called to their final rest. In their family were twelve chil- dren, and with one exception all are yet liv- ing. as follows: Abraham resides near Dayton, Ohio: Anna, the wife of Mr. Eck- man, resides in Indiana: Susan, now Mrs. Payton, resides in Dayton, Ohio: John is also a resident of Dayton: Hester resides upon the okdl home place : Amos is now de- ceased : David is a resident of Dayton, Ohio : Mary C. is the wife of our subject : Jacob
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been born five children: John. now deceased ; George: Harriet, who has passed away: Perry P. and Susan Ellen. Mr. Warner gives his political support to the Democ- racy. His wife is connected with the Re- formed church. They occupy a very pleas- ant home: in fact. have one of the attractive farm residences of the county. It was erected in 190t and the barn was remodeled in 1899. Mr. Warner carries on general farming and stock raising, and everything about his place is kept in splendid condition. the fields being well tilled, the buildings in good repair. He is an energetic and per- severing business man and one who has well merited his success.
ISAAC EVANS.
Isaac Evans is a representative of one oi the old pioneer families of Ohio, and through almost sixty-five years has been a witness of the growth and upbuilding of Greene county. He was born in Spring Valley township. December 8. 1835. his par- ents being Robert and Sarah ( Coppock ) Evans. His parents were born, reared and married in South Carolina, the father's birth having occurred November 9. 1797. the mother's March 13, 1799. They were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. They drove across the country to Ohio, spending one month upon the way, the date of their ar- rival being October 24. 1829. Moses Evans. the grandfather of our subject. had
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previously died in South Carolina, and his ter of Jonas and Prudence (Smalley ) widow had married Samuel Speer, with Stump. Six children were born unto whom she had come to Greene county in them : Frank S .. who married Cath- erine Eberley and lives on a part of the old homestead ; Minnie B., the wife of Joseph G. Gest, of Washington Court House, Fay- ette county, by whom she has one child ; Louie A., the wife of Robert J. Lacey, a resident of Wilmington, Clinton county ; Alta M., the wife of John L. Snipp, of Day- ton : William J., of Washington Court House : Charles, a livery man of Xenia, who married Stella Lucas, and has one- child. Mrs. Evans died September 17. 1897, and on the 16th of May, 1900, Mr. Evans mar- ried Miss Frances Adams, of Montgomery county. Ohio. 1826, settling where our subject now re- sides. When Robert Evans arrived he spent a few days in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Speer and then purchased four hundred acres of land which now belongs to his grandchildren-the children of Aaron and Margaret (Evans) Crites. Robert Evans had followed milling in South Carolina, and after coming to Ohio he built a saw and grist mill upon his farm. These mills were operated continuously until about 1875. when they were abandoned. In his politi- cal views Robert Evans was originally a Whig and later a Republican. Ile had come to the north because of his opposition to slavery, and when the Republican party .. was formed to oppose the further exten- sion of slavery he at once joined its ranks. Although he did not have a college course he was remarkably skillful in mathematics and had studied surveying in South Car- olina. He died November 9. 1868, and his wife passed away June 17, 1871. In their family were fifteen children, nine of whom reached mature years, while two are still living-Nancy, the wife of Martin Peter- son, of this county ; and Isaac.
After acquiring his education in the pub- lic and private schools and in Bacon's Com- mercial College in Cincinnati, in which he was graduated in 1857. Isaac Evans be- came a partner in his father's milling busi- ness, with which he was connected until 1864, when they sold out. He has since been engaged in farming, which he follows in Spring Valley township, meeting with signal success.
Mr. Evans was first married January 31, 1860, to Miss Matilda C. Stump, a daugh-
In his political views Mr. Evans is a Republican, and when age gave to him the right of franchise he deposited a ballot in support of Abraham Lincoln for the presi- clency. He is a charter member of the Ma- sonic Lodge of New Burlington, and was made a Mason in Waynesville. He also belongs to Xenia Chapter, No. 36, R. A. MI .. and is true to the tenets of the craft, exemplifying in his life its beneficent spirit. His life has been quietly passed yet has been characterized by fidelity in citizenship, by- loyalty to every trust reposed in him, and thus he stands among those to whom honor and respect are given.
FRANK S. EVANS.
Frank S. Evans is a representative of one of the early families of the county and was born near his present home in Spring Valley township on the 21st of January, 1861, his parents being Isaac and Kate
51
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(Stump) Evans, a sketch of whom is given degree of success. In the family are (w) above. The father is still living. but the mother died November 17. 1897. children: Herman, born October 5. 1885. and Lawrence, born February 14. 1894.
The subject of this review spent his boyhood days on the old home farm and supplemented his common school education by two years study in the Lebanon Normal School. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until he had attained his ma- jority and then started upon an independent business career by working as a farm hand by the month. He was thus employed for a year and then made preparations for hav- ing a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Kate Eberley, of Warren county, the wedding being celebrated on the ist of Janu- ary. 1884. The lady was born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, and when a little maiden of five summers was brought to Ohio by her parents, Peter and Susan ( Kreider ) Eberley, who located in Warren county. They, too, were natives of the Keystone state, and the father died in War- ren county on the 2nd of November, 1892. at the age of fifty-five years.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Evans took up his abode upon the place which he yet makes his home, and after renting the land for nine years he purchased the property, comprising fifty acres, it being a part of the farm upon which his grandfather located on removing from South Carolina to Ohio. He has built a barn and tobacco shed and has excellent modern improvements upon the place. His home, however, is one of the & ld landmarks of the county, having been crected by his grandfather. He successfully carries on general farming, and the well- tille l fields bring to him the satisfactory re- turn- for his labor. In his methods he is progressive and enterprising, and his ef- forts have been crowned with a well-merited
Mr. Evans gives his political support to the Republican party and proudly cast his first ballot for James G. Blaine in 1884. In 1897 he was elected a trustee of his town- ship and has been largely instrumental in improving this portion of the county by having the hills leveled down and also in other ways. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order of American Me- chanics of Spring Valley and has filled most of its offices. He is also a charter member of the Modern Woodmen Camp and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During his entire life he has re- sided in this county and therefore has a wide acquaintance among its citizens who freely accord to him the high regard which is ever won by sterling worth.
WILLIAM MCPHERSON.
The rich lands of Greene county offer excellent opportunities to the agriculturist. and many men are successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil within its borders. Among this number is Mr. William Mc- Pherson, whose home is on the lower Bell- brook like four miles southwest of Nenia. Ile was born in the city of Nenia. Febru- ary 10, 1816, his parents being John 11. and Margaret ( Hivling ) McPherson. Ilis father was American born but his parents were natives of Scotland. The mother of our subject was born in Maryland and was a daughter of John Hlivling, who served as the first sheriff of Greene county. By trade Mr. John 11. MePherson was a chair- maker and painter, but had to abandon that
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line of work on account of ill health. For several years he served as postmaster of Xenia, but when a change occurred in the presidential administration he was deprived of the office. He also served for two terms as county recorder and was ever prompt, re- liable and accurate in the discharge of his official duties. Of his large family, John, Moses, Sophia and William grew to ma- ture years and reared families, but William is now the only one living.
In the public schools of Xenia our sub- ject pursued his education, and at the age of eighteen years he began working at the trade of saddle-making in Dayton. He worked a year for his board and then returned to his native city. Later he received journeyman's wages and contin- ued in business until 1840, when fail- ing health obliged him to abandon that pur- suit. He afterward bought two horses and engaged in teaming for some time, but sub- sequently turned his attention to farming upon rented land, where the city of Xenia now stands. He operated what is known as the Dayton Hill and the upper portion of the town, this land belonging to his grandfather Hivling.
In the year 1840, William McPherson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Rader. of Xenia, a daughter of Adam and Christina (Smith) Rader. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living: John H., who is now filling the office of county auditor: Joshua, who was a member of Company C., Seventy- fourth Ohio Infantry and died at Nash- ville; Ann, the wife of E. S. Barnett, of Xenia township; Sophia, the wife of Wil- liam Priest, of Xenia township: Charles who resides upon his father's farm: Adam R., a resident farmer of Iowa ; and William,
who is a graduate of the Ohio University of Columbus and is now professor of chem- istry there. For several years he was a teacher in the schools of Toledo, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Mc- Pherson married Mrs. Mary Ann Wright, nee Price.
About 1848 Mr. McPherson purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty-three acres, on which he took up his abode in 1850. Little of the land had been cleared, but he at once began its fur- ther development and has made excellent improvments there. He also has thirty-two acres in Xenia township near the county seat. His life has been one of industry and energy, and even yet he assists to some ex- tent in the work of the farm, although he has passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. Such a record should put to shame many a man of much younger years, who grown weary of the struggles and trials of business life would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear. Mr. McPherson cast his first presidential ballot for W. H. Harrison in 1840 and voted for J. C. Fremont in 1856, since which time he has been an earnest Republican. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, has filled some of its offices and is identified with the German Reformed church of Xenia. His life has ever been honorable and upright and he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the fu- ture without fear. Few indeed of the set- tlers of Greene county have so many years resided within its borders as Mr. McPher- son, who has spent his entire life here. He receives the veneration and regard which should ever be accorded old age and his life record contains many elements worthy of emulation.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
C. E. ARBOGUST.
BY PROF. GEORGE S. ORMSBY.
The writer of this brief biographical sketch undertook the superintendency of the public schools of Xenia in September, 1861, and continued in that office until 1879. During that period there were many prom- ising lads in attendance at school who have held high, honorable and responsible posi- tions not only in the state of Ohio but in other states as well. Others have been suc- cessful business men and have found their fields of labor in the city, in the county and in the various states of the Union.
The writer well remembers the subject of this sketch when as a young lad he en- tered the school. Hle was a quiet. earnest pupil, whose object chiefly was to make the most of his time and to get the best results from study and loyalty to duty and law .. The promise of his younger life has been realized in his later years. He has proved to be one of the most enterprising, trusted and successful business men of this city.
Charles Elmer Arbogust was born in Xenia, Ohio, on the 220 day of September, 1862. He is the youngest son of Mrs. R. W. Arbogust, who is now living in Xenia, and whom he most highly honors for her self-denial in providing for him a happy home and sending him to school, where he could have all the advantages that the pub- lic schools could give. Leaving school, he worked six months in the rope factory of the Hooven & Allison Company. After this he served as an apprentice to the trade of blank book making and book binding with J. C. A. Rheinhardt, for a time work- ing in this city but finishing his trade out- side of Nenia. In company with Mr. W. B.
Chew he began his present business of blank book makers and manufacturing stationers. on borrowed money, in March, 1881. At the end of a year he bought out Mr. Chew's interest, since which time he has been the sole owner of the business. under the firm name of C. E. Arbogust & Com- pany. and by "strict attention to business" he has been successful.
In 1888, he, with his sisters, purchased a millinery and fancy goods business. now located at No. & North Detroit street, of which he is still a half owner.
He was one of the organizers of the Peoples Building and Savings Company, on the 22d of September, 1885. and has ever since been a member of its board of directors, and was for several years its presi- dent, and has helped largely to bring that big concern up to its present healthy and very prosperous condition. Being now worth over $500.000, making it easy for many a person to own their own home, who without it could not. Mr. Arbogust is the oldest member of this board in point of mem- bership. In the spring of 1807 he was elected a member of the Xenia city board of edu- cation, and in the following year was elected treasurer of the board. He is a man whose judgment is good, and though yet a young man he has been called as a juror in County and United States courts and was for five years a member of the board of di- rectors of the Xenia City and Greene County Work House and was several years of this time its president. Ile was nine years a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A .. of this city, ai ling in installing that good institution jota is present condi- tion of permanency.
Like many other men in business, his
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
path of progress has sometimes been a little has the courage of his convictions. He rough. Financial reverses have been part of his experience, but never discouraged, with untiring energy he has transformed the reverses into success. will not only yield what ought to be yielded but will as positively demand what ought to be demanded. He is now, of course ( Sep- tember, 1902). in the prime of life and He was also a member of the Knights of Honor, and is at present a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has been hon- ored with grand lodge offices by both or- ders. He has been for two years repre- sentative to the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Ohio. seems to be moving steadily up the plane of prosperity. He is at present engaged in the building of his beautiful new home on North King street, which for modern ap- pliances, convenience in arrangement and architectural beauty will not be surpassed by any building in Xenia. -
He is a member of the First Baptist church of Xenia, and for many years a member of its financial committee and one of its trustees. He was for seven years clerk of the church and for nine years the Sunday-school superintendent, and during that superintendency through his painstak- ing the attendance increased from an aver- age of forty-five to one hundred and sixty. He is a man of uncompromising temperance principles, never having in his life taken a single drop of any intoxicating beverage.
He was married February 13, 1882, to Miss Lida A. Robinson, eldest daughter of George F. Robinson, the compiler of this history. He has two sons, George Elwood and Charles Oren, now eighteen and six- teen years of age respectively. He has one brother, J. F. Arbogust, of Springfield, and two sisters, Mrs. Clara B. Stebbins, of Day- ton, and Mrs. E. M. Whittington, of Xenia.
Mr. Arbogust is a man of a kindly dis- position, always considerate of other peo- ple's feelings. Never intentionally and without cause would he give offense to any, yet he is a man of great firmness and de- cision of character, a man of clear percep- tion of what ought to be. and one who
WILLIAM A. HAGENBUCH, M. D.
Dr. William A. Hagenbuch, long a most prominent, honored and respecteil citizen of this portion of the state, was born in North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1831, his parents being Stephen and Mary ( Schreiber) Hagenbuch, who were also na- tives of Northampton county, where they were reared and married. In 1836 they re- moved to Fairfield. Ohio, and there the father followed the occupation of farming until 1876, when he went to Dayton, where he died October 26. 1878. at the age of sev- enty-seven years. He served as an elder in the German Reformed church, in which both he and his wife held membership. In their family were eight children: William A .; Elizabeth, who married David Huston and resides in Bath township, Greene county ; Sarah, Anna, Stephen, Alice, Caro- line, and Louis F.
Dr. Hagenbuch spent his early boyhood days upon the home farm, and after ac- quiring his preliminary education in the dis- trict schools entered a private school in Day- ton, Ohio. Later he was a student in Gran-
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ville and Springfield, Ohio, and next ma- in Xenia in 1866. His death occurred De- triculated at Wittenburg College. For a cember 24. 1883. and his wife passed away November 18, 1901. there remains being in- terred in Woodland cemetery, Nenia. Mrs. Hagenbuch was a member of the Methodist Protestant church. short time he engaged in teaching school in Bath township. Greene county, and in 1852 he began reading medicine under the direc- tion of Dr. J. J. Melihenny, a prominent physician of Fairfield, with whom he re- mained for three years. Ile then became a student in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and upon his graduation won LEONARD OSTERLY. the degree of M. D. He first opened an of- fice in Fairfield. but after a short time came to Alpha, where he spent his remaining days. There a very large and liberal pat- ronage was secured by him in acknowledge- ment of his superior skill and ability.
On the 6th day of September. 1860, Dr. Hagenbuch was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Harbine, and they became the par- ents of seven children, as follows: Joan. who died in childhood : William H., a phy- sician of New York city: Katie, who also died in childhood: Etta Florence, now the wife of Professor Frank C. Hubbell, princi- pal of the schools of . Alpha ; Jennette P. and Frank Harbine, both of whom reside with their sister. Mrs. Hubbell; and Paul, who died in childhood.
The Doctor erected a beautiful home in Alpha, in which his daughter Mrs. Hubbell is now living. He was a member of the Greene County Medical Society and was deeply interested in his profession. What- ever tended to promote the interests of his calling and place before man the key to the mystery of that complex problem which we call life at once attracted his interest and co- operation. Ile was a man of the highest and purest character and was an industrious and ambitions student. In his life he exem- plitied the beneficient spirit of the Masonic fraternity with which he became identified
Leonard Osterly, who was a well-known figure in business circles of Nenia, at the time of his death was superintendent of the Venia Gas & Coke Company and was what the world calls a self-made man. All that he possessed in life came to him through his own efforts, for he started out on his business career empty-handed. The family to which he belonged was of Irish lineage, his parents having been born on the Emer- ald Isle. Leonard Osterly was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, on the 16th of Oc- tober. 1825, and was reared and educated there. On coming to the United States in 1850. he located in Kenia, Ohio, and from that time until his death was a resident of this city. He was variously employed un- ti! he accepted a position with the Xenia Gas & Coke Company and was a trusted employe of that corporation throughout the remainder of his life, being gradually pro- moted until given the responsible position of superintendent of the works. He was well fitted for his duty and enjoyed in a high de- gree the confidence of those whom he rep- resented.
Mr. Osterly was united in marriage 10 Miss Bridget Kelly and unto them were born four children, but the two sons are both deceased. Andrew having passed away on the 20th of December. 1891. while John
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died in February, 1898. The surviving members of the family are Catherine and Mary E., who still reside in Nenia. Bothi the parents held membership in the Cath- olic church and died in that faith. They were true to its teachings and its princi- ples and were highly esteemed in church circles, while. Mr. Osterly was also well known in business circles and commanded the respect of those with whom he was as- sociated. He died in 1885, while his wife passed away in July, 1901.
The surviving daughters are communi- cants of St. Brigid's Catholic church, of which Rev. N. J. Kelly is now pastor. Miss Mary \. Osterly is conducting a large dress-making establishment in the Steele block, where she has three rooms, employ- ing eight or ten assistants. She began busi- - ness here in 1896 and has met with a large degree of success, drawing her patronage from many of the best residents of Xenia. Her excellent taste and style have secured to her a large business and she is now pros- pering in the undertaking. She resides with her sister at No. 402 West Market street.
WILLIAM JAMES LOVE.
William James Love, now deceased, was numbered among the representative men of Greene county identified with agricultural interests. He was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in the year 1819 and ac- quired his education in Oakridge Institute of that county. He pursued a brond and prehensive literary course, becoming well informed, his education being far superior to that of most men of his day. In the year 1873 he came to Greene county, renting a
farm about two miles from Bowersville. When two months had passed he purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides, comprising about ninety-six and two-thirds acres of land. In the course of a year or so he extended the boundaries of this property by an additional purchase of fifty acre -. Ile was very successful in his business pursuits both in the cultivation of crops best adapted to this climate and in the raising of cat- tle, sheep, horses, hogs and fowl. He an- nuially harvested good crops of corn, wheat and oats and as the years passed his well directed labors brought to him gratifying success.
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