History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 20

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

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DIARY OF REV. JOHN STEELE.

On the 11th of .April. 1798, he set out for a point near Maysville, Kentucky. . After crossing the Ohio river he lay out in the woods all night, and reached Chillicothe on the evening of the 20th, preached at Chilli-

cothe from Romans 10:4: also Romans 14:47. This was in all probability the first preaching to the Ass ciate congregation ni Chillicothe. On the 13th of May, he crossed the Little Miami in a canoe, making his horse swim by his side. and preached at the house of Mr. (afterward Gov. ) Morrow. On the 17th he preached at the house of Mr. Bickett. On the 20th of May preached at the house of Mr. Shaw on Clear creek. On the 21st of May preached at the house of Mr. McKnight near Bellbrook from Jer. 31 :33. On the evening of the 22nd of May he tarried at the house of Mr. James Gallo- way, Sr., near Okl Chillicothe. Here we learn from his diary that about the 22nd ni May, 1798, Mr. Steele made his first visit to this county, and preached the gospel in this wilderness. .After the resignation of Mr. Steele in 1836 the congregation remained without a settled pastor for some two or three years. At the expiration of this period a call was made for Rev. James R. Bonner and by him accepted. Mr. Bonner contin- ued his labors as pastor of the congregation for a period of about eight years.

In October, 1845. Rev. R. D. Harper made his first visit to this congregation and the following year accepted a call that had been made, was ordained and installed as pastor. In 1870 he was succeeded by Dr. Wi. G. Moorehead who served until 1875. when Dr. Thomas II. Hanna was called. who in turn gave place in 1880 to Rev. T. H. Wright.

DAVID B. CLINE.

David B. Cline was born near Buckles- town in Berkley county, Virginia, Febru- ary 27. 1807. and remained there until

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twenty years of age. Mr. Cline came to this state with his mother. three sisters, a mar- ried brother and his wife, and Miss Fannie Mortimer, a neighbor girl. The journey was made in one month to a day in a large wagon, and the party settled at Milford. now Cedarville. in this county. April 28, 1827. One beautiful Sabbath in May fol- lowing he attended public worship for the first time in this county, going to an old log church situated in the woods near Cedar- ville, where a Baptist congregation held di- vine services. He went in company with Christopher Fox, a resident of the town, and arriving at the church before the hour of service they went to a spring near by to get a drink, the weather being dry and warm for that season of the year. From that point Mr. Cline had a good view of the arriving worshipers and their diversity of dress pre- sented to him "just from old Virginia" a novel feature. One man came without coat or vest, boots or shoes, wore an immense straw hat and carried a large hymn book under his arm. Another, a pair of heavy boots and a thick overcoat, huge cape and other clothing to correspond, walked up with an air of ease and comfort. While re- marking the great difference in dress of the two, Mr. Cline noticed another man who was just tying his horse to a sappling near by, who wore a pair of green leggings which extended just above his knees, and he asked his companion why these were worn when there was no mud, and Fox replied "Ohr. he wears them to hide the holes in his pants."

At this time Milford was composed of four log cabins and a small frame house which was owned and occupied by a miller whose mill, a small concern. stood near by.

Here the grinding was done by water power. but the bolting apparatus was run by hand. and each customer had to turn the machine to bolt his own grist while he gave the same toll taken at other mills where the work was all done by water power, thus apparently paying for the privilege of running the machine. Soon after his arrival at this place Mr. Cline was employed as a farm hand by Mr. John Reid for whom he labored for some time at seven dollars per month. Ob- taining license from Judge Grover, then clerk of cours, he was married June 15. 1827, to Miss Fannie Mortimer, and not long afterward he removed with his wife to a farm near Grape Grove, and commenced farming for himself. After gathering his crep of corn the following year, 1828, he shelled what was then considered an im- niense load by hand, measured it, hitched up a four-horse team, hauled it to Clifton and sold it to a miller there. This man was a German, and kept two half bushel measures. the larger of which he used to measure grain in when he bought it, the . ther when he sold it. As measured by the Dutchman his load did not hold out according to Mr. Cline's measurement, who, informing the miller that he himself had measured the grain with a scaled measure, and did not propose to be cheated in that way. succeeded in getting . pay for the whole load, with the proceeds of which he went to a store near by and pur- chased two and one-half yards of Cassinet, made at Old Town, for a pair of pants, at a dollar per yard, fifty cents worth of coffee. and twenty-five cents worth of sugar at six and a fourth cents per pound, which con- sumed the amount received for his grain. And often on the way home he had to laugh

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at the change in the bulk and weight of his load, which in coming to the mill, was equal to the strength of his four horse team.

It was in the fall of this same year Mr. Cline cast his first vote for President, which vote he cast for Adams, as against Jackson, who was elected. He made a visit to Xenia soon after, making some purchases of Moses Trader and Samuel Newcomb. In the spring of 1829 be removed to a small farm on Massies creek, near George Gordon, for whom he often worked. From this place he removed to Xenia in April. 1834, and did a great deal of work the first year grading and otherwise improving the streets and also worked as a brick mason for Bazell Kiler. For six years he drove a hack to and from Cincinnati, and to Dayton and Springfield. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Cline commenced his long terms as sexton of Woodland cemetery by assisting the sur- veyor in his work in laying it out. He took charge of the same in 1848 and continued there for many years. Amid all the excite- ment on account of the cholera in 1849 Mr. Cline was ever true to his trust, and while many sent to assist him failed for lack of courage, Mr. Cline was always at his post performing his duty as a brave man should. When the late Civil war, with all its sad features, was forced upon the people of the north, Mr. Cline, although southern born, took his place in the ranks as a defender of "the one country and the one flag" as a member of Company B. Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He lies in the cemetery that he did so much to make beat- tiful. Peace to his ashes.

EDWARD WAMBLE, SOLDIER OF 1812.

Died at his residence in Xenia, March 31. 10

1852, aged seventy-three years, and is bur- ied in Woodland cemetery. He was a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1810 and set- tled near Nenia. In the last war of this country with England, when our frontier was invaded and the inhabitants exposed to British depredations and their savage allies, he entered the army, served one year faith- fully and received an honorable discharge. He was for more than fifty years a member of the M. E. church, and for a number of years was the faithful sexton of what is now called the First M. E. church of Xenia. His conduct was consistent as a professing Christian. Peace to his ashes. Ile rests from his labors and his works do follow him. He was the father of Mahlon Wam- ble, who was so well known in Nenia as an honest, hard-working man, respected by all who knew him.

MICHIEL NUNNEMAKER

Was born in the state of Maryland on the 3d day of August, 1790, where he spent his youth and early manhood. . At the age of twenty-six years he left his home and emigrated to Ohio, settling in Nenia in the year 1816. Here he spent fifty years of his life. He was for a number of years book- keeper and principal salesman in the dry goods store of the late Col. John Hivling. In the early marriage records of the county is the following: "Married. October 28. 1821, Mr. Michael Nunnemaker to Miss Mary Ilivling, by Rev. Thomas Winters. She was the daughter of his employer. Col. John Hivling." They lived a happy mar- ried life for nearly half a century until his death, which occurred at his home in Nenia February 27, 1866. The issue of this mar- riage was one daughter, Sarah A. For

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many years he was one of the leading mer- chants of Xenia. Afterward and at the time of his death he was a banker in part- nership with his son-in-law, the Hon. John B. Allen (deceased), who was born near Mt. Pleasant, Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1816, and died at his home in Xenia December 1, 1893, in his seventy-eighth year.

December 10, 1839, Rev. Joseph Hill spoke the words that united the lives of John B. Allen and Miss Sarah A. Nunne- maker for life as man and wife. Mr. Allen had at first on coming to Xenia, in 1836, accepted a position as salesman in the store of Canby & Walton, who were then con- ducting a store in the east room of Mer- rick's Hotel. Mr. Walton's wife was a sis- ter of Mr. Allen. At the death of Mr. Allen, as given above, he left beside his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Col. Coates Kinney and Miss Clara Allen.

Mr. Nunnemaker was ever known as an enterprising, prudent and strictly honest business man. He was successful in the ac- cumulation of wealth. Perhaps no one more fully observed the precept. "If riches in- crease, set not your heart on them." With an open hand and warm heart he was ever ready to assist the worthy poor. For more than thirty-three years he was a worthy and active member of the First Methodist Epis- copal church of Xenia. His last illness was of four months' duration. Ile and his faith- ful wife. Mary, and their honored son-in- law are buried in our beautiful Woodland cemetery.

AARON ILARLAN.

Aaron Harlan, for many years a rep- resentative man of Greene county. Ohio, died in San Francisco, California, January

18, 1868, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Harlan was born in Warren county, September 8, 1802. He was admitted to the bar in 1825, and immediately removed to this county, which he was chosen to represent in the state legislature in 1831, the people thus early appreciating his talents and worth of character. In 1838, 1839 and 1849 he was chosen to the state senate. He was a presi- dential elector, and also a member of the Ohio constitutional convention in 1850. In 1852 he was elected to congress from this district, where he, in the critical period pre- vious to the war, served for several years, the approved, consistent, faithful and zeal- ous champion of the struggling principles of Republicanism. On the breaking out of the war Mr. Harlan was nominated for con- gress by the Republican convention at Mor- row, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of Hon. Thomas Corwin min- ister to Mexico. It was at this convention that Mr. Harlan made his memorable speech, in which, referring to the rebels, he urged to "whip them quick and whip them well," an expression which, placed as a motto on the Republican ticket, became famous throughout the state. Owing to his boldness and radicalism. and to the milk- and-water and weak-kneed character of a large number of Republicans, he was de- feated.

.As a citizen Mr. Harlan won the respect of all parties. As a lawyer his pre-emi- nence stood confessed. A graceful as well as a forceable speaker, his words always had weight and influence rarely possessed.

RUSSELL RICE, A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF 1812.

Mr. Rice was one of the oldest and most

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esteemed citizens of Xenia. He died De- cember 3, 1879, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Sheley, in this city. He was a native of Connecticut and came to Ohio with his parents in 1811. They settled first in Dayton. He was not yet fourteen years old when he enlisted in the army in the war of 1812. He was noted for extraordinary expertness in playing the fife, as was also his brother Silas an expert with the drum. Both of them were mere boys and went out together and returned without a scratch. They served in the army as musicians two years upon the Canada frontier. . At the close of the war he returned to Dayton, and in 1815 came to Xenia with his mother, his father having died in Day- ton. July 10, 1819, he was married to Elizabeth Sanders. He soon afterward en- gaged in business in Xenia as a manufac- turer of edged tools, in which business he continued until quite old. As a workman in that line it is said he had no superior. His shop once stood on the lot where now ( 1900) stands the Grand Hotel of Xenia. Mr. Rice was identified as an active member of the Whig party, and in his early manhood took an active part in politics. In later years he became and continued a stanch Republi- can. For many years the notes of his fife were kept step to by the tramp of the militia. During the time of the musters in the "good old times" long ago he organized and was captain of the first artillery company formed in Greene county, and in his old age was able to relate many interesting military and political events which formed a prominent part in the early history of this city and county. His strict integrity and active life won for him the highest respect and esteen which was evinced by the many aged friends who assembled to pay the last tribute of re-

spect to his memory the day he was buried in our own beautiful Woodland, west of Xenia, where he had spent so many useful days of his life. His life-long friends and intimate associates, Brinton Baker, Aniel Rodgers, J. C. McMillen, Davis Fifer, John Moore and E. S. Nichols, were his pall- bearers. He was for many years an es- teemed member of the Reformed church of this city, and at the age of eighty-one years died as he had lived, a Christian, December 4, 1879.

IION. JAMES J. WINANS.

Mr. Winans was born in Maysville, Kentucky, June 7, 1818, and died at his residence in Xenia, Ohio, April 28 1879, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His father was Dr. Matthias Winans. James was the second son of a family of ten children. His early years were spent at home with his par- ents, and in February, 1837, he went to Winchester, Kentucky, and became a clerk in the store of Simpson & Miller. He re- mained in Winchester about five years, and during this time, under the supervision of John R. Huston and Judge James Simpson, he studied law and was admitted to the bar by the Mt. Sterling circuit court and shortly afterward came to Jamestown, this county. In April or May, 1842, he removed to Noblesville, Indiana, where he engaged in the practice of law, but on account of the unhealthfulness of the locality he returned to Jamestown in February, 1843. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana, Mr. Howard, afterward minister to Texas, being chair- m'in of the examining committee. During the summer of 1843 he was admitted to the bar in Ohio at the supreme court in Clinton county, Judge George J. Smith being chair-

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man of the examining committee. At this examination there were six applicants for admission, four of whom were rejected. After admission to the bar he began to practice law in Greene county, and on Sep- tember 26, 1843, he was married to Caro- line E. Morris, who with six children sur- vive him. Soon afterward he formed a law partnership with William Ellsberry, with whom he continued until June, 1845, when he was appointed clerk of the court of com- mon pleas of Greene county. He continued in this office until the fall of 1851, when he returned to and continued in the prac- tice of law. In 1857 he was elected to the senate of Ohio from the district comprising the counties of Greene, Fayette and Clinton. In 1863 he was elected to the house of rep- resentatives from Greene county to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of John M. Miller. In February, 1864, he was ap- pointed judge of the court of common pleas for the third subdivision of the second dis- trict, composed of the counties of Clark, Greene, Warren and Madison, in place of Judge William White, who was appointed to a vacancy on the supreme bench. In the fall of 1864 he was elected without nomi- nation and without opposition for the resi- (lue of the term, and in 1866 he was re- elected for the tull term of five years. In 1868 he was elected as a representative to congress from the seventh congressional district, comprising the counties of Greene, Clark, Madison and Franklin, resigning his office as judge. At the expiration of his term he declined a second nomination, al- though tendered him, and resumed the prac- tice of law. In the campaign of 1872 he fell in with the Greeley or "Liberal" movement and ran against L. B. Gunkle for congress in the fourth distriet on the Liberal ticket

and was defeated. Afterward he devoted his whole attention to the practice of law and continued within a few months of his death, when compelled to quit practicing on account of failing health. As a citizen, as a practitioner, as an officer, as a represen- tative and in all his business relations Judge Winans was a man of sterling worth. .Is a judge he was universally popular, and as a congressional representative no man ever served his constituency more faithfully. He lies buried in our own beautiful Wood- land cemetery.

MAJOR DANIEL LEWIS

Died at his residence in Xenia January 9. 1863. He was born near Salisbury, Rowan county, North Carolina, on the 7th day of May, 1797. His family emigrated first to Kentucky, and stopped awhile at Crab Or- chard. In 1803 they arrived in this county, and settled near the present site of Bell- brook. His military title was gained in the militia, in which he rose from the rank of captain to that of brigadier general, which office he held until 1838. In 1836 he en- tered upon the fluties of county commis- sioner and served until 1842. . After Will- iam Coburn Robinson, sheriff. died in the last mentioned year, Major Lewis was the next sheriff of Greene county, and served until 1846. In 1849 he was appointed post- master for Xenia, and served until 1853. In 1854 he was again elected sheriff, and served four more years. In 1861 he was elected county treasurer, and was serving as such when he died. His father, Daniel Lewis, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and is buried in the Old Associate, or Pio- neer, graveyard at Bellbrook, Ohio.

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ABRAHAM BLANN.

Perhaps many of the old "boys" who were born in Xenia previous to 1840 still remember "Old Blann," the jolly, good natured colored man "auction bell ringer" and professional shoe black, and on "mus- ter days" always brought up the rear carry- ing his bucket and tin cup to supply the thirsty soldiers of that day. Almost every one knew him and never will forget the cross-eyed, eccentric, droll old negro, whose whims and oddities have excited so much hearty laughter, the delight of the small boy and loved by all. He died of small- pox in Nenia, Saturday, February 17, 1849.

lle was a native of Nottoway county. Virginia. His inhuman "master" tore him away from his wife and seven children, sent him by sea to New Orleans and sold him to a sugar planter, in whose plantation he labored a number of years. While there. for some supposed offense he was tied up and received a punishment almost as severe as the "Russian knout," being whipped at intervals nearly all day. This confined him to the hospital two months, and much atten- tion was necessary to prevent mortification from ensuing. His cruel master had paid the debt of nature and it was Blann's con- solation that

"Dey dug a hole right out on the lebel,

Cause he actually believe he were gone to de debel :

Oh, goody! Old master used to lite on me so,

Now he got to tote his own firewood be- lou."

His next master ran a steamboat, trading at Mobile and Florida. On the last trip that Blan was with him he landed a quantity of freight and left Blann to watch

it ; he soon found himself surrounded by a band of hostile Seminoles. But among the merchandise there was some whiskey, with which he treated them liberally, and So amused them that they got in a fine humor and left the freight untouched. For this act his master gave him to a relative in Cin- cinnati that he might become a free man. He was for some years in the employ of Gov. Tom Corwin, coming from there to Xenia.

WILLIAM BULL, SR.,

Was a native of Virginia, and came to Greene county, Ohio, and purchased land on M'assies creek in 1803. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He was the father of six sons, namely: Asaph, John, James, Thomas, Richard and William. He was also the father of two daughters, Ann and Mary. Mr. Hugh Andrew gives, in the "History of Greene County," a very inter- esting account of the marriage of James Bull to Ann, daughter of John Gowdy, Sr., of Sugarcreek township. This event oc- curred November 8, 1804, Rev. Robert Armstrong officiating. This was marriage No. 25 as shown on the early records. William Bull's daughter, Aun, must have been married to Samuel Shaw previous to his coming to Ohio, as we find from the rec- ords that she was a widow with two chil- dren, namely. Amos Shaw and sister Mary. Ames Shaw made his home with his uncle, James Bull, until his twenty-first birthday. From the early records we also find that September 1, 1803, she was married to John Marshall, the man who erected the first cabin in the now city of Xenia, April 27. 1804. And on the 4th day of Septem- ber. 1804, was born the first child in what

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is now the city of Xenia, namely, Robert T. Marshall.

TIIE FIRST M. E. CHURCH, XENIA.

This church was organized by the Rev. Benjamin Lakin, June 23, 1813. and was one of the regular appointments on Union circuit, Miami district, with Benjamin Lakin and Solomon Langdon, pastors. The following board of trustees was appointed : Frederick Bonner, John Beall, Chapel Bon- ner, Richard Conwell. John Stull, Samuel Pelliam and James Towler, who at once re- solved to make arrangements for building a church, holding divine service during the time in private houses. A committee was duly appointed to secure a suitable lot of ground and report terms at the next meet- ing of the board. According to appoint- ment the board met, and the committee re- ported as follows: Lot No. 151 (being the ground on which this church now stands) could be purchased for thirty dollars of James Towler, one of the board of trustees. The report accepted lot secured, they pro- ceeded at once to make preparation to build the church. A committee was appointed and authorized to secure forty thousand brick for said building. The next meeting of the board, we find recorded, was not until March 12, 1814. Rev. Samuel Parker, pre- siding elder, and Revs. Marcus Lindsey and Joseph Tatman, pastors. The preacher in charge found it necessary to appoint new trustees, two having resigned and one ex- pelled for non-attendance at class-meeting. It was decided that the number be seven : Nathaniel McClain (brother of Hon. John McClain ) was appointed to fill the va- cancy. Towler and McClain were ap- pointed to superintend the building of

the church; the size to be thirty by forty feet. twelve feet from Hoor to top of wall; foundation of stone: roofed in workman-like manner; said committee to have the work carried on as they felt justi- fiable from amount subscribed, and use the same to the best of their judgment. The work went slow. The next meeting re- corded was May 18, 1815, Rev. John Sale. presiding elder. Revs. Moses Crume and Jacob Miller, pastors. According to pre- vious notice trustees met. Two having re- signed Henry Hypes and Dr. Joseph John- son were appointed to fill the vacancy. Sam- uel Pelham was appointed to assist Towler in superintending and carrying on the build- ing. August 28, 1816, Rev. Abbott God- dard, pastor. we find recorded trustees ac- cepted the meeting house from builder, Mills Edwards, and find balance due him. forty dollars and twenty-six cents. Trus- tees gave their due bill, to be paid in three. six and nine months. Resolved further that suit be brought against those who owe bal- ance on subscription who do not pay in thirty days from date, and Henry Hypes is hereby authorized to carry said resolution into effect. We have no record of dedi- catory services having been held. October 13, 1817, Moses Crume, presiding elder. Rev. John Sale and Rev. John Brooks, pas- tors. Edward Wamble was employed to take care of the church for one year. at a salary of ten dollars. He is authorized to call on each member for a contribution of six and one-fourth cents to buy candles for lighting the meeting house during divine service. In 1818. William Dixon and John Waterman. pastors; in 1819. Truman Bishop and Stephen Harber, pastors; in 1820, James B. Finley. presiding elder, Revs. John Strange and W. M. P. Quin,

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 20

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