USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 66
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Their generous praise which to each was so dear.
They all have passed on, and their mem'ry I cherish.
The old house is gone. yet I gaze on it still.
Like all mundane things. it was destined to perish,
The dear old log schoolhouse on top of hill.
The time-honored schoolhouse, The dear old log schoolhouse.
That stood all alone on the top of the hill.
* An immense hollow tree in which pigs slept.
MARY C. SLOAN WOODWARD. Osborn, Ohio, June 5. 1902.
DAVID B. WATT.
The occupation to which he was reared David B. Watt has made his life work, for he is still following farming and stock-rais-
ing in Nenia township, owning a valuable tract of land of one hundred and fifty acres on the Jamestown pike, the rich fields. highly cultivated. bringing to him a good return for his labor.
Mr. Watt was born in this township. February 21, 1855, and is of Scotch descent. His parents, William and Sarah G. (Car- ruthers) Watt, were both natives of Scot- land, and the former having spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land. came to the United States when twenty-one years of age. spending a short time in New York city, where he worked at the carpen- ter's trade, which he had learned in the land of his birth. Continuing his westward jour- ney he established his home in Bainbridge, Ohio, where he followed carpentering and building until 1849, when he came to Greene county, and turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits in Xenia township. He pur- chased the farm of one hundred acres upon which our subject was born, and to that property he added from time to time. After some years he removed to Cedarville town- ship, where he bought a tract of land upon which he remained for twenty-three years, when he retired from active business life and removed to Xenia. there to spend his re- maining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Ile took up his abode there about 1884 and his death there occurred on the 6th of June, 1894, when he was seventy- nine years of age. Throughout the greater part of his active business life he had fol- lowed general farming and stock-raising and had prospered in his undertakings. Truly a self-made man, he came to this country with nothing but the tools which enabled him to work at carpentering, and as the years passed his industry and enterprise brought to him a very gratifying competence. A Republican
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
in politics, he took a deep interest in the growth and success of his party, doing all in his power to promote its advancement. About 1874 he was elected and served as county commissioner. In early life he was identified with the Whig party. Long a consistent Christian, holding membership in the Presbyterian church, for many years he served as one of its elders. He was laid to rest in Woodland cemetery, at Xenia, and his wife, surviving him about two years, passed away June 9, 1896, and was then laid by his side. She was in her seventy-ninth year at the time of her death. Before her marriage she was a member of the United Presbyterian church, but afterward placed her membership in the church to which her husband belonged. She was always active and interested in church work and her serv- ices in that regard were very valuable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watt were born ten children : Mary E., now the wife of D. H. Cherry, a resident farmer of Xenia town- ship: Sarah J., the wife of Warren John- son, of Wichita. Kansas, where he is en- gaged in the raising of fruit and vegetables : Margaret E., who died at the age of eight- een years; James B., who is engaged in the wholesale clothing business in Chicago; John C., a minister of the Presbyterian church. of Columbus, Ohio: Agnes G., the wife of R. II. Nash; David B., of this re- view : Robert C., who is a farmer and stock- raiser living near Cedarville, in Cedarville township; Emily H., who died at the age of four years; and Rosetta, who died at the age of eighteen months.
David B. Watt spent the first ten years of his life upon the home farm in Xenia township and then went with his parents to Cedarville township, where he remained for fourteen years, removing thence to his pres-
ent farm on the Jamestown pike, in his na- tive township. While under the parental roof he had received ample training in the work of the farm. early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow and the best methods of caring for stock. In the public schools he had acquired a good Eng- lish education and was thus well equipped for the practical duties of business life when he started out on his own account.
In 1880 Mr. Watt was united in mar- riage to Miss Annie Fleming, who was bom in Franklin, Ohio, and removed to this coun- ty when about six years of age. Her par- ents were Joseph B. and Margaret ( Bosser- man) Fleming. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and was a tinner by trade, fol- lowing that pursuit throughout the greater part of his active business life. He was also interested in the canning factory in Xenia. He is still residing in Xenia and is now connected with the Baldner Motor Company. The mother of Mrs. Watt is still living as is her grandmother. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children: Will- iam F., who is engaged in farming with his father : Robert Bigger and Jennie May. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known in this community. Throughout their mar- ried life they have resided upon their present farm which Mr. Watt purchased in the spring of 1880. Here he has one hundred and fifty acres of rich land and in the con- duct of general farming and stock-raising he is meeting with creditable success. He has for twenty-five years made a specialty of raising Cotswoll sheep, being the first to introduce the variety in this section of the state, and he usually keeps a number of imported sheep at the head of his flock. He has taken many premiums at the county
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
as well as the state fairs. In politics he is an active Republican, but is not an aspirant for office.
F. M. KENT, M. D.
The state of Ohio with its pulsing in- dustrial activities and rapid development has within its confines many men of marked ability and high character in the various pro- fessional lines. He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of Greene county, and by his labors, his high profes- sional attainments and his sterling charac- teristics has justified the respect and confi- dence in which he is hekl by the medical fra- ternity and the local public. He makes his home in Spring Valley, but was born in Bellbrook, Greene county, August 31. 1864. his parents being George W. and Mary (Snodgrass) Kent. The father, who was probably born in Montgomery county, this state, was a tailor in early life and later pur- chased a small tract of land near Bellbrook. whereon he spent the greater part of his life. but his last days were passed in Spring Val- ley, where he died, when about seventy- three years of age. His widow is still living there. In their family were four children. of whom the Doctor is the youngest, the others being E. M .. a grocer of Spring Val- ley; E. S., who is engaged in conducting a men's furnishing store in Dayton : Ida, the wife of Dr. W. H. Finley, of Xenia.
The Doctor spent his early life upon his father's farm at Bellbrook, where he contin- ued until 1883. His early education, ob- tained in the district schools, was supple- mented by study in the Normal School at Lebanon and at Yellow Springs, and when
nineteen years of age he began teaching, fol- lowing that profession in Spring Valley and in Sugarcreek township for four years. He began preparation for the practice of medi- cine as a student in the office of Dr. Finley of Spring Valley, and in 1887 matriculated in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, in which he was graduated in 1880. He be- gan practice in Lowell, Ohio, where he re- mained for a year and a half, and had a good patronage from the beginning, but seeking a broader field of labor he came to Spring Valley and has here practiced with success, owing to his ability and close atten- tion to his professional duties.
The Doctor was married at the home of the bride in Mechanicsburg. Ohio, June 3, 1891, to Miss Martha Graham, a daughter of the Rev. T. B. and Abigail ( Taylor ) Graham. She is a lady of superior culture and knowledge, who was educated in the common schools and at AAdrian, Michigan, and afterward engaged in teaching school for several years. She was teaching in Bell- brook when she became acquainted with the Doctor. Her parents still reside at Rich- wood, Ohio. The Doctor and Mrs. Kent have three children, Kathleen, George Gra- ham and Thomas Marion, all born in Spring Valley.
Dr. Kent votes with the Democracy and in 1893 was appointed a pension examiner and served for five years. He is a member of Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F .. is its examiner, and in the present year, 1902, he became a member of Xenia Lodge. No. 668. B. P. O. E. In the line of his pro- fession he is connected with the Greene County Medical Society and with the State and National Medical Societies and by the interchange of thought which forms a feat- ure of those organizations he keeps in touch
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with the progress which is continually carry- ing the science of medicine toward perfec- tion. His life is a busy one, so frequent are the demands made upon his professional skill, and it is therefore well that he takes a deep and abiding interest in his work, in which he has attained a high degree of pro- ficiency.
MATHEW C. ALEXANDER.
Mathew C. Alexander, who is a repre- sentative of the farming interests of Greene county, was born in Nenia township. Jan- mary 3. 1825, and is still living within its borders. His parents were John and Re- becca ( Hook) Alexander. The father was born near Wheeling. West Virginia, and the mother was a native of the Old Do- minion. The former came to Greene county with his parents. Mathew and Isabella ( Ken- dall ) Alexander. The family has ever been noted for loyalty in citizenship. a character- istic that has been manifested by valiant military service. The grandfather of ou! subject had two brothers who laid down their lives on the altar of their country at the battle of Brandywine in the Revolution- ary war. John Alexander offered his sery- ices to the government in the war of 1812. After coming to this country he was mar- ried to Rebecca Hook and they took up their abode upon a farm, the cultivation of which claimed his attention throughout the years of his business career. He was industrious. energetic and reliable, and all who knew him entertained for him respect and confi- (lence. His political support was given the Democracy, and both he and his wife were
valued and consistent members of the United Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1865. and Mrs. Alexander survived for only about a year, passing away in 1866, at which time her remains were interred by those of her husband's. in the Xenia cem- etery. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Mathew Clark is the eldest. the others being: Mary L., the widow of Simpson Drake, and a resident of Califor- nia: James H., who is living in Buchanan county, lowa ; John, deceased : Isabella, who is living with our subject : George, who has passed away: Charles G., who died of ty- phoid fever in the army while serving as a member of Company D, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry: and Josephine, who lives with her brother. Mathew.
In the common schools near his home Mathew Clark .Alexander pursue.l his. ed- ucation, becoming familiar with the branches of learning which fit one for life's practical duties. He also received ample training in farm labor, early becoming familiar with the duties of the field and meadow, and he and his two sisters reside upon a part of the old homestead, where he operates two hun- dred and thirty-three acres of land in the eastern part of Xenia township. He has placed his farm under a high state of cul- tivation, devoting his energies to the rais- ing of crops best adapted to this climate, and also to stock-raising, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs His business is well conducted and his care- ful supervision and capable management have brought to him success in his under- takings. He represents a worthy family that from pioneer days has been actively and honorably identified with the history of Greene county.
M. C. ALEXANDER.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
JAMES H. DAUGHERTY.
Carlyle has said that "biography is the most interesting as well as the most profit- able of all reading." It serves the two-fold purpose of honoring the living and perpetu- ating the memory of those who have at one time occupied a position of prominence and distinction in any of the avenues of life which contribute to the world's progress. James 11. Daugherty was for some years an active factor in business circles in Greene county and his efforts were so discerningly directed that he won creditable success, while his uniform honesty and reliability gained for him an honored name.
A native of Greene county, he was born near Spring Valley, on the 14th of January, 1827, his parents being Michael and Lucinda (McReynolds) Daugherty. Being identified with mercantile interests he carried on a general store at Spring Valley in connection with his father for several years. After sell- ing his interest in that enterprise he built a mill for the manufacture of linseed oil about two miles from Spring Valley. There he carried on an extensive and successful busi- ness, giving employment to a large force of operatives. He remained there until his re- tirement from active business life, in 1880, at which time he removed to Xenia, where his remaining days were passed. He had conducted all his business affairs with keen discernment and unfaltering honesty and his capable management and unflagging indus- try brought to him very creditable and de- sirable success. He became one of the pros- perous residents of the county and the last six years of his life were spent in the en- joyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Daugherty was twice married. He first wedded Miss Pamelia Goe, and unto them was born a son, Charles M. Later our
subject was joined in wedlock to Miss Cyn- thia Compton, a daughter of Henry Comp- ton, who was a native of North Carolina, but had been brought to Greene county when eight years of age. The second marriage of Mr. Daugherty was celebrated on the 15th of August, 1860, and was blessed with two children, but Ella E. died at the age of eight months, while Rosa D. became the wife of F. N. Shaffer. Mr. Daugherty died in .Aug- ust. 1886. In his death Xenia lost one of its worthy citizens, for he was a man of ster- ling worth. possessed of characteristics that endeared him to many friends. His life was at all times guided by principles of an up- right manhood, by reliability in business, by fidelity to every trust reposed in him, and when death came he left behind him an in- tarnished record.
FRANK NEWTON SILAFFER.
The life span of Frank N. Shaffer cov- ered but thirty-five years, yet within that time he attained an enviable reputation at the bar and developed a character of up- right manhood that endeared him to all with whom he was associated and made his death one deeply regretted throughout the entire community as well as in his own household. Mr. Shaffer was born in Xenia, on the 3d of September, 1865, and was a son of the Rev. J. F. Shaffer. He was reared amid the refining influences of a good Christian home and his boyhood's training left its impress upon his life. He acquired his literary edu- cation in the public schools of Xenia and Wittenberg College, of Springfield, Ohio, in which he was graduated on the completion of the regular course with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For one year thereafter he engaged in teaching school in Missouri, but with a desire to become a member of the
27
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
legal profession he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and after completing his studies there was admitted to the bar of Ohio in June, 1888, upon passing a successful examination. Hle located for practice in Xenia, and here in his native city Mr. Shaffer soon won a good clientage. He possessed strong mental- ity, keen analytical power, was logical in ar- gument, forceful in his presentation of a case and won a position of distinction at the bar.
On the 25th of September, 1888. Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Miss Rosa D. Daugherty, a daughter of James H. and Cynthia (Compton) Daugherty. They be- came the parents of one daughter. Louisa B., a bright little girl. whose birth occurred January 5. 1895. It was on the 17th of September, 1900, that Mr. Shaffer was called to his final rest and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued and representative men. He was popular in so- cial circles because of his unfailing cour- tesy. his deference to the opinions of others and his deep and never failing interest in his fellow man. He was always found on the side of progress and improvement and was a member of the Presbyterian church. in which he served as deacon. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, he will long be remembered by those who knew him as a man of genuine worth, deserving of the highest regard.
LEWIS A. KEMP.
Lewis A. Kemp is enjoying a well earned rest after years of active labor in the helds. He is an honored retired farmer liv-
ing in Bellbrook where he has many warm friends who esteem him highly for his gen- uine worth. He was born on a farm two miles east of Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery county, July 30, 1825. and is a son of Isaac and Margaret ( Herring) Kemp. The fa- ther was born in Frederick county, Mary- land. about 1786, and the mother's birth oc- curied near Basil, Switzerland, about 1798. When three years of age she was brought to America. the family locating in Frederick county, Maryland. Her father was quite unfortunate in that he had his barn de- stroyed by lightning and seven years la- ter he had another barn burned in the same way. He also experienced difficulty in ob- taining possession of property because of a law which forbade a foreigner to hold land. Therefore he left the south and made his way. to Greene county, Ohio, about 1805. Here he purchased a section of land on Beaver creek. The same year Ludwig Kemp. the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject. arrived in Ohio and purchased a tract of land near Dayton, to which he removed his family in the spring of 1806. Isaac Kemp was then not quite twenty-one years of age. He remained in Ohio until the fol- lowing autumn, when he returned to Mary- land in order to attend school there. Later he engaged in teaching and during the war of 1812 he was in Maryland at the time two drafts were made, but was not physically able for service. About 1813 he returned to Ohio and entered into partnership with his father in the distillery business. In 1823 he was married on the Herring farm, in Beavercreek township, to Margaret IIer- ring, whose father gave him sixty acres of land near Dayton, and upon that tract he built a hewed log house, making it his
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home throughout life. Later. however, the known, not only in Bellbrook, but through- house was covere ] with weather-boarding. out Montgomery and Greene counties, where he has a large circle of friends. and otherwise modernized. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Kemp, but During his boyhood Mr. Kemp remained upon the home farm, attended the county schools and there studied surveying. Hle afterward engaged in teaching and later was for some time a student in the schools of Dayton. He afterward resumed his work as an educator and followed the profession altogether for about twelve years, begin- ning when he was twenty-one years of age. .At length, however, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, operating his fa- ther's farm, and through a long perio.l he successfully carried on business along that line. When he had acquired a considerable competence he resolved to enjoy a good rest from labor and well does he merit this re- tirement, for in former years his career was one of unflagging industry. enterprise and unfaltering honesty. only three reached mature years, including Lewis .A. and his twin brother. Jacob II., who for a few years engaged in the grocery business in Dayton, and later became a far- mer of Beavercreek town hip, Greene coun- ty. lle married Ellen LaFong, who is still living in Beavercreek, but the brother of our subject, died in January. 1900, leaving three children. The other brother, John D. Kemp, became a practicing physician after graduating from the Baltimore University. lle taught school in order to earn the money that enabled him to complete his college course, together with that furnished him by the subject of this review. He married Ilar- riet Holdeman at Emporia, Kansas, having known her, however, in Montgomery coun- ty, Ohio. Establishing an office in Dayton, he there successfully practiced until April 17, 1884, when he departed this life, leaving one child. While practicing in Vandalia, he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature by the Democratic party. serving for two terms, covering four years. He was then elected to the state senate to represent Preble and Montgomery counties and was an active and valued member of the assembly, leaving the impress of his indi- viduality upon the legislation enacted dur- ing his service. He was also a director of the Southern Asylum at Dayton, filling that position at the time of his death, which re- sulted from an injury caused by his horse running away. He was then about fifty- four years of age, having been born in 1830. Thus it is that Lewis A. Kemp is the only surviving member of the family. He is well
On the 24th of March, 1859. in Mont- gomery county, Lewis A. Kemp was mar- ried to Hester Ann Taylor, whose birth oc- curred on the farm where their marriage was celebrated. They remained in Mont- gomery county until 1875 when Mr. Kemp came with his family to Greene county, hav- ing purchased two hundred and four acres of land near Bellbrook. He also, however. retains possession of one hundred and twen- ty-four acres in Montgomery county. Six children have been born to this marriage: Stephen A., who resides near Emporia, Kansas, where he is engaged in cattle rais- ing, was married in that state to Mrs. Ida Stanford. John died at the age of three years. Josephine is the wife of W. E. Strain, of Greenville, Ohio, and has two sons. Lewis Augustus is engaged in the
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
cattle business at Emporia, Kansas. Addie is the wife of Walter Weller, of Montgom- ery county, and has one daughter. Horace S., who is operating his father's farm in Greene county, was married near Emporia, Kansas, to Ida David, and has two children. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in September. 1890, at the age of fifty- seven years and eleven months and was laid to rest in Bellbrook cemetery. On the 15th of June. 1896. Mr. Kemp was again mar- ried. his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. Harris, nee Brown, of Bellbrook. She was born in Sugarcreek township, a daugh- ter of George and Matilda ( Peoples ) Brown. She was first married March 14, 1874, to Clinton Harris and they had three sons, Claude, of Sugarcreek township : James Le- roy. also of the same township, who mar- ried Catherine Avey and has one child ; and George E., who married Ethel Vaughan and lives in Dayton.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Cass in 1848. Mr. Kemp has been a stanch Democrat. He was appointed to serve for three years as school commissioner of Montgomery county. The probate ju lge wished to re-appoint him but sent him word that he would not give the office to a Val- landingham man, whereupon Mr. Kemp re- turned the message that he was for Val- landingham and therefore did not get the office. but he had the satisfaction of know- ing that he had stood firmly by his belief. Ile served for two terms as township trus- tee and one year as assessor of Mad River township. He has been a member of the school board for fourteen years, was town- ship clerk of Mad River township, filling the office at the time he removed to Greene county. For eighteen years he has been a member of the school board of Bellbrook.
C. H. KYLE.
Professional advancement in the law is proverbially slow. The first element of suc- cess is, perhaps, a persistency of purpose and effort as enduring as the force of grav- ity. But, as in any other calling, aptitude, character and individuality are the qualities which differentiate the usual from the un- usual; the vocation from the career of the lawyer. Possessing all the essential charac- teristics of the successful lawyer, C. H. Kyle has advanced to a prominent position in the legal fraternity of Greene county. He makes his home in Xenia and is numbered among Ohio's native sons, for his birth oc- curred in Cedarville, Greene county, April 30. 1858. his parents being James and Ma- ria J. (Tarbox) Kyle; the former a native of the Buckeye state, and the latter of Maine.
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