History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 68

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

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Four children have been born unto our subject and his wife : Vinton L., who died in August, 1869: Maggie, who married Albert Thornhill, and resides in Xenia: John H .. who married Hattie Stillings and is a farm- er residing in Spring Valley township with his wife and one child. Horace Irving ; and Jessie. at home.

Mr. Harner was reared a Whig and was only four years old at the time of the presi- dential election of 1840. He can remember William H. Harrison, who was then the candidate of the Whig party. In 1860 he voted for Lincoln and has since been a Re- publican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He had one brother, William P., who was a soldier of the Civil war. He belonged to Company F. One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and laid down his life on the altar of his country at the battle near Spottsylvania Court House. his remains being interred in the soldiers' national cemetery near there. Mr. Harner

is a self-made man. He had few advantages in youth but he possessed a resolute spirit, unfaltering purpose and strong determina- tion. Steadily he has worked his way up- ward and to-day he is one of the prosperous farmers of Spring Valley township, having a very desirable property, which is the visi- ble evidence of his life of industry.

WILLIAM MARTIN BARBER.

W. Martin Barber, a native of Greene county, was born May 6, 1820, in what was then Ross township, but is now Cedarville township. his parents being John and Sarah (Martin) Barber. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and at an early day came to Ohio, settling in what was then Ross town- ship. Greene county. His father had pur- chased a large tract of land in this town- ship and divided it among his sons. He. too, became a resident of the county, living here for many years, where he was eventu- ally called to his final rest. John Barber served the country in the war of 1812 and throughout the greater part of his business career carried on agricultural pursuits. After the death of her husband Mrs. Barber re- moved to Cedarville, where she passed away at an advanced age. Both were loyal mem- bers of the Associate Reformed church, and in their family were eleven children, of whom W. Martin was the second in order of birth. Only two of the number. however. are now living, the other being Esther, wife of James Townsley.

W. Martin Barber obtained his educa- tion in an old log school-house in his native township and though his privileges in that direction were somewhat limited, his train-

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ing at farm labor was not neglected. About 1841 he removed to Cedarville, where he en- gaged in the operation of a sawmill, contin- uing in that industry for many years. The mill was situated in the village and he en- gaged in its operation until about ten years ago, since which time he has lived a retired life, enjoying a well merited rest. In his busi- ness affairs he prospered as the result of his untiring activity, his enterprise and capable management. He also owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Cedarville town- ship, which he has managed for. a number of years.

Mr. Barber has been twice married. For his first wife he chose Nancy Townsley, their marriage being celebrated February 9. 1848. She was a daughter of Enos Townsley, a farmer and an early settler of Cedarville township. Her death occurred May 4. 1855, and four children were left to mourn her loss: Emmazetta is the wife of L. J. Bull. of Cedarville, and they have three chil- dren-Carl, Frank B. and Ralph. Mary J. is the wife of Charles M. Crouse, who is engaged in the hardware business in Cedar- ville. Henry M. is the superintendent of the straw department of the paper mill at this place and is a member of the building com- mittee of the courthouse for this county. Nancy is the wife of James HI. AAndrew, a retired grocer, of Cedarville. For his sec- ond wife Mr. Barber chose Mary M. Mead. a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and a daughter of Holmes and Mary Ann Mead. Her father was born in Vermont and the mother's birth occurred in New Jersey. Mr. Mead followed farming all his life. At an carly day he came to Ohio and here became identified with agricultural pursuits. His last days, however, were spent in Kansas. The second marriage of Mr. Barber oc-

curred November 20, 1861, and by this union two children have been born: Carrie J. and Lulu. The latter is at home and the former is now the wife of W. L. Marshall, who is engaged in the livery business in Nenia. They have four children : Harry, Arthur B., Mary L. and Alired L.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Bar- ber was made a member of the Volunteer Company of Nenia, was stationed at Fort Chase at the time of the Morgan raid, but was only on duty for a few days. In pol- ities he was a Democrat during early life, but for the past ten years has voted the Re- formed ticket. For several terms he served as a member of the council at Cedarville, and whatever tended to advance the welfare and upbuilding of the town has proved of interest to him and has elicited his co-opera- tion. For over a half-century he has been a member of the United Presbyterian church and his life has been in constant harmony with its teachings and principles. Mr. Bar- ber is now past the age of eighty-two years. and to him is tendered the veneration and respect which should ever be given to one of advanced years. His life has been char- acterized by industry, by perseverance, by loyalty in citizenship and trustworthiness in all relations, and therefore his example is one worthy of emulation, and one which should ever awaken respect.

J. HOMER HAWKINS.

Upon the farm which he now occupies in Xenia township J. Homer Hawkins was born on the 20th of November, 1864, and here his entire life has been passed as a rep- resentative agriculturist of Greene county.

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He is a son of James and Catherine ( Crom- well ) Hawkins and the father was also born on the farm occupied by our subject. The grandfather was Mounts Hawkins, and at an early day the family lived in the Shenan- doah valley of Virginia. Mounts Hawkins was an own cousin of David Crockett, the famous scout and explorer. Leaving Vir- ginia he emigrated westward and became one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, Ohio. He engaged in farming in Xenia township and purchased the old home place. to which he added from time to time until he had one thousand acres, the greater part of which was originally covered with tim- ber. but he cleared away the forest trees and developed a very valuable farm. lle wedded Mary Allen, a daughter of Davis and Elizabeth ( Antrim) Allen, who were also from Virginia. It was in 1814 that the grandparents of our subject arrived in Greene county, and the thousand acres of land were purchased for five thousand dole lars. Both Mounts Hawkins and his wife spent their remaining days in this county.

mained in Maryland and then the mother brought her six children, of whom Mlrs. Hawkins was one, to Greene county, Ohio. James Hawkins was a prosperous and pro- gressive man and provided a good home for his family. He became a very extensive land owner and his realty hollings brought to him a good financial return by reason of the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields. He was a member of the First Re- formed church of Xenia and served as one

of its elders for many years. In politics he was a Democrat. His death occurred in December. 1882, when he was sixty-two years of age, and thus the community lost a valued and representative citizen and his family a devoted husband and father. His widow still survives him and yet resides upon the old home farm with the subject of this review. By her marriage she be- came the mother of nine children: Joseph C., who died in childhood ; Mary Belle, at home : Carrie, also at home: Sallie C., who spends most of her time in Atlanta, Geor- gia: Mounts, who died in infancy : Flora, who died at the age of seventeen years : Frances C., the wife of L. F. Cramer, an insurance man of Osborn, Greene county ; Ann Maria, who died in infancy; and J. Homer. Of this family Frances C. was married in 1881 to L. F. Cramer, of Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Winnefred. a student in Wittenberg College, of Springfield. Ohio: Ralph, a stu- dent in the high school of Osborn: Cather- ine, who is also taking the high school course: Joseph Carl, who died at the age of three years ; and Marguerite, at home.

Their son, James Hawkins, was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and as- sisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm from the wild forest land. Throughout the years of his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, making his home upon the place where his birth oc- curred. He married Catherine Cromwell, a native of Maryland and a daughter of Rich- ard and Susan ( MeLaughlin) Cromwell. also natives of the same state. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser and followed those pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in Maryland, when he was forty-six J. Homer Hawkins pursued his carly ed- ucation in the public schools of Xenia and later became a student in Xenia College. years of age. He had served his country in the war of 1812. For nearly ten years after the father's death the Cromwell family re- after which he entered upon his business

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career as a farmer and stock-raiser, having gained practical knowledge of the business during the days of his youth, when he was not occupied by his school work. He is en- gaged in the operation of two hundred acres of rich and valuable land, and the fields are under a high state of cultivation. He is also a successful stock-raiser, making a specialty of short-horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. He takes a deep interest in everything tending to promote the wel- fare of the agricultural class and render their labors more effective and profitable, and is to-day the president of the Greene County Farmers' Institute.

In November, 1801, Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fisher. a daughter of Andrew Fisher, a meat packer and dealer of Xenia. To them have been born two children: James, born March 7. 1894, and Edith M., born April 27. 1809. In his political views Mr. Hawkins is a Dem- ocrat and has been a member of Xenia town- ship board of education for the past seven or eight years, while for fourteen years he has been a deacon in the Reformed church, in which he holds membership.

SAMUEL MOSES MALLOW.

per township, his parents being George and Elizabeth ( Fudge) Mallow. The family is of German lineage but was founded at an carly date on American shores. Both of the parents of our subject were natives of Vir- ginia, the father having been born in Rock- ingham county. They were married in Warren county. Ohio, having taken up their abode in this portion of the state during its primitive development. After their mar- riage they lived in New Jasper township, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1861 at the age of seventy-one years, while the mother's death occurred in 1865, their remains being in- terred in Boots' cemetery of New Jasper township. Mr. Mallow was a Whig in his political views and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran church. They had six children but only two are now living, Henry M., the youngest of the family, being a resident of Warren, In- diana.

Samuel M. Mallow, of this review, was the fifth in order of birth. He is indebted to the common school system of New Jas- per township for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in early youth. At first he attended school throughout all sessions, but in later years, when he was old enough to assist in the work of the farm, he pur- sued his studies only through the winter months, and when nineten years of age put aside his text books. He continued on the old family homestead until November 6. 1851, on which date was celebrated his mar- riage to Miss Amy H. Adsit, who was of English lineage. She was born in Dutchess county, New York, as were her parents, Hi- ram and Susan ( Butts) Adsit, the former born June 4. 1807, and the latter on the toth

From pioneer times down to the present the Mallow family has been represented in Greene county and the name figures on the pages of history in connection with agricul- tural interests and with many lines of prog- ress and improvement, which have lead to the substantial upbuilding of this portion of the state. Mr. Mallow of this review is now residing in Caesarscreek township. He was born May 6, 1831, in what is now New Jas- of August of the same year. Their mar-

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riage was there celebrated December 3. 1829, and in 1833 they emigrated westward, Mrs. Mallow being at that time only ten months okl. They first settled in Spring Valley township but after a short time Mr. Adsit purchased about one hundred acres of land, constituting the farm upon which our subject now resides. From this tract he cleared the heavy timber and continued the work of improvement and cultivation until his death, which occurred September 2. 1847, when he was forty years of age. His wife long survived him and passed away in 1896 in her ninetieth year. He was buried in the Baptist cemetery of Caesarscreek township and his wife in the cemetery in Xenia. She was a member of the Reformed church and by her marriage had become the mother of four children, of whom three are now living : Daniel B., who resides in War- ren, Indiana: Silas, of Jamestown, Ohio: and Mrs. Mallow.

AAfter his marriage Samuel M. Mallow rented land for two years and then with the money which he had acquired through his own efforts he purchased his present farm. which has been his home continuously since. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land which is under a high state of cultivation. He built the dwelling and barns upon the place and has made other substantial im- provements, which indicates his progressive spirit and his enterprise. His farm work has been to him a profitable source of in- come and he certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mallow has been blessed with two children. George Fudge, the elder. married Josephine Smith and resides in Xenia township. They have one child. Opal. Susan is the wife of Charles Mckay. of Clinton county, and they have three chil-

dren, Bernard, Amy C. and Lena M. Mrs. Mallow belongs to the Reformed church and is a most estimable lady. To the men and measures of the Republican party Mr. Mal- low gives his support and has held the office of trustee in Caesarscreek township. He has good business ability, is prudent and ear- nest, and owes his success not to genius but to the due exercise of his own good judg- ment.

HON. JOSEPH B. CUMMINGS.

Joseph B. Cummings is one of the dis- tinguished and honored residents of Greene county, having gained prominence in po- litical as well as in business circles. He stands to-day a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, and his value to the community by what he has done in be- half of the county is widely recognized. His birth occurred May 31, 1841, on a farm in Caesarscreek township, where he now re- sides. His father, Thomas B. Cummings. was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. February 6, 1814, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, coming to the west when twenty-two years of age. He en- gaged in teaching in his native county in early life, but believing that he would have better business opportunities in the new and growing west he walked from Philadelphia to Pittsburg and then proceeded by boat to Cincinnati, arriving at that place with only fifty cents in his pocket. He then made his way into the interior of the state and formed the acquaintance of a man who proved to be Mr. Weaver, of Greene county, and a neighbor of David Marshall, an uncle of Mr. Cummings. The latter accompanied Mr. Weaver to Greene county, and after a

J. B. CUMMINGS.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

few days accepted a position as teacher of a school. He taught about twenty years in Caesarscreek township, in the meantime hav- ing purchased a farm of fifty-five acres, of which only about two acres had been cleared. while a log cabin constituted the only im- provement upon the place. Mr. Cummings continued clearing his land while engaged in teaching. At length he abandoned that pro- fession and by industry and perseverance and capable management became the own- er of a very valuable farm, extending its borders from time to time by additional pur- chases until by the close of the war he was the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land. lle gave a part of this to his chil- dren, also sold a portion of it, but at the time of his death retained possession of two hundred and forty-two acres. Mr. Cum- mings was twice married. He first wedded Mary E. Boots, who died on the Ist of Oc- tober, 1861. She was a descendant of the Peterson family of Caesarscreek township. By that marriage there were eight children : Mary, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Joseph B .: Sarah J., the wife of William Conklin, of Xenia : James M., who is a resi- dent of Indiana, and who served in Com- pany .A., Second Ohio Light Artillery in the Civil war: Thomas Jefferson, who served in Company E, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, being on Ship Island during his entire serv- ice, and is now deceased; Martha, the wife of Henry C. Long, of Jasper township; and Ada, who died at the age of three years. After the death of his first wife the father was married on the 11th of September. 1862, his second union being with Miss Mary E. McNair, who still survives him and is liv- ing with John Cummings. The mother of our subject was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but the father 28

and his second wife belonged to the Re- formed church. He served as a justice of the peace and took a very active part in pol- itics, upholding the principles of the Re- publican party. His death occurred Novem- ber 22, 1895, at the age of eighty-one years and after almost a half-century's residence in Greene county.

Joseph B. Cummings, whose name in- troduces this review, obtained his education in the district schools near his home and remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he enlisted at Dayton, Ohio. September 22. 1861, in re- sponse to President Lincoln's call for aid in preserving the Union. Ile was mus- tered in on the 28th of the same month as a private of Company E, First Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and participated in the bat- tles of Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River. Liberty Gap. Chickamauga and minor en- gagements. At Chickamauga on the roth of September, 1863, he was wounded in both hands and the left lung. The regi- ment was in the very thickest of the fight. and. having sustained these injuries, Mr Cummings was sent to the hospital at Chat- tanooga and afterward to Nashville, Ten- nessee. In May he was ordered to Wash- ington, D. C., and there was made first sergeant of Company H, Nineteenth Regi- ment of the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was stationed at Rochester, New York, dur- ing the famous draft riots in that state, and in that state was honorably discharged Oc- tober 15. 1864.

Mr. Cummings at once returned to his home and on the 14th of February, 1865. he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Humston, a daughter of H. G. and Elizabeth ( Ford) Humston, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have graced this

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marriage: Mary, born September 26, leader in the cause of liberty, of freedom and 1867. is an instructor in Greek and occu- of progress and his hearty cooperation has ever been given to that which tends to ele- vate mankind. pies the chair of modern languages in the Tusculum College, in Tennessee. She was educated in the Xenia Female Seminary and in Antioch College. Ina, born October y. 1870. is the deceased wife of T. O. Mas ni. of Nenia, and left one son. Joe. Thomas. JAMES COLLINS GALLOWAY. born July 26, 1876. married Mamie M. Wise, and they reside with his father. They lost one child, Marie, but have two sons. Donald and Floyd.

Mr. and Mrs. Cummings holl mem- bership in the Reformed church, and he maintains relations with his old army com- rades through his membership in Lewis Post, G. A. R. He is also identified with the Union National Legion. In politics he is a very prominent Republican and is recognized as a leader of public thought and action in his district. He was elected township clerk. in which position he served for six years, was land appraiser and for twelve years was justice of the peace. In 1894 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legisla- ture, where he proved an active working member. He served on a number of im- portant committees, including the commit- tees on county affairs, the military. Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, and of the last named he was chairman. In 1895 he was re-elected and his course was such as re- flected credit upon his constituents, for he labored earnestly and indefatigably for the welfare of those whom he represented. Itis life has been devoted to his family and his friends, his business and to the support of those principles which he believed to be right. His unswerving purpose, his um- questioned fidelity, his unfaltering honesty and his unchanging way have commanded the highest respect of all. He has been a

The name Galloway is closely associated with the history of Xenia and Groene coun- ty. The pioneers of the Greene county branch of this family came from Lexington. Kentucky, in 1797, and settled upon the banks of the Little Miami river about four miles north of Xenia, near Old Chillicothe. now Oldtown. This family is of Scotch ori- gin and they are known to have lived in the southwest part of Scotland, in the district composed of Wigton and Kirkcudbright of to-day. During the era of the persecution of the Christians in Scotland they migrated across the Irish sea and settled in County Antrim, Ireland. This is known as the Galloway district and it was from this place that the family of seven brothers-George. Samuel, John. William. James, Peter and Thomas,-yearning for civil and religions liberty, set sail for the new world. They made a settlement in the province of Penn- sylvania early in the eighteenth century near the famous spring of the noted Indian chief Logan, in what is now Cumberland county.

George Galloway, one of these brothers. was born in Scotland about 1700, emigrated to freland to avoid religious persecution, coming thence to America and founding a branch of the family in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania. He married Rebekah Junkin. a native of Scotland, and died August 3. 1783. In their family were five sons and four daughters : William, Joseph. John,

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Samuel. James, Jane, Margaret, Martha and in the county. In politics he was a Whig in Sarah.

Of this number James Galloway was a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner. Ile was born May 1. 1750, and married Rebekah Junkin, who was born October 2. 1759. They were residents of Greene county, Ohio, at its organization, having settled near ()]] Chillicothe( now Ollte wn) in 1797. The for- mer died near Nenia. August 6. 1838, and the latter August 31. 1812, their remains being interre ! in Massier Creek burying ground, four miles east of Xenia. In their family were eight sons and two daughters: George, James, Joseph. William, Samuel. Andrew. Anthony. John, Rebecca and Ann. Rebecca became the wife ci fisorge Gallo- way and they were the parents of James Col- lins Galloway.

George Galloway was born in Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1784. and was the son of Joseph Galloway. His brothers and sisters were John. William. Jane, Isabel. Joseph, Jr. James, Sophia. Ann Eliza, Agnes and Elizabetil, Ile married Rebecca Galloway, who was born near Lex- ington, Kentucky, October ;. 1,91, and died February 25, 1876, at Nenia, Ohio, Her husband. George Galloway, died at the same place January 29. 1857. Their children were James Collins, Madison, William. Ann, Martha and Eleanor.

James Collins Galloway was born in Nenia township. Greene county, Ohio, June 30, 1817. He was a man of broad mind and liberal education for the period in which he lived. He was closely associated with the educational interests of the county, and the common school system was materially pro- moted through his efforts. He was a strong abolitionist, an earnest Christian and organ- ized the first Sabbath school for freedmen

early life, and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks. In religion he was a Seceder and later a Presbyterian. On the 18th of November, 1841. James Col- lins Galloway and Mary Ann Kendall were married by Rev. James R. Bonnar. She was born in Xenia township, May 12. 1822. and was a daughter of William and Eleanor ( Jackson ) Kendall. Her father was born at Stoney Creek, Kentucky, in 1705. and Was a son of Robert and Nancy ( Wilson ) Kendall. Robert Kendall was born October 12, 1752, and died on the 12th of October, 1843. llis wife, who was born in 1770. died February 18. 1852. Their children were William, John. James, Francis, Mil- ten. Newton, Martha. Ann. Isabel and Nancy. Of this family William Kendall died near Xenia, August 6. 1870. He had married Eleanor Jackson, a daughter of Robert Jackson, a granddaughter of David Jackson and a great granddaughter of Dr. Joseph Jackson. The last named was born in County Antrim. Ireland, in 1690, and about 1762 emigrated to America, his chil- dren having preceded him Of his large family Hugh. Robert and David were full brothers, while Andrew. a half brother, was the father of Andrew Jackson, who be- came president of the United States in 1820. Dr. Jackson died in 1768. His son, David Jackson, was born in Ireland in 1730, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and lost one of his hands in the battle of Trenton on Christmas day. 1776. He died in 1811. The third child born unto him and his wife Elizabeth was Robert Jackson, the father of Mrs. William Kendall. He was born at Newtown, Limavady, County Derry, Irc- land, in 1758. He had two brothers and

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 68

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