History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 70

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

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ALBERT M. STARK

For many years Albert M. Stark was a well known figure in mercantile circles in Xenia and was so widely and honorably known that no history of this county would be complete without the record of his life.

Greene county from Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1814, and almost immediately became a factor in the business life of Xenia. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and was a son of John Stark, who subsequently removed to Lexington, Kentucky. It was there that William T. Stark completed his education and learned the trade of a silversmith, which he fol- lowed during the greater part of his life. In 1829 he was appointed postmaster of Xenia and served in that capacity contin- nously until 1841, his first appointment coming from President Jackson. He held various official positions of trust and was an honored and influential resident of the com- munity. In 1814 he married Miss Lydia Miley, who was born in Washington coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Cincinnati. Her parents settled in Col- umbia, Hamilton county, Ohio, immediately after leaving the Keystone state, and sub- sequently Mrs. Stark became a resident of Greene county. By her marriage she be- came the mother of eleven children. Will- iam T. Stark departed this life in 1858 and his wife survived him until 1872, having lived with her children in Xenia after her husband's death. They were among the early and devoted members of the Method- ist Episcopal church and the family has ever been noted for industry, integrity and honor.

Albert M. Stark, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia June 4, 1822, and acquired his education under the direc- tion of Thomas Steele, one of the most popular and efficient teachers of the city. When a boy he was employed in the store of Canby & Walton, where he received his first business training. He there remained

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until 1838, when his services were sought by J. C. McMillen, with whom he remained as a salesman for some time and finally was admitted to a partnership in the business. this relation being maintained for twenty years. He was also one of the founders of what became one of the largest mercantile houses of Xenia, that of Stark, Lytle & Cooper.

In 1862, however, Mr. Stark put aside business cares and enlisted as a Union sol- dier in the One Hundredth and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and owing to his business qual- ifications he was immediately made quar- termaster, the appointment coming from Governor Tod. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and operated in West Virginia with the Sixth Corps. On the 12th of January, 1863, Mr. Stark was captured by the rebels at Winchester and experienced all the horrors of life in Libby prison, where he was confined for fifteen months. He was the only prisoner who survived the tortures of that loathsome den for so long a time. Of the three who were captured at the same time, his two compan- ions died in the hospital and Mr. Stark was paroled from the hospital, September 12. 1864. In the following January he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg and had great satisfaction in witnessing the surren- der of General Lee at Appomattox, knowing that it practically ended the war for the pre- servation of the Union. His regiment was then sent to Danville, Virginia, on to Rich- mond, and a few days later was ordered to Washington, where it participated in the most celebrated military pageant perhaps of the century, known as the grand review.

On the Ist of July, 1865, Mr. Stark was mustered out of service at Columbus and

immediately thereafter returned to Xenia. where he resumed business relations. He was one of the oldest grocery merchants of Xenia at the time of his death and enjoyed an extensive and profitable patronage. He was also for a number of years the pres- ident of the building and loan association, and for fourteen years he was president of the school board. Through a long period he also acted as a member of the city coun- cil. and in each public position which he was called upon to fill he discharged his duties with marked loyalty and capability. By Governor Hayes he was appointed a trustee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, in which capacity he remained for six years. Governor Bishop reappointed him to that position and for a third term he was appointed by Governor Foster. He was elected appraiser of real estate of the west half of Xenia in the spring of 1889 by a large majority. He belonged to the Ma- sonic fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and took a very deep and help- ful interest in the latter order. He was also a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Xenia and enjoyed the distinction of being its first presiding of- ficer.

On the 19th of February. 1851. Mr. Stark had been united in marriage to Miss Mary Ward, who was born May 2, 1832, a daughter of James H. Ward, one of the highly respected pioneers and merchants of Middletown. This union was blessed with two living children, William and Walter C., who are residents of Xenia. Mrs. Stark still survives her husband and resides at No. 134 West Main street. It was on the 8th of February. 1895 that Albert M. Stark was called to his final rest. his remains being in-

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terred in the Woodland cemetery. He was long a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a distinguished and worthy citi- zen of Xenia.

JOHN S. TURNER.

Almost thirty years have passed since John S. Turner became a factor in mercan- tile circles in Bellbrook, where he began business on a small scale. He has stead- ily increased his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade and now has a store which would be a credit to a place of much greater size. His business reputation, too. is unassailable, for his enterprise and hon- orable methods have commended him to all.

Mr. Turner was born in this village No- vember 5. 1850, his parents being James and Nancy ( Snodgrass) Turner. His boy- hood days were passed in this village, where his father had located when yet a young man. The latter was married in Sugar- creek township and engaged in real-estate dealing.

In the common schools our subject ac- quired a fair education, fitting him for life's practical duties. For a few years he clerked in Bellbrook and thus gained a knowledge of mercantile methods which have proved of value to him in the control of his business enterprise. Soon after his marriage he be- gan business on his own account, and he now owns not only a large stock of gen- cral merchandise, but the building in which he is carrying on business. He also has an excellent residence in the town and a farm of one hundred and ninety acres of valuable land west of Bellbrook, situated on the trol- ley line. These investments have been made as the result of his success as a mer-

chant. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertaking, for the people have reliance in his business methods and also patronizes him because of his reason- able prices.

On the 5th of June, 1874, Mr. Turner was united in mariage in Sugarcreek town- ship, to Miss Martha J. Cunningham, a daughter of James and Sarah ( Stratton) Cunningham. Four children have been born to this union: James, who is a graduate of Wittenberg College of Springfield, Ohio, and is employed by the Foos Gas Com- pany, of Springfield, was married to Miss Maude Butt, of that city, and there they make their home. John, who is a farmer of Sugarcreek township, married Miss Helen Pease, of Bellbrook, and they have three children. Harry M., who on the Ist of January, 1902, was admitted in his fa- ther's business, married Ethel Barnett, of Spring Valley. Grace, the only daughter. is yet a student in school.

Mr. Turner is a leading and active representative of the Democratic party and since 1881 has continuously filled the office of township clerk, while since 1878 he has been village clerk. He has also been treas- urer of the school district since 1884 and is a citizen whose devotion to the best inter- ests of the community is above question. He co-operates in every movement and measure for the general good and his labors have not been without result in promoting the progress and prosperity of Bellbrook.

ANTHONY VARNER.

Anthony Varner, now deceased, was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, and later removed to Washington county. Maryland. In early manhood he married

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Catherine Kline, a native of Washington county and the year 1857 witnessed their arrival in Greene county, Ohio. The work of progress and improvement was in its in- cipiency, much of the land was still unculti- vated and there was little promise of rapid development, but the family cast in their lot with the early settlers and Mr. Varner took an important part in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity. There were thirteen in the party that made the trip to the west, Mr. Varner and his family being accompanied by his two broth- ers and their families. Three weeks had passed ere they reached their destination. They first located in Dayton, where they re- mained for about a year and a half. On the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Beavercreek township, Greene county. Here Mr. Varner purchased ninety acres of land which is still owned by bis daughter. With the exception of a small tract of four acres the entire farm was col- ered with timber. There was an old log cabin upon the place, but no other improve- ments, and with characteristic energy our subject began to clear away the trees and place the field under cultivation. Ile built a larger and more substantial log house and also built barns, but all these are now a thing of the past, save the mere shell of one of the old buildings.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Varner were born six children : Mira, who became the wife of William Burrous: Elizabeth and Elean- or, who were next in order of birth; John, who lived all his life upon the old home- stead and died in 1892 at the age of seventy- nine years, his remains being interred in Mount Zion cemetery: Andrew C .; and Susanna.

Andrew C. was born in Maryland, Oc-

tober 21. 1819. and accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Ohio in 1S27. He remained a resident of this state until 1849 when he went to Piatt county, Illinois, where he has since lived upon the farm which he purchased at the time of his re- mowal there, it having been his home now for more than a half a century. His ed- ucation was acquired in the common schools of Beavercreek township and in Xenia. While pursuing his studies in the latter place he walked each day back and forth to the school. a distance of six miles. He aft- erward engaged in teaching school. being employed in nearly every school in his town- ship and continuing in some of them as many as five terms. He was married to Miss Iva Paxton, and unto them was born one son, George D. The mother died and he afterward married Miss Emily Painter, of the well known Painter family of this county. It was soon after that they re- moved to Illinois. In their family were seven children : Mrs. Ella Dubson, Clara M., William, Jeremiah, Mary, Andrew C. and Richard. Of this number William was born April 12. 1863. in Monticello township. Piatt county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated, but in 1893 came to Beaver- creek township, Greene county, Ohio, where he engaged in the operation of the old Var- ner homestead. He is still living there and is one of the enterprising, wide-awake and progressive farmers of the community. On the 21st of February, 1899. he was married in Xenia to Miss Sarah Jane Hartsock, who was born in Douglas county, Illinois, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Jane ( Rice ) Hartsock, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have been born of this marriage .- Charles William. Frank Ar- lie and Irene.

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Susanna, the sixth member of the fam- ily, became the wife of Smith Fithian, a native of New Jersey, who came to this county when a small child. After he had attained years of maturity he removed to Illinois, where he married Miss Varner. His death occurred January 17, 1890.

Anthony Varner, whose name intro- duces this review. served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was ever a loyal and patriotic citizen, interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his com- munity. Ile died in 1859 in his seventy- fourth year, after more than thirty years' residence in this county, and is yet remem- bered by some of the oldest settlers. ITis wife passed away twenty years prior to his death. Both were loyal and devoted mem- bers of the Lutheran church and enjoyed the high regard of many friends. Their remains were interred upon the farm which Mr. Varner had purchased and improved. He was a Democrat in his political views and was always true and faithful to his hon- est convictions, and well does he deserve to be mentioned among the honored pioneer settlers of Greene county.

MATHEW ALEXANDER BICKETT.

Mathew Alexander Bickett, who resides about two miles east of Xenia, was born in Xenia township, January 19, 1831, and is a son of William R. and Isabella ( Alexander ) Bickett. His father was born in the Coa- quilla Valley, Pennsylvania, about 1796 and was a son of Adam and Elizabeth ( Reed) Bickett. The grandfather was born in the northern part of Ireland where he spent the most of his life and where all but two of his children were born. On coming to America the family settled in Pennsylvania.

where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring a few years later. In the year 1818 William R. Bickett started with the remainder of the family, of whom he was the youngest, for Ohio. They made the trip with a six-horse team and passed the first winter with Robert Hamell, a brother-in-law, who had come to Ohio the previous year as a teacher. In the spring of 1819 the Bickett family purchased one hundred and fifty acres of timber land and in connection with his brother John, the fa- ther of our subject built a log cabin, which was the family home for many years, the sons living with their mother. It was a productive district in which they located. the work of progress and civilization being scarcely began. Wild game of all kind was plentiful, including deer, as well as tur- keys and other smaller game. Mr. Bickett bore all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, but was at length enabled to overcome all obstacles and secure for him- self a comfortable home. In 1827 he was united in marriage to Isabella Alexander, and unto them were born six children : \d- am R., a resident of this county: Mathew .A .: Mary Jane, who became the wife of Solomon Foust, who died a few months la- ter, leaving her with a son, Edward: Eliz- abeth Isabella: Lydia An, who died at the age of twenty years ; and W. Harvey. The father of this family passed away in 1865 and the mother died in April, 1885. at the age of eighty-three years, their remains be- ing interred in Xenia. Ohio. They were the members of the Second United Presbyte- rian church and people of the highest re- spectability. Mr. Bickett bore an important part in clearing and developing the land and thus largely promoted the progress of the county.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

In the common schools near his home Mathew A. Bickett pursued his education and to the development of the home farm he contributed his share of labor until about the time of his father's death. On the 30th of May. 1865. he married Miss Caroline E. Kendall, who was born in Xenia township. a daughter of William and Eleanor ( Jack- son) Kendall. Her father was a native of Kentucky and a son of Robert Kendall, while her mother was born in this state and was married in Xenia township. The Ken- dall family is of Scotch-Irish lineage an.1 unto the parents of Mrs. Bickett were born six children, of whom four are living : Rob- ert, a resident of Xenia : Henry, of Xenia township: Eliza, the widow of Wilson Dal- las, who resides near Dayton: and Mis. Bickett. The deceased were: Mary Ann. the wife of James Galloway ; and Rev. Clark Kendall, a minister of the United Presbyte- rian church, who died at Xenia. The fa- ther was a soldier of the war of 1812 and both he and his wife were consistent Chris- tian people, who held membership in the United Presbyterian church. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with seven children. Clark K., of Xenia township, married Margaret Turnbull and has two children, Mary Eleanor and Joseph Turnbull. Charles A. is at home. William Albert married Margaret Harper and re- sides in Xenia township. Annie M. and Eleanor I. are with their parents. John W. is a minister of the United Presbyterian church, located at Greenfield. Ohio. David Cameron, at home, completes the family.

The family home is an attractive one, noted for its hospitality. All the buildings upon the farm have been erected by Mr. Bickett and stand as monuments to his en- terprise and thrift. He has a large barn,

forty by sixty feet, and a corn crib, forty by nineteen feet. He makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and finds this a profitable source of income. His efforts re- turn to him golden harvests and the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance. indicating his careful supervision. Beginning life with- out means he has added to his possessions till he owns about two hundred acres at pres- ent. He is a Republican in politics, but not an aspirant for office.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bickett are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and are worthy representatives of honored pioneer families. Their own records re- flect credit upon the untarnished family names and they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community who esteem them for their genuine worth, ge- nial manner and kindliness. As a busi- ness man Mr. Bickett sustains an unassail- able reputation for reliability and trustwor- thiness.

HALLIE Q. BROWN.

There are perhaps few ladies in all this land who have as wide a reputation or more extensive acquaintance than Miss Hallie Q. Brown, whose career has been one of marked benefit to her fellow men. Her activity has always been along lines of im- provement and of benefit for those with whom she has come in contact. The high- est and the lowliest in this land and in Great Britain have acknowledged her power as an elocutionist, while many have reason to feel grateful to her for what she has accom- plished. Wilberforce College, of Greene county, Ohio, owes much of its success to her efforts in its behalf and through her in-

Hallie Down

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

fluence its labors have extended to a wider scope, assisting many in the development of their talents and capabilities and thus en- abling them to become men and women of strong force of character and helpful lives.

Perhaps the account of Miss Brown's early life can not be better given than in the words of a contemporary historian who has said: "AA traveler passing by a country farmhouse a few miles from Chatham, Can- ada, not many years ago, might have seen a little girl of eight or nine summers mounted on a colt, without girth or bridle, her hair given to the winds, dashing up a lane to pas- ture. There he would have seen her dis- mount and hastily perform the duties of dairy-maid. first calling each cow by name and playfully inquiring as to the health of each. The milking finished, he would have seen her jump upon a tree stump or felled log and deliver an address to the cows, the sheep and the birds. She had a separate speech for the larger animals and special addresses for the lambs, the ducklings and the other auditors that happened to be pres- ent. Having exhausted her own vocabulary she began a conversation in the language of the cow, the horse, the sheep. the goose, the rooster, until each was imitated, and then, bidding adieu to the "congregation." she remounted her steed and cantered home again. That was her daily morning pro- gram, secret and unobserved. It was for this that she rose earlier than the others of the household until one morning a farm hand saw her by chance, himself unob- served. and her secret was a secret no long- er. This little girl was Hallie Q. Brown. Who can say but that propitious fate had her then in training to develop her powers which have since carried her east and west. upon her mission of amusement, instruction 29

and beneficence to tens of thousands in two hemispheres ?"

Miss Brown was the youngest of six children. Her father died at the age of eighty years, in 1882, but her mother lives with her at Wilberforce, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Jere .A., their eld- est child, is now living in Cleveland, Ohio. He has served in the state legislature of Ohio, and now hokls a position in the gov- ernment service at Washington, D. C. Mrs. Bell Newman, the next younger, is now deceased. Mrs. Annie E. Weaver re- sides at Farmland, Indiana. Mary Frances is deceased. John G., also deceased, was a graduate of Wilberforce University and gave great promise of being a noted lecturer and speaker, but death terminated his career in his early manhood.

Hallie Quinn Brown was born in Pitts- burg and during her early girlhood accom- panied her parents to Chatham, Canada, where she acquired her preliminary educa- tion, later continuing her studies in Wilber- force College, of Ohio, where she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science with the class of 1873. Among her classmates were Mrs. Mary F. Lee, wife of Bishop B. F. Lee; and Samuel T. Mitchell,. afterward president of Wilberforce Univer- sity. Her broad mind and earnest thought. had grasped the situation in the south, and realizing that there was a mighty field of labor, she entered upon educational work in that portion of the country. Her first school was on a plantation in South Carolina, where she endured the hardships and rough life uncomplainingly, and continued her work of teaching the children of various plantations and also instructing the aged ones to read their Bibles, thus bringing into many a life the great comfort which the reading of the

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word brings to all the true followers of toria, July 7. 1899, tea being served in St. Christianity. Later she was in charge of a school on the Sonora plantation in Mis- sissippi, where she found that her labors were largely hampered by two vices-the use of whisky and tobacco-and since that time she has labored earnestly to abolish those two evils. Her fame as an instructor spread and her services were secured as a teacher in Yazoo City, but on account of the unsettled state of affairs in the south in 1874-5. she was compelled to return to the north.

Later a successful teacher in Dayton, Ohio, for four years, she was then obliged to give up educational work on account of her health, and has since devoted her atten- tion largely to lecturing and public reading. She started out upon a lecture tour in be- half of her alma mater, Wilberforce Col- lege, and the first year's service proved her ability in that direction. Then in order to better present her work from the platform she took a course in elocution and again started out upon her travels, meeting with still greater success. For several years she traveled with the Wilberforce Grand Con- cert Company, an organization for the bene- fit of Wilberforce College. She has lectured and read throughout the length and breadth of this land in all the leading cities, and every place has been favorably and enthu- siastically received.

In 1894 Miss Brown went abroad and lectured in England for six years. Among the different lecture courses on which she appeared was that of the renowned West- bourne Park Institute. She has lectured and recited in all the leading cities of Great Britain, and was connected for some time with Lady Henry Somerset in temperance work. She was entertained by Queen Vic- impossible to give any correct estimate of

George's Hall, the hall of the Garter. Wind- sor Castle. She appeared and spoke at the entertainment of the Princess of Wales, the present Queen of England, this entertain- ment being given for the poor of London at the time of the celebration of the Queen's diamond jubilee. She has been entertained and dined by the most noted ladies and fam- ilies of England and Scotland, and during Queen Victoria's jubilee year she was the guest of the Lord Mayor of London and his wife, and later by the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, and journeyed with them in a private car to London, where special seats near Westminster Abbey were reserved for them from which to view the procession an.1 ceremonies. She was also in attendance at the funeral of Gladstone, the ticket of ad- mission being furnished to her by a member of parliament.

Miss Brown belongs to the Royal Scot- tish Geographical Society of Edinburgh, to the British Women's Temperance So- ciety, to the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union, to the King's Daughters, and was a member of the International Congress of Women. Miss Brown went to England in behalf of the Douglass Memorial Hall, which was required for the accommodation of the large and increasing library of the university. She lectured also on temper- ance and various other subjects, and gave many readings, her splendid and exceptional gifts as an elocutionist winning the highest praise. Hers has been a life permeated by the true missionary spirit, carrying truth and help into many districts where it has been so greatly needed, and presenting facts in such a clear, understandable way that her auditors have gone away convinced. It is

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 70

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