History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 72

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

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Mr Jackson is a recognized leader of the Republican party in this county and his opinions carry weight in the councils of the organization. He was elected to represent his district in the sixty-eighth general as- sembly and filled the position so creditably that he was re-elected. He was chosen ser- geant-at-arms in the seventieth, seventy- first, seventy-second, seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth assembllies. At the last elec- tion in 1902 he was the Republican caucus nominee by acclamation and received the en- tire vote of the assembly, both Democrats and Republicans,-a case unparalleled in the history of the state legislature. He is hold . ing some local offices, has been a member of the school board for twenty-one years, is now serving as its clerk, and is also filling the position of justice of the peace of Cedar- ville. He was a member of the Ohio Chick- amanga commission that erected monuments on the battlefield. This appointment was made under the act of May 4, 1891, by the Ohio assembly, whereby eight commission- ers were appointed by Governor J. E. Camp- bell, these being: Generals Jolin Beatty, Ferdinand Vanderveer, C. H. Grosvenor and Aquilla Wiley, Hon. J. S. Gill. Hon. Andrew Jackson, Private Frederick Wen- dall and Captain J. C. McElroy. This com- mission was the first in the field and erected fifty-two monuments which were dedicated September 19, 1895, at the time of the na- tional dedication on the anniversary of the battle. The commission spent four years in its labors. Mr. Jackson has a wide ac- quaintance among the public men of the state, as well as in Greene county and en- joys in high measure the warm regard of all and the friendship of many of the distin- guished citizens of Ohio.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

FREDERICK CHRISTIAAN TREBEIN.

Frederick Christian Trebein, now de- ceased, was an influential and respected cit- izen of Greene county. The greater part of his life was spent in the vicinity of Xenia. His birth occurred in Dayton, Ohio, Octo- ber 24. 1833. His parents were William and Christina Trebein, who had two chil- dren, a daughter. Mary, born in Germany, and Frederick, born in this country. The parents were natives of Germany, but came to Dayton early in the history of that city. William Trebein was one of the first four Germans who settled in Dayton. There Frederick C. Trebein spent his childhood and early manhood, and for his native city he always retained the greatest affection.

Mr. Trebein was self-educated and self- made. From chore-boy in a dry goods store he rose to be a partner in the business, and later owned and conducted a large dry goods store on Third street. His health failed after some time and it was necessary for him to give up a business that confined him so closely indoors.

In the early part of 1868 he came to Greene county, settling at what is now called Trebein's Station, where he engaged in the milling and distilling business. Mr. Trebein's interests were broad and he was regarded as one of the foremost business inen of the county. He was industrious. resolute and persevering, and these qualities brought him success. He was a consider- able property owner in Xenia and was iden- tified with several of Xenia's largest indus- tries. He was always a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and was a man who had the courage to stand up for his convic- tions. Simplicity and straightforwardness characterized his entire life.

On the 16th of November, 1869. Mr. Trebein was married to Miss Joan Ankeney, daughter of Samuel Ankeney, long an hon- cred citizen of Greene county. There were two children : Bertha E., who resides with her mother; and Mrs. P. H. Flynn, whose husband manages and is a large stockholder in the Xenia and Buckeye Shoe factories. The family is identified with the Reformed- church, to which Mr. Trebein was a liberal contributor. He also gave his support to. many other measures for the public good, but always in a quiet way. At his death, which occurred June 4, 1900, he left many warm friends who sincerely mourn his loss. IJe had become recognized as an active and valued factor in business circles, and was also highly esteemed for his genuine per- sonal worth. Since his death the family have removed to Xenia and now reside at No. 125 North Detroit street.

WILLIAM MCCLELLAND.

William McClelland, now deceased. was a well known representative of Sugarcreek township, who in a high measure enjoyed the esteem of his fellow men because his life was upright and honorable. He was born January 3, 1825, on the farm in Sugarcreek township, which is now the home of his widow. His parents were Captain Robert and Martha (McConneil) McClelland. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was very prominent in political circles. He came to Greene county in 1802 and in 1806 purchased the old home farm comprising nearly three hundred acres of rich land, which he developed and improved until it was a very valuable farm. His death oc- curred in the year 1846.

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William McClelland, whose name intro- appraiser and also school director. For duces this review, assisted his father in the work of the home farm during the period of his youth, also pursued his education in the district schools and enjoyed the pleas- ures such as were common to boys of that period. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Miss Jane Watt, of Beaver- creek township. She died about 1881, and on the 3d of July, 1883. Mr. McClelland was again married, his second union being with Miss Hannah M. Naughton, of Xenia. She was born in Hamilton county near Cincin- nati, and was a daughter of James and Mary (Welch) Naughton. Her mother died dur- ing the infancy of Mrs. McClelland, who was then reared by a family living in Greene county, near Jamestown. After his mar- riage Mr. McClelland devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and his fields were always well tilled, showing his careful su- pervision and his thorough knowledge of farming methods.

At the time of the Civil war he mani- fested his loyalty to the Union cause by be- coming a member of a company known as the Squirrel Hunters. He afterward joined Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. When the regiment took part in the battle of New Creek, his company was engaged in guard- ing Piedmont and thus was not in the en- gagement. Mr. McClelland remained at the front for about four months and during the service was ill with the measles. He never afterward fully recovered his health and (lied on the Ioth of March, 1901. in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He voted with the Republican party, and although never a politician in the sense of office seek- ing, he kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day. In 1890 he was land

eight years he was director of the Greene county agricultural board and then resigned because the board determined to have horse racing at the county fairs. He did not ob- ject to speeding horses, in fact was very fond of a good horse and loved to test its speed. his objection to the racing at the fairs being on the ground of the gambling which was connected with it. Mr. McClelland long held membership in the Second United Pres- byterian church and for thirty years served as elder, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of Christianity and pro- mote the growth of the church. His life was one that was in harmony with princi- ples of upright manhood and in which he had due regard for all his obligations to his fellow men. He was honorable, courteous, kindly and possessed a genial and friendly disposition, and thus his death was sincerely and deeply mourned throughout the com- munity. Mrs. McClelland has long been identified with the United Presbyterian church.

EDMUND HARRIS MUNGER.

Judge E. H. Munger is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Ohio, whose representatives have for a cen- tury been connected with the development and progress of this state, but further back can he trace his ancestry, for in an early epoch in the colonization of America his an- cestors came to the new world. The Mun- ger family is of English lineage and from the county of Kent in the year 1639 came one of the name, establishing his home in New England, where his descendants be- came active factors in the substantial up-

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building and improvement of that section of the country.

Edmund Munger, the grandfather of our subject, was a general in the war of 1812 and for a time was in charge of the Ohio army, but after was superseded by General Hull, who took the troops to Detroit where he afterward surrendered them. General Munger was a farmer by occupation and was a man of marked ability along many lines. He had considerable mechanical tal- ent, could shoe his own horse and repair his farm machinery and at the same time his mental talents and broad knowledge made him a leader of public thought and opinion. On coming to Ohio, he spent one summer on wild land near Belpre, in Washington county, where he cleared some of his land and planted a crop. AAfterward he purchased an entire section-six hundred and fort; acres-of what was known as the Simms purchase, south of Dayton in Montgomery county. in 1798. His new tract of land Gen- eral Munger cleared and for many years made his home thereon. At first he lived in true pioneer style, his home being a log cabin, but as the years passed and he won prosperity, he added to his place all modern equipments and conveniences and erected a large brick residence. He was a man deeply interested in all that pertains to the promo- tion of the general welfare, was a leader in public thought and action, and was called to represent his district in the state legisla- ture. In fact, he was one of the most prom- inent and influential citizens of his portion of the state. He would hold church meet- ings, singing societies and meetings of a similar character which tended to promote sociability as well as culture and morality among the people of the community. He donated the ground upon which a school

was built and was an active factor in advanc- ing general progress. He died at his home on the old Simms purchase at the age of eighty-six years, while his wife reached the very advance age of one hundred years and four months.

Reuben Munger, the father of our sub- ject. was reared to manhood on the old fam- ily homestead in Ohio, although he was born in New England. He was the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, ten of whom reached years of maturity and reared families of their own. Ile received the ordinary common school advantages offered at that time and became a well in- formed man. His father established a cir- culating library and the children therefore had the opportunity of acquiring much knowledge in that way. He learned the trade of a builder and for many years was extensively and successfully engaged in contracting and carpentering. Like his fa- ther he possessed much mechanical ability and ingenuity, and could not only engage in carpentering, but could make carriages and wagons and even constructed threshing machines in thai early day. He married Laura Harris, also a native of Montgomery county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bingham) Harris, who were New England people, and removed to Ohio at an early period in the settlement of this state. Unto Reuben and Laura Munger were born three children, the eldest being the Judge, while the second son was John, who died at the age of nineteen years. The third child was Amanda, who died at the age of four years. John passed away in New Orleans, to which city he had been taken on account of his health, but he died the evening after his ar- rival. Although he always resided upon a farm, Reuben Munger never actively en-

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gaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived to turned to his home and established a school a very ripe old age, passing away in his ninety-sixth year, while his wife died at the age of seventy-four, at the old home on Montgomery county. Following her death, the father came to Greene county and spent his last days in the home of the Judge in Xenia.

Like most boys of the period, Judge Munger began his education in the common schools such as existed during his boyhood and was also instructed by a neighbor, the Rev. Mr. Hall, who taught him to read Latin. He took up the study of algebra and surveying independently and made for him- self a set of surveying instruments. He also made a set of blocks to illustrate the law of cube root. After he had mastered the branches of learning taught in the neighbor- hood schools, he began teaching in the com- mon schools and followed that profession for a number of years, alternating his edu- cational work, however, by attendance at the Xenia Academy and the academy conducted by Mr. Barney in Dayton. Subsequently he pursued a collegiate course in Miami Uni- versity at Oxford, and when in the senior year, together with sixteen of his classmates, he left that institution and went to Dan- ville, Kentucky, completing his course of study there by his graduation in the class of 1848. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him and he was chosen to deliver the graduating address, taking as his subject The Ideal. Judge Munger earned the sum necessary to defray his ex- penses throughout the period in which he was obtaining his education, with the excep- tion of the sum necessary for the last term .of three months.

After his graduation Judge Munger re-

for young men and women at Bellbrook. Greene county, conducting the same for nine months. He then began reading law with Joseph G. Gest. of Xenia, with whom he read for two years, after which he was ad- mitted to the bar before the supreme court at Columbus. in 1851. He then went into partnership with his preceptor, a connection that was maintained for two or three years, when Mr. Gest retired from practice and Judge Munger purchased his library and ad- mitted R. F. Howard to a partnership in the business. On the expiration of two years. this relation was discontinued and since that time Judge Munger has been alone in practice. For years he maintained a very prominent position at the bar of Ohio. His standing at the bar was a merited trib- ute to his ability. He threw himself easily and naturally into the argument with a self- possession and a deliberation in which there was no straining after effect, but with a pre- cision and clearness in his statements and an accuracy and strength in his arguments which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investigation and in which the clos- est reasoning was habitual and easy. He has now largely retired from practice, for the years have brought him success and he is today the possessor of a handsome compe- tence.

On the 3d of October. 1861. the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Mather, of Suffield, Connecticut. The an- cestry can be traced back to Richard Mather. the distinguished minister who was one of the first to proclaim the gospel in the new world. Charles and Mary Mather, the par- ents of Mrs. Munger, were natives of Con- necticut and never came to Ohio. Her

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mother is still living at the age of ninety- place can add to the power or increase the two years. Unto the Judge and his wife honor which belongs to the pure and e:lu- cated lawyer." were born six children: Clara, the wife of Joseph Littell, of Indianapolis, who is a minister of the United Presbyterian church. by whom she has four sons; John C., who WILLIAM G. CONFER. married Flora Barnes and is now a practi- tioner of law in Toledo; Laura, the wife of 11. W. Ninde, a lawyer of Fort Wayne, In- diana, by whom she has four children : Ed- mund, who is a graduate of Brown Univer- sity and is a musician of note, now studying music in the city of Vienna, Austria : Mary. who completed her musical education in Berlin : and Charles, at home.

Judge Munger served for three and one- half years upon the bench of the common pleas court. He was first appointed by Gov- ernor Hayes to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Winans, and later was elected to the same office. He never held other offi- cial positions save that of prosecuting attor- ney, in which capacity he served for seven years prior to the time when he went upon the bench. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republican party upon its organization. As the years have passed he has made judicious investments and is today the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Greene county. He is also a stockholder in the Xenia National. the Citizens' National, and the Dayton Na- tional Banks. Ilis scholarly attainments. lis statesmanship and reliable judgment. and his charming powers of conversation have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position however exalted, but he did not seek preferment in that direction, desiring rather, to give his undivided attention to the prac- tice of law during the many years of his ac- tive connection therewith, and as has been truly said, "No political preferment, no mere

AAmong the honored residents of Yellow Springs was numbered William G. Confer. now deceased. He was born at Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland. December 29, 1823, and was a representative of an ex- cellent family, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer, the former a native of France and the latter of Hagers- town, Maryland. George Confer emigrated to the United States with his father, who settled in Maryland, and in 1802'came to Greene county. Ohio, locating on the land which was for so many years the home of our subject. This farm of two hundred acres was secured from the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The farm labors of the grandfather were at one time interrupted by his enlistment for service in the war of 1812, but with the ex- ception of this period he followed agricul- tural pursuits throughout his life. The par- ents of our subject were married in Hagers- town. Maryland, and after residing in Ohio for a time they returned to the former state, which was their place of abode until 1834. In that year they again came to Ohio, where they spent their remaining days, the former dying in 1857. and the latter passing away in 1870. They were the parents of five chil- dren and were most highly respected people.

William G. Confer was a lad of four- teen years when he left his boyhood home in Maryland and accompanied his parents on their second removal to this state. Here he entered the public schools, pursuing his

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studies in a log school-house in which were a puncheon floor, slab seats and greased pa- per windows. He remained upon the home farm until the death of his father and until after his marriage. That important event in his life occurred on the 29th of December, 1857, the lady of his choice being Mary Jane, a daughter of Philip F. and Jane (Wolf) Cost. Mr. Confer built a log cabin which he and his family occupied until 1866, when he was enabled to erect a more modern residence. In 1876 he built a large barn at a cost of several thousand dollars and nu- merous other structures on the premises. in- dicating in a marked manner the enterprise and thrift of the owner. In addition to the improvement upon the place Mr. Confer car- ried on successfully the work of tilling the soil and raising crops. He also invested considerable capital in the village of Yellow Springs, erecting the postoffice building here and also a livery stable.

Unto our subject and his wife were born tive children. George B., their first born, died in October, 1887, at the age of twenty- eight years. Elizabeth J. is the wife of Ja- cob S. Cosler, a resident of Miami town- ship, and they have five children. Elsie J., Lewis W., Mary F., Russell H. and Georgi- ana. Mr. Cosler is a farmer and a very prominent man. John P. resides upon the old home place engaged in the raising of Jersey cattle and in conducting a dairy. He wedded Mary Jacobs, a daughter of A. Ja- cobs, of Miami township, and they have two adopted children. Gertrude Alexander and Harry Gross. Frank resides at Yellow Springs and is agent for the Springfield Laundry. He married Maude Bailey and they have one daughter, Ruth. The fifth member of the Confer family died in in- fancy.

In 1894 Mr. Confer left the farm and removed to Yellow Springs, where he lived a retired life until his death, June 1I, 1902. He was a member in good standing of the Reformed Presbyterian church in which he served as elder and deacon for many years, and to which his wife also belongs. He be- came identified with the church when four- teen years of age and his life was ever in consistent harmony with its teachings and principles. In politics he was a Republican and for two years he was a member of the. school board of his district, while for sev- eral terms he served as supervisor. He re- membered many interesting incidents of the carly times. From 1809 until 1812 his fa- ther hauled flour from Cincinnati, six bar- rels making a load, and it required six bar- rels to pay for a barrel of salt. He saw the first ferry-boat plying from New Orleans to. Cincinnati. it taking seventy-five days to complete that journey. In early life Mr. Confer became familiar with the hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier and bore his part in the work of development and progress here .. He took a deep interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the county and throughout the. long years of his residence here was ever known as a loyal and valued citizen.

· SIMEON P. MALLOW.

Simeon P. Mallow is one of the wide- awake young farmers of Caesarscreek town- ship. and while no exciting chapters are found in his life history, he is known as a worthy citizen interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and at the same time providing comfortably for his family by the

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exercise of good business judgment and un- county. They now reside near Nenia. In flagging industry. Ilis home is on the Hus- their family were ten children, of whom seven are yet living as follows: Ida M., now Mrs. Mallow: Pearl, the wife of Sam- uel Snyder, a resident of Columbus; Geor- gia B .. the wife of Harry Bales, who is now living near Xenia : Charles E., Bertha Fay, Lawrence and Ilomer, at home. sey pike and it was upon this farm that his birth occurred September 17. 1868, his par- ents being John and Hannah ( Peterson ) Mallow. His paternal grandfather was George Mallow, a native of Virginia, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, Ohio, where the parents of our sub- By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mallow have become the parents of five children : Eva Fern, who died in childhood: Chester L., Olive. Ralph O. and Lois Esther, who are still with their parents. The wife and mother is a member of the Methodist Prot- estant church of Paintersville, which Mr. Mallow also attends and supports. ject were educated in the district schools. after which their marriage was celebrated in this county, where their sterling traits of character made them recognized as leading and representative citizens of the commun- ity. They became the parents of four chil- dren : Martha J., the wife of B. L. Lewis. who resides near Paintersville, this county : Elizabeth, the deceased wife of D. C. Spahr : Charles, who died in infancy : and Simeon. of this review. The father took an active interest in political affairs and espoused the cause of the Republican party. He served as trustee of his township for several years and was also town treasurer. Both he and his wife belonged to the German Reformed church and Mr. Mallow was called to his final rest in 1893 at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife died in January, 1887. at the age of sixty-four years, their remains being interred in the cemetery of Xenia.

In the district schools Simeon P. Mal- low acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the business college in Springfield, Ohio. Like most young men who start out in life for themselves he sought a companion and help- mate for life's journey, and on the 26th of November. 1891, he was jomed in wedlock to Miss Ida M. Hook, who was born in Greene county, daughter of Clinton and Mary ( Downey ) Hook, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Clinton

Mr. Mallow operated the old home farm from 1888 to 1893, when after the death of his father he bought the interests of the other heirs and is now the possessor of a fine farm of three hundred and five acres, well improved with a good residence. barns and all modern conveniences. The fields re- turn a golden harvest for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Mallow is also engaged in the raising of short horn cattle and this branch of his business is likewise profitable. Hle is a member of the firm of Mallow. Lewis & Long, who own and oper- ate the New Jasper limestone quarry. com- prising fifty-five acres, from which they ship building stone, having a switch from the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. They also manufacture brick and tile, their plant having a capacity of twenty thousand per day. Politically Mr. Mallow is a Re- publican, and he takes an active interest in public affairs, has served as clerk and treas- urer of his township, and is filling the latter position at the present time. He is known as an active and reliable business man, of a bright and jovial disposition, and his genial-

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 72

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