USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 76
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Reformed church, of which Mrs. Weaver is a member. He is widely known through- out this portion of the state not only because of his extensive agricultural interests, but also on account of the qualities of manhood which have won for him high regard.
THOMAS C. PATTERSON.
Thomas C. Patterson, one of the early settlers of Greene county, is a native of Warren county, Ohio, his birth having there occurred on the 7th of August, 1832, his parents being James and Jane (Finney) Patterson. The father was a native of Vir- ginia and came to Ohio when a young man, settling in Warren county about the year 1831. There he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits through many years. He afterward removed to Greene county, taking up his abode here in 1866. He set- tled in Xenia township, where he purchased a part of the farm now occupied by our sub- ject, and upon that place spent his remain- ing days. He passed away in December. 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The community mourned his loss as an honored and valued representative citi- zen. His life, ever honorable and upright. was in consistent harmony with his mem- bership in the Second United Presbyterian church of Nenia. For many years he served as an elder in that church, also fillng a similar position in the church to which he belonged before removing to Greene county. His wife died in April, 1890, and was laid by his side in the Woodland cemetery of Xenia. In the family of this worthy couple were six children of whom five are yet living.
T. C. PATTERSON.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Thomas C. Patterson obtained his early education in the district schools of Warren county. During the months of vacation, after completing his school course, he as- sisted his father in the work of the farm, thus early gaining a practical education in the work of field and meadow and a good knowledge of the best methods of caring for stock. He was thus engaged until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when iu response to President Lincoln's second call for troops in 1862 he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Company B. Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged in Washington. He served as corporal and took part in many important engagements being under the command of General Sherman. He met the enemy in battle at Resaca, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Atlanta, and whether he was on the picket line, the tented field, or in the thick- est of the fight, was ever loyal and faithful, performing his duties without question.
In 1867 Mr. Patterson returned home to Warren county and remained there for a short time when he came to Greene county and settled upon the farm which he now oc- cupies in Xenia township, not far from the Columbus pike. Here he has engaged in the cultivation of the soil and in the raising of stock. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land and upon his farm has erected a good set of buildings and made many excellent improvements which indicate the careful supervision and progressive spirit of the owner. About eight years ago he erected a large brick resi- dence and a commodious barn and every- thing about the place is in keeping with a model farm of the twentieth century.
In 1866 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Irwin, a daughter of William C. Irwin, who lived and died in Warren county, devoting his business activ- ity to farm work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pat- terson have been born five children: Anna, the wife of Harvey Drake, a resident farmer and stock-raiser of Cedarville township; James, who is assisting his father on the home farm: Mary, at home; William, who is employed as an accountant in Dayton, Ohio: and Bertha, who is yet with her par- ents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patterson hold membership in the Third United Presby- terian church of Xenia. Our subject has always been found straightforward and honorable in his business dealings and is to- day as true to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon the southern battlefields. His entire life has been passed in Ohio and for more than a third of a century he has resided in Greene county, where he is known as a valued citi- zen and progressive farmer. well deserving of mention in this volume.
ROSWELL FENTON HOWARD.
Hon. Roswell Fenton Howard was long- er engaged in the practice of law in Xenia than any other attorney which: has been connected with its bar. There was in him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of pur- pose that commands the respect of all. A man of indefatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he has carved his name deeply on the record of the political, commercial and professional history of the state, which owes much of its advancement to his ef- forts.
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Roswell Fenton Howard was born in Latin and Greek. Subsequently he entered Hamilton county, Ohio, July 20. 1814, and was a son of Cyrus Howard, a native of Vermont, and a grandson of Solomon How- ard, who was one of the heroes of the Rev- olutionary war and valiantly fought for the independence of the nation. On leaving New England Cyrus Howard took up his abode in Hamilton county. Ohio, at an early period in its history. As one of the first settlers of that section he carried on the la- bors incident to the developing of a farm in the midst of the heavy timber of the pri- meval forests, making for himself and his family a comfortable home in the wilder- ness. He married Miss Lucy Fenton, whose home was near North Bend, and they be- came the parents of a large family of chil- dren. The cause of education found in him an ardent advocate, as it did many of those sturdy residents from New England and he aided in locating the first school in his com- munity. The people out of their scanty means subscribed a sufficient amount for the erection of a good brick building and after its completion, instruction was given in that school throughout the entire year- a very unusual occurrence even in older communities. Mr. Howard was a strong Whig in his political views and supported John Quincy Adams and William Henry Harrison. His death occurred in February. 1851, and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued and influential citizens. his wife long surviving him, passed away on the 25th of April. 1885. at the extreme old age of ninety-two years.
Roswell Fenton Howard was given ex- cellent educational privileges. While ac- quiring a knowledge of the usual branches of study taught in the lower grades of the home schools, he was also a student of
Miami University, but left that institution in the junior year and made his way to Au- gusta, Kentucky, where he completed his college course in the school there, being graduated in the year 1832 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the same institution. After leaving college he engaged in teaching for a time in the Woodward high school, at Cincinnati, but wishing to make the practice of law his lifework he began studying under the di- rection of Daniel J. Caswell and Jacob Piatt. In the law schools of that city he contin- ned his study and in 1837 was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. The same year Mr. Howard opened an office in Xenia, which at that time contained a pop- ulation of only fifteen hundred, to whom the young lawyer was totally unknown. Immediately he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, wherin he was destined to rise to an honorable and prom- inent position. He began the work for which the previous years of study had been a preparation, becoming a member of the bar where sham reputation and empty pre- tense were of no avail in the forensic com- bats. The young lawyer in his contests with older and experienced men, whose reputation and patronage were already as- sured, found it a hard school, but it af- forded excellent training, and as he meas- ured his strength with the best his mind was developed. his intellectual powers were quickened: and strengthened, and he ac- quired a readiness in action, a fertility of resource and a courage under stress that have been essential factors in his successful career.
Mr. Howard was in practice in Xenia
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for fifty-five years, and although his prac- tice made heavy demands upon his time, he also held some public offices. He was a member of the city council, and for a num- ber of years served as mayor of Xenia, also acting as a member of the board of school examiners. For two terms he was prosecu- ting attorney for Greene county. In 1848 he was elected to the state legislature on the Whig ticket and in 1866 was again chosen to that position, thus serving one term under the old constitution and for two terms under the new. for he was continued in office until 1870, by re-election. While in the house he was appointed on several important committees, including the ju- diciary and penitentiary. llis thorough un- derstanding of the law, his close investiga- tion into the needs of the commonwealth and his devotion to the general good made him a prominent and capable member of the assembly.
On May 2. 1848. Mr. Howard was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Margaret MI. Steele. of Xenia, a lady of superior culture and refinement. She was a daughter of Profes- sor Thomas Steele, who was connected with the educational work until advanced age compelled him to lay aside arduous duties of the profession. Mrs. Howard passed away on the 27th of March, 1873. and later Mr. Howard married Miss Mary Han- nah Pollock, a native of Logan county. Ohio, and a daughter of William and Fan- ny Pollock. Mr. Howard had a family of nine children and two of his sons are yet actively connected with the legal profession. He passed away on the 28th of July, 1892, and his remains were interred in the Wood- land cemetery. By his upright character. his kindness of heart and his interest in every good word and work, he made numerous
friends and his death was greatly lamented. His name stood high on the roll of the most honored and eminent lawyers in this por- tion of the state and all who knew him re- spected him because of his fidelity to truth and the right.
HON. CHARLES F. HOWARD. -
Hlon. Charles F. Howard is a represent- ative lawyer of Xenia, the senior partner of the well known firm of Howard & Howard, and is the oldest living child of the nine children born unto Hon. Roswell Fenton and Margaret Mitchell ( Stecle) Howard, whose history is given above. With the example of his illustrious father before hin!, it is no wonder that he was attracted to the legal profession, or that he was inspired and encouraged to attain to a prominent posi- tion in its ranks. His birth occurred in Xenia on the 12th of July. 1859. and his early education acquired in the public schools here was supplemented by a liter- ary course in Xenia College. He afterward studied a year in Antioch College and on the expiration of that period went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the Michigan State University, but on account of failing health was unable to complete his course of study there.
Preparing for the bar and successfully passing an examination for admission, he began practice in Xenia. In the meantime, however, lie was elected city clerk, but il attempting to discharge the duties of the of - fice he was again seized with the malady which caused his former illness and was forced to resign before the expiration of his term1. In the spring of 1888 he was elected
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
mayor of Xenia, just a half-century after his father had been chosen for the same of- fice. From 1896 until 1898 Charles Fen- ton Howard represented his district in the state senate, and in the legslative body of the commonwealth his course was such as to add new laurels to the family record. In the spring of 1900 he was elected prosecut- ing attorney, which position he is filling at the present time, having entered upon the duties of the office in January, 1901. In 1898 he was appointed by Judge Sage ref- eree of bankruptcy and his brother Will- iam, the junior member of the firm of Howard & Howard, was appointed to suc- ceed him by Judge Thompson. In the practice of his profession Mr. Howard has long since left the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few. In con- nection with his other duties he has been identified with the People's Building and Savings Company of Xenia, as one of its directors and president, and is also the president of the Woodland Cemetery Asso- ciation. The People's Building and Say- ings Company is the oldest institution of the kind in Xenia. and its business has de- veloped from one hundred thousand to a half million dollars.
On the 25th of October, 1882, Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Adda D. Gowdy, a daughter of George F. Gowdy. She is a leading and influential member in the Methodist Episcopal church, and both Mr. and Mrs. Howard enjoy the high regard of hosts of friends and the hospitality of the best homes in Xenia. Mr. Howard has been very active in politics and is a stanch Republican. The firm of How- ard & Howard stands to-day in the fore- most rank of the legal fraternity in this portion of Ohio, and Charles Fenton How-
ard is a man of sound judgment, and man- ages his cases with masterly skill and tact.
William S. Howard, the junior member of the firm, was born in Xenia, February 20, 1865, and like his brother began his education in the public schools. After reading law with his father he entered the law school of Cincinnati, just fifty years af- ter his father had been a student in that in- stitution. He completed the course. was graduated and has since been associated with his brother in practice in Xenia. He is yet a young man, but has gained a repu- tation hardly second to that of any member of the Greene county bar.
MOSES EVANS.
Those men who have contributed to the general stability, progress and improvement of Greene county are deserving of mention in her history. Such a one was Moses Evaus, who was deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted county and was ever loyal thereto. He was born in the New- berry district of South Carolina in 1821 and was about eight years of age when he came to Ohio, with his parents, Robert and Sarah (Cappoch) Evans. The family settled upon a farm near Roxanna, in Spring Valley town- ship. The grandfather. Moses Evans, had ciied in South Carolina, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Hasket, had afterward married Samuel Spear, of South Carolina. They had come to Ohio in 1826, and for a short time Robert Evans and his family resided in the home of his mother and step-father, while he was seeking a fa- vorable location. At length he bought about four hundred acres of land a mile and a
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
half south of Spring Valley on the west side of the Little Miami river. There he car- ried on farming successfully for some time. and, having water power in the river, he built and operated a sawmill and gristmill. conducting the same until 1804. Through- out the years of his residence in Ohio he lived upon that farm, passing away in 1868. In his family were fifteen children, nine of whom reached mature years, while two are still living.
Moses Evans was the fourth in the fam- ily and upon the home farm he was reared to nianhood. The public schools afforded him good educational privileges, which he improved. He became a surveyor, learning the business partly from his father and part- ly in school. On the 24th of March, 1842. he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Huston, of Spring Valley township. She was born in Waynesville. Warren county. November 7, 1822, her parents being Rob- ert and Hannah (Townsend ) Huston. Her father was a native of Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, born January 1, 1778, and his wife was born at Cape May., New Jersey. November 30. 1787. They became ac- quainted in Waynesville and were married on the roth of July, 1821. For a few years thereafter they remained in that village, Mr. Huston carrying on shoemaking until he purchased land in Spring Valley township and removed to the farm, when Mrs. Evans was about four years old. There he died in 1829. and his wife, surviving him for some years, passed away in Waynesville in 1844. at which time she was attending the yearly meeting of the Society of Friends, to which she and her husband belonged and of which their people had been representa- tives for several generations. Mrs. Evans
was the eldest of three children, and the youngest. Mary, died in infancy. Her only brother, Daniel Townsend Huston, was mar- ried in Warren county, and in 1850 went overland to California. Three years later he returned for his family, and then spent his remaining days on the Pacific coast. His birth occurred in 1825 and his death on the 9th of October, 1883. In his family were four children.
Moses Evans, of this review, purchased the interest of his wife's brother in the home farm which had belonged to her father, and thereon spent his remaining days. He made excellent improvements upon the place and was a progressive and enterprising agricult- urist. The home was blessed with nine chil- dren. Robert, who became a soldier in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, suffered from a severe attack of small-pox. but recovered. Later, however, he died in the hospital in Knoxville, July 20, 1865. Joseph C., the second son, born in 1845. married Anna Buckles, who died in 1890, and he now re- sides in Sugarcreek township with two of his four children. He was in the one htin- (Ired days' service during the Civil war. Daniel T. died September 23, 1868. Ilan- nah L. is also deceased. Mary E. is with her parents. Sophia Angeline is the wife of Newton Berryhill, of Sugarcreek, and they have two children. Hillard married Nellie Zell, by whom he has two children, and their home is in Xenia. Emma is de- ceased. Moses Edmund, the youngest, mar- ried Jennie Scarff, by whom he has two chil- dren, and they reside upon the old home faım.
Mr. Evans was strongly opposed to slavery and when the Republican party was formed to prevent its extension into other
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
territory he joined the ranks of the new po- litical organization. He held various town- ship offices, including that of trustee, yet he was never an office seeker. In 1868 MIr. Evans was called to his final rest, and his death was deeply lamented throughout the community, for he had many friends in Greene county. His widow still survives and resides in Spring Valley. She is an estimable lady widely and favorably known and the family is deserving of creditable mention in the history of this portion of the state. In October, 1894, the old home was destroyed by fire, but it was soon rebuilt.
JAMES LONG GINN.
James Long Giun, who is living a re- tired life in Jamestown, was born in Silver- creek township. Greene county, on the 22d of October. 1836, his parents being John and Rachel ( Long) Ginn, the former a na- tive of Ireland and the latter of Virginia. With his parents the father came to the United States when he was about eight years of age. The family located in what is now Jasper township at a very early day. There John Ginn was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and became a farmer, fol- lowing that enterprise until his death in 1844, when he was thirty-nine years of age. He left a widow and eight children, seven of whom Mrs. Ginn reared to adult age. These are: Margaret, Sarah. Elizabeth, Martha, Williamn. James and Thomas. Five children of the family died in early life. William is now living in Taylor county. lowa, and Thomas is a resident of James- town1.
James L. Ginn, of this review, acquired
his education in the schools of Ross town- ship, and after putting aside his text books he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for twenty years, also being a con- tractor and builder. He then establishe:l a lumber business in this place, carrying it on very successfully for a quarter of a century, and on the expiration of that period selling out on the 16th of January, 1902, to the present firm of Adams & Thuma. His pat- ronage was a gratifying one and his large sales annually brought to him a good in- come. He was known by all to be worthy. reliable and faithful in all life's relations. and his enterprising efforts were therefore crowned with success.
On the 5th of November. 1856. Mr. Ginn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kyle, by whom he had four children : Alice C .. now deceased; Mattie B., the widow of W. F. Copenhaver, and a resident of Cin- cinnati: Elizabeth, deceased; and Ellis Edgar, who resides in Jamestown. He mar- ried Lucy Irons and they have one child. Helen. Alice C .. the eldest member of the family, was the wife of A. G. Bingaman. and they had three children, Edna, Estella and Whitelaw. The two youngest are mak- ing their home with their grandfather, Mr. Ginn. Mrs. Ginn died in 1890, and on the 5th of November. 1892, Mr. Ginn was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Lloyd, a native of Greene county and a daughter of William E. and Amanda ( Mc- Daniel ) Lloyd, both of whom are natives of Greene county. The grandfather. John Lloyd, came to this county in 1803 and set- tled upon a farin in Xenia township, where he spent his remaining days. The maternal grandfather. Wilson McDaniel, lived in this county in 1801 and took up his abode in
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY'.
Xenia township, where he also lived until he was called to his final rest. In August, 1901, the MeDaniel family hell the cen- tennial celebration of the founding of the family in this county, the meeting being held on the MeDaniel stone-quarry farm. This stone quarry has been operated for about seventy-five or eighty years and pro- duces the finest limestone in the country, ac- cording to the test made by the United States government. William E. Lloyd was a farmer and stockman during the greater part of his life. He died in 1889 and his wife in 1884. They were the parents of ten children. nine of whom reached mature years, while eight are now living, Mrs. Ginn being the third in order of birth.
Aside from a very pleasant home in Jamestown, Mr. Ginn owns a valuable farm of three hundred acres in Silvercreek and Ross townships, to which he gives his per- sonal supervision. He and his wife are widely and favorably known. The lady is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is a member of James- town Lodge, No. 352. F. & A. M., having been made a Mason in 1870. in Yellow Springs. His political support is given the Republican party. He has served as a mem- ber of the town council and is now a mem- ber of the school board. James L. Ginn has been actively associated with business affairs of this place, and belongs to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting individual success, also ad- vance the general welfare.
ANDREW H. BAUGHMIN.
By the death of this honorable and up- right citizen Xenia and Greene county sus- tained an irreparable loss and was deprived
of the presence of one they had come to look upon as a guardian, benefactor and friend. Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to spare, whose lives have been all that is exemplary of the true and thereby really great citizen. Such a citi- zen was Mr. Baughman, whose whole career, both business and social, served as a model to the young and an inspiration to the aged. He shed a brightness around everything with which he came in contact. By his use- fulness and general benevolence he created a memory whose perpetnation does not de- pend upon brick or stone, but upon the spontaneous and free will offering of a grateful and enlightened people. No citizen did more for Xenia than Mr. Baughman. and his connection with its development and growth along material, intellectual and moral lines did much toward placing it in the proud position which it to-day occupies.
Andrew H. Baughman was born October II. 1807, on a farm seven miles east of Hagerstown, Maryland. His parents were Andrew and Esther ( Herr) Baughman. The father was born, reared and married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there followed farming and hotel-keeping. Dur- ing the war of 1812 he was the captain of a volunteer company. He survived his wife eight years, her death having occurred when our subject was only seven years of age.
Soon after his mother's death our sub- ject went to live in the home of his uncle. who lived on a farm west of Hagerstown. Maryland, there remaining until he was fif- teen years of age, when he began to earn his own livelihood. It was, however, rather a preparation for a business career, for dur- ing the first year he was given no wages. The second year he received five dollars per month. In the mill he remained until he
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