USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 78
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laid to rest in Beavercreek cemetery. Sara Myrtle, born August 28, 1889, is at home.
Mr. Harshman is a stanch Republican and has filled many township offices. Since 1894 he has served continuously as a trustee of Beavercreek township. He is a member of the Alpha Building Association, is one of its trustees, and is also a school trustee. Of the Agricultural Society of Greene County he is a director, and socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Alpha, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Both he and his wife belong to the Beavercreek Reformed church, in which he is serving as trustee. From early boyhood he has been familiar with agricultural work and throughout the years of his manhood he has progressed in his business life, steadily advancing as the result of his untiring in- (lustry, strong purpose and capable manage- ment. He is a worthy representative of an honored family, which from the early his- tory of Greene county has contributed in large measure to its substantial upbuilding and improvement.
M. EDMOND EVANS.
M. Edmond Evans, whose farming in- terests in Spring Valley township are au indication of his active, useful and honor- able life, was born on the farm where he now lives, his natal day being December 18, 1866, and his parents being Moses and Sa- rah ( Huston) Evans. The father died when his son was only two years old. Edmond was the youngest in a family of nine children, five of whom are still living. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm and in
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the district schools he acquired a good ed- ucation, remaining under the parental root with his mother until he had attained his majority. Of the other heirs he has pur- chased a portion of the old homestead until he now owns fifty acres of that tract and altogether he has sixty-six acres. In addi- tion to this he has leased a considerable amount and now operates about two hun- dred and twenty acres.
Mr. Evans was married in Sugarcreek township. September 14, 1893. to Miss Jen- nie K. Scarff, of Sugarcreek township. her parents being Milton and Corilla ( Truman ) Scarff. She was born in Xenia. Her father was also a native of this county and the mother was born in Spring Valley. The for- mer died in June, 1900, at the age of seven- ty-five years, but the latter is still a resident of . Sugarcreek township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born two children : Don Scarff, born on the home farm Feb- ruary 12, 1896, and Hazel Marie, born April 2, 1900.
Mr. Evans votes with the Republican party, and socially is connected with Spring Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LEWIS H. WHITEMAN.
In the promotion and conservation of advancement in all the normal lines of hiu- man progress and civilization there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion. Ohio has been signally favored in the char- acter of its newspapers, which have been
vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this fa- vored section of the Union, to aid in laying fast and sure the foundations of an enlight- ened commonwealth, to further the ends of justice and to uphold the banner of the Buckeye state. In a compilation of this na- ture, then, it is clearly incumbent that due recognition be accorded the newspaper press. Mr. Whiteman is one of the leading representatives of journalistic interests in this portion of Ohio, being the editor and proprietor of the Xenia Herald.
He was born in Xenia township. Greene county, February 15. 1842, and is a son of Joab and Mary ( Thomas ) Whiteman, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The Whiteman family is of English lineage but was founded in America at an early period in colonial development. Jacob Whiteman, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in the Old Dominion and thence came to Greene county, Ohio, in 1802. At that time Joab Whiteman was a little lad of seven summers and he rode a pony all the way from Winchester. Virginia, to this county. His father followed the occupation of farming and to that pursuit the latter was reared. After arriving at years of matur- ity, he wedded Mary Thomas and they be- came the parents of five children, all of whom reached years of maturity, while four are still living, but our subject is the only one now a resident of Xenia. At the age of forty-nine the father died, but the mother, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years, died in May. 1902.
In the usual manner of farmer lads. Lewis H. Whiteman pursued his education and was reared to manhood. He had, how- ever, the advantage of attending a select school at Spring Valley for a time. The
L. H. WHITEMAN.
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country won his patriotic devotion at the time of the Civil war. On the 19th of Sep- tember. 1861, he became a private in Com- pany L, Third New York Cavalry, under command of Captain Jeptha Garrard and Colonel James H. Van Allen. He was mus- tered in at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Sep- tember 24. 1861, and the regiment was as- signed to the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac. With his command Mr. Whiteman participated in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Winchester, Burnt Hickory, Trenton. Tranter's Creek, Greenville Lodge. Mill Creek, Nense River, Washington. Tar- boro. Batchelor's Creek, Kingston, White- hall, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Newbern. Do- ver. Wise's Crossroads, Core Creek, Swift Creek, Camden and others of minor import- ance. He was appointed corporal January 5. 1863. and was honorably discharged on the 14th of December of that year in order that he might accept the first lieutenancy of Company E. First Regiment of United States Colored Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Charles Emerson and Colonel Jep- tha Garrard. The regiment was assigned to Payne's division in the Eighteenth Army Corps. Later the regiment was transferred to the Twenty-fifth Army Corps of the Ar- my of the James and participated in the bat- tles of Wilson's Landing. Cabin Point, in the capture of Richmond, and in the battle of Fort Powhattan. Virginia, on the 25th of June, at which place Mr. Whiteman was appointed post commissary, serving in that capacity for several months. Afterward he went by transport to Texas, where he was engaged in performing guard and garrison duty on the Mexican border with headquar- ters at Brazos and Santiago. Texas. . At the latter place Lieutenant Whiteman received his final discharge on the 4th of February,
1866. He was a most valiant soldier. ever found at his post of duty, and is now an honored member of the Union Veteran Le- gion.
On the 16th of July, 1868, Lieutenant Whiteman was united in marriage to Miss Lydia .A. Peterson, a native of Greene coun- ty, and to them were born two children. Howard Lee and Effie, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Whiteman has held a number of political positions, in which his capability and efficiency have won for him high commendation. He served as post- master of Nenia for four years and three months, being appointed by President Cleve- land. During the administration of that gentleman he was made chief clerk in the navy yard at Washington, D. C., and was the first Ohio man to be turned out of office after the Republicans again came into power, being requested to leave the posi- tion ten days after President Harrison was inaugurated. He then went to Laurel. Maryland. the home of Senator Gorman. and at the request of the senator established the paper called the Laurel Democrat, which he published for two years with good suc- cess. He then returned to Xenia and es- tablished the Xenia Herald, of which he has since been the editor and proprietor. He has purchased the Democrat-News and consoli- dated the two journals, so that the Xenia Herald is now the only Democratic paper in the county. It has a large circulation and is a bright and entertaining journal well de- serving the liberal patronage.
Fraternally. Mr. Whiteman is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has also been a stanch advocate of Democratic prin- ciples and in 1898 he was the candidate of his party for congress in the Sixth district but was defeated. Ilis career has been one
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of activity, full of incidents and of results. In every sphere of life in which he has been called upon to move he has made an indeli- ble impression, and by his excellent service and upright life he has won the high es- teem and regard of all.
JAMES B. CARRUTHERS.
It is natural when one has left the sea of earthily activities to review the life record completed and pass judgment upon what has been accomplished. The career of James B. Carruthers was one which would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. for in business and in every relation of life he was an honorable man, shaping his course by such principles as lead to the development of an upright character. For many years he was associated with the marcantile inter- ests in Xenia and was well known in polit- ical and church circles, so that when called to the home beyond the community lost one of its most valued representatives.
Mr. Carruthers was a native of Scotland. born on the 19th of March, 1821. His par- ents, John and Mary B. Carruthers, were also natives of the same country, and in the year 1834 they left the land of the heathers and crossed the ocean to the new world. taking up their abode in North Carolina, where they remained for about two years. In 1836 they arrived in Ohio, first settling in Ross county, but after six years had passed they came to Greene county, where they spent their remaining days.
When James B. Carruthers accompanied his parents to this country he was but a lad of thirteen years. Being anxious to con- tribute his share to the family support. he
secured employment as a clerk in a country store, being thus employed in North Caro- lina for eighteen months. After coming to Ohio he assisted in the work of the farm, aiding in the cultivation of the fields until he was twenty-three years of age. He then began teaching in a country school and later was a student in the school conducted by Thomas Steele in Xenia. . Again he engaged in teaching, and in the year 1850 he began bookkeeping for the firm of Frazer & Com- pany, of Chillicothe, Ohio, continuing in that capacity for two years. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to Xenia. where with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he established a grocery store. Later he became connected with the dry goods trade, but afterward re- entered the grocery business. Some time later he sold his store and turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits in Xenia township, where he owned a good farm near the city. His next change connected him with the coal business in Xenia, and with this enterprise he continued until his death, which was the result of a railroad accident i: Xenia on the 2d of December. 1898.
Mr. Carruthers was united in marriage to Jeanette Smith, a daughter of William and Helen ( Scott) Smith, who were natives of Scotland. Five children were born of this union : Johannah M., who died at the age of fourteen months; Ella B .: Jennie S .: William S .; and Jessie B. The wife and mother was called to her final rest Septem- ber 2. 1876, and on the 20th of August. 1878. Mr. Carruthers was again married, his second union being with Miss Eliza .1. Hyslop, a daughter of George and Margaret Hyslop, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Pennsylvania.
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Mr. Carruthers was a member of the , has been a member of the city school board, First United Presbyterian church of Xenia, and in 1896 she was elected a member of the board of county school examiners and has since served in that capacity. She now resides in a beautiful home on North King street, and it is the center of a cultured so- ciety circle. and took an active interest in all that per- tained to the moral, intellectual and material development of the community. For over thirty years he served as treasurer of Xenia Theological Seminary and was also financial agent of the synod. In his church he served as ruling elder and his efforts were very ef- fective in promoting its growth and extend- REV. CLARK KENDALL. ing its influence. His political support was given with unwavering loyalty to the Re- publican party. For six years he served as a member of the city council of Nenia and was also a police commissioner during the Civil war. He was commissioned by Gov- ernor Tod as captain of Company D. Sec- ond Regiment, of the Greene county militia. A man of scholarly attainments and broad general information, he was well fitted to be- come a leader of public thought and opinion. He thoroughly enjoyed home life and took great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. Charitable and benevolent. he always gave freely of his means in support of worthy charity and was particularly en- couraging to those who were willing to help themselves. His life was ever honorable and upright, and at all times and under all circumstances he commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men and was regarded as one of the representative citizens of Xenia. Mrs. Carruthers and four of his children still survive him, one daughter, Jen- nie S., being now the wife of the Rev. W. G. Martin, of Grove City, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Carruthers is a lady of superior intel- ligence and culture and has taken a very active part in the public interests of Xenia. For thirteen years she was a most successful school teacher of this city. Since 1894 she
A life devoted to the ministry and a memory that yet remains 'as a blessed bene- diction to all who knew him-such is the history of Rev. Clark Kendall. For many years he labored earnestly and untiringly to promote the cause of Christianity, and was one of the strong and able preachers of the United Presbyterian church. He was born in Greene county, in Xenia township, Jan- uary 14, 1825, upon a farmi now occupied by his widow. His parents were William and Eleanor (Jackson) Kendall. The fa- ther was born in Pennsylvania and after- ward lived in Kentucky, and from that state came to Ohio at a very early day, taking up his abode in Xenia township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a tanner by trade and followed that pursuit to a considerable extent after coming to Ohio in connection with farming. Both he and his wife died in Xenia township at an advanced age upon the old family home- stead. The father at one time owned the property upon which Wilberforce now stands. His death occurred in 1879, while Mrs. Kendall was called to her final rest June 6, 1888.
Rev. Clark Kendall, whose name intro- duces this review, spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and acquired his early
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education in the district schools. He after- ward pursued a course of study in the Miami University. from which he was graduated and then determined to devote his life to the holy calling of the ministry. He pur- sued a theological course in Oxford Theo- logical Seminary, entering that institution in 1845. After his graduation he at once entered upon his ministerial work, taking charge of a church at Buffalo, New York, where he remained for twenty-three years. lle then accepted the pastorate of the Pres- byterian church at Bloomingburg. Ohio, where he remained for six years, after which he preached for one year at Seven Mile. Ohio. On the expiration of that period he organized a church at Jacksonburg, and upon leaving that place he retired to private life, spending his last days in his old home in Xenia township.
On the 15th of March, 1854. Rev. Ken- dall was united in the holy bonds of mat- rimony to Sarah Hutchins, of Waterford. Erie county, Pennsylvania, but after about nine years of happy married life she passed away on the 5th of February, 1863. leaving one child. Mary, who was born in Buffalo. February 2, 1860, and on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1881. became the wife of Dr. H. L. Smith, a resident of Westerville, Ohio. They are devoted members of the Presby- terian church and have one son, Homer Kendall, now four years of age. They also lost a daughter. Caroline, who died at the age of six years. On the 30th of May. 1865. Rev. Kendall was again married, his second union being with Margery Stewart, of Hamilton, Ohio, who died April 18. 1877. They, too, had one child. William C., who is now a minister of the Presby- terian church of Bloomingburg. Ohio, the
church of which his father once was pastor. He attended Wooster University : is a grad- uate of Ohio University at Columbus, and of the McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago, Illinois, and is a man of no restrict- ed influence in the ministry, being acknowl- edged an able minister and the possessor of much strength. For his third wife Rev. Kendall chose Eliza Cameron, of Buffalo, New York, their marriage being celebrated on the 28th of October, 1879. She still survives her husband and yet resides upon the old home place just off the Columbus pike in Xenia township. Hers is a pleasant home, provided with many of the comforts `of life, and throughout the community Mrs. Kendall enjoys the high regard of a large circle of friends.
It was at this place that Rev. Clark Ken- dall spent his last days after many years de- voted to the work of the ministry. It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing him to be a man of broad learning and wide culture, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. He was a deep and earnest student, carrying his re- searches far and wide in the many branches of knowledge, but all with the one purpose in view of making his life of greater benefit to his fellow men and advancing the cause of Christianity. He possessed deep sym- pathy and while he could not countenance wrong doing in the slightest degree, yet he was ever anxious and ready to help the wrong-doer in order that a better way of life might be opened before him. He was called to his final rest February 20. 1900. and his remains were interred in the \l'ood- land cemetery, Nenia. Perhaps we cannot better close this review of his record than
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by quoting from a publication of that time which said: "His life was one of great purity and he was highly respected for his gentle, Christlike spirit and his upright life. In his earlier life he was identified with the United Presbyterian church, but for a num- ber of years he was connected with our own denomination. He was a very modest, un- assuming man, yet his active ministry was one of great usefulness. He was permitted to welcome over one thousand members into the church. For a good many years he has been laid aside from the active work of the ministry, yet he was always in his place at church and occasionally preached. In all the years of his suffering he was the same, gentle, sweet-spirited, cheerful Christian, feeding on the word of his Master and lean- ing upon his Beloved. His faithful and helpful wife with two children survives him. Mrs. Dr. Smith, now in New York, and Rev. W. C. Kendall, of Bloomingburg, Ohio, one of the fields in which his departed father labored so successfully. He was a good man, strong in faith, and earnest in spirit, and as a shock of corn cometh in his season, so he came to his grave in full age.
".He has passed away, But his sweet will. Like a fragrant odor lingers still : The tender lesson that memory brings The mantle of patience o'er us flings, We learn to follow the path he trod To be more like him Who had gone to God.' "
SAMUEL M. SPAHR.
For more than sixty years the home in which Samuel Milton Spahr resides has stood as one of the land marks of Beaver-
creek township. He owns and operates one hundred and thirty-three acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, so that his labors bring to him ereditable and gratifying success. He was born in Caesars- creek township in what is now New Jasper township, his parents being Gideon and Amanda ( Hagler) Spahr. From an early epoch in the history of this portion of the state the Spahr family has been a factor in the substantial upbuilding, which come from the successful conduct of legitimate business enterprises. Philip and Mary ( Shook) Spahi came from Virginia to Greene county in pioneer times. Among their children was Gideon Spahr, whose birth occurred in New Jasper township, whose education was ac- quired in the schools there and who re- mained with his parents throughout the period of his boyhood and youth. He wedded Mary Amanda Hagler, a sister of William L. Hagler, and for about eight or nine years they remained in New Jasper township. On the expiration of that period they removed to Jay county, Indiana, where they made their home for two years and then returned to the old home in New Jasper township. In 1864 they removed to Beaver- creek township, but the father spent the last few years of his life retired in Bellbrook. where he died September 4, 1891, when more than seventy years of age, his remains being interred in the Bellbrook cemetery. His wife, who was born January 17, 1825. now makes her home in Bellbrook. Gideon Spahr endorsed the Republican party and its principles by his ballot. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which both he and his wife belonged. They were the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter: John L., a resident
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of Cedarville township, married Hannah Peterson, and they have three children .- James Milton. Ida Jane and Osman P. Mary Louise is the deceased wife of Boyd G. Hopping, of Xenia, and left three chil- dren, Jolın, David and William. Philip R .. a resident of Alpha. married Ella Sivers, and their children are Lord, John, Ima. Emma, Philip and Esther. David MI .. of Beavercreek township. married Elizabeth Keiter, and their children are Pearl and Edith Amanda. Samuel Milton is the next of the family. Moses B., of Xenia township. married Harriet Gatrell and they have two children, Ethel M. and Walton.
Samuel M. Spahr was born April 19, 1853. in New Jasper township, but was mostly educated in Beavercreek township. When old enough to be of any assistance he began to aid his father in the work of the farm, and after reaching manhood was in- terested in agricultural pursuits with his fa- ther operating rented land. They were quite extensively engaged in farming, one year operating a farm of nine hundred acres near Trebein after leaving New Jasper township. Later they spent eight years on a farm of six hundred and forty acres in Sugarcreek township, and from there re- moved to the farm in Beavercreek township now occupied by our subject. Here they cultivated two hundred and twenty acres. one hundred and thirty-three acres of which the son subsequently purchased. The part- nership between father and son continued until after the marriage of the latter. when Gideon Spahr retired and moved to Bell- brook. Our subject remained upon the farm in Beavercreek township which they had rented, and in 1893 he purchased one hun- dred and thirty-three acres of that tract as
previously stated. He has since made many improvements on the place and to-day has one of the well tilled and valuable farms in the southern part of the township.
On the IIth of November, 1886, Mr. Spahr was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Woli, who was born in Cincinnati, ? daughter of Frank and Margaret (Sorg) Wolf. Four children bless this union. namely: Harry Edmund, Edna Mae. Homer Milton and Florence Louise. The family is one well known in the com- munity. Mr. Spahr is widely recognized as a man of good business ability, his life be- ing characterized by industry that never flags and by sound business judgment and honor. His success is due entirely to his own well directed efforts and he may there- fore justly be called a self-made man. While a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, he has never been an as- pirant for office, though he takes an active interest in educational affairs and has served as a member of the school board.
JOHN L. FERGUSON.
John L. Ferguson, a farmer whose home is just west of the corporation limits of Bell- brook, was born June 16. 1850, six miles south of Xenia in Spring Valley township. His father. Robert H. Ferguson, was born not far from Winchester. Virginia. July 17. 1819. and was a son of Samuel and Mildre.1 ( Garrison) Ferguson, who were also na- tives of Virginia. The great-grandfather of our subject. however, was a native of Scotland and at an early period in the de- velopment of the colonies took up his abode in the Old Dominion. Samuel Ferguson
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was one of two children, and in the year 1832 he emigrated westward to Ohio, set- tling on the farm where our subject was born. There he spent his remaining days. dying prior to the marriage of his son, Rol- ert H. Ile had served his country as a sol- dier in the war of 1812 and was ever a loyal and public-spirited citizen. His wife was born in 1782. She had lost her mother when quite young and as she lived near Hannah Washington and her father had no housekeeper, Mrs. Ferguson remained for some time with Mrs. Washington, who was frequently visited by her relative, the great General Washington, who often held Mrs. Ferguson upon his knee. She frequently described to her grandson, our subject, the carriage in which Washington rode, and when John L. Ferguson visited the Centen- nial at Philadelphia in 1876 he saw this vehicle.
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