USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 83
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ceased; Frances, the wife of Benjamin Clark, a resident of Montgomery county, Chio; Henry, deceased; and Mary Jane, now Mrs. Hawker, of Dayton, Ohio.
.At an early age Arthur Gerlaugh at- tended school that was held in a little log cabin where the furnishings were printive. The methods of instruction were scarcely more modern than the building. He went each morning and night a distance of two and one-half miles to and from his home in the winter months. He pursued his studies until he was sixteen years of age. and during the summer months he worked in the fields and meadows, assisting in the cultivation of crops and the care of the stock. He gained good practical experience in farm work, and throughout his active business ca- reer was identified with the tilling of the soil.
On the 20th of August. 1854, Mr. Ger- laugh was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Elizabeth Rockafield, who was born in Bath township, Greene county, a daughter of John and Susanna ( Cost) Rockafield, both of whom were natives of this county. Two sons were born unto our subject and his wife: Charles, the elder, married Julia .1. Hower, and they reside in Clark coun- ty, Ohio, where he is extensively and suc- cessfully engaged in the breeding of short- horn cattle. They have six children- Arthur, who is pursuing a college course in Springfield, Ohio; Hower, Ellen, Bertha, Paul and Catherine, at home. John, the younger son, married Bertha Scott, a daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth ( Lutes) Scott, and they reside upon the father's farm, the operation of which devolves upon John Gerlaugh, who is making a specialty of the breeding of shorthorn cattle. He and his
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wife have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter. Beth Gerlaugh Conley. who is now a student of the high school. In his business interests Jolm Gerlaugh is very successful, and has taken many prizes and sweepstakes with his herd of shorthorn cattle.
Arthur Gerlaugh of this review is a Re- publican in politics and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his energies to business affairs. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, in which he is serving as a trustee and the cause of Christianity finds in him a warm friend. He ever does his part in promoting the cause of the church and in advancing all interests that tend to benefit mankind. To-day he is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of his community. For many years he was closely associated with farming interests and well does he de- serve the rest from labor which he is now enjoying. His judicious investments, his careful supervision of his financial interests and his indefatigable energy have resulted in making him the owner of nearly eleven hundred acres of well improved land lying in Greene and Clark counties. In 1875 he erected a fine brick residence upon his farm. it is supplied with a hot water plant for heating. is tastefully furnished and in all its appointments indicates the culture and refined taste of its occupants. Mr. Gerlaugh also has a large barn forty-four by ninety feet, which was built by his father. vears have passed and improvements have been made in farm machinery he has been quick to note those of practical value and to bring them into use upon his place. He has added to his farm all modern equipments
and accessories and now has one of the most desirable country seats in Greene county. Of recent years he has left the work and supervision of the farm to his son and is en- joying an honorable retirement from labor. It would be difficult to find a man in all this county who has a wider knowledge of its history, its progress and its development. Throughout life he has resided upon the farm which is still his home and no history of Greene county would be complete with- out a record of his life.
JOHN H. THOMAS.
John H. Thomas may be justly proud of what he has wrought, for his creditable position in the business world is the result of his own enterprise and well directed ef- forts. He resides in Paintersville and it was in this village that his birth occurred on the 12th of February, 1854. his parents being James and Catherine (Gossard) Thomas. The father was born in Jefferson township and was a son of AArthur Thomas, who came to Greene county during his boyhood, so that the family has been identified with this portion of the state from pioneer times. When but twenty years of age James Thomas removed to Paintersville and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed throughout his entire life. His birth occurred April 25, 1829, and his death May 21, 1900, at which time he was the oldest resident in the village. His political sup- port was given the Republican party and both he and his wife were consistent and ernest members of the Methodist Protest- ant church. On the 2d of May. 1864, he en- listed for service in the Union army and be-
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came second lieutenant of Company II. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry. with which he served until honorably dis- charged on the ist of September following. He belonged to Lewis Post, G. A. R., of Nenia and was one of its valued representa- tives. It was on the 8th of April, 1852, that he wedded Catherine Gossard, who was born January 7, 1833. and died November 28. 1882, both being laid to rest in the cemetery at Jamestown. They had but two children and Albert Pierce died in infancy.
John H. Thomas, who was the younger child of the family, pursued his education in the district schools of the village and at the age of seventeen began farming, operating his father's land on shares. He now has three hundred and fifteen acres of rich and arable land in Caesarscreek township, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, and each year the sale of his crops brings to him a good income.
On the 23d of December. 1875. Mr. Thomas wedded Miss Laura Bell Ary, who was born in Ceasarscreek township, a dangh- ter of John and Evaline ( De Voe ) Ary. Her father, a native of Greene county, was a son of William and Sally Ary, and was educated in the common schools, after which he be- gan farming on his own account on the place now occupied by Mr. Thomas. Here he lived and died, passing away in 1893 at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow is still living at the age of seventy-five, making her home with her daughter in Xenia town- ship. Mr. Ary gave his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party and was faithful in his allegiance to principles of the Methodist Protestant church, of which his widow is also a men- ber. In their family were ten children :
Louisa, the wife of Lewis Fawcett; Edith. the widow of Samuel Curl, and a resident of Nenia township: Lydia, who married Platt E. Mott and resides in Indiana ; William, a resi·lent of Caesarscreek township; Joseph. who makes his home in Ceasarscreek town- ship: Sally, the wife of Levi Smith of the same township: Harriet M., who married C. M. St. John and also resides in Ceasars- creek township: George W .. a resident of Parke county, Ohio: Laura, now Mrs. Thomas; and Granville Moody, who has passed away.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born three children: Jennie Maude was married October 21, 1896, to Hebron Bales of Ceasarscreek township and they have two children. Reva Bell and Nellie Edith. Charles Foster, who resides in the same township, was married November 24. 1901. to Miss Gertrude Sanderson and they have one child. Emma Ethel was married No- vember 27, 1901, to Jesse Peterson and they reside upon the home farm. Mrs. Thomas hokls membership relations with the Meth- odist Protestant church. Mr. Thomas votes with the Republican party but has never been an aspirant for office preferring that his attention be given to his business affairs, whereby he has won creditable success. He is a man of strong determination, self-re- liance and undaunted perseverance, and is widely known for his sterling honesty in business life.
CHARLES R. EVANS. -
Charles R. Evans, the proprietor of a sale, feed and livery stable in Xenia, is ac- counted one of the enterprising young busi-
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ness men of the city. He was born in Spring Valley township, Greene county, November 14, 1871, and is a son of Isaac and Cather- ine M. ( Stump) Evans, also natives of this county. The father is a farmer by occupa- tion and still resides in Spring Valley town- ship, but his wife was called to her final rest on the 17th of October, 1897. They were the parents of six children : Frank, Minnie, Lou, Alta, William and Charles R.
In the public schools of his native town- 'through the winter months and in the sum- ship. Charles R. Evans obtained his educa- tion and in his early manhood was associated with his father in farming pursuits. On the Ist of February, 1900, however, he came to Xenia and purchased a livery barn of Rob- ert Richardson, since which time he has car- ried on the business. He has many fine vehicles and good horses and from the public receives a liberal patronage, which is ac- corded him in recognition of his earnest de- sire to please and his honorable dealings. He has always met with creditable success and his strong nature, his enterprise and resolution, will no doubt bring him greater success in the future.
On the 23rd of August, 1900, Mr. Evans wedded Estelle Luce of Spring Valley, a daughter of William V. Luce of that place. They now have one child, Mildred Cather- ine. Our subject and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church of Spring Valley and he belongs to the Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F .: Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Xenia. He is also identified with the Odd Fellows Encampment, and his political sup- port is given the men and measures of the Republican party.
M. A. BROADSTONE.
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M. A. Broadstone, who is filling the office of county recorder and is recognized as a public-spirited, progressive and valued citizen of Greene county, was born in the western part of the county on the 30th of October, 1852. His early life was not un- like that of most farmer lads of the period and locality. He attended the public schools mer and fall assisted in the plowing, plant- ing and harvesting. He prided himself on being a good farm hand, when he earned his living by working in the fields and his thor- oughness and reliability have ever been sa- lient characteristics in his career. Saving his money he supplemented his early educa- tion as a student in what is now the Xenia Female Seminary, boys being admitted to the institution at that time. He engaged in teaching in Cedarville township and in Su- garcreek township, and later entered the Na- tional Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and afterwards engaged in the county map and history business for eight years as a representative of the firm of L. H. Everts & Company of Philadelphia. He traveled over many of the states of the Union and gained broad experience through meeting all classes of people.
On the 8th of March, 1881, Mr. Broad- stone was married in Coldwater, Michigan, to Miss Ellen Cretors, who at that time was a teacher in the state public schools of Cold- water. She is, however, a native of Xenia, a daughter of the late Samuel B. Cretors, one of the pioneers of Xenia, a man of high intelligence and honesty. The daughter was a student in the Xenia Female Seminary at the same time when Mr. Broadstone was at-
M. A. BROADSTONE.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
tending there and was graduated in that in- counted one of the enterprising farmers of stitution. Three interesting daughters have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Broadstone: Louise D., Jean and Patti R.
In March. 1882, our subject returned to. Xenia and purchased an interest in the undertaking business, with the late John Shrearer. He has continued in that business ever since. being for a short time in partner- ship with W. M. McMillen and afterward with T. M. Moore, in a partnership that con- tinued for more than eleven years. For five years he has conducted the business alone. Being industrious during his leisure hours and in the evenings he improved his time by studying law and was admitted to the bar after passing a severe examination, at Co- lumbus, in June, 1895. In 1883 he was elected a member of the city council and served for five years in that body, being its president for two years. For seven years he filled the position of county coroner and was twice a candidate for probate judge, but was defeated by a small majority each time. Upon the death of S. N. Adams, the re- corder of the county, Mr. Broadstone was appointed to fill the vacancy and was after- ward nominated and elected to the office, so that he is now serving in that position and discharges his duty with promptness and fidelity. He is an Odd Fellow of long stand- ing and a Mason. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Or- der of American Mechanics and belongs to the Presbyterian church. He is a gentleman well and favorably known throughout the county as a citizen of ability and integrity.
WILLIAM HENRY HOPPING.
. William H. Hopping, whose loyalty to his country was tested upon southern battle- fields during the Civil war and who is ac-
Spring Valley township, was born in what is now Jasper township. Greene county, Oc- tober 5, 1836, his parents being James and Julia Ann ( Dean) Hopping. His father was born in this county June 2, 1809, and was a son of David Hopping, who came to Ohio from Virginia, but previous to that time had resided in Tennessee, having owned a large number of lots in Memphis. When he reached Greene county he purchased land in what is now Jasper township and lived thereon until sometime in the '50s when he removed to Delaware county, Indiana. where his death occurred. In her maiden- hood, his wife bore the name of Miss Guffy.
James Hopping did not accompany his father to Indiana but was reared to man- hood and married in Jasper township. About 1834 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Ann Dean and they became the parents of four children, our subject being the eldest. The father was three times married and by his first union had four children. After the death of his first wife he wedded Mary Ann Eckles, nce Stewart, and they became the parents of two children. For his third wife he chose Mrs. Margaret ( Bull) Winter, and there were two children of that mar- riage. Seven of the children born unto James Hopping reached years of maturity. The subject of this review was only seven years of age when his mother died. His youth was spent upon the home farm and in the common schools he became fa- miliar with the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He continued to engage in farm work until October 5, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A. Seventy- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going into camp at Nenia, whence the regiment was sent to Camp Chase and afterward to Nash-
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ville. He was first under fire at Stone River and was with his command in all the battles in which it participated up to Chickamauga. mcluding the engagement of Mission Ridge. The regiment veteranized at Chattanooga. but Mr. Hopping did not re-enlist with that command and was detailed as a member of the First Battalion Pioneers, with which he continued for six months. In August. 1864. he rejoined his regiment in front of Atlanta and continued with the command until the expiration of his term of service at the close of the war, participating in the battle of Jonesboro, which was the last engagement. Ile was never wounded or captured al- though he was in the hospital several times. suffering at one time from typhoid fever. After the battle of Stone River he was forced to remain in hospital No. 15 for about two months. He proved a loyal sol- dier, however, never shirking any task which the rules of military life imposed upon him.
In 1868 Mr. Hopping went to Ilinois and purchased land in Clay county, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Greene county, Ohio. About that time-on the 22nd of December. 1870- he was married in Spring Valley township to Miss Martha C. Lyon, who was born on the farm where they are now living. her par- ents being James and Mary ( McKnight ) Lyon. They removed to Illinois where they maintained their home until 1872, when they returned to Greene county, taking up their abode upon the farm which is their present place of residence. This place is owned by Mrs. Hopping and contains one hundred and forty-five acres. Mr. Hopping erected a good residence in 1895 to replace the one which had been built about 1874 and was burned to the ground about twenty-one
years later. Ile still has an interest in the old homestead and is accounted a progres- sive farmer who readily adopts all new methods which prove of practical value in carrying on the work of tilling the soil.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopping has been blessed with two children: Jeanette M. and Raymond. both natives of Greene county. Mr. Hopping is a Republic- an. but while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, he has never sought or desired office. He and his family are connected with the Presbyterian church of Bellbrook, in which he has served as elder for about twelve years. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & A. M., and also the council and chapter, having a dimit from the latter. Ile is a charter member of W. H. Byrd Post. G. 1. R., and for ten years has served as its commander. He has continuously been a delegate to its state encampments and has also attended many annual re-unions, the first at Columbus and the last at Cleveland. He thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and at such times de- lights in recalling experiences in the south that occurred upon the tented field or in the midst of battle. Although he has never cared for active political service. he is a val- ued citizen, owing to his reliability in busi- ness affairs and his advocacy of all that tends to promote the general welfare.
FRANK WOLF.
Frank Wolf is one of the oldest settlers of Beavercreek township and by his many friends is esteemed for his sterling worth.
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having lived an industrious, useful and hon- orable life. He was born November 10. 1825. in Bavaria, Germany, his parents be- ing George Peter and Katherina (Holtz) Wolf. The father died in his native coun- try when our subject was about sixteen years of age.
Mr. Wolf was reared and educated in his native land and in 1850, when twenty- five years of age, sailed from Rotterdam for the new world, accompanied by his wife and one child. They took passage in the Lilly, a sailing vessel, which after a voyage of seventy-two days reached the harbor of New York. They had a tempestuous voyage, a storm continuing for twenty-six days, but at length they arrived at the American port in safety. Mr. Wolf continued to make his home in New York city two years, working at the locksmith's trade, which he had learned in Germany, and at other pursuits which would yieldl him an honest living. In 1852 he came to Ohio, settling first in Cin- cinnati, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period, he removed to Columbia Heights near Cincinnati and cultivated a vineyard for nine years. lle next became a resident of Greene county, Ohio, locating on the old town pike in Nenia township, where he rented a tract of land and engaged in gardening for about four years. He afterward removed to the Cin- cinnati pike in the same township, where he continued to cultivate a rented farm for seven years. In 1874 he came to Beaver- creek township and purchased ninety-eight and one-half acres of land, upon which were good buildings. Here he has since made his home and as the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and now owns another farm in this township. comprising
one hundred and twenty-one acres, which he operates himself.
Mr. Wolf was married in 1849 to Miss Margaret Sorg and unto them have been born ten children. Katherina, who was born in Germany and is the wife of . Andrew Fish- er, of Nenia, by whom she has the follow- ing children : Elizabeth; George, deceased ; Maude and May, twins: Lavina; Charles ; llarry; Clarence: Elmer and Fred. The second child died in infancy. Margaret is the wife of Milton Spahr, of Beavercreek township. Mary is the wife of Charles Buck, a resident of Nenia, and their chil- dren are: Edwin; Bertha, deceased; Carl ; Margaret : and Phillip. Frank, a resident of Nenia township, married Lavinia K. Mackelwain, and they have five children : Margaret, Raymond, Frank, Laura and Louisa. Elizabeth is the wife of .. ... Mackelwain and they reside in Colorado. They have four living children-Frank, Ger- trude. Andrew. Ruth, and Helen, who is now deceased. Clara resides with her father and is the seventh member of the Wolf family. Charles K., the eighth member, was born in Xenia township and attended the district schools, while later he became a student in Nenia College, spending a few years there. He also lives at home and largely assists with the farm work. Emma is the wife of Harry S. Garlough of Dayton, Ohio, and they have one child, Hurbert. George, the youngest member of the family, died when about a year old.
During the Civil war Mr. Wolf was a member of a company known as the Home Guards. He cast his first presidential vote for Fremont but since that time has given his political support to the Democracy. The
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children as well as Mrs. Wolf are members of the Reformed church. Mr. Wolf has al- ways followed general farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of chester white hogs. They have been no exciting chapters in his life history but he has been a man of strong purpose, honorable. straightforward, industrious and energetic and these qualities are certainly well worthy of emulation.
JOSEPH W. HEBBLE.
Joseph W. Hebble, whose identification with the business interests of Xenia made him a valued citizen and whose worth of character commanded respect and admira- tion, was a native of Greene county, born on the 5th of December, 1843. while his death occurred in the county seat on the 17th of June, 1901. His father, Henry E. Hebble, was a native of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, born March 12, 1808. In early life he learned and followed the carpenter's trade and later he became an engineer on one of the first locomotives that ran over the road in southern Pennsylvania, the railroad at that time being owned by the state and leased engines and coaches which were owned by a private company. The en- gines were then built without cabs, and the whole system of railroading was in a prim- itive condition. For three years the father of our subject was connected with rail- roading and then turned his attention to the building industry, building both houses and bridges. Ile superintended the con- struction of the solid bridge across the Susquehanna river at Columbia, Pennsyl- vania, and was connected with many other important building enterprises, but the ex-
roading, there being no shelter for the en- gineer, had undermined his health and from the effects of this he suffered nearly all his life. In the year 1841 he came to Greene county, Ohio, where he engaged in bridge- building and contracting until his death, which occurred on the 25th of March, 1886. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Kramer, was born November 27. 1810, and like her husband was a native of Pennsyl- vania and died in Dayton, Ohio, in October. 1898. They reared a family of ten chil- dren, all of whom are living with the ex- ception of our subject and Benjamin F., who died in May. 1897.
Mr. Hebble of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and received a good, practical educa- tion in the common schools of the neigh- borhood and at Dayton. For many years thereafter he was one of Greene county's well known teachers, teaching first in the country schools and later as principal of the schools at Fairfield and Bellbrook. In the meantime, however, he served his coun- try in the Civil war. At the age of twenty years he enlisted at the president's call for aid, becoming a member of Company K. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. They went to Vir- ginia, traversed the Potomac and Cumber- land valleys and Mr. Hebble endured the many hardships of army life until the ces- sation of hostilities which showed the Union was no longer endangered. He also had two brothers in the Union ranks. Z. T .. who was in the Tenth Ohio Battery, and W. 11 .. a member of the One Hundred and Forty- sixth Infantry.
On coming to Xenia in 1883 Mr. Hleb- posure which he had undergone while rail- ble was appointed deputy county clerk.
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