USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 84
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which position he hekdl for a number of those of his own household, but by many years. He was then made secretary of the friends throughout the county for his ge- nial nature and sterling worth made him popular. Ile left to his family not only a comfortable competence, but also the price- less heritage of an untarnished name. for his record was that of a brave soldier, a re- liable business man and a stanch friend. For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order at Osborn, Ohio, where he served as secre- tary of the lodge, and after dimitting to Xenia lodge he held the same position here. He was also secretary of the Royal Arch Chapter at Xenia up to within a short time of his death. People's Building and Loan Association the duties of which required but little of his time during the early years of the existence of the company, but later it became an in- portant enterprise and contributed not a lit- tle to the improvement of the city. Mr. llebble possessed excellent business ability and sound judgment and his determination and force of character enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. llis straightforward business policy commended him to the confidence of all and in financial circles he sustained an unassailable reputation.
On the 16th of January. 1873. Mr. Hebble was united in marriage to Miss Fan- nie Hamma, of Yellow Springs. She was born January 17, 1845. and is a daughter of Adam and Catharine ( Barton ) Hamma. who for many years was a resident of Greene county. Her mother bore the maid- en name of Catharine Barton, and was a native of Clark county. Ohio. Three chil- diren were born unto our subject and his wife, of whom a daughter. Fannie Kate. died on the 27th of February, 1889, at the age of about ten years. The others are Roy and Mary Ada. The daughter resides at home with her mother, and the son repre- sents the firm of Whitmer & Hebble, gen- eral insurance agents of Xenia. The fam- ily residence is pleasantly located and is the center of a cultured society circle. The household is noted for its cordial and gra- cious hospitality and the members of the family in turn are heartily welcomed into the best homes of the city. Mr. Hebble found his greatest pleasure in providing for his family and in promoting their happiness, yet his death was not only mourned by
ADAMI ROUTZONG.
AAdam Routzong, now deceased, was for years a respected and worthy citizen of Greene county and it is but justice to his memory that his record be given in this vol- time. He was a native of Frederick county, Maryland, born December 4. 1806, a son of Henry Routzong, whose birth also occurred in Frederick county. . About 1824 he left Maryland and with his family came to Greene county, Ohio, settling upon a farmi near Fairfield. There he purchased a good tract of land and carried on agricultural pur- suits for many years, dying at an advanced age. His wife passed away when the sub- ject of this review was quite young and be- fore the removal of the family to Ohio.
Adam Routzong acquired his education in the schools of his native state and was a youth of eighteen when he came with his father to Greene county. They were active- ly associated in farm work, the father and his three sons. They put all of the improve- ments upon the farm and Adam Routzong
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continued to remain under the parental roof until he was about twenty-one years of age, when he removed to a farm in Xenia town- ship, which he purchased. It was a tract of land on the Xenia and Fairfield road, but it was wild and unimproved and awaited the awakening touch of the agriculturist to make it productive land. Our subject at once be- gan its development and made many excel- lent improvements upon it. It continued to be his home for forty years and a great transformation was wrought in the appear- ance of the place as it was brought from its primitive condition to a high state of culti- vation. There through a long period Mr. Routzong carried on general farming and stock-raising, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. The farm was called Shady Bower and consisted of two hundred and fifty-six acres of rich land, but by addi- tional purchases the boundaries of the place have been extended until now it comprises three hundred and forty-six acres, which is still in possession of the family. In 1872 Mr. Routzong retired from active life and with his estimable wife removed to Xenia. where he lived for fifteen years. In 1886 he took up his abode on a farm in Xenia town- ship, which he had purchased in 1861. It comprised one hundred and eighty-three acres of land, which is now owned by his son J. C. Routzong and is occupied by the widow and the family of our subject.
Mr. Routzong was twice married. He first wedded Sarah Cougler, who died leav- ing two children. Henry, a resident of Yel- low Springs, and Mathias now deceased. For his second wife Mr. Routzong chose Con- stant Comfort Cromwell, a sister of Joseph Cromwell. She was born in Washington county. Maryland, near Clear Springs, and
her parents were also natives of that state. By the second marriage of our subject there were also two children: Joseph Cromwell. who was born in Greene county, Ohio; and John R., who died at the age of eleven years.
Adam Routzong died on the 16th of June. 1887. upon the home farm, passing away after a short illness, and his remains were interred in Byron cemetery. He was a public spirited man and though he never held office he took an active interest in every- thing pertaining to the general welfare and upbuilding of his portion of the state and gave his co-operation to the measures for the general good. In politics he was a Re- publican and in religious faith was a Luth- eran, long holding membership with that church. He lived a consistent Christian life and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. He was found to be reliable in business, loyal in citizenship and trust- worthy in friendship, and the sterling quali- ties of his nature gained for him the warm esteem of all with whom he was associated. His widow still survives him and now re- sides upon the old homestead-one of the estimable ladies of the community.
Joseph Cromwell Routzong. the elder child of the father's second marriage, was born December 18, 1848, in Greene county. Ohio, on the old home place in Xenia town- ship. At the usual age he entered the public schools and there pursued his education. while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm. He has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life and is now living upon the old home place, which his father purchased in 1861. He has put a vast amount of in- provement here and to-day has one of the finest attractive country seats of Greene
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county. He erected one of the best farm houses in this portion of the state, it being built about eighteen years ago. He also has a large barn and his farm is a model prop- erty in all respects. In addition to the cul- tivation of the field he is extensively engaged in the raising of Poland-China hogs and shorthorn cattle and this branch of his busi- ness is proving to him a successful enter- prise.
111 1871 Mr. Routzong was married to Miss Alice Snyder, a native of Greene coun- ty and a daughter of Casper Snyder, who was a millwright, miller and distiller of Xenia township and died at an advanced age. He was one of the native sons of Greene county and was classed among the valued citizens here. Unto Joseph C. Rout- zong and his wife have been born five chil- dren : Harry M. married Annie Commings and resides upon the home farm: John .A. is a machinist of Xenia; Joseph C. died at the age of fifteen years: Charles F. is an elec- trician by profession but is now assisting in the cultivation of the home farm : Flora . ... the youngest, is the wife of William Cline, a resident farmer of AAlpha, Ohio. All of the children were born in Xenia township.
Joseph C. Routzong exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party and has been honored with some local offices, having served as township trustee for six years. He belongs to the Reformed church, in which he has served as deacon. His entire life has been passed in Greene county and the fact that many who have known him from his boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends is an indication that his career has ever been honorable, useful and upright.
THOMAS HAVERSTICK.
Thomas Haverstick, now deceased, was a well known citizen of Greene county, and when called to his final rest many friends mourned his departure. He was born De- cember 2. 1835. in this county, his parents being John and Elizabeth ( Holley) Haver- stick. The home farm was his play ground in youth and also his training school for life's practical duties. Ile early became fa- miliar with the work of the fields and after acquiring a fair common-school education he worked as a farm hand, thus gaining a start in life.
On the toth of December. 1872, Mr. laverstick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Swigart, who was born on the farm where she now lives on the 31st of August, 1844. Her parents were Joel and Margaret ( Hedelson) Swigart, both of whom were natives of Greene county, the father having been born in Sugarcreek town- ship and the mother in Beavercreek town- ship. The 18th of November, 1820, was the day of the father's birth, and on the 12th of January. 1843. he led to the marriage altar Miss Hedelson, whose birth occurred September 13. 1834. Both, however, have now passed away, the former dying March II. 1801. and the latter on the 28th of July. 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Haverstick began their domestic life upon the farm belonging to her people. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Swigart, but three of the daugh- ters died in girlhood. The other two reached womanhood and Elmira became the wife of John Fink, but is now deceased. She had no children. Thus Mrs. Haver- stick was left the only surviving member of her parents' family, and at their death she
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inherited the two farms in Sugarcreek town- ship formerly owned by her father, and upon one of these she still makes her home. super- intending its control.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Ilaver- stick manifested his loyalty to the country by enlisting as a soldier in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volun- teer Regiment for one hundred days' service. He was out about four months and became a sergeant, returning at the end of that time to his home in Greene county. Fraternally he was connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man well known and well liked throughout the community. He was kind, good hearted. considerate and wherever he went com- manded the respect of those with whom he was associated. On the 10th of September. 1891, his life's labors were ended in death. and his remains were interred in Mount Zion cemetery. Mrs. Haverstick had the deep sympathy of all who knew her, for her loss was a heavy one. The community also lost a valued citizen and many a considerate and faithful friend. Mrs. Haverstick has a wide acquaintance in Greene county and is a most estimable lady.
JOHN G. CLEMENS.
John G. Clemens, the president of the People's Bank of Jamestown, was born in Greene county on the old Bell farm in Nenia township, on the 21st of January, 1820, and is a son of John and Susan ( Slagle ) Clem- ens, who were natives of Augusta county. Virginia. The family is of English lineage and was established in this country at an
early day. while the Slagles were of Ger- man descent. John Clemens, the father of our subject, was a participant in the war of 1812 and after the close of hostilities he settled in Clark county. Ohio, near Spring- field. where he followed farming, and in 1819 he came to Xenia, where he again car- ried on agricultural pursuits, and after liv- ing for four years on the Nathaniel Bell farm he removed to a tract of land on Caesars creek in Jasper township, where he purchased land upon which he lived until a few years prior to his death. He then pur- chased another farm in New Jasper town- ship and there lived until his death, which occurred in 1866, when he was eighty-one years of age. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years. In their family were ten children, two of whom are yet liv- ing, the eldest being John G. Clemens, of this review. Susan is the wife of David Davis, also a resident of Jamestown.
John G. Clemens obtained his education in an old log school-house with its puncheon floor, slab seats and huge fireplace. He was able to attend school only about three months each year, for the public funds would allow the continuance of the instruction no longer. After he became old enough he as- sisted in the work of the home farm and gained a practical experience and knowledge of farm work in all its departments. When twenty-four years of age he chose as a com- panion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Margaret Long. a daughter of William Long, one of the early settlers of New Jas- per township, who died in his ninetieth year. and they were married February 1. 1844.
.After their marriage the young couple began farming in New Jasper township. Mr. Clemens operating his father's farm for about eight years. He then purchased a
J. G. CLEMENS.
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farm of one hundred acres in the same town- ship and there lived until.1877, when he re- moved to Jamestown, where his wife died on the 21st of January, 1801, at the age of sixty-five years. Unto them were born three children : Louisa, who died of typhoid fever in her twenty-first year ; Mary L., who also died in her twenty-first year: and Ger- trude M1 .. the wife of Jesse Taylor, the cashier of the People's Bank.
In his business undertakings Mr. Clem- ens was prosperous. To his first purchase of land, of one hundred acres, he has since added from time to time, making judicious investments in real estate until to-day he owns twelve hundred acres of land mostly in Ross and Cedarville townships. He is also the owner of the old family homestead and all that he has is due to his own well directed efforts. He had no influential friends or inheritance to assist him, but he has placed his dependence upon the substan- tial qualities of self-reliance, determination and indefatigable energy, and these have proved an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of prosperity. He was one of the original incorporators of the People's Bank of Jamestown, became its president and has since continued in that position. lle is also its largest stockholder and is interested in other business enter- prises which have not only proven of benefit to himself, but have also advanced the gen- eral prosperity.
flis fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. In his political views he was originally a Whig, and upon the or- ganization of the party became a Republi- can. He was elected justice of the peace and served for about twenty-six years, or until his removal to Jamestown. His deci-
sions were strictly fair and impartial and that he gave universal satisfaction is indi- cated by his long continuance in the office. In 1862 he was announced and published as a candidate for county commissioner with- out his knowledge or consent. He did no canvassing. never leaving home for a day or asking any man to vote for him, and was elected by a complimentary majority. He served for one term in that office and then retired. He was interested in the Little Mi- ami Narrow Gange Railroad for about three years and has co-operated in many move- ments for the general good. In his relig- ious faith he is a Methodist. He joined that denomination on the 23d of April, 1842, and has therefore been a member of the church for sixty years, while for the same long period of time he has served as one of its stewards, and has also been a class-leader. Mr. Clemens has not missed a single communion service since entering the church. For about twenty-six years he was recording steward of the church and has frequently been a delegate to its conferences. He has been chosen administrator and exec- utor to settle twenty-six different estates, a fact which indicates the confidence and trust reposed in him by those who know him, and it is unnecessary to say to those acquainted with Mr. Clemens that no trust ever reposed in him has been betrayed in even the slight- est degree. He has traveled quite exten- sively, visiting twenty different states, in- cluding those on the Pacific coast. Califor- nia, Oregon and Washington. He spent some time in visiting the many points of in- terest in that section of the country and he has a comprehensive knowledge of his own land. its development and its history.
John G. Clemens has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey
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and is one of the oldest native citizens of Eliza Carvery, who was born September 5. Greene county. No history of this portion of the state would be complete without his record for his life has formed an integral chapter in the annals of this district of Ohio. As the years have advanced he has pro- gressed from a humble financial position to one of marked affluence, but the acquisition of wealth has never warped his kindly, gen- erous nature or led him to cease to feel an interest in everything pertaining to the gen- eral good and to the progress and improve- ment of the community. He is known far and wide as a man of strong purpose, one who has led an honorable and upright life and whose example is indeed worthy of em- ulation.
JOSHUA ELLIS.
Joshua Ellis was born September 28. 1847. in Jefferson township. upon the farm which is yet his home and to-day he is ac- counted one of the intelligent, progressive and highly respected agriculturists of this portion of the state. His father, Samuel Ellis, was born in Frederick county, Vir- ginia. October 4. 1800, and in the year 1807 accompanied his parents to Ohio, taking up his abode upon the farm which is now the home of his son Joshua. Here he was reared amid pioneer conditions, for at that time the work of improvement and develop- ment in the county had scarcely been be- gun. His father was Christopher Ellis, who belonged to an old Pennsylvania Dutch family and came from Lancaster, that state. to Ohio. His birth occurred in Lancaster on the 11th of January. 1763. and he died in the year 1836 at the age of seventy-three years. He was united in marriage to Miss
1760, and died September 5. 1822. at the age of fifty-three years. On arriving in Greene county, Christopher Ellis purchased eight lfundred acres of land on what is now the Clinton and Greene county boundary line and thereon took up his abode. All that re- mains of the once thick forest is an old elm tree which stands near the spring on the farm, and it was near this tree that the grandfather built his first Ohio home, which was constructetd of logs. At one time he was the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land and the old homestead is still in the possession of Joshua Ellis, his youngest grandson. His children born of the first marriage were Catherine: Jacob: Abraham: Isaac: John: Samuel, the father of our sub- ject ; William; George: James: Mary: Jo- seph: Christopher: and Elizabeth. The grandfather afterward married Nancy Over- ly and they became the parents of four chil- dren : Martha. Tilden, AAngeline and Daniel.
Samuel Ellis, the father of our subject. early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farin. He was three times married, his first union being with Miss Elizabeth Oglesbee. a native of Greene county, and this union was blessed with six children : Preston. Mary Ann, Silas, Jo- seph, Almira and Isaiah. After the death of his first wife Samuel Ellis married Miss Keziah Woolman, who was born July 17. 1817, and was also a native of Greene coun- ty. Ohio. It was on the 25th of January. 1837. that she gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Ellis, and they became the parents of seven children: Susan, born September 1. 1838. was the eldest. Eli, born Decem- ber 19, 1841, was a member of Company B. Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during
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the Civil war, and was fatally wounded' at Ringgold, Georgia. Sarah Jane, born Jan- mary 19. 1843, was the next of the family. Simon Peter and Samuel N., twins, were born March 15, 1845. The former was a member of Company F. Sixtieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and for eleven months was a prisoner in Libby and Andersonville prisons. Samuel N. was a member of Com- pany H. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Joshua, the sub- ject of this sketch, is next in order of birth. Martha, the youngest, died at the age of three years and thirteen days. The father's third marriage was with Mrs. Providence ( Scarf) Sewell, a native of Greene county. the wedding being celebrated about the year 1850. Throughout his entire life Samuel Ellis carried on agricultural pursuits. lle died December 11, 1880, at the age of eighty years, two months and seven days. and thus the community lost one of its val- ned pioneer settlers, for from the first dec- ade of the nineteenth century he had been a witness of the growth and development of this portion of the state and had contributed in no small degree to its improvement and progress.
At the usual age Joshua Ellis entered the public schools of Jefferson township. but his educational privileges were very limited as his services were needed upon the home farm, where he was employed in the capac- ity of a cook. When thirteen years of age he left home in 1859 and went to Bowers- ville, where he entered the employ of J. C. Early, there remaining until 1861. But he could not longer content himself to continue at home when the Union was endangered, and in the fall of that year he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of the Thirty-first Ohio Regiment.
He was, however, only about fourteen years of age and his father, objecting to his serv- ing so young, secured his release. He was afterward variously employed for two years and in 1863 he again enlisted, this time under Captain Ary of the Sixtieth Ohio In- fantry, to serve for one hundred days. He then volunteered on the 17th of February, 1864, with that regiment for three years' service and participated in the battle of the Wilderness: Nye River, May 9-10, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; North Anna River, May 25,1864: Bethesda Church, June I. 1864: Shady Grove, June 1, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 3. 5. 6. 1864: and Gains Har- bor, 1864. He was also before Petersburg on the 17th of June, 1864, was there at the time of the mine explosion on the 30th of July of the same year, and later took part in the engagements at Weldon Railroad, Aug- ust 19, 1864: Yellow House Inn. August 1, 1864; Poplar Grove Church. September 30, 1864: Pegram Farm, Virginia, September 30. 1864; Hatchie's Run, October 20, 1864; Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865 : the charge on rebel works. April 2. 1865 ; and the cap- ture of Petersburg. His was the first regi- inent that entered that city and was the sec- ond to place its flag on the heights. Mr. Ellis was in the grand review at Washing- ton, D. C., and was discharged at Colum- bus. Ohio, August 7. 1865. He was a brave and loyal soldier who hesitated not in the performance of duty but faithfully dis- charged every task assigned to him.
On his return from the war Mr. Ellis worked at farming until his marriage, when he located on a part of his father's farm and operated it for a year. Later he car- ried on farming at different places in this county, and subsequently engaged in the buggy, wagon and farm implement business
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at Port William, Ohio, for thirteen years with marked success. After his father's death he bought the old homestead and is now the owner of over two hundred acres of well improved and valuable land. Be- sides this property he owns a fine residence in Clinton county where his son lives. In connection with general farming he is en- gaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of short-horn cattle, and has met with good success in all his undertakings.
On the 23d of September. 1867, was cel- ebrated the marriage of Mr. Ellis and Miss Rachel A. Murphy, a native of Greene coun- ty and a daughter of Jacob V. and Elizabeth Murphy. Her father was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, and her mother in Greene county, Ohio. They had five chil- dren : William A., born February 2, 1840: Harvey C., born July 18. 1841; Israel . \., born in 1845: Rachel .A., born in 1848; and James L., born August 3. 1857. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were born two children, Har- ley and Veturrah. The son, who is a resident of Clinton county, was married December 24. 1806, to Miss Kate Linkhart, and they have one child. Orville. born November 30. 1898. Veturrah is the wife of George L. Linkhart, a native of Greene county, and they have one child, Nora A., born October 31. 1897.
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