USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 86
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he and his wife belong to the Reformed Presbyterian church of Cedarville, in which he is serving as a trustee. The worthy rep- resentative of an honored pioneer family. he well deserves mention in this volume. His entire life has here been passed and those who know him give him their regard be- cause of his honorable and straightforward career.
JAMMES H. KYLE.
James II. Kyle, who is now living re- fred in Xenia, was born in Greene county. Ohio, February 12. 1839. and is a son of James and Delilah ( Gartrell ) Kyle, also na- tives of Ohio. The father engaged in farm- ing and upon the old family homestead reared his seven children, but only two of the number are now living .- James H. and Samuel, both residents of Xenia.
In the public schools of Xenia township James HI. Kyle obtained his education, spending his boyhood days in the usual man- ner of farmer lads of the period, and after putting aside his text books he engaged in farming for some years. After the inaug- uration of the Civil war, however, he put aside all personal consideration in order to aid in the preservation of the Union. From the workshop, the field, the counting rooms and the offices men flocked to the standard of the nation, and among the number was Mr. Kyle, who, in August, 1862, joined Company II, of the Ninety-fourth Ohio, 11- der the command of Captain Kyle and Col- onel Brazil. The latter was killed in the first fight in which the regiment participated. Assigned to the Army of the Potomac, the Ninety -fourth Ohio participated in many
important engagements, including the bat- tles of Perryville, Stone River and Mur- freesboro. Mr. Kyle served from 1862 111- til 1865, and then with an honorable military record returned to his home, for he was al- ways found at his post of duty, whether on the picket line or the firing line. In 1865 lie was mustered out at New York. He lost his right arm at Bentonville, North Caro- lina, that member being struck by a minie ball in such a way as to necessitate am- putation. It was on the toth of March. 1895. that he was wounded and sent to the hospital at Goldsboro, North Carolina, after- ward to Charleston, South Carolina, subse- quently to New York and then to the hos- pital on East river, where he remained for six months, after which he returned home in September, 1865. He went to the front as a private, but was promoted to the rank of corporal and afterward to sergeant.
When he had again taken up his abode in Greene county Mr. Kyle received the nomination for township clerk, and being elected continued in that office for seven years. He was then appointed by the guy- ermment to the position of assessor, and afterward was made store keeper at Tre- beins. Subsequently he was transferred to Oldtown and continued in the government service for two years. He was next ap- pointed deputy sheriff and for four years nieted in that capacity in Greene county. He then became candidate for office and being elected served as sheriff for four years, re- tiring from office as he had entered it with the confidence and good will of the entire public. Mr. Kyle then purchased his livery business, built a fine barn and for twenty- 4 years successfully conducted the same. having a liberal pato age which brought
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to him a good return. For some time he also conducted a sale stable, but is now re- tired from business, residing in his comfort- able home at the corner of Market and Whiteman streets.
On the 15th of April. 1878, Mr. Kyle was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Bru- baker, of Springfield, Clark county, Ohio. her . father, Daniel Brubaker, having heen one of the carly settlers of that county. Mrs. Kyle is a member of Trinity church of Nenia and is an estimable lady. Mr. Kyle maintains pleasant relationship with his old army comrades through his membership in Nenia Post. No. 47. G. A. R., of which he was one of the charter members, taking a very active part in its organization. He is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship as when upon the southern battle fields he followed the nation's starry banner.
JOHN M. HAWKER.
Among the representative farmers of Beavercreek township is numbered John Martin Hawker, whose birth occurred in this township on the 3d of May. 1841, his parents being Frederick and Sarah Hawker. The father was also born in the same town- ship near the Hawker church, while the grandfather, Andrew Hawker, was num- bered among the pioneer settlers of the coun- ty, having arrived here at a very early day. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life Fred- erick Hawker was reared. He pursued his education at the district schools and his own fireside, but his opportunities in that direc- tion were quite limited. AAfter arriving at years of maturity he married Sarah Ritter,
and of the union ten children were born, of whom one died in infancy. The others were: Simon, who was born March 26, 1829. and is living in Hlinois ; Mary Ann, born December 6, 1830, is the deceased wife of Samuel Wiggam: Emamiel, who was born January 28, 1833, and is a resident of Illinois: Rebecca, who was born December 15. 1834, and married John Moler, their home being in Beavercreek township; Sarah Aun, who was born October 1, 1837, and is the wife of Walter Kerr, a resident of California: Andrew, born January 1, 1840, lied in childhood; John M., of this review; Perry, who was born August 4. 1845, and resides in Beavercreek township: Martha, who was born January 25, 1847, and is the widow of William Wolf, her home being in Clark county. Ohio. The father of this family died March 18. 1874, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1853. Both were interred in the Hawker cemetery. After the death of his first wife the father was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Kerr. She died in Sidney, Ohio, where she was visiting a daughter. Mr. Hawker was a Democrat in his political views and strongly endorsed the principles of the party. Both he and his wife were members of the German Reformed church and he filled a number of its offices. He was a man of strong religious convictions, putting forth every effort to advance the cause of Christianity and several times he filied the pulpit in the absence of the reg- ular minister. Although his educational privileges were limited he gained broad knowledge by reading, investigation and ob- servation. In his farming operations he was very successful and at the time of his death he owned four farms aggregating about five
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hundred acres of fine land. He was also the owner of city property in Dayton.
Mr. Hawker, whose name introduces this record, acquired his education in the common schools of Beavercreek township, but attended for only a brief period each year. He was found in the schoolroom only when his services were not needed upon the farm, consequently his education in the schoolroom was limited, but by reading and observation, coupled with natural ability. Mr. Hawker has come to be a man of broad general knowledge. He lived at home im- til he was thirty-three years of age, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, and with his brother Emanuel he conducted a livery stable upon Fourth street in that city for about two years. At the expiration of that period he returned to the old homestead and resumed farming upon the land which he now owns.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Hawker chose Miss Emma Pasco, their marriage being cele- brated on the 19th of AAugust, 1870. The lady was born in Dayton, and is a daughter of James Elias and Sophia ( Davey) Pasco. The mother died during the early girlhood of her daughter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pasco were born in England, and on coming to this country they took up their abode in Day- ton. They had four children. William James, who is now living in Dayton : Emma Jane, the wife of our subject : Ida Mary, who became the wife of James Latham and is now living in Florida : and Luella Sarah. the wife of Clarence W. Clary. also of Day- ton. The father afterward married a sec- ond time, when Catherine Kuhns became his wife. They, too, had four children. In 1892 Mr. Pasco was called to his final rest
and was laid by the side of his first wife in the cemetery in Dayton.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hawker has been blessed with ten children: Clar- ence, who was born on Christmas day of 1871, is living with his father. Bessie B .. who was born February 11. 1873. died on March 7, of that year. Harry, who was born January 28, 1874, is an employe in the State Insane Asylum in Dayton. Noena Blanche, who was born April 4. 1875, is the wife of Harry Aeter, a resident of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, by whom she has one child, Harry Frederick. Frederick James, who was born December 5, 1878, is operat- ing the home farm. Herbert Sanford, who was born June 21, 1882, died seven days later. Clara Mabel, who was born Novem- ber 24, 1887, died on the 17th of July. 1888. Mary and Martha, twins, were born Sep- tember 17. 1889, while Mary died on the ioth of April, 1891, and Martha is at home. Carrie, born May 12. 1891, the youngest of the family, is at home.
Since his marriage Mr. Hawker has re- mained upon the old homestead which is now operated by his son, while our subject is practically living a retired life. The farm, comprising one hundred and sixty-three acres, is splendidly developed and improved with all modern equipments and accessories. In 1893 the home was destroyed by fire. but Mr. Hawker and his sons erected a fine large residence. He has a large and very desir- able property and everything about the place is kept in good repair, while general farm- ing and stock raising are carried on very successfully. Mr. Hawker votes with the Democracy, and he and his family are con- nected with the Reformed church, in which he has served as deacon. His life has been
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
in harmony with its teachings and his belief is manifest by the honorable relations in all the walks of life. He commands the con- fidence and respect of his fellow men by rea- son of his upright career, and all who know him entertain for him a warm regard.
AARON CRITES.
Aaron Crites owns and operates a good farm of one hundred acres of land in Spring Valley township and is numbered among the progressive agriculturists of his comm11- nity, for he follows modern methods of farming and a glance at his place woukl in- dicate to the passer-by his careful super- vision. He was born in Grant county, West Virginia, February 23, 1840, a son of Joel and Sarah ( Crites) Crites. Although the parents bore the same family name they were not related. The mother died when our subject was about eleven years of age, and was buried upon the old Crites farm in her native state. The following year the father came with his children to Greene county, Ohio, and a year later removed to Mont- gomery county, Illinois, but when two years had passed he returned to Ohio. Our sub- ject, however, remained in Illinois for a year longer and then joined the family in the Buckeye state. Joel Crites, however, did not continue his residence here for a very long period. When a few years had passed he went to northwestern Missouri, where he spent his remaining days.
Aaron Crites remained in Greene conn- ty. From the time the family removed to Illinois he had depended upon his own re- sources for a living and was employed as a
farm hand. By the time he had reached the age of twenty-five years he had saved enough money to enable him to begin farm- ing on his own account. He then rented land and his sister acted as his house- keeper for a time. Later he was married, in this county, to Mrs. Margaret Babb, nee Evans, and unto them were born two chil- dren : William E., who is now a farmer in Spring Valley township; and Sarah May. who resides with William. For his second wife Mr. Crites chose Miss Mary Thomas. who was born in Sugarcreek township and is a daughter of George W. and Rachel Thomas. This marriage was celebrated on the 22d of November. 1899.
Mr. Crites' first purchase of land con- sisted of thirty-three acres, upon which he lived for a number of years. After his sec- und marriage he purchased his present farm vi one hundred acres in Spring Valley town- ship, and upon this he has excellent im- provements, which he has placed there him- self. llis fields are well tilled and annually return to him good harvests. From early boyhood dependent upon his own resources, he has steadily worked his way upward, and his life history illustrates the power of in- ciustry and enterprise in the business world.
Mir. Crites holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Val- ley and is serving as one of its stewards. He is also a worker in the Sunday-school. in which he has served as teacher for a quarter of a century. His wife was reared in the Baptist faith and both are earnest Christian people who are striving to make the golden rule the guide of their lives. Mr. Crites was reared in the Democratic faith, but cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and continued to
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support the Republican party until after 1880. when he voted for Garfield. Since that time he has been an advocate of Pro- hibition principles, and at one time was the nominee of the party for sheriff. Frater- nally be was at one time connected with the Red Men. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Masonic fraternity. the Sons of Temperance and the Grange, but is not identified with any of these organizations at the present time. The greater part of his life has been passed in Greene county, where he Ines a wide acquaintance. He is a man of ui.faltering integrity and untiring indus- try and perseverance.
ROBERT S. SPAIIR. .
Robert S. Spahr, who has recently re- ved to Nenia, is now a member of the firm of Spahr & Long, who are engaged in business at No. 45 Main street, handling shelf and heavy hardware. stoves, etc. 11 was in July. 1902, that he bought an interest in this business, which was an old established one, and he now devotes his attention to his mercantile inter- es. He was born in Xenia town- ship. April 1. 1843. his parents being Gideon and Elizabeth ( Kyle) Spahr. The father was born in Virginia, in 1813, and was a son of Edward Spabr. who was a na- tive of the Old Dominion. He carried on agricultural pursuits in his native state and in 1821 came with his family to Ohio, mak- ing the trip overland. Ile settled in Xenia township. where he cleared and developed one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he spent his remaining days. His death occurred in the '6os and his wife died
in Cedarville township, in 1875. both being buried in the Shook cemetery.
Of their twelve children Gideon Spahr was the eldest. He attended a subscription school for a short time in Virginia, and with his parents came to Greene county in pio- neer days, living with them until twenty- one years of age, when he married Elizabeth Kyle, a native of this county, and they start- ed out in life for themselves. He had learned the brickmaker's trade, which he fol- lowed for five or six years and then rented land, after which he always followed agri- cultural pursuits. He was first a Whig in politics and afterward became a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was also a local preacher, and their influence in behalf of Christianity was a potent factor in the moral development of the community. Gideon Spahr died May 7. 1894. and his widow is now living at Clifton at the age of ninety years. In their family were thir- teen children: Albert. a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now in Piqua. Ohio: John, who died in infancy; Cornelia. the wife of Silas Smith, of Van Wert, Ohio: Madison, who was a member of Company E. Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry and died of typhoid fever in the service, being buried at Bowling Green, Kentucky: Robert S .: Sa- rah, of Clifton, Ohio: Mary and Martha. twins, who died in infancy: Julia, the wife of Isaac Cummins, of Texas: Samuel K., a minister of the Methodist Protestant church. of Tompkins Cove. New York; David E .. a physician of Clifton. Ohio; one that died in infancy : and James C., of Clifton.
Robert S. Spahr attended the public schools of the county until seventeen years of age, and the following year he enlisted. on the 17th of September. 1861. in Wil-
MRS. R. S. SPAHR.
R. S. SPAHR.
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mington, Ohio, as a member of Company B. county, where he entered and cleared a tract Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a pri- of land of one hundred acres. Here his father and mother died, the former in 1851 and the latter in 1872. their remains being interred in Boots cemetery. Joseph Saville was educated in this county and became a cooper by trade, but his later years were de- voted to farming. Ile lived on the old home- stead, where his death occurred in 1893, and his wife, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 5. 1819. passed away in 1899. their remains being interred in Nenia cemetery. Unto them were born ten children: Emeline, the wife of Henry C. Fudge, of Caesarscreek township: Mary Jane, the wife of David C. Conklin, of Clin- ton county, Ohio; Martha A., the honored wife of our subject : Andrew, who died in infancy: John, who also diel in infancy; Sarah E., the wife of Henry Smith, of Xenia township : Milton G., who died in childhood ; Ellen C., the wife of Ira Wilkins, of Kan- sas: and Florence, the wife of Frank An- tram, of Clinton county. vate, for three years. He was promoted to the rank of corporal and served under Gen- eral Sherman until wounded near Atlanta. He participated in the battles of Chickamau- ga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and was wounded at a place called Pumpkin Vine, his injuries necessitat- ing his remaining in a hospital for a time. He was mustered out of service at Atlanta. Georgia, in October, 1864, and then re- turned home. Resuming his studies he spent the winter as a student in Van Wert. Ohio. and in 1806 entered Adrian College, at Adrian, Michigan, but on account of his health he was obliged to abandon his stud- ies. Ile then began teaching, but after a year his health forced him to leave the schoolroom altogether, and he turned his attention to farming, believing that the out- door life would prove beneficial. For a time he worked with his father, and after his marriage he rented land for a year. Ile then purchased a small tract in Cedarville township, and after two years' residence thereon he purchased a larger place. locating there in 1880, at which time he became the owner of seventy-six acres of arable land on the Wilmington pike, where he made his home until his removal to Xenia in 1902.
On the 25th of April. 1872. Mr. Spahr was united in marriage to Miss Martha .1. Saville, who was born in Cedarcreek town- ship, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah ( Ketteman ) Saville. The father was born in Rockbridge county. Virginia, February 15. 1815. and was a son of Samuel and Anna Saville, the former of French lineage and the latter of German descent. When ten years of age Joseph Saville accompanied his parents to New Jasper township, Greene
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Spahr has been blessed with the following children : Albert G., who married Luella Goods and resides in Xenia; Ralph O., who married Anna Haglar and resides in Xenia town- ship: Joseph Lester, of Xenia; Howard S., Fannie E., Sherwin G., Frank Blaine, all at home: one that died in infancy: Emma 11 .. Homer C. and Earle R .. all under the parental roof. The parents hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political endorsement Mr. Spahr is known as an earnest and unfaltering Repub- lican. He is a member of the county com- mittee of the indigent soldiers' fund. He belongs to Lewis Post. G. A. R., of Xenia, and is a valued citizen, enterprising, pro- gressive and wide-awake. He takes an act-
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ive interest in everything pertaining to the general good and in every way possible has aided in promoting public progress and the stable improvement of this portion of the state.
JAMES .A. KELLY.
The name of Kelly is well known in connection with industrial interests in Xenia and he whose name introduces this review occupied a leading position in commercial circles here, not only by reason of the bril- liant success which he has achieved. but also of the honorable business methods which he put forth. Hle possessed untiring energy. was quick of perception, formed his plans readily and was determined in their execu- tion, and his earnest application to business and excellent management brought to him a high degree of success.
His parents were Robert A. and Cath- erine M. (Fisher ) Kelly, in whose family were five children, of whom three are liv- ing. Our subject was born in Paterson, New Jersey, May 24, 1863, and there he pursued his education and was graduated. Immediately after the death of his father, who had been extensively engaged in manu- facturing twine, James A. Kelly and his brothers built the plant and equipped the business in Xenia now known as the R. . 1. Kelly Company, manufacturers of cordage and machinery. The trade of this house covers the territory that extends from coast to coast and from gulf to the northern boundary of the United States. From the beginning success attended the new enter- prise. The sons under the careful direc- tion of their father had become thoroughly
familiar with the business, and to them the undertaking brought experience as well as a laudable ambition and strong determina- tion to win prosperity. James A. Kelly be- came the manager of the enterprise and iIn- der his supervision the mammoth concern has been built up, and he successfully con- trolled it up to the time of his death, which occurred December 19, 1900.
Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Corry, a daughter of James B. Corry, one of the substantial and in- fluential pioneers of Greene county, whose death occurred on the 15th of December, 1895. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Brown and is still living, making her home with her daughter. Mrs. Kelly, who was one of eight children. By her marriage Mrs. Kelly became the mother of two sons. James E. and Robert A., aged, respectively. fifteen and thirteen years, the former named for his father and the latter for his paternal grandfather. They are both bright boys and bid fair to be an honor to the family. Mrs. Kelly, with her mother and two sons, resides in her handsome resi- dence on North King and Pleasant streets. She holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady. Since her husband's death she has re- tained her interest in the business, her brother-in-law. George R. Kelly, managing her affairs. Hers is a hospitable home. and she has many warm friends throughout the community.
Mr. Kelly was a prominent and con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church. which he not only liberally supported, but gave his time and earnest work for its up- building. It is worthy of more than passing notice that he took his Christianity into his
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office and mills and also fully lived up to his professions in his business in that quiet. kindly, mnostentatious way that carried the feeling to all who knew him that Mr. Kelly was a genuine Christian. He was well known as one of the leading bass singers of the city, having a fine voice, well trained, and few musical gatherings were complete without him. He was also the leading bass singer in the Presbyterian choir for twenty years.
Mr. Kelly gave his political support to the Republican party and strongly endorsed its principles, but never sought or desired office, his time being fully occupied by his extensive business interests. He passed away in New Mexico, dying of pneumonia, but his remains were interred in the Wood- land cemetery of Nenia. He deserves to be placed among the prominent and representa- tive citizens of Greene county, for he be- longed to that class of men whose enter- prising spirit was used not alone for their own benefit, but in advancing the general good and promoting public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests and thus places this section of the country on a par with other manufacturing cities of the Buck- eye state. His courtesy was unfailing, his integrity above question and his genial man- ner won for him a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaint- ances.
WILLIAM GILMORE TAYLOR.
William G. Taylor, who is a representa- tive of the farming interests of Sugarcreek township, was born in Ross township. this county, March 19, 1832. His father, Isaac
Taylor, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, born about the year 1799. The following year his parents emigrated with their family to the new world, locating in Rockbridge county, Virginia, where Isaac Taylor was reared to manhood and learned the tanner's trade. After arriving at years of maturity he married Frances Gilmore, who was born in Rockbridge county and was a daughter of John Gilmore, who, when about seven years of age, was taken prisoner by the In- dians as was his mother. This occurred at the time of the Indian massacre at Kerr's creek in Rockbridge county. The mother and son were brought to Oldtown, Greene county, Ohio, where they were held as cap- tives for seven years. Mr. Gilmore and the children of the family, with the exception of John, were all killed. The children's brains were dashed out in the presence of the mother and their bodies thrown into a burn- ing house. The Indians finding that Mrs. Gilmore possessed considerable musical talent required her to sing for them, and she would sing the "Lament of Miriam." After seven years a white man escaped from the tribe and went back to Virginia, where he reported the condition of Mrs. Gilmore and her son. A party was then organized for their rescue, and they were taken back to the Old Dominion.
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