History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 934

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Soon after his marriage Mr. Taylor. the father of our subject, came with his bride to Ohio, residing for a time in Preble coun- ty, whence he came to Greene county about 1830, locating in Ross township upon a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which he purchased and where he spent his remain- ing days, and was accounted one of the lead- ing and influential agriculturists of the com- munity. He acquired a good education and

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engaged in teaching in the public schools and also conducted a singing school. His in- tellectual strength and ability made him a leader of public thought and action. He supported the Democratic party and held a number of township offices. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith .- a great student of the Bible, he became a believer in the doctrine of the Christian church, although he did not unite with that denomination. llis life was ever in consistent harmony with Christian principles and he enjoyed the con- fidence of all with whom he was associated. Unto him and his wife were born five sons and four daughters and six of the number reached mature years : Mary Jane, who be- came the wife of lra Adair and died in Greene county: Magdaline, who married Jackson Ballard and resides in this county; Willian G .: John, who died in this county ; Daniel, who die l in Jamestown, Ohio; and Isaac, who passed away in Warren county, Ohio.

Upon the old home farm William Gil- more Taylor was born and reared. At the usual age he entered the public schools and there mastered the common branches of English learning. For some time remained at home, for his father was the owner of about six hundred acres of land, and thus there was ample work for the children upon the old homestead. In Miami county, on the 22d of December, 1859. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary I. Long. who was born in Lost Creek township. Miami county, her parents being Thomas and Margaret ( McMillan) Long. The young couple began their domestic life upon one hundred and twenty acres of the old Taylor homestead, which our subject im- proved. continuing the cultivation of that

place until 1868, when he sold it and pur- chased his present home, becoming the own- er of one hundred and seventy acies, al- though he has since disposed of a portion of this, retaining possession of eighty-two acres. His farm is well improved with all modern accessories and equipments, and his labors bring to him good harvests.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been blessed with five children: Eldorus Gilmore, who was born in Ross township. January 11. 1861: William Vinton, of Sugarcreek township, who was born in Ross township. January 22, 1865, and married Nellie Cunningham, by whom he has four children. Ethel _1., Hazel L., W. Virgil and Ocy: James Harvey, a resident of Xenia, who was born March 30, 1867, and mar- ried Ida Seiber, by whom he has twin chil- dren ; Erman and Elsie; Ocy Lenore, who became the wife of James Sanders and died in Tennessee, leaving two children, Jessie and Dena : and Dessie, who is still at home.

When age conferred upon Mr. Taylor the right of franchise he supported Buchanan in 1856, but in 1864 he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He was drafted for service in the Civil war at the time of the first draft. but he hired a substitute. Both he and his wife belong to the Metho:list Episcopal church and the latter is a member of the Ladies Vid Society, while Mr. Taylor is serving as class leader and also as trus- tee. His history is largely familiar to those who know him, for he has spent his entire life in Greene county, and the fact that ainong his friends are many who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his career has ever been one that will bear the closest scrutiny and will furnish many examples worthy of emulation.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

PERRY A. ALEXANDER.

Throughout an entire century the Alex- ander family has been represented in Greene county and the name figures prominently and honorably on the pages of the county's history. From pioneer times down to the present members of the family have taken an active part in public affairs, and in those lines of business which have contributed to the upbuilding and stability of this portion of the state. In the year 1803 John and Isabell Alexander, the great-grandparents of our subject arrived in Nenia. In carly life the former had been a school teacher and had resided in Butler county, Ohio. b- fore coming to Greene county. Taking up his abode in Xenia in 1823. he engaged in the practice of law, and was the Erst at- torney of the city. For thirty years he was prosecuting attorney and his reputation was by no means a local one. He aly servel as judge of the common pleas court, rep- resented his district in the state legislature and was for two terms a member of con- gress . A man of stany mentality, of marked individuality and superior ability, he was well fittel for leadership, and he left the imp.e.s of lis thought and labors upon the development of the county in a large measure. Ilis death occurred in Nenia in 1848.

Washington Alexander, the grandfather of our subject, was born in South Carolnia in 1801, and was brought by his parents to this county when only two years old. Hle studied law, but never practiced, turning his attention to farming in Spring Valley. In 1842 he married Miss Rachel Clark, of Spring Valley, and they became the parents of seven children. of whom the father of our

subject was the second in order of birth. Of the living: Jesse is a resident of Spring Valley; Augustus is an attorney of St. Louis, Missouri; Isabella is the widow of William S. Frazier, by whom she had seven children, and makes her home in Indianap- olis; Frank is a farmer of Holcomb, Mis- souri ; and Aurelius is a traveling man re- siding in Dayton. John is deceased. The father of this family became the owner of several hundred acres of land, meeting with gratifying success in his undertakings. He was a member of the Baptist church and died in 1867. while his wife passe l away in 1849.

William J. Alexander, the father of our subject. was born in Spring Valley town- ship, June 10. 1827. and after acquiring his ulucation in Nenia he engaged in teaching school and in farming. Later he took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar and at once began practice in Spring Val- ley. Later he removed to Wilmington and subsequently opened an office in Xenia. Hle served as justice of the peace for twelve years and "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was also township trustee for twenty-two years, and for a short time was superintendent of the Orphans Ilome. His political support was given the Democratic party, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. Fraternally he was connecte ! with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and with the Masonic lodge, and when death claimed him his re- mains were interred with the rites of those orders. Pr spering in his business under- taking and making judicious investments, he lecante the owner of several hundred acres of land. all in Spring Valley township. On the 28th of February. 1850, William J. Alex-

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inder married Elizabeth Weller. He died April IS, 18:57. But his widow, who was Forn in Washington township. Montgomery county, Ohio. April 18, 1825. is still living. Three children were born unto them, but the daughter died in infancy.

Perry A. Alexander, the okler brother, was reared on the home farm, acquired : good education and was married in Spring Valley, November 28, 1878, to Miss Ella M. Elgin, a daughter of Dr. M. B. and Margaret ( Craft ) Elgin. She was born and reared in New Burlington and was educated in Spring Valley. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have been born six children : Laura C .. William Elgin. Cantwell J., Ralph, Margaret and one now deceased. . All were born in Spring Valley township. Laura is a graduate of the Nenia high school of the class of 1896.

Since his marriage Mr. Alexander has resided in Spring Valley, and for the past ten years has made his home upon his pres- ent farm. He owns two tracts of land. one of one hundred and eighty-eight acres, the other of one hundred and fifty-six acres. In his farm work he follows progressive methods, has the latest improved machinery and keeps everything about his place in ex- cellent order. He votes with the Democracy and in 1890 was nominated by the party for the office of sheriff, but made no effort to secure the election, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. Socially he is connected with Spring Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F .. the Elks of Xenia, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Born in Spring Valley township. Septem- ber 28, 1850. he has spent his entire life in this county, and has a large acquaintance. which includes many friends who appre ciate his many good qualities and give him

their high regard. He is a worthy repre- sentative of an honored pioneer family and his record casts no shadow upon the untar- Dished family name.

ELI MILLEN.

In the year 1834 Eli Millen became a resident of Nenia. He is one of the oldest as well as one of the most honored citizens of Greene county, his birth having occurred in September, 1815. lle is a native of South Carolina, and one of ten chiklren born unto John and Martha ( Moffitt ) Millen. His father was a typical southern gentle- man and had the distinction of giving lib- erty to his slaves-twelve in number-be- fore the emancipation proclamation was is- sued. He was a son of Scotch-Irish par- entage. John Millen was brought to this country by his father. Robert Millen, who took up his abode in South Carolina. John became well known as an extensive land- holler and slave owner.

Eli Millen was reared upon his father's plantation and acquired a good education in the common schools. He was nineteen years of age when he became a resident of Xenia and therefore the entire period of his man- hood has been passed in this city. He began business here in connection with the dry- goods trade, and for many years was en- gaged in merchandising, meeting with ex- cellent success. His store received a liberal patronage, and he always secured the very best of trade by his honorable business methods, his reasonable prices and his earn- est desire to please his customers. A man of resourceful business ability. he also ex- tended his efforts into other lines of activity.

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later continued his studies in Antioch Col- lege in Yellow Springs. After the comple- tion of his college work he entered the office of Judge T. E. Scroggy, of Xenia, and took 1:1) the study of law in 1881. He remained in that office until December, 1885, when he went to Winfield, Kansas, on a visit, and being pleased with that section of the coun- try he decided to locate there. Ile was ad- mitted to the bar in April, 1886, and became connected with a company incorporating new towns in Kansas. Going to Richfield, Morton county, he decided to remain there and take up the practice of law. There were but four houses in the place when he settled there and the town was fifty-two · miles from a railroad. In the fall of 1887 he was elected county attorney and served until the succeeding autumn, when he re- signed and was elected probate judge in the fall of 1888. He resigned that position on the Ist of July, 1880, to accept the appoint- ment at the hands of President Harrison to the position of receiver of public moneys in the United States land office at Garden City. Kansas. There he remained until February. 1894. creditably filling the position. At the time of President Cleveland's second ad- ministration Mr. Taylor left the office and became interested with some Kansas parties in mineral lands in northern Arkansas, hay- ing the charge of their affairs in that state until his return to Ohio in November, 1895. He located at Jamestown and on the ist of June, 1800. he entered the People's Bank of this place as cashier. He has since served in that capacity and the success of the insti- tution is largely due to his efforts, the bank having now become one of the reliable finan- cial concerns of the county.

On the 4th of October, 1887. Mr. Tay- Ir was united in marriage to Miss Ger-

trude M. Clemens, a daughter of John G. Clemens, the president of the People's Bank. They have a large circle of friends in this place and their own home is the center of sociability. Mr. Taylor is very prominent in public affairs, both politically and other- wise. He is also interested in farming and has a valuable tract of land near Cedarville. His political support is given the Republican party and in 1890 he was elected on that ticket to the office of mayor of Jamestown. in which capacity he served for four years, his administration being practical. progres- sive and beneficial. In 1889 Mr. Taylor was made a Mason in Kansas, but is now a mem- ber of Jamestown Lodge, No. 352. F. & .1. 31. He also belongs to Xenia Chapter. No. 36. R. A. M .. Reed Commandery, No. 6. K. T., of Dayton, and Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Dayton. He also has mem- lership relations with Xenia Lodge. B. P. O. E., and with Jamestown Lodge, No. 181. I. O. O. F .: Cyclone Lodge, No. 548. K. P .. and Jamestown Council. No. 311. J. O. U. .A. M., of which he is past councilor. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Jamestown Methodist Episcopal church and is president of the Anti-Saloon League, of Jamestown. His efforts are being put forth 11 behalf of law and order, substantial prog- ress and desirable improvement. and James- town numbers him among its valued repre- sentatives and honored citizens.

JAMES M. STEWART.

The history of a state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

those of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the rec- ord of a state's prosperity and pride ; and it is this record that offers for our considera- tion the history of men, who in their char- acters for probity and benevolence, and the kindly virtues, as well as for integrity in the affairs of life, are ever affording to the young worthy examples for their regard and emulation. Therefore it is proper that a just celebrity should be given to those men who are distinguished in their day and gen- eration, that the living may enjoy the ap- probation of their contemporaries, as well as that of a grateful posterity.

Judge Stewart is to-day one of the most honored and respected citizens of Xenia. where he is living a retired life. He is one of a family of ten children born unto John T. and Anna ( Elder ) Stewart. His father belonged to an okl Pennsylvanian family, which through ahost a century has been represented in this part of Ohio, for in 1805 members of the family established a home in what was then Greene county. There the father of our subject followed farming for many years, making his home three miles east of Clifton on the Miami river, where he died in 1850. His wife long survived him and passed away in 1882. The Judge was born in Greene (now Clark ) county on the 30th of March, 1828, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, attending the common schools of the neighborhood. In the year 1857 he removed to Yellow Springs, Greene county, where he established a gen- eral mercantile store. He was quite suc- cessful in his undertakings and followed that pursuit for ten years. In 1867 he began farming and was thus engaged until 1884, 37

when he was appointed deputy probate judge of Greene county and removed to Nenia in order to enter upon the duties of the office. He served as deputy for two terms of three years each, after which he was elected as pro- bate judge in 1890 and took the oath of office in February, 1891. So acceptably did he fill. the office that he was re-elected in 1893. hokling the position until 1897, and no more capable incumbent has ever filled that position. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties he showed that he was a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intel- lectual attainments. Since his retirement from office he has led a quiet life, being iden- tified with no business pursuit save the man- agement of his property interests. lle is, however, a director in the Citizens' National Bank, of Xenia.

Judge Stewart was united in marriage to Aliss Rebecca J. Jacoby, a daughter of Henry Jacoby, one of the leading and influ- ential citizens of Greene county. The wed- ding was celebrated October 16, 1854, and unto them were born four daughters, of whom two are living: Ida MI., the wife of S. B. LeSourd, a wide-awake business man of Xenia; and Leila, now the wife of Will- iam D. Cooley of Xenia. The Judge and his wife have a very pleasant home at No. 224 East Second street. They are devoted and zealous members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is the ruling elder. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity. Ile also gives his political support to the Republican party and is a man of distinctive ability and his character is one which is above a shadow of reproach. He has been faithful to the high offices in which he has been called to serve, and is widely known

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and respected by all who have been at all familiar with his honorable and useful career.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. GLOT- FELTER.

The home of Captain Glotfelter is pleas- antly situated about one mile north of Tre- bein, in Beavercreek township. Throughout his entire life he has resided in this locality and that many who have known him from boyhood are now numbered with his friends is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable one. Ile was born .April 21. 1837, on the old home farm where his grandfather and his father lived and died. He is a son of George .A. and Harriet (Smith ) Glotfelter. The former was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania ; the lat- ter was also a native of the Keystone state. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John A. Glotfelter, whose birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and who, having arrived at years of maturity, mar- ried Elizabeth Newman, a daughter of John Newman of the same county. Leaving Pennsylvania, accompanied by his wife and children, John .\. Glotfelter traveled across the country in a wagon drawn by a team of horses. This was in 1815. when George .1. Clotfelter was a little lad of five summers. The grandfather purchased a farm of two hundred and fifteen acres, two and one-half miles west of Alpha. This he improved and cultivated and made for himself a good home. He died December 22, 1860. at the advanced age of ninety years and three months, while his wife passed away Febru- ary 29. 1830, at the age of sixty years, ten

months and twenty-nine days. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that pur- suit to a greater or less extent until his sight failed, although after coming to Ohio he gave his attention largely to agricultural pursuits. His reliability in all business transactions was a matter of general knowl- edge and amid the pioneer settlement in which he made his home, he was widely re- spected for his genuine worth. In his fam- ily were eight children, of whom six reached years of maturity, namely : John, Solomon. George A., Susan. Elizabeth and Nancy. The parents were both members of the Ger- man Reformed church and both diel in that faith, passing away upon the farm on which they settled when the first came to the coun- ty. Both spoke the German language and possessed many of the sterling characteris- tics of their German ancestors. John A. Glotfelter was a Whig in politics.

George A. Glotfelter, the father of our subject, received a common school education and never left the old home farm: Ile was there trained to habits of industry and econ- omy, and from his early youth throughout the period of his manhood he was an active factor in tilling the soil. Success crowned his efforts and as the years passed he made judicious investments in real estate until he became the owner of many acres of land. He also owned and operated the Washing- ton Mill, on the Little Miami river, in Su- garcreek township, being associated in this enterprise with his brother. Solomon. In his carly life he was also a stock buyer, but in later days did not engage in that depart- ment of labor. He served for some time as captain on the state militia and the muster was often held upon his farm. In his later years he was always known by the title of

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Captain Glotfelter. Enterprising and reli- . which he joined was not organized and after able in business he was also a faithful friend. remaining there for a few days he went with some companions to Wilmington, Ohio, and there joined Company B. Twelfth Ohio In- fantry, under Captain Doane. When this company was organized he was made or- derly sergeant and later was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. On the 18th of April, 1802, he was transferred to Com- pany I, and on the 30th of September of that year was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of Company A. He took part in many of the most important engagements and battles of the war andI was commission- ed captain but was never mustered in with that rank. He was present at the battles of Scurry Creek, Monocacy and Antietam, and also participated in the campaign against Morgan in Ohio. He was wounded June 17. 1864. in the right ankle, both bones be- ing shattered. This occurred at Lynchburg. Virginia, and produced a lameness from which he suffered until March 3. 1897, when the limb had to be amputated. lle was hon- orably mustered out .August 11, 1864. good neighbor and a popular man. He mar- ried Miss Harriet Smith, and he and his wife were active members of the Reformed church, in which he held different offices. He was one of the leaders in the building of Mount Zion church and did all in his power to advance the cause of Christianity in his community. His wife was a most de- voted mother, faithful to every interest of her home, and her death, which occurred June 25. 1859, when she was forty-nine years of age, was widely and deeply mourned. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children who grew to maturity : Sarah, the widow of Lewis Max- well and a resident of Kansas : Margaret C., the wife of Henry C. Darst, who is men- tioned on another page of this work; Will- iam H., of this review: Martha Ann, the widow of llenry M1. Ridenour and a resi- dent of Greeneville, Ohio: Mary Ellen, the deceased wife of Perry Snyder : and Fanny. of Omaha, who completes the family. Two children, John and Eliza, died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Captain George .A. Glotfelter married Mrs. Angeline ( Weller) Ervin. His death occurred Sep- tember 14, 1866.

Captain William H. Glotfelter, the im- mediate subject of this review, is indebted to the district schools for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He pursued his studies during the winter months until he was seventeen years of age, and remained at home until the time of the Civil war when. his public spirit and patriotic instincts aroused by the rebellion in the south, he en- listed in 1861, for three years' service. He went to Camp Dennison, but the company

After his return from the war Captain Glotfelter became a partner in a general store in Alpha under the firm name of Snyder & Glotfelter, with which he was connected for one year, when he sold out and removed to his present farm. Here he purchased twen- ty-two acres of land and he has since added to his possessions until he now owns two hundred and twenty-seven acres, on which he has recently erected a good residence and substantial barns. He was married on the with of May. 1865. to Miss Anna Hyland, a native of Beavercreek township, born upon the farm where she is now living, her par- ents having been Hugh H. and Margaret ( Snyder) Hyland. Captain and Mrs. Glot-

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 934

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 934