History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 89

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

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Spalır purchased two hundred and two acres of land upon which his son Leander now re- sides. Upon this place he spent his remain- ing days, successfully carrying on agricul- tural pursuits. His political support was given the Democracy, but he never sought or desired office or took an active part in polit- ical argument. His attention was given in an undivided manner to his farm work. He cleared about twenty-four acres of land and during the Civil war he built the house which our subject now occupies. It is well constructed with a heavy frame and black walnut weather boarding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spahr were born seven children: An- geline, who died when about twenty-two years of age ; Lavinia, who became the wife of Philip Peterson, but is now deceased ; Leander, of this review : Rebecca Emeline, who died at the age of twenty-five years ; Mattic, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Leroy, who is clerking in Dayton; and Ella, the wife of L. Arthur Babb.

After acquiring his preliminary educa- tion in the common schools, Mr. Spahr at- tended the high school at Spring Valley. He remained at home and after his father's death, according to the terms of the will, administered the estate. lle is still car- rying on agricultural pursuits and his ef- forts have been attended with a high degree of success.

Mr. Spahr was reared in the Democratic faith and for a time voted that ticket, but afterward became a Republican, and is now a stanch supporter of the party, although he never seeks nor desires office. He has been a member of the board of education and the schools find in him a warm friend. Since eighteen years of age lie has been a men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and has long served as superintendent of the

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Sunday school. He has also been trustee and class leader of the Richland church and is a liberal supporter of its work and does all in his power to extend its influence. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Junior Or- der of American Mechanics. Throughout his entire life he has resided upon the farm which is now his home, and that many who have known him from boyhood are num- bered aniong his stanchest friends, is an in- dication that his has been an honorable and upright career.

DANIEL M. STEWART.

AAmong the prominent residents of Xenia is numbered D. M. Stewart, who owes his success not to any fortunate circumstances which surrounded him in youth but to the qualities of enterprise, determination and laudable ambition. He is to-day filling the position of vice president of the Xenia Na- tional Bank, to which office he was elected in January, 1902. Mr. Stewart was born on the 17th of March. 1840, upon his fa- ther's farm in Greene county. Ile is one of the two surviving children born unto Will- iam H. and Esther ( McMillen ) Stewart. both of whom were natives of South Caro- lina. The father, who was born in Febru- ary, 1811, became a resident of this county in 1820. being brought to Ohio by his par- ents, who settled two miles from Xenia. In the schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education and afterward followed farm- ing for a livelihood. The later years of his life, however, were spent in retirement from active labor. He passed away in 1878 and his wife was called to her 'final rest on the 15th of June. 1856.

Upon the old home farm in Greene coun- ty. Daniel M. Stewart was reared, and the district schools afforded him his educational privileges. He had almost attained his ma- jority when he entered the service of his country as a defender of the Union in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. Immediately after his dis- charge he returned to Xenia and again en- gaged in farming, his attention being de- voted to the tilling of the soil until 1876. when he took up his abode in this city, where he was engaged in the real estate and life insurance business until 1878, when he be- came a representative of the real estate in- terests of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company Land Grant. He was associated with W. R. Linn, with main of- fice at Springfield, Ohio, they being general agents of the company and had charge of agencies east of the Mississippi river. Our subject had supervision of the outside work, which necessitated a large amount of travel. He continued with the company until the sales were made and business closed. Mr. Stewart invested in lands and developed mines in the Joplin district in southwestern Missouri, where for sixteen years he suc- cessfully followed mining. his methods be- ing such as to make his labors of profit. He has disposed of his mining interests, but has two fine farms in this county, which are in a high degree of cultivation. For five years he has been a director in the Xenia National Bank and in January, 1902, was elected vice president, in which position he is now serv- ing

In 1877 Mr. Stewart was united in mar- riage to Miss Hattie Bonner, a daughter of Rev. James Bonner of Shelby county. Ohio, who was a minister of the United Presby-

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terian church. Unto our subject and his wife has been born a daughter. Belle, who has recently graduated from the seminary at Washington, Pennsylvania, and is at home. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in his political affilia- tions is a pronounced Republican. For twelve consecutive years he represented his ward in the city council of Xenia, exercis- ing his official prerogatives in support of all measures and movements which he believed to be of general good. His efforts in behalf of the city have been valuable and far-reach- ing and his co-operation is never sought in vain for the advancement of any movements which he believes will contribute to the gen- eral welfare.

DANIEL MORGAN ST. JOHN.

Among the valiant sons that Greene county sent to the front at the time when the country became involved in civil war was Daniel Morgan St. John, who is now numbered among the successful and well known agriculturists of Caesarscreek town- ship. He was born in this township June 13, 1835, and his life has ever been in har- mony with an untarnished family record. The district schools afforded him his edu- cational privileges, and he was identified with farming interests until 1864. when he offered his services to the Union, enlisting at Xenia as a private of Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry. He served with that command until Sep- tember 2, 1864, when he was honorably dis- charged at Camp Dennison with the rank of corporal, having in the meantime partici- pated in the battle of New Creek, Virginia.

Mr. St. John had previously been mar- ried and now returned to his family. It was on the 28th of January, 1858, that he led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza J. Beam, a sister of Daniel H. Beam. Ten children have been born unto them: Anna Bell, who was born May 16, 1859, is the deceased wife of David G. Ford, of Kansas, by whom she had four children-Jessie, Mopsie, Frankie and Vesta. Alva H., born August 15, 1861, married Olive Smith and has one living child. Harper. Their home is in Caesars- creek township. . Aletha L., born Septem- ber 1. 1863, is the wife of David W. Paint- er, of Spring Valley township, and has four children-Orville, Dora, Ethel and Elsie. William H., born November 22, 1865. died at the age of two years. Ada J., born March 11, 1868, is the wife of Alpha Thom- as, of Paintersville, and has one child. Fred. Ella D., born August 28, 1870, is the wife of Frank W. Walker, of Xenia, and they have four children-Reva, Lora, Karl and Paul. Arthur E., born February 23, 1873. married Cora Ellis, and of their three chil- dren one is living-Leon. Their home is in Caesarscreek township. Glendora, born June 26, 1875, is the wife of Oscar Ellis, of Xenia, and they have four children- Leona, Ernest, Luam and Emmett. Osco E., born November 6, 1877, married Nora Adams, and resides in Caesarscreek town- ship. Bertha E., born September 4, 1885, completes the family.

In the spring of 1858 Mr. St. John set- tled upon the farm which he has since made his home, bringing his wife a bride to that place. Here they have since resided, and he has given his supervision to the care and cultivation of his three hundred and forty- four acres of land. He has placed all of the improvements on this farm and it is

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equipped with modern accessories and con- veniences such as indicate his practical and thorough knowledge of the best methods of farming. He is identified with Lewis Post. G. A. R., of Xenia, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, on whose ticket he was elected treasurer of Caesars- creek township, holding the office for four years. He also belongs, with Mrs. St. John. to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as steward and has been trustee. Throughout his entire life he has advocated progressive measures, tending to advance material, social, intellectual and moral interests. He is reliable in business transactions and faithful in friendship, and the qualities of an upright manhood are his.

ALBERT M. GREGG.

The rich farms of Greene county have contributed largely to her prosperity, and many of those who are engaged in cultivat- ing the soil are classed among the enter- prising and progressive residents of this portion of the state. Mr. Gregg, who suc- cessfully follows agricultural pursuits in Spring Valley township, was born in Sugar- creek township on the 5th of January, 1850. Ilis father, Aaron Gregg, was born in Lou- doun county, Virginia. in 1819. and when eighteen years of age came to Ohio, locat- ing in Warren county, where he met and married Rebecca Kelsey, who was born in that county, a daughter of Amos and Mar- garet (Blackford) Kelsey. The father of our subject came to Greene county about 1849 and purchased land in Sugarcreek township. where he resided for a few years. and then returned to Warren county. his wife having died in the meantime. In 1859

he went to Warsaw, Kentucky, where he engaged in farming for a year, and then pur- chased a wharf boat and a gristmill, en- gaging in the milling business in 1866. Dur- ing the Civil war he was elected on the Union ticket to the office of state senator of Kentucky, and took an active part in shap- ing the legislation of the state during that momentous and troublous period. By Presi- dent Lincoln he was appointed United States marshal for the seventh district of Ken- tucky, serving from 1862 until the close of the war. In 1866 he removed to Lawrence county. Illinois, where he conducted a grist- mill and distillery, carrying on business along those lines until his death in 1875. He was a man of more than ordinary in- telligence, and while he had received but a common-school education he was a well read man, who kept thoroughly informed on the leading issues and topics of the day.

Mr. Gregg, whose name intro luces this review, receive l but a limited education ex- cept in the school of experience. He was about nine years of age when he left Ohio. accompanying his father on his various re- movals and assisting him in his work until his death. When his father ha:l passed away Mr. Gregg returned to Ohio, settling in Warren county. When about ten years of age he had begun to act as engineer in his father's mill. Ile was afterward a lo- comotive engineer on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and on abandoning that mode of life returned to the Buckeye state. After his marriage he engaged in farming for a year and then became an engineer in the mill and distillery owned by F. C. Trebein. After a few months, however, he resumed farming, which he has since followed, op- erating one hundred and ninety-one acres. which his wife inherited.

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On the 20th of January. 1879, Mr. Gregg married Miss Sarah E. Wright, who was born in Sugarcreek township, a daugh- ter of Charles W. and Elizabeth ( Venard ) Wright. The father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, November 26, 1822, and the mother in Warren county, Ohio. De- cember 12, 1823. while their marriage oc- curred May 20, 1843. They resided for many years in Sugarcreek township. this county, and the father, following farming. became the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Greene and Montgomery coun- ties. Ile died October 23, 1886. lle was very successful in his business pursuits, had marked ability as a financier and accumu- lated a handsome property. He was a Re- publican in politics, and a member of the Baptist church. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Gregg: Mary Elizabeth, who was born in Warren county, and is the wife of William F. Holland, of this county. their marriage having taken place Novem- ber 27, 1901 ; Charles Aaron, who was born August 11. 1882 ; and Florence P., who was born in the house in which she is still liv- ing with her parents. Mr. Gregg's endorse- ment of the Republican party is indicated by his ballot which is given for its men and measures, but while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day he has never sought office, his attention being fully occupied with the duties of business life, and the pleasures of the home.

WILLIAM D. WRIGHT.

William D. Wright is connected with merchandising and financial interests in Xenia, being senior partner of the present firm of Wright & Carruthers and a director

in the Xenia National Bank. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the gth of November, 1844. a son of Thomas L. and Margaret .\. ( Bear) Wright, whose family numbered six children. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and when about two years oldi was brought to Ohio by his par- ents, who located in Freeport, Harrison county, and afterward removed to Guernsey county. It was in the latter place that the father of our subject continued to make his home until 1983. when he came to Xenia. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits and thus provided comfortably for his family. His death oc- curred in Xenia in 1888, and his widow is spending her declining years in the home of her son. William D., having reached a hale old age of eighty-four years.

In the common schools William D. Wright pursued his studies, being a student at New Birmingham, Ohio. It was in that place that he was reared. He learned teleg- raphy in Cambridge, Ohio, and at the age of twenty years he accepted his first position with the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany at Washington. Ohio, where he became operator as successor to T. J. Lovejoy, who is now secretary of the Carnegie Iron and Steel Company. Coming to Xenia, Mr. Wright accepted a position as manager for the same corporation and served in that important position until 1894, when he re- signed on account of ill health. He was then appointed general manager of the Miami Telephone Company with headquarters at Xenia, and filled that position acceptably for four years, during which time the lines were practically reconstructed. but he never re- covered from the strain which had been placed upon him in the Western Union serv- ice, and his physicians advised him to rest

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for a time. For two years thereafter he life for himself, and engaged in farming was not actively connected with business in- terests. In February, 1899, however, he purchased an interest in the coal business which is now conducted by the firm of Wright & Carruthers, becoming the succes- sor of J. B. Carruthers, who met his death in a railroad accident. They deal in both anthracite and bituminous coal and do a wholesale and retail business, their patron- age now being quite extensive. In 1895 Mr. Wright was elected a director in the Xenia National Bank and has since been thus finan- cially connected with the institution. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. A. genial, courteous gentleman and a pleasant. entertaining companion, he has many stanch and admiring friends among all classes of men. As an energetic and upright business man and a gentleman of attractive social qualities he stands high in the estimation of the entire community.

SIMON BLACK.

Simon Black, a representative citizen and prominent farmer of Beavercreek town- ship, has spent his entire life in Greene coun- ty, Ohio, his birth having occurred in Bath township in 1831. His father, Robert Black, was born in western Pennsylvania and was a son of Mathew Black, who brought his family to this state at an early ciay, and settled in Beavercreek township. Greene county. Robert Black received but a very limited education, pursuing his stud- ies first in a log school house in Pennsylva- nia and later in Beavercreek township. this county, after the removal of the family to Ohio. At an early age he started out in

about one mile below the place where his son now lives. After living there a number of years, he removed to Beavercreek town- ship. He wedded Mary Koogler, a native of that township, and to them were born nine children, three sons and six daughters, namely: Sarah, a resident of Covington, Ohio: Simon, of this review: Jonathan. whose home is in Ludlow: Rebecca, a resi- dent of Beavercreek township: Mary, de- ceased : Jacob, a resident of Illinois : Annie Maria, of Missouri: Catherine, of Dayton, Ohio; and Eliza Jane, wife of Morris Car- ter, of Dayton. The father was a self-made man, whose success in life was due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts, for he was entirely without capital on beginning his business career. He cleared about one hundred and sixty acres of land, and at his death owned a well im- proved and valuable farm of two hundred acres.

Simon Black was educated in an old log school house situated about a mile and a half from his boyhood home. school being conducted on the subscription plan. He early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and at the age of twenty years entered into partnership with his father in his farming operations, re- maining under the parental roof until his marriage. He then moved one mile north of the old homestead and rented a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which he subse- quently purchased, and later he purchased another farm of about one hundred acres in the same vicinity. Upon his place he raises principally corn and wheat. but also gives some attention to the raising of cattle and hogs.

Mr. Black was married in 1857 to Miss Sophia Garlaugh, who was born in Beaver-

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creek township, this county, and they have become the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Robert Il., Simon D. and Elizabeth, all at home. In 1886 Simon D. married Miss Sarah L. Reese, of Beavercreek township, and they have one child, Dorothy, who is now four- teen years of age and is attending the high school of Fairfield. The sons always as- sisted their father in the operation of the home farm, and they are now engaged in farming in partnership.

By his ballot Mr. Black usually supports the men and measures of the Republican party, but at local elections when no issue is involved he votes for the men whom he be- lieves best qualified for office regardless of party lines. He has never been prevailed upon to accept political positions of any kind as he prefers to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Reformed church, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.

JAMES S. MCCLURE.

James S. McClure, who follows farming in Sugarcreek township, near Bellbrook, was born about a mile south of his present home, his birth occurring on the 8th of January. 1846. Ile is a son of Cyrus and Mary Jane ( Dinwiddie ) McClure. His paternal grand- father, Andrew McClure, came to Ohio at an early period in its development, and for a time resided east of the Miami river, but later remove:l to a farm west of the river, taking up his abode upon the place which is now the home of our subject. There the grandfather spent his remaining days, and

the property remained in the family until 1897. Andrew McClure was a native of Virginia, born on the 3d of March, 1773, near the town of Charleston. He wedded Mary Steele, who was born January 24, 1779, and died on the 5th of November, 1862.

Cyrus McClure, the father of our sub- ject, was born September 1, 1811. and throughout his entire life carried on agri- cultural pursuits, but died in early manhood, leaving but one child, the subject of this review, who was then about two years old. The mother afterward married again, when James S. McClure was about fifteen years of age. She had removed to Bellbrook soon after the death of her first husband, and thus James S. McClure remained a resident of that city during much of his youth. His maternal grandfather, John R. Dinwiddie, was a wagonmaker and when our subject was not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom he was employed at painting wagons in his grandfather's shop. When. fifteen years of age he determined to secure. a position, and after working one season went to the old home farm, where he began farming on shares, being thus employed for many years after his marriage or until 1890 ..

It was in Warren county, Ohio, in 1867,. that Mr. McClure was joined in wedlock to Miss Josephine Murphy and unto them has been born one child, Walter, whose birth occurred on the old homestead farm Decem- ber 16, 1868. He married Miss Mary Scott on the 18th of October, 1892, and is en- gaged in the undertaking business in Waynesville, Ohio. Ile has two children, James E. and Carl Scott. In 1869 the sub- ject of this review was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 24th of September of that year. His second mar-

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riage took place in Warren county, Ohio. May 24. 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Chenoweth, who was born in that county August 11. 1852, a daughter of George and Letitia (Cox) Chenoweth. The children of the second marriage are: Ida May, who was born November 16, 1872, and became the wife of Perry M. Kelsey, April 27. 1890; Samuel C., who was born March 22. 1875, and was married November 25. 1807. to L .. Bertha Hatfield; and Mary J .. who was born February 18, 1878, and is at home.

Mr. McClure followed in his father's political footsteps, becoming a stanch Re- publican. lle has served altogether for eleven years as a trustee of Sugarcreek township, has taken an active and influential part in political affairs and has served as a delegate to many conventions. He and his wife hold membership in the United Pres- byterian church, and he contributed largely to the erection of the house of worship. His support is never withheld from any move- ment which he believes will advance the ma- terial, intellectual or moral upbuilding of the community.

JOHN LUTZ.

Earnest and indefatigable labor has been the secret of the success which John Lutz has attained. For more than forty years he has been successfully engaged in black- smithing and wagonmaking and is thus a well known factor in industrial circles of Xenia. He is among the valuable citizens that Maryland has furnished to the Buck- eve state. his birth having occurred near Clear Spring on the 5th of January. 1829

The family is of German lineage and the great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany to the new world. The grandfa- ther, Nicholas Lutz, spent his last years in Pennsylvania. Henry Lutz, the father of our subject, was born near Millersburg. Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. He married Frances Moudy, who was a native of Williamsport, Maryland, and unto them were born two sons and three dangh- ters, but only two of the number reached mature years, John and Mary, the latter be- coming the wife of B. Y. Berry, then a resi- dent of Nenia. In 1859 the father removed with his family to Indiana and settled on a farm near Fort Wayne, but after residing there for ten years returned to Xenia, where he departed this life in 1877, his wife pass- ing away about eight years later.

John Lutz spent the first twenty-four years of his life under the parental roof. His educational privileges were somewhat meagre but he was well trained in lessons of industry and frugality, which proved the foundation of his prosperity in later years. When still a young man he began learning the blacksmith's trade, becoming quite ex- pert in the use of the tools of the smithy. In November. 1853, he arrived in Ohio, lo- cating in Nenia and for fourteen months he was in the employ of James White. He then returned to Maryland for his bride, for ere leaving his native land he had become be- trothed to Savilla Wolford. The marriage was celebrated at her home in Maryland in March, 1855, and they began their domestic life in Xenia, where they have remained con- tinuously since. His father accompanied him on his return to this place and together they established a business on Church street where for four years they engaged in black- smithing. In the spring of 1859 our sub-

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 89

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