History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 92

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

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In early life Mr. Galloway endorsed the men and measures of the old Whig party but since its dissolution has given his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the First United Presbyterian church in which he was deacon for fully twenty years, until that order was discontinued, since which time he has served as trustee, and is a worthy representative of an honored pio- neer family of his native county.

WALTER HAGAR.

It is not the men who occupy prominent political positions or who win distinction in military circles that are the real founders of a city but they who establish business en- terprises, promoting the commercial activity. Among the prominent and honored resi- dents of Nenia. connected with industrial and financial circles was Walter Hagar, the

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originator of the paper industry of this place. He advanced to an honorable and conspicu- ous position in commercial circles, winning prominence entirely through his own efforts. yet by no means were his energies devoted entirely to trade. Family, friends, church and society claimed his attention and he was widely known as an earnest worker for the advancement of all that tends to promote the interest of city and country. He discharged every church and social obligation with a fidelity above question. He was a pleasant genial gentleman, whose cordial qualities endeared him to many friends.

Walter Hagar was born on the 4th of March, 1823, and was one of a family of ten children, whose parents were Isaac and Ennice ( Steadman ) Hagar. His father was a native of Massachusetts and for sometime was identified with manufacturing interests of that state. His death occurred in 1828 and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1854.

When fifteen years of age Walter Hagar entered upon his business career as an em- ploye in the paper mills of his native town -Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts. . Is the years passed he steadily advanced in his chosen vocation until he was familiar with all the departments of the business. In the year 1857 he removed to Kentucky and for two years was superintendent of the paper mills near the city of Frankfort, where slave labor constituted half the force en- ployed prior to the Civil war. Mr. Hagar came to Ohio and entered into a business compact with the firm of Bachelor. DeCamp & Company, of Cincinnati. to superintend their mills at Lockland. For six years he remained at that place and then removed to Dayton, where for three years he had the management of a paper mill of that city.

Later he spent six years in Clifton, Greene county, where he was engaged in the manu- facture of paper under the firm name of King & Hagar. The company was then dis- solved and Mr. Hagar removed to Enon, Ohio, where he superintended the construc- tion of the paper mills of the Springfield Re- public Company and when the plant was completed assumed its management. After eight years there he came to Xenia and for many years was a very active factor in in- dustrial circles of this place. Probably no other business interests have had as important a bearing upon commercial activity in Xenia as has the man- uifacture of paper. The company was organized in May, 1881, with a cap- ital stock of twenty thousand dollars. The officers of the company were Hon. John Little. president ; F. C. Trebein, vice presi- dent : C. C. Shearer, secretary; John S. An- keney, treasurer; Walter Hagar, superin- tendent. Mr. Hagar was the prime mover of the enterprise. He formed the plans and then secured the assistance of Mr. Ankeney. the cashier of the Second National Bank. At first the plant was about one-half its present size. It was, however, supplied with excellent machinery, capable of producing six thousand pounds of paper daily. Later the buildings were enlarged and by increas- ing the speed and also doubling the amount of machinery used, the quantity of paper produced averaged about thirty thousand pounds daily. The success of the enterprise was attributable in a very large measure to the broad experience and business executive ability of Mr. Hagar. Some changes in the offices later occurred, the members of the board being: Hon. John Little, president : F. C. Trebein, vice president : Edwin W. Hagar, treasurer; Horace Ankeney, secre-

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tary ; and Walter Hagar superintendent and manager. Throughout his entire business career Mr. Hagar was connected with paper manufacturing. At the time of his death, he was the president and the heaviest stock- hokler in the Hagar Strawboard Paper Company of Cedarville, Greene county, the present president being Edwin W. Hagar.

On February 15, 1847, Walter Hagar was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ful- ler, a daughter of Harvey and Almeda ( Fiske ) Fuller, both natives of Massachu- setts. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagar was born six children, of whom four are still living : Sarah B .; Mary G .; Edwin W., who takes his father's place in industrial circles ; and Albert F., a very prominent attorney of New York city.

Mr. Hagar was identified with the Epis- copal church, to which his family also be- long, and in politics was a stanch Repub- lican. His life record covers seventy-five years. He passed away on the 11th of .Au- gust, 1898, respected by all who knew him. With the capacity and experience that would enable him to fulfill any trust to which he might have been chosen, he never sought to advance himself in office, but was content to do his duty, where he could and leave the self-seeking to others. Viewed in a per- somal light he was of a strong mind, of ex- cellent judgment, firm in his views. yet strong in advancing ideas that he believed to be right, and in his relations with his fel- low men he was highly honorable, and his integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. Though severe at times toward men and measures deserving criticism, he was nevertheless a generous friend and a warm advocate of those who are battling for the right and of principles and policies

for the public good. He was recognized by those who knew him as a man of most kindly heart, of sterling worth and integrity pure and incorruptable in all his business and social relations.

JOSEPH R. SMITH.

Joseph R. Smith, who is engaged in farming on Bull Skin pike in Spring Val- ley township, was born in this township on , the 4th of February, 1850, his parents being James and Elizabeth ( Caine) Smith. The father was a blacksmith. During his early boyhood Joseph R. Smith resided with his parents in the village of New Burlington, but when he was about fourteen years of ige his father began agricultural pursuits on the Poagne farm near Roxanna, where he leased land for fifteen years.

Mr. Smith, of this review. remained un- der the parental roof until about twenty-two years of age. In his youth he acquired a good common-school education and was carly trained to habits of industry, economy and integrity, which have proven valuable factors in his success in later life. As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth Huffman, of Mt. Holly, Warren county, Ohio, where she was born, her parents being Edward and Almira ( Loy) Huffman. The marriage was cele- brated on the 4th of January, 1872, and then Mr. Smith rented a farm and began agri- cultural pursuits on his own account. Seven years ago he came to the place upon which he is now living. The farm belongs to his brother, J. W. Smith, who is employed as a bookkeeper in a dry-goods store of In- , dianapolis, Indiana. Our subject devotes

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his attention to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to the soil and climate, and his efforts have brought to him a good income.

U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children : Mellie, the wife of Bert Boston. by whom she has three children- Fred, Harry and Lucille ; and Clara, who is employed as a typewriter and bookkeeper in Xenia. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of New Bur- lington, and Mr. Smith has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1872.

EDWARD R. WALTON.

Edward R. Walton, who is engaged in farming at New Burlington, is numbered among the native sons of Greene county, his birth having occurred in Spring Valley township on the 5th of January, 1832. The Waltons came to America at an early day and settled on the Schuylkill river. Though they came from England they were of Welsh lineage. In the party were four brothers and one of the number remained in Pennsylvania, while the direct ancestor of our subject removed to Virginia, and two of the brothers went to other parts of the south. His father, Samuel Walton, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, March 20, 1804, while the grandfather, Edward, was born in the same county on the 3d of January. 1777. There the latter lived un- til after his marriage and two children were Corn unto him in the Old Dominion. In 1806 he emigrated westward to Ohio, pur- chasing land where the town of Spring Val-

ley now stands. In 1808 he removed his family to his new home and became an ac- tive factor in the early development and progress of this portion of the state. He was a miller by occupation but he never fol- lowed that trade here, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. He had the land surveyed and laid out the village of Spring Valley and contributed in large measure to the pioneer development and im- provement of Greene county. Through more than half a century he maintained his residence here, passing away in 1867. In his family were eight chiklren, of whom six reached years of maturity, namely : Samuel. Elizabeth, Moses, Eunice. John. Hannah. Edward and Mary, who died in infancy.

Samuel Walton, the father of our sub- ject. was but four years old when brought by his parents to Greene county. Here he was reared amid wild scenes of frontier lite and at an early day he followed farming and teaming. As he acquired some capital he invested in land and became the owner of one hundred and twenty-three acres near the village. Intending to engage in mer- chandizing he planned to have a store build- ing erected but died before it was completed. He had married Catherine Mendenhall, who was born in North Carolina. and they be- came the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the third. After the hus- band's death the mother kept the children together, providing for them as best site could.

Edward R. Walton acquired a good common-school education and when about twenty years of age began teaching. which lie followed for three terms. He was first employed in that capacity in Spring Valley under Robert E. Doan. Later he went to Iowa and was employed as a teacher in

ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 675

Madison county. He spent two years there and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in AAdair county, Iowa, for one dollar and a quarter per acre, entering it from the government, and twenty dol- lars per acre for eighty acres. This he placed under cultivation, putting many im- provements upon it, and retained it in his possession for many years.

Returning to Greene county, however, he was here married on the ed of March, 1871. He took his bride to lowa, but when a year had passed again came to Ohio. The lady bore the maiden name of Alice Compton, and was a daughter of John and Rebecca (Steddon ) Compton. Her father gave her two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, and being a wealthy man also had a house erected upon it. It was upon this farm that Mr. and Mrs. Walton took up their abode on their return from Iowa. In 1859, however, he started for Pike's Peak in order to dig gold and also on ac- count of his health. On reaching his des- tination he decided to continue his journey to California, arriving in the Golden state ninety-two days after leaving Omaha. He was with a shepherd's train until he reached Salt Lake, where the train divided, the other section being afterward all massacred by the Indians. Mr. Walton spent five years in California, remaining for some time in the mines and also engaged in the dairy business, in which he met with good suc- cess, selling cheese from thirty-five to thirty- seven cents per pound and butter from sev- enty-five cents to a dollar a pound. ' He went through the usual experiences of life in the mining camps and upon the frontier, and had considerable trouble with the In- dians, who stole his horse and bed. After leaving California he went to Nevada, where

he obtained an interest in some silver mines, the stock of which he still retains as a sou- venir of his western trip. After ten years' absence Mr. Walton returned to Ohio. He had spent one winter in Salt Lake City, where he viten heard the leading Mormons preach, and had learned to talk with the Indians.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walton have been born four children: Ruth Etta died in childhood on the 26th of December, 1878; Rebecca C., born May 14. 1874, died on the 29th of December, 1878: and Anna D., born September 11. 1876, died on the 20th of December, 1878, the three deaths occur- ring within nine days, all caused by diph- theria. Hettie, born January 24, 1880. is now the wife of George McPherson, and is the only surviving member of the family.

In his political views Mr. Walton has always been a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Fremont. in Iowa. in 1856. He has since been a stanch advocate of the party and for seventeen years has served as trustee of his township, while for nine years he was justice of the peace. He had many cases brought before him, and succeeded in effecting compromises in all but two, except in a few that went by de- fault and were appealed to a higher court, but none of his decisions were ever re- versed. Mr. Walton is a birthright mem- ber of the Society of Friends, as were his parents and his paternal and maternal grand- father. He has been a minister of the gos- pel for a number of years in the Friends' church, and has occupied many offices in the same, having been a member of the associate committee on Indian affairs. Many exciting and interesting events form a part of his history. He aided in the pioneer development of Iowa, went through all the

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experiences incident to the mining camps of California in the days of the early discovery of gold there, and knew something of In- dian warfare and modes of life. He was also familar with Salt Lake City a half- century ago. Now he is devoting his life to the quiet pursuits of the farm and is ac- counted one of the valued and leading men of Greene county.

TINSLEY H. BELL.

Tinsley H. Bell, who is engaged in the real estate and loan business in Xenia and is filling the office of notary public, is num- bered among the native sons of the county, for his birth occurred on the old family homestead in Nenia township April 6, 1855. His parents were Erasmus U. and Martha F. ( Watson) Bell. His father is one of the most highly respected and well-to-do farm- ers of this portion of the state. He was born in Xenia township, in December. 1829. and is still living. His wife passed away on the 13th of April, 1888, at the age of fifty-five years.

In the district schools Tinsley H. Bell acquired his early education, which was sup- plemented by study in Smith's Seminary, and when he had put aside his text books he gave his entire attention to agricultural pursuits for several years. In 1895. how- ever, he removed with his family to Xenia and has since engaged in the real estate and loan business, negotiating many important realty transfers and placing many loans. Ule now has a large clientage, so that his business success here is large.

Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Brant, a daughter of Joseph H.

and Amanda ( Wheeler) Brant, the latter a daughter of Noah Wheeler. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with three children : Edna L., Brant U. and Adah F. The family are members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Bell is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his political affiliations he is rather independent. carry- ing out his honest views without fear or favor. In business he has gained success through untiring industry, sound judgment and honorable effort and in his private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true worth of character.

JOHN BIGGER.

The influence of each life works for the weal or woe of the community in which the individual resides, but in a review of the history of John Bigger we find little that is not worthy of the highest commendation and his fellow citizens speak of him as one who lived an upright and honorable life worthy of high regard. He was born De- cember 7. 1825. about seven miles south- west of Dayton. in Montgomery county, Ohio. His father, John Bigger, removed from Kentucky to this state, being but a boy at the time he came to Ohio. His mother. Mary ( Bradford) Bigger, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. In their family were four children : Thomas, Joseph. James and John, each of whom became own- ers of farms in Montgomery county and their respective tracts of land adjoined.

The subject of this review was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and ac- quired a common-school education. He

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lived at home until his marriage, which oc- curred February 28. 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa Cathcart, of Mont- gomery county. She was born in that lo- cality, three miles north of Dayton, and was a daughter of Thomas M. and Elizabeth (McCandles ) Cathcart. She was only two and one-half years old when her mother died and was but a maiden of nine summers when left an orphan by the death of her father. She made her home with her guardian, William Bradford, with whom she contin- ued until she was able to earn her own liv- ing. She became an expert dressmaker and secured a liberal patronage along that line.

In the meantime the father of our sub- ject had purchased the farm in Sugarcreek township. Greene county, upon which Mrs. Bigger is now living, and had given to his son an interest in the place to the value of three thousand dollars. Mr. Bigger pur- chased the remainder and with his bride re- moved to the new home on the 4th of April. 1854. For a number of years they resided in the old house, which was then torn down and rebuilt. Mr. Bigger also made other improvements of a modern character. built a new tobacco shed and other necessary out- buildings and energetically carried on the work of the farm for many years, his labors bringing to him a richly merited success. His business methods were enterprising. practical and progressive, and thus he ac- quired a good profit. At the time of the Civil war he was drafted for service, but hired John Inglewright to serve as his sub- stitute.

Mr. Bigger was always a stanch Repub- lican in politics, kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day and never wavered in his allegiance to the party, but did not seek or desire office. He was a con-

sistent and faithful member of the United Presbyterian church at Sugar Creek, served as a deacon for many years, did all in his power to advance the church work and was a liberal contributor for the erection of the house of worship. His noble Christian life was ended in death on the ist of January. 1890, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Bellbrook.

JOHN O. BARNETT.

John O. Barnett, who makes his home in Xenia township, was born April 21, 1833. in Spring Valley township, this county, his parents being John and Amelia Ann ( Mow- (y ) Barnett. His parents were born, reared and married in the state of Maryland and the mother was of German lineage. The father was reared upon a farm and after his marriage became overseer of a plantation, being thus employed until his removal to Greene county, Ohio, in 1830. He made the trip overland with his wife and children. They were also accompanied by a family by the name of Cromwell, who were rela- tives, and they traveled in a wagon drawn by a six-horse team. After reaching their destination they took up their abode in Spring Valley township, where the father spent his remaining days. He was a son of Henry Barnett, who about two and one- half years after the arrival of John Barnett, also sought a home in Ohio, taking up his abode near the village of Jamestown. In the cemetery of that place his remains are now interred. The father of our subject was a Democrat in his political views in early life, but later he renounced his alle- giance to that party and became a stanch

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Republican. His wife passed way Oc- cy, who resides with her nephew in Xenia tober 13. 1864, and was buried beside her township: James, a resident of Columbus ; and Mary, the wife of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have been born seven children : John William, who resides upon a farm adjoining his father's and who mar- ried Anna Kyle, by whom he has two chil- dren. Joseph Wright and Rachel Mary: Sa- rah Etta, who married Albert Ferguson, of Greene county, by whom she has three chil- dren, William, Paul and Robert; Edward : and Rosa Cora, at home; and three who died in early childhood. husband in the cemetery at Xenia. In their family were eleven children. Those living are as follows: John Oliver is the oldest of these. Edward, a resident of Nenia township, entered the service of the Union army as a corporal of Company C. Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, and came out as second lieutenant. James resides in Sugarcreek township. Joshua makes his home in Spring Valley township. Virginia became the wife of George Nisonguer, of Beavercreek township. Daniel W. Barnett, an older brother of our subject, was educat- ed for a physician and was practicing at Burlington, Iowa, on the breaking out of the war, when he entered the service as a physician in the reserve corps. He died at Burlington, lowa. Henry, another brother, was a farmer of Xenia, where his death occurred. Mary, deceased, also reached ma- ture years. The parents of this family were both members of the Methodist church and their lives were in consistent harmony with Christian principles.

After his marriage Mr. Barnett rented different farms until 1870, when he leased a farm which adjoins his present property and there engaged in the cultivation of the soil for twenty-three years. In 1893 he pur- chased his present home, comprising one hundred and thirty-six acres. It is a finely improved tract of land, rich and arable, upon which stands a pleasant residence, good barns and other modern equipments. Mr. Barnett votes with the Republican party and he and his wife are connected with the First United Presbyterian church of Xenia. He has always made his home in this county and has a wide acquaintance. Among those who know him he has many warm friends, for his career has ever been in harmony with honorable and upright manhood.

John Oliver Barnett pursued a common school education and remained with his par- ents until about twenty-six years of age. He was married January 3, 1859, to Miss Mary Holmes, who was born in Sugarcreek township, a daughter of William and Nancy ( Finney) Holmes. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Hamilton county, Ohio, where they were married. Mr. GEORGE ENGEL. Holines was a blacksmith by trade. but spent the latter years of his life as a farmer. In In an analyzation of the character and life work of George Engel we note many of the characteristics which have marked the German nation for many centuries-the per- severance, reliability, energy and uncon- his political views he was a Republican and both he and his wife belonged to the United Presbyterian church. Both have now passed away and four of their seven children are also deceased. Those still living are: Nan- querable determination to pursue a course

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that has been marked out. It is these ster- ling qualities which have gained for Mr. Engel success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Greene county. He is to-day recognized as one of the leading nurserymen of southern Ohio. having successfully engaged in this line of business in Xenia since the spring of 1878.

Mr. Engel spent the first twenty-five years of his life in the fatherland, having been born in the grand dutchy of Hesse- Darmstadt on Christmas day of 1848. 11is parents were Philip G. and Catherine ( New- man ) Engel, but the mother died during the boyhood of our subject, while the father passed away in 1880. They had but two children, George and his brother Ludwig. The father followed the florist business for many years and thus in his youth George Engel became familiar with that pursuit. He remained under the parental roof during his boyhood and in accordance with the laws of his native land, he was placed in school when a lad of six years, pursuing his stud- ies continuously until fourteen years of age. Like his father he was trained to habits of industry and economy and this added to the natural traits which he inherited from a worthy ancestry provided him with the sur- est qualities by which to attain success in life.

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 92

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