History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 96

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

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

The father was born in Cumberland county and was a farmer by occupation. In 1843. accompanied by his family, he started by wagon for Greene county, Ohio, reaching his destination after twenty-three days upon the road. He settled in what is now the western part of Cedarville township, and after about four years purchased land. He followed farming throughout his active busi- ness career and died at the age of seventy- three years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are yet living.

Robert Lytle, however, is the only mem- ber of the family now in Greene county. He obtained his education in the country schools and assisted his father on the farm, remaining at home until 1853, when he came to Nenia. Here he began clerking for J. C. McMillan & Company, remaining in the employ of that firm until after the com- mencement of the Civil war, when he joined the boys in blue as a member of Company 1), Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made captain. He served un- til September. 1861, when he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, and then returned home.

In 1864 Mr. Lytle accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Second National Bank of Xenia and was promoted from time to time. filling the position of teller up to 1884. when it was found that the bank was seriously involved. Against his wishes, he was elect- ed cashier and in that capacity made a de- termined effort to put the bank on a sound financial basis. This, however, he was un- able to do, and the bank was forced to close in 1888. Ile then embarked in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, and has since carried on operations along that

line, doing a good business in each depart- ment, placing many loans and negotiating a large number of important real-estate trans- fers, in addition to writing considerable in -- surance.

On the 12th of January, 1881, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Monroe, a native of Greene county and a daughter of George and Martha Monroe, of Xenia. Our subject and his wife are mem- bers of the Third United Presbyterian church and he also belongs to Lewis Post, G. A. R .. of which he was one of the incor- porators. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but on the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, the principles of which he has since endorsed, although he has never sought or desired office. Almost sixty years have passed since he accompanied his parents to Greene county, and throughout the inter- vening years he has been a valued and pro- gressive citizen of this portion of the state and a business man whose integrity and trustworthiness are above question.

GEORGE N. PERRILL.

George N. Perrill, whose connection with the business interests of Bowersville has contributed largely to the commerical activity and consequent prosperity of the village. is the president of the Bowersville Bank and the owner of the grain elevator there. He was born near what is now Mil- ledgeville, Fayette county, Ohio, on the 11th of August. 1856, a son of John and Marga- ret J. (Sparks) Perrill. The former was born near Cynthiana, Pike county. Ohio,

G. N. PERRILL

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ROBINSON'S IIISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and after attaining his majority he removed been very successfully conducted. He is to Fayette county, where he followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred in the year 1898. His wife was born in Kentucky, and with her parents came to Fayette coun- ty. Both Mr. and Mrs. Perrill were con- sistent and faithful members of the Method- ist Episcopal church and the former gave his political support to the Republican party. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom reached years of maturity.

George N. Perrill, the eldest, began his education in the district school and later pursued his studies in the high school of Washington Court House, Ohio. He was early trained to the work of the home farm and to habits of industry and self-reliance, and they have been salient features in his successful career. He remained on the old homestead until his marriage, which oc- curred March 14. 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Vanniman, of Bowersville, a daughter of Stephen and Re- becca Jane ( Early ) Vanniman, who were pioneer settlers of this part of the county.

After his marriage Mr. Perrill purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Jefferson township and conducted that farm for twelve years. He then purchased another farm of one hundred acres south of the town, whereon he lived for two years, after which he turned his attention to the grain trade when the railroad was built through this part of the county and thus afforded shipping facilities. He leased the first ele- vator in the place, conducting it for three months, when it was destroyed by fire. . At that time he was the senior member of the firm of Perrill & Lewis, which connection was continued for six years, since which time Mr. Perrill has been alone in his grain operations. His business interests have 41

not only the owner of the elevator and suc- cessfully and extensively deals in grain, but has extended his efforts to other lines. He has added to his land until he now owns two hundred and seventy-seven acres, con- stituting a very valuable tract south of the town. He was also instrumental in organ- izing the Bowersville Bank, and was its president from the beginning. It was cap- italized for twenty thousand dollars, has good deposits and undivided profits and is- regarded as a sound and trustworthy finan- cial concern. Mr. Perrill has owned con- siderable real estate here and is also a stock- holder in the Commercial Bank at Washing- ton Court llouse.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perrill have been born two children: Edith, who was ed- ucated at Cedarville College; and Arthur, who finished his education at Ada, Ohio. The daughter is now the wife of Luther Chitty, of Bowersville, and they have one child, Donald Perrill. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Protestant church, in which he is serving" as a trustee. He contributes liberally to, 'ts support, and takes an active interest in all public matters pertaining to the general. progress and improvement along social, in- tellectual, material and moral lines. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant camp meeting board, and is serving as a director of the County Agricultural Society. For three years he filled the office of town- ship trustee, but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. preferring to devote his time and energies to his busi- ness affairs, which have been so wisely planned and carefully conducted as the vears have passed by as to win for him very gratifying and honorable success.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ORLANDER B. LA FONG.

Orlander B. La Fong. now deceased. ranked among the old and highly respected citizens of Beavercreek township. He was a man who, in every relation of life. com- manded the confidence, good will and re- spect of those with whom he was associated. His word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. Not only in business, but in every situation in which he was placed he was known for his integ- rity and for his fidelity to everything which he believed to be right.

Mr. La Fong was a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Botetourt conn- ty on the 21st of October, 1817. He was a son of George B. and Casander ( Lovell ) La Fong. the latter a native of England. The father was born and reared in Virginia, but his father came from France. During his boyhood Orlander B. La Fong accom- panied his parents on their removal from Virginia to Ohio, the family settling on Ludlow creek in Beavercreek township. Greene county. About 1840 they removed to the farm upon which Mrs. La Fong. the widow of our subject, is now living. The parents spent their remaining days upon this place and when called to their final rest their remains were interred in the Hawker ceme- terv.

Mr. La Fong, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of his township. While yet a young man he took charge of the farm, and upon his father's death purchased the property comprising two hundred and seven acres. Year after year he continued the work of development and improvement un- til he was the owner of one of the best farms in this part of the state. As a com-

panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Rebecca Black, their wedding be- ing celebrated on the 14th day of June. 1860. The lady is a native of Beavercreek township and a daughter of Robert and Mary ( Koogler ) Black. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Greene county. Ohio. The former came to Ohio when a boy and took up his abode in Bath township, Greene county, but in the spring of 1836 he removed to Beavercreek township. By his marriage he became the father of nine children: Sarah, now Mrs. Frederick, a resident of Miami county, Ohio: Simon; Jonathan, who is living in Beaver- creek township; Mrs. Rebecca La Fong; Mary, deceased : Jacob, who makes his home in Illinois: Ann Maria, now Mrs. Simpson, of Missouri : Catherine, who resides in Day- ton, Ohio; and Mrs. Jennie Carter, also of Dayton. The father died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1888, at the age of seventy-nine. and was buried in Hawker cemetery. The home of Mr. and Mrs. La Fong has been blessed with four children : Aletha is now the wife of J. F. Harshman, of Greene county. Sarah is the wife of Isaac N. Kable and they reside in Beavercreek township with their children-Oscar, Pearl. Clay and Etta Marie. Oscar B., a resident farmer of Beavercreek township, married Effa Tru- bee. They have three children-Anna Lovell. Orlander and Robert. Rebecca is the deceased wife of John F. Shoup. and at her death left one child. Forest, who is liv- ing with his grandmother, Mrs. Rebecca La Fong.

Mr. La Fong gave his political support to the Democracy and was firm in his ad- vocacy of its principles. Both he and his wife were members of the Mount Zion Re-

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formed church, which relation the latter at present sustains. He always devoted his en- ergies to farming and displayed splendid business ability in conducting his affairs. His life was at all times upright and hon- orable, and he was officially connected with his church. For some time before his death he was ill, but he bore his sufferings with Christian fortitude. To his family he left not only a comfortable property, but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His loss in his household is an irreparable one. His wife is still living upon the home place, although she is renting the farm. She. too, is widely known in this county, and the circle of her friends is an extensive one.

JOHN A. STULL.

Perhaps every state in the Union has fur- nished some citizens to Ohio, and Maryland has sent a large quota of enterprising, lion- orable men who have become active factors in business circles here. Among the num- ber is John A. Stull, of Beavercreek town- ship, who was born in Frederick county. Maryland. December 7. 1834, his parents being Joseph and Margaret ( Havener) Stull. The father was also a native of Fred- erick county, Maryland, but the mother was born in Germany. Joseph Stull carried on agricultural pursuits in his native state un- til 1858, when he brought his family by rail to Ohio, settling in Beavercreek township. where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1884 at the advanced age of eighty- two years. His wife was also eighty-two years old at the time of her death, which occurred March 30, 1890. They were laid to rest in Beavercreek cemetery, where also

sleep two of their sons. In their family were the following children: John .\., Horatio, Mary, Henry and Joshua. and Henry. deceased. Mary is the widow of George Bowers and resides in Lew- isburg, Ohio. Joshua became a mem- ber of the company that was organ- ized at Alpha and joined the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea and died in New York city of typhoid fever while in the service. Both the parents were members of the Lutheran church and Joseph Stull was a Whig in ante-bellum days, but when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks. He came to Ohio a poor man, but was quite successful in his business under- takings, and steadily and persistently carried on his labors until he had acquired a com- fortable competence.

In his parents' home John A. Stull spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was educated in the common schools of Mary- land and with his father and the family came to Ohio. Here he worked by the month for two years, receiving fifteen dollars per month the first year, and sixteen dollars per month the second year. He then rented a farm and for three years his parents lived with him, his mother keeping house. Altogether he operated rented land for eight years, and in 1869 he purchased one hundred acres, to which he has since added ten acres. All the improvements upon the place have been built by our subject, including a good resi- (lence and substantial barns. His fields are richly cultivated and he is now successfully engaged in stock raising and in general farming. He has made a specialty of the cultivation of tobacco, which crop annually brought to him a good financial return.

On the 6th of March, 1859, Mr. Stull

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married Miss Harriet Freese, who was born in Xenia township, a daughter of Jacob and Harriet (Babb) Freese, natives of Fred- erick county, Virginia, where they were reared and married. Eight children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stull: Alice, the wife of Henry Toms, a farmer of Spring Valley township, by whom she has three children. Guy, Hazel and Charles; Carrie Belle, who became the wife of James San- ders and died leaving one son. Ernest : Charles W., who is now the farmer at the county infirmary; Ida M .. who married Jo- seph Michaels, of AAlpha : Ralph Babb, who is at home: John Edward, who married Margaret Casey and is now in the employ of the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton: Pearl, the wife of Thorburn Char- ters, of Xenia, by whom she has one child, Marguerite ; and Mabel, who died at the age of thirteen years. The parents hold men- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church. and Mr. Stull votes with the Republican party, having hrm faith in its principles, yet never seeking or desiring public office.

JACOB H. HARBINE.

lle whose name heads this brief sketch belongs to one of the first families of Ohio. and ranks among her most favorably known and prosperous citizens. Mr. Harbine, sec- ond son of John and Hetty ( Herr) Har- bine, was born December 3. 1832. Ile ob- tained a rudimentary education in a com- try school, then attended the Xenia high school, and later pursued his studies in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Mr. Harbine's life has been an open book, known and read of all men. In business he ex-

perienced from the beginning unusual suc- cess and his honest and honorable dealings. with his associates have left him singularly free from personal enemies. His beautiful home at Harbine Station, Ohio, attests the quiet elegance of Mr. Harbine's tastes. His is one of those retiring natures that prefer seclusion to publicity. the quietude of the home to the noise and confusion of the forum.

His present biographer would fain say a few of the many creditable things that might be said of Mr. Harbine, though they could not add to the respect and esteem in which he is held by all who know him. Mr. Harbine, however, modestly but firmly pro- tests, desiring rather that his daily life stand as his highest encomium while he lives ; the memory of that life as his most fitting monu- ment when life is done.

REV. SAMUEL WILSON, M. D.

Rev. Samuel Wilson well deserves men- tion in the history of Greene county, for he was an active factor in the moral and in- tellectual development of this portion of the state. Through more than a quarter of a century from 1830 until 1856 he served as pastor of the Associate, now the Second United Presbyterian, church of Xenia, and from 1855 until 1877 he was professor of Hebrew and theology in the United Presby- terain Theological Seminary. He also servd as the first professor of Hebrew in the theological department of Wilberforce Uni- versity of this vicinity. For a time, more- over, he conducted a private academy.

Dr. Wilson was born May 5. 1856, in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania. His fa-

ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ther, William Wilson, was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and came to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, settling there in 1791. He was the first enrolled theological student on the American con- tinent. He entered the Associate Seminary established at Service, Pennsylvania, in 1794. and therein pursued the regular theo- logical course, devoting his entire life to the work of the ministry in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania. For some time he was lo- cated at Noblestown, and afterward at Mon- tour, the latter church constituting the pres- ent congregation of Clinton and Robinson. At the time of his death he was serving as pastor of the church in Robinson. In May. 1842, he was called to the home beyond.

Rev. Samuel Wilson pursued his educa- tion in Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1824, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having determined also to devote his life to the Christian ministry. he then entered the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Canonsburg, Penn- sylvania, of which the Xenia Seminary is the successor. He completed his course there and was licensed to preach on the 16th of August, 1829, by the Muskingum Presby- tery, and on the 27th of April. 1831. he was ordained by the Miami Presbytery. He lo- cated in Xenia, as pastor of what was then the Associate church, and conducted an ac- tive pastorate there for a quarter of a cen- tury, at the end of which time he resigned in order to give his entire attention to the work of teaching Hebrew and theology in the Xenia Theological Seminary. At length he laid aside that work in 1877, because of the infirmities of age. Under his direction the church of which he was pastor had made rapid and satisfactory progress, and when he entered the educational field he proved

one of the most capable instructors ever connected with the institution.

Dr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cunningham, of Xenia, March 6. 1832, and unto them were born nine chil- dren: William H .; Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. J. P. Lytle, D. D. ; Margaret, the wife of Alexander Caskey; Rev. James C., of Eric. Pennsylvania, upon whom also has been bestowed the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity; Martha: Frances, the wife of Rev. J. M. French; John Wallace, of Kansas City, Missouri : Ella, the wife of L. D. Cain. of Hot Springs, Arkansas ; and Samuel S., a medical practitioner of Xenia. The father of this family died September 5, 1887. His wife passed away in 1889.

Dr. Wilson was prominently connected with the carly abolition movement. being one of its leaders in Greene county. He was converted to the movement by reading a small book, called Jay's Inquiry, and the Liberator, published in Boston by William Lloyd Garrison. At that time he was not aware that there was another abolitionist in the county, but soon discovered that there were four others: Rev. Mr. Hoague, of Clifton : Thomas Steele, David Monroe and Joseph Harbison, of Xenia. By means of agitation they succeeded in exciting a suf- ficient amount of interest to justify them in calling a convention, but the question of a place of holding the meeting proved to be an important one, as they were barred from every church or public building in Xenia. There was no alternative but either to aban- don the project of holding the convention or to hold it in the yard of one of the agi- tators, and Dr. Wilson was the only one of the number who dared to offer his home for the purpose. . \ platform for the speakers was erected in his yard directly under the

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point where the pulpit of the First United Presbyterian church now stands. During that meeting a mob collected on what is now the southeast corner of Market and Collier streets and was only prevented from attack- ing the meeting by the intervention of an old blacksmith and pumpmaker by the name of John McClellan. who with a club in hand dared any man to cross the street and molest his preacher. This was the first anti-slavery convention held in Greene county, and from it developed the Anti-slavery, the Free-soil or the Liberty party, as it was at different times called, to which the Whigs very soon attached themselves. The intense opposi- tion to this movement was manifested in the fact that Dr. Wilson's own church door was closed against him when he requested the use of the church for the meeting pre- viously referred to, but it was not long after- ward that he ventured to introduce the sul- ject into the pulpit and he continued to preach anti-slavery doctrines in spite of the fact that he drove from his congregation quite a number of influential members. Among those who remained there were many who opposed the doctrine but who accorded to him the privilege of preaching his views and were faithful in defending him while so doing. He was always a stanch advocate of the rights of the colored man, and was materially interested in manip- ulating the underground railroad.

At this point it would be almost tauto- ingical to enter into any series of state- ments as showing the Doctor to have been a man of broad intelligence and genuine pub- lic spirit, for the-e traits have been shad- owed forth within the lines of this review. Strong in hi- individuahty. he never lacked courage, but there were, as dominating ele- ments in his personality, a lively human

sympthy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integ- rity and honor of his character, have nat- urally gained for Dr. Wilson the respect and confidence of men.

SAMUEL S. WILSON, M. D.

Dr. Samuel S. Wilson, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Xenia. was born in this city February 5, 1853, and at the usual age entered the public schools. He afterward continued his studies in the high school and later entered the Ohio Cen- tral College at Iberia. He was also a stu- dent in Westminster College of Pennsyl- vania, and he determined to devote his life to the alleviation of human suffering through the administration of the remedial agencies known to the medical profession. He be- gan reading under the direction of Dr. D. D. Moore, of Xenia. He afterward became a student of the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati and was graduated from that in- stitution on the 4th of March. 1880. He then took a competitive examination which he successfully passed and entered Mercy Hospital of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, as house physician. in which capacity he served for one year. He then opened an office in Xenia, where he has since been in active practice. In 1896 he established a private hospital in order to give better care to his surg- ical cases, and has successfully contin- ue.1 this since. He is a close, earnest and discriminating student. and in 1895 he pur- sted a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic of New York. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Ohio

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found a few other Union men, and under cover of the night they made their escape, going to Harper's Ferry and passing directly through the Rebel camp. Mr. Whitson was at the front for a little more than four months and never received a scratch.

After his return home he began earning his own living, but continued to live on the old homestead, and at the time of his fa- ther's death fell heir to forty-eight and a half acres of land. In 1871 Mr. Whitson was married to Miss Josephine Hurley, of New Burlington, and unto them were born three children: Lea, who lives in Dayton ; Lizzie, the wife of AAlfred Peterson, of Nenia, by whom she has one child, Vesta : and Osy, the wife of Edward Gano, by whom she has two children, Myrtle and Lea. The wife and mother died in 1886, and two children had died in infancy. On the 28th of November, 1888, Mr. Whitson married Mrs. Eva Hurley, nee Lemar, of Clinton county, Ohio. They have two chil- dren. Hazel and Clarence.

In 1889 Mr. Whitson went to Webb City, Missouri, to handle stable horses. From boyhood he had had a fondness for a horse and the first one which he ever owned, -- making a trade for it,-won the first race in which he ever ran, it being at Jamestown. where he did his own driving in a sulky that weighed about five hundred pounds. He has both bred and raised colts to train and has owned some very valuable fast horses, in- cluding Red Hal that made a mile in 2:07. but afterward went lame. He now has Legal Hal, which he has raised and which has made a record as a four-year-old of 2:1914. He also raised Lady Hal, a full sister to Legal Hal, and she made the fastest yearling record ever made in the workt, pac- ing a half-mile in 1:07. Mr. Whitson re-

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 96

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