USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 46
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
United Presbyterian Church, second congregation, of Xenia. His home has been in Greene County for thirty-eight years. £
His father came to Ohio in 1799, and his mother in 1805. Mr. Buck is the youngest man for his age in Ohio, and a general favorite with all who know him.
Charles J. Buck, teacher, son of Samuel and Sarah Buck, was born in Washington Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in the year 1832. His father is a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of New Jersey, and they raised a family of ten children. Charles J., the subject of our sketch, was married in 1857, to Miss Julia Campbell, daughter of Hugh Campbell, of Xenia. They have three children living, Nettie S., Nellie M., and Charles M .; and Maggie F., and Effie May, deceased. He received his educa- tion in Ohio, where he has spent the greater portion of his life. On the 6th day of August, 1862 he enlisted in the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, and took part in such prominent battles as Vicks- burg, Arkansas Post, Fort Morgan, Mobile, etc., and in 1865 re- ceived an honorable discharge, and returned to his home. The family are members of the First United Presbyterian Church of Xenia. A fine teacher, and a man of a genial disposition, he has many warm friends in this community.
Lewis M. Bull, grocer, son of James R., and Anna A. Bull, was born in Xenia, in 1848. His father and mother were natives of Ohio and Maryland, and had a family of five children. Lewis, the subject of our sketch, commenced the grocery business in his na- tive place some six years ago, and by his gentlemanly deportment and fair dealing has built up a trade which is a credit to himself and the city. In 1877 he was married to Miss Lizzie A. James, daughter of Joshua James. They have one son, Lester J. Bull. Lewis is a member of the Odd-fellows, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics a staunch Republican.
William H. Bull, jr., farmer, Xenia, was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1845. IIe is a son of James R. and Amelia Bull, natives of Ohio and Maryland, who had a family of five children, three of whom are living. William H., jr., was married in 1877, to Miss Annie L. Stevenson, daughter of Samuel and Olive Stevenson, of this county. He received his education in Greene County, where he and his wife have both spent their lives. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are a young couple, just starting out in life, and a passer-by would readily judge the out-
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come from their beautiful farm, and the neatness of its surround- ings.
George J. Burdell, engineer, Xenia, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1853. His father, Asa, born in New York, and his mother, Harriet Burdell, born in New Jersey, were the parents of nine children, Alice B., George G., Charles H., William M., Edward P., and Hattie, who are living; and Ida, Carey, and Gracie, deceased. They came to Ohio about the year 1860. George G., the subject of this sketch, was married, August 28, 1878, to Miss Ella N. Beck- om, daughter of Mary Beckom, of Charleston, Illinois. They have one son, Asa P., the pet of the household. He has held po- sitions on many of the prominent roads of the country, and is now engineer of the steam shovel on the Pan-Handle. He received his education in Xenia, where he has spent the greater portion of his life. A young man of energy, his accommodating disposition has gained for him many warm friends.
George N. Burgess, tinner, was born in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, in 1848. His father and mother, Thornton and Elizabeth Burgess, were both born in Virginia, and immigrated to Ohio about the year 1844, with a family of eleven children. George, the subject of this sketch, is now working at his trade in Xenia, where he received a common school education, and has spent the latter portion of his life. He also went to school at Gallipolis, West Union, and Rochester, New York. In 1872 he was married to Miss Emma J. Roots, and by her has three daughters and one son, all living. During the war he was in the Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry, Fourth Division, serving two years and seven months, ' and received an honorable discharge on the 16th day of April, 1865, at Beverly. His children, Morris E., Mary E., Laura, and Pearl, are models, and the pride of their parents. He is a staunch Republican, and a good worker for his party.
Alfred Campbell, carpenter, son of James and Rose Campbell, both natives of Pennsylvania, was born in Alleghany City, same state, February 6, 1834. Received his education in Pennsylvania. From boyhood until his seventeenth year, his time was chiefly spent on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. At the age of seven- teen he was put out to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed in different cities of the South and West, until the first Lincoln campaign, when he left St. Louis for Pittsburgh, to cast his first vote. On the 19th day of April, 1861, he enlisted in the old mili-
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tary organization known as the Jackson Independent Blues, which was organized as Company A, Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment, and volunteered for three months. Afterward he enlisted in the Sixty-Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was en- gaged in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, some of which were Bull Run, Stone River, Chickamauga, the seven days' fight before Richmond, Mission Ridge, and the capture of Ring- gold, Georgia, and was discharged August 10, 1865. On the 15th of April, 1861, just four days before starting for the seat of war, he was married to Miss Hannah M. Atkinson, daughter of Frank and Sarah Atkinson, and by her has two daughters, Ellen and Bertha. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has also been a member of the Odd-fellows for over twenty years. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and is a man who can always be de- pended upon when his country is in danger. He is now carrying on his business in Xenia, and stands at the head of his profession.
James B. Carruthers, grocer, was born in Scotland, on the 19th day of March, 1821. His parents, John and Mary B. Carruthers, both natives of Scotland, immigrated to this country in 1834, and lived in Granville County, North Carolina, for about two years. In 1836 they removed to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, where they remained six years, and then came to Greene County, where they both died. James was in his thirteenth year when he came to this country with his parents. He clerked in a country store in North Carolina for eighteen months, and after he came to Ohio, worked on a farm with his father until he was twenty-three, when he left farming and taught a country school. Afterward he went to Thomas Steele's school, in Xenia, and again taught for some time. In 1850 he engaged in book-keeping with Torrence & Co., of Chillicothe, for two years, and then went back to Xenia, and embarked in the grocery business, in which he still continues. On the 28th day of August, 1852, he was married to Miss Jeannette Smith, daughter of William and Helen (Scott) Smith, who were both natives of Scotland. They had five children born to them, Johanna M., who died when fourteen months old, Ella B., Jennie S., William S., and Jessie B. His wife died September 2, 1876, and on the 20th of August, 1878, he was again married to Miss Eliza A. Hyslop, daughter of George and Margaret Hyslop, he a native of Scotland, and she of Pennsylvania. Mr. Carruthers is a mem- ber of the First United Presbyterian congregation of Xenia; has
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been councilman for six years, and at present is one of the police commissioners. During the war he was commissioned by Governor Todd as captain of Company D, Second Regiment, Greene County Militia. He was educated in Dumfries, Scotland, and in Xenia. By economy and square dealing, and his gentlemanly deportment, he stands on the top round in his line of business.
George Charters, jeweler, son of John and Margaret Charters, was born in Xenia, in 1835. His father came to Ohio from New York city, the place of his birth, in 1825, and his mother immi- grated from Scotland in 1816, and married Mr. Charters in 1830, the result of which was ten children, four sons and six daughters. George, the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1864, to Miss Jane Moody, and was blessed with three children, Robert M., Mar- garet I., and John T., all living. He received his education in Greene County. Both himself and wife are members of the Asso- ciate Church. He is now engaged in the jewelry business, on Main Street, in Xenia, is doing a thriving business, and is respected by all who know him.
John W. Clifton, policeman, was born in Carrol County, Ken- tucky, in 1835, and is a son of William and Lavina Clifton, both of Kentucky, who reared a family of three children, two sons and one daughter. Two died in Kentucky. His mother was a slave of Thomas O'Neal, and his father was a free man, and lived in Ken- tucky until his death. John, the subject of this sketch, was born in slavery, belonging to Thomas O'Neal, and remained his slave until he was twelve years old. His master then broke up, and took him to Owen County, Kentucky, keeping him about one year, when he died, and in his will John fell to his daughter, Mrs. Nancy Gar- vey, who kept him until he was twenty-nine years old, when he came to the conclusion that he had been a slave long enough, and concluded to take a steamboat and come North, which he did, and landed in Xenia. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, and served his country until September, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, and came back to Xenia, working at any odd jobs he could get, for about a year, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and remained there a year, working in a tobacco factory, and again returned to Xenia, and worked for Millen & Connable, cutting pork, for six or seven years. Afterward, or during part of that time, he had an appointment as deputy marshal, under Percival Ream, and has been on the police force since that time. By his faithfulness to duty he
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
has made a great many warm and devoted friends. In the year 1863 he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Douglass, daughter of James Jones, she being a widow when she married Mr. Clifton. They are both members of the Baptist Church, he for seventeen years, and has never uttered an oath in his life, something that can be said of but very few.
John M. Coffelt, farmer, was born in Warren County, Indiana, in 1846. Joseph and Mahala Coffelt, his father and mother, were both born in Ohio, and had a family of six sons and three daugh- ters. John M., the subject of this sketch, was married in 1872, to Miss Isabella Harris, daughter of Anthony and Hannah Harris, of this state. They have four children, Perry L., Herby A., Mary E., and Audis C. He enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fif- tieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, under Colonel Taylor, and was discharged in August, 1865. The greater part of his life was spent in Indiana, and there he received his education. Now a resident of Xenia, he will, in all probability, spend the remainder of his days there.
John L. Connable, jr., express and ticket agent, born in Cincin- nati, in 1856, is a son of Luke and Abbey Connable. His father was born in Massachusetts, and his mother in Ohio. They were married in 1851, and have raised a family of four children, Mary E., Ralph M., John L., and Joseph M. John is now freight and ticket agent for the narrow gauge railroad, at Xenia. October 3, 1878, he was married to Miss Clara S. McClure, daughter of F. A. and S. J. McClure, of that city, They have one son, Frank A. John L. is a member of the Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Royal Arcanum, and now holds office in the latter. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Cheney F. Cretors, painter and paper hanger, born in Xema, October 6, 1856, is a son of Samuel B. and Sarah Cretors. His father was born in Ohio, and his mother in Massachusetts, and came to this state about the year 1849. They raised a family of five children. Cheney was married, December 25, 1879, to Miss Mattie B. Taggart, daughter of Thomas and Mattie Taggart, of Ireland, County of Monagan, town of Lissavaciga, who came to this country in 1864, with a family of seven children, Mrs. Cretors being the youngest. Our subject is a member of the Fay Light Guards, Knights of Pythias, and Odd-fellows. Leaving home at the age of fifteen, he traveled extensively through the South and
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West, advertising and soliciting, and seeing much more of the world than most young men of his age. Having sown his wild oats, he has settled down with his good wife in his native place, where he is engaged at his trade, in which he stands at the head in all its branches. A first-class workman, with a kind and genial disposition, he is well-thought of by all who know him.
Charles D. Craig, grocer, born in Greene County, in 1862, is a son of Moses and Mary E. Craig, who were both born in Ohio, and have a family of five sons, Percie M., Frank R., Claude V., Claude W., and Charles, the subject of our sketch, who is a young man of energy and a pleasant disposition, and a man well adapted to the business in which he is engaged, as one of his genial habits will surely build up a good trade in the grocery business, in which he is now engaged, with E. Smith, on Detroit Street, Xenia.
Morris Cretors, painter, was born in Xenia, December 25, 1841. His father was born in this state, and his mother in Belfast, Maine. They had a family of five children, Ella, Morris, Cheney, Jennie, and Elmer. In 1845, Morris was married to Miss Jennie Young, of Cincinnati. Three children has been the result of this union: Samuel, yet living; Walter, deceased; the third died in infancy. He is engaged in the painting business, in Xenia, with his brother.
Newton Davis, farmer, was born on the farm where he now re- sides, two miles south of Xenia, known as the old Davis farm. His parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Davis, were born in Virginia, and immigrated to Ohio in 1807, and settled on the farm where Newton, the subject of this note, now resides. They had a family of five children, all boys. Newton was married in 1855, to Miss Catharine Lloyd, and has been blessed with four sons and one daughter. The whole family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a trustee, steward, and class-leader for upwards of twenty-five years, and is known as one of the most successful farmers in the county. He received his education in Greene County, at the old Union Seminary, near his place-a house where John Findlay, a brother of our old Methodist minister, Janes B. Findlay, taught the youth in olden time. His children, Ellen, Josiah, Belleville, Russell, and Herman, are all living. Mr. Davis' father was a man who was noted and beloved by all who knew him for his generous soul, in constantly relieving the wants of the poor and afflicted, and the son is following closely in his footsteps, making many friends.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
David Y. Davidson, baker, born in Georgetown, Kentucky, August 13, 1835, is a son of Joseph and Margaret Davidson, both of whom were born in Ohio. David received a common school education in Xenia, where he spent his youth. He was a member of the Ninety-Fourth Ohio Regiment, and served two years in the army. December, 1864, he received an honorable discharge, and returned home to resume his business. In 1866-'67 he was a mem- ber of the city council, and has been chief of the fire department since 1871; is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is secretary. On the 20th of February, 1866, he was married to Miss Charlotte Dibble, daughter of Schuyler and Catharine Dibble, of Pittsburg, Indiana. In the bakery and confectionery business he is doing the principal part of the trade in Xenia.
Joseph N. Dean, attorney-at-law, was born in Greene County, August 22, 1844. , He is the son of Joseph and Hannah Dean, and received his education partly at country schools and partly at Xenia College. Graduated at Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at the Cincinnati Law School, and spent six years with his father, on his farm, and three years in the army. Was with General Garfield, at the battle of Prestonburg, Kentucky, as a member of Company B, Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and also in the battle of Chickamauga, the storming of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and in the Atlantic campaign ; with Sherman, at the seige of Atlanta, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain; in Resacca, in Franklin, Tennessee, Jonesborough, and Lovejoy Station, and received a soldier's honorable discharge at the close of the war. In 1867 he was married to Miss Lydia Cleaver, daughter of James and Mary Cleaver, of Clinton County. His wife died in 1872, leaving him a son, Walter P., to brighten his path through life. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He is now residing in Xenia, engaged in the practice of law, and by his genial disposition and fair dealing has grown into a practice that many might envy.
J. S. Dillon, physician and surgeon, was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1840. Is a son of Benjamin R. and Elizabeth Dillon. His father was born in New Jersey, and his mother in Ohio. They were married about 1820, and had six children, Melissa, Malachi, Laura H., Mary, Joseph S., and John. The subject of this sketch began life for himself when thirteen years old. In 1859 he went
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to Kansas, and after a sojourn of six months, his father, who had been keeping a hotel, died, and he took charge of the business. In a short time he sold out, and turned his attention to speculating and doctoring, until the war broke out, when he went into the sut- tler business, which he followed till its close, after which he took a stock of goods, valued at $85,000, to Mexico. After selling out, he went into a sheep speculation, taking over four thousand head to Montana, where he disposed of them at a loss of $3,000. He re- turned to New Mexico, and took a contract to supply the Navajo Indians with beef. Started for their reservation with three thou- sand head of cattle and one hundred and seventy-five head of horses, and arrived there with two hundred and eighteen head, all told, being continually preyed upon by the Camanche Indians, who killed ten of his men, cutting the flesh entirely from the bones of one of his comrades. He then went to Arkansas, and practiced medicine there for six or seven years. The doctor, having seen much of pioneer life, and becoming disgusted with it, returned to the states and settled in Xenia. Although having been in that city but a short time, he has secured a good reputation, curing some cases pronounced hopeless by other physicians, and bids fair to be- come one of the noted physicians of the country.
Charles H. Dill, commercial traveler, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Freeport, Warren County, Ohio, in 1850. Son of Daniel and Anna Dill, both natives of Delaware, who immigrated to Ohio about the year 1838, with a family of twelve children. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Minnie A. Kiehl, daughter of Jacob and Emeline Kiehl, of Jamestown, Ohio, April 20, 1879, and are blessed with one child, four months old. Received his education in Ohio, where he has spent the greater portion of his life. Is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and is now traveling for the firm of Glawe & Co., of Dayton, Ohio, selling water-proof horse covers, etc. He is a young man of jovial temperament, and makes friends wherever known.
George Dodds, marble dealer, was born in Roxburgh County, Scotland, February 19, 1837. Is the son of George and Isabel Dodds, who had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The family all received a good common school education in the parish schools, working on the farm in summer, and going to school in winter. The father died while the children were young, throw- ing the responsibility of supporting them upon the mother, and
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never did woman more truly fulfill her mission. George Dodds, the subject of our sketch, commenced to work on the farm at the age of ten, and continued to work in summer, going to school in winter, until he was seventeen, when he determined to learn a trade. An opportunity presented itself for him to learn the blacksmith trade, and this being his choice, he accepted the situation, and worked at it about two months. This was in June, 1854. Having an older brother in this country, who was in the marble business, and who was anxions to have him come out here, he sent for him to come to America with some friends, who were about to visit their old home in Scotland. On July 6, 1854, he left home, his mother accompanying him on foot to his aunt's, near Roxburg, a distance of ten miles, and on the 11th set sail for the new world in the steamship Glasgow. The voyage was a very rough one, lasting seventeen days. They landed in New York, July 28th, and on the 29th took the train for Cincinnati, reaching Madison, by steamer, on Sabbath evening, the 31st, where he met his brother at the wharf. After a few weeks, he commenced learning the marble business under his brother, and making such rapid progress in the finer art of drawing, his brother advised him to learn the art, and at the end of four years was highly complimented for his brilliant success. In the spring of 1859 he removed to Yellow Springs, and formed a partnership with his brother, under the firm name of A. & G. Dodds. They continued in business there until the fall of 1864, when they removed to Xenia. October 17, 1861, he was mar- ried to Miss Lizzie I. Ferguson, of Madison, Indiana. They lived happily together until the 20th of August, 1865, when death claimed her for its own. She left him a little boy, Fremont, three years of age. October 11, 1866, he was married the second time, to Mary E. Brown, daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Brown, of Xenia. At this time his brother was in Scotland, arranging for the shipment of the famous Scotch granite, and on his return brought out Mary and William, the two youngest of the family, the mother having died in July of that year. The firm of A. & G. Dodds became exten- sively known as importers of Scotch granite, and in 1867 they opened a branch in St. Louis, and Andrew took charge of it. A few months afterward the partnership was dissolved, George con- tinuing in the business, and on May 1, 1871, he took Alexander Caskey as partner, the firm name being Dodds & Caskey. In May, 1872, they opened a branch in Pittsburgh, Mr. Caskey taking
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charge there until May 1, 1873, when the firm was dissolved, Mr. Dodds continuing the business at Xenia up to the present, a period of over twenty-one years. A few years ago he erected a new busi- ness house, and has recently added another room for the display of his goods. At the age of fifteen he formed a temperance resolu- tion, which he has faithfully kept up to the present. In 1860 he united in forming a lodge of Good Templars at Yellow Springs, working it until 1865, and was instrumental in organizing one in Xenia, with which he was connected about fifteen years. In 1873 he received a letter from Dio Lewis, in regard to inaugurating his new temperance movement, and he at once telegraphed him to come. It was a grand success, and resulted in starting the woman's crusade movement in that city. He also worked the Murphy movement from beginning to end. In politics he is a Republican, and an uncompromising Union man. Was raised in the United Presbyterian Church, and at the age of twenty united with the Christian Church at Madison, Indiana. There being no Christian Church in Xenia, he finally, in February, 1874, united with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is still a member. At this time his family consists of G. Fremont, by his first wife, and six children by his present wife, Carrie, Frank, Leslie, Charlie, Earle, and Ralph. His brother Andrew died May 5, 1872. James came to the United States in 1856, and is now in Dayton, Ohio. Maggie, the only one on the other side of the Atlantic, lives in Northumberland, England. Mary is a physician, practicing in St. Louis, in company with Mrs. Andrew Dodds. William, the young- est, is agent for George, in the marble business.
George S. Drake, engineer of fire department, Xenia, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of George W. and Catharine Drake. His father was born in Virginia, and his mother in Pennsylvania. They located in the above county in 1845, and his father died in 1873. The mother is yet living, and resides in Muskingum County. They were parents of fourteen children, six of whom are living, Samuel, John H., Mary E., Kate, Louis B., and George S. The boyhood of George was passed in Zanesville. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-Eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and after serving his time (three months), enlisted in Company E, Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Nashville, Franklin, Kenesaw Mountain, being wounded in the shoulder at the last-named battle ;
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