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 48
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Joseph D. Kyle, clerk Second National Bank, Xenia, was born in that city, October 2, 1852. Is the son of James and Rachel Kyle,
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natives of this county, and one of the oldest families in the county. They had a family of three children, Joseph, Olive, and Nellie, the last one having died at the age of one year. Joseph, the subject of our sketch, was married to Sallie E. Neville, daughter of Henry Neville, of this city, on the 16th of December, 1879. They have one child, James LeRoy. Joseph received his education in this city, and spent fifteen years of his life in Cincinnati, where he was engaged in book-keeping for different branches of business, and is now correspondent for the Second National Bank of this city, a very prominent and responsible position. Is a member of Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Cincinnati. His father and mother are now living in the last named city, keeping the Merchants' Union Hotel, which is connected with the Union Betliel. Was mayor of this city in 1861, at which time a number of young men of fighting quality came to him, and proposed to raise a company for the war, and make him their leader, to which he responded, and was con- missioned as captain of Company HI, Ninth Regiment Ohio Volun- teers. Was appointed provost marshal under General Rosencrans, and resigned on account of ill-health. Was a brother of Dr. James A. Kyle, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of this city.
Prof. B. F. Lee, President of Wilberforce College, Xenia, is a son of Abel and Sarah Lee, and was born in New Jersey, in 1841. Passing his youth in that state, he came to Ohio in 1864, and re- ceived his common school education in Gouldstown, a post-place ; entered the theological department of Wilberforce University in 1865, and graduated in 1872, making this his home ever since. In 1873 he was appointed Professor of Pastoral Theology in Wilber- force University. In 1874 he resigned the practical duties of the position, but retained the principalship; and in 1876 was appointed president of the university, and still occupies that position. For ten years he has been a member of the General Conference of the . African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1873 he married Miss Mary E. Ash, of Mobile, Alabama. She was also a graduate of Wilberforce University. Four children, Francis A., Sarah H., Mary A., and John F., are the result of their marriage. Himself and family enjoy life at Wilberforce, and the people of the county will find it a hard matter to fill his place, should he be called to some other locality.
David Lee, coal dealer, Xenia, is a son of Merideth and Sabra Lee, both of North Carolina, where his mother died. His father
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immigrated to Ohio in 1859, with his only son, David. He married Miss Lucy Tyler, who died in 1870, and in 1874 he married Miss Charlotte Harris. He is a plasterer by trade, but is also a dealer in coal. He is an industrious man, a Mason (in which he has filled some of the offices), Odd-fellow, and a member of the Baptist Church. He was in the Union army for two years and a half, and was honorably discharged in October, 1865. Is now a member of the city council.
Noah Lones, peddler, Xenia, was born in Virginia, in 1836. Is a son of Jesse and Mary Lones, both natives of that state, who im- migrated to Ohio in 1859, with a family of eleven children. Noah was married, in 1858, to Martha A. Burton, daughter of George W. and Mary Burton, of Virginia. They have a family of four chil- dren, Ida, Carson, Early, and Herman. Received his education in Virginia, where he spent the principal portion of his life. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now engaged in the peddling business throughout the country, making his home in this city.
Basil V. Lucas, dealer in wood and iron fencing, Xenia, was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, in the year 1837. Is a son of Den- nis and Elizabeth Lucas, both natives of that state, who removed to Ohio in the year 1858, with eight children, Basil V., Emily C., Matilda A., John W., Elizabeth B., Dennis T., Charles D., and Eliza S. The subject of our sketch was married, October 24, 1868, to Rebecca A. Niswanger, daughter of Perry and Hester Niswan- ger, of this city. They had a family of six children, Effie G., Ida May, Minnesota, William A., Basil V., and Lee McClung. The daughters are all dead. He enlisted in the Union Army on the 3d day of February, 1864, in Company D, Seventy-Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received his discharge in 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He was in many hard-fought battles, and at Tunnel Hill was in a continual fight until the battle of Jones- borough, and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. At Buzzard's Roost, on the 10th day of May, 1864, his collar bone was broken, by being struck with a piece of shell, disabling him in the right arm. Received his education in Virginia, where he lived until he was twenty-one, when he came to Ohio, where he has been engaged in carpentering since the war. Is now, in connection with his trade, contracting and putting up iron fencing, and is also en- gaged with George Barnes in the manufacture of a patent folding
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lounge, one of the best, if not the best, ever brought before the public.
W. V. Luce, ex-editor, Spring Valley, was born in this county, August 12, 1843. Is the youngest son of Abner G. and Avaria Luce, both natives of Ohio. She was the daughter of Robert Buckles, an officer in the war of 1812, who removed from Virginia and settled in this county, in 1799, raising a family of eight chil- dren. Our subject received a good common school education, hav- ing attended the normal school at Lebanon, and the college at Delaware, Ohio, in which way his youth was spent up to the time he enlisted in the army, on the 16th day of August, 1862, only a few days after he was nineteen years of age. He entered the army as corporal in Company D, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, where he remained until he was mustered out, in June, 1865, at the close of the war. Received a wound in the hand, by a minnie ball, at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. After being mustered out, he engaged in the drug and grocery business, in Spring Valley. Removed to Dayton, in 1868, and there engaged in the drug trade until 1871, when he returned to Spring Valley, where he still resides. He has served as assessor of this township seven terms, and is now constable. Was elected justice of the peace in 1873, and resigned in 1875, to take charge of the Xenia News, a paper neutral in politics, which he converted into a Democratic journal, the first of that politics published in that city for thirty years. He continued its editor, in connection with John Fahey, until the fall of 1876, when they sold to Mr. Gaunce, the present editor. He was married to Evaline Clark, daughter of George C. and Charlotte Clark, October 10, 1867, and has a family of five children, Lottie A., Ella, Abner C., Stella, and Robert. Is now engaged in the insurance and collection business, in which latter he does an extensive business. Is a Democrat, and as such has figured conspicuously in this county. His father, Abner G. Luce, was appointed one of the associate judges of this county in 1842, and continued in that office until his death, in 1849.
Campbell L. Maxwell, city clerk and attorney-at-law, Xenia, born in Fayette County, Ohio, April, 1849, is a son of Campbell and Henrietta Maxwell, both Virginians by birth, who immigrated to Ohio, a few years after their marriage and settled in Fayette County, where they bought a farm in the woods, upon which they raised a family of ten children. Of these Campbell L. is the fourth
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son and sixth child. His educational advantages were poor, but by hard study and energy he managed to procure a good English education before arriving at the age of manhood, after which he attended Wilberforce University. While a student there the principalship of the colored schools at Zanesville, Ohio, having been tendered him, he accepted the same. Meanwhile, he had been prosecuting his law studies under the Hon. John Little, and at the close of his first year as principal, he returned to Xenia. In the following September, 1872, he was examined by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and admitted to the bar. He is now the city clerk of the City of Xenia, having been elected in 1879, and re-elected in 1880. In June, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary E. Cousins. Two children have been born to them. the oldest one dying in October, 1878. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, having for several years been a member of the grand lodge of the state. He has a growing practice, and stands high in his profes- sion. In politics he is a Republican.
H. S. Mathewman, florist, Xenia, was born May 6, 1841, and is a son of Benjamin and Esther Mathewman, both of England, who. emigrated to Canada about 1830. In 1866 the subject of this sketch concluded to try his fortune in the United States, and with this object in view he located in Xenia, and engaged in the nur- sery business, which he followed for some four years. Being a man of taste, and a lover of the beautiful, he became a florist, and has continued in the business up to the present time, having such a floral garden on North King Street as is seldom found outside the larger cities. July 10, 1866, he was married to Miss Josephine Cook, daughter of Isaac and Mary Cook. They have a family of two girls, Rena and Mary A. He is a member of the Odd-fellows, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Republican in politics, and a staunch union man.
George Marshall, plasterer, Xenia, was born in that city in 1842. His father and mother, Jesse and Jane Marshall, both natives of Kentucky, immigrated to this country about the year 1800, and raised a family of eight children, William, Jane, Eli, Albert, George, Robert F., and Simon. George, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1866, to Miss Sarah C. McFarland, daughter of Jacob and Margery McFarland, of Xenia; her father being among the first born in Greene County. George is the father of one daughter, now in her fourteenth year, who is the pet of the family.
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When the war broke out, he was among the first to respond to the call, and enlisted in Company G, Fifty-Fourth Ohio, under Colonel Smith, and served three years and eleven months. Entering the army as a private, by his bravery and faithfulness he was promoted to first lieutenant, which rank he held until he received an honor- able discharge and was mustered out, at Little Rock, Arkansas. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been connected for some twelve years. In politics he is a Republican. A plasterer by trade, by strict attention to the wants of his customers he has built up a business any person might be proud of.
William G. Marshall, lawyer, Xenia, born in Ohio, August 27, 1856, is a son of William W. and Mary Marshall, both of this state, who have a family of two children, Mary M., and William G. The subject of our remarks received his education at home, and at common schools, and he can be counted among the self-made men of our country. His youth was passed principally in this county. Commencing. the study of law, under Judge J. E. Hawes, when only nineteen years of age, he was admitted to the bar at twenty- one, making an uncommon advance in his studies. He has made his mark early in life, and is now engaged in the practice of law. A single man, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and a staunch Republican in politics.
John W. Manor, carpenter, Xenia, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in the year 1824, and is a son of Benjamin and Catharine Manor, both of that state, who immigrated to Ohio in 1828, with a family of twelve children. John W., the subject of our sketch, was married in 1844, to Miss Margaret A. Scott, daughter of James A. and Elizabeth Scott, of Xenia. They have a family of nine children, David I., William A., Catharine E., Samuel H., Asbury L., Henrietta M., Benjamin L., James S., and John E. Our subject, with two of his sons, enlisted in the one hundred days service. His life has been passed in Xenia, where he received his early education. From 1861 to 1869, eight years, he was superin- tendent of the Greene County Infirmary. He is a leading member of the Odd-fellows, including the Encampment, having filled all the chairs of both bodies; and is also a member of the Reformed Church. He is now carrying on his trade of carpentering, and has no superiors at the business.
James B. Monroe, furniture dealer, Xenia, is a son of David and
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Barbara Monroe, who immigrated to this country from Scotland, in 1818, and had at that time the county of Greene in view as their future home, it being at that time a central point of the association . to which they belonged, known as the Associate Church, which is now merged into the United Presbyterian Church, by the union of Associate and Associate Reformed churches. They were among the oldest settlers of Greene County, and had a family of three children, George, Margaret, and William, who came to this country with them, after which was born Mary Ann, who is now Mrs. John Moore. Her husband is one of the old merchant tailors of this county, having been engaged in this business for some thirty years or more. James B., the subject of this sketch, was born in Xenia, on the site where he now resides, and was, in 1849, married to Miss Henrietta Riley, of Troy, Ohio, a daughter of one of Miami County's oldest settlers, Z. Riley, who for nearly the natural term of his life held some one or another of the highest county offices. The result of this marriage was four sons and two daughters, Juliet C., James S., Laurence R., Minor W., and Riley, the eldest, who departed this life in the seventh year of his age. While on a visit to his grandmother, in Troy, Ohio, he was taken suddenly ill of brain fever, and lived but a few days. During the war Mr. Monroe was a trustee for the relief society for the benefit of soldiers' wives and children, and was one of its most active mem- bers. He is a member of the school board, a position he has held for over thirty years. He is now engaged extensively in the furni- ture business, is a man of sound Republican principles, and highly appreciated by the community at large.
Scott Mongold, clerk, Xenia, was born in Hardy County, West Virginia, March 17, 1859. Is the son of George and Caroline Mon- gold, who immigrated to this county, in 1863, with seven children, John W., Charles H., Cary, Jacob F., Harvey W., Virginia, and Scott. The subject of this sketch worked on a farm for John Le- vally for about eight years after he came to Ohio, and then lived with David Davis until 1880, when he came to this city and took the clerkship of the Burnett House, where he still remains. Is a young man of promise, pleasant ways, and accommodating dispo- sition. His father, during the war, or at the commencement of it, was living in Virginia, but, true to his country, he took up arms for the side of right, and fought for the Union, and when at home on furlough, was captured, taken South, and imprisoned, first at
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Wheeling, and from there to Libby. Watching an opportunity, with some others he broke guard, came to this city, and wrote to his wife and son Scott to meet him here, which they did at once.
D. T. Montague, druggist, Xenia, was born in Vermont, on the 7th day of November, 1830, and is a son of Otis and Abigail Mon- tague, natives of New York. They moved to Ohio in the year 1837, with one child, and were afterward blessed with the second, Charles Otis. The subject of our sketch was married to Miss Eliz- abeth Hosack in the year 1855, who bore him four children, Charles Otis, Frederick, Florence May, and George H., the first two having died. Mr. Montague is a member of the Masonic order, and has gone through the chapter and commandery, and has been their treasurer for several years. Is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now engaged in the drug business, on De- troit Street, in this city, and is one of the main druggists in the county, looking well to his interest, and also his customers, not trusting his prescriptions to be filled by a clerk, but attends to that department himself. He is an agreeable, pleasant gentleman to do business with, and well deserves the great trade he has worked up.
W. J. Morris, dealer in notions, and son of George and Lila Morris, of Maryland, was born in this county in the year 1842. Was married, July 27, 1865, to Martha E. Harshman, daughter of George and Nancy Harshman, of Spring Valley, and has a family of six children, John W., Mary E., Rilla E., Pearly M., James B., and Charles, all living. He enlisted in the Eighty-First Ohio, and remained with it one year, and was discharged on account of disa- bility. Afterward he joined the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, with which he remained eleven months, and was engaged in all the bloody and hard-fought battles through which the old veteran reg- iment passed, receiving an honorable discharge on the 3d day of July, 1865, when he returned to the bosom of his family. Received his education in Allen County, and has spent the greater portion of his life in this county, now residing in Xenia.
Joseph Morrow, farmer, Xenia, was born in this county in the year 1812. Is the son of James and Anna K. Morrow, both natives of Virginia, who were married in the year 1801, and had a family of twelve children. The subject of this sketch was married to Sa- rah Findley daughter of John and Ann Findley, in the year 1838. Joseph was one of the first to shoulder his gun to drive Morgan's rangers out of Ohio, and gained the title of squirrel hunter, which
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we all remember was a very large and lively company of hunters. He and his estimable wife are both members of the United Presby- terian Church. With the exception of about ten years, he has spent his life in this county, and is one of its old citizens. He is a Republican in politics, and a hearty supporter of the cause of free- dom. In slavery times he was one of the strong anti-slavery men, until he joined the Republican party. With his wife, he is now living about four miles northeast of Xenia, on one of the finest farms in the county, and in all the writer's travels through his dis- trict, he has met no one who seems to enjoy life more than they.
William A. Mullen, farmer, was born in Brown County, Ohio, in the year 1847. Is the son of James and Amanda Mullen, of this state, who have a family of seven children. The subject of this sketch was married, September 23, 1875, to Miss Sarah J. Shockey, daughter of James and Rachel Hueston, of Allen County. Her parents are both dead. They were married in Dayton, by Rev. W. A. Robinson. Mr Mullen enlisted in Company I, Fifty-Ninth Reg- iment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, February 6, 1864, and was in many of the hardest battles of the war, such as Chickamauga, Ringgold, Cumberland Gap, and Buzzards' Roost, where he was wounded, May 9, 1864, in the left side, in the lung and shoulder, twice in the right knee, and again across the back. His collar bone was cut off by a ball, totally disabling him in the left arm. After being wounded he was taken to the post, and left for dead twice, and lay in an unconscious state from May until September, when he was sent back to Cincinnati, where he was discharged by command of General Joseph Hooker. He had some four hundred dollars with him when wounded, and when left for dead, one of his party tried to get hold of it, but his name is withheld on account of his family. Mr. Mullen's father died when he was but two years old, and he was placed with J. C. Wells, with whom he remained from his fifth to his eighteenth year, when he enlisted. Received his education in Brown County, where he spent the most of his life. He is a self-made man, and hard study has made him what he is. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife is a Presbyterian. They are now living in Xenia, where he expects to make his home.
George A. MeKay, engineer and surveyor, Xenia, was born in this county, December 25, 1850, and is a son of Samuel F. and Angeline A. Mckay. His mother is a Virginian by birth, and
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· came to Ohio when she was but seven years of age. His father was born in Ohio, and was married in the year 1850 to Miss Ange- line A. Moore, daughter of Persley Moore, of this county. He lost his life by a tree falling on him, and left a family of five children, George A., Maria L., Oscar F., Sarah J., and Irving F. George A., our subject, was married September 25, 1873, to Miss Ada I. Peterson, daughter of Jacob S. and Sarah C. Peterson, of Clinton County, Ohio. They have a family of two children, Werter P., and Mable. He commenced engineering when but sixteen years old, and now holds the position of civil engineer of the Miami Valley and Columbus Railroad, where he has been for the last two years, and where he is likely to remain as long as he wishes. He was raised on a farm, but being of an active mind and an aspiring nature, he left it and engaged in his present profession. He re- ceived a common school education in this county, and afterwards graduated in mathematics at Antioch College, Yellow Springs.
A. B. McIntosh, plasterer, Xenia, was born in Boone County, Kentucky, March 22, 1846. Is the son of William R. and Ann C. McIntosh, his father being a native of Ohio, and his mother of Pennsylvania. The subject of our sketch was married, September 7, 1864, to Miss Kate Cochern, daughter of Samuel and Lucinda Cochern, of this city. They have had three children, Gliscoe G., who died young, Cyrus W., and John P., who are still living. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, January 8, 1864, and was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and was transferred to Washington, after which he reported to his regiment at Danville, and after going through all the bloody and hard-fought battles participated in by that noble old regiment, received an honorable discharge in 1865. Received his education in this city, where he has spent the greater portion of his life, and is now engaged at his trade of plastering, doing a business second to none.
Thomas J. MeGaughey, laborer, Xenia, was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1839. Is the son of Wilson and Catharine McGaughey, his father being a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Pennsyl- vania, and had a family of twelve children. Thomas, the subject of our sketch, was married to Miss Elizabeth Sybert, of Maryland, in the year 1864. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battles of Look- out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Big Shanty, and many
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others; was a good soldier, and in 1864 was honorably discharged. Received his education in Pennsylvania, and was formerly a distil- ler. Is now living in this city, and is a man loved by all who know him.
Frank E. McGurvey, assistant county treasurer, Xenia, was born in this city, in the year 1855. Is the son of James McGurvey, of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about the year 1832, and his mother came when quite young. They had a family of five chil- dren. Frank E. has always lived in this city, and was educated here. In the year 1870, he entered the book store of J. C. Trader & Co., where he remained three years, and then became book- keeper for Merrick & McClure, which position he filled two years, when he became book-keeper for J. C. Trader & Co., remaining with them for two years more. In 1876 he was appointed deputy county treasurer, under Lester Arnold, which position he now holds, though Mr. Arnold has been succeeded by J. H. Cooper, Esq. He has been connected with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, as organist, for six years. . In 1880 he was married to Miss Julia Dean, daughter of Daniel Dean, Esq., all of this county.
James M. McCann, sheriff, Xenia, was born in this city, August 29, 1841. His father, Wilson B., was born in Virginia, October 4, 1811, and came to Ohio in 1833. His mother, Catharine (Williams) McCann, was born in this city, December 29, 1812. They were married August 13, 1835, in this city, and have a family of three children, two daughters and one son, our subject, who is the young- est of the family. The daughters were Cassander, the eldest, and Cinderella, who died December 19, 1879. James received his edu- cation in this city, and his youth was spent on a farm near here. He is a painter by trade, which he followed several years. He was among the very first troops called out for the three months' service, and re-enlisted for three years, serving that time, and re-enlisted again, as a veteran, for three years more, or during the war, serving four years and four months, and for his valor as a soldier, was promoted from a private to first lieutenant, and then to captain of the company. He went out in Company B, Seventy-Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Is now sheriff of this county, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for several years. He was married, December 7, 1870, to Miss Luella Hatch, daughter of Ebenezer and Lydia Hatch. She has borne him two children, John G. and Katie May, the son seven, and the daughter five years
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