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 54

Author: Dills, R. S. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Dayton : Odell & Mayer
Number of Pages: 1034

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 54

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Robert Ervin, milling and grain dealer, Cedarville, was born in Monroe County, Indiana, near Bloomington, September 10, 1848, and passed the early part of his life on a farm, receiving the rudi- ments of his education in the common district schools. In the spring of 1877 he removed to this county, and engaged in business for his brother a period of about ten months. Being favorably impressed with this county and its people, he returned to Indiana and sold the greater portion of his property, after which he settled in this place to make it his permanent home. He is the son of Charles and Jane (Smith) Ervin. His father was born in Ireland and his mother in South Carolina. They emigrated with their parents to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1830, and married, December 21, 1833. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are now living: John M., D. S., Nancy, Margaret, Jennie, and Robert. Our subject is recognized as one of the leading business men of the town. Is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and a strict, conscientious, Christian man.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

John F. Frazier, merchant, Cedarville, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and is a son of Andrew and Ann (Adair) Frazier. His father was born in County Downs, and his mother in County Antrum, Ireland. In County Downs they were married, and about 1805 immigrated to America, landing in Phila- delphia during the great plague. The morning following their arrival, they hurriedly left the city, leaving their baggage aboard ship, which they never got. They located in Fayette County, and lived there till 1817, when they moved to Adams County, Ohio, and three years later removed to Brown County, where they died; he in 1823, aged forty-five, and his wife in 1844, aged sixty-six or sixty-seven years. Nine children were born to them, five of whom are living; Jane, Eliza, Lavina, Rebecca, and John F. The de- ceased were Hugh, William, James A., and Esther. James A. was a missionary in the United Presbyterian Church, and was stationed in Damascus, Syria, where he labored from 1851 till his death, in 1863, with the exception of two or three years he passed at home. His daughter Mary is a teacher in the mission schools of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church in Egypt. Mr. Frazier was reared on the farm till fifteen years old, when he was apprenticed to learn the tanning and shoe-making business, in Russellville, Brown County Ohio, where he labored for two years and a half, then worked at various points, at journeyman's work, and finally purchased a tan- yard in Decatur, Ohio, to which he gave his attention eleven years, after which he sold out, and in 1847 located in Cedarville, and em- barked in the mercantile business, in which he is yet engaged. He has been married four times; first, to Sarah Kelley, in November, 1833, by whom he had three children, Andrew S., Margaret J., and James K. Mrs. Frazier died in 1847, aged thirty-two years. Sec- ondly, to Ann E. Mccullough, in February, 1849. She departed this life, August 1, 1849, aged twenty-seven years. Thirdly, to Eliza V. Dille, in March, 1851, by whom he had four children, Flora, William S., Mary A., and Johanna. Mrs. Frazier died in the fall of 1861, aged thirty-eight years. His fourth and last mar- riage was celebrated in 1866, with Nancy -, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had one child, John HI. Mrs. Frazier died in 1869, aged forty-two years. In politics he is strongly Republican, alivays voting with that party upon all questions at issue. Has been treas- urer of the township eleven years, and has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church since twenty-one years of age. His

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first vote, for W. H. Harrison, was not deposited, yet he held a contrary ballot on the opposite side. In 1844 he voted for Birney.

Robert Gray, grocer, Cedarville, was born in Covington, Ken- tucky, in the year 1844. The early part of his business life was spent in traveling for Kimball, Aikman & Co., of Indianapolis, and Henry Hammond & Co., of Cincinnati. He has been a commercial traveler for seventeen years. Came to this place, August 11, 1879, and commenced his present business, which he has carried on suc- cessfully until the present time, keeping in stock almost everything" that can be found in a first-class grocery store. He is the son of John and Jane Gray, who were natives of the North of Ireland. His father was born December 25, 1798, and his mother October 5, 1802. Robert, the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1870, to Miss Belle Dempsey. They have one daughter, Daisy E .; are members of the Presbyterian Church, and we recognize in Mr. Gray one of the leading business men of the town in which he · lives.

George W. Harper, farmer and stock raiser, Cedarville, was born in this county, May 30, 1825. Is a son of Thomas and Mary (Sir- lotte) Harper, who were born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, the name of which place originated from the same family of Harpers. They came to this county about the year 1812, and are numbered among the earliest settlers of the same. Mr. Harper grew to be one of the wealthiest farmers, and departed this life, January 8, 1878, aged eighty-two years. His wife, Mary S. Harper, died April 6, 1873. George, the subject of this sketch, spent the early part of his life at home, with his parents. At the age of eighteen he commenced business for himself, dealing in cattle in Illinois, and has remained in that business until the present time. He was educated in the common schools, except one year, when he attended Thomas Steele's select school. He was married, in the year 1860, to Vinnie Murray, daughter of George and Vinnie (Morris) Murray. We are pleased to record George as one of, if not the largest, land owners now in the county, owning eleven hundred acres at the present time, and has about completed the handsomest dwelling now in Cedarville.

James Jeffreys, furniture manufacturer, Cedarville, was born in Greenville County, Virginia, January 30, 1821. Is the son of Silas and Susan (Pruit) Jeffreys. Silas was a descendant of the Catawba tribe of Indians. James was married, September 7, 1852, to Miss Nancy Wooten, who bore him six children, three of whom are now

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

living, Salathiel A., Elmer, and Emma. His first wife dying, he again, January 24, 1865, married Elizabeth Crone, daughter of Levi and Margaret Crone, natives of Virginia. Three children were born by the last marriage, U. H., W. O., and Ernest. James is the senior member of the Jeffreys Furniture Manufacturing Com- pany, salesroom, No. 9 Greene Street, Xenia, where can be found the latest patterns in furniture.

Mason Jeffreys, furniture manufacturer, Cedarville, was born in Cedarville, September 8, 1835, and is the son of Uriah and Caroline Jeffreys, who were born in North Carolina, and came to this coun- ty about the year 1830. Uriah was a descendant of the tribe of Catawba Indians. Mason, the subject of this sketch, remained at home with his parents until he reached his majority, receiving his education in the common district schools. In 1860, he married Miss Johanna A. Heithcook, daughter of Decatur and' Emeline Heithcook. Three children have been born to them, two of which are now living, John R. and Freddie.

William Kyle, farmer, Cedarville, was born on the farm now known as the Mardock Place, August 27, 1821, and is the son of Samuel and Rachel (Jackson) Kyle, of whom mention is made in another part of this work. Received the rudiments of his educa- tion in a log school house, that stood not far from where the Oak Grove House now stands. At the age of twenty-four, he married Rachel Cherry, daughter of James and Elizabeth Cherry, natives of Virginia. He is the father of nine children, all living. Are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Janes Kyle, retired farmer, Cedarville, was born in this town- ship, November 8, 1819. Is the son of Samuel and Rachel (Jack- son) Kyle. Samuel was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and emigrated, with his parents, to near Cynthiana, Kentucky, and was married at about the age of twenty-three, to Miss Mitchell. Six children were born to them. She departed this life about the year 1813. Again, in 1815, Samuel married Miss Rachel Jackson. Fif- teen children were borne by this marriage, ten of whom are now living. James, the subject of this sketch, was the tenth child, and remained in the family until the age of twenty-five, when he mar- ried Jane Parks. She died one year after, and in nine years from her death he married Miss Maria Tarbox. They have but two children, John M. and Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle are both members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are living on a farm of one hundred and four acres, pleasantly located.

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CEDARVILLE TOWNSHIP.

J. W. McFarland, farmer, Cedarville, was born on the farm where he now lives, January 15, 1846. Is the son of G. C. and Evaline (Hicks) McFarland. Received an early education in the district schools, and remained at home with his parents until July 1, 1863, when he enlisted in the naval service, and was a seaman on the gunboats Victory and Benton, plying the Ohio, Mississippi, Cum- berland, Red Rivers, and was engaged in a number of skirmishes. He was mustered out of the service, August 28, 1865. December. 20, 1877, was married to Mattie Marshall, daughter of Hugh and Mary Meeny Marshall, natives of Ireland. Arthur H. McFarland, deceased, and brother of our subject, was born in this township, September 10, 1843, and was much beloved by all who knew him, as a model young man. He enlisted in the Seventieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service but three months, when he returned home on furlough, and died shortly after, Janu- ary 26, 1862, of typhoid fever.

Samuel K. Mitchell, lumber dealer, Cedarville, was born in Xenia Township, June 20, 1822, and is the thirteenth son of James and Martha (Espy) Mitchell, who were born in Pennsylvania, and when yet young, went with their parents to Kentucky in a very early day. Grandfather David Mitchell erected the first cabin on the present site of Lexington, Kentucky. They remained here some years, when, on account of slavery, he sold out about the year 1800, came to this county, and settled near Bellbrook, where they resid- ed some years, being one of the first settlers in that locality. From here he removed to Clark's Run, north of Xenia, where he made a permanent home, and died in 1848, his wife dying in Xenia, Sep- tember 1, 1865, aged eighty-eight years. Mr. Mitchell, sen., was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he contracted sciatic pains, which made him a great sufferer, and incapacitated him from doing manual labor. They were parents of thirteen children, four of whom are living: Margaret, Thomas, Robert, and our subject. The deceased were David, James E., Eliza, Ann, Josiah, Martha, Sarah, Francis P., and Maria. They all grew to manhood and womanhood. Francis P. was a physician, and died of yellow fever, in New Orleans. Mr. Mitchell and his wife were mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was an active and zealous worker. . Politically, he was an Abolitionist, and in the exciting times of 1844, was one of the three or four men in Xenia Township who voted for James G. Birney, anti-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

slavery candidate for the presidency. Mr. Mitchell was reared on the farm, on which he lived till thirty-one years of age. In 1842 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob MeFarland, who has borne him three children, James J., Anna, and William M. In the spring of 1854 he abandoned the farm, went to Cincinnati, and engaged in the grocery business for three years, when, in the fall of 1857, he came to Cedarville, and soon after embarked in the lumber business, in which he is yet engaged, having a branch yard at Yellow Springs, which is under the management of his son James. Mr. Mitchell and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which they were raised. He is a ruling elder in the church, an office he has held since 1855.

Jacob Miller, farmer, Cedarville, is, we are pleased to record, one of the oldest settlers now living in Cedarville Township. He was born January 9, 1799, not far from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and immigrated to this county, with his mother, in 1809, a part of the journey being made with one small horse, which carried the greater portion of their goods. They found this county a wild and deso- late wilderness. He has seen the vast forests disappear, and beau- tiful fields of grain take their place. His mother was a poor widow, with seven small children, and the hardships they endured for the first few years were simply heartrending. The younger children were compelled to hunt and trap small game, while the older ones endeavored to break the ground as best they could, to raise small lots of potatoes, corn, and pumpkins, and thus they toiled on for some years. At the age of thirteen, Jacob left home, and went to live with one of the neighbors until he reached the age of twenty- one, in consideration of which he received one hundred dollars, and a horse, saddle, and bridle, after which he rented the same farm on which he had remained for eight years, and cared for the family until he was married, about the year 1825, to Margaret Mcclellan. Three children were born to them. William died at the age of fourteen, and the other two are now living. After forty years of married life had been spent, his wife died, and again, October 15, 1874, he married Eliza Rodgers. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and he is a Baptist, and a strict temperance man all his life.

John Orr, retired, Cedarville. The above gentleman is one of the oldest living settlers in this township. He was born in South Carolina April 6, 1795. He is a son of John and Rosana Orr, who

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were born in Ireland, where they were married, and in 1783 emi- grated to America, settling in Chester County, South Carolina, in which they lived forty years, when they moved to Gibson County, Indiana, -he walking the entire distance when he was in the eighty-first year of his age. Here they lived till their decease : he in 1833, aged eighty-three years; she in 1838, eighty-four years. They were parents of five sons and three daughters, of whom only our subject survives. The boyhood of our subject was passed in. South Carolina, on the farm where he was born, living thereon until thirty-five years of age. He received his education through the teaching of his father, who was a highly educated man. In his native state he was married to Genet B., daughter of John McMillan, and after two children were born to them, emigrated to Indiana, where he built a log house for his father, after which he visited Illinois, and upon his return, came to Greene County in 1831, locating in Xenia. In March, 1833, he came to Cedarville and erected the first frame house ever built on a town lot in the village. He cleared most of the ground on which the town stands. He kept the first store in the place, having a stock of goods in his dwelling, from which he supplied the wants of the settlers. In 1840 he built the house which he and his son occupied as a dry goods and clothing store. His fair dealing and popular business habits, have always won the confidence and esteem of the people. He has never been a political aspirant. A Republican in politics, a lover of his country, a respecter of human rights, and a champion of any cause that tends to develop the happiness and well-being of humanity. In the war of 1812 he served six months in Captain Chestnut's company of Colonel Meens' regular South Carolina militia, and is on the pension rolls of the Government as one of the survivors of that war. To Mr. and Mrs. Orr nine children were born, five of whom are living - Martha, Rosana, Elizabeth, Adassa, and James; the deceased are Genet, Mary A., John R., and Cam- meron. He has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church during a great portion of his life, and a ruling elder since 1822. He is the author of a book entitled, "Some Thoughts on the Book of Revelations," which was edited in 1876.

James W. Pollock, farmer, Cedarville, born in Logan County, Ohio, January 12, 1841, is the son of John and Jane (Elder) Pol- lock. James, subject of this sketch, spent the earlier part of his life at home with his parents. July, 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the hardship of an unusual career of a soldier's life commenced; was mustered into the service at Columbus. Soon after his enlistment his regiment chased John Morgan on his raid, until he was captured, after which he had his horse, a great favorite, shot from under him, near Knox- ville, Tennessee, and taken prisoner, with a number of his comrades, on the 19th of October, 1863. He was incarcerated in the following prisons : Atlanta, Georgia; Bell Island, Libby and Anderson- ville; in the latter place he remained for six months, suffering all the horrors of a prison life. He also had experiences in Millen, Charleston, and Florence prisons. Sixteen of his comrades, that were taken prisoners with him, perished in Andersonville, he being the only one that survived the hardships of that awful place. He witnessed the hanging of six Union soldiers, in prison, by their own men, for murdering and robbing their own comrades. He weighed one hundred and seventy pounds when captured, and has not weighed to exceed one hundred and forty any time since; still, Mr. Pollock does not draw a pension, and has not asked for one. November 4, 1870, the subject of this sketch married Miss Nettie Anderson, daughter of Samuel and Jane Anderson, by which union three children are now living- Edith, Jennie, and Junia. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Smith, farmer, Cedarville, born in Clarke County, on the Little Miami River, December 30, 1827, is the son of Seth and Deborah (Wildman) Smith. Seth was born July 11, 1798, and was the son of Seth Smith, sen .; he was born in Virginia, May 19, 1761, and departed this life April 1, 1837, aged seventy-five years. Samuel, the gentleman's name who heads this sketch, spent the early part of his life on the farm with his parents; afterwards re- moved to the farm where he now lives. Married June 1, 1869, Miss Esther J. Cook, daughter of Marcalus Cook, by which union four children have been born, three of which are now living. The family are all members of the Friends Society.

Dr. J. M. Stewart, physician and surgeon, Cedarville, was born in York District, South Carolina, and immigrated to this county with his parents in an early day, locating three and one-half miles east of Xenia. Receiving the rudiments of an education in the common district schools, he then attended Rev. Hugh McMillan's Academy, at Xenia ; also a select class in mathematics, after which he commenced life for himself, as a school teacher, following that

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profession for eight years, and again taking up the study of medi- cine with Dr. Martin, of Xenia, commencing his practice at Cedar- ville, in the year 1846, where he has remained until the present day. The Doctor was married in the year 1848 to Rosanna Orr, daughter of John Orr, sr., whose biography appears in this work. They have five children, all of whom are living - Martha D. (now Mrs. Ustick), Samuel L., John O., Jewett R., and Mary L. The subject of this sketch and his wife have long been members of the . Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are strong advocates of the temperance cause.

James C. Stormont, deceased, Cedarville, was born July 13, 1831, in Chester District, South Carolina ; immigrated to this county, with his parents, when but a child; was educated in the district schools, remaining on the farm, with his parents, until the age of twenty-two years; then taught schools in the neighborhood where he lived, for a period of eight years. Was married March 24, 1857, to Agnes McQuiston ; she dying, he was again married, December 24, 1861, to Miss Jennie Bradfute, daughter of John and Eliza (Laughead) Bradfute. James, the subject of our sketch, was the son of John and Esther (McMillen) Stormont, a member of the Reformed Baptist Church, departing this life October 23, 1877. The people in the county in which he lived felt the loss of a valuable man and good citizen.

Samuel N. Tarbox, saw-mill, Cedarville, was born near Port- land, Maine, December 3, 1821, is the son of John and Lucy (Merrill) Tarbox. Samuel, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, immigrated to this county in 1848, and married in about three years afterwards to Ruth L. Jackson, daughter of David and Nancy (Nichol) Jackson, who bore him five children, now living- Frank T., T. H., Harry L., David N., and Eliza O. Mr. Tarbox and his wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church.

James E. Townsley, farmer, and livery, born in this township, April 30, 1824. He is a son of Alexander and Margaret Townsley, who were born in Pennsylvania-Alexander in 1788, and Margaret in 1785. Alexander's parents emigrated to Cynthiana, Kentucky, shortly after his birth, and in 1801 came to this county. Alexander departed this life in 1870. His wife still survives him, is now in her eighty-sixth year, and one among a few of the early settlers re- maining to tell us of the hardships of this country when it was a wilderness. James, whose name appears at the head of this sketch,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

received his education in the common district schools, and remain- ed with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-seven, when he went to Iowa, and started in life for himself as a farmer in that then far-off country. Remaining in that state for thirteen years, he returned to this county, and embarked in the grocery business. IIe followed that branch of trade for a number of years with suc- cess. In the year 1851, he married Sarah A. Ferce, of Washington County, Iowa. She died in April, 1853. But one child was born by this marriage, Ira B., who also died at the age of two and one- half years. Again, April, 1857, he married Margaret A. Dalzell, daughter of John and Letitia Dalzell. Four children have been born by this marriage, only one of which is now living. The names of the deceased are Orrell, Clara B., and Bertty. John D. is living with his parents, aged eighteen.

Alexander Turnbull, farmer and stock raiser, Cedarville, was born in this county, February 24, 1838, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kyle) Turnbull, of whom mention is made in other parts of this work. Alexander spent the early part of his life on the farm, with his parents. In the year 1861 he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regiment for two years, passing through a number of engagements, during which time he was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run. In Decem- ber, 1863, he was married to Sarah J. Barber, daughter of John and Sarah Barber. Five children have been born to them, all of whom are now living.

S. K. Turnbull, farmer and stock raiser, Cedarville, was born in this county, on the farm where he now lives, August 19, 1829. Is the son of John and Margaret (Kyle) Turnbull, who are mentioned among the pioneers of this county. Our subject received his edu- cation in the common schools. The house was a log cabin, with pole benches for seats, so common with all schools of those days. In 1857, he was married to Catharine Hanston, daughter of John Hanston, a native of Ireland. Both himself and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have four children, all of whom are now living.

John Turnbull, farmer; Cedarville, was born near Nashville, Ten- nessee, February 17, 1801, and came with his parents to Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, at the age of nine years, riding ou horseback the entire distance. Soon after the family arrived in Ohio, he was sent, with an older brother, to Xenia Township, to cut

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CEDARVILLE TOWNSHIP.

brush and clear a small piece of ground, for the purpose of open- ing up a new farm. The remainder of the family joined them in 1815, where they made a permanent home. The subject of this sketch has been a man of great physical endurance, having been known to cut and make six hundred rails in two days, and we found him an active, energetic man at the age of eighty years. He was married, February 21, 1824, to Margaret Kyle, daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Mitchell) Kyle, whose names appear in a number of places in this work. Again, in 1855, he was married to Margaret J. Allen, daughter of Hugh and Catharine Allen, and is the father of nineteen children, cleven of whom are now living.

S. K. Williamson, farmer, Cedarville, was born near Jamestown, this county, October 26, 1846. Is the son of John S. and Jane (Kyle) Williamson. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in this county. Our subject was married, in November, 1872, to Miss Isabel Collins, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (McClellan) Collins, natives of York County, Pennsylvania. Four children have been born by this union, two of whom are now liv- ing, E. C. and Ella R. The deceased are George S., infant, and John Clarence. His wife and himself are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Xenia.

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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 54

Author: Dills, R. S. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Dayton : Odell & Mayer Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Dills, R. S. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Dayton : Odell & Mayer
Number of Pages: 1034