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 56
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east of this section. In 1810 Adam Swadner came from Maryland, and entered one hundred and fifty acres of land in section 16 (3. 7.), and built the present residence of his son, Jacob Swadner. He was granted this land for a period of fifteen years for the improve- ments, which he was to put on it, consisting of the log house now occupied by Jacob Swadner, and a log barn. He was a shoe-maker and general mechanic, thus making himself generally useful in the new settlement.
In the year 1815, John Kinney settled the land on which Isaac Swadner now lives-southwest section 10 (3.7). Among the carly settlers of this locality, at this time, were Philip Morningstar, who had erected his cabin where George Wolf now lives-northeast section 9 (3.7) ; George Morningstar, on the farm now owned by John B. Stine-southwest, section 9 (3.7), his cabin standing on the site of the present farm residence. He afterward removed to the farm now owned by John Haines-northeast, section 13 (3.7).
Joseph Palmer first settled the farm of William Miller, which joins Beaver Station on the north. Gray lived for many years on the farm of Samuel Andrews-southeast, section 8 (3.7). These cabins formed the outline, or nucleus, around which the car- liest settlements of this township were originally made.
CEMETERIES.
There is no "cemetery association " controlling burying-grounds in this township, but the many churches all have cemetery grounds attached, and in these places the interments are mostly made. The first burial place in this township is on the corner of Jacob Coy's farm, west of Alpha, where the Shakertown and Zimmer- manville roads cross, but only a few time-worn tombstones now re- main to mark the spot. On the farm of B. F. Darst, next to Mount Zion Church, is located a grave-yard, which was donated to the public for a free burying-ground. This yard is kept in good re- pair, and is, in every way, a respectable place for interment.
VILLAGES.
Alpha is the largest village within the bounds of the township, and takes its name from its situation near the site of the first mill in the county, and near the first settlement of the township (from
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alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet). It is situated in the southeast part of the township, on the line of railroads, as before mentioned, and has a population of nearly two hundred. The main street, being the only one, crosses the railroads, running almost north and south, on which the principal residences and business houses are located. It has at present one dry-goods store, grocery, and post-office, one Methodist Protestant Church, one flour-mill, one saw-mill, one saloon, one blacksmith shop, one butcher shop, and one doctor's office. Among the prominent citizens are Jacob Harbine, Lewis Craig, Dr. Hagenbaugh, Eli Kershner, and Samuel Leonard. Hon. John M. Miller, a former resident of this place, was elected to the United States Congress, in 1861, but died before taking his seat in that body. The village did not begin to assume any degree of progress until the railroad was built, in 1853, but at this time it is related that quite a rivalry began among the citizens of the community, as to who should put up the first house in the new town. Enoch Needles and Bain Dice each began to erect their houses. Needles, at this time, began the house now occupied by William Wardle, across the railroad from the present dry- goods store, and Dice, at the same time, began his house just oppo- site. The contest was an exciting one; and though Mr. Needles succeeded in getting the frame of his house up first, such was the hurry in the construction, that it fell down the same night, thereby giving Dice the opportunity of declaring that his was the first house built in the town of Alpha. Enoch Needles kept the first dry- goods store in the above house.
Zimmermanville is a closely settled neighborhood on the Dayton and Xenia pike, about two miles northwest of Alpha, the cross- ing of the Bellbrook and Fairfield road with the above, making the only street. It has at present one school house, one German Bap- tist (Dunker) Church, one grocery, and about forty houses. The first house built here was erected on the southeast corner of the cross-roads, for Jacob Zimmerman, after whom the village takes its name. In this house, which is still standing, the first grocery was kept by Mr. Zimmerman. He also kept a house for entertainment of travelers. The next house was built just across the Dayton pike, by Samuel Tobias, and is remembered as one of the first voting places in this neighborhood.
Beaver Station, is situated in the southeastern part of the town- ship, on the Dayton and Xenia, and the Dayton, and Southeastern,
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*
Railroads, and is known as the location of the flour mill, and dis- tillery of F. C Trebein. It has one grocery, and several dwelling houses.
Germany is a small collection of houses in the extreme north- western part of the township, on the Harshmanville road, and at pre- sent, has a school-house, grocery, and blacksmith shop.
HOMICIDES.
On the night of the 22d of October, 1872, at about eight o'clock, John William Fogwell, (or properly Faulkwell,) was assassinated by William Richison, on the road about one mile north of Beaver Station. The victim was returning to his home from Dayton, when he was fired upon by the assassin, who was secreted in a corner of the fence. The weapon was a shot-gun, loaded with balls. The flash of the gun revealed the face of the assassin, and he was recognized by the murdered man, who lived long enough to tell the name of his murderer. Richison was arrested, and at his trial, evidence was brought which fastened the guilt of the crime upon him: besides the evidence of the victim-which was strengthened by evidence of experts, who demonstrated by experiments, the possibility of the accuracy of his statement-the paper used for the wadding of the shot-gun, was found to correspond with pieces of torn paper found in the assassin's own house. He was found guilty on his first trial, but for some reason, was granted a second trial, and was again declared guilty, and was sentenced to death by hanging. But before the day fixed for his execution arrived, he committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell, in the Xenia jail. He was buried in his own door-yard, in a lone and unmarked grave, near the scene of the tragedy.
On the night of the 7th day of September, 1872, Jesse Curry was shot, and killed by a revolver, in the hands of Jack Davidson. They were coming home from a dance near Zimmermanville, on the road northwest of Alpha. Davidson was convicted, and sen- tenced to a life term in the penitentiary, but was pardoned by Governor R. M. Bishop.
INCIDENTS.
On the farm now belonging to John Allen, just southwest of Beaver Station, was a large body of standing water, known as
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Pinkney Pond. To this pond, the deer, and other wild animals, would go at night for water, and it was the custom of the early settlers to go there on hunting expeditions. One night, John and Samuel Morningstar went out on this pond in a canoe, with their guns, and a large torch. Proceeding slowly along the banks, they suddenly came upon a large buck standing at the edge of the water. The blinding light of the torch, seemed to petrify the animal with fright, and the sudden appearance of such large game, gave the boys a genuine attack of what is known among hunters as " buck- ague." However, the boys recovered, and shot the deer, when it bounded directly into the boat, capsized the hunters, and a long struggle took place in the water, which finally ended, when the boys succeeded in dispatching the deer. This is related as one of the exploits on the famous Pinkney Pond.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
David Ankeney, retired farmer, Byron, was born, June 8, 1831, near Alpha, and is the son of David and Elizabeth Ankeney, who were born in Washington County, Maryland, where they were reared, and after reaching their majority were married. They im- migrated to Ohio in 1830, locating near Xenia, and soon after pur- chased the farm on which Albert Ankeney now lives, near Alpha, making it their permanent home. The land purchased was only partially cleared, and had a small log house, in which our subject was born. He only lived a short time after settling here, dying very suddenly, while in his chair at supper, November 2, 1830, from a paralytic stroke, aged forty-two years. His wife survived him until December 23, 1851, aged thirty-two years. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Mary (Mrs. John Steel), Sarah, Margaret (Mrs. Rev. George Long, of Indianapo- lis), John, Nelson, Jacob, and David. The deceased are Samuel, Henry, and Martha (Mrs. Shank). His father and mother were members of the German Reformed Church until their death. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, receiving his edu- cation in the district school. Soon after twenty-one years of age, he began life for himself, and was married, August 27, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Varner, a native of Maryland, and subsequently a citizen of this county, now deceased. After mar- riage he located in Alpha, and after residing here for upward of
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twenty years, purchased a farm of two hundred and ten acres, where he now resides. He owns, in the aggregate, two hundred and forty- four acres of land, which is mostly in a high state of cultivation, and tastefully improved, making one of the most desirable locations in the township. Several years afterward he closed active labor, and sought the quiet of retirement. His well-tilled and productive farm furnishes a handsome income. Jacob was a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-Fourth Ohio National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of service. Two children have been born to them, Alice E. and Edward H. Politically, Mr. Ankeney is a strong Republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont.
Henry Ankeney, deceased, was born in Washington County, Maryland, February 17, 1813, and was a son of David and Eliza- beth Ankeney, with whom he came to Ohio when a young man. In 1837 he was married to Margaret, daughter of Henry Shank, whose history appears in this work. After their marriage, they took up their residence in Bath Township, near Yellow Springs, where they lived about twenty years. In 1863, he moved to the land where his widow now resides, near Alpha, and made a per- manent home. He died, March 7, 1880, aged sixty-seven years, leaving his aged wife a farm of sixty-two acres, highly improved, making a comfortable home for her. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, with which he had been connected for many years. He was an exemplary man, and his death was regret- ted by all who knew him. They had two children, John H. and Orange. Mrs. Ankeney was born in this county, February 13, 1817, and has been a member of the Lutheran Church since girlhood.
Henry Ankeney, farmer, deceased, was born near Byron, on the place where his wife and children now reside, in the year 1823, and was a son of Henry and Esther Ankeney. His boyhood was passed on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and working for his father until over twenty-one years of age. In 1850 he was married to Evaline, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Marley) Greene, by whom he had eight children, seven living: Margaret, Harriet E., George W., Sarah E., Johanna, Ruth, and Marcellus N., deceased. After their marriage they located on the present farm, and after five years went to Mahaska County, Iowa, where they resided four years, and then returned, that he might be near his aged father. His farm consisted of one hundred and sixty-
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eight acres, on which he resided till his death, December 11, 1879. He was much beloved and respected, and his death was universally regretted. Mrs. Ankeney was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, in the year 1823, and when two years old, came with her parents to Ohio, and settled in Licking County, making the journey in a cart, with eight children. They afterward came to this county, and lo- cated in this township, where they lived till their death at the age of seventy-six years. To them thirteen children were born. Mrs. Ankeney is a member of the German Reformed Church, which she joined at the age of seventeen.
Thomas Bigger, retired farmer, was born in Kentucky, in 1792. Is a son of John and Mary Bigger. His father was born in Ire- land, and his mother in Pennsylvania, where they were married, and afterward removed to Kentucky. In 1806 they removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, and were among the pioneers of that county, in which they lived and died. They were parents of ten children, four of whom are living, Joseph, Mary, James, and Thomas. The former lives in Xenia, and James on the home farm' in Montgomery County. The deceased are Hugh, Rebecca, Han- nah, Sarah; William, and John. Mr. and Mrs. Bigger lived to a good old age, he dying upward of forty years ago, and she about twenty years since. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and received a common school education in the district schools. He has been thrice married; first, with Hannah Snow- den, by whom he had two children, Samuel and Maria, now Mrs. Thomas White. His second marriage was celebrated with Catha- rine (Conaver) Bradford, who bore him one child, John B. His third and last marriage was consummated with Elizabeth (Cunning- ham) Dallas, by whom he has had three children, two of whom are living, Samuel, Elizabeth, and James, deceased. About the year 1856, he came to the place where he now lives, and is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of fine land, which is highly im- proved, making a beautiful and comfortable place, in which he and his aged wife may end their declining years. They are both mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, to which they have been connected for many years, he having been a ruling elder for more than half a century, and has always taken much interest in matters pertaining to religion ; and though we find them far down the hill, toward the setting sun of life, both are reconciled to the will of their Master, and are patiently awaiting his summons. His de-
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ceased wives were also members of the same church, as also are his children, which is a source of gratification to their aged parents. Officially, he has served the people in his township as clerk, etc. In politics he is a Republican, and during his long life has upheld the principles of that party by influence and ballot. His father left the South when the shadow and curse of slavery be- gan to darken that fair land, and sought an asylum in the free states, to be away from its taint and accursed influence. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and did all in his power to hasten the free- dom of the unfortunate and down-trodden blacks. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which both, after a long and useful life, passed away as bulwarks. By his mar- riage with his last wife, he had two children, Dinsmore and Martha.
Samuel Brown, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, November 17, 1816, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Brown, who were born in the same state, in which they were married and lived until 1824, when they immigrated to Ohio, locating near Bellbrook, where they made a permanent home, and died at advanced ages. They had seven children, five of whom are living: Anthony, Abraham, George, Adam, and Samuel. The deceased were Catharine and Mary. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and exemplary Christians, their death being regretted by all. Our subject was reared on the farm; was eight years old when he came to Ohio, and thus early in life became an auxiliary in the labor of the farm, and remained with his father until of age, when he began life for himself. He engaged in job chopping, a work in which he took great delight, and old as he is, can swing an ax with much of his youthful vigor. February 11, 1840, he was married to Eva Snypp, who bore him six children, four of whom are living: Chris- tina, Jacob, Marcellus, and Franklin. The deceased are George and Mary. Mrs. Brown died in 1856. She was a member of the Reformed Church. His second marriage was celebrated with Char- lotte (Clark) Sellers, August 28, 1856. She has borne him three children, Charles A., Benjamin H., and Charlotte F. In 1840 he came to where he now lives. He is one of the men of this county who had a full share in bringing about its present almost perfect state of perfection. Is self-made, beginning life without means, and from his first eighteen months' labor with an ax, saved $200, which was the nucleus of his present large property. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church, he joining
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
when first married, and both take munch interest in religions mat- ters. Her parents, Benjamin and Elizabath Clark, came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Clarke County, where her father died. Her mother departed this life in Montgomery County, aged thirty- five years. Her father was born in England, and they were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and parents of four children, two living: Benjamin and Charlotte. The deceased are Rachel and Samuel. Mrs. Bigger had five children by her first husband (Mr. Sellers), three of whom are living: Henry. Scott, and Elizabeth. The deceased are Zachariah T. and Anna. Henry was a member of Company E, Seventy-Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting at the beginning of the war, and serving until the close. He was twice wounded, once severely through the right arm. Scott was a member of the same regiment.
John Burrows, deceased, was born in Maryland, in the year 1800. He was the son of William and Priscilla Burrows, who immigrated to Ohio in 1810, and in 1814 located on land where Sarah Burrows now resides. Here a permanent home was made, then land was cleared up and improved, and, in the course of human events, be- came one of the pleasant places in the township. Grandfather William Burrows died in 1827 or 1828, aged about sixty-one years. Priscilla, his wife, departed this life some six years afterwards. They were parents of fourteen children, six living, viz: Martha J., Sarah, Anineta, Margaret, Richard, and Joseph. John Burrows was married to Eliza Davis in 1837, by whom he had five children, of whom only one, Sarah, is living; the deceased are William C., Nelson D., Matilda, Mrs. Fogle, and Mary T. On the land settled by his father, he made a life-long place of residence, and at his death left one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. He died in 1870, aged seventy years. His wife preceded him to her last rest- ing place in 1864, aged fifty-three years. She was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church till her death. Nelson was a member of Company D, Twenty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in the begining of the war, August 31, 1861. He saw much active service, and passed through many of the hard-fought battles of the war, and after his return home, died of wounds contracted while in the service of his country.
Jacob Coy, retired farmer, Alpha, is the oldest living settler in this township. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1792, being a son of Jacob and Susana Coy, who were born in Ger-
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many. They, with their parents, came to America when yet young, and while on the voyage, Jacob's parents died and were buried in mid-ocean. Their effects were confiscated by the ship's crew, and their children, seven in number, were thrown upon the shores of a new world penniless, in consequence of which they were sold to pay transportation. He (Jacob) was eighteen years old at the time, and * labored six years for a Pennsylvania planter to free himself and younger brothers and sisters. He afterwards located in Maryland, where he was married, and lived a number of years, accumulating three hundred and fifty acres of land. When married he borrowed the money to cover necessary expenses. In 1800 he immigrated to Ohio, coming down the river to Cincinnati, where he stopped two months. Then there were only sixteen low log cabins in the place. He was importuned to stay, but pushed his way by team and wagon to Greene County; their way was cut through the woods in ad- vance of the teams, and were eight days in coming. He purchased three thousand acres of land, all in a body, and erected a small log cabin, into which he moved his family. Two kegs of nails used in the erection of the cabin, were brought from Cincinnati on horse- back, by young Jacob, our subject, for which twelve and one-half cents per pound were paid. Here Jacob Coy, sen., lived and died, his death occurring in 1835 or 1836, at the age of ninety-three years. His wife died about 1840, aged eighty-three years. They were parents of twelve children, all dead except Jacob, who was the youngest. They were members of the German Reformed Church of many years standing. Jacob was eight years old when his parents landed in Ohio, and distinctly remembers counting the houses in Cincinnati, and says he has gathered hazel-nuts where the city of Dayton stands. He has seen many hardships, and often working till midnight in burning brush; he has hauled flour from Cincinnati for $2.50 per barrel; wheat was sold for twenty-five cents per bushel, corn ten cents, coffee seventy-five cents per pound, and of the latter, three or four pounds did an ordinary family a year. IIe labored on the farm for his father till of age, when he began life for himself, but remained with his aged parents, to whom he was much attached, caring for them while they lived. On the old home farm he has lived four score years, and witnessed all the great changes that have transformed the wilderness to a garden of peace and plenty. In 1813 he was married to Barbara, daughter of Leonard Snypp, who bore him twelve children, five living; Peter,
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Henry, Adam, Leonard, and Susana. The deceased were, Rebecca, Catherine, Sarah, Jacob, -David, Anna, and an infant. Mrs. Coy died in 1859 or 1860. Both were members of the German Re- formed Church, having joined after their marriage. He has served as elder and deacon for twenty years. In politics he is a Republi- ' can, and during his long life has failed but once to cast his ballot for the benefit of that party.
Benjamin F. Darst, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, on the 16th day of Decem- ber, 1838. His ancestors were German. His father, Rev. John Darst, an eminent minister of the German Baptist Church, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, January 1, 1790, came to Day- ton, Ohio, in 1813, and settled in Miami County, Ohio, January 18, 1818, and died June 24, 1875. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Strasburg, after whose family name the city of Strasburg, in Germany, was named, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and came, with her parents, to Ohio in 1818, and now resides near Troy, Miami County, Ohio. Mr. Darst received a fair common school education ; then at the age of sixteen he entered the New Carlisle Academy for two winters, assisting on his father's farm during the summer. Taught school one winter, and then engaged in farming for his father. He was married on the 29th day of March, 1860, to Miss Rebecca Ann Shoup, whose father, Rev. Moses Shoup, of the German Baptist Churelr, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 1st of October, 1793, and came with his parents, George and Charlotte Shoup, to Greene County, Ohio, in the spring of 1805. Her mother came with her parents to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, in 1804, and was joined in marriage to Mr. Shoup in 1818, and died January 11, 1877, having lived together almost sixty years. Mr. Darst removed to Greene County immedi- ately after his marriage, and engaged in farming. He lived with and cared for his wife's parents, who were now in declining years, until their death, and still lives on the old Shoup homestead. The issue of his marriage was four children, three sons and one daugh- ter: John Charles Darst, born May 18, 1861; Moses Darst, born January 8, 1868: Lizzie Darst, born September 4, 1871, and Harry Darst, born April 2, 1877. In the year 1861, when the war broke out, Mr. Darst used his influence and means to encourage enlist- ment to fill the ranks of the Union army, and in the summer of 1863 joined Company D, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Militia, and was
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elected and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his company. In the year 1864, when Governor Brough made a call for one hundred days volunteers, he went with his regiment to Camp Dennison, on the 2d day of May, 1864, and was mustered into the United States service as Second Lieutenant of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Ohio National Guards, under command of Colonel Robert Stevenson; was transferred to New Creek Station, West Virginia, and from thence to Greenland Gap, and was engaged in scouting until July 28, when the regiment was ordered to fall back to New Creek and await the enemy under Johnson and McCaus- land, who attacked us about 2 o'clock P. M., August 4. The engagement was a warm one, and lasted until after dark. The Union forces, under command of Colonel Stevenson, acquitted them- selves bravely, and during this engagement, Lieutenant Darst took an active part. He was always a favorite among his comrades, and his genial, pleasant disposition and social qualties, made him friends of them all. After returning from the service and being mustered out at Camp Dennison, September 1, 1864, his captain, II. B. Guth- erie, died, and Lieutenant Darst was unanimously chosen as captain of his company, which position he held until the war closed, and his regiment was disbanded. He was appointed notary public, is a surveyor and civil engineer. In the spring of 1865 he was elected township trustee for four consecutive years, until he declined serv- ing any longer. He was also for many years a member of the board of education. In 1879 was elected real estate appraiser, and in spring of 1880 appraised all the real estate in Beaver Creek Township; was a delegate to the state conventions when Hon. John Brough and Hon. R. B. Hayes were nominated and subsequently elected governors of the state. In the spring of 1879 he and his estimable wife united with the German Baptist Church, at Zimmer- manville, and he was elected to the ministry the following year, and in that capacity has served the church until the present time, being a faithful minister and a good counsellor in all matters pertaining to the peculiarities of his fraternity. The residence and farm of Mr. Darst are two miles south of Shoups Station or Zimmermanville, on the road leading to Bellbrook, near Mount Zion Church.
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