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 59
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Jacob L. Lantz, farmer, Harshmanville, was born in this town- ship, in 1840, and is a son of John and Catharine Lantz, whose sketch appears in this work. Jacob was reared on the farm, re- ceiving the rudiments of his education in the district schools, which was afterward developed in the high schools of Xenia, in which he fitted himself to teach, under the tutorship of Professor Twitchell.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
For nineteen years he has successfully taught in the schools of this county, and as an educator stands high in the profession. During the above time he has farmed during the summer seasons, owning fifty acres of land, which is well improved. Is trustee of the town- ship, and has held other offices of the same, and has also been a member of the Lutheran Church for ten years, taking much in- terest in religious matters, being a zealous worker in class and Sab- bath-school. Was a member of Company E, Seventy-Fourth Ohio National Guards, enlisting in the spring of 1864; was stationed at New Creek, West Virginia, and was in the engagement which took place there; served his time, and was discharged at Camp Denni- son in September of the same year, and was sergeant of his com- pany.
David Merrick, farmer, Alpha, was born in this township in the year 1820. Is a son of Joseph and Susana Merrick; his father was born in Delaware, October 9, 1779, and Susana Boston, his wife, in Maryland December 25, 1793. They were married in Maryland in 1814, and the following year immigrated to Ohio, locating on land now known as the Boroff farm, where they resided some years, and afterward lived in various places in the township. Mr. Merrick was raised a Methodist, his father, Jolın Merrick, being a minister of that church. Mrs. Merrick was a member of the Lutheran Church, until the day of her death. They were parents of five children, four living: John, Elizabeth, Israel, and David; Mary Ann, deceased, March 10, 1831. Mr. Merrick died March 3, 1857,
aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Merrick departed this life Janu- ary 10, 1873, aged eighty years. She was a great sufferer during a portion of her life, being troubled with a spinal affection which crippled her to a great extent, yet her energy and iron will buoyed her up, and carried her to a remarkable age. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, and he received the rudiments of his education in the common schools, which was afterwards devel- oped in the schools of Dayton, by study at home, by which he fitted himself to teach, a profession he followed for twelve years in the schools of the township. In 1859 he was married to Ann R. Kable, daughter of Samuel Kable, by whom he has had nine chil- dren, seven living: Sarah E., William K., Joseph S., Emma M:, Ellen C., Mattie J., and Benjamin D .; the deceased are Anna R., and an infant. After marriage he located near Shakertown, where he resided till 1865, when he purchased the land on which he now
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lives. He owns one hundred and twenty-five acres, which are well improved. Mrs. Merrick is a member of the German Reformed . Church. David Merrick is one of our self-made men, having begun life without a dollar, and by hard work and good management has built up a good property. Politically he is a Republican, having always given his influence to that party upon all questions at issue. Mrs. Merrick was born in Osborne, Greene County, April 21, 1837.
Frederick Miller, farmer, Dayton, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, August 8, 1820. Is a son of Jacob and Judith Miller,. who were born in the same county in which they resided till their removal to Ohio, in 1834. They located seven miles northwest of Dayton, where they lived a few years, then came to this county, where they lived many years, and until Mrs. Miller's death, which occurred February 5, 1850, aged fifty-three years. Frederick's father survived his wife, and while on a visit to a daughter in Ful- ton County, Illinois, in 1879, was taken sick and died in the eighty-third year of his age. They were parents of nine children, seven living: Frederick, Mary, Margaret, Daniel, John, and Susan; the deceased are Elizabeth and Joseph. The latter was a member of Company E, Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He en- listed in 1862. and in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1863, was shot dead instantly; he fell with his rifle in his hands and his face to the foe. His remains were brought home and in- terred in the family cemetery. A wife and three children were left to mourn his sad death. The boyhood of Frederick was passed in a manner usual to youth, i. e., attending school and performing odd jobs until old enough to do a man's work. About 1844 he was married to Lydia Aley, who has borne him eight children, seven living : Anna, David, Edwin A., Charles, William, Burton, and Oscar; Emma, deceased. He owns one hundred and three acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation and well-improved. Frederick's mother was a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He has been trustee of the township one term, besides holding other local offi- ces. Is a Republican in politics.
William J. Miller, farmer, Beaver Station, was born in Beaver Creek Township in the year 1834, and is the son of James and Sarah Miller. His father was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, in 1807; his mother, Sarah Harner, in this township, and was a daughter of John Harner, whose history appears in this
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work. Mr. Miller, when a young man came with old Mr. Harbein to this county, and followed carpentering. After his marriage with Sarah Harner, he labored on the Harner farm for several years, when he purchased the property on which his son William now lives, making a permanent home here till his death, which occurred in September, 1874, aged sixty-seven years; his wife departed this life March 20, 1870. They were parents of two children, both living, William J. and Sarah J. (now Mrs. Davis). They were members of the Lutheran Church throughout their entire lives. Mrs. Miller having been a member for many years, and her hus- band for several years before his death. Our subject was reared on the farm, laboring thereon for his father till he was twenty-one years of age. Received but a common education in the district schools, as advantages in his time were meagre. His first marriage was celebrated May 19, 1864, with Ann E. Price, by whom he had one child, John G. Mrs. Miller departed this life October 31, 1865, aged twenty-one years. The second marriage was consummated with Sarah E. Steele, August 18, 1868, by whom he has had six children, five living: Jessie F., William L., Clarence O., James A., and Sarah E .; Annie, deceased. Mr. Miller came to the place on which he now resides some forty years ago, and since has had no other place of abode. He owns seventy acres of land, mostly in cultivation' and well-improved. Mr. Miller and wife are members of Christian churches, he belonging to the the Lutheran Church, she to the German Reformed Church, both having been members of their respective churches for many years. His deceased wife was a member of the United Brethren Church. Politically he is a Republican, having always given his influence and ballot to that party upon all questions at issue.
Ira S. Owens was born March 1, 1830, in Greene County, Ohio, two and one-half miles south of Xenia. Was married to Miss' Malinda Middleton, December 13, 1855. Enlisted in the Seventy- Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry October 7, 1861; was finally dis- charged from service July 18, 1865. The following October he removed, with his family, to Putnam County, Indiana, and remained there until October, 1869; but his wife dying October, 1869, he moved back to Yellow Springs, Ohio, and there wrote "Greene County in the War," which was published in Xenia, by the Torch- light Company, March 21, 1872. Was married to Miss Catherine Beal, and soon after removed to the farm on which he now resides,
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in the southwest corner of Beaver Creek Township. Four chil- dren were born to him by his first wife, two boys and two girls. Present address, Dayton, Ohio. .
Henry Ridenour, retired farmer, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1803. When three years old, his parents removed to Maryland, where young Henry received the rudiments of his education. At the age of ten, his father went to Virginia, in which state he remained with his parents till attaining his ma- jority, when he returned to Maryland, where he was married in. 1829, to Mary Ann Highland, of Washington County. In the fall of his marriage, removed to Ohio, and settled in Knox County, where he resided three years, then came to this county, and located at Harbine's Mill, near which he lived for three years, then came to where he now resides. He owns fifty-three acres of land, all under cultivation, and well improved, making a delightful place in which to pass his declining years. To them five children have been born, four living, Ann Patience, John R., Thomas J., and Mary E. Upton was killed by an accident at Beaver Station, in 1862, aged twenty-five years. John R., was a member of Captain Guthrie's Company, of Colonel Stephenson regiment, Ohio National Guards, and passed through some of the engagements at the close of the war. Mrs. Ridenour died March 1, 1875, aged sixty-eight years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having join- ed when seventeen years old, and lived and died a consistent, and ex- emplary Christian woman.
John M. Shank, farmer, was born in Sugar Creek Township, in the year 1824, and is a son of Henry and Barbara Shank, whose sketch appears in this work. His boyhood was passed on the farm, laboring thereon for his father, until he was of age, when he en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in Bellbrook, to which he gave his at- tention for one year and a half; disposed of his stock, and turned his attention to the farm, in the above township, on which he labored until 1850, when he was married to Lydia, daughter of Mounts Hawkins, who has borne him him six children, Jennie, Charles O., Henry HI., Joseph C., Willy A., and Davis H. After marriage, he removed to Cedarville, and for one year was engaged in the manu- facture of lime, after which he removed to Xenia Township, where he carried on a farm for one year, then purchased property in Xenia, in which he resided one year, and engaged in whatever would produce an honest dollar. Next, his brother George and
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himself, purchased the Conable farm of one hundred and eighty- two acres, onto which he moved, and resided for six years, when he sold to his brother, and returned to the old home farm, which he afterwards purchased, and lived on for three years, then sold out, and purchased two hundred acres where he lives-has since sold down his farm to sixty-three acres. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, of many years standing, and take much interest in religious matters. Politically, Mr. Shank is democratic in general elections ; in local contests, votes for the man regardless of party.
Absalom Shank, farmer, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, May 6, 1813, and is a son of Henry, and Barbara (Crumbaugh) Shank, who were born in Maryland, both being of German extrac- tion. They were married in 1812, and in 1814 came to Ohio, by teams and wagons, their journey occupying four weeks and one day. They remained south of Dayton the first winter, then settled in Sugar Creek Township, and for two years worked on leased land, which in conjunction with his saddlery business, enabled him to keep his family, and save enough to buy one hundred and nine acres of land, for which he gave $1,000. Here he made a perman- ent home till his wife's death, May 12, 1863, aged seventy-seven years, when he came to our subjeet's residence, where he died in 1867, aged eighty-three years. They were parents of seven chil- dren, five living, Mary C., Margaret, George H., John M., and Absalom. The deceased are Jeremiah and Solomon. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and worthy Christian people, reared their children to sobriety, and to observe Christianity. Our subject was reared on the farm, and labored for his father till of age. April 6, 1837, he was married to Martha Ankeney, by whom he had twelve children, eight living, Julia A. E., Mary M., Martha J., Henry, Lewis F., George M., Jacob A., and Horace. The de- ceased are Oliver L., David N., William and John N. The latter was a member of the gallant One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Regi- ment. In the great charge upon Lookout Mountain, he was the second man to scale the enemy's parapet, and gain the top of the mountain. He died from sickness, January 4, 1865. His remains were brought home, and interred in the family cemetery, where a monument marks his last resting place, aged twenty years. Mrs. Shank died in 1863, aged forty-five years. September 22, 1867, he was married to Margaret Fauber. He owns two hundred and
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thirty-one acres of land, on a portion of which he has lived since 1829. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has been deacon and elder for a number of years ; is also one of the trustees of the church.
John Snyder, farmer, and justice of the peace, was born in this township, in the year 1822, is the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Mil- · ler) Snyder, who were born in Washington County, Maryland, in which they were reared, and after attaining majority were married, and about 1814 they emigrated to Ohio by team and wagon, and located in this township, buying the Trebein Mill, which he opera- ted until 1836, when he sold to his son, and turned his attention to farming for ten or twelve years, and in 1858 departed this life. His mother died in 1835 or 1836. They were parents of thirteen children, of whom are living, Henry, Simon, Mary, Margaret, and John. They were members of the German Reformed Church, with which he was prominently connected before his marriage, serving his church as deacon and elder, and was the latter when he died, aged seventy-four years. During his life, he was successful in business management, leaving at his death a property worth $30, 000. The boyhood of our subject, was passed in the mill until sixteen years old, at which time he went on the farm, laboring for his father until he was twenty-seven years old, then engaged in the oil mill business for some time, then engaged in the mercantile bus- iness in Alpha, which he followed for nine years, afterwards turn- ed his attention to farming, threshing, and butchering. He has a lot of seven acres near Alpha, which makes him a pleasant home. Politically, he is a Republican, having always given his support and influence to that party; has held the office of justice of the peace for ten consecutive years and is the present incumbent; been clerk and treasurer for two years each. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Kershner, whose sketch ap- pears in this work. To them three children were born, two living, Owen and Eli W., Emma deceased. His wife is a member of the German Reformed Church, with which she has been connected thirty-five years. He is a member of the Xenia Lodge No. 52, Odd-fellows, and Encampment No. 20-belonging to the subordin- ate since 1848, and to the encampment since 1849; having passed all the chairs; is Past Grand and Chief Patriarch.
Philip R. Spahr, Alpha, was born in New Jasper Township, this county, in the year 1850, and is a son of Gideon S. and Amanda
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Spahr, whose sketch appears in this work. Philip was reared on the farm, and received the rudiments of an education in the dis- trict schools, which was afterward developed by a three years' course of study in the schools of Xenia, from which he graduated in 1871, after which he was employed by Williams & Merrick, four months, as book-keeper. In 1872, he was employed by J. H. Har- bein, of Alpha, as book-keeper, giving complete satisfaction. In 1875, he was married to Martha E., daughter of Abraham Cyphers, by whom he has had three children, Amanda, Ralph E., and Wal- ter R., the last two deceased. Politically, he is one of the strong Republicans, with whom Greene County is so well supplied. Mrs. Spahr was born in this township, in the year 1854.
Jacob B. Stine, retired farmer, was born in Washington County, Maryland, in the year 1803, and is a son of Matthias and Frances Stine, who were born in Pennsylvania, near Little York. They settled in Maryland, on a farm, where they lived and died, she dy- ing in 1805, and he in 1827. They were parents of five children, of whom all are dead but Jacob, whose boyhood was passed on the farm, in his native county, having no opportunity of obtaining an education. After coming to Ohio, he succeeded in obtaining a year's schooling in a house without a floor, and with a very inferior teacher. Is a great lover of books, and all through life he has been a searcher for knowledge. When in Maryland, in 1825, he was married to Mary Hanes, and the first year after his marriage, worked on the farm, after which he began weaving, a business he followed four years. In 1830, he immigrated to Ohio, the journey occupying three weeks' time, and located in this township. For several years he labored on leased land, when his accumulations enabled him, to purchase eighty acres, on which he built a cabin, moved into it with his family, and began the almost herculean task of clearing up and improving his land, which, in the course of time, was accomplished. At present, Mr. Stine owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of choice land, all under cultivation, and improved. Three children have been born to them, Benjamin, John D., and Henrietta, the latter dying at the age of six years. John D. is editor and proprietor of the Xenia Torchlight. Mr. and Mrs. Stine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected since the age of twenty-seven. Is much inter- ested in educational matters, and has given his sons a good educa- tion, John being a collegiate, and a talented man.
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William Tobias, farmer, Alpha, was born in Beaver Creek Town- ship, March 14, 1821, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Tobias, who were born in Pennsylvania, in which state they were married. In an early day of the settlement of this county, they located in this township. Death came to him in the fall of 1827, when yet a young man. Afterwards his wife was married to Mr. Swigert, and lived to the age of seventy-two or seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Tobias, sr., six children were born, five living: Mary M., Wil- liam, Daniel, Samuel, and Catherine; Lydia, deceased. They were members of the Lutheran Church from childhood. William was reared on the farm, until his father's death, which occurred when he was eight years old, then lived with an uncle till past twenty-one years of age. In 1846 he was married to Sarah Swigert, by whom he had two children, Martin and Samuel. Mrs. Tobias died May 4, 1850, aged twenty-six years. January 29, 1852, he was wedded to Jane Miller, who has borne him eight children, five living: Wil- liam A., Elizabeth and Catharine (twins), Orville, and Newton; the deceased are Calvin, Daniel W., and an infant. After his first mar- riage he located in Sugar Creek Township, and rented land till 1870, when his accumulations enabled him to buy eighty-six acres of land, where he moved in 1877. He and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been con- nected since eighteen years old; his wife joined recently. She was formerly a member of the German Reformed Church. He has been elder and deacon of his church, positions he has held alter- nately for twenty years. Their children, with the exception of the youngest, are members of the same church.
George Tobias, retired farmer, Zimmermanville, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1807; is a son of Peter and Barbara Tobias, who were born in Pennsylvania, where his father lived till his decease, after which his mother came to Ohio. Mr. Tobias' days of boyhood were passed on the farm in his native county, where he obtained a limited education. In 1822 or 1823, when only fourteen years of age he came to Zimmermanville, and followed carpentering for a number of years, then turned his atten- tion to the farm, a pursuit he followed until he was seventy years of age. In 1830 he was married to Catherine Durnbaugh, who bore him three children, two living, John W. and Mary C. (now Mrs. Wetzel) ; George, deceased. Mrs. Tobias departed this life in January, 1878, aged sixty-nine years. She was born in Greene
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County in 1808, was a daughter of John and Catherine Durnbaugh, early pioneers of this county. She was a member of the German Reformed Church, having been connected with it for many years, and died as she had lived, relying implicitily on the promises of her Savior. Mr. Tobias is a member of the Lutheran Church, having become so in childhood. We find him, though far advanced in life, quite strong and active for one of his age, yet the weight of years hang heavily upon him. His son, John W., was a member of Colonel Stephenson's regiment, one hundred day men, served his time, and was honorably discharged.
Herman Volkenand, farmer, Alpha, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, January 26, 1826, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hayes) Volkenand, who were born in the same state, in which they were married, lived, and died. They were the parents of five children, of whom only Herman came to America. The others, John, Henry, George, and Elizabeth, live in the fatherland. Our subject was reared on the farm, his father being a large land-holder and extensive farmer. Received a good education in his native language, attending school from the time he was six until fourteen years old. Left his native land March 1, 1851, and landed in New York in April, after a five weeks' voyage, and then took a trip through the West, visiting Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and in the fall of the same year came to this county, and located at Alpha, working on a farm, until he eventually bought a small farm. Chopped wood for forty cents a cord, and boarded himself, and also worked for eight dollars per month, in this way making a start in the world. In 1852, he was married to Elizabeth Brod, since which he has been very successful, now owning one hundred and forty-three acres of fine land, well improved, a good property in Alpha, and a property in Dayton, for which he paid $7,000. They are parents of seven children, Leonard, Anna, George, Harmon, John, Martha, and Elizabeth, the latter dying at the age of eighteen. They are both members of the German Re- formed Church, joining thirty years ago, he serving as a deacon for two years. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Volkenand was born in Hesse-Cassel, in 1828.
John N. Weaver, farmer, was born in Frederick County, Vir- ginia, in the year 1815, and is a son of John, and Martha (McCoole) Weaver. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Virginia, where they were married. In 1823 they removed to
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Ohio, and located in Clinton County, where they remained two years, after which they came to Greene County and settled in Cæsar's Creek Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1849, in the sixty-second year of his age. His mother departed this life in 1864, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Weaver was raised on the farm, and received his education in the common schools. He labored for his parents till past the age of twenty-six. In 1841 he was married to Elizabeth Boots, and for a short time afterward lived in the southern part of this county, and in Clinton County. December 26, 1866, came to where he now resides, which consists of one hundred and seventy-three acres, nicely improved -his house being a model of taste and convenience. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver four children have been born: Martha, Libbie, John, and Mary E., now Mrs. J. E. Munger. Libbie is one of the suc- cessful educators of the country, having taught in the home schools for a period of ten or twelve years. Mrs. Weaver was born in Hardin County, Virginia, in 1814.
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SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The boundary lines of Sugar Creek Township, were cast by the first organized court of the county, which convened on the 10th day of May, 1803, and is, therefore, one of the original townships of the county organization. Originally, it embraced what is now Spring Valley Township, until sometime in the year 1856, a separ- ation was made, and the township formed from the eastern portion, taking the name as above mentioned. It is situated in the extreme southwest of the county, having the county lines of Montgomery, and Warren for its west and south borders, with Beaver Creek on the north, and Spring Valley on the east, and contains all of sec- tions 34, 35, 36, town four, range five, all of sections 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, with fractional parts of sections 3, 9, town 3, range 5, all of sec- tions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, town 2, range 6, all of sections 31, 33, 34, with fractional parts of 32, 27, 28, town 3, range 6. These sec- tions form almost a perfect parallelogram running north seven, and east three sections inclusive, to which must be added on the north- east, a part of what is known as
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