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 62
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is an estimable lady. For nearly half a century Mr. and Mrs. Elcook have traveled life's journey together, and now we find them in enfeebled health, but enjoying their declining years amid peace and plenty.
James Eliot, farmer, Bellbrook, was born May 4, 1803, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (New- ton) Elliot. His father was born near Philadelphia, and his mother in Delaware. They were parents of eleven children, of whom only our subject survives, he spending the early part of his boyhood days on the farm and around the mill, his father being a miller. James received the rudiments of his education in the common schools of that day. Afterward he completed his education in Ohio, where he, with his parents, came; and before he attained the age of eighteen he, with his father, engaged in milling, and at the age of eighteen he rented a mill and run the business on his own account for about four years, and at the age of twenty-six pur- chased a farm containing eighty acres. He also owned and oper-
ated a saw-mill. Mr. Elliot being very prosperous, kept adding farm after farm to his possessions, till in a very short time, he found himself the owner of six hundred and fifty acres of land. Our subject was married to Catharine Silvers, October 18, 1828, to whom were born twelve children, eight of whom are now living: Mary, wife of Albert Wilson; Sarah A., wife of Matthew Berry- hill; Charles F., Lawson A., Martha J., Rebecca F., George O., and Ruth L .; the deceased are Margaret, wife of William James, and John, whose death was occasioned by the kick of a horse. He left home in the evening in the flush of health, and was returned in a few hours a lifeless corpse. Mr. Elliot is a self-made man in the strongest sense of the term; commencing in life single-handed, he has accumulated property to the amount of $60,000.
G. W. Griffith, farmer, Bellbrook, was born in Louden County, Virginia, in the year 1813, and is a son of Samuel and Eva (Stream) Griffith, who were parents of eight children, of whom only our subject survives. The deceased are John, Samuel, Daniel, Isaac, Margaret, Nancy, and one died in infancy. G. W. learned his trade in his native state, commencing at the age of eighteen and completing it when twenty-one, but continued working till he came to Ohio, in the year 1840. He worked as a journeyman one year after coming to this state, and worked a mill for a term of three years; he then rented William Morris' mill, and afterward changed
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his occupation to that of farming, which he now follows. On Jan- uary 10, 1850, he was married to Matilda Armstrong, whom he buried September 17, 1876, and married his second wife in Septem- ber, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. He now owns two hundred and thirteen acres of land, all well-improved.
George M. Harmen, carpenter, Bellbrook, was born December 5, 1826, in Greene County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Polly (Clark) Harmen. Henry was born in Augusta County, Virginia, . September 10, 1803, and was a son of George and Cloie (Clemen- ger) Harmen. Henry's boyhood days were spent on the farm, where he received his education, and at the age of seventeen he was bound to T. H. Clark to learn the carpenter trade. Served three years and nine months. Mr. Harmen was married to Polly Clark October 4, 1825, who bore him sixteen children, eight of whom are now living: Elias R., George M., Leonard J., William H., Caroline B., Calista B., John and Andrew M. Our subject was reared in town, where he received his education, and learned his trade with his father, with whom he remained till he attained his majority. Then he started in life for himself, and worked in Ohio for a while; then, with some others, went west about the time of the Kansas trouble, when it was not safe for a northern man to go south of Mason and Dixon's line. He remained five years, how- ever, going into business in St. Joe, Missouri, which, though very lucrative, he sold about the time the rebellion broke out, and re- turned east. On his return he went into partnership with his brother, and at the end of one year bought his interest, and con- tinued in the same business for about three years, when he pur- chased a farm, and turned his attention to farming and tobacco raising, a pursuit he followed for about three years, then sold and removed to Springfield, where he worked at his trade a short time. He returned to his native county in 1876, where he bought a farm containing one hundred and fifty-seven acres, two miles west of Bellbrook, where he now lives. Our subject was married to Julia A. Shank, May 2, 1861, to whom were born three children, two now living, Harry C. and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Harmen are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
Daniel Holmes, retired farmer, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1794, and is a son of Hugh and Mary Holmes, who came here in 1812, and settled in Sugar Creek Town-
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ship, where they lived till they died. She was a daughter of Dan- iel Garrison. To them six children were born, John, Polly, Hugh, Daniel, Samuel and William. He died in 1833, aged seventy-six. She died in 1851, aged eighty years. They were members of the Baptist Church, and though born in Catholic Ireland, were Protes- tants. Our subject was first married in 1821, to Margaret, daughter of Gaines Bain, by whom he had eight children, four living. She dying, he, in 1842 or 1843, married Mary Lewis, daughter of Dan- iel Lewis, who bore him three children, two living. His son John was a member of the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and afterwards in the One Hunred and Eighty-Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving from 1862 till the close of the war. His last wife died 1857. He has published pamphlets on Church Government and Slavery. He owns one hundred and sixty-one acres of land, which is all in cultivation and well improved. He belongs to the Congregational Church, and has always been an exemplary Christian, and done much to help spread the gospel. He has been a very benevolent man, and during his life has done much for the comfort, and happiness of the unfortunate. By his appointment, he has made life direc- tors of the American Bible Society, General Scott in 1859, Gov- ernor Brough in 1864, Lincoln in 1863, Colfax in 1869, Hayes in 1867, President Johnson in 1865, Grant in 1868, Governor Cox in 1866, Governor Noyes in 1872, and Rev. John Shields in 1879.
Andrew Holmes, farmer, Bellbrook, was born on the Montgom- ery County line, on land now owned by Samuel Holmes, November 10, 1827. Is a son of Daniel and Margaret Holmes, whose sketch appears in this work. His boyhood was passed on the farm, and he received a common school education in the district schools. In 1854, he was married to Sarah J., daughter of William and Jo- hanna Fitton, of this county, by whom he has had seven children, Maggie, Anna, Nettie, James, William, Mary, and Flora, the latter deceased. After his marriage he located where he now resides, owning one hundred and twenty-two acres of land, mostly under cultivation, and well improved. He has been trustee of the town- ship for a number of terms. Both himself and wife are members of the Sugar Creek United Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected since they made a profession of religion, he having served in the official capacity of ruling elder for upward of twenty years. Both are much interested in religious matters, and the cause and development of the Christian religion. Politically,
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he is a Republican, having always voted with that party upon all questions at issue.
Joseph Holmes, farmer, Beavertown, was born on the place where he now lives, in 1839. Is a son of Samuel and Mary (Stew- ard) Holmes, pioneers, whose history appears in this work. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and received an or- dinary education in the common schools. In 1867, he was married to Sarah A. Porter, who bore him three children, Elizabeth M., Mary I., and Sarah A. Mrs. Holmes departed this life in 1875, aged thirty-three years. His second marriage was celebrated, in 1878, with Anna Crawford. Mr. Holmes has lived in this county all his life. Was engaged in the hardware business in Xenia for two years. Is a member of the Sugar Creek United Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife, having been connected with it some years. Politically, he is a Republican, and has always voted with that party.
W. A. Hopkins, Bellbrook, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary A. Hopkins. The boyhood of our subject was passed in the village of Bellbrook, re- ceiving his education in the common schools. In 1851, he entered the store of B. F. Allen & Co., with whom he remained fourteen years, learning the different phases of mercantile life. In the spring of 1865 he became a partner to his employer, Mr. Allen, for a limited term of three years, and at the expiration of two years Mr. Allen failed, when Mr. Hopkins purchased the stock and con- tinued the business for six years, when he sold to Thomas White, and has since acted as business manager for that gentleman. No- vember 23, 1859, he was married to Hannah J., daughter of Thomas White, by whom he has had six children, Stella, Mary M., Thomas, Kate, Grace, and another, who died in infancy. He and his wife have been members of the United Presbyterian Church for thirty years. John and Francis, brothers of Mr. Hopkins, were members of Company F, Thirty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served during the war, and were honorably discharged. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the town council and school board, offices he has held for several years.
Archibald Huston, farmer, deceased, was born near Dayton, in the year 1816, and was a son of John and Margaret Huston. His early life was passed in his native place, and after attaining his ma- jority came to this county. October 22, 1835, he was married to
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Barbara Swigart, daughter of Michael and Sarah Swigart, whose history appears in this work. They lived for three years after their marriage on her father's place, and in the spring of 1838 came to where his widow and family now reside, and made a permanent home, clearing and improving a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which is located one of the best stone quarries in the county. To them ten children were born, Caroline, Martha E., Sarah E., William, Philena, Eliza J., Anna, Mary C., Harrison, and George W., the latter deceased, who was a member of Company E, Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1863, serving two years, and passing through a number of engagements, being instantly killed, by a shot through the head, at the battle of Resacca, Georgia, on the 14th day of May, 1864, aged eighteen years. Wil- liam was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth O. N. G., served his time, and came home uninjured. Mr. Huston was a member of the Lutheran Church, and departed this life Octo- ber 11, 1875. Mrs. Huston was born in 1816, and is also a Lu- theran.
Nathan James, farmer, Bellbrook, was born in this state, May 13, 1833, and is a son of David W. and Rebecca (Austen) James, who were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living: Nathan, Emily, William, Angeline, Lydia, Julia, John, Jennie, and Benjamin. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received the rudiments of his education in the district schools; afterwards attending a graded school in Bellbrook, where he graduated. He commenced teaching at the age of twenty-five, and continued in that capacity for twelve years-farming during the summer season. In the spring of 1868 he closed his last school, and turned his whole attention to farming. Since that time he has settled his father's estate, and also Mr. Hoblit's. Mr. James now owns one hundred acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation. Has been township trustee for the last four years. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lewis A. Kemp, farmer, born in Montgomery County, July 30, 1825, son of Isaac, and Margaret (Herring) Kemp; they were par- ents of five children, three of whom are now living, Lewis .A., Jacob II. and Dr. J. D. Kemp. Mrs. Kemp was a native of Germany, and came to this country with her parents in 1805, and settled in this county. Mr. Kemp was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1786, and with his parents came to Ohio, in 1806, where he re-
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mained about six months, then returned to his native state, and completed his education. He then became an educator, a profes- sion he followed for about six or eight years, after which time he married, and moved on a farm his father gave him, where he re- mained till his death, December 24, 1871, aged eighty-five years. Our subject was reared on the farm, where he received the rudi- ments of his education in the country schools ; he afterwards com- pleted his education in the city schools of Dayton. He commenced teaching, December 7, 1846 in winter, and farming summer time,-
and continued for about twelve years. In 1859 he married, and turned his whole attention to farming, which he has followed ever since, and now owns two hundred and four acres of land, all in good cultivation and well improved. Mr. Kemp has filled most of the township offices in Mad River Township, Montgomery County. Trustee two years, assessor one year, and clerk for twelve or four- teen years, and was appointed school examiner by Judge Bagget, and served two years and three months. Ile is a member of Har- rison Lodge, No. 331, Odd-fellows, and has filled many of the offices in the subordinate lodge, and is now a member of the encampment. He has been a consistent member of the German Reformed Church for thirty-two years, holding the office of deacon six years, and elder for some time, and was obliged to resign on account of re- moval to this county, in 1875. Mr. Kemp was married March 24, 1859, to Hester A. Taylor, to whom were born six children, five of whom are now living, Stephen A., Josephine, Lewis A., Adia L., and Horace S. John T. died at the age of three years.
William S. Morris, surveyor and farmer, Bellbrook, was born in Warren County, February 11, 1811, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary P. (Spinning) Morris. They were both from New Jersey, and came to Ohio in 1790. Mr. Morris at the age of sixteen help- ed to build the fort at Round Bottom, where he remained for about five years, farming, as did most of the inmates of the fort; work- ing in the day time and doing guard duty at night. At the age of twenty he was married to his first wife, who bore him one child, and shortly after its birth both died of the small-pox. He after- wards married Mary Spinning, by whom he had ten children, only three of whom are now living: Isaac, Phoebe (wife of John Herd, now living in Champaign County), and William S. The greater part of Mr. Morris' married life was spent in Unionville, near Shakertown, Warren County, where he reared and educated
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his family. He died while on a visit to his son William, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. Our subject was reared on the farm, where he received the rudiments of his education, which was afterwards developed by a course in Lebanon College. He then began teaching school, which he followed for about four years. At the end of that time, he engaged in engineering on the Warren County canal, where he remained for three years, when he again turned his attention to teaching, but this time for about seven years. He then married, and turned his whole attention to farm- ing and surveying, which he has followed ever since; being the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of land, well improved. December 31, 1845, he united his fortunes with those of Mary Pence. To them were born twelve children, seven of whom are now living : Olive A, a graduate of the medical department of the State University of Iowa, and is the first and only female graduate . in Greene County ; Wickliff C., Mattie, wife of S. E. Raper, of Bellbrook; Alice, Lucy B., Clara, and William S. The deceased are Clara, Lucy, Benjamin, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are members of the Christian Church.
S. B. Murphy, farmer, was born in Centerville, Montgomery County, August, 1818, and is a son of John C. and Mary (Beck) Murphy. Mr. Murphy was born in 1790, in Kentucky, and Mrs. Murphy in Ohio. Mr. Murphy came to Ohio in 1812, and immedi- ately on his arrival here, enlisted to serve in the war of 1812, and was transferred to the front at once, and went into active service. He served during the war, and at its close was honorably discharg- ed. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received the rudi- ments of his education in a cooper-shop on one corner of the farm, and graduated in a six cornered brick school house on another corner of the same farm, and afterwards taught one term in the same school house. After teaching, he took a course in a higher school, then married, and went to farming on a farm of his father's: he only remained two years on the farm at that time, then went to Dayton and started butchering, and continued in this business three years, when he embarked in the hotel business in Cincinnati, where he remained for two years; going west to Hancock County, Illinois, he purchased a tract of land, remained one year, sold out, and went to California, in the fall of 1852, and returned in the spring of 1854, a sadder, but wiser man. He then purchased a farm one mile north of Bellbrook, and gave his whole attention to farming
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for about nine years, when he entered the coal trade extensively, one year in Dayton, and nine in Cincinnati. He again went west to Nemaha County, Kansas, and there engaged in merchandising, stock raising, feeding and farming. He had a general store in the county seat of Nemaha County, where he did an extensive business for five years, and then came back and purchased the homestead where he has remained ever since. Mr. Murphy now owns two hundred and thirty acres where he lives, and a large tract of land in Kansas. Our subject was married to Miss A. Messler, March 3, - 1841, who bore him five children, three of whom are now living, Maria E., now Mrs. Bagget, William R. and Ella J. The deceased are Albert A. and John C. S. B. Murphy has been a Mason for forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy and family, are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
John M. Stake, undertaker and manufacturer of furniture, Bell- brook, was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1808. Is a son of Anthony and Catharine Stake, who were born in Pennsyl- vania, and when young removed with their parents to Williams- port, where they were married. Anthony was a boat carpenter, and . built boats that plied on the Potomac. They both died in Maryland, he at the age of sixty, and she at the age of fifty-five. They were parents of twelve children, two living-Eli and John M., the subject of our sketch, who went to live on a farm in Berk- eley County, Virginia, at the age of eleven, remaining there four years, and then went to Pennsylvania and learned his trade. In 1838 he came to Ohio, the trip being made by team in seventeen days, and has since prosecuted his trade in Bellbrook, making furniture and doing an undertaking business. He has held the office of trustee for nine years, and is a member of the council. In polities, he is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. In 1832 he was married to Harriet Shriver, of Mary- land, by whom he has had eight children, George W., Catharine, Ellen, Carrie, Thomas E., Mary, John, and Henry C. Mr. and Mrs. Stake have lived together as man and wife nearly half a cen- tury; have seen their youngest child reach the age of thirty, and half their children married and settled in homes of their own, and though far advanced in years, we find them in health and strength, and bid fair to live many years to enjoy the fruits of their hard- earned labor.
Solomon Swigart, farmer, Bellbrook, was born on the old home
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farm, where Michael, his brother, lives, in the year 1832. Is a son of Michael and Sarah (Ware) Swigart, whose sketch appears in this work. Solomon was reared on the farm, and received a com- mon education in the district schools. In 1856 he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph Campbell, of New York, who has borne him eleven children, seven of whom are living: Harriet, William II., Mary C., Joseph M., Albert S., Edward, and Nannie M. The deceased are Drusetta E., Elmer E., John W., and an in- fant. The same fall of his marriage he located where he now re- sides, and where he has since lived, owning one hundred and nine acres of land, which is mostly under cultivation, and well improved. In connection with his farm he also runs a circular-saw mill, which proves a source of accommodation to the surrounding public. Mr. Swigart and his wife are members of the Mount Zion Lutheran Church, with which they have been connected for many years, and are exemplary Christian people, taking much interest in religious matters. Joseph and Drusilla Campbell settled in Bath Township, this county, about 1828. Mrs. Campbell is living, and resides in the county. Mr. Campbell died of cholera, in 1843. Mrs. Swigart was born in Bath Township, in 1835. Mr. Swigart is a Republican in politics, and has served his district in the capacity of school director. The Campbells belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Michael Swigart, farmer, Bellbrook, was born on the place where he now lives, in the year 1827, and is a son of Michael Swig- art, whose history appears in this work. He was reared on the farm, and received an education in the common schools, which was obtained at odd times, and was rather meagre. Michael has been thrice married: in 1852, with Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon and Susanna Shanks, who has borne him one child. Mrs. Swigart died in 1853, aged about thirty years. The second marriage was cele- brated in March,1855, with Charlotta Swadner, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Swadner, of Montgomery County, Ohio, by whom he had five children, two living, Henry and Lincoln; the deceased are Charles, Wilson, and Samuel. Mrs. Swigart died in 1866, aged about thirty-four. His third and last marriage was celebrated in 1867, with Hannah V. Rike, daughter of William and Elizabeth Patterson, of Xenia, who has borne him two children, one living, Oscar, born in Knox County, and an infant. Mr. Swigart has lived on the place where he was born all his life, and owns one hundred
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and forty-seven acres of land, all in cultivation and well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart are members of the Lutheran Church, to which they have been connected for a number of years. He is elder of the church, and has been acting in the capacity of deacon. During the war, in 1863, he was captain of a company of home guards. Politically he is a Republican.
Joel Swigart, farmer, Bellbrook, was born in this township, on section 4, in the year 1820, and is a son of Michael and Sarah (Nave) Swigart; the former was born in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1787; he was a son of Peter Swigart, who with his family came to Ohio in 1808, and located in Beaver Creek Township. Peter Swigart was born in Germany, and upon landing in America was sold to a planter to pay his transportation. He
was father of six children, who came with him to Greene County, in which they made homes, living here till their decease. Peter died about the year 1839, aged eighty-two years. She departed this life in 1827 at an advanced age. They were life members of the Lutheran Church. Michael Swigart, father of our subject, was twenty-two years old at the time his father came to Ohio, and about two years after was married to Sarah Nave, who bore eight chil- dren, of whom four are living, Michael, Solomon, Joel, and Barbara Huston, nee Swigart; the deceased are David, Elizabeth, Martha, and Sarah. After his marriage he located in Sugar Creek Town- ship, as before described, making a permanent home here till his decease, which occurred in February 11, 1869, aged eighty-three years. She departed this life about 1836, aged thirty-nine. They were life-long members of the Lutheran Church, and were much interested in religious matters, he serving his church in the capac- ity of elder and deacon for many years. Politically he was Repub- lican. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received an ordi- nary education in the district schools. In 1843 he was married to Margaret Huddleston, daughter of John and Eva Huddleston, of Beaver Creek Township, who bore him five children, three of whom are living, Sarah J., Mary C., and Elmira. The deceased are Elizabeth A., and Ida B. Mrs. Swigart died in 1878, aged fifty-three years. She was born in this county in 1825. Her parents came here in an carly day, living and dying where they settled. She was a member of the German Reformed Church, to which she had been connected for several years, and was a very exemplary woman. After their marriage they located on the place
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