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 75
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CONFLAGRATIONS.
Few settlements or communities have escaped from the perils of fire. In the record of the events of each year, accounts of the destruction of property by fire predominate. Until a comparatively recent date, this town was considered an exception to the general rule, but her turn came at last. On the night of the 18th of June, 1878, at 2 A. M., a fire broke out in the hardware store of Stephen- son and Smith, on Limestone Street. The fire spread with alarm- ing rapidity, and at 6 A. M., all the surrounding buildings were. enveloped in the flames. The Adams block, J. F. Johnson's dwell- ing, and the old - hotel were burnt to the ground. The total loss was eighteen thousand dollars, one-half of which was covered by insurance.
On the morning of April 17, 1879, a fire broke out in the store- room of James H. Glass, then occupied as a bakery and grocery by Jonathan Bargdell. . The store-room was entirely burned ; then came Mrs. George Clark's house, occupied by David McLain and family, and Dr. Torrence, immediately south, which was occu- pied as a dwelling, grocery, and doctor's office-all burning ; every- thing movable in both house, however, was saved. At this fire the loss aggregated about $4,000, one-fourth of which was insured. Thus was one square of buildings-except the blacksmith shop- destroyed. However, the energetic parties who had sustained the loss, did not become discouraged, and soon the destroyed buildings were replaced by more imposing structures.
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
INCIDENTS, ETC.
Jacob Dearduff, sr., was one of the first citizens of Jamestown, and lived on land adjoining the present residence of Dr. Spahr. Mr. Dearduff served as constable for several years. On a certain occasion, in 1833 or 1834, he was ordered to arrest a negro for some. offence against the law. While in the act of making the arrest, he was stabbed by the negro with a knife, the blade entering just be- low the heart, and killing him almost instantly. The negro was shot and severely wounded, by James Browder, also a constable. He was tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary at Columbus, where he died.
Noah Strong, sr., one of the early settlers, hauled the logs for the first house built in Xenia. Some of the logs were buckeye wood. They were hauled by old " Buck " and " Brandy," a yoke of oxen brought from Vermont. The house was afterwards used as a tavern, and kept by Major Beatty.
The first person buried here was little Bushrod Strong, brother of Sylvester Strong. His remains now lie in the Jamestown cem- etery. The second person was a colored woman, brought from Virginia by Thomas Browder. In 1814, on the 14th and 15th days of March, grandfather and grandmother Strong died of the "cold plague," which was then raging. Within ten days, Mr. Paullin, . Harkness Turner, and the Baptist preacher's wife, all of this neigh- borhood, succumbed to the same dread disease.
The following incidents will be read with interest in connection with the history of Jamestown. They were obtained by George K. Jenkins, of the well-known firm of J. H. Jenkins & Son, at considerable pains. The writer gratefully acknowledges the kind- ness of Mr. Jenkins in the presentation of the facts for publication in this work:
" When it became known that a county-seat was to be assigned to Greene County, Xenia and Jamestown were announced as aspir- ants for the honor. The claims of each were about equal, and it was difficult to tell which would be chosen. Finally it was decided to hold an election, to determine at the polls, which of the towns should be favored. The vote, taken at Xenia, resulted in a tie. Before the voting hour closed, however, a man riding on horse- back, was seen not far distant, and importuned to cast his vote for
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
either of the contesting towns, so as to decide the matter then and there. Hle did as requested, and the result was a majority of one in favor of Xenia. Until his vote was cast his preference was un- known. Three Jamestownites, Mendenhall, Campbell, and Brow- der, forgetting the day upon which the election was held, failed to be present, otherwise the vote would have stood in favor of James- town by a majority of three. It will be observed that neither town is located in the center; hence, the chances of the selection of either were equally favorable.
"The first marriage alliance was formed by Washington Strong and Sallie Mendenhall. No cards. Mrs. Nancy Stephens, nee Mendenhall, was the first child born in Jamestown."
THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
From the Tribune interview with Sylvester Strong, we extract the following :
" The first Fourth of July celebration was held at this (Adams) tavern, in 1830. Seven old soldiers of the revolutionary war were present. I remember of riding over the country, telling them to conie. Among them was a man named Allen, a relative of Ethen Allen of revolutionary fame; his descendants now live at Allen- town, Fayette County. Others present were, Robert Snodgrass, . Asa Reaves, and Samuel Webb. The last named was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and saw the General give up his sword. The names of the others I don't recollect."
BIOGRAPHICAL.
John Adams, retired blacksmith, Jamestown, is a native of Rock- bridge County, Virginia; was born September 2, 1811; reared and remained in that place till twenty-six years of age, when he came to Jamestown, and has since resided in this place. He married Miss Harriet Dawson, a native of Berkeley County, Virginia, Sep- tember 8, 1840; she is a sister of Dr. W. W. Dawson, of Cincin- nati, Dr. Dawson, of Columbus, and Dr. Dawson, of Bellbrook. Mr. Adams is a descendant of President Adams. Has spent a por- tion of his life while here, blacksmithing, and was successful in ac- cumulating a sufficient amount of means to live his declining years retired from active labor-has at least fifteen thousand dollars.
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Came to Jamestown in 1838, and has witnessed many of the changes made in this county since that time. There were no railroads, no pikes, and but little business compared to the present. Two chil- dren, Sarah A. and Mary A., were born to our subject, both living. Mary A. was married to John C. Stewart, June 5, 1869; they have one child, John D. Mr. and Mrs. Adams and children are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown. He is a member of Lodge No. 181, I. O. O. F. He joined the fraternity in October, 1854.
John Q. Adams, merchant and carpenter, Jamestown, is a son of Zina B. and Eliza (Sharp) Adams; was born in Jamestown-where he now lives, and has a good store-room and a handsome residence -March 8, 1837. Was reared and educated here, and married, October 25, 1866, to Miss Laura R. Spark, a daughter of Gideon and Phobe Spark, by Revs. Black and Baker. Mr. Adams was in the mercantile business from 1860 to 1876, when he sold to his brother, M. O. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father died in Jamestown, May 22, 1844. Mrs. Adams then married Mr. James McDowney, March 20, 1849, who died September 2, 1878. Mrs. McDowney's first husband kept hotel in this place about twelve years before his death. She con- tinued in the business for some time after her marriage with Mc- Downey, making in all about forty years. Our subject's brother; Thomas H., served three years in the rebellion in Company A, Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Moody com- mander. Enlisted October 9, 1861. Came home without a wound.
Morgan O. Adams, merchant, Jamestown, is a son of Zina B. and Eliza B. (Sharp) Adams, who were married December 26, 1830, four children being the result of the union : Morgan O., Samuel, John Q., and Thomas II., three living; Samuel died February 8, 1854. Mr. Adans, sr.'s, father, Reuben, was born August 7, 1775, in Mas- sachusetts. He married Miss Mary Bosworth, of Delaware County, New York. They died in Clinton County, Ohio. Came here about 1814. There were nine children of this family : Allen, Catherine, John R., Garra V., Zina B., Royal B., Caroline, Jane, and Arabel. Caroline married Chas Hathaway, Arabel, Solomon Sharp, Jane, Thomas Demoss, Catherine, Mr. Black. There is but one of this family living-Royal, residing in Missouri. Mr. Adams' mother is a daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Cook) Sharp. He was born September 22, 1780, and married in 1805, in Pennsylvania. There
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
were eight- children by this marriage: Morgan, Eliza, Thomas, Liddie, Henry, Susanna, Samuel, and Melissa. Liddie married Thomas Demoss after the death of his first wife, Jane Adams, Susan to Reuben Moorman, and Melissa to Nelson Powers. Our subject was born in Brown County, April 15, 1863, and came with his parents to Jamestown the following fall, where he was reared and twice married, first to Miss Amanda M. Johnson, daughter of J. C. and Jane (Greenwood) Johnson, November 1, 1852. One child, James Harvey, who is in the dry goods business in this place, is the result of this union. He was born August 28, 1855. Mrs. Adams died March 6, 1863; Mr. Adams then married Mrs. Flora (Boyer) Armstrong, August 27, 1869. She had one child, Thomas James, by her first marriage; he is in business with Mr. Adams. Harvey was born November 21, 1860. There is one child by the last marriage, Mary E., who was born November 29, 1871. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown. Is a good busi- ness man, and a prominent citizen.
Misses Rhoda and Keziah Beason, Jamestown, daughters of Wil- liam and Catharine Beason. Mr. Beason was a native of South Carolina, and went to Tennessee with his parents at quite an early age. Came to this county when a lad, and lived the remainder of his life here. Married the mother of our subjects, Miss Catharine Hite, about 1826. They were parents of six children : Pollie, Mar- garet, Rhoda, an infant son, Keziah, and Catharine; three are liv- ing, Rhoda, Keziah, and Catharine. Mr. Beason was previously married to Miss Mary Standberry, by whom he had eight children ; six lived to maturity. He served six months in the war of 1812. His first wife and himself were members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, in which faith they died. The subjects of this sketch have a farm of fifty acres, which is the old home farm, situ- ated three miles southwest of Jamestown, on which they live.
Rebecca Binegar, Jamestown, is a daughter of James and Re- becca (Resse) Simmons. He was born November 28, 1802, and she January 9, 1804. They were parents of twelve children: Thomas W., born October 10, 1823; Jane E., born April 28, 1825, died Oe- tober 19, 1841; Josiah W., born in 1832; Rebecca, born December 12, 1828; Jane P., born November 16, 1830, died November 11, 1844; Alfred R., born November 27, 1832; Matilda, born March 18, 1838, died in 1877; Julia E., born December 12, 1840; John,
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
born July 27, 1843; Jacob, born in August, 1845, died July 9, 1871. Our subject was married to James Binegar in 1848. Seven children were the result of this union. The first died in infancy. John D., born August 29, 1844; Simmons, born September 19, 1850; John W., born July 13, 1855; Ella A., born September 24, 1857; Mary Ellen, born October 18, 1859; Amanda, born April 20, 1845. Mrs. Binegar is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Binegar was also a member of that church. The widow has a farm of sixty-seven acres, which her sons cultivate, and on which they live. Her parents were members of the Friends' Church, and her husband's parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal. This is a family of reputable children, of whom the mother is proud. She, though widowed, is cared for and guarded by her dutiful sons.
Martha (Lockhart) Botler, merchant, was born in Adams County, Ohio, June, 1823, and came with her parents to this township, in 1824, where she was reared, and where she married Mr. Edward Botler, a native of Maryland, May, 1845. There were five children born unto them; Arthur, Flora, Amelia, Kate, and Mattie; all of whom are living, save Amelia, who died at the very early age of two years and six months. Arthur and Flora are married. He is engaged with his mother in the mercantile business in Jamestown, where they live, and where his father died, October 29, 1877, aged sixty-five years and twenty-two days. He had been engaged in merchandise, in the room where the mother and son now do busi- ness, for many years before his death. Mrs. Botler has a good home on Limestone Street, on which the store room is situated. She and three daughters, are members of the Disciple Church. Mr. Botler was a member of the Odd-fellows, and a highly respected citizen.
John G. Clemens, retired farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John and Susanna (Slagal) Clemens, who were natives of Augusta Coun- ty, Virginia, where they were reared and married. There were ten children of this family-Catharine, George, John G., Nancy, Gas- per, Christopher, Mary, Rachel, Susan, and Emily-six of whom survive; Nancy, Gasper, Christopher, and Mary, deceased. The surviving ones, save Catharine, live in this county, where the par- ents died ; the father, January 21, 1866, aged eighty-one years, and the mother, March 7, 1871, in the seventy-fifth year of her age. The father served four years and, eleven months in the war of 1812.
50
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Came to Ohio about 1815, and located in or near Springfield, Clarke County, where he remained two years, and then went to Xenia, re- maining there a short time, removing from there to Shawanoes Creek, and remained four years. From there he went to what is now Jasper Township, and located about four miles west of James- town, near where he died. Our subject was born near Xenia, Jan- uary 21, 1820, and was married, February 1, 1844, to Miss Margaret Long, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Hagler) Long. Three children are the result of this marriage : Mary L., Margaret L., and Gertrude M., two of whom are deceased-Mary, October 10, 1865, aged twenty years and six months; Margaret, June 1, 1869, aged twenty-one years and nine months. Gertrude, who is living, was born September 12, 1865, and is a bright, intelligent girl. Mr. Clemens has a farm of one hundred and ninety-one acres in Jasper Township, about four miles west of Jamestown; a farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres in Madison County, Indiana; about twenty-five acres of the Jamestown fair-ground, and a fine, large brick residence, well furnished, in Jamestown, where he lives, re- tired from active business. The wealth he has is the result of good management and industry. He was elected justice of the peace in 1854, and served twenty-seven years, and was elected county com- missioner in 1862, and served one term. Himself and family are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He joined this church in 1842, and his deceased daughters died triumphantly in the same faith. Mr. Clemens has been steward of the church about forty years.
William P. Conry, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of Jonathan Con- ry, a native of, Kentucky, and Elsie (Whalon) Conry, a native of New Jersey. They were married near Cincinnati, where they live. They had a family of eleven children, of whom William is the tenth. Six children are living. William was born near Cincinnati, November 12, 1836, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Margaret A. Beeler, daughter of David and Eliza Beeler, Feb- ruary 2, 1858. Ten children are the result of this union : Arlina, Emma L., Luella, Edna, Albert S., Gertrude M., Charlie, Frank II., Rosa C., and an infant, the first-born, who died unnamed. Luella also is deceased. Mr. Conry came to this county in 1866, and has since resided here. He has a home consisting of fourteen acres, situated one mile and a half west of Jamestown. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He served five years as a
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
military man, and was in the state service a great portion of the time; served several months during the rebellion, in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in the battles at Richmond, Virginia, and came home without a wound. He has in his possession letters of thanks for duties performed while on "special duty," from Abraham Lincoln, John Brough, and Edwin M. Stanton.
Captain J. R. Crane, was born in Clarke County, this state, and is the son of Joseph M. and Dulcina Ann Crane. His father was born in Ohio, in the year 1807, and his mother is a native of the State of Kentucky. She moved to Clarke County with her parents at an early age. Her maiden name was Donovan. His father moved from Clarke to Wood County, in the year 1860; remained there until 1868, and then moved to Pulaski County, Illinois, and remained there until his death, which occurred in October, 1878. His mother died in 1853. Thus passes away our pioneers. To them were born nine children: Elizabeth R., William R., Eliza J., Lewis F., James H., Marian M., Semlida Jane, Amina M., and our subject, the eldest. Six of this family still live, all grown to man- hood and womanhood. The boyhood of the captain was spent on the farm with his father, six miles west of Springfield; attended the schools of the period, where the rudiments of his education were obtained, and afterward attended school at the Springfield Academy. Embarked in the saddlery and harness business at Ce- darville, this county, in 1854, and remained in the same, doing a successful business, until the breaking out of the war, when he en- listed as a private in Company D, Forty-Fourth Ohio Volunteers. The regiment marched to West Virginia; was there some fourteen months ; was honorably discharged in October, 1862, on account of ill-health; re-enlisted, December 28, 1862, in the Tenth Ohio Bat- tery, as a private, with a conditional commission if he mustered in so many men, which he did, and received a second lieutenant's commission ; was promoted to captain, November 14, 1863, and re- mained in service until the close of the war. He had command of the battery from the time of his arrival, in May, on account of the balance of the officers being under arrest. After the close of the war he again resumed business in Cedarville, and remained there eight years, doing a fair business. He then removed to Jamestown, and commenced the saddlery and harness business, in which he still continues, having a fine trade, and enjoying the confidence of his
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
customers, which is a source of pleasure as well as profit. In April, 1880, he was elected to the office of mayor, and is at present filling the office to the satisfaction of his constituency. IIe and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth (Degroot) Davis, retired, Jamestown, was born in Can- ada, November 22, 1808. Came with her parents to Ohio, in April, 1822, where they lived till the mother, Phæbe (Boyce) Davis, died April, 1824; after which the father, Cornelius, went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and died September, 1830, aged fifty-four years. Our subject was married to John J. Davis, July 24, 1828. Eight chil- dren are the result of this marriage: Adelia, David, James, Mary J., Andrew J., Elizabeth, John, and Amanda ; Amanda, James and Andrew are deceased. Mr. Davis died November 22, 1877. He was born April 13, 1809. Mrs. Davis has lived in this township since 1822, when there were but four frame houses in what is now Jamestown, whose buildings are largely brick. Then there was no church here, the religious services being held in private houses. There were but few school houses in the township, and they were log. Mr. and Mrs. Davis joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1831, in which church he died triumphantly-and she is living a consistent life. He held the church offices of steward and trustee. Their lives have proved a financial as well as Christian success. When first married they had but little money; by industry and good management, however, they accumulated a handsome fortune. They gave each child four thousand dollars, and she has a compe- tency for life. Her son, David has a farm in military survey No. 1,084, this township, of one hundred and seventy-two acres, one hundred acres having been bought by his grandfather, David, in 1812. The writer saw the deed for this land to David, sr., bearing date August 4, 1812.
Bridget Dwyer, Jamestown, is a native of Leinster, Ireland, and was born in December, 1834. Lived there until sixteen years of age, when she, with her parents, Thomas and Mary (Bryan) Kava- naugh, came to the United States, and landed in Bowersville, this county, in 1850. Of this family there were seven children: Mary, Bridget, John, Simon, Andy, Ann, and William, all living save Andy, who died in 1863, aged twenty-two years. Our subject was married to Timothy Dwyer, November 10, 1852, nine children be- ing the result of this union: John, Thomas, Dennis, William, Tim- othy, James, Andy, and Margaret; two have died, William and
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Margaret. Mr. Dwyer died May 13, 1875, aged about sixty-one years. Mrs. Dwyer has a farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, on which she and her family reside. This family are members of the Catholic Church, and well respected citizens.
Samuel F. Evans, grocer, Jamestown, is a son of William H. and Rebecca (Fosbett) Evans, who were natives of Rockbridge County, Virginia, and married in Jamestown. There were three children" of the family, Samuel, Milton, and Elizabeth V., all living. The sons are both married; Elizabeth is living with our subject, who married Miss Elizabeth Ballard, a daughter of William, who is a son of Simon, October 17, 1878. He has been engaged in the grocery business about six years-does a business amounting to at least twenty thousand dollars a year. He was born in this township, where he has since resided, except six years of his childhood, when he lived in Marshaltown, Iowa. He is a respected citizen, and a good business man. His mother was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church; taught her children to do right, and to fol- low her footsteps in Christian life. The father was in the rebellion -a member of the Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer, Infantry ;- and took a company of men to Nebraska to fight the Indians; he started as captain, but his major being killed shortly after, he was promoted to a majorship. He went into the service in 1863, and remained until after the close of the war. Our subject was elected city treasurer of Jamestown in the spring of 1880, which office he still holds.
James A. Fields, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John and Mary (Hite) Fields. They were born in Virginia, and married in Ohio. There are ten children: Andrew, Margaret, Alfred, Jane, Lucinda, John, Sarah, James A., William, and an infant; five living, Mar- garet, John, Sarah, James A., and William. All were born in this county ; James May 14, 1832. Was married January 4, 1855, to Miss Pollie Lawrence, of this county. Five children attest their union : Milon L., William S., Mary E., Lucinda S., and an infant, deceased. Mary E. was married, August 19, 1880, to James H. King, of this county. The others are unmarried, and at home with their parents. Mr. Fields has a farm of thirty-eight acres ; farms chiefly to grain. He has lived in this county all his life, except about nine years that he lived in Clinton County.
John H. Fields, farmer, a native of this county, born March 15, 1827. His father was married and came to this county, in 1815;
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
located on the farm of seventy-five acres where our subject now lives, and lived the remainder of his life. Mr. Fields has a farm of fifty-one acres, well improved, three miles southwest of James- town, on which he lives, and on which he was reared. He also has a farm of fifty acres, two and one-half miles southwest of Jamestown. He was twice married; first to Miss Mary Turner, a daughter of Henry, who died January 7, 1873, aged forty-seven years. He then married his present wife, Miss Sarah C. Bell, De- cember 24, 1874.
Albert Garinger, farmer, native of Fayette County, Ohio, born March, 1834, and is a son of David and Serene (Yeoman) Garinger. He is a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio when about fifteen years of age; located in Fayette on the bank of Paint Creek, where he and Mrs. G., were married, and where he lived the remainder of his life. He was born in 1803; she in New York, in 1806. They were married about 1828. They had a family of nine children, all of whom are living, and are healthy, hale people. They never had a doctor to see any of the children while at home. Mr. Garinger died October, 1874. She is still living. Our subject, the fourth child, was born March, 1834. He was married October 31, 1858, to Miss Angeline Little, daughter of Adam and Mary (Blue) Little; ten children are the result of this union: Simon M., William F., Laura M., Oliver O., Albert B., Sophrona A., David A., Ida F., Stephen E., and James W .; all of whom are living save Soph- rona, who died at the age of three years and nine months. Mr. Garinger has a farm of eight hundred acres, well improved, situat- ed three and one-half miles east of Jamestown. When he was married, his father gave him two hundred and fifty acres of land in the woods and swamps, which cost five thousand five hundred dollars. Since then, he has made, and invested in land, at least thirty-five thousand dollars. The first piece he bought, was fifty- eight and a quarter acres, in 1871. When at twenty years of age, he went west; took passage on steamboat at Cincinnati, went down to the Mississippi, thence to St. Joe, thence to Salt Lake, where he saw Brigham Young and his wives marching in a procession; thence to San Francisco, where he took a steam ship to New York, then came home, and has since been content to live a quiet life. He is a natural genius; can make almost anything with tools.
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