History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio, Part 59

Author: R. S. Dills
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1037

USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 59

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Jacob Hering, retired farmer, was born on the place on which he resides, June 9, 1808. Ife is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Rich- enbaugh) Hering, who were born in Switzerland, where they were married, and after two children were born to them, Elizabeth and Margaret, in the year 1793, emigrated to America, and located in Frederick County, Maryland, where they resided till 1806, the time of their coming to this county. Their journey was made by team over the mountains, to Wheeling, Virginia, and from that place down the river to Cincinnati by boat, then overland hither, He purchased a section of land, on which a small cabin had been erected, and a few acres cleared. Into this he moved his family, which gave them shelter, till 1812, when he built a brick house, in which our subject now lives, it being one of the first erected in the township. Here this old couple of pioneers lived, cleared up a portion of their land, and made their improvements. They were parents of four children, of whom our subject alone survives.

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Barbara was born on the home farm. He was born in 1763, died June 2, 1836, aged seventy-two years. Barbara, his wife, was born in 1770, died February 10, 1810. They were life-long members of the German Reformed Church, and were strict observers of serip- tural truths. The boyhood of our subject, passed as was common with pioneer boys, and he received a good education for that day. He remained at home till he attained his majority, at which time he began life for himself. February 3, 1831, he was married to Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Steele, by whom he had nine children, four of whom are living, Amanda, born December 2, 1831; Ebene- zer, born in 1832; Henry II., born October 31, 1840; Albert II., born December 16, 1845. The deceased, John W., born March 10, 1834, died August 23, 1835; Nancy A., born July 16, 1835, died October 1, 1836; David E., born October 10, 1838, died June 10, 1844; An- geline, born February 1, 1837, died in March, 1874. Ebenezer was married to Mary E. Lantz; Angeline was married to Lester Arnold; Henry was married to Allie Murphy. They have three hundred and thirty-five acres of land, on which to enjoy his declining years. Mrs. Hering, died July 2, 1868, aged sixty-six years. She was a member of the German Reformed Church, and an exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Hering is a member of the same church, with which he has been connected a greater portion of his life. His children are members of the same church, which is an enjoya- ble fact to their aged parents. IIe has filled many of the offices of the township trustee, supervisor, school director, etc., all to the satisfaction of his constituents.

Eli A. Kershner, retired, Alpha, was born in Washington County, Maryland, August 18, 1809. He is a son of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Ankeney) Kershner. His father died February 22, 1826, and after his death, his wife, with her family, came to Ohio, in the spring of 1828, settling in Beaver Creek Township, in which she lived till her decease, which occurred in 1864, aged upwards of eighty years. Her second marriage was with Jonathan Snyder. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native state. Three years after coming to Ohio, he returned to Maryland, and for more than twenty years thereafter lived first in the one state and then in the other, until 1851, when he returned to Ohio and located in Alpha; here he has since lived, with the exception of four years he passed on a farm in the township. March 4, 1861, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Steele, by whom he had two children, one living,

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Emma; Etta, deceased. Mrs. Kershner departed this life in Sep- tember, 1864, aged thirty-seven years. She was a member of the German Reformed Church, as is her husband. Politically he is a Republican, having cast his first ballot for Henry Clay.

George Koogler, retired farmer, Zimmermanville, was born on the old home place, near Union, August 11, 1806; son of Jacob and Kinley (Harner) Koogler. His father was born in Pennsyl- vania, his mother in Germany, and when six years old immigrated to Pennsylvania with her parents. About the year 1800 Jacob and Kinley, with their parents, came to Greene County, and about 1802 were married by Judge Huston, being the second couple married in the county. Grandfather George Harner had a small copper still, and as Indians were plenty, he had frequent calls from the noble red man, who had a particular love for fire-water. Jacob Koogler was a soldier in the war of 1812, having been twice drafted, but only served a short time, as he procured substitutes. They

were parents of ten children, eight of whom are living: Catherine, George, Mary, Samuel, Solomon, Simon, Jacob, and John. The deceased are Mettrias and Sarah. Jacob Koogler and wife were members of the Lutheran Church till death; he died in 1871, at the age of eighty-six; she died previous to the late civil war, up- wards of sixty years. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, on which he labored for his father until he was twenty- two years of age. In 1828 he was married to Mary, daughter of Matthew Black, who settled here in 1821 or 1822. For two years after marriage, he lived on the old home farm, then moved to the place on which Oliver Moler now lives, where he resided until 1833 or 1834, when he came to where he now lives. He erected a house, the same in which he yet lives, and began the Herculean task of clearing up his land, which in after years he got in condition to receive the improved implements of agriculture. On this place he has passed nearly half a century, has seen the forests disappear, and improved fields spring up in their stead. Owns one hundred and ten and one-half acres of fine land, which is the fruit of energy and untiring industry. Mrs. Koogler died about 1850, aged forty- one or forty-two years. To them nine children were born, six living: William, Mary M., Martin, Catherine, Eliza, and George. The deceased are John, Andrew J., and Matilda. Ilis second marriage was celebrated with Eleanor, daughter of John Ivens, who was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a man

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grown. Six children have been the result of his last marriage, three living: Sarah M., Isabella I., and Jacob K. The deceased are Eleanor F., Elizabeth C., and an infant. Mr. Koogler and wife are members of the German Reformed Church, with which they have been connected for ten years; they are exemplary, Christian people, take much interest in the church, and endeavor to carry their Christian standard high. Their children, with the exception of one, are members of the same church, as are also two of the children by the first wife, which affords the parents much gratifi- cation. Mrs. Koogler was born in Huron County, in 1823.

George B. Lafong, deceased, Zimmermanville, was born in Rich- mond, Virginia, February 26, 1787, and was a son of George La- fong, of Bordeaux, France, who emigrated to America and located in Richmond, near where he lived until his death. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native place, where he received his education, and laid the foundation of a life that became mark- ed after arriving at maturity. July 24, 1813, he was married to Casandra Lovel, who was born in Bristol, England, April 22, 1796. After his marriage he engaged in mercantile pursuits, until his re- moval to Ohio. Enlisting in 1813, he served in the war of 1812, and acted as clerk to his superiors during his term of service. The journey from Virginia to Ohio, in 1830, was accomplished by team, through an almost impenetrable wilderness. Upon his ar- rival, he located on land near the southeast part of the township, where he purchased one hundred and four acres of land, which was partially improved. In February, 1847, he removed to two hundred and eight acres, on which the remaining portion of his life was passed. He was a man of large mental calibre; a great student, loving to delve down into the mysteries of science ; storing his mind with a fund of general information, which intellectually gave him superiority over his fellow man. As a grammarian he ranked high ; excelled in history; and understood fully the princi- ples and truths of theology, to which he was ardently attached; was well versed in the current events of the day, and was able at all times to discuss them. Generous to a fault, he was ever ready to lighten the cares and burdens of the more unfortunate wayfarer. In his church (the Lutheran) he was an ardent and zealous mem- ber-ready at all times to assume any responsibility, however grave, that would tend to develop and advance the cause of Chris- tianity. Was an exemplary and consistent Christian gentleman,

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and held the office of deacon in the church. His death was sud- den. A week's sickness carried him beyond all earthly help and pain, and on the 18th of April, 1875, he quietly passed away-thus ending a long and well-spent life. To Mr. and Mrs. Lafong were born eight children, four of whom are living: Mary, A. L. (now Mrs. Wall), Orlando B., Elizabeth E. (now Mrs. Kemp), and Ferd- inand L. The deceased are Sylvester G., Cassandra M., Minerva A., and Marcellus. Mrs. Lafong is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Lovell, who were born in England, where they were married. Mr. Lovell died in his native country. After his death his wife and children emigrated to America, landing in Boston, from whence they went to Richmond, Virginia, where they remained during the ensuing winter. Here she married her second husband, James Breem, and afterwards located in Kanawha County, West Virginia, where they lived till their death. By her marriage with Mr. Lovell . she had fourteen children, of whom Mrs. Lafong alone survives. By her last marriage she had two children, both deceased. Mrs. Lafong is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has been for the last quarter of a century; is an exemplary Christian lady, and is passing her declining years amid peace and plenty.

Jesse Lamme, farmer, was born on the place of his present resi- dence, in 1821, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Martin) Lamme, natives of Kentucky, who came to Ohio,early in the nine- teenth century, and settled near the Little Miami. Our subject is one of nine children-Henry, Nancy, Lucy, Miranda, Marilla, and Jessie, living, and Powell, Nathan, and Sarah, deceased. Nathan was a captain in the revolutionary war, and Samuel was a soldier in the war of 1812. They literally cut their farm out of the forest. Samuel died in 1866, aged eighty-four, and his wife in 1874, also aged eighty-four. The former was a Presbyterian, the latter be- longed to the Protestant Methodist Church. Our subject was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and in 1852 mar- ried Margaret, daughter of Samuel and Mary Spieler, of Maryland, who bore him two children, Ida Alice, living, and Emmet, deceased. Jesse has always lived on the old homestead, caring for his parents during their old age. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Is the owner of one hundred and seventy-three acres of excellent land, well improved. In politics he is a Repub- lican. Mrs. Lamme was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1832, and removed with her parents to Ohio, in 1840, locating

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temporarily in Knox County, and afterward removing to Mont- gomery County, where they died.

David Lamme, farmer, deceased, was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, January 1, 1791. Was a son of Nathan and Nancy (Ralston) Lamme, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They removed to Kentucky when they were mar- . ried, and in the spring of 1796 removed to Ohio, and settled in Sugar Creek Township, on land where the widow of David Lamme yet resides, making there a permanent home, as will be found in the history of the township. Nathan was captain of a company in the continental army, during the struggle for liberty in the dark days of 1776, serving until the close of the war. David was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, serving as a volunteer, substitute, and drafted soldier. Nathan Lamme died in 1834, aged eighty-nine years, and his wife died in 1814, aged forty-seven years. Eight children were born to them, all of whom are dead: Josiah, William, Samuel, James, David, Jesse, Anna, and Martha. The sons, with the exception of William, who died in Iowa, lived and died in this county. Nathan was also a captain during the Indian war, and was at Point Pleasant. In this war he went as a substitute, for which service he received buckskin enough to make a pair of moccasins. Was the first sheriff of Greene County, and also acted as assessor of the county for many years. Was a prominent man, and stood high in the Masonic fraternity. In religion he trained with the old school Presbyterian Church, and was much interested in religious matters-strict in integrity, and a strong advocate of the truths and principles of the Bible. David Lamme was raised a farmer, and in 1824 was married to Margaret, daughter of William and Jane Frazier, by whom he had seven children, six living: William, John, Josiah, Francis, Nancy, Sarah, and Margaret, deceased. Da- vid made the home of his father his place of abode during his natural life, and died September 11, 1859. In politics he was an old-time Whig. Nathan, his father, was a federalist. The parents of Mrs. David Lamme came to Ohio in 1814, and settled in this township, south of Bellbrook, on land now owned by Matt. Morris. On this land Mr. Frazier lived till his death, which occurred in August, 1815. Mrs. Frazier died in Sidney, May 10, 1850. They were parents of six children, three of whom are living: Margaret, John, and William. The deceased are Cyrus, Sarah, and Samuel. They were both members of the Associate Church. Francis Lam-

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me enlisted in Company E, Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and was discharged on account of sickness the following year. The children of David Lamme are residents of this county, except John, who resides in Illinois.

John Lantz, deceased, Alpha, was born in Washington County, Maryland, August 27, 1806, his boyhood being passed in his native place, on the farm. In 1826, he was married to Catharine, daugh- ter of John and Barbara Rhodes, after which he engaged in mill- ing and distilling, which he followed till 1836, the time of his re- moval to Ohio. Their trip was made overland, by team, consum- ing four weeks' time. They made a temporary stop in Hardin County, where they remained from spring till fall, when they came on to Greene County, and settled in the neighborhood where Mrs. Lantz now lives. After remaining a few years, they went to Spring- field, Ohio, where he followed milling for several years, and then came and located where his widow now lives. Officially, his ability was recognized and sought by his townsmen, whom he served in the capacity of trustee, and a number of the more minor offices of the township, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Six chil- dren were born to them, four of whom are living: Barbara A., John D., Eliza E., and Jacob L. The deceased are Catharine J. and Mary E. Mrs. Lantz is a member of the Lutheran Church, with which she has been connected many years, and is a consistent Christian lady. Barbara A. was married to George S. Lafong, on the 19th of February, 1852, who departed this life, January 30, 1877. Eliza E. married John A. Ilarner, and has three children, Maggie K., Jonathan II., and Ann J. Mrs. Lantz was born in Maryland, in 1807, and her parents were born in the same state, in which they lived, died, and are buried. They were parents of eight children, two of whom are living: Catharine and Rose Ann. At Mr. Lantz' death, he left two hundred and seventy-six acres of land. He was a self-made man, a hard worker, and was beloved and respected by all who knew him. On the 14th of July, 1871, he passed away, after a long and well-spent life.

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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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, John 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 Aun, 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 Ilarner 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.

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History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio, Part 59

Author: R. S. Dills Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1037

Author: R. S. Dills
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1037