USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 60
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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. ITis 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 H., Joseph C., Willy A., and Davis II. 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 (Crumbaughi) 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 subject'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. Ilis 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. IIe 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. IIe 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. IIe 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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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, Jolin 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 unele 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. IIe 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 l'eter 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 ITesse-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
THE " VIRGINIA MILITARY RESERVATION."
This irregular piece of territory lies east, and borders on the Lit- tle Miami River, and hangs to the otherwise well proportioned map of the township like a ragged patch. The irregularity of out- line of this section, is fully explained in a few words of its history. At one time, all this then " western wild" belonged to the state of Virginia, but was granted to the general government with a reser- vation, which included all that territory between the Scioto and Little Miami rivers This reservation was made by the state to pay her soldiers, to whom she was indebted for military service. Warrants were issued for a certain amount of land somewhere, and anywhere between these two rivers ; no survey being made by the state, so each claimant located his claim wherever he might choose,
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and consequently many of the claims over-lapped each other, from which arose great confusion of titles, leading to a great deal of liti- gation, ending eventually in the compromise adjustment of boun- dary lines as represented on the map.
The Little Miami River enters the township at the northeast, is a tributary of the Ohio, and flows southward to more than half the extent of the township, when it suddenly turns eastward, and en- ters Spring Valley. Little Sugar Creek, a small stream, extends from the extreme northwest, toward the center, where, at a point just south of Bellbrook, it joins Big Sugar Creek, which flows from the west. At this juncture the uniting streams become simply Sugar Creek proper, and flowing in a southeastern direction, empty into the Little Miami. From this small stream, or from the abund- ance of sugar timber of this locality, the township takes its name. The whole extent of the township is considerably broken, espe- cially along the river, but eastward and south are the high, rolling lands, with beautiful and fertile valleys interspersing "the grand old hills." The soil of the highland is of rich clay, with limestone base, especially in the north, while in the south this clay soil has a sandstone base, and is especially adapted to the production of all kinds of fruits; in the valleys or bottom lands is found the black, sandy alluvial. The principal productions are wheat, corn, oats, rye, and tobacco; considerable attention is given to the cultivation of the latter; superior grades commanding good prices are raised in this locality.
The woodlands, of which a considerable portion has escaped the woodman's ax, abound mostly in sugar, walnut, oak, ash, and poplar. The chief industries belong to the agricultural depart- ment, though there are two flouring mills on the Little Miami, northeast of Bellbrook, and at present a considerable amount of good building limestone is being quarried in the north part of the township.
Bellbrook is the only incorporated village, though there is a closely settled neighborhood in the extreme south, called Clio.
Many railroads have been projected though this township, from all quarters and at divers times-indeed at one time two surveying parties for two different routes crossed their chains in the south- . western part of Bellbrook. This has always been considered a good omen, but as yet no road has been built, nor is the future more hopeful than the past. Communications with the near cities are
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now well piked, and good gravel roads extend throughout the township.
The census of 1880 gives the township a population of 1,588, a gain of one hundred and six since 1870.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlement. in this township, and, indeed, the first in Greene County, was made in the extreme southern part of the township, near what is now known as the village of Clio. It was here that the first white human habitation was built, and where the first page of the history of Greene County begins.
In the spring of the year 1796, George Wilson, Amos Wilson (two brothers), and Jacob Mills, came up from the neighborhood of Cincinnati, and located in the southwest part of section 4, town 3, range 5, about three-fourth miles east of Clio, on what is now known as the Gauze property. Here they built a temporary hut about twelve feet square, without floor or chimney, which was intended as a temporary shelter for these men while they were en- gaged in clearing the land. They cleared about three acres near the hut, and planted it in corn, when they returned to the vicinity of Cincinnati to care for their harvest which they had there. In their absence, Daniel Wilson, another brother, came and settled just west of Clio, on the farm now owned by his grandson, Abner Wilson, being southwest part section 10, town 3, range 5. He cleared two acres of land, and got the logs ready for his cabin. In the fall of the same year, George and Amos Wilson, with another brother, John, returned to their former settlement, and immedi- ately began to build their cabins. The first of these was built for Daniel Wilson, about sixty rods west of the village of Clio, on the farm as above described. Another was built for George, cast of this, on the farm now owned by John James; another for Amos, just north, on the farm now owned by Thomas J. Brown. After the cabins were completed, they returned to their former homes for their families. George and Amos returned again with their fami- lies, to their new homes in the wilderness, in the latter part of the · winter. Daniel did not arrive until the 3d day of March, 1797.
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Soon after the Wilson brothers had settled, their father, John, came to visit them, and was so well pleased with the new settle- ment, that he concluded if the "boys" would build him a house,
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he would locate with them. The proposition was gladly accepted, and they immediately erected a two-story hewn-log house, with puncheon floor and quite an extensive fire-place, which took up the whole west end of the house. , The house is now standing on the site of its first erection, about three-fourths of a mile east of Clio, southwest section 4 (3. 5), and is, no doubt, the oldest house now standing in this township, if not in the county, having been built in 1800-1.
John Wilson, sr., father of Daniel, George, Amos, and John, jr., was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1738 or 1739, and came to this township about 1800, after the settlement had been made by his sons, as above mentioned. He had purchased the lands on which the settlement had been made from John Cleves Symmes. IIe (Wilson) was a delegate to the convention, in 1802, which framed the first constitution of the State of Ohio. He attended as delegate from Hamilton County, to which this part of the country then belonged, as Greene County had not then been organized.
Daniel Wilson, oldest son of John Wilson, was born April 21, 1759. Ile came to this township in the fall of 1796, and settled on the farm, as before mentioned, where he lived until 1811, when he removed to Montgomery County. He had four sons, John S., James, David, and Andrew.
George, Amos, and John Wilson, jr., all removed from the town- ship at a very early period.
John Sutton Wilson, son of Daniel Wilson, was born in Penn- sylvania, December 29, 1786, and died May 24, 1879. IIe had three sons, Samuel, Abner, and David. From the papers he has left be- hind him, we gather all that is known of the early settlement of this locality. He was a pious, conscientious man, and has left, writ- . ten in full, many of the hymns taught him by his mother, and which have never been printed. They were sung from memory by the early settlers in their religious worship, and thus handed down from generation to generation. Many incidents connected with early times, are found among these papers, but we regret that the want of space precludes the most of them from these pages.
James Brelsford came from Pennsylvania, in the year 1811, and purchased the Daniel Wilson farm, where he lived for the period of fifty years. He is remembered as one of the upright, substantial citizens of this locality. IIe had two sons and two daughters, John, William, Mrs. Jarvis Stokes, and Mrs. Jonathan Austin.
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John Brelsford left no children. The descendants of William were Horace, James R. (Dr.), Samuel, John, Mary A., and Effie J.
Daniel Clark was the first minister of the gospel in this locality. He was a Baptist, "after the strictest order of his sect," preach- ing here as often as once every month. His salary was made up of whatever the settlers could give, and consisted mostly of deer hides, which were then considered a very acceptable legal-tender, and was the common material for clothing.
In the year 1802, James Carman, also a Baptist minister, settled on the George Wilson farm. He performed many of the marriage ceremonies of these times, receiving, in some cases, the then liberal fee of two dollars. He is remembered as a zealous and faithful minister.
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