USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 83
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He has been no office-seeker, and on one occa- sion, when nominated for a local office, he elec- tioneered vigorously against his own candidacy,
MRS. STEPHEN BURK.
and succeeded in defeating himself. He has been a life-long Democrat, however, and always goes to the polls to deposit his vote. His first vote was cast for General Andrew Jackson for the Presi- dency of the United States. He never has been connected with any of the religious or secret societies, but has been satisfied to live a self- contained and independ- ent life.
Mrs. Burk is the fifth child and third daugh- ter of James and Sarah ( Swales ) Pruden, of Dearborn county, Indi- ana. She was born in that county, but in Har- rison village, on the In- diana side, on the eigh- teenth of April, 1841. She remained at home during her girlhood and youth, receiving her ed- ucation in the village schools, and for two terms in the Ohio Fe- male College, at College Hill. For about twelve years, beginning with the year 1859, she taught in country suburbs, either on the public or subscrip- tion foundation; and her popularity in this work is attested by the fact that her teaching was confined to three districts in the neighborhood of her old home, in one or the other of which she was ever sure of an engagement, and could always get a sub-
scription school when the public money was ex- hausted. She is a lady of unusual culture and refinement, and remembers with pleasure her days of pedagogic life.
In 1871 she embarked in business in Harrison village, in a millinery and ladies' notion store, in which she remained about four years, until shortly before her marriage with Mr. Burk.
MOSS-ENG. CON
They have two chil- dren - Stephen James, who was born June 20, 1876, and Martha Es- tella, who was born November 20, 1879. She is a member of the Presbyterian church in Harrison, and has lived in the faith of that de- nomination since her childhood. It has been the faith of her father and his ancestors for several generations, and of most of her rela- tives.
Her mother is Eng- lish-born, coming with her parents to Dearborn county, Indiana, in June, in the year 1831, and is of the Church of England, or Episcopal faith. Both of her parents are still living.
Her father is of English and Irish stock, and came to this part of the country with his parents in 1816.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
Mary Eads, of Kentucky, who died in 1856. She had eight children. He then married a lady of Harrison, who had one child. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian church. He always took deep interest in all public improvements, and contributed liberally for the support of the church. He was also a leader among the Free Masons, having joined the order at an early day. The children are: James, married to Mary Kishler, and living in Hamilton county ; Samuel, married to Elizabeth Hand, and now in the State of Illinois; Mary J., the wife of James L. Andrew, and now in Indiana; George W., married to Hannah B. Herrin, and in Hamilton county; Clinton C., married, and living in Kansas; Richard C., married to Lanra Walker, of Indi- ana; William M., married to Louisa Hughs, and now in the same State as the preceding ; Eveline, the wife of Mr. Brunson, and now of the same State; and Martha J., now living with the second Mrs. Arnold in Pennsylvania.
George W. Arnold was born in Elizabethtown, Ohio, in 1823, where he began the business of farming and stock raising, in which he is now engaged. When seven years of age, he went with his father to Indiana, where he remained till 1855. As a Democrat, he held the office of township trustee several years. In 1855 he re- turned to Ohio, and settled on the farm, where he now lives. Since coming to this State, he has held the offices of trustee and school director. In 1844 he was married to Hannah B. Herrin, of Ohio. They have had eight children : Joanna, Emma, John H., Mary, George W., married to Helen, and living in Hamilton county; Charles A., married to Kittie Caloway, and also now in Hamilton county ; Purley and Katie.
Andrew M. Wakefield was born in Hamilton county, January 11, 1819, and died November 10, 1873. He always followed the business of farming, at the same time served several times as trustee of Crosby township. Early in life he was a Presbyterian, but later became a Methodist. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Phœbe Alberton, a native of Ohio, and of Welsh de- scent.
W. F. Wakefield was born in 1844, in Crosby township, where he received a common school education. He re- mained on his father's farm till twenty-one years of age, when he attended school at Farmer's college at College Hill. From there he went to Mr. Nelson's Commercial college at Cincinnati, where he remained but a short time, accepting a place as bookkeeper in the wholesale house of D. B. Dunlevy & Co. This position was fol- lowed by that of soliciting agent for a grain commission house, when, after two years of service he spent some time in travelling through the Indian territory. Return- ing to Harrison, he married Emma Shoobridge, and has held at different times the offices of corporation clerk of Harrison, and assessor. Since his marriage he has been twice in the employ of Mr. G. W. Keen, in the grocery business with John Small, in the saw-mill business for himself, and at present, is bookkeeper for James Camp- bell. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat in politics. He has two children.
Rohr Cary was born in Lynn, New Hampshire, Jan-
uary 24, 1787, and moved with his father to the North- west Territory in 1802, and settled in Cincinnati, but eventually moved to College Hill. A soldier in the war of 1812, he was with General Hull at the surrender of Detroit. His death took place November 13, 1866. He was a quiet, upright man, respected by all who knew him. In 1813, he was married to Eliza Jessup, of Ham- ilton county, Ohio, who died July 30, 1835. They had nine children: Rowena, married to Isaac B. Carrihan; Susan, married to Alexander Swift; Rhoda, Alice, Asa, whose wife was Leah A. Woodruff, of Hamilton county ; Phœbe; Warren, whose wives were Martha A. Tremper and Emma Tremper, of Hamilton county; Lucy; and Elmira, married to Alexander Swift.
Warren Cary was born in Hamilton county, October 16, 1826, where he received a common school education and also took a course of study at College Hill. He is a farmer, in which business he has been engaged nearly all his life. In politics he is a Republican; in religious belief a Universalist. His three children are Robert, Alexander S., and Clarence W.
Robert Cary was born in Hamilton county, in 1850, where he received a common school education and also a two years' course at College Hill. He married Eliza Wilson, of the same county, in 1874. They have two children, Elmira and Martha. He is a farmer in busi- ness, in politics a Republican.
Matthew Brown, a native of Ireland, was born in the year 1753, but emigrated to Ohio from South Carolina, and settled, in 1803, on the farm now owned by John Baughman, in Harrison. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, a Democrat in politics. His wife was Jane Jones, a native of South Carolina. She had eight children: Nancy, married to Samuel Harlen, and living in Indiana; David, married to Susan Gladwell, and also in Indiana; Katie, the wife of George Harlen, and living in Iowa; Robert, married to Katie Cotton, also in Indiana; Sam- uel, married to Betsey Atherton, and living in Indiana; Sarah, the wife of Thomas Goulding, of Indiana; Betsey, married to Isaac Ferris and residing in Hamilton county; and John, married to Sarah Herm, of the same county.
John Brown was born in South Carolina, in 1803, and came to Ohio with his parents. He has been a farmer all his life, and for many years was a member of the Harrison school board. In politics he is a Democrat. He married Sarah Herin, of New Jersey, in 1824. Aug- ust 30, 1874, he died at the age of 1871. He was the father of seven children: Jane, now the wife of James Charelton, of Butler county, Ohio; John, married to Sarah Ellis and living in Indiana ; Martha and Rebecca, both living in Hamilton county; Sarah, wife of Jehu John, and now living in Illinois; Hannah, married to John Vanausdall, and now in Hamilton county; and Jefferson, remaining in the same place.
George G. Oyler was born in England, in 1815, came to the United States with his father in 1828, and first settled in Hamilton county on the farm now owned by Thomas Bowles. After serving an apprenticeship with Mr. D: A. Davidson, he followed the painter's trade for thirty-five years, but at present devotes himself entirely
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
to his farm. A Democrat, he has held the office of trustee in the township. He ranks high, too, as a Mason. He married Elizabeth Gerrard, of Ohio, in 1838. She had one child, Sarah, who died while an infant. The mother also died in 1876. He then married Honor J. Minor.
Frederick Biddinger, senior, was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1804, and came to Ohio with his father and settled in Butler county. After a year they moved to this county, and in 1810 he began on the farm which he now occupies. At present he is in possession of a fine competency. A Democrat in politics, he held the office of trustee of Harrison town- ship one year; has always taken a deep interest in public improvements, and was instrumental in the laying out of the Biddinger pike, running from Harrison to Oxford. He is a member of the English Lutheran church; has held the office of trustee in the church for many years, and has always been deeply interested in the subject of education of youth. He married Sarah Black, of Ohio, who died in 1873. The children are John W., married to Margaret Otto, and now living in Butler county, Ohio; George A., married to Catharine Simonson, and now in this county; Emeline, wife of John Livingston, now in the same county; Jacob, married to Sarah Stephens, also living in this county; Angeline, now the wife of William Hutchinson, and residing in Missouri; Catharine, in this county; Melinda, Mrs. Thomas Thomas of the same county; Martha, the wife of Martis Holowell, and now residing in Indiana; Wesley M., married to Fanny Mc- Intyre, and now in Illinois; and Lewis F., of this county.
Asa R. Mittler, born in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1817, is a farmer of Hamilton county, where he settled in 1848. The first few years he was a resident of Har- rison township, and while there he dealt in stock. In 1852 he organized a company and went over the plains to California where he was engaged for a year in mining and keeping hotel, and returned to Ohio by way of Panama. At the end of two years he purchased a farm in White- water township, on which he lived until 1870, when he moved to the place on which is now his home. While in Whitewater township he held the office of township trustee and treasurer for a number of years, and has filled the same office in the township where he now resides. He has always been a Democrat. February 22, 1855, he was married to Euphemia Rittenhouse, of Ohio. The children are Alice, Ellen (now the wife of George Arnold), Charles, George, and Mabel.
John Jones, born in Baltimore county, Maryland, first settled in Harrison township in 1809. He was both a farmer and miller. In religious faith he was a Baptist, but never united with a church. His wife was Sarah Harriman. Their children are Betsy, Sarah, Rachel, Temperance, Ruth, Nancy, Rebecca, Stephen and Ellen.
Benjamin Simonson, the oldest member of the family of Aaron and Margaret Simonson, was born in this county in 1827. In 1864 he entered into partnership with George and John Punny, for the manufacture of bedsteads, in which business he continued four years, when he disposed of his interest and returned to his
farm. He is a member of the Sand Hill grange, in which he has twice held the place of overseer, and was also an officer .in the Ancient Order of Red Men. In politics he classes himself with the Democratic party. In 1848 he married Maria Johnson, of Indiana. Their nine children are Margaret E., now Mrs. Harry Sleet; Nicholas J., Pricilla, Helen M., Mary E., Zaruma, Ben- jamin F., Maria A., and Charles G.
George Hopping was born in Whitewater township in 1826, where he received an ordinary education, and be- gan the business of farming. He is a strong Republi- can, and always has shown much interest in education. In 1850 he was married to Rebecca Ireland, a citizen of Indiana. He has six children-William, Frank, Charles, Laura, Hattie, and Lillie.
Robert Marvin was born September 12, 1770, in Lynne, Connecticut. He was left an orphan when three years old. When a young man he engaged in teaching. About the year 1800 he moved to Morristown, New Jersey, and soon after was married to the widow of Moses Ross. Her maiden name was Phoebe Ford. About the year 1805 he emigrated to Harrison, Hamilton county, Ohio. The journey westward as far as Wheeling was made in a covered wagon, drawn by horses and oxen. The rest of the trip was effected in a flatboat down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. He settled on land obtained by his predecessor from the Government at four dollars per acre, and entered the adjoining quarter section from the Government. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He was an Abolitionist of the old style, and so noted for his zeal that he was threatened with expulsion from the church! He died in January, 1842, in his seventy-second year. His wife survived him about ten years, expiring in the eighty- third year of her age.
Samuel R. Marvin was born in Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, June 5, 1804. He came to this State with his parents, and first settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Narcissa Snow, in Harrison township. At one time he attended the Miami university at Oxford. He devoted twenty years to teaching school. He received the rudiments of a good English education from his scholarly father, but by reason of weak eyes was never able to pursue a regular course of study. He was a great reader, a close observer of human nature, and, in his day, succeeded well as a teacher, in which profession he spent the best part of his life. In 1842 he married Julia A. Place, who was born in New York in 1808. After his marriage he became a farmer, which business he followed the remainder of his life. He filled the office of town- ship clerk for Harrison township, and was also a mem- ber of the school board, in the same township, for several years. Early in his life he was a believer in Universalism, but he afterward adopted the Swedenborgian faith. In politics he was an Old Line Whig, a strong Abolitionist, and, after the forming of the Republican party he be- came a Republican. A highly educated and truly good man, he was highly respected by the many with whom he was acquainted. He died at his home near Harrison, June 29, 1863. His wife survives him. Te vas the
RESIDENCE OF M. S. BONNEL, HA
RISON TP., HAMILTON CO., OHIO.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
father of three children, Gustavus L., who died in in- fancy; Jerome P., now married to Martha A. Stokes, and Melissa A., now the wife of Henry N. Congden.
Jerome P. Marvin was born in this county in 1846. He taught school after having obtained an ordinary edu-, cation, after which time he spent a year at Wabash col- lege, Indiana, and studied medicine at the Eclectic Medi- cal institute, of Cincinnati, five years, where he graduated in June, 1866. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio regiment of infantry, where he served three months. The practice of medicine was begun in Cincinnati in the fall of 1866, in partnership with Dr. Scudder, which partnership continued six years. During that time he was demonstrator of anatomy in the Eclectic institute of Cincinnati for three years. In 1872 he began medical practice in Sidney, Ohio. After a year he gave up the place and came to Harrison, buying the interest of C. G. Thomas in the drug business, in which he is at present engaged. He held the office of town- ship treasurer of Harrison township one year, was a member of the school board three years, and gave mate- rial aid in establishing the present graded system in the schools. In politics he is a Republican, and as a mem- ber of Snow Lodge No. 193 has had the place of mas- ter during three years. He was married to Martha Stokes, a native of Ohio, April 16, 1868, and is the father of two children, Mabel and Maude.
William Dair, born in Harrison, Ohio, August 20, 1848, married Jeannette Bonham September 21, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Dair have three children, two daughters and one son. In the way of descent he is the son of James Dair, who was one of the successful men of the county, and. to whom excellent business tact and fore- sight have been transmitted. He is a graduate of Bart- lett's Commercial college, of Cincinnati. In the matter of positions he has filled-and filled successfully, too- the township treasurer's and councilman's office, has been engaged in causes which advance the practical interests of a community, and deals in facts and results. He, with his brother Charles, is among the wealthy men of Harri- son township, and year by year add by honorable means to their gains. They are distillers.
Lewis M. Dair was born in New Jersey, Greenwich county, in 1798. He was a ship carpenter by trade, and came to Ohio in 1844 and settled in Harrison. While there he worked at the carpenter's trade. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Hannah Mulford, was a na- tive of New Jersey. She died in Harrison in 1854. Her husband survived her fourteen years. They had eleven children-Benjamin, married to Julia A. Beard, and now living in Indiana; James, whose first wife was Charlotte Briggs, and whose present wife is Louisa Brakenridge; Mary J .; Elizabeth, the wife of Owen Williams; Amanda, the wife of Asa Curry, now of Indiana; Hannah, at present Mrs. Richard Bowles; Lewis, married to Eliza- beth Perrine; Jonathan M., married to Mary J. Camp- bell, now living in Kentucky; Lucy A., Mrs. George Leg- get, at present a resident of Indiana; Edward, now mar- ried to Angeline Phillips and also in Indiana ; and Emily, the wife of Theodore B. McCafferty.
James Dair, the second son, was born in 1822, in the State of New Jersey, where he learned the miller's trade, in which business he continued until he came to Ohio, in 1842. He settled in Harrison township, and in com- pany with Joseph T. Cloud built the distillery now owned by the Dair Brothers. In politics he was a Republican. He married Charlotte Briggs, a native of Indiana, who died in 1864. Their children were-Charles, now mar- ried to Addie Rittenhouse; two daughters named Sallie; Katie, the wife of Theodore Rockafeller, and now a res- ident of Indiana; Charlotte, married to Purlu Scott; Ida, now Mrs. Charles Wren, of Butler county, Ohio; Anna, and one that died in infancy.
Isaac L. Frost was born in Harrison township, at Lee's creek, and worked on his father's farm till he was of age, when he began mercantile business in Venice, Butler county. In 1854 he bought Mr. A. M. Wakefield's stock of goods in New Haven, and continued business there until 1863, when he died. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a Democrat in pol- itics. He was married to Miss Nancy Huchinson, who still survives him. They had nine children-Elsie A., now married to Aaron Shaw; Amos H., whose wife is Sarah J. Hank; Sarepta, the wife of William Pharas; Harriet E .; John S .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jasper N. Shaw ; Nancy J .; Isaac S .; and Theodocia.
Amos Hutchinson Frost was born December 18, 1840, three miles northeast of Harrison, on Lee's creek, in Harrison township. November 12, 1867, he married Sarah Jane Hawk, daughter of William Hawk, of Cros- by, who bore him three children, one son living. Early in life the family moved to Venice, in Butler county, and resided for twelve years; from there they came to New Haven in the year 1854, and finally Amos left in 1871 and settled in Harrison village, since which time he has been engaged in the drug business. In all matters of public concern he has been favorably known. He is secretary of Harrison Loan and Business association, is a member of the school board, and treasurer and trustee of the First Presbyterian church, of which he is a member.
Dr. Milton L. Thomas was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1821. When eleven years old he went with his parents to Jefferson county, Indiana. At the age of twenty-one he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. D. Rogers, at Madison, Indiana, and continued the same during three years. After attending the Medi- cal institute of Louisville, Kentucky, he began the prac- tice of medicine in Morgan county, Indiana. In 1849 he moved to New Haven, this county, where he was in practice five years, during which time he attended a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical institute in Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1850. Four years later he opened an office in Harrison, where he is at the present time. He is an earnest member of the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. He is also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In politics he walks with the Republican party. In 1844 he was married to Harriet W. Chase, who was born in Ohio. She became the mother of two children, and died July 17, 1852. He then married Susan J. Rybolt, of Indiana.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
They now have a family of four children: Charles S., now married to Margaret Little; Eda A .; Elminea, now Mrs. James S. Bittler; and Rolla, married to Sallie B. Cook, of Indiana. Rolla was born in Harrison in 1857. In 1877 he graduated at Ashbury university, at Green- castle, Indiana, where he studied medicine.
Charles G. Thomas was born in the year 1845, in Jef- ferson county, Indiana, whence he came to Harrison with his parents. In addition to a common school edu- cation he attended the Miami university at Oxford. For the last eighteen years he has been in the drug business. In politics he is a Republican. In 1869 he was married to Maggie A. Little, of Ohio. They have two children, Harrietta and Eda L.
Joseph C. Meyer was born 1824 in Hanover, Germany, where he learned the jeweler's trade. He came to Amer- ica in 1849, and first settled in Cincinnati, where he re- mained about four years. While there he worked as a journeyman in the jewelry business. In 1854 he came to Harrison, and entered the employ of Thomas Dorr, where he remained three years, when he began business on his own account, which he still continues. During two terms he filled the position of councilman for Harri- son, is a member of the Catholic church, and in politics ia a Democrat. In 1860 he married Anna M. Gardiner a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Liz- zie and Joseph.
Rev. Charles West was born in 1792, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, from which State he moved to Ohio, and settled in Colerain township in 1819. His death occurred in August, 1878, in Butler county, Ohio. By trade he was a tanner and curries, but after coming to Ohio was engaged in farming. In 1817 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and took an active part in its work. In 1850 he built a church with his own funds -- the West Union church, at Greusbeck, in Colerain township-and was pastor of the church until his death. He was an active, earnest Christian, respected by all. In 1817 he married Rebecca Sparks, of Baltimore, Maryland. She died at the age of sixty-eight years, in Butler county. The had nine children: Manning, now married to Aman- da Stout, and residing in Iowa; Stockston, now of Illi- nois, whose wives were Catharine Bevis and Mary Apple- gate; Pieson, whose wife is Mary Gosling; Allison Syl- vester, Pitman ; Augustus E., married to Annie H. John- son; Miranda, now Mrs. Samuel Wilson of Indiana; and Charles, married to Harriet Ponder.
Dr. Augustus E. West was born in 1824, in this county. After obtaining a common school education he attended school at College Hill, and at twenty-one years of age began the study of medicine with Dr. Bartlett at Chev- iot. After four years he graduated at Starling Medical college in Columbus, Ohio, and the next year began the practice of medicine at Farmersville, Montgomery county, Ohio, but soon after moved to Miamitown, where he prac- ticed fourteen years. He then went to Illinois, purchased a farm and followed farming about a year, when he re- turned to Ohio and settled in Harrison. In 1865 he opened an office and began prabtice there and is still en- gaged in the same employment. He is a most successful
physician of the regular school. At various times he has held various public offices of trust and responsibility. He is a member of Snow lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, also of Harrison lodge, Knights of Honor, and is a Democrat in politics. In 1849 he was married to Miss Annie Tomlinson, of New Jersey. His eight children are: John A., now of Montgomery county, this State; Helen M., Mrs. Charles Ferris ; Rebecca, wife of William Converse, and Frank, Francis, Annie C., Manning, and Eddie.
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