History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 84

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985

USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 84

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Clifford C. Gard was born in Dixon township, February 17, 1878, the son of Stephen and Sarah (Dillman) Gard. Stephen Gard was born in Jackson township, the son of Lorenzo and Matilda (Perkins) Gard, and had two brothers, Aaron and Simeon Gard.

Stephen Gard was reared on a farm in Jackson township and after he was married he worked in Dixon township, to which he had moved, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was an ardent church member and a faithful Democrat. He died on March 5, 1908, and his widow is still living. Four children were born to them, two of whom are now-living, Oscar, a graduate of the Richmond Business College and a fur broker in Seattle, Washington, and Clifford C., the subject of this sketch. Two daughters, Ida and Emma, died in early childhood.

Clifford C. Gard was reared on a farm in Dixon township and was educated in the district schools and the high school. He is a graduate of the Richmond Business College. After finishing business college, he became a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad and worked in that position for two years, his run being between Logansport and Cincinnati. Mr. Gard then operated a rented farm for seven years. He commenced the live stock

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business while living raising of one-half a ( the carload to marke scope of his operatio has accumulated a sı

On December 5 mate, who is a grac in 1900. She was years. To Mr. and born October 14. 19

Mrs. Gard is a town. Mr. Gard i cepted Masons, at F for three years. I township. Mr. Ga ress and prosperity esteem in which he man of intellectual

One of the Ohio, and the prc Watts. Mr. Wa in which he is er business. He is munity in which principles of sq1

Isaac New1 he has lived all iam Watts was 1835, and both all his life. and are still Living :

Isaac N. and received h At the age of

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ess while living on the farm, his first venture in that line following his g of one-half a carload of stock. He bought the other half and shipped irload to market, the venture being so profitable that he enlarged the of his operations. He has been very successful in this business and ccumulated a substantial competence.

On December 5, 1906, Clifford C. Gard was married to Nellie Shu- who is a graduate of the Jackson township schools, having finished Do. She was manager of the Campbellstown telephone exchange six

To Mr. and Mrs. Gard one daughter has been born, Dorothy E .. October 14. 1907, who is a student in the public schools.

Irs. Gard is an active member of the Christian church at Campbells-

Mr. Gard is a member of Downey Lodge No. 233, Free and Ac- I Masons, at Boston, Indiana, and served as senior warden of his lodge iree years. He is a Democrat and has served as assessor of Dixon hip. Mr. Gard is proud of his native state and zealous of her prog- nd prosperity. He is a man who, in every respect. merits the high- i in which he is held by his- neighbors and friends. He is not only a. of intellectual attainments, but of high public spirit as well.

ISAAC NEWTON WATTS.

One of the representative citizens of Jackson township, Preble county, and the proprietor of a large saw-mill in the township, is Isaac Newton

. Mr. Watts has made a thorough and complete study of the business ich he is engaged, and has made more than an ordinary success of this ss. He is an honorable and upright citizen, respected in the com- y in which he lives, and is admired for his sterling integrity and rugged ples of square dealing.

saac Newton Watts was born on May 11. 1867, in the township where ; lived all his life, a son of William and Rachel (Cline) Watts. Will- Vatts was born in Indiana in August, 1829, and his wife was born in and both are still living. William Watts followed agricultural pursuits , life, and to him and his wife nine children were born, eight of whom ill living; Levi, John, Bud, Ida, R. L., J. I., I. N. and Maude.

saac N. Watts was reared on his father's farm in Jackson township, ceived his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. e age of eighteen he started in life for himself, working on different

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farms in the neighborhood by the month until he was twenty-two years old. Mr. Watts had been able to save very little money by the time he reached this age. .

In June, 1889, Mr. Watts was married to Tillie Wolf, who is a daughter of J. P. Wolf, a prominent farmer of Jackson township. For several years after Mr. Watts's marriage, he worked on the farm, and now has general supervision of a farm of ninety-six acres belonging to his mother-in-law, in addition to his work at the mill. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watts. John M. is a graduate of the business college at Richmond, Indiana, and is a farmer. He married Agnes McBride, February 28, 1914. and they have one son, Paul Newton, who was born on December 3, 1914. Lotha is unmarried and lives at home.

Since Mr. Watts has owned the saw-mill, which he operates, he has built a large and profitable business in Jackson township. He has been the sole owner of this mill since 1909.

Mr. Watts is a Republican, but he has never been especially active in political affairs. He casts his vote as is the duty of every good American citizen, but he has never aspired to hold public office. The Watts family are highly esteemed in the community in which they live and are well known in that part of Preble county.

ALBERT H. WILSON.

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in attaining a due measure of success. In searching the career of one who has won success, by his own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible. While an objective incentive and inspiration is thus granted, at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Albert H. Wilson one of the prominent and successful teachers of New Paris and Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, have also won for him the esteem of the older citizens of this city and commun- ity, an esteem which is well deserved. Mr. Wilson's career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

Albert H. Wilson, a teacher in the New Paris public schools, was born on a farm in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, September 23, 1890. He is a son of Chauncy C. and Mary M. E. (McKee) Wilson, the former

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bom August 17, 1834 (Couch) Wilson. CH was a native of Penn Ohio, in 1830. The they lived a number . where they lived on a four sons and four .

Chauncy C. W. near Cincinnati, Ohi the outbreak of the Ninety-third Regim charged, and enlist He was married, tl to this union three nie, the wife of Je reside in Cincinnat ried again, to Mis beth McKee, who in Butler county. ty-one children o ship. Mr. McKe and died in the ! occurring in 183 this marriage, M which is now kr

Mr. Wilson Mrs. Wilson w: of four children self, are deceas by his second r

Albert H. schools. He g a student at E the degree of and is now it school. He i terested in pı his communi has already : predict for 1

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August 17, 1834, in Dayton, Ohio, and a son of Charles and Sarah ch) Wilson. Charles Wilson was born in New Jersey, and his wife a native of Pennsylvania. They were married and located in Dayton, , in 1830. The same year they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where lived a number of years, and then removed to Wayne county, Indiana, e they lived on a farm. Here Mr. Wilson died. He was the father of sons and four daughters, three of whom are living.

Chauncy C. Wilson, the father of Albert H., was reared on a farm Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained a good common-school education. Upon utbreak of the Civil War, he served in Company K, One Hundred and ty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was injured and dis- ged, and enlisted the second time, serving until the close of the war. vas married, the first time, in Cincinnati, to Miss Fannie Carrier, and is union three daughters were born, two of whom are now living: Jen- the wife of John Benson, and Mrs. Margaret Carrier, both of whom e in Cincinnati. Mr. Wilson received a divorce in 1889, and was mar- again, to Miss Mary M. E. McKee, a daughter of Andrew and Eliza- McKee, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. Andrew McKee was born itler county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. He was one of a family of twen- le children of John McKee, who settled on a farm in Jefferson town-

Mr. McKee was married to Elizabeth Curry, who was born in 1807 died in the year 1886, at the age of seventy-nine years, their marriage ring in 1834. She was also a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly after marriage, Mr. McKee entered a piece of land northeast of New Paris, h is now known as the Wilson farm.

Mr. Wilson and Miss McKee were married on September 5, 1889. Wilson was born in Jefferson township, June 13, 1851, and was one our children born to Andrew McKee and wife, all of whom, except her- are deceased. Albert H. Wilson is the only child born to his father is second marriage. Chauncy Wilson died on December 29, 1913.

Albert H. Wilson was reared on a farm and educated in the district ols. He graduated from the New Paris high school, afterward became ident at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, where he graduated with degree of Bachelor of Science. Mr. Wilson began to teach in 1910, is now instructor of mathematics and science in the New Paris high ol. He is a capable and efficient instructor and a young man much in- ted in public questions. He is a leader in the educational thought of community, and a young man much admired for the things which he already accomplished. He has a host of friends in Preble county, who ict for him the achievement of even greater things.

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JOHN L. McWHINNEY.

Among the families of Preble county, Ohio, whose members have worthily discharged their duties to their community, no family takes higher rank than that of the McWhinneys, who are prominently identified with the agricultural and social and civic life of Jackson township. For many years the members of this family have stood for all that is best in agricultural, educational and civic life and have wielded an influence that is decidedly potent in their respective communities. One of the eminent representatives of this family is John L. McWhinney, a farmer, living on rural route No. 3, out of Richmond, Indiana.

John L. McWhinney, the proprietor of "Woodside Farm," consisting of two hundred and thirteen acres situated four miles east of Richmond, Indiana, was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, June 9, 1873, the son of John and Sarah J. (Moore) McWhinney. John McWhinney, Sr., was born in Jackson township, this county, August 23, 1819, a son of John McWhinney, who was reared in Wayne county, Indiana, and Preble county, Ohio. The first John McWhinney married a Miss Dougan and died in Wayne county, Indiana.

John McWhinney, the father of John L., was reared in Preble county, Ohio, and Wayne county, Indiana. He was a man much interested in education and did much for the advancement of educational interests in his neighborhood. Throughout his life he was prosperous in farming. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom John L. is the only one now living.

John L. McWhinney was reared on the farm where he now lives and was educated in the district schools. He took up farming at an early age and has followed it throughout his life. Mr. McWhinney is a general farmer and stock raiser, but is also interested in fruit, especially in apples and peaches. He has been in the fruit business for the last two years, and now has ten acres planted in various large and small fruits.

On November 30, 1899, John L. McWhinney was married to Abbie Smith, who was born in Jackson township in 1880, the daughter of Elisha and Mary Smith. She was educated in the common and high schools. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McWhinney, Mary, Clarence, Robert and Evelyn.

Mr. and Mrs. McWhinney are devoted members of the Friends church at New Westville, Ohio. Fraternally, Mr. McWhinney is a member of

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Harmony Lodge .No. Republican. Not onl in which they reside, Mr. McWhinney, in admiration of a large farmer and, undoubt

Preble county lasting glory and county is pre-emin reasons in explana stock from which

. does not appear in was recruited, yet attracted a superi zens was the late honored in the cl in Preble county, more conspicuous attained, in a la1 cation of physic a long life he w; his county and was associated. made men.

James Har February 18, 1 tives of Tenne Jackson townsl ceased : Carolin the subject of B. W. Huffer Eli Cong farmer, one guished pione

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iony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias. In politics, he is an ardent blican. Not only are the McWhinneys well known in the community nich they reside, but they are favorably known in that community and McWhinney, in his long residence in Jackson township, has won the ration of a large circle of. neighbors and friends. He is a progressive er and, undoubtedly, one of the leaders in his locality.

JAMES HARVEY CONGER.

Preble county has contributed many distinguished citizens to the ever- g glory and fame of the state of Ohio. The citizenship of Preble y is pre-eminent throughout the state, and, no doubt, there are many ns in explanation of this fact, not the least of which is the splendid from which the later generations are derived. Although this reason not appear in any particular locality from which the pioneer citizenship recruited, yet Ohio and Preble county, in particular, do seem to have :ted a superior ancestry. One of this county's most distinguished citi- was the late James Harvey Conger. Preble county has been especially red in the characters and careers of her business men. Few citizens, eble county, have achieved a more honorable standing and occupied a conspicuous place in the public eye, than Mr. Conger. His success was led, in a large measure, by methodical habits and a determined appli- 1 of physical and mental resources, along well defined lines. During g life he was a prominent and influential factor in the public affairs of ounty and state, as well as in the different enterprises with which he associated. Mr. Conger was one of the admirable products of self- men.

James Harvey Conger was born in West Florence, Preble county, Ohio, ary 18, 1845, the son of Eli and Lucinda (McWhinny) Conger, na- of Tennessee and Ohio, respectively. They were early settlers in on township, Preble county, Ohio, and had four children : Newton, de- d: Caroline, the wife of ex-Governor Harris, of Eaton; James Harvey, ubject of this sketch, and Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of 7. Huffman.

Eli Conger, the father of James Harvey, was a large land owner and er, one of the early settlers of Preble county and one of its distin- ed pioneers. His farm was acquired from the government and is still

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held by the family. Eli Conger was a large stockman. He moved to Eaton in 1888 and built a home at the corner of North Barron and Eidsen streets, where he died in 1900, at the age of eighty-one. His wife died in 1888.

The paternal grandfather of James Harvey Conger was a Huguenot and a soldier in the War of 1812. His maternal grandfather was of Scotch-Irish descent and an early settler in Preble county.

James Harvey Conger was reared in Preble county, on a farm. He attended the district schools and later Antioch College. After leaving col- lege, he engaged in the general merchandising business at West Florence, Ohio, and later in the stock and grain business in Eaton. He operated the stock yards at Eaton in partnership with Martin Swisher, and in the grain business with Pleasant Cook for his partner. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and later, for years, was in the grain business in Eaton alone, continuing here until shortly before his death.

James Harvey was married on December 2, 1875, to Emily Jane Lock- wood, the daughter of Edward Page and Isabella (Maybury) Lockwood. Three children were born to this union: Harry E., Grace L. and Jessie Isa- bella. Harry E. died at the age of eight. Grace Lockwood married Wil- bert A. Miller, of Dayton, Ohio, now a prominent business man of Cincin- nati, Ohio. Jessie Isabella married Clifton Williams and lives in Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, where he is a prominent attorney. They have one son, Con- ger.

Mr. Conger died on August 26, 1911, at the age of sixty-six. In his death, Preble county lost, not only a distinguished citizen, but a man who had contributed largely to the progress of the community where he lived. Mr. Conger was a Republican. He served many years in the Eaton city council and was also a member of the school board. It is unnecessary to say that he discharged the duties of these offices in the spirit of that same devotion which characterized every private and public duty in his life. He was secretary of the National Grain Dealers' Association at the time of his death. Mr. Conger was a stockholder in the Eaton National Bank and also of the Preble County National Bank.

Mrs. Conger was born in Hamilton, Ohio, February 11, 1850. Her father was born in Delaware, and her mother in Baltimore, Maryland. They came west and settled permanently in Eaton, where they both died, her father at the age of sixty-four and her mother at the age of eighty. They were charter members of the Eaton Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood were the parents of the following children: Emily Jane, Edwin O. and Susan Luella. The father, Edward Page Lockwood, was a shoe

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manufacturer and de artistic skill. He wa musician and drum r

The paternal g Mary (Robinson ) L the mountains by w were charter membe died well advanced Joshua, William, J Mary (twins), Ch: Conger were Thor more, Maryland. tate interests. He ored people for pi Their children we

Mrs. Conger and refined tastes,

The life of which can be en ing, it is rapid! ominous to the taken up the st teaching agricu granting degree tained everywł in Preble coun few have mad cis M. Davis: route I, out (

Francis of three hun West Manch ary 21, 1847 siah Davisso

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facturer and dealer, in Eaton, for many years, and a man of great ic skill. He was a soldier in the Civil War, in which he served as a :ian and drum major. The entire Lockwood family were musicians. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Conger were Benjamin F. and : (Robinson) Lockwood, natives of Delaware, who came to Ohio over nountains by wagon and were early settlers in Preble county. They charter members of the Eaton Methodist Episcopal church, and both well advanced in years. They were the parents of eleven children : 1a, William, Jonas, Henry, Nathaniel, Edward, George, John and · (twins), Charles and Samuel. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. er were Thomas and Elizabeth (Grant) Maybury, natives of Balti- , Maryland. He was an architect and builder and had large real es- nterests. He was bitterly opposed to slavery, but employed many col- people for pay. He and his wife both died in Baltimore, Maryland. · children were William, Ann Maria, Isabella, Susan and Emily. Mrs. Conger is still living in Eaton, a charming woman, with delicate 'efined tastes, and is much beloved by all who know her.

FRANCIS M. DAVISSON.

The life of the farmer of today is the most independent existence 1 can be enjoyed and, with all the modern inventions to facilitate farm- it is rapidly losing those objections which have always appeared so ous to the average farmer lad. Moreover, the public schools have : up the subject of farming, and today the schools of many states are ing agriculture, as well as arithmetic and grammar. Colleges are ing degrees in agriculture, and farmers' short courses are being main- d everywhere. No better farming land can be found anywhere than reble county, Ohio, and among the many good farmers of this county, have made a larger success in this time-honored occupation than Fran- I. Davisson, ex-surveyor of Preble county, and a farmer living on : I, out of West Manchester.

Francis M. Davisson, the proprietor of the Maples farm, consisting ree hundred and twenty-nine acres, one and one-half miles south of : Manchester, Ohio, was born on the farm where he now lives, Febru- 21, 1847. He is a son of Josiah and Hannah (Foos) Davisson. Jo- Davisson was born in Harrison county, now West Virginia, October

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PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

6, 1808, and died on November 21, 1863. His wife was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Roberts) Foos, both natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 13, 1819. She died on July 15, 1896.

Josiah Davisson was the son of Josiah and Nancy (Williams) Davis- son. Josiah Davisson, Sr., was commissioned sheriff of Rockingham coun- ty, Virginia, during the Revolutionary War. He came from Virginia to Warren county, Ohio. Nancy Williams, the wife of Josiah Davisson, Sr., was the daughter of William and Hannah (Evans) Williams, natives, per- haps, of Virginia, and of Welsh descent. Nancy Williams was born on July 30, 1772. Joseph Davisson, Sr., and wife were the parents of six chil- dren, five of whom lived to maturity, Absalom, Jonathan, Hannah, Josiah, Jr., and Mary.

The father of Mrs. Josiah Davisson, Sr., William Williams, was born on August 26, 1733, and is buried in the Kerby cemetery, near Lebanon, Ohio. His wife, Hannah Evans, was born on December 28, 1747. Their children were: Sarah, born on June 5, 1768; Mary, born on September 15, 1769; Nancy, born on July 30, 1772; Abel, born on August 28, 1774; David, born on August 15, 1777; Mary, born on November 10, 1779, and William, born on August 30, 1781. The latter served in the War of 1812.

Josiah Davisson, Jr., was reared on section 14 in Monroe township, and received his education in the common schools of his day. He was mar- ried to Jane Blackford, early in life, and three children were born to this union, all of whom died in infancy. She died on March 7, 1845, and he was married again, on May 12, 1846, to Hannah Foos. Five children were born to this second union, of whom Francis M. Davisson, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest. The others are: Elizabeth A., born on April 13, 1849, who is unmarried and lives in Dayton, Ohio; Oscar F., born on June 12, 1851, who is an attorney in Dayton, Ohio; Edward C., born on April 13, 1853, who is a physician in Dayton, Ohio, having graduated from the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and Jefferson Medical School, at Philadelphia, and Sarah A., born on September 2, 1855, who graduated from the University at Wooster, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. She was a teacher, and now lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Francis M. Davisson, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools. He spent two years at Northwestern Christian, now But- ler College, at Indianapolis, Indiana, and three years in the University of Michigan, pursuing a course in civil engineering.

Mr. Davisson was married on September 18, 1909, to Mary Oma

Stoker, who was born Indiana, but came to life.

Mr. Davisson is county in the fall of re-elected and served the Christian church He is a member of 1 Eldorado and West dent.

Mr. Davisson hogs and Oxford I successful farmers

Preble count living and dead. a more advantag Ramsey Gilmore. more, one of the Hugh R. Gilmor a distinguished 1 and example of on his own acc father's name. before the latte

Hugh Ran the son of Jan county. Sever Anna. the wif married Don Hamilton, Oh R., of Eaton. Judge Gi was a native

(55)

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r, who was born on July 31, 1885. She was reared near Anderson, la, but came to Preble county, Ohio, during the early years of her

Ir. Davisson is a Republican. He was elected surveyor of Preble / in the fall of 1878, and took his office on January 1, 1879. He was ted and served for a period of six years. Mr. Davisson affiliates with iristian church and is extremely liberal in his donations to that church. a member of the Masonic fraternity and is one of the directors of the ado and West Manchester Telephone Company, as well as its presi-

Ir. Davisson makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Poland China ind Oxford Down sheep. He is one of the representative and most sful farmers of Preble county.

HUGH RAMSEY GILMORE.

'reble county points with pride to her many distinguished citizens, and dead. No young man stands higher in Preble county or occupies 'e advantageous position before the Preble county bar than Hugh y Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore is the son of the late Judge James A. Gil- one of the most prominent men Preble county has given to the state. R. Gilmore, therefore, is fortunate in having enjoyed the counsel of nguished father and in having before him, constantly, the inspiration sample of his departed parent. But the son has received distinction own account and, in every way, has proved himself worthy of his 's name. He was a member of his father's law firm, several years, the latter's death.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 84

Author: R. E. Lowry Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 985

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985