History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 38

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559

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son, are now living. John Lacey Quinn, the oldest, was born February 29, 1820, resides in Eaton, and was for many years engaged, in connection with his son, N. J. Quinn, in the grain and tobacco trade. Robert Marion Quinn, the second son of James Quinn, also resides in Eaton, as also does William D. Quinn, the fourth son. The latter has served for two terms as clerk of the courts of Preble county. James H. Quinn, the third son, removed to the State of Illinois about the year 1855, where he still resides. Joseph H., the youngest, died in 1852. The two daughters, Eliza Ann and Sarah Jane, married two brothers, George and Sylvester Irwin, of Randolph county, Indiana, where they, with their families, still reside. All of the children of James Quinn married except William D. and Joseph H. The former is a bachelor, and the latter died when a young man.

Robert Quinn, jr., or as he is better known as Colonel Quinn, a title he derives from holding that rank in the militia, the third son of Robert Quinn, sr., was born near Wrightsborough, Georgia, February 2, 1795. He also came with his parents to Preble county, where his life was spent on the farm until he grew to manhood. He served for about three months in Captain Black's company in the War of 1812, as a substitute for his brother James. About the year 18- he married Sarah Warson, by whom he had several children, only two of whom, however, survive: Joseph W. Quinn, born March, 1823, and Nancy Jane, married George W. Christman, now residing in Indiana. Colonel Quinn was a man of powerful constitution, and although well advanced in his eighty-sixth year, he still enjoys reasonable health and resides with his son, Joseph W., about one mile north- east of Eaton. Margaret, the second daughter of Rob- ert Quinn, sr., was born near Wrightsborough, Georgia, about the year 1798, and was married about 1830 to Peter Aten, who died in 1843. She has since remained a widow, moving with her family to Illinois in 1849, and with her sons to Texas in 1877, where she still re- sides.

Elizabeth, the third daughter of Robert Quinn, sr., born about the year 1801, married Samuel P. Wilson, and after spending many years in Eaton, removed with her husband first to Cambridge city, and afterwards to Muncie, Indiana, where the latter died, and where she still lives as his widow. Mary Ann, the youngest daugh- ter of Robert Quinn, sr., died unmarried in 1830.

James Quinn, sr., the third brother, who came to Preble county, was born in New Jersey in the year 1763. With his brothers he emigrated from Maryland to Georgia, and from the latter State to Ohio in 1805. He entered the southeastern quarter of section seven, town six, range three east, and resided on it until about the year 1838, when he started with his family to move to the then territory of Iowa, but was taken sick on the road, and died somewhere in the State of Illinois. His family, with the exception of two daughters, removed to Iowa where most of them still reside.

Joseph C. Quinn, the youngest of the four brothers, who came from Georgia, entered the east half of section

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six in town five, range three east. He was a bachelor, and spent his time between Georgia, where he had one brother and two sisters still living, Ohio and Missouri. He died at the residence of his nephew, James Quinn, jr., in September, 1837.

The four brothers were equally divided politically, John and Joseph C. being Democrats while Robert and James were Whigs, and many and hot were the debates especially between James and Joseph, and laughable stories are told of their political quarrels.

DANIEL CHRISMAN,

the youngest son of Daniel and Mary (Ozias) Chrisman, mention of whose family may be found in Gratis town- ship, was born on the old home place in Gratis township, July 6, 1811. His grandfather, Rev. Jacob Chrisman, died one year before Daniel was born. The latter grew up on the farm of his father, upon which farm he continued to work and reside until the year 1847. In the days of his boyhood educational advantages were few. His father, however, was anxious that his son should receive the full benefit of these few opportunities, and desired him to go to school as much as possible. He did go long enough to receive some education, but at that time he was full of boyish notions, and for him an unbroken colt had more attraction than a school- master. He was reared in that strict morality and sobri- ety which has ever characterized his life. The hard work of the farm was not attractive to the spirited boy, but he more than made up for the little intervals of leisure which he seized when a boy, by too hard application in his early manhood. He feels that he would be a more vig- orous man to-day had he been more economical of his physical powers. Being the youngest child, he was as the apple of his father's eye, and the hearts of father and son were knit together in bonds of affection peculiarly tender. As one by one the father saw his boys leaving the paternal roof to establish homes of their own, which were provided by fatherly affection, he could not bear the idea of giving up his youngest born, and accordingly exacted a promise from that son that he remain upon the old place with him. Daniel agreed to this, and after his marriage to Eliza A. Fudge, January 31, 1839, he continued to live at his father's house for nine years. His wife is the sixth daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fudge, of Lanier township, the history of whole family is found in another part of this work. Being of a good and industrious family, Mrs. Chrisman was eminently fitted to be a helpmeet to her husband. After living with old Mr. Chrisman for nine years, he voluntarily re- leased his son from his promise to remain on the home place, believing that his son's interests would be best sub- served by removing to the farm in Washington township, which the latter had purchased. Accordingly the youn- ger Mr. Chisman removed to his farm, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres in section thirty-three of Washington township. This place, which was known as the Widow Fall farm, had on it a hewed-log house and a

log barn, which at that time were considered very nice buildings. Here he continued to reside until after the railroad had been put through the place. It had been his intention to erect a residence near the old house, but the path of the locomotive crossed the proposed site, and, consequently, he decided to build on the quarter of section twenty-eight of Washington township, which farm had been previously presented to hini by his father. Mr. Chrisman assisted in making the first "deadening" on this farm, which was cleared in part before he became its owner. While still in the first place, Mr. Chrisman's aged father, having for a time made his home with his other sons, made arrangements to make his permanent home with his son Daniel. He continued to live with the latter until his death, which occurred February 12, 1861. The old gentleman removed with the family to the new brick house which was erected on the Richmond pike in 1856, and in that house there is still a room which bears the sacred name of "father's room," in which the old man died. In the spring of 1857, Mr. Chrisman erected his commodious barn. Since he has moved to his present fine residence, he has greatly im- proved the farm, which is one of the most productive in the county. Judicious draining has greatly improved the quality of the soil. Mr. Chrisman has always been a very energetic farmer, and by economy and intelligent management has made a success of his farming, and has accumulated a handsome property. He has never made a specialty of stock raising, although he raises none but the best stock.

From time to time he has added to his real estate by the purchase of farms. In 1872 he bought the Meroney farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of land, adjoining his old place. He presented to his eldest daughter one hundred and twenty acres of the Meroney place. In 1876 he purchased sixty acres of land, loca- ted about two miles west of Camden.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chris- man, two of whom survive. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was born October 28, 1839, and married James Banta ; their youngest daughter, Mary Catharine, was born March 15, 1847; an infant son died March 28, . 1857, when only four days old.

Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman and their youngest daughter united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Eaton, during the pastorate of Rev. A. Meharry, the eldest daughter having joined the church several years previous. Mr. Chrisman was reared in a religious atmosphere, his grandfather being a minister, and his father a most godly man, often having religious services in his house, in Gratis township. The Chrismans have been, first old line Whigs, and then strong Republicans, in whose faith Mr. Chrisman is a strong believer.

COLONEL ROBERT WILLIAMS, JR.

Colonel Williams was born in Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, January 24, 1841. His father, Robert Williams, sr., was a native of Maryland, born in 1811; removed to

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this county in 1856, and settled at Camden, where he has been engaged in business for many years. When a boy the subject of this biography learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked some six years, and had but limited school advantages. On the breaking out of the Rebel- lion, in April, 1861, he enlisted in company B, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, for the three months' service, and was sergeant of his company. In the fall of that year he was made captain of company B, Fifty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, for the three years' service, and ap- pointed by Colonel Smith drill master of the regiment. At Paducah, in Fedruary, 1862, the regiment was as- signed to the division commanded by General Sherman. Its first engagement was at Pittsburgh Landing, where company B formed on the extreme left of the army. Sickness had reduced its ranks to such an extent that the company had only forty-two men in line, and of these lost twenty-five in killed and wounded. At the siege of Corinth, early in June, Colonel Williams had charge of the provost guard, and in the engagement at Chickasaw Bayou, late in December, he commanded his regiment, and was severely wounded in the left breast. In Janu- ary, 1863, followed the capture of Arkansas Post, and Colonel Williams, being yet unable to lead his regiment, acted as aid-de-camp to General Smith. In this engage- ment he took a severe cold, which resulted in inflamma- tion of the lungs. Soon afterward he was taken down with the small-pox, and was in the hospital from the four- teenth of April to the first of July. In the meantime- March 30, 1863-he was commissioned major of his reg- iment, having ranked as such from November 27, 1862.

In the following extract of a letter from General Smith to Governor Dennison, will be found a handsome com- pliment to Colonel Williams' military valor;

"HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, YOUNG'S POINT, LOUISIANA, February 25, 1863. )

SIR :- Herewith please find a petition from all the officers of my old

regiment, the Fifty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, for the promotion of *

. and Captain Williams. Of the conduct of the latter in the late affairs at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post I cannot speak in too high terms. He led, at the former place, what was literally a forlorn hope. Twenty-three out of two hundred of his men fell dead and wounded around him while storming what afterwards proved an invulnerable rifle pit and battery. He never faltered or avered until struck in the breast by a minnie ball, when he was carried away lifeless, as we supposed, from the field. Fortunately the wadding of his coat, and other articles in his pocket, stopped the missile, and though the blood was forced from his mouth, ears and nostrils, by the shock, he rallied, and insisted upon taking the field in the next engage- ment at Arkansas Post. Unable to walk, I furnished him a horse, and he acted as my aid-de-camp, rendering me most valuable service. He is cool, courageous. perfectly correct in his habits, perfectly temper- ate, highly accomplished in his profession, and the best, the very best, drill officer that I have met in the army. Therefore, I commend him to you with confidence that if you give him promotion you will render to the command most valuable service and through his example to the corps. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS K. SMITH.

To his excellency, the governor of Ohio."

January 8, 1864, Colonel Williams was commissioned lieutenant colonel, but on the fourteenth of the following September he resigned on account of inflammation of the lungs, resulting from his wound. In the fall of 1866 he was elected treasurer of Preble county, and re-elected in 1868, but resigned the following April, to accept the appointment of collector of internal revenue for the third collection district of Ohio, which position he still holds. In April, 1875, he became connected as editor and proprietor of the Eaton Register, but subsequently sold out. Colonel Williams is a man of excellent busi- ness abilities, and of unassailable integrity.

Notwithstanding his decided opinions, he is genial and sociable, and is very popular. He was married in July, 1863, to Miss Elvira Elliott, of this county, to whom have been born five children-one son and four daugh- ters.

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DIXON.

PHYSICAL FEATURES, ETC.

This township which is designated in the congressional survey as township seven of range one, is one of the four westernmost townships in Preble county. It borders on Israel township on the south, and on Jackson on the north. To the east lie Gasper and Washington town- ships while for its western boundary it has the State of Indiana.

In appearance this township is varied. It is hilly in the eastern and northern parts, but in the south and west a long reach of level country extends as far as the eye can reach.

The physical features of the eastern portion are closely allied to those of the adjoining townships. Here the country is hilly-not hills-steep and rugged, but of gentle and easy ascent, following each other as regularly as the rolls of the prairie. The soil which is clay on a limestone subsoil, is productive, and under a good state of cultivation. Fields, heavily loaded with crops of grain, meet the eye of the summer visitor, bespeaking, at once, the industry and prosperity of the owners. The chief crops are corn and wheat, and these thrive here. Large quantities of hay are also grown, and the huge barns which everywhere dot the landscape, attest the suc- cess attending the labors of the husbandman. Indeed, these barns far surpass the dwelling houses in their grand proportions. While the small, cozy cottage is suf- ficient for the simple needs of the owner, the claims of his crops are recognized by the erection of barns of more than generous proportions. These immense structures often exhibit as many as five or six tiers of windows.

As one moves farther westward, a striking change takes place in the appearance of the country. Instead of the rolling ground of the eastern portion of the townships he finds himself entering upon a long stretch of plain, reaching out on every side. He is now enter- ing upon the most fertile portion of the township and, indeed, of the county. This reach of land, once re- garded as useless so far as agricultural purposes were concerned, is now the location of our most prosperous farmers. At the time of the pioneer settlements, the settlers of the middle and eastern portions supposed that they had an unlimited pasture ground stretching to the west, so unreclaimed was this land considered. But finally some of the more knowing settled on the condemned tract if we may so designate it, and com- menced a struggle with the natural difficulties of the soil. By means of long, deep ditches, and by maintain- ing a good system of drainage, a decided change for the better was produced. The forest gave way and culti-

vated fields took their places. Instead of the boggy and treacherous soil, there was a good, firm one, one which admitted of tillage and improvement. Subsequent re- sults have demonstrated how correct were the convictions of those hardy pioneers regarding the capabilities of this region, which they so bravely located upon for the pur- pose of engaging in a hand-to-hand attack on the works of nature.

The inhabitants of this township are hospitable and courteous in their treatment of strangers. The township is strictly an agricultural one. No towns exist in the whole township, which are incorporated. Here and there a few dwelling houses cluster around some church or school, but this is all. This lack of resorts for the idle is largely instrumental in preserving the peace and quiet of this section. The inhabitants are proud to say that they have not a single dram shop in their midst.

One old farmer will exultingly inform you that "they have the most civil and law-abiding township in the county. He had it from the sheriff, and he ought to know."

There are no streams of importance in the township. Four Mile creek winds through the central portion from north to south, but is scarcely deserving of the name of creek. During the summer months a mere thread of water finds its way along the river bed, but of not suffici- ent magnitude to turn the water mills along its course. In the eastern sections there is a small stream called Paint creek. It is of small importance, however. Another of the same kind flows through the southwestern sections.

The soil in the township is of a clayey nature and highly productive, but not so much so as that of the western sections, where large deposits of vegetable mat- ter have been accumulated during inundations in the past.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

It is to be regretted that the early records of the township cannot be obtained, but by some carelessness they have been mislaid, and are not to be found. Some of the most important facts are obtainable from the older settlers; but on many points we are unable to speak positively.

There is but little reason to doubt but that Eli Dixon was the first settler in the township which bears his name. As early as 1804 he moved to Ohio from Geor- gia, and settled on the farm now owned by Alexander Huffman. A small creek running through the place is still known as Dixon's branch. Four brothers came at once -- Eli, Samuel, Stephen, aud Joseph. The only one

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who became identified with the history of the township is Eli. Samuel was partially insane, and Stephen was killed while still young by some wandering Indians, on . the banks of the Wabash river, in Indiana. Of Joseph nothing is known. It is to Eli that our attention is called. He probably came early enough to get his land in readiness for the spring planting. His farm lay in what was called the "Four Mile" settlement. Along the banks of the stream named "Four Mile" the first settlers located and were known by that name. Few facts can be obtained relative to Dixon's history. He was at one time a captain in the Ohio militia, and after the organization of the township he was elected a justice of the peace, but farther than that we cannot speak positively. As early as 1818 he moved with his family to Green county, Indiana, and there it is supposed he died. Dixon's whole life seems shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty, and no one now can speak of him from personal knowledge.

The next to come into the township was a Kentuckian named Kercheval. Indeed some are in doubt as to whether he was not the first man, but the majority of opinions make him arrive later in the year than Dixon, possibly pretty nearly at the same time. Kercheval set- tled farther south on Four Mile creek, in section twenty- eight. He built a mill there, but was probably a resi- dent of this township for only a short time, as his name does not occur in any of the later papers, nor is he ever mentioned by the present inhabitants. This mill was the first ever built in the township; it stood on the east bank of Four Mile creek, on the same site where the Niccum mill now stands.

In 1806 Benjamin Harris moved to this State from Kentucky, and settled on the farm now known as the Thomas Huffman estate.

In 1807 Paul Larsh arrived from Pennsylvania, and settled on the present Larsh estate. The first year was spent in a camp, where a son, Newton Larsh, was born. There is a report existing that says he was born beside a large fallen tree, and that during the life of Newton Larsh no one was allowed to disturb that log. Until the time of his death it lay where it fell, a grim and silent landmark.

About this time a Kentuckian, whose name was Ben- jamin Harris, came from the south and located on the farm now owned by Thomas Huffman.

In 1808 the Truaxes settled in the western part of the settlement. This was on the swampy land mentioned in the preceding paragraph on "physical features." By means of drainage this land was reclaimed and made to yield rich harvests. Among the first settlers in this re- gion of swamp and bog were the Lybrooks, who located on what is now the Toney estate owned by Carey Toney. This is now the richest part of the township. At heavy expense tiling has been laid and the water carried off in undergrouud channels. Mr. Jehu Rhea, of this neigh- borhood, has as much as one thousand five hundred rods of tiling on his farm.

A settler cotemporary with Lybrook was a Mr. De Coursey, but where he was from and where he went can-

not be stated positively. Perhaps he was one of those uneasy spirits who cannot endure the sight of civiliza- tion, and so kept fleeing before the steady march of progress, or perchance he was among those who fell on the frontier defending their homes against the encroach- ments of the Indians. In those days every able bodied man was required to serve on the frontier for a certain time. One division would go to the front and the re- mainder would stay at home to farm the land and also to act as a home guard and reserve force.

About 1810 or 1812 settlements were made in the southern and eastern parts of the township.

In 1812 Simeon Gard came from Pennsylvania to Cincinnati by water, and from there moved to Dixon and settled on the farm now owned by Little John Gard. He entered four hundred and eighty acres of land in section twenty-five. Simeon Gard was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. He died in 1856. His wife, Anna, who was born in Virginia in 1777, died in the year 1850. Littel John Gard was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and is still living on the farm which his father entered In 1812. He was married to Nancy Wright, who was born in Erie county, Penn- sylvania, in 1807, and who died in 1864. Mr. Gard is the father of eleven children, two of whom are deceased. John was in the war of the Rebellion, in the Ninety-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and died at Nashville in 1863.

About the time that the Congers settled in the town- ship Thomas Woodward located in the northern part of the township on Four Mile creek. The land he en- tered is now the property of Martin Swisher.

Sections one and two were settled by two brothers, Henry and Peynton Bristow, and the land now owned by Levi Wyatt was entered by Phineas Hart.

Levi Gard was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. In 1756, he, with his father, Jeremiah Gard, started for Ohio, to look for a suitable locality for settlement. His father rode the family mare, and he walked the whole distance. They camped out on the way, and one night were greatly disturbed by the wolves, who were attracted to the camp by the savory smell of fresh venison. The Gards arrived at a point on Mill creek, about ten miles notheast of Cin- cinnati. Then Levi rented some land, and in that same year returned to Pennsylvania and was married to Sophia Barkdall, of that State. She was born in Germany in 1778, and died in 1857. Levi died in 1860. Both of them died on the first day of January. In 1798 Levi Gard and wife removed to Ohio, bringing their house- hold goods in a flat-boat down the Ohio river. They settled a little south of Mt. Pleasant, Hamilton county, where they remained until the last week of December, 1806, when they removed to Union county, Indiana. In passing northward they had to ford the Miami river, which at that time of the year was full of floating ice. In 1809 the Gards moved to section thirty-one of Dixon township, and settled on the farm now owned by John Gard. All was forest around them, and there was no habitation to receive them, save the little log cabin with- out a floor. During the winter a temporary floor was

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made of "score" blocks, and soon afterwards a puncheon floor was made. John Gard still has in his possession the original puncheons used. Levi Gard served through the War of 1812, and was obliged to leave his family in the midst of a forest full of wild beasts and Indians, but no harm came to them. To Mr. and Mrs. Gard were born eight children, of whom five are living; four are in Dixon township.

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History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 38

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 559

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559