History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 93

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

NOAH RAUCH

was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 2, 1936. He moved to Miami County with his parents, John and Catharine Rauch, in 1850, , and located in Newberry Township. In 1855 he began working at the carpenter trade, which he made his vocation for a number of years. December 21, 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Fetter, of Miami County, born November 1, 1840, daughter of Daniel and Mary Fetter.

Mr. and Mrs. Rauch settled in Miami County, and in the spring of 1866 he purchased and moved on a farm in Newberry Township, which he conducted in connection with his trade and the business of threshing for several years. In 1876 he sold his farm and came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the farm in section 1. Turtle Creek Township, on which he has since resided. Since his settlement in this county he has made farming his vocation, giving the business his entire attention.

In April, 1879, he was elected justice of the peace of Turtle Creek Township, which position he is now filling. His companion died July 6, 1880, leaving him with three children, Cora A., Charles B., and Mary C. March 24, 1881, he married Miss Margaret J. Woodruff, daughter of Alfred and Christena Woodruff, who was born August 14, 1855. By this union he has one child, Alda D.

JOHN H. CREEGAN, Dealer in General Merchandise, Hardin, Ohio.

Mr. Creegan was born in Burlington, Iowa, October 22, 1845. He is a son of Daniel Creegan, who was a former resident of Shelby County, but afterward a citizen of Burlington, lowa, where he died some time during the winter of 1864-65, from injuries received while in the army. His luther, James Creegan, was one of the carly surveyors of Shelby

County, and John H. Creegan, subject of this sketch, is the only survivor of the name now living in Shelby County who is a descendant of the old surveyor Creegan. March 13, 1864, John H. Creegan enlisted in Com- pany C, 2d Iowa V. V. I , and served until August 6, 1865, when he was discharged from the service. In the fall of 1865 he purchased a brush factory, which he conducted until the fall of 1867, manufacturing all kinds of brushes. He then engaged in the business of contracting and build- ing, which he conducted several years. In 1868 he came to Ohio, and located in the neighborhood of Sidney, where he continued in this busi- ness of contracting and building. In 1869 he emigrated to Nebraska, remained until 1873, when he returned to Shelby County, and, on the 22d day of May, 1873, he married Miss N. Cecil, daughter of Boston and Sarah Cecil, of Turtle Creek Township, and then returned to his home in Nebraska. In 1875 he and his wife went to California, and located in Nevada County, remained until the winter of 1878, when he returned to Shelby County, and settled in Hardin, where he carried on his business as a carpenter until April, 1880, when, leaving his wife in Hardin, he went to Colorado Springs under contract to superintend a job of carpenter work, remained about nine months, and then returned to his home in Hardin. In March, 1881, he succeeded G. Sechman in the mercantile business in Hardin, which he has since been conducting with success.

WILLIAM THOMAS

was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 7, 1832. He is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca Thomas. In 1848 he came to Shelby County with his father, and settled in Turtle Creek Township, near Hardin. When he had reached the age of eighteen years, he began working at the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1865, when he purchased an interest in a steam saw-mill-located near Hardin, which he has since been conducting with success, manufacturing and dealing in all kinds of hard wood lumber.

February 2, 1x54, he married Miss Margaret Sturgeon, who was born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, in 1831, daughter of Robert G. Sturgeon. By this union he has three children, one son and two daughters. He is one of the present trustees of Turtle Creek Township.

WILLIAM BELL,

deceased, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Feb. 18, 1796. He was brought up on a farm, and he made farming and clearing land his prin- cipal vocation through life. He served in the war of 1812, and some time after his death his family received a land warrant from the Govern- ment calling for eighty acres of land, and a few years later a second warrant calling for another eighty acres, was received by his family for his services during that war. Nov. 24, 1818, he married Miss Rebecca Davis, of Fauquier County, Va., where she was born Aug. 1, 1793. She was a daughter of Rev. William F. R. Davis, a Revolutionary soldier, and an early settler of Turtle Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled in their native county and remained until 1823, when they came to Ohio and located in Greene County. Ten years later, or the spring of 1833, found them located on the north half of section 16, Franklin Township, this county, where they remained three years, when he sold bis half section of land in Franklin Township, and moved his family on section 32, Turtle Creek Township, near Hardin. On this farm they passed the remainder of their days. He died Jan. 15, 1845. His companion survived him until March 29, 1862. They reared a family of eight children, viz., Mary E., Edwin E., Rachel F., William M., Hamilton J., Thomas C., Martha A., and Lovina J. Mary E. Bell died Sept. 22, 1843; Edwin E. and William M. now reside on the home farm near Hardin ; Richard T. lives in Sidney ; Hamilton J. resides in Cincinnati; Thomas C. is living in Oregon City, Oregon; Martha A. and Lovina J. are now living in Greene County, O. Thomas C. Bell served about three years in the war of 1861.

EDWIN E. BELL

was born in Greene County, Ohio, February 20, 1824. He is a son of William and Rebecca Bell. He came to Shelby County in 1833 with his parents, located in Franklin Township, and remained about three years, when they moved to Turtle Creek Township, where young Bell grew to manhood. January 11, 1848, he married Miss Laura M. Clough, then of Oxford, Ohio, but a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where she was born December 12, 1822, daughter of John P. and Minerva Clough. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled on the north half of his father's home farm near Hardin, on which they have since resided. They have a family of five children, viz., Laura E., John W., Horace E., Frank, and Charley V.

Mr. Bell filled the office of treasurer for Turtle Creek Township one year, the office of trustee two years, clerk one year, and constable one year. He owns a farm of eighty acres, which is a part of his father's home farm.

WILLIAM M. BELL

was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 31, 1827. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1833. April 12, 1858, he married Miss Josephine H. Thompson, daughter of Mark and Asenath Thompson.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

Miss Thompson was born in Butler County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1831, and came to Sidney with her parents in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled on the south half of his father's home farm, near Hardin, where they have since resided. They have three children, viz., Herbert R., Ada .J., and Martha I. Mr. Bell filled the office of township clerk for Turtle Creek Township near twenty years, and acted as trustee of the township six years. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns a good farm, which is a part of the home farmn.

RICHARD LENOX,

deceased, a native of Virginia, was born in 1783. When yet a small boy he was taken to Maryland, where he passed his minority days. On the 2d day of August, 1808, he married Miss Elizabeth Malahan, of Mary- land, who was born in 1792. They settled in Maryland, remained seven years, when they came to Shelby County, entered, made improvements, and settled on the south half of the N. E. quarter of section 31, Turtle Creek Township. He remained one year; then, on account of some threats made by the Indians which camped in that neighborhood, he became alarmed and moved his family to Hocking County, where they remained about one year, or until 1817, when they returned to their home near Hardin, where they passed the remainder of their days. His companion, Elizabeth Lenox, died Aug. 23, 1870. He survived her until May 16, 1874, when he died at the age of ninety-one. They reared a family of eleven children, viz., John, Amanda, Calvin P., Julia, Ham- ilton, Nancy. Sabina, James, Mary, Richard A., and Adaline E. Calvin P., Julia, and Nancy, are now dead. James Lenox served three years in the war of 1861. Richard A. Lenox is the only one of the family that is now residing in Turtle Creek Township, and he now owns and is living on his father's home farm. May 13, 1852, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Bennett and Susannah Thomas, who was born in Montgom- ery County, Ohio, March 13, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Lenox settled on his father's home farm near Hardin, where they have since resided. They have a family of six children, two sons and four daughters.

DR. CHARLES H. MOORE,

'son of James and Elizabeth Moore, was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, April 1, 1842. He received his education in the schools of Wilmington, Del., and at Champaign, Illinois. July 10, 1861, he entered the army as a private in Company 1, 2d Illinois Cavalry, and served as such near three years, or until the spring of 1864, when he reenlisted as a veteran in same company and regiment. Shortly after his reenlist- ment he was appointed as hospital steward, and while performing the duties of a steward he began the study of medicine during the latter part of the winter of 1864-5. Shortly after the close of the war he went with his company to Texas, and while in Texas he acted in the capacity of assistant surgeon until Jan. 1, 1866, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He then returned to his home in Champaign, Ill., where he continued the study of medicine until he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended one term of lectures, and from thence to Philadelphia, where he graduated in the class of 1868 in the Medical University of Pennsylvania. In 1869 he began the prac- tice of his profession at Humboldt, Kansas, and two and one-half years later found him located in Hardin, where he has since been engaged in his professional labors. April 30, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Hugh and Mary E. Wilson, by whom he has one child, a daughter.

GEORGE P. SAVAGE, deceased.

In Amherst County, Virginia, on the 23d day of December, 1776, Mr. Savage was born. When at the age of twenty-one years, or in 1797, he left home for a trip south, and one year later found him at Fort Massac, on the Ohio River, where a part of the United States troops under the command of Captain Thomas Pastuers was stationed. When he reached that place he found himself far from his friends and destitute of money. The Captain offered him sixteen dollars as a bounty, eight dollars per month as wages, and a commission of sergeant of the company, pro- viding he would enlist for five years. He accepted the Captain's offer, and in September, 1798, he enlisted and entered the service of the United States. He served as sergeant of the company until the expiration of his term of enlistment, which expired in Sept. 1803, when he was honor- ably discharged fro:n the service. He then continued his journey south- ward, and a few months later found him at Natchitoches, on Red River. Here a part of the U. S. troops were stationed, under the command of Captain Shamburgh. Here he again entered the service of the U. S. as orderly sergeant of an artillery company, and served as such until discharged from the service in 1807-in all making near nine years of his life spent in the U. S. Army. After leaving the army he determined 10 return to his native home in Virginia, so he turned around and began to travel northward. After wandering from one place to an- other, stopping for awhile at different places, he reached home in 1810, after an absence of fourteen years. Shortly after he left home in 1797 his parents received word that he had been killed by the Indians and buried near Crab apple Orchard, Kentucky, and as they had not heard

from him after he left home, they supposed the report to be true. The reader can imagine the surprise and joy of the parents at the return of their son whom they had supposed to have been dead for several years. Dec. 27, 1812, he married Miss Elizabeth Miller, of Virginia, born Nov. 21. 1787, by whom he had five children, viz., Catharine, Jolin J., Nancy, Wilson, and Margaret, all of whom are now dead except .John J. Savage, who resides in DeKalb County, Missouri. He came to Ohio with his family and located in Montgomery County, where his companion died, leaving him with five small children. August 7, 1823, he married Miss . Catharine Miller, of Virginia, where she was born April 1, 1792. By this union he reared four children, viz., Elizabeth, Moses, Washington, and Hannah, all of whom are now dead except Washington, who now resides in Turtle Creek Township, on the old home farm. In 1825 or '6 he came to Shelby County with his family, and settled in Washington Township, on the farm now owned by John Alexander, on the canal. Here he engaged in keeping a public house in connection with farming, which he conducted successfully for several years, or until 1839, when he purchased the farm in section 33, Turtle Creek Township, now owned and occupied by his son, Washington Savage, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He died May 13, 1847. His companion died July 21, 1852.

WASHINGTON SAVAGE,

son of George P. Savage, was born in Washington Township, this county, Jan. 26, 1831. He was reared on a farm, and has made farming and stock- growing his avocation through life. March 11, 1851, he married Miss Mary E. Gump, daughter of George W. and Sarah Gump. Miss Gump was born in Miami County, O., Feb. 1. 1833, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Savage settled on his father's home farm in Turtle Creek Township, where they have since resided. Their union resulted in ten children, viz , George W., Sarah C., Alice A., John F., William E., Edwin M., Charles L., Winfield S., Sarah E., and Adelia P. Sarah C. is now dead. Mr. S. filled the office of treasurer of Turtle Creek Township about five years.

JOHN MORRIS,

deceased, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, January 29, 1790. When he was yet a small boy he came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1812 he enlisted in Captain John F. Fleming's company of Ohio militia, and marched forth with his com- rades to face the British lion, which at that time was rampant. When peace was declared he received an honorable discharge from the United States service. He received no pension until in 1871, when, through the exertions of his attorney, J. S. Conklin, he was awarded eight dollars a month as a survivor of the war of 1812. After the close of the war he returned to his home in Dayton, where he engaged in the boating busi- ness. He would load a flatboat with what he thought would sell most readily in the Southern cities, and float it down to New Orleans, where he would sell his merchandise and boat as well, and walk all the way back to Dayton. Getting tired of this unsettled life, he turned his at- tention to farming, which he made his principal avocation until old age compelled him to retire from business. In 1836 he came to Shelby County, entered, made improvements, and settled on a piece of land in Cynthian Township, on which he lived until 1871, when he left his farm, came to Turtle Creek Township, and made his home with his nephew, George W. Gump, for two years, or until 1873, since which time he made his home with his niece, Mrs. Washington Savage, of Turtle Creek Township, where he died January 18, 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, lacking eleven days. He was never married.

ABRAHAM RINEHART,

deceased, was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, January 27, 1801. He was a son of Peter and Barbara Rinehart, who came to Ohio in 1804, and located in Fairfield County, remaining until in 1826 or '7, when they came to Shelby County and settled in Perry Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Peter Rinehart served in the war of 1812. He was a native of Germany, and came to America with his parents a short time prior to the war of 1776. His father was killed while serving in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

Abraham Rinehart, subject of this sketch, was brought to Ohio by his parents in 1804. In 1824 he married Miss Catharine Bretz, of Fairfield County, where she was born in 1802, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Bretz. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart settled in Fairfield County and remained until 1831, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on a piece of land one and a half iniles north of Sidney, on which he lived about one year, or until 1832, when he moved to Sidney, where his companion died in October, 1836, leaving him with a family of four small children, viz., David B., Anna, Barbara, and Elizabeth. Barbara is now deceased. Elizabeth, now Mrs. Levi Ewing, resides in Sidney. Anna, now Mrs. John Key, lives in Perry Township. David B. resides in Hardin, Shelby County. In May, 1845, Mr. Rinchart married Miss Elizabeth Consoliver, of Shelby County, by whom he had six children, three of whom are now living-Jacob F., now a citizen of Texas ; John

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W., now a resident of Sidney ; and Benjamin W., who lives in Pember- ton, this county. In 1855 or '6, he moved to Pemberton, Perry Town- ship, where he died in November, 1877.

REV. DAVID B. RINEHART

was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 21, 1825, and came to Shelby County with his parents, Abraham and Catherine Rinehart. His mother died when he was eleven years of age, or in 1836. He then went to live with his grandfather, Peter Rinehart, in Perry Town- ship, with whom he remained one year, or until 1837, when he went back to Fairfield County and made his home with his mother's sister, where he attended school until 1841, when he returned to Shelby County and began teaching school in Perry Township. In 1843 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he learned the baker and confectionery trade, and a few years later found him located in Sidney, engaged in the baking and confectionery business, which, in connection with a grocery and pro- vision store, he conducted with success until 1861, when, leaving his home and business, he was one among the first men in the county to respond to the call from the Government for soldiers, and on the 6th day of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. 15th O. V. I., for three months. He was discharged at the end of four months, being kept one month over his time of enlistment. He went out with the Benton Cadets as 2d lieutenant and served a short time, when he was appointed quartermaster, and remained as "such until his discharge, and returned home, remaining one month, when the company was re-organized as Company K, 20th O. V. I., for three years, or during the war. In this company he was commissioned as Ist lieutenant, and served as such until February, 1863, when he resigned his office and returned home on account of physical disability. In the spring of 1864 he went out as captain of Company K, 134th O. N. G., and served four months, or until the expiration of the time of enlistment of the company. Soon after his return home from the army he engaged in the mercantile business at Montra, which he conducted about three years, and then sold his store and retired from the business. While engaged in business at Montra he was licensed as a local minister of the M. E. Church, and traveled one year as a supply on the circuit under the directions of the elder. In 1867 he began to prepare for the ministry, and in September, 1869, he was admitted into the conference and ordained as a minister of the M. E. Church, and has since that time been engaged in his professional labors. He is now located in Hardin, where.he is engaged on the third year of his pastoral labors on the Hardin circuit. He has been twice married- first, on the 4th day of February, 1846, to Miss Julia A. Bachar, of Fair- field County, Ohio, by whom he had two children, one of which is now living, viz., Margaret I. His companion died in 1849. On the 21st day of Novemver, 1850, he married Miss Catharine Etherington. By this union he has three children, viz., William A., Clara J., and Anna.

WILLIAM W. CECIL,

deceased, was born in Pulaski County, Virginia, October 8, 1786. On the 19th day of September, 1808, he married Miss Anna C. Wygal, of same county, born September 24, 1787. In the fall of 1812, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil came to Ohio and located in Clarke County, remaining one winter, or until in the spring of 1813, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on section 17, Washington Township, on which he resided until 1862, when he left his farm and moved to Piqua, Miami County, where he died September 12, 1865. He was married three times. His first wife died April 8, 1830, leaving him with a family of nine children, viz., Bryan S., Purlina, Rhoda, Mary E., Boston, Virginia, Ellen, Reuben, and De Witt C. Only three of the number are now living, viz., Bryan S., Rhoda, and Boston. July 13, 1833, he married Mrs. Lydia Mellinger, nee. Carey, by whom he had two children, John M., and Anna. Mrs. Cecil died August 1, 1838. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens, November 15, 1840, who was born February 27, 1794, and died August 3, 1856. Mr. Cecil was one of the first associate judges of Shelby County, when the court was held at llardin. He was elected commissioner of Shelby County in 1833, and served one term. He was elected justice of the peace soon after his settlement in Washington Township. His son, Boston Cecil, now resides in Turtle Creek Township.

THOMAS JELLY,

deceased, was born in the County Down, Ireland, August 22, 1807, where he grew to manhood. May 11, 1827, he married Ellen Henderson, a native of Mahonan County, Ireland, where she was born July 17, 1811. In the fall of 1828 they emigrated to America, and located in Pennsyl- vania, remained until 1836, when they moved to Kentucky, where Mr. Jelly died near Lexington June 10, 1847, leaving a wife and six children to mourn the loss of a husband and father. By industry and economy Mrs. Jelly managed to keep her children together, and rear them to be men and women (and, in fact, none of them have left her yet except one daughter, who was taken away by death). In 1868 Mrs. Jelly, with her children, viz., Robert, Elizabeth A., Susan, William J., Hugh, and Thomas, came to Shelby County, purchased and settled on the west half

of section 25, Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside. Since their settlement in this county one of the daughters, Eliza A., died. One of the sons, William J. Jelly, enlisted in the 14th Kentucky Cavalry, Company H, 1st Battalion, in August, 1862, and served until Septem- ber, 1863, when he was discharged from the service.

BENNETT THOMAS, Retired Farmer.

Mr. Thomas was born in Washington County, Md., October 25, 1806. He is a son of Tomny and Elizabeth Thomas. In 1828 he came to Ohio, and located in Montgomery County near Dayton, where, on the 30th day of April, 1829, he married Miss Rebecca Ridenhour, then of Mont- gomery County, but a native of Maryland, where she was born July 4, 1806, and came to Montgomery County in 1826.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas settled near Dayton, Ohio, remained until 1848, when they came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the north- west quarter of section 31, Turtle Creek Township, on which he now re- sides. He reared a family of eight children, viz., Sarah, William, John, Mary, Frank, Eli, Tomny, and Rebecca. His companion died October 14, 1876, and on the 14th day of April, 1881. he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hager, nee Measel, of Dayton, Ohio, with whom he is now living.

ROBERT WILSON, deceased,

a son of Robert and Esther Wilson, was born in Washington County, Pa., December 11, 1802. In March, 1829, he, in company with his father's family, came to Shelby County, Ohio, and located in Washing- ton Township on the farm now owned by Morris Honnell, where his parents passed the remainder of their days. His father, Robert Wilson, died July 29, 1829. His mother, Esther Wilson, died in 1834.

In 1833 Robert Wilson, subject of this sketch, married Miss Sarah Shaw, then of this county, daughter of John and Margaret Shaw, who was born in Kentucky November 16, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson settled on his father's home farm in Washington Township, remained until 1853, when he sold the home farm, and purchased the east half of section 33, Turtle Creek Township, on which he died October 13, 1868. His companion is still surviving him, and is now living in Sidney. Ile made farming his principal avocation through life. He filled the office of township trustee for several years. He was the father of four chil- dren, only one of whom is now living, viz., John R. Wilson, who was born in Washington Township, this county, April 11, 1839. He received a common school education, also attended school at Sidney several terms. In 1862 he began teaching school, which he followed as a pro- fession about fourteen years, or until 1876, when he engaged in the mer- cantile business at Hardin Station, which he conducted with success about four years, or until April, 1880. when he retired from the business, moved his family to the village of Hardin, where they now reside, and he has since been giving his attention to farming. He is now serving on his second term as justice of the peace of Turtle Creek Township. He is also the present clerk of the township. November 1, 1866, he married Miss Martha E. Burton, of this county, who was born January 27, 1839, daughter of Joshua and Anna Burton. By this union he has two children, viz., Robert E. and Hugh L. S.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 93

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427