USA > Ohio > Clark County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 13
USA > Ohio > Greene County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 13
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Mr. Stewart was gradnated from the National Law University in the Capital in 1882, and in Oc- tober of the same year was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He began his prac . tice in Springfield the following year, since which time he has devoted his attention entirely to his professional duties. In 1888 he was nominated and elected Prosecuting Attorney for a period of three years and assumed the duties of his office on New Year's Day, 1889. The finc classical educa- tion which preceded his law studics, added to the brilliancy of a mind naturally acute, gave Mr. Stewart a command of language which proves val- able in his chosen work. Not only is lie well grounded in the principles of law and equity, but he possesses the knowledge of men and the power to move then, which, when exercised properly, are among the best qualifications for success in the
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legal arena. His social nature has led him to be- come a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M., and of Moncieffe Lodge, No. 33, K. of P. He is popular in society and bids fair to attain a position of eminenee in his profession if life and health are spared him.
IMROD TROLLINGER is the owner and occupant of a farm which is probably not surpassed by any of equal extent in Greene County, and certainly by none in Bath Township. It comprises two hundred and fifteen aeres on see- tion 7, and has been so well managed as to seeure for its owner an independent fortune which enables him to spend his declining years in ease and enjoy- ment, unineumbered by anxiety regarding the fu- ture. The place is located on the Clifton and Yellow Springs Pike, the Xenia Pike also running through the place; the owner helped to build the latter highway.
Mr. Trollinger is of German deseent in the pa- ternal line, his grandfather, Jacob Trollinger, hav- ing been born in the Fatherland. Upon emigrating to America he located in Alleghany County, Md , where he operated a farin and also ran a still house. lle died there after having reached a comfortable financial standing. His son Jacob was born in that county and followed farming successfully until seriously affected by the asthina, by which he was incapacitated from labor for forty years. In 1853 he accompanied his son, our subjeet, to Ohio, re- siding with him until his death in 1868. His polit- ieal affiliation was with the Democratie party.
The mother of our subjeet was in her maiden- hood Miss Sarah Jacobs. She was born in Allegany County, Md., to which her father, Jacob Jacobs, had accompanied his parents when quitesmall, New Jersey having been his native State. He and his father became the owners of seven farms in Mary- land and very successful in agricultural work, ae- quiring considerable means. Mrs. Sarah Trollinger died in her native State, leaving six children of the nine whom she had borne. The first-born was Emily, Mrs. Jacobs, who died in Miami Township,
Greene County ; the next in order of birth is our subject; Drusilla resides in Darke County ; Mrs. Mary Duekworth lives in West Virginia; Mrs. Sa- ralı Mosier lives in Mad River Township, Clark County ; Christina, Mrs. Funderburg, lives in Darke County.
Nimrod Trollinger was born near Barton, Alle- gany County, Md., August 12, 1827, and reared on a farm, early in life beginning to bear a share in the work done upon the place. When ten years old he began plowing and doing other work, and in his fifteenth year he took charge of the place, which comprised two hundred and thirty-six aeres, a part of which was yet uneleared. The lad had elearing done, himself wielding an ax with energy far beyond his years, and not only carrying on farming but also raising stock to a considerable extent. His education was not neglected, but he availed himself of the advantages which the neigli- borhood afforded. The schools were kept up by subscription and were held in a log building, into whiel the light entered through greased paper win- dows, and whieli was furnished with punelieon seats and slab desks. Attendance of school was gener- ally limited to three months during the winter.
In May, 1853, young Trollinger came to Ohio, and made his arrangements for the purchase of property in Bath Township, Greene County. In August he made a payment, after which he returned to the East and near his former home was united in marriage with Miss Martha Shaw, the ceremony taking place September 15. Sending his wife and father to the new home, he drove through with a four-horse team, bringing the household goods and being two weeks on the way. The farm upon which he located was purchased of John Folek for $33 per acre and was partly eleared and had an old log building upon it. The efforts of our sub- jeet ere long made of it a finely improved estate, marked with the modern convenienees and produc- ing first-class erops, principally wheat, although a variety of grain is raised. During the war Mr. Trollinger also raised stock successfully. In 1871 he built a large barn, and in 1879 a more modern residence. Water is forced where needed by a windmill which, with its large tank, is a somewhat prominent feature in the landscape. In 1864 Mr.
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Trollinger bought eighty aeres of improved land at Portland, Jay County, Ind., having previously purchased the old Joseph Folck place of thirty -three acres near his home. He is now retired from act- ive duties although still oeeupying the farm which is in the eare of his twin sons, Jacob and John, who are following worthily in their father's footsteps as enterprising and progressive farmers and good eitizens.
Mrs. Trollinger was born in Barton, Md., May 31, 1831, and in addition to the book knowledge which could be obtained in the neighborhood of her home, she acquired the homely domestic arts of spinning, weaving, knitting and housewifery, practicing them under the parental roof until her marriage. She is the tenth in a family of fifteen children, all of whom reached maturity exeept Harriet, the seventh, who died when eighteen months old. The record of the others is as follows : Mrs. Elizabeth Neff lives in Barton, Md .; Joseph died in lowa; Mrs. Jane Barnes died in Maryland; Mrs. Louisa Humbleson lives in Pennsylvania; John resides on the home plaec in Barton, Md .; Mrs. Charlotte Jacobs is deceased; Thompson died in Iowa; the home of William is in Evansville, W. Va .; Mrs. Mary Michaels died in Maryland; Mrs. Hila Koontz lives in Iowa; Mrs. Sidney Waters lives in West Virginia; Mrs. Sarah A. Swindler died in Kansas; Mrs. Almira Roise lives in Arkan- sas. Thompson was a teamster in the Union army throughout the Civil War.
Mrs. Trollinger is a granddaughter of William Shaw, a native of Merrie England, who came to Maryland alone when a boy. Having been well educated in his native land, he ere long engaged in school teaching, althoughi his first employment in Ameriea was farm labor. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preaching some and also operating a farm which he owned and upon which he died. His son Henry was born in Alle- gany County, Md., and became a carpenter, doing contracting and building throughout the county and on the National pike. He was a good mechanic and in addition to his carpenter's trade was a cab- inet-maker and undertaker. He owned a farm, which he rented in 1855, removing to Evansville, Preston County, Va., where he lived some time.
Ile finally returned to his former home, where he breathed his last. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. His wife was Sydney Thompson, a native of Loudoun County, Va .; she died in West Virginia.
The family of Nimrod Trollinger and his estim- able wife comprises nine children, of whom we note the following: Sarah married Frank Batdorf, a farmer whose home is near Fairfield; Jane became the wife of Martin Paxton, who owns and oeeupies a farm in Indiana; Elizabeth is still with her par- ents; Emma married C. Horner, of Beaver Creek; James lives on his father's farm of thirty-three aeres, which is the old Joseph Folek plaec; Julia married James C. Wolf, whose liome is near Byron ; Annie married Howard Flatter, who lives in Miami Township; the next on the family roll are the twin sons who carry on the home farm; Charles died when a babe.
For twenty-five years Mr. Trollinger held the position of School Director, after which he resigned the office in which he had so long and faithfully served; he was also Supervisor of Roads one year. No more public-spirited man is to be found in the vicinity than he, and none who have manifested a greater degree of enterprise in the conduct of their worldly affairs. He is good natured, inclined to take the world easy, and quite jolly, proving an entertaining companion and winning friends for these qualities as well as for the more sturdy traits of his character. He votes the straight Democratie ticket. Mrs. Trollinger belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Yellow Springs, in which she has good standing, while throughout her extended circle of acquaintances she is esteemed for her kindly nature and upright character.
R ICHARD OATES, although an Englishman by birth and education, having come to this country from Yorkshire in 1851, vas among the first to enlist to serve his adop- ted country when the dread pall of war darkened her sky. Becoming a member of the Forty-fourthi | Ohio Infantry in 186!, he served continuously
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until 1865, during that time seeing much hard ser- viee and taking part in many hard-fought battles. Among them were: Lewisburg, W.Va .; Dutton Hill, Ky .; the siege of Knoxville; Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, Va. The regiment had been mounted for service in the Shenandoah Valley, and in addition to the severer contests mentioned had many minor fights and skirmishes with the rebels. In his war record Mr. Oates ear- ried out to the full the principle embodied by the grand English admiral, Nelson, in his saying, " England expeets every man to do his duty," although it was another country to which he was devoting himself.
In July, 1865, Mr. Oates was mustered out of the service, and returned to his family in Spring- field Township, Clark County, Ohio, where he had been married in 1853 to Miss Emily Nason. Ilis wife is a daughter of George L. Nason, who was born in Duxbury, Vt., July 30, 1809, and eame to Ohio with his parents, Daniel and Mercy (Roberts) Nason, in 1811. The latter settled near Springfield, which was then a hamlet of but a few log houses, and in which he attended Sunday- school when a boy. He has lived in the neighbor- hood all his life except about two years preceding the war, when he removed to Missouri, where he found he could not express his sentiments, and he therefore returned to Ohio. He is now one of the oldest settlers living in this vicinity, is in his eighty-first year, and quite hale for one of his ad- vaneed age. He was married in 1831 to Miss Hannah Hawkins, a daughter of James Hawkins, of Yorkshire, England. IIis family comprised four children, Emily, now Mrs. Oates, being the seeond.
In addition to the service rendered his adopted country upon the tented field, Mr. Oates has set the example of a hard working and reliable eitizen, who cheerfully discharges the duties which lie be- fore him, and gains the reputation of an honorable and worthy man. He has reared a family of ten bright children, besides taking care of his aged father-in-law, and his many charges have kept him from accumulating much of this world's goods. Until quite recently he has always rented a farm in Springfield Township, but a few years ago he
purchased twenty-five acres of the Buffenberger place, four miles west of South Charleston, in Madison Township, Clark County, where he now resides with his family. His children are: Flor- ence, Eliza, Annie, Mathew, George, Luther, Inez, Harley, Carrie and Lottie A., the last named being a lass of ten years. True to the principles for which he fought for nearly five years, Mr. Oates votes the Republican ticket.
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E ZRA M. PETERSON. Among the younger farmers of Greene County who are carrying on the work begun by their parents or grandparents, on traets of land which were cleared by their ancestors many years ago, the gentleman above named is numbered. He now has two hun- dred acres of the old homestead on which he was reared and educated, and upon which his eyes opened to the light October 26, 1848. He is a worthy snecessor of his father, who, starting with ninety-eight acres of land, accumulated a landed estate of about seven hundred acres, besides rear- ing his family in comfort and bestowing upon them such advantages as the country afforded in their youth.
From his estimable parents Ezra Peterson re- eeived a careful training in the principles which should govern the conduet, and learned the useful habits which he has sinee followed. The traits of character which he derived from them by birtli and training have given him the respect of his fel- low-men, and the warmer feeling of friendship from those to whom he is better known. On October 31, 1872, he married Miss Arebelle A., daugliter of Warren and Lanar (Adams) Ledbetter, she, like himself, being a member of the Methodist Church. They are the parents of one son, J. Warren.
The father of the gentleman of whom we write was Felix Peterson, who was born in Hardy County, Va., May 18, 1809, ard died April 9, 1874, and came with his parents, Jacob and Eliza- beth (Harper) Peterson, to this county in 1815, the party also ineluding Jolin Peterson, a brother of Jacob, and a cousin. The fraternal group, of
James me Party
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which he was the youngest member, comprised also Catherine, Mary, Christina, Samuel, Joel, Moses, Jacob and Hannah, the latter being the only one now living, her age being eighty-seven. Jacob Peterson died on the farm now occupied by his grandson, our subject, in July, 1859, at the cx- treme age of ninety-three years, having been born in March, 1766. His wife had breathed her last in 1833.
Felix Peterson grew to man's estate in this county, spending nearly his entire life on Cæsar's Creek, where his father had located in his boyhood. He married Mary S. Weaver, who is yet living. She belongs to the Reformed Church and is a most estimable woman. Her parents, John and Martha (McCoole) Weaver, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia respectively, came to Greene County in 1823, settling six miles south of Xenia on a farm of one hundred and thirteen acres. There the father died in 1848, leaving a widow and nine children to mourn his loss. He was the oldest son of John Weaver, Sr., who married Mary Senseney, the other members of the family circle being Jacob, David, Christian, Isaac, George, and a son who died young. This family lived for a time in Pennsylvania, whence they moved to Virginia and afterward came to this State. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Peterson comprised seven sons and daughters, the subject of this sketch being the youngest and the others bearing the names of Martha, Lewis, Catherine, James, John and Harper.
AMES MCCARTY. Although quite ad- vanced in years, this gentleman still ocenpies a place among the leading farmers of Greene County, being vigorous and active, and bearing the weight of his years as lightly as do most men a score of years his junior. His finan- cial standing is a substantial one, and is due to his own ability and exertions, as he began his career in life when quite young with no capital except a fundamental education and some knowledge of handicraft. He is an honorable man, a reliable
citizen, and one whose benevolence and generosity have been manifested in behalf of many worthy objeets, and have cost him about $6,000 of hard earnings.
In Bucks County, l'a., Benjamin MeCarty was born May 2, 1763, and Mary Smallwood, May 10, 1766. Growing to manhood and womanhood this couple were united in marriage and lived in their native State for many years. Fourteen children were born to them, named respectively : Elizabeth, William, Benjamin, Mary, Hannah, Isaac, Mercy, Charles, Arthur, Andrew, Thomas, Maria, James and one died in infancy. Three of these died in childhood; nine married and reared families; but the only one living at this writing is the subject of this sketch. Elizabeth died in Cedarville, Greene County, and Andrew in Michigan. The father was a bricklayer and stonemason, and all of the sons worked at bricklaying, plastering and stone work. Benjamin McCarty died in Pennsylvania at the age of sixty-five years, his widow living to the extreme age of ninety-nine, and dying at the home of her son Charles, at Rolling Prairie, LaPorte County, Ind.
Near the northern line of Northumberland County, Pa., December 10, 1808, the eyes of James McCarty opened to the light of day. His boy- hood was devoid of unusual incidents, but at the age of fourteen years he began his career in life. Hle worked with his brothers until seventeen years old, when he began learning the carriage-making trade in Milton, working as an apprentice four years. In 1832 he voted for Gen. Jackson, and immediately started for the West, and reaching this county, located at Xenia, where he worked two years. He then opened a shop for himself, continning in the business about fourteen years. His next enterprise was to engage in the grocery business with Cornelius Wilkins, with whom he continued in business bnt little more than six months, when he began trading in hogs in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, a business which he carried on for more than a decade. In the spring of 1861 he went on a farm four miles northeast of Xenia, where he lived about six years, becoming the owner of three estates in the locality. In the spring of 1867 he returned to Xenia, but two
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years later located two and one half miles south- west of the city on a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, which has since been his home.
An important step in the life of Mr. McCarty was consummated November 7, 1833, when he be- came the husband of Miss Margaret Williams, a worthy woman who was his cherished companion until April 15, 1878, when she was called from time to eternity. She was born in Xenia, August 29, 1815, to John and Elizabeth (Owen) Williams, who were among the earliest settlers of that city, her father being a blacksmith. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of six children- John died in childhood; Charles E. was a cavalry- man in the Civil War, and died at Redkey, Ind .; Maria is the widow of A. C. Neal; James dicd at the age of six years; Clara B. is the widow of John Chapman, an attorney at London, Ohio; Henrietta is the wife of Dr. Frank Norman, of Denver, Colo.
For many years Mr. McCarty belonged to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served one terin as Township Treasurer, but his desire is not for public office. IIc belongs to the Reformed Church, while his de- ceased companion was identified with the Metho- dist Protestant Church.
A portrait of Mr. MeCarty is shown in connec- tion with his personal sketch.
AMES R. ANDERSON. Among the sub- stantial and influential members of the ag- ricultural community in Greene County, the name of James R. Anderson holds a front
rank. His home is a finc farm of one hundred and one acres, three miles northeast of the town of Spring Valley, being a part of the parental homestead on which he was born. He is of Southern descent and possesses the agreeable and courteous manners which are a heritage of the better class of Southi- erners, together with the intelligent and well- stored mind and good character which win respect.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Anderson came to this county from South Carolina very early in
the present century, dying here and being buricd on the farm where our subject now lives. He had but two children, James and Horney, the latter of whom lived for some time in Fayette County, but died in Jay County, Ind. His widow and children then removed to Iowa.
James Anderson first saw the light of day in South Carolina, November 3, 1796. On coming to this county with his parents in 1802, settlement was made on two hundred and one aeres in Spring Valley Township, where he lived until after the death of his wife. This worthy woman was born in Virginia, July 29, 1793, and bore the maiden name of Priscilla Coffin. She breathed hier last May 25, 1852, her bereaved husband surviving until September 25, 1858. Four or five years after her death he spent at his daughter's. Both were members of tlic Society of Friends, Mrs. Anderson being one of the active members. Mr. Anderson served in the War of 1812; in politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican.
To James and Priscilla Anderson nine children were born, eight being reared to years of matur- ity. William is now living in Grecne County, Iowa; Rhoda is the widow of Nathan Mendenhall; John is deceased, having left a family of five sons and one daughter; Joseph died, leaving a widow, six sons and two daughters; Preston died in Grcene County, Iowa, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters; Harmon, who died in Iowa left three sons and four daughters; Abijah is living in Greene County Iowa, and has one son and three danghters; the youngest member of the family is James R., the subject of this notice.
The natal day of the subject of this sketch was April 10, 1823. He was reared on the farm, rc -. ceiving a common-school education, and began life for himself while bnt in his twentieth year, being married November 7, 1852, to Catherine Jay. This lady was born at New Burlington Clin- ton County, July 5, 1834, to Alexander and Mar- garet (Irvin) Jay, her father being a farmer. Mrs. Anderson belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and during her married life of over forty years was devoted to the interests of her compan- ion and the two sons who were born to them. Her death took place June 25, 1877. Her two sons are
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Ambrose and William A., the latter now living in Colorado.
Our subject contracted a second matrimonial al- liance, the wedding ceremony being performed January 3, 1878, and the bride being Miss , Anna, daughter of Jesse P. and Cassandra (Bell) Sanders. She was born in Bellbrook, April 23, 1839, is in- telligent, enterprising, and possessed of an estima- ble character.
About the year 1855 Mr. Anderson embarked in the sale of groceries in Spring Valley, continu- ing in that business two years, and then engaging in farming for nine years. He next embarked in the lumber business, sawing hard lumber and deal- ing in the soft woods, and also taking building con- tracts, occupying himself in that manner eight years, after which he returned to agricultural life. In November, 1864, he enlisted in Company F., One hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry the only battle in which he was engaged being that at New Creek. Previous to his enlistment he had been serving as an enrolling officer of his township, having been appointed to the position in 1862 by Governor Brough. He has also served as Consta- ble and Assessor, and in 1882 was appointed Su- perintendent of the County Infirmary, a position which he filled with credit and honor until his resignation. He desired to withdraw from the po- sition and therefore sent in a resignation Febru- ary 1, 1890, to take effect March 1. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Republican. He belongs to the social order of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. and is a prominent member of the Methodist Protestant Church and also a member of the. Grand Army of the Republic.
NDREW BYRD. Although this gentle- man is a son of one of the prominent and early settlers in Greene County, and has successfully carried on an agricultural life within its bounds for a number of years, it is prob- ably true that his greatest fame rests upon his dis- covery of the celebrated Magnetic Springs. Several years since the old United Presbyterian Church was
put up at public sale, and he bought it with the in- tention of turning it into a double dwelling. He had the changes in it nearly completed, and his sister- in-law and family had moved into one part. In order to have water convenient he determined to dig a well under the middle of the building, but the water being found to have a peculiar smell he was advised to fill up the well, but this he refused to do. It was found when the plasterers were ready to put on the white coat that the water from this well had turned the plaster yellow, and that the water was magnetic. Mr. Byrd took some of it to Prof. Hoff, of Waynesville, for analysis. The peculiar qualities of the water becoming noised abroad, people came from various parts of the State to bathe in the liquid, which was found to have a wonderful effect upon those affected with rheumatism or kidney complaints. Mr. Byrd was obliged to dispose of the property to capitalists from Dayton, who organized a company, and re- fitted the old church, and in the summer of 1888 added many improvements for the comfort and ad- vantage of those who wished to resort to the cura- tive waters. Mr. Byrd received $8,000 for his discovery, the property having cost him $635.
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