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 39
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 39
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The great-grandfather of Mrs. McKnight, also
named William Davis, died in Philadelphia, Pa., March 18, 1819. His wife, Mary, died in 1815, at fifty-nine years. They were the parents of one son and two daughters. Harriet (Mercer) Davis was a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Hickman) Mercer, who were natives of Maryland. Edward Mercer came to Cincinnati with his parents about 1796,and was there married to Miss Hickman, whose father was killed by the Indians in Maryland while leading a company to battle. Edward Mereer, af- ter his marriage, settled at New Town, near Cin- cinnati, where he kept a tavern until 1802. IIe then removed to a farm on Caesar's Creek, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in the fall of 1837. There were born to him and his es- timable wife thirteen children, ten of whom, four sons and six daughters, lived to mature years. Mr. Mercer was a Baptist in religious belief. His par- ents were Aaron and Nancy (Carr) Mercer, who were among the first settlers on the present site of Cincinnati.
Elizabeth (Hickman) Mercer was a daughter of Capt. Lewis Hickman, whose widow after his death became the wife of John Smith. The latter was the first tavern-keeper in that vicinity, accommo- dating travelers in a two-story log house. The eleven children of Mr. and Mrs. Mercer were named respectively: Maria, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mi- nerva, John, Ann, Harriet, David, James, and Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are devout mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMUEL N. TARBOX, who occupies him- self as a civil engineer and skilled me- chanic, has built up for himself an envia- ble reputation in this line among the people of Cedarville, Greene County, and vicinity. Ilis efficiency has been acquired by his own efforts and the aid of books, while years of experience have fully established him as one of the most competent surveyors in the township, by which he is regularly employed. He, for many years, op- erated a sawmill on Massey's Creek, Greene County, and one of the first mills in the county
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with carding machinery attached. The old mill however, has been standing idle for some time, being obliged to give place to the more modern methods of conducting these industries.
The subject of this notice was born December 3, 1821, in Maine, and is a son of John and Lucy (Merrill) Tarbox. The mother of our subject was born February 14, 1792, and was the daughter of Humphrey Merrill, who married Miss Elizabeth MeLucas. Grandfather Merrill was the son of Lieut. Samuel Merrill, of Salisbury, Mass., who married Miss Elizabeth Bradbury.
The Bradbury history is mainly as follows: The family originated in Derbyshire, England, where there was born to one Robert, a son William, who in turn became the father of a son, Robert, whose son, Matthew, was Lord of Wicken. His son, Wymond and wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Whitgift, became the parents of Capt. Thomas Bradbury, who was born at Wicken, Eng- land, in 1610. He emigrated to America as land agent and commissioner of Sir Fernando Gorges, as early as 1634. Two years later he settled in Massachusetts and married a daughter of John Perkins, of Ipswich, Mass. Their son, William, married Rebecca Wheelright, daughter of the Rev. John Wheelright, and unto them, in 1677, there was born a son whom they named Jacob.
The Rev, John Wheelright, in company with his sister, Mrs. Ann Hutchison, were banished from the church in Boston for heresy, they simply differ- ing from the church upon some simple doctrine. They took refuge with Roger Williams, in Rhode Island, the latter having been banished for the same offense. Jacob Bradbury married Elizabeth Storkman, and their son, Thomas, about 1749, was Captain of a company in the French and Indian War. He also had charge of the block honse on Saco River, Me. In his company was a young man by the name of Lieut. Samuel Merrill, who fell in love with his daughter, Elizabeth, and in due time they were married. From this union sprang the family who constituted the progenitors of the mother of our subject. The young Lieutenant lived to take part in the Revolutionary War, in which he held the same rank as before, and did gallant service at the battle of Bunker Hill. He lived to
be ninety-four years of age and died in 1822, the year after his wife had passed hence, at the age of ninety-three. Lieut. Merrill was a prominent man in his county, where he held many responsible positions and took a great interest in public affairs. Ilis son, Humphrey, was born June 27, 1750, and Lucy, the daughter of the latter, became the mother of our subjeet.
Mr. Tarbox spent his early years under the pa- rental roof, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married to Miss Ruth L. Jackson. This lady was the daughter of David and Nancy (Nichol) Jackson. Mrs. Jackson was the daughter of John and Ann (Woodburn) Nichol, who were born in Ireland, and emigrating to America in 1789, settled in Westmoreland County, Pa. The father of John Niehol was Thomas, one of seven brothers who fled from Scotland to County Derry, Ireland, on account of religious persecution; he married Isabella Cook, and their son, John, the grandfather of Mrs. Tarbox, was born at Nichol's Hill, Ireland. He emigrated to America in 1789 and in 1800 settled in Belmont County, this State. His wife, Ann, was the daughter of William Wood- burn, of Churchtown, County Derry, and the maiden name of her mother was Margaret Canada.
David Jackson, the father of Mrs. Tarbox, was the son of Robert Jackson, who married a Miss McCorkle. The latter was the son of David, whose wife was Elizabeth Reed. This David was a half brother of Gen. Andrew Jackson, and their father was Dr. Hugh Jackson. It will thus be seen that both Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox are descended from honorable ancestry, people who were possessed of fine mental characteristics, and who were promi- nent in their day and generation.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, John J., died in 1872, when a promising young man of twenty years; Frank T. makes his home with his parents, and is employed on the detective force of Cedarville, while he also offi- eiates as Constable; Theodore H., a civil engineer by profession, is unmarried and makes his home in Santa Anna, Cal .; Harry L. married Miss Essie Daugherty, and is the father of two children, Nellie I. and Frederick N .; he follows the business
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of a lime burner in Findlay, this State; David N., a professional ball player, married Miss Mattie Ilart and lives near his father; Lida O., an accom- plished young lady, remains at home with her parents ; Charles Waldo died in infancy.
Mr. Tarbox gives his unqualified support to the Republican party. During the Civil War he, in the capacity of a Lieutenant, assisted in driving Jolin Morgan from the soil of the Buckeye State. He has served as Township Trustee, and with his estimable wife is prominently connected with the United Presbyterian Church, in the doctrines of which church the Jackson side of the house have been educated for generations.
ATHEW BERRYHILL. One who has no knowledge of the relative value of soils or of any matter pertaining to farm life, can yet determine at a glance whether the farm upon which he gazes is valuable and well managed. A visitor to the estate of the above-named gentle- man in Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, would know at once that its owner possesses enter- prise, perseverance, and skill in agriculture. The entire place bears an air of ncatness and order, and of thorough cultivation, while the buildings which have been erected upon it arc substantial, well de- signed and conveniently located. The residence, a brick edifice, was erected in 1837, and other structures now used are of more recent, datc.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jolın Berryhill, a native of Ireland, who settled in Virginia, and there rearcd a family, among them being Alexander, who was born in Augusta County and became a farmer. He married Rachael Thomp- son, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, and was a direct descendant of Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Berryhill re- sided on a farm in Virginia until 1814, when they sold out and came to Ohio. Buying six hundred and forty acres of wild land in this county, now section 5, Sugar Creek Township, a log house was built and clearing begun upon the land. The
dwelling being of hewn logs and two stories in height was considered quite an aristocratic resi- dence.
Having considerable means and a large family of robust boys, Mr. Berryhill had a large tract of land cleared and devoted his attention wholly to farming. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. The death of the father oc- curred in September, 1823, the mother surviving until '1838. But two of the eleven children of whom they were the parents are now living, these being our subject and his brother Franklin. The family circle once included James, William, John, Alex- ander, Margaret, Samuel, Archibald, Rachael, Mat- hew, Elizabeth and Franklin.
Mr. Berryhill was a Revolutionary soldier bc- longing to a Virginia regiment. At the battle of Guilford Court-House he was taken prisoner; after he had surrendered his gun a British officer struck him on the head with his sword and lic carried the scar to his grave. His son John served in the War of 1812, and the relatives of Mrs. Berryhill, of this notiec, also fought in the last-named struggle for the rights of American citizens.
The natal day of Mathew Berryhill was January 7, 1807, and his birth occurred in Augusta County, Va. He was seven years of age when his father came to this county, in which there were very few settlers and no improvements but a few cabins. There is but one other person now living in this locality who was here when the Berryhill family came. School advantages were very meager at that time and the principal knowledge obtained by the boys and girls was that which they could ac- quire under the home roofs, and in pursuit of their labors as young assistants to the pioneers. During his boyhood our subject helped to clear the farm of his father and he has never spared himself but has ever been extremely busy and hard-working.
The father having died when our subject was but fifteen years of age, the estate was settled and young Mathew given the portion belonging to him, and from that time transacted all his own business, although he remained at the old home until his marriage. On March 21, 1831, he became the hus- band of Miss Angelina Tolbert, who was born in Virginia, November 24, 1809, and the young cou-
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ple settled on his portion of the old homestead for a short term. He then sold out and in 1835 bought the farm which he now ocenpies on section 36, Sugar Creek Township, to which he removed the following year. The farm comprised one hun- dred and sixty acres, of which one hundred and fifteen acres are now under the plow, having been broken by himself. He has added to the acreage, now owning four hundred and eighty-eight acres in this township, and he also possesses two hundred and thirty-seven acres in Fountain County, Ind.
Although they are now quite old, both Mr, and Mrs. Berryhill enjoy good health, and he has never been afflicted with any disease. They have no children but have been instrumental in helping to bring up those who needed parental care. Mrs. Berryhill has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for over fifty years. Mr. Berryhill has been a Supervisor and has always taken an inter- est in local politics. His first Presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson and he has never missed an election since that time, voting the Whig, and later the Republican, ticket. He and his estimable companion have made several trips to different parts of the West, using a portion of the means which they possess in such an abundant measure, in the enjoyment of varied seenes. They are accorded a due measure of respect by those who know them and are numbered among the landmarks of the county.
HOMAS L. BEAL is a dealer in general merchandise in Byron, Greene County, do- ing the principal business there and mani- festing a degree of energy and business tact which gives promise of a bright future. He is also As- sistant Postmaster, and does all the business of the office, the affairs of which are left entirely in his hands by J. L. Cosler, who received the appoint- ment of Postmaster, when in 1889, the office was located here.
Mr. Beal comes of an old Greene County family, his grandfather, Aaron Bcal, a native of Virginia, having located here in 1819. He bought and cleared land on Ludlow Creek, and became the owner of
three hundred aeres of landed estate. He had fol- lowed the trade of a blacksmith in his native State, and continued it in connection with farming after his removal, putting up a shop upon his farm. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. ITis son Aaron was born in Beaver Creek Township, and when of a suitable age became a farmer. He bought land near Goes Station, in Miami Township, and cleared one hundred and thirty- five acres upon which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In these pursuits he was successful and also in buying and selling stock. He departed this life April 18, 1887, respected and mourned. He was an active member of the Reformed Church at Byron.
In the maternal line also our subject is of Vir- ginian ancestry, his grandfather, William Oram, having been a native of that State. He was a farmer and cooper, and a mechanic in various lines of woodwork. At an early period in the history of this county he took up his residence here, locating on a small farm in Miami Township, and carrying on a eooper shop until his death. His daughter Annie, who was born in Virginia, became the wife of Aaron Beal, to whom she bore three daughters and two sons. Her first-born, Mrs. Mary Hopind, lives in Dayton ; Marcellus is a farmer at Fairfield; the third ehild is our subject; Mrs. Priscilla F. Rheinhart is the wife of a blacksmith at Goes Sta- tion; Jessie also lives at that place. The mother, who is now about sixty years of age, lives with a daugliter in Miami Township; she is a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
T. L. Beal opened his eyes to the light June 16, 1858, in Beaver Creek Township, on the banks of Ludlow Creek. When he was three years old his parents removed to Miami Township, where he was reared and educated, having good school advan- tages, and in the intervals of study being early put to work on the farm. Upon reaching his majority he rented his father's farm and began eropping it for himself, remaining upon it until 1882, when he rented a farm on Ludlow Creek. A year later he returned to the home farm which he continued to carry on from that time until the spring of 1887. He then bought the old Enniss stand at Byron, re- modeled it and put in"a new stoek of goods, and began his career as a merchant. He carries groeer-
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yours Truly LF Stewart
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ies and general merchandise, dealing also in produce and flour. Prosperity has attended his efforts and his career has been wonderfully successful for onc so young.
Mr. Beal chose for his companion Miss Elizabeth Norris, of Dayton, whose intelligence and womanly virtues won his regard and with whom he was uni- ted in marriage February 28, 1882. Mrs. Beal is the youngest child of Hezekiah and Susannah (Thumb) Beal, and was born in Dayton, October 5, 1858. Her father is a native of Frederick County, Md., and a carpenter by trade. He came to Xenia a number of years ago, but soon afterward removed to Dayton, where he still lives. He has worked at his trade in different parts of Greene and Mont- gomery Counties. His wife was also born in Mary- land and both are worthy members of the United Brethren Church. They are parents of seven chil- dren : Mrs. Anna P. Dunn, of Beaver Creek Town- ship, this county; Aquilla and John, who live in Dayton; Leo J., deceased; Mrs. Sarah C. Archer of Dayton ; Joseph M., a groceryman in Dayton, and Mary Elizabeth.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beal, has been blessed by the birth of three bright children-Lillie B., Bessie T. and Arthur L. Mr. Beal exercises the right of suffrage in behalf of the Democrat party and its candidates. Mrs. Beal belongs to the Meth- odist Church in Centerville.
AMES F. STEWART, who is now living in Yellow Springs, Greene County, having re- tired from the more arduous labors of life, was born in Clark County, where he lived for many years. His labors there were crowned with success in the accumulation of a goodly share of this world's goods, and were not without their influence over his fellow-men as an example of strict morality, trne religion and usefulness in va- rious departments of life. In 1886 he became resident of Yellow Springs, occupying a cozy resi- dence which he. had erected, and where he and his estimable wife enjoy pleasant intercourse with their many friends.
The parents of our subject were James and Jane
(Elder) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to the Buckeye State in 1811. They located in Hamilton County, but after a res- idence of three years sold out and changed their location to Clark County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and possessed no- ble characteristics which their offspring love to re- member, and to which their children owe much of their own uprightness and usefulness. Mr. Stew -. art was Treasurer of the church to which he be- longed for many years, held a similar office in the township for fifteen years, and was an earnest ad- vocate of good schools. He held a prominent place among the farmers of the vicinity, his landed estate at one time amonnting to five hundred acres. He breathed his last in 1857, his wife surviving until 1863. Their family comprised ten children, he of whom we write being the fourth in order of birth. The others were: Elijah, now deccased; Robert, who died in infaney; Ann, the widow of Samuel Barnett; Mary, the widow of David Mil. len; Eliza, the wife of Harvey Jobe; John, whose home is in Nebraska; Susannah, deceased; David who occupies the homestead; and Adeline, the widow of William Caruthers.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced was born on the old homestead in Green Township, Clark County, December 6, 1818. He attended the subscription schools and acquired an excellent common-school education, to which, having a desire for information, he has added a knowledge of general topies and current events throughout his life. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age, his parent having given him one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, with the understanding that while he re- mained at home he should have half the proceeds, but that he should pay $50 the first year and $100 the following five years, in order to secure the deed of the property. He did so, and believes the lesson of prudence and self-help which he learned was the best to fit him for his after life and its du- ties.
Among the schoolmates and childish friends of James F. Stewart, was one for whom his regard deepened as they grew to manliood and womanhood,
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and whom he desired as a companion in a closer relation than that of friends. After a successful wooing they were united in marriage December 12, 1843, and at once took up their abode on their own land, having only the farm and the energy of their natures as their capital in life. Mrs. Stewart bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Bogle, and was born November 25, 1824, receiving an excel- lent education in the common schools. Her par- ents, James and Sarah (Stewart) Bogle, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respect- ively, and came to Ohio at an early day. They were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity. Mr. Bogle was a farmer of considerable prominence.
On the farm where they began their wedded life, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart remained forty-one years, leaving it only for the home which they now oc . cupy. The homestead was placed under excellent improvement and cultivation, and added to until the acrcage amounted to one hundred and fifty. Mr. Stewart also owns a well-tilled farm of two hundred and twelve acres in Jennings County, Ind., and two hundred and fifty well-improved acres in Wilson County, Kan .; his realty also in- cludes some fine residence property in Springfield and in Yellow Springs. The income from these various pieces of property is considerable, and in- sures the couple all the comforts of life, together with an opportunity to exercise their hospital- ity and benevolence upon many worthy objects. They have never been blessed with children, and expend the affection of their naturcs upon their fellow-men, especially manifesting their loving kind- ness to those in need.
In 1861 Mr. Stewart began keeping a diary and has kept up the practice ever since, it being a source of practical benefit as well as of pleasure. He and his wife are members of the United Pres- byterian Church, his connection with that body dating from 1844. He has been an Elder for over forty years, and is now Treasurer of the congre- tion, having lield that office for some years. Both are active in the Sunday-school department, hav- ing been teachers for years, and he has held the office of Superintendent for sixteen years. In ed- ucational affairs also, Mr. Stewart has been ac-
tively interested, as lic has been in matters political. He affiliated with the Republican party until Cleveland's election to the Presidency, since which time he has been a Prohibitionist. He was Clerk of Green Township, Clark County, for several years, and Trustee of the same at the time of the Civil War and for years thereafter. During the war he belonged to the militia, which was ordered out, but on reaching Springfield he hired a substi- tute and returned to his home. Although some- what advanced in years, both Mr. and Mrs. Stew- art are in good health, and it is hoped that their useful and honored lives will yet be sparcd many years.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Stewart may be found elsewhere in the ALBUM.
M ARK SMITH. The career of the self-made man is finely illustrated in the history of Mr. Smith, who commenced the battle of life dependent upon his own resources and who through the difficulties and drawbacks com- mon to most men, has achieved success. Upon coming to Clark County he in due time acquired a large amount of real estate and began erecting numbers of dwellings,so that he now has over thirty tenement houses besides a large mill building on Mill Creek, which is amply furnished with water power and used for manufacturing purposes. Ile has been an energetic, wide-awake man, keenly ob- servant of what is going on around him and has contributed his full quota to the growth and devel- opment of his adopted county.
The early home of Mr. Smith was on the other side of the Atlantic in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, and he was born March 4, 1823, in the little town of Alloa. His father, John Smith, was a native of Yorkshire, England, which was likewise the native shire of his grandfather , Mark Smith. The latter ob- tained only a limited education, and when but a boy entercd a woolen factory where he learned the trade of weaving and all the other details in connection therewith. Upon leaving his native shire he re-
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paired to Alloa, Scotland, where he established a factory, of which he was manager a number of years. Finally he returned to England and there spent the closing years of his life. His wife bore the maiden name of Martha Conyer and she, too, died in Eng- land.
John Smith, the father of our subject, like his father before him, served an apprenticeship in a woolen mill in his native place and he also when this was completed went to Seotland and was em- ployed in a factory ; he, too, established a factory at Alloa. He carried on business a number of years when the factory was destroyed by fire, then, in 1855, John Smithi emigrated to America and lo- cated in the city of Cleveland, this State. A short time later, however, he removed to Springfield and was employed as dyer in a woolen mill, remaining there until his deeease, which occurred about 1878. His remains were laid to rest in Ferncliff Ceme- tery.
Mrs. Jane (Mason) Smith, the mother of our subjeet, was likewise a native of Alloa, Seotland, and the daughter of Jolin and Ellen (Commery) Mason. Grandfather Mason and his wife were also of Seotch birth and aneestry. Mrs. Smith eame to Ameriea with her husband and died in Springfield about 1886. The parental family consisted of seven children, five of whom lived to mature years, these being Mark, John M., Jane Ann, Martha Elizabeth and Horatio.
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