USA > Ohio > Highland County > The County of Highland : a history of Highland County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on the bench and bar, medical profession educational development, industry and agriculture and biographical sketches > Part 32
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township. The first of the name to settle in America was James Collins Faris, born in Scotland in 1715, and an emigrant to Virginia in 1740. His son James was born in Virginia in 1742 and there 'reared a large number of children, among them being John Faris, who was born in 1770 and married Jane Watson, whose father was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who had come to Virginia about 1740 and later served in the Revolutionary war. It was from the last mentioned couple that all the Highland county Farises descended. In 1813, John and Jane Faris located in New Market township and reared a family of sons and daughters which in numbers as well as sturdy qualities, was one of the strongest of the pioneer period. Every one of the entire thirteen grew to maturity, married, and reared children of their own. By the inexorable law, from which no mortal can escape, all have long since paid the debt of nature, but they left upon the communities in which they resided an impress for good which still remains as a precious heritage to their descendants. A few brief biographical details of each one will prove of interest: Elijah married Mary Miles, settled on one hundred acres of land where Pricetown now is, and had six children. Catharine married Samuel Sweinhart in 1815, and first lived south of Pricetown, in a rough shanty enclosed on three sides only, from which, in her hus- band's absence, she had to fight away the wolves with an axe. They had seven children. Beniah had eight children and lived west of Pricetown. Mary married Jacob Cochran, settled in New Market and had eight children. Sarah married Abraham Wilkin, settled near Sonner's Mill in White Oak township and had eight children. Rachel married Daniel Scott, lived east of Pricetown in Salem town- ship and had three children. James W. married Mary Hoop, settled east of Pricetown and had three children. John B., eighth of the family, is sketched more fully below. Jesse married Nancy David- son, a woman of remarkable character, by whom he had eleven chil- dren. Jane married Samuel Gibler and settled in Liberty town- ship. Eli S. married Lucilla Pulliam and settled in New Market. Andrew F. married Susan Hoop, lived on a farm south of Pricetown, and had eight children. Uriah married Eliza Couch, settled south of Pricetown and had seven children. John Faris, the patriarch of this interesting family, soon after his arrival in the county, bought about 600 acres of wild land in New Market township, but later pur- chased 1,000 acres in Salem township which became the basis for his children's homes. He was a man of prominence and influence, and active in the promotion of good enterprises. He and his wife were members of the Christian church at Pricetown and for many years interested in religious work. He died in 1850 at the age of eighty- one and his wife one year later in the eightieth year of her age. John B. Faris, eighth in age of the thirteen children above described, was born in Virginia January 2, 1802, and hence was about eleven
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years old when his parents arrived on the banks of the Scioto. In 1823 he married Catherine, the seventeen-year-old daughter of David Welty, who came from Kentucky to Hamer township in 1811. The newly married couple settled on a farm in what was known as the Bowyer Survey in Salem township, north of Pricetown, where they retained their residence to the end of life. About 1824, Mr. Faris constructed on White Oak creek the first gristmill in Salem town- ship, which he conducted in connection with a sawmill until his death, which occurred in 1837 at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years. This ended prematurely a life of usefulness, as his business enterprises were at that time the most important in the township and he himself one of its most progressive mnen. After his death his wife showed unusual business ability, by superintending and carrying on all the industries in which her husband had been interested. She married Mathias Gibler, who, however, only lived a year afterward, and she herself passed away September 2, 1889, aged eighty-two years. This good woman had eight children, all by her first husband, of whom Eliza, Mary N., Sarah and Elizabeth are dead. The four still living are David, a resident of Illinois ; Josephus and Levi, of Pricetown, and John B. Faris, Jr. The lat- ter was born in Salem township, Highland county, Ohio, July 27, 1837, and in early manhood went to Pike county, Illinois, where he spent some time in work for monthly wages. Returning to his Ohio home he was married to Chaffalio, daughter of Jacob and Anna Fen- der, of Clay township, located at Pricetown and for thirty-two years followed the profession of teaching. This, however, was interrupted in 1864 by his military service with Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth regiment Ohio infantry. This command was first sent to Robinson Station, Ky., where they did guard duty and later part of the regiment was captured after a fight near Cynthiana with Gen- eral Morgan. Subsequently they were sent back to Cincinnati, where they did guard duty, afterward to Camp Dennison and there they were mustered out of the service September 13, 1864. After this brief but rather rough experience of war, Mr. Faris returned to Pricetown and resumed his occupation as a teacher, which he did not again abandon for many years. In 1872, he was ordained as a minister of the Christian church and held several charges, but of later years has given up regular work on account of his health. He lives a retired life at the same home he has occupied since his mar- riage, with the exception of two years spent in Liberty township. His estimable wife passed from the scenes of earth April 4, 1901, and was laid away in the Plainview cemetery. The living children are John S., who is postmaster of Pricetown; Laura B., widowed wife of J. W. White; and Anna, at home. Mary and Moody, the first born and twins, and J. Walter, next in order of birth, are dead. Josephus Faris, fourth of the children of John B. and Catharine
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(Welty) Faris, was born in Salem township, Highland county, Ohio, July 21, 1829, and remained at home until his marriage to Millie, daughter of Philip and Rachel Baker. He enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth regiment Ohio infantry, and shared the service of that command, above described. Shortly after his return home from the army, he removed with his family to Illinois, where he spent sixteen months and then came back to Highland county. For twenty years he followed the occupation of teaching school, during which time he has held the positions of assessor, clerk, supervisor, notary public, and member of the school board. In the spring of 1902 he was elected justice of the peace for Salem town- ship, to take office in November. Like most of his family connection, he is a member of the Christian church and is a most excellent citi- zen in all the relations of life. He has had eleven children, of whom Lucilla C., John P., Eliza J., William C. and Flavius J. are dead. Those living are Sarah E., wife of William T. Wardlow, of Salem township; Levi S., Rachel B., and Rosa N., at home, and Evadean, wife of E. L. Gomia, of Salem township. In 1889 was held the first Faris family reunion, which has been kept up annually ever since. John B. Faris is president and historian of this reunion association. As many as four hundred of the descendants of John and Jane (Wat- son) Faris have attended a single reunion, and this annual event has now become a fixture among the annual entertainments of Salem township.
Levi Faris, of Pricetown, is a grandson of that remarkable pio- neer couple, John and Jane (Watson) Faris, mentioned above, who located and bought large sections of land in Highland county a few years after the war of 1812. One of their thirteen children was John B. Faris, who built the first grist mill in Salem township and became one of the most influential and enterprising citizens of his day. He married Catharine Welty, daughter of an old Kentucky pioneer, and a woman of great ability and strength of character. After her husband's death, she carried on his farming and milling business, besides looking after the needs and education of her chil- dren. Among the latter was Levi Faris, born in Salem township, Highland county, Ohio, July 11, 1831, and educated in the district schools. In early manhood he was married to Margaret, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Malcom, of New Market township. Her mother is yet living and is in reasonable health, although ninety-two years of age. Immediately after this marriage Mr. Faris moved to Illinois, where he was employed for a while, but not liking the out- look he returned in a short time to Highland county and settled on a rented farm in Salem township. Later he bought a small place in the township on which he resided some time, and in 1872 purchased property in Pricetown which has since been his home. His military
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service during the civil war was with Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, which was organized in May, 1864, and subsequently sent into Kentucky. This command rendered valuable service as protector of railroads and government property and in checking incursions of raiders from the Kentucky side of the river. They came in collision with Morgan near Cyn- thiana in June, 1864, and after spirited fighting suffered considerable loss in the way of prisoners. Later the regiment was sent to Cin- cinnati, where it did guard duty until mustered out of the service at Camp Dennison in September, 1864. For several years after the war, Mr. Faris followed the business of carpentering and bridge con- tracting, but lately has retired from regular work on account of fail- ing health.
John S. Faris, postmaster at Pricetown, is one of the younger gen- eration of the old and long established Highland county family of that name, whose history is sketched at length above. He is a great- grandson of John and Jane (Watson) Faris, and grandson of John B. Faris, mentioned in the foregoing. John B. Faris had eight chil- dren and among the number a son and namesake who married Chaf- folio Fender. This couple were the parents of John S. Faris, who was born at Pricetown, Highland county, Ohio, October 20, 1868, and educated in the district schools. At an early period he evinced a strong inclination to teach, an occupation in which his father had met with success, and he devoted fourteen years to this honorable profession. In 1901, he engaged in mercantile business at Price- town and at the same time was appointed postmaster of the village, which position he has since retained. He is also township clerk, was chairman of the township central committee several years, and in 1900 was appointed to take the census of Salem township. Like most of his family connections, he is a member of the Christian church and is regarded as a young man of bright promise for future usefulness. He married Flora B., daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- beth Foust, of Pricetown, and has two children, Madge and Glenn.
Benjamin F. Faris, well known in the farming circles of Dodson and Union townships, is a great-grandson of the pioneers, John and Jane (Watson) Faris, mentioned in the foregoing family sketch. The ninth of their children, Jesse, in 1825 married Nancy Davidson, born in 1805. She was the only daughter of John Davidson, a native of Pennsylvania, one of the strong characters of that rugged period and the earliest settler within the limits of the present township of Salem. He was also the first shoemaker of that neighborhood, vol- unteered in Captain Barrere's company for the war of 1812, was elected lieutenant and surrendered with General Hull at Detroit. After their marriage, Jesse and Nancy (Davidson) Faris settled a
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mile southwest of Pricetown, but a year later removed to the farm which the widow Long owned. This pioneer couple used to tell amusing stories of the hardships connected with their honeymoon days. Their household goods were so meager that they placed them all in the front end of the wagon-box. On their way they stopped at the mill and got a peck of corn ground which, with two hams, con- stituted all their provender. Mrs. Faris soon made five pounds of butter, which she exchanged for one pound of coffee. This was "put- ting on style," as before that the family had been content with sassa- fras tea. Their first soap was made by Mrs. Faris from the fat of two opossums. John Faris, the patriarch of the Highland county family, and his wife, were members of the Christian church at Price- town. He died in 1850 at the age of eighty-one years and his wife in 1851 when eighty years old. Jesse and Nancy (Davidson) Faris had eleven children, among the number being Carey C. Faris, who was born in Salem township October 30, 1831, and married Eliza King, born in Hamer township in 1839. In 1863, Carey C. Faris enlisted in Company B, Second regiment Ohio heavy artillery, with which he served fifteen months and was eventually discharged for disability, by virtue of which a $30 per month pension was granted. He owns a small farm and for some time has been living in retire- ment. He has eight living children, among them Benjamin F. Faris, who was born in Salem township, Highland county, Ohio, February 6, 1861. With a view to fitting himself as a teacher he attended the National Normal university at Lebanon, Ohio, where he went through the regular course. After leaving this institution, Mr. Faris spent the next seven years as a teacher in the district schools, but was eventually forced to give up this employment on account of failing health. March 5, 1887, he was married to Electa Roush, daughter of N. W. and Martha Roush, and a member of one of the leading pioneer families of Hamer township. As early as 1806 her great-grandfather, Philip Roush, cleared a farm in the north part of Hamer, which was subsequently owned by his son John. By this marriage Mr. Faris has three children: Bertsyl W., Otis G., and Isma Anna. Mrs. Faris died May 17, 1901. For the past twelve years Mr. Faris' time has been taken up in agriculture and stock raising. He is now and has been for five years past a member of the school board and takes much interest in educational affairs. He is prominent in Knights of Pythias circles and connected with the Masonic fraternity at Lynchburg.
J. Frank Fender, senior member of the firm of Fender & Son, lumbermen, at Taylorsville, is a descendant of George Fender, one of the pioneers of the township of White Oak. George Fender, a native of Virginia, was married there to Magdalene Launce, and in the fall of 1801, with his family, and his father-in-law, Adam
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Launce, and his family, he settled on the banks of White Oak, not far from where the settlement was made in the same year by Robert Finley and James B. Finley and John Davidson and their families. This was the first settlement of the township. He first bought a hundred acres including the site of his home, which is yet standing, and this was a part of the Massie and Kerr survey. In after years he acquired a large body of land, and became a valued citizen, and the main stay of the Christian church in that locality. His eight children were Katie, Sarah, Pollie, Betsey, John, Jacob, George and one who died in infancy. John, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the White Oak farm, January 23, 1813, and when grown to manhood he married Catherine Kibler, with whom he went to housekeeping on the old homestead. Later he built there a brick
residence, which was in its day the finest house in the township, and though now outrivaled, is still standing and substantial. He became the owner of over five hundred acres of land, held many of the town- ship offices, and was an earnest worker for the welfare of the Chris- tian church. He and his wife died within nine days of each other, both at the age of seventy-five years. Their children, ten in num- ber, were, William and Sarah, now living in White Oak township; Lealı and Henry, deceased; Mary, wife of George Carr, of White Oak township; Rachel, wife of Robert Hatcher, of Hamer town- ship; Amelia, wife of Charles Moberly, of Clay township; Cath- erine, wife of E. Carr, of White Oak township; America, wife of Charles Robinson, of White Oak township ; and J. Frank. J. Frank Fender was born in the house where he now lives, February 25, 1856, was educated in the district school, and in early manhood was- married to Mary Ann Roberts, a native of Highland county, and daughter of Alfred and Catherine Roberts. Seven children have been born to them: Newton, Clarence, Virgie, Glenn, and Stanley, living at home, and Alva and Mertie, deceased. Mr. Fender is the owner of about 250 acres of land, which he farms successfully, giv- ing considerable attention also to the raising of live stock, and in his connection with the firm of Fender & Son, owning and conducting the saw mill at Taylorsville, he is contributing efficiently to the remunerative industries of the township. He has served the com- munity ably as township trustee, assessor and constable, is widely influential in politics as a Democrat, and is a valued member of Lodge No. 633, at Mowrystown, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Charles Fenner, trustee of New Market township, comes of pio- neer ancestors who settled in Highland county among the first of the incoming emigrants from the East. His grandfather, John Fenner, was a native of Pennsylvania and entered government land in what is now Liberty township as far back as 1800. He lived to the age.
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of seventy years, became a large landowner and reared a family of children, among them being a son named William W., who was born in Liberty township about 1821. William W. Fenner married Malinda Frost and had ten children, four sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and seven of them are still living. The father was a farmer all his adult life, belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal church and held various minor offices, including that of town- ship trustee. He died March 12, 1896, while residing in Union township, long surviving his wife, who passed away in 1862. Charles Fenner, the youngest of their surviving children, was born in Clay township, Highland county, August 12, 1860, and remained at home until a year or two after reaching his majority. December 23, 1883, he was married to Nancy E., daughter of John W. and Mary (Strange) Hart, of Union township. Mrs. Fenner's paternal grand- father was Joel Hart, of North Carolina, who came to Ohio first in 1801, two years later brought his family to Highland county, and removed to Union township in 1832 where he and wife passed the remainder of their days. In 1826, Joel Hart .shot the last bear killed in Highland county, and in 1848 his son, Jonathan, was the slayer of the last deer seen inside of the county limits. After his marriage Charles Fenner spent three years in the counties of Mercer and Darke and afterwards rented a farm for two years in Liberty township, Highland county. Subsequently he removed to his pres- ent place in New Market township, where he owns 118 acres of land and carries on general farming. He is trustee of New Market town- ship and a charter member of Russell lodge, No. 706, Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner have three children living, Mary M., Charles H. and Leonard, the eldest, Clyde, having died when five years old. The family affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Fenner has been a member some years.
Thomas M. Ferguson, a veteran of the civil war, has long been identified with the industrial, political and fraternity interests of Paint township. His father, John Ferguson, a native of Ireland, brought to this country by his parents when eighteen months old, married Sarah Patton, a native of Kentucky then living in High- land county, and subsequently settled in Clermont county, Ohio, where he followed his trade as a carpenter and died in 1849. Two years later his widow, with four children, came to New Petersburg and made her home in Highland county until her death at the age of eighty-five years. Of her ten children only two are now living, these being the subject of this sketch and his brother, Delos S., who resides at Leesburg, Ohio. The names of those who have died are Jane, William W., Allen, James P., Joseph C., Samuel N., Eliza- beth A. and Sarah. Thomas M. Ferguson was born in Clermont county, near Marathon, Ohio, December 16, 1836, and while
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still a boy began working out on farms by the month, giving his scanty wages to his mother. In 1857 he came to Rainsboro and spent a year with James Rowe learning the trade of harness-making after which he was employed in a carriage shop four years perfect- ing himself as a trimmer. He eventually mastered all the details of this useful handicraft and, since 1865, his main business has been that of carriage trimming and harness-making. October 10, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Sixtieth regiment Ohio vol- unteer infantry and served with it in Virginia under Fremont, tak- ing part in the engagements at Cottontown, Harrisonburg, Cross Keys and Harper's Ferry. At the latter place the fighting continued from September 11, 1862, for several days, finally ending in the surrender of the Federal troops to the Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson. Mr. Ferguson and his comrades were sent to the parole camp at Annapolis, Md., and from there to Camp Doug- lass, where they were discharged November 10, 1862. From that time he remained at home until June 13, 1863, when he reenlisted as a private in Company A, Second regiment Ohio heavy artillery, and shortly after the organization was appointed first sergeant. This command was detailed to guard bridges and railroads from Louisville to Bowling Green until May, 1864, when it was sent to Cleveland, Tenn., where it remained for some months and during the time was engaged in a lively fight with Wheeler's cavalry. In November the regiment was in an engagement at Strawberry Plains and later took part in what was known as the Stoneman raid through southwestern Virginia. They returned to Knoxville January 1, 1865, where they guarded government property until July, 1865, and next month were discharged from the service at Camp Chase. Mr. Ferguson served twelve years as constable of Paint township and is now serving his ninth year as justice of the peace. He was appointed postmaster at Rainsboro under Harrison's administration to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Y. C. Miller. He is con- nected with the Bainbridge lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a charter member of Lodge No. 452, Knights of Pythias, in which he has held all the offices. He helped to organize Trimble post of the Grand Army of the Republic, was its commander for eight years and is now adjutant. In September, 1859, he was married to Rose McKenna, by whom he has five children: Austa, wife of F. M. Ubanks of Rainsborough ; Florence, wife of Henry Ubanks of Sink- ing Springs ; Jennie, wife of Charles Elton, of Jeffersonville; Will- iam S., school teacher, and C. M., a traveling salesman.
Floyd E. Ferneau, prominent among the younger farmers of Brush Creek township, is a grandson of Henry Ferneau, who was one of the pioneers settlers of that township, and a man of note in his day. Henry Ferneau's children were, Aaron; Mary Ann, wife
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of Joseph West; Martha, wife of Austin Pepple; Maria, wife of Cyrus Franklin ; Joshua, John, Henry and Joseph F. Joseph F. Ferneau, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Brush Creek township, September 17, 1836, and was for many years one of the prosperous farmers of the township. He married Abigail White, of Highland county, and their children were, Roxanna, who died in infancy ; Henry A., Ella, Elizabeth, Floyd E .; Myrtle, wife of Joseph Wilson; Ada, wife of Oscar Hixon; Maude, wife of Charles Kelly. Floyd E. Ferneau was born June 7, 1868, in Brush Creek township, and educated in the district school, and at the famous Normal college at Valparaiso, Ind. On August 30, 1892, he was married to Retta, daughter of Jacob and Jane Tener, of Adams county, and they have three children: Ada B., born December 31, 1897; Emmet, born March 4, 1900; and Kenneth, born March 14, 1901. Mr. Ferneau is the owner of land in Highland and Pike counties aggregating 216 acres, and has proved his ability as a skill- ful farmer and good business man. He has been honored by the people of his township with the office of justice of the peace, and is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 196, of Bainbridge, of the Odd Fellows lodge of Petersburg, of the Knights of Pythias, Uniformed rank, No. 492, of Cynthiana, and of the Modern Woodmen at Sink- ing Spring.
Joseph Wilson, a representative of Pike county in the Ohio legis- lature in 1899, is a grandson of James Wilson, a native of Penn- sylvania who settled in Highland county at an early day, and mar- ried Sarah Horn. They had four sons and three daughters: Louis, Joseph, James and Enos; Eliza, wife of John Parrott; Nancy, wife of Henry Williams, and Julia, wife of Christian Hamilton. Enos, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Highland county, January 2, 1819, and lived a useful and honorable life in this and Pike counties. His wife was Amelia Ferneau, of Pike county, born February 14, 1823, and they had four children: John, Marga- ret, E. Fullerton, living at Boulder, Col., and Joseph Wilson. The latter was born in Pike county, February 2, 1866, and was educated at the district school and the Normal college at Valparaiso, Ind., and at Delaware college, Ohio. His life since then has been one of notable success as a farmer and prominence and influence in public affairs. He is the owner of 865 acres of land in Highland and Pike counties, and for about twelve years has made his home near the town of Cynthiana. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, township trustee and others, and in 1899 was elected to the legisla- ture. His wife is Myrtle, daughter of Joseph F. and Abigail (White) Ferneau, and they have three children, Ion, Owen, and Margene.
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