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 57
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The Whisler family, long and favorably known in Highland county, is of Southwestern Pennsylvania origin and dates its first establishment in this section in the third decade of the last century. Its first representative in Highland county was Moses, one of several sons of Henry Whisler, who was born in 1813 and twenty years later came to Ohio, locating three miles southwest of Hillsboro. After a residence there of about five years he removed to New Mar- ket, where he lived over forty years and died in 1883. Moses Whisler's first wife was Hannah Vance, member of a pioneer family, who bore him six children, of whom three are living: Henry, a. practicing physician at New Antioch, Ohio; Abraham, member of the same profession in California; and Charlotte, wife of J. M. Chaney of Highland county. The father's second marriage was to Phoebe Dunn, daughter of pioneer parents in Highland county, and this union resulted in the birth of four children: Ella, wife of Rev. R. W. King, a minister of the gospel resident in Oregon; Lewis, a railroad employe at Laporte, Col .; Charles F., of Hills- boro ; and Ida M., wife of George Prime, who is farming two miles south of Hillsboro. Moses Whisler was married for the third time to Emiline Hetherington, by whom he had five children. Charles F. Whisler, third of the second family of children, was born in New Market, Highland county, Ohio, January 15, 1859, and, owing to the fact that his father owned a grist and sawmill, he naturally drifted into that line of business. At an early age he began dealing in lumber and in 1890 opened a wholesale establishment at Hills- boro, where he has built up a large trade. Mr. Whisler owns an extensive mill in the city and purchases the product of several other mills, which he ships to all parts of southern Ohio and some to more distant markets. He has prospered, and in 1895 erected a hand- some residence on West street, opposite the Baptist church, having his lumber office in the rear of his dwelling house. May 28, 1885, Mr. Whisler was married to Clara, daughter of Thomas McCon- naughey, of Highland county, who lived but two years after the union. August 27, 1895, Mr. Whisler took a second wife in the per- son of Belle Arnett, of New Market, by whom he has one daughter, Helen A., born February 22, 1897. Mr. Whisler's religious affilia-
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tions are with the Baptists and he is a member of the church of that denomination at Hillsboro.
Jacob E. White, the popular proprietor of the celebrated Spring Grove dairy and stock farm, near Greenfield, has achieved a phe- nomenal success in a comparatively short time in his chosen calling. The people of Greenfield and vicinity regard this dairy as one of their institutions and the owner receives in full measure the credit due him who supplies the masses with pure and wholesome food. It has scarcely been twelve years since Mr. White opened business with three cows and a few cheap utensils as his sole quipment for running a dairy. Today he has over one hundred head of stock, mostly pure bred registered Jerseys of the choicest and costliest strain, and an establishment which in the completeness of its facilities and thor- oughness of its equipment yields to no other in the state of its class. In these twelve years of active business Mr. White has risen from obscurity to the position of one the best known dairymen in the great agricultural state of Ohio. He has long been a member of the Ohio Dairymen's association, whose meetings he attends regularly and whose proceedings are frequently enlivened and illuminated by his pertinent remarks and suggestions based upon the experience and close observation of a practical dairyman. Mr. White may be prop- erly described as up-to-date in every particular. He subscribes to the most advanced dairy periodicals, studies closely all publications of the Agricultural department and other authorities on the subject, and keeps in close touch with the progressive and thinking men who are in his line of work. In other words, it is his aim and ambition to keep abreast of the best thought of the age in what has now become a scientifically conducted industry of vital importance to the coun- try's resources and welfare and involving hundreds of millions of capital. Mr. White uses only the most improved and efficient dairy appliances, and acts on the belief that if the motto "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" be true as a general proposition, it is especially true in all that relates to dairying. The cleanness of his methods and richness of his milk have proved such winning cards as to cap- ture all Greenfield for his customers and spread his fame over the state. Mr. White came naturally by his fondness for breeding and handling cattle, as his father is one of the best known stockmen in the state and has been a dealer for more than half a century. As "Uncle Billy" White he is familiar in stock circles throughout Ohio
and adjacent states, and though now eighty years old he still buys and sells with the shrewdness and energy of his youthful days. Will- iam White, though born in Brown, was reared in Adams county, his father was Joseph White and his mother was Margaret (Spear) White, old pioneers of Brown county, Ohio. It is in the territory extending from Flemingsburg, Ky., to Washington Court House,
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Ohio, that William White gained his reputation as a lumber manu- facturer and stockdealer. He married Jane Dobbins Edgington, daughter of Jacob and Mary Edgington and granddaughter of Rev. Robert Dobbins, a noted minister of his day who established the first Methodist Protestant church in his part of the state. The nine chil- dren resulting from this union are all living. Mary M. married James Cockerill, of Fayette county, Ohio; Robert is a hay-dealer in Greenfield; Annie is the wife of Joel Ard, of St. Louis; Emma L. is at home; Joseph R. C. resides in Fayette county ; Lizzie is the wife of Dr. A. A. Hyer, of Buena Vista, Ohio; Jacob E. White, of Green- field ; Charles L., of Idaho ; and Jessie S., wife of J. C. Long, a busi- ness man of Wellston, Ohio. Jacob E. White, seventh in order of the children, was born at Winchester, Adams county, Ohio, in 1863, and spent his early years partly in Hillsboro and partly in Fayette county. His boyhood was passed on the farm and he had only such educational advantages as are afforded by the common country schools. He was eighteen years old when he settled in Greenfield and some time after his arrival was devoted to attendance at the Nor- mal school in that town. It was in 1890 that the happy thought struck him of going into the dairy business. Poorly equipped as he was at the start, lacking skill as well as capital, his three poor cows have grown almost as rapidly as Jonah's miraculous gourd, until we see before us the neat Spring Grove dairy with its elegant appoint- ment and complement of "lowing herds." Mr. White pays no atten- tion to politics or other matters that might distract his attention from the business for which he is so well qualified, but finds relaxa- tion on the social side by membership and occasional attendance with McClain lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Robert W. White, the energetic and prosperous hay and grain mer- chant of Greenfield, comes of an old Virginia family which was well represented in the early pioneer struggles of Ohio. Grandfather Joseph White settled in Adams county among the first and bore his share in the hardships, dangers and privations incident to the period of original occupation. His son, William White, became a very prominent stock dealer of Adams county, his business covering a wide scope of country and making him known throughout Ohio and neighboring states. His wife, Jane D. Edgington, descended from an ancestry distinguished in affairs both of church and state. Her father was Jacob Edgington and her mother a daughter of the cele- brated Robert Dobbins, one of the founders of the Methodist Prot- estant church, representative of Fayette county in the legislature for two terms, and an evangelist of great renown. Grandfather Edgington took part in the early Indian wars which were such a dramatic and dreaded feature of the period embracing the occupa- tion and settlement of the Northwest territory. Robert W., son of
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William and Jane (Edgington) White, was born at Winchester, Adams county, Ohio, and was reared to manhood in his native place. Later he was engaged for some time in farming in Fayette county and in 1884 came to Greenfield where he embarked in the creamery business. Four years later this was given up and he became a dealer in hay, straw, corn and other grains. He began on a small scale, but the business grew by degrees until it has assumed large propor- tions, the buying, baling, handling and shipping employing the labor of many people. He now ships to many different points in widely different parts of the country and is doing a prosperous business. August 6, 1891, he was married to Matte, daughter of Thomas Moon, one of the old settlers on Walnut creek in Highland county. Mr. White is a Jeffersonian Democrat of the old school and a member of the order of Odd Fellows. He is popular not only in business but in the social circle, as he is a man of kindly disposition and observant of all the rules of hospitality.
Silas S. White, attorney and justice of the peace at Sinking Springs, is a grandson of Benjamin White, a native of Vermont, born in 1809, who was for many years a prominent resident of Clay township. Benjamin White was a ship carpenter by trade, an active and influential man and a member of the Campbellite church. In early manhood he settled in Hamilton county and bought a large tract of land, and later moved to Clay township and acquired a farm. His wife was Lucinda Stratton, of Pennsylvania-German descent, and they had thirteen children: John, William, David, Lewis (of Brown county, Ohio), Catherine, Columbus, Marshall, Frank, Letty, Sarah, Sanford, Samantha and Mary, all except Lewis being deceased. Five of the sons were gallant soldiers of the Union in 1861-65, serving for more than four years each. David E. White, born in Clay township, December 18, 1840, enlisted in Company K of the Twelfth regiment Ohio infantry, mustered in at Hillsboro, and throughout the war he shared the record of that gallant com- mand, participating in numerous battles and skirmishes, and serving in all four years, five months and twenty-three days. He was mus- tered out as first sergeant of his company. After the war he made his home at Mount Orab, Brown county, and married Sarah Keeth- ler, a native of Brown county. After 1895 they resided at Sinking Springs. He was a contractor for many years, and furnished most of the ties and some other material for the construction of the old Chil- licothe & Eastern railroad. He was honored with local offices, and in every way was a man of prominence and high character. On December 27, 1901, while trying to catch the railroad train at Green- field he was knocked from the trestle and drowned in the creek, an accident that caused great sorrow to his family and many friends. Ilis widow survives him, and three children: Silas S., Joseph H.,
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and Rebecca, wife of A. Cummings, of Mount Orab. Silas S. was born August 19, 1866, at Mount Orab, was reared there, and in early manhood began the study of law with White & Young, of George town. Removing to Indiana, he was admitted to the bar there, and practiced for some time in the courts. After his marriage to Jennie Cummings, of Brown county, he lived at Mount Orab four years and then removed to Sinking Springs, where he continues in the general practice, and fills the office of justice of the peace, in which he is now serving the second term. While living in Sterling township, Brown county, he was honored with various township offices. He is one of the influential men of the county, and is now a member of the central committee of his party, the Democratic. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White-Harry, Hazel, Lester, George E., and Blanche.
Mrs. Maria C. (Brouse) Whittell, of Liberty township, is descended from a pioneer who came to Ohio in the early part of the nineteenth century. Lewis Brouse was of Virginia nativity and married Mary Riner of the same state, with whom and several chil- dren he migrated to Highland county, where he took part in the hardships of the early settlement and founded one of the enduring families. Of his nine children two survive, these being Mrs. Rosa Anderson of Hillsboro and Charles W. Brouse of Henderson county, Ill. Another son, John Andrew Brouse, was born in Virginia, April 30, 1816, and came with his parents on the journey from the Old Dominion to the western wilds. In 1843 he was married to Catharine, daughter of John and Catharine (Lane) Holmes, natives of New Jersey, who were among the early arrivals from the east in Highland county. The six children of John A. and Catharine Brouse were John, Frank, Wesley, Maria, Emma and Charley. Maria C. Brouse, eldest of the daughters, was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 23, 1850, and as she grew to womanhood received the customary common school education. July 5, 1888, she was married to Thomas M. Whittell, a native of Scotland, born in 1836, who accompanied his parents to New York city at the age of twelve years. The parents soon became dissatisfied with America and re- turned to Scotland, leaving Thomas and his brother James to shift for themselves. The brothers soon parted and Thomas drifted to Pennsylvania where he secured work on a farm and grew to man- hood. By hard work and close application to his books he not only laid up money but also acquired a reasonable education. Hearing of the advantages of farming in the Ohio valley, he left Pennsyl- vania and subsequently located in Highland county, where he was destined to spend the rest of his days. He was a man of high moral character, addicted to no bad habits, and a consistent member of the Methodist church. He started life penniless and by dint of indus-
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try and perseverance had accumulated considerable property. It is to be hoped that those of his descendants who may read these pages in after years will find something in the life of this worthy man to encourage them to emulate his name in every way possible. In 1878, he purchased a fine farm of 120 acres in Liberty township west of Hillsboro, where he resided until his death, which occurred Janu- ary 27, 1898. On this place his widow resides with her two chil- dren : Roy, born May 30, 1890, and Florence, born January 2, 1893, both of whom are attending school. Since her husband's death Mrs. Whittell has superintended the business affairs of the estate with good judgment and is much esteemed in her neighborhood both as a woman and a citizen.
James H. Wickersham, a merchant at Greenfield, trustee of Madi- son township, and altogether quite a busy and prominent citizen, though a native of Pike was reared in the county of Highland. The family is one of the oldest in America, as Thomas Wickersham came over with William Penn on his second voyage and became part of the famous band who settled Pennsylvania. From this parent stem sprang the numerous progeny which eventually spread to most of the states of the Union and some of whom took part in the pioneer development of the central West. Isaac Wickersham, founder of the Ohio branch, came from Pennsylvania at an early day and first set- tled at Eaton, but later located in Highland county where he engaged in the woolen manufacture. The Wickershamns of different genera- tions conducted woolen mills on Rocky Fork creek for eighty-five vears, being both pioneers and patriarchs in the business. Samuel Wickersham, son of Isaac, was employed in this industry during the whole of his long life, which was one of continuous activity and devo- tion to patriotic principles. He belonged to the old guard of Aboli- tionists, helped to conduct the underground railroad and fought the institution of slavery from start to finish. He married Sarah Core, of Pike county, by whom he had four children. Of those, Isaac M. Wickersham served two years of the civil war as a member of Com- pany F, Second Ohio heavy artillery, and afterward became a pros- perous farmer in Iowa. Joel C. Wickersham, brother of the fore- going, is engaged in the general mercantile business of Clinton county and prominent in political circles. Mary E., the only daugh- ter, is the wife of Abraham Grove of Westboro, Ohio. James H. Wickersham, eldest of the children, was born in Pike county, Ohio, April 19, 1844, but was brought to Highland county in his early years and there educated. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Second Ohio heavy artillery, and accompanied this command during its subsequent campaigns in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and Ten- nessee. He was mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn.,
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September 1, 1865, returned home directly and resumed his work in the woolen mills. He was so engaged for many years after the war, until changed conditions made the local wool manufacture unprofit- able, and when, this point was reached Mr. Wickersham abandoned it for other pursuits. For some years past he has been in the wool, fuel, grain and feed business at Greenfield, and has been actively identified with the life and development of Greenfield in all depart- ments, taking a hand in every movement of consequence that is started. He lends a hand in politics when the contests are exciting, is a master Mason, member of the Royal Arcanum and one of the comrades in Gibson post, No. 180, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has served as officer of the day for eight or ten years. He is also a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield and one of the trustees of Madison township. Altogether he is a very industrious as well as an enterprising and popular citizen and one whose influence is always felt on the right side of every good cause. In 1867 he was married to Mary V., daughter of Thomas and Cecelia Russell, members of old Virginia families and the union has been blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren, three of whom are living. Frank T. Wickersham, the eldest of these, about twelve years ago founded the Greenfield Republican or the Tri-County News, which he conducted until 1901 when he disposed of it and became part owner of the Daily News, published at Lima, Ohio. Of the two daughters, Estella E. is the wife of E. W. Emery, of Greenfield, and Elsie May is at home.
John Wilkin, veteran of the civil war and well-to-do farmer of New Market township, is descended from a pioneer family who came from Virginia and settled in Highland county in 1801. Among their numerous descendants was Eli Wilkin, born about 1818, who married Catherine Rhodes and by her had twelve children, of whom nine grew to maturity. One of these children was John Wilkin, born in New Market township, Highland county, Ohio, July 2, 1846, on the farm where he now resides. As he grew up he attended the neighborhood schools and later the high school at Hillsboro, and on reaching maturity he helped manage the farm in association with his father. The latter died in 1898 in the eightieth year of his age. February 1, 1864, Mr. Wilkin enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth regiment Ohio volunteer cavalry, which was mustered into service at Camp Chase early in May and soon after joined the army of the Potomac. It was first assigned to the Ninth army corps and served awhile as infantry, later being furnished horses and converted into cavalry. Mr. Wilkin took part with his command in the engage- ments at Poplar Grove church, Hatcher's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, Petersville, Farmville, and the other fighting that marked the "beginning of the end." He was present at the "grand finale"
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when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox and thus put an end to the great civil war. Mr. Wilkin was released from service by an honorable discharge August 10, 1865, with the rank of cor- poral, and lost no time in returning to his Ohio home. He resumed the occupation of farming and in course of time became possessed of ninety acres of land on which he now resides and carries on gen- eral agriculture. In 1896 he was married to Mrs. Rebecca Roush, widow of Noah Roush, by whom she had six children: Sophronia, Nora Zella (deceased), Mittic, James and Cletus W. Mr. Wilkin is a member of the Reformed church and of Robert Russell post, No. 630, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has held the position of adjutant. By his marriage with Mrs. Roush there has been one child, Wilfred H.
Samuel Wilkin, of Hamer township, an extensive farmer, manu- facturer, and breeder of live stock, comes of a highly honorable ances- try which runs back to the earliest pioneer days. They were origin- ally Virginians and came from that historic section of the state known as the Shenandoah valley, arriving in Ohio territory when it was still a hunting ground for roving bands of Indians. The grand- father of Mr. Wilkin, whose name was William, was one of the most prosperous farmers of his day and accumulated a large amount of property. He married Rebecca Windle and by her had a family of eight children, Peter, Joseph, Sarah, Eli, Elizabeth, William, Ann and George, all now dead except the last mentioned, who lives in Hamer township. William Wilkin was cut off from his usefulness in the prime of life and after his death the widow continued to man- age the farm and look after the welfare of her large family. Joseph Wilkin, second of the children in age, was born in New Market township in 1816, and in early manhood married Nancy, daughter of Allen and Elizabeth Roush, of Highland county. He located on a place in Union township where he lived until 1855, when he pur- chased a farm of 123 acres in Hamer township. To this he removed and there spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 1887 at the age of seventy-one, his wife surviving until some years later. Of their six children, Elizabeth, Allen and Augustus have died; Sam- uel is the subject of this sketch; Rebecca J. is the wife of Lewis Orebaugh, of Hamer township; and Joseph F. is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. . Samuel Wilkin, second of the chil- dren, was born in Union township, Highland county, Ohio, Septem- ber 8, 1843, and remained at home until he reached his majority. About that time he married Roseannh, daughter of George N. and Mary (Pugh) Webster, of Dodson township, and located there on a small tract of land, where he spent the five following years. He then removed to a farm in Hamer township given to him by his father, where he now resides, adding to the property and greatly improving
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it from year to year since he took possession. In 1882 he began the manufacture of tile, which he has since continued in partnership with his son Dallas under the firm name of Samuel Wilkin & Son. They use the latest and best improved machinery and do business on an extensive scale. As a farmer and stockraiser Mr. Wilkin has no superior in the township. His real estate holdings now consist of about 437 acres of the best quality of land, which is kept in highly improved condition and is cultivated by up-to-date methods. In 1891 he constructed a handsome brick residence, which has all the modern improvements and conveniences, and both in size and quality is superior to anything of the kind in the township. In fact every- thing on and about this model farm indicates skillful and progressive management, as the buildings and equipments of all kinds are neat and attractive and always kept in prime condition. Mr. Wilkin takes a just pride in his splendid Poland-China and Berkshire hogs, of which he has long been an extensive breeder and shipper, and he enjoys a high reputation in this department of the live-stock indus- try. He has found time from his farm and other business to fulfill all the duties of a good citizen, being especially interested in educa- tional and religious work. He held the position of school director for nine consecutive years, and during the whole of his adult life has been a member of the Christian church and one of its most enthusias- tic workers. His marriage has been blessed with fourteen children, in the order of their birth as follows: Lewella M., the wife of S. R. Kidd, of Dodson township, and mother of three children, Almira, Anna F. and Samuel K .; Augustus E., who lives in Hamer town- ship, married Lizzie Fawley and has had five children, those living being Dorotha I., Arnold and Hugh N .; Dallas O., in business with his father, who married Jennie Hawthorn and has had three chil- dren, Orpha, Nancy and Hilda (deceased) ; William F., of Hamer township, who married Susan Duvall and has two children living, Gladys and an infant, and one dead ; Joseph N., in Hamer township, who married Lucy J. Stroup, their children being Norma R. and Paul; Cora M., who married J. N. Dollinger, of Dodson township, and has three children, Elizabeth I., Lotta M. and Anna A .; George R., in Hamer township, who married Hattie E. Williams, and have one child, Edgar Franklin; Samuel B., who married Myr- tle McKamey, and lives in Dodson township; Nancy N., Mary J., and Henry, with their parents; John A., who was killed in 1900 when eleven years old by being run over by a loaded wagon ; Everett Louis, who died in 1892 at the age of two years and eight months ; and Rosa O., the youngest of this interesting family.
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