The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 101

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 101

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

ECKERT SHEAFER, dealer in agricultural implements, 303 Walnut street, Troy ; is a man widely known and universally respected ; his life has been one of toil, but, nevertheless, he has maintained a great degree of good humor, is full of jokes, and courteous as a man can be who has fought a long and hard battle from boyhood ; he was the second son of Emanuel Sheafer, born Jan. 3, 1824, at Lan- caster, Penn., and, at the age of 6 years, went to his grandfather's to live, who gave him the opportunity of obtaining an education such as the common schools afforded ; at the age of 21, he obtained a position in his uncle's store, and con- tinued in his employ three years ; but, the close confinement being detrimental to his health, he severed his connection with the firm, coming to Staunton Township in 1848 ; he engaged with his uncle Eckert on a farm, working for him two years; a partnership was then formed with George Skinner, and they engaged in farming and raising stock until 1853, on the McDowell farm. His marriage with Miss Josephine Winans, a daughter of Judge J. C. Winans, was celebrated Oct. 9, 1851. The partnership with Mr. Skinner was dissolved by mutual consent in 1853, when Mr. Sheafer moved to the Barbee farm, now the property of Mrs. John L. Meredith;

Digitized by Google

711

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

he took a trip through the Western States this year, and purchased 160 acres of land in Nebraska, but instead of emigrating, afterward disposed of it. Six chil- dren have been born during their married life, of whom five are living, the first son, Charles D., dying in infancy ; Rose, the eldest child now living, was born July 11, 1854 ; George O., Nov. 20, 1856 ; J. Winans, March 8, 1858 ; Eckert, Jr., Jan. 15, 1866; Harry H., Feb. 9, 1868. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 100-days service, and was elected First Lieutenant of Co. D, 141st U. S. I; he made an efficient officer, and was honorably discharged from the service at the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted. He continued farming until March, 1879, when he sold his stock and removed to Troy, forming a partnership with J. E. Nysewander in the agricultural implement business ; the firm are pros- pering well, and are building up a good trade. His children have received a liberal education, and are all fond of literary pursuits ; the daughter, Rose, is a creditable musician and good vocalist ; their home is a pleasant one, Eckert and his wife most affable neighbors, enjoying the esteem of all who know them.

JESSE SHILLING, engineer of the fire department, Troy ; was born in Mary- land in 1825, his parents, William and Hannah Shilling, being natives of the same State ; when only 2 years of age they removed to Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. S. received his education, and, when old enough, was employed in a foundry, in which he acquired the skill of engineering ; in 1854, he came to Troy, and soon after agitated the question of providing a fire department for the town, which was accomplished, he being employed as engineer of the department. In 1846, he mar- ried Alice Carlton, who has borne him seven children-Townsend, Olive, Mary, Jesse, Jr., Clara, Frank and Nellie. As City Marshal he has served two terms, and during the war was Provost Marshal of the county, acting under Capt. A. C. Deul ; as member of the Council and Constable of the township he has acted in each capacity a term.

JOHN W. SHOUPP, farmer ; P. O. Troy. John W. Shoupp is a descendant of one of the worthy families of this county ; he is of German origin, was born in Pennsylvania July 13, 1846, and was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Shoupp ; they immigrated from Pennsylvania in 1850, and settled in Montgomery Co .; in 1852, they moved into Miami Co., near the line, and lived there five years ; they disposed of their property and came to Concord Township; the farm was purchased upon which John W. now resides ; they had four children, of whom two sons and one daughter were born in Pennsylvania ; the second daughter, Annie E., was born in this county ; the death of the father, Henry, occurred Feb. 16, 1869 ; he was a most worthy man, and his death was deeply deplored ; Mrs. Shoupp afterward married Tobias Barnhart, but died Sept. 13, 1879. The engagement of John W. Shoupp and Miss Susie Wilson terminated in marriage Oct. 29, 1868; two children now brighten their home-William Alberta and Ida May ; Ida was born Sept. 29, 1870, and William the same date, 1872 ; one other daughter, Mary, was born Aug. 5, 1869, dying July 24, 1870. John W. purchased the farm of his mother, who held it in her own right; the residence is a comfortable one, the improvements being of a substantial character. This couple are happily mated, are both social and well-informed people ; Mrs. S. excels in the culinary line, and the edibles fur- nished by her skillful hand are fit for a king ; they are both members of the Chris- tian Church, and are universally respected by all who know them. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket " straight."

L. F. SINGER, proprietor of livery, sale and feed stable, Troy ; was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1837 ; his father, Frederick Singer, and his mother. Elizabeth Switzer, were born in Maryland, and removed to Tiffin, Ohio, when L. was but 3 years old, where his father still resides, his mother being dead ; they were parents of four children-three living. Our subject's early boyhood was spent in Tiffin, where he received the rudiments of an education, which was developed by a course of study in the Antioch College, he being one of the first students enrolled on the books ; here he prosecuted his study two years ; then entered Bartlett's Commercial School in Cincinnati, taking the regular course and graduating ; after which he

Digitized by Google

legt

712

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

entered the Cincinnati Gazette office, in the role of Assistant Bookkeeper for seven years ; received a position in the United States Express office, in which he remained several years. In 1860, he married Miss Laura L., daughter of W. H. H. Dye, whose sketch appears among these memoirs ; after the celebration of his nuptials, he kept books for Dye & Culbertson several months, then was assigned charge of the business for one year, after which he purchased an interest, when the firm became known as Dye, Singer & Harter, and as such did business till the close of the war ; in 1866, he removed to Tiffin, and for nearly one year was engaged in milling ; the following year he removed to Montgomery, Ala., where he purchased & plantation, raising a crop of cotton, but the enterprise resulted disastrously to him financially ; returning to Troy, he refitted an old distillery, which he operated till 1869, when the financial crash of that year drove him to the "wall," and he found a position in the express office, which he had hitherto held; his health failing he repaired to New York-engaged with Babcock & Co., for whom he sold goods throughout the West for three years ; they failing, he started a livery, which is stocked with the best turnouts in the city.

MRS. M. J. SKINNER, gardener ; P. O. Troy. Mrs. Skinner was the daugh- ter of Henry and Mary A. Orbison, and was born, reared and married upon the . home farm, of which mention has been previously made. Her marriage with Elias Skinner was consummated March 1, 1848, the Rev. Daniel Rice officiating; eight children were the result of this union, of whom five still survive; their names are J. Henry, born Sept. 12, 1851 ; George C., June 13, 1857; Kate E., March 7, 1862 ; Charles W., July 12, 1864 ; and James E., Dec. 21, 1867. Mr. Skinner was engaged in business near Troy nntil 1852, when he purchased an interest in the ice business at Louisville, Ky .; he removed thither and continued in business for two and a half years; he then sold his interest and came back to Troy, and, to- gether with W. D. B. Webb, purchased a stock of goods; he afterward sold his interest and removed to a farm he had purchased near Troy ; his health failing, he came back to Troy the next season and engaged as Secretary of an insurance firm; in 1865, purchased 10 acres of land on Ridge avenue, and erected a comfortable residence, but that remorseless enemy of mankind, consumption, wound him more tightly in its toils, and he was laid by the side of his children in Rose Hill Cemetery, Jan. 14, 1873 ; Mr. Skinner was a kind and affectionate father, an exemplary Christian ; for many years the Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath school ; he and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Henry, the eldest son, has, since the death of his father, kindly cared for his mother and the children, acquitting himself as becomes a dutiful son, well worthy of the name he bears. George C. is now chief operator of the American Union Telegraph Company at Troy. Henry was married to Miss Lizzie Leaf, of Troy, in December, 1876 ; the children all live at home with their mother, to whom they are very attentive. Miss Kate is a good vocalist, and a creditable performer on the piano ; the children are fond of literature, and are rapidly acquiring good educa- tions. Henry is engaged in market gardening, and furnishes a full line of early vegetables for the Troy markets ; the family residence overlooks the city, and the picturesque landscape beheld from that point is one of great beauty.

FRANK M. STERRETT, Postmaster, Troy. The above gentleman was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 18, 1845. Samuel W., father of Frank, was born in Cham- paign Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1810. Washington, father of Samuel, was a native of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of Ohio. Samuel W. was formerly a resident of this county, but now of Clark Co., to which he removed in 1842, and where he now resides. . He was married to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Ullery, in 1835, who bore him ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Eliza, Lucinda, William H. H., Frank M., John A., Catherine and Ellen. The deceased are Jacob R., Benjamin G. and Lavina B. April 16, 1861, Jacob enlisted in Co. D of the 11th O. V. I., being the first man from Pike Township, Clark Co., to enroll his name , on the scroll of fame. The services this noble old regiment did for its country are so well engraven on the minds of the people, that in this work a reiteration of its

Digitized by Google

718

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

valor is unnecessary ; suffice it to say, Jacob R. Sterrett was always found at the post of duty, and in the sanguinary and ever-memorable battle of Chickamauga, in which our forces suffered the extremity of severity, Jacob R. fell, badly wounded, pierced by enemy's bullets, on the 14th of September, 1863 ; he fell into the hands of the enemy, with whom he remained nine days before being exchanged, and during the latter part of the following month (October) died from the effects of his wounds, in the 22d year of his age ; his remains were secured, after several ineffectual attempts, brought home and interred in the Mckendree Cemetery, where a beautiful monu- ment has been erected to his memory. On Aug. 28, 1863, our subject enlisted in Co. D, of the 5th Ind. Bat. of O. C., which was commanded by Maj. Ijams. Saw much active service in Southeastern Kentucky, contending with the many guerrillas that infested that region ; promoted to Commissary Sergeant Sept. 25, 1863; at the expiration of his term of service, he was mustered out in Cincinnati, Feb. 15, 1864 ; May 2, 1864, he re-enlisted in Co. I, of the 147th O. V. I., and was soon after detailed, with seven others from his battalion, to the Coast Survey force, and laid out the National Cemetery on an estate of Gen. R. E. Lee, which formerly belonged to the Washingtons ; after these duties were completed, he was appointed Clerk to the Adju- tant General, a position he held until mustered out, Aug. 30, 1864 ; upon his return home, he entered the Delaware Wesleyan University, in which he remained during the school years of 1864-65 ; in June of the latter year, to recruit his failing ener- gies and bodily health, took a trip to Europe, visiting England, Ireland, Germany, France and Holland, returning in the same year, decidedly improved in health and strength ; upon his return, he read law one year with Shellabarger, Good & Bowman, when, on account of failing health, he was again obliged to relinquish his designs ; after traveling for S. K. Harter & Co., ten months, he taught school in Tippecanoe City, Miami Co., Ohio, one year, after which he traveled extensively for ten years, as a commercial salesman ; Feb. 22, 1879, he was commissioned by President R. B. Hayes as Postmaster of Troy ; the duties of the office have been so efficiently dis- charged that this takes the lead among the best conducted and well regulated off- ces of the State, an honor the patrons are proud of, and a distinction Mr. S. is well able to retain. Sept. 19, 1872, he was married to Mabel, an accomplished daughter of Charles A. and Mary C. Binkley, residents of Troy ; she was born in the above place Oct. 20, 1854.

LEVI SWITZER, farmer ; P. O. Pleasant Hill. Mr. Switzer, one of the promi- nent farmers in this locality, now in the prime of life, is possessed of many sterling qualities ; he was born Oct. 22, 1837, in York Co., Penn., and is a son of Elizabeth and William Switzer; they emigrated to Clark Co., when Levi was 14 years of age ; his occupation has always been that of a farmer, and in it he finds both pleasure and profit. Miss Sallie E. Sigler and Levi Switzer were married Jan. 21, 1869, in Cumberland Co., Penn. ; their wedding tour was immediately from the home of the bride, to a farm in Miami Co. ; no time being spent in preliminaries, housekeeping was commenced in Newton Township, and neither have ever had cause to regret the day they plighted their troth to each other. Two children have thus far blessed their union- Jesse M. and Edward L .; they were born in Newton Township, and are both promising lads and are now attending school. Politically, Mr. Switzer is a Republican; both himself and wife are members of the German Reformed Church, and are respected by all who know them. Mr. Switzer is a great lover of literature, and is especially well posted upon agricultural topics ; he is withal a pleasant, social gentleman, and upon the general topics of the day is much better posted than most farmers.

MURRAY TELFORD, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Murray Telford is a grandson of Alexander Telford, one of the first settlers of this township. Much will be said of Alexander in this history, as he came to Troy in 1802 and erected a log hut somewhere in the neighborhood in which he passed the winter ; Indians were then virtual owners of these beautiful lands, many were the depredations committed, and often would the early settlers hurry their families off to some of their neigh- bors, the better to protect them from the prowling bands of savages. Judge.

Digitized by Google

İKT

714

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

Barbee and Alexander Telford entered the section upon which Murry now resides ; afterward dividing it, Alexander taking the south half. Murray, the subject of this sketch, is the second son of James and Mary Telford, born May 24, 1827 ; he obtained a practical education at the district schools, even at that early day, which, together with his well-known honesty and energy, have made him what he is to-day. April 5, 1866, his nuptials were celebrated, he leading to the marriage altar Miss Jane A. Scott, the second daughter of John and Elizabeth Scott, of Miami Co .; the wedding ceremonies were conducted by the Revs. R. T. Drake and James McIntyre. After a brief wedding tour, they commenced married life on the Telford homestead ; their first child, Mary Elizabeth, was born May 29, 1867 ; twin boys came to gladden their home Jan. 25, 1871, who were named Wilber H. and Walter S. Mr. Telford enlisted in Co. H, 147th O. N. G., during the late rebellion, and served until honorably discharged ; he was attacked by typhoid fever while in the service, and since that time has not enjoyed very good health. He still superintends his farm, and by energy and industry, has accumulated a competency. The library is well stocked with books, and all the family are lovers of literature. His grandfather, Alexander, was a great accession to this neighbor- hood and made nearly all the wooden mold-board plows for his neighbors ; they driving his team while he did their work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Telford are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, their piety and good example being worthy of emulation. Mr. Telford has in his possession the gun which his grandfather carried during the Revolutionary war.

WASHINGTON I. TENNEY, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Washington I. Tenney was the eldest son of Dr. Elias and Margaret (Hatcher) Tenney ; born in Charles- town, Montgomery Co., in 1833; as his father was his teacher for many years, Washington received a liberal education ; his parents removed to Milton, Ohio, in 1848, and Washington commenced teaching school in 1850, Dr. Tenney being & teacher for twenty years, and his son, W. I. Tenney, a public instructor for twenty- three consecutive years ; during this time, all his work was confined to Milton and the three school districts contiguous to it ; the son was appointed by the Commis- sioners, in. 1873, to fill the unexpired term that was occasioned by his father's death, as Auditor of Miami Co .; at the expiration of the term, he was nominated and elected by the Republican party to the same office, and the universal satis- faction given during his term of , office caused his re-election to the same office for the second term, by over 800 majority. He purchased a splendid farm of 166 acres, one and a half miles west of Troy, in 1878, and, at the expiration of his official term, moved upon it, and has since followed the occupation of farming. He wedded Miss Jennie K. Kelly, daughter of Samuel and Mahala (Yount) Kelly, in 1858; their married life has been one of happiness and prosperity ; they have reared a family of eight children, who give evidence of following in the footsteps of their parents ; their names are Ida Belle, Francis Walter, Charles Elmer, Alice Bertha, Mary Estella, William Harold, George Lee and Horace Kelly ; they are rapidly acquiring an education, and are developing a great love for music, without doubt being the equals, if not the peers, of any family of the same number of children in the township, as musicians; the eldest daughter, Ida, is a graduate of the high school of Troy, and delivered the valedictory at the commencement of the term in which she graduated. Mr. Tenney is a man of culture, and is very fond of books ; his library is well stocked with choice volumes, and he is lavish in his purchase of literature for his children ; Mr. and Mrs. Tenney lived one and a half years in Champaign, Ill; while there, her father gave them a tract of land near Lawrence, Kan .; they took possession of it in 1860, but the excessive drought of that year made light crops ; Mr. Tenney concluded that Kansas, as an agricult- ural country, was not just what he wanted ; he sold his entire crop for $25, on a year's time, and came back to Miami Co. ; he is now a fixture of the county, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

WILLIAM I. THOMAS, deceased ; was born in Philadelphia July 4, 1796, and removed with his parents to Lancaster Co., Ohio, in 1808 ; he received his edu-

Digitized by Google

715

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

cation in the Ohio University, of Athens, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1817 ; then read law with the Hon. Thomas Ewing, Sr. ; was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Troy, in 1819. In 1822, he was appointed Postmaster, and in 1825 was elected Justice of the Peace; he served six years as Prosecuting Attorney, and was Colonel of one of the militia regiments of the State. In 1836, he was elected to represent his district in the State Senate, which honor was conferred on him three consecutive terms, during which time he very zealously supported his former preceptor, Mr. Ewing, in his race for senatorial honors ; it is recorded of him that during his term of office he made the most remarkable speech ever made on the floor of the House, in opposition to the pass- age of a bill that was obnoxious to the masses ; the time occupied was from 4 o'clock P. M. till 8 A. M., sixteen hours, when his constituents arrived in sufficient force to defeat the bill. He was a Whig in politics until the death of that party, when he joined his old foes, the Democrats, and stumped the State for Buchanan in 1856 ; as a lawyer, he stood high in the profession ; was a convincing speaker and a very formidable adversary in debate. In 1869, while enjoying a tour through the Western States, recruiting his failing energies and bodily health, he was stricken down in Lawrence City, Kan., from congestion of the lungs, dying suddenly Nov. 6, 1869. He was married to Lucinda M. Neal Sept. 29, 1828; eleven children was the result of their union, five of whom are living, viz., Stan- ley Owen, born Nov. 24, 1835 ; Walter Scott, born April 8, 1838; Llewellyn, born March 2, 1843 ; Eugene B., born Jan. 1, 1846 ; Gilmer T., born Jan. 8, 1851. The deceased are Stanley, born July 11, 1829, died July 27, 1831 ; Owen, born March 28, 1831, died Sept. 3, 1833; Harriet H., born Aug. 20, 1832, died Aug. 31, 1833 ; Owen Stanley, born Aug. 14, 1834, died March 27, 1850; William L, born Dec. 14, 1839, died April 12, 1867; Arthur H., born April 28, 1852, died July 27, 1853. Lucinda M. (Neal) Thomas was born in West Virginia Sept. 7, 1809; died April 19, 1856.

. WALTER S. THOMAS, attorney at law, Troy. Walter Scott Thomas was born at Troy, Ohio, April 8, 1838 ; he is the son of William I. and Lucinda M. Thomas, being the sixth child in a family of eleven children ; in 1852, he entered the Troy High School, and graduated in 1856, as the valedictorian of his class ; in 1857, he entered the Sophomore class at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1860 ; while at college, Mr. Thomas was distinguished for his clear perception and untiring industry, qualities that have since gained him a great measure of his success in his chosen profession. Although a good student in mathematics and the sciences, yet classical studies were his delight, and so pro- ficient did he become in Latin and Greek that at his graduation he was crowned with the classical honor of his class ; after receiving his degree, he began at once the study of law, under the instruction of his father, and during the years 1861-62 he attended the Harvard Law School ; in the latter year he was admitted to the Miami County bar, and began the practice of law in Troy. But the country was then in the midst of the great struggle for national life, and laying aside his law- books and dreams of professional distinction, Mr. Thomas enlisted in the navy of the United States, where he served his country honorably, till the close of the war as a Master's Mate, in the Mississippi Squadron, under Admiral Porter. In the fall of 1865, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Miami Co., and at the expira- tion of his first term, he was renominated by acclamation, and re- elected by an increased majority. His administration of the Prosecu- tor's office was characterized by great vigor and efficiency. It was impossible to pick a flaw in any of Mr. T.'s indictments, and perhaps there has never been a larger proportion of convictions under the criminal code in Miami Co. than during his incumbency of the Prosecutor's office. Upon retiring from his official duties, he continued the practice of law, and by faithful attention to busi- ness, has built up a large and lucrative practice: As an attorney, Mr. T. is not of the bombastic sort, dealing in "sound and fury, signifying nothing," but he seizes the salient points in a case, and presents them with a clearness and' Force

Digitized by Google

716

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

that produces conviction-and a favorable decision. Mr. Thomas stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He has enemies, as all positive and independent men have, but to name them where they are known is to pay Mr. Thomas a high compliment. Mr. T. is a conspicuous instance of a boy's growing right up in his own town into positions of trust and honor. In 1877, he was elected member of the Troy Board of Education, for which position he is well fitted by taste and education, and so ably did he discharge his trust that he was re-elected to the same position with only a feeble opposition, in 1880. Mr. T. is yet a young man, and what he has accomplished in the past is only an indication of what may be expected of him in the future. His ripe experience, sterling integrity and indefatigable industry commend him to the confidence and esteem of all to whom his genuine worth is known.

L. A. THOMAS, florist, Troy ; is the fifth son of William I. Thomas, an old and prominent settler, whose sketch appears in this work ; he was born in Troy in 1842 ; his education was received in the schools of the place, and though his father and brothers were ambitious in professional aspirations, L. A. expressed a fondness for agriculture, and the study of plants and flowers, a talent and taste which are perfectly natural, and which have been cultivated until he is a proficient in the art. In 1875, he constructed the ground-work of his now almost perfect establish- ment, which is rapidly approaching completion, already having more room and & greater variety of plants and flowers than the combined houses in the county. He is a gentleman well versed in his business, his experience and knowledge being 'fully recognized by the lovers of plants and flowers, who give him a hearty sup- port. Feb. 15, 1866, he was married to Kate Lee, a lady of culture and refine- ment, whose exquisite taste makes their beautiful home a pleasant place; to them five children have been born, three of whom are living-William W., Guy L. and Llewellyn ; the deceased were Stanley O. and one dying in infancy. Mrs. Thomas was born in Hancock Co., Ind., in 1848, and when quite young came to Troy. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected several years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 101

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051