The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 103

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 103

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of Gen. Russwum). In 1869, Capt. Williams refused to be a candidate for any political office, and remained on his farm until the year 1875, taking an active share, however, in the battles of the Republican party, all the more earnest because that party was here proscribed and persecuted, and hopelessly in the minority. In January, 1875, he entered into a partnership with his brother H. H. Williams, at Troy, Ohio, and moved his family to that place, where he now resides, busily engaged in the practice of his profession.

HENRY H. WILLIAMS, Judge of County Court, Troy. Judge H. H. Williams was born in New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1840; his grandfather, Henry Williams, was one of the pioneers of Clark Co., having emigrated from Virginia with his family, and settled near New Carlisle in 1806 ; his parents were Henry Williams and Elizabeth Pettigrew, who were the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the third ; his youth was passed upon the farm, after which he attended a brief academic course at Linden Hill Academy, under the tuition of Prof. Thomas Harrison ; after a term spent in teaching, he entered the law office of Messrs. Conklin & Matthews, at Sidney, Ohio. At the beginning of the war, he enlisted as a private in the 15th O. V. I., and served through the following summer; in December, 1861, he again enlisted in the 71st O. V. I., and served as a private until discharged in 1863 ; was engaged in the battle of Philippi, in the Mcclellan campaign, of 1861 ; also the battles of Columbus, Miss., and Shiloh, in which last engagement he was wounded in the right hip and disabled for life; he was taken prisoner by the rebels, but after a four months' confinement paroled and exchanged, receiving his discharge on account of disability, in 1863. Resuming the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in Sidney in September, 1864, and soon after opened an office in Troy ; his health failing, business was discontinued until 1870; in the fall of 1871 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and re-elected in 1873, thus making his term of office four years ; in December, 1877, he was appointed by Gov. Young, Common Pleas Judge of the Second Judicial District of Ohio, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Geo. D. Burgess; and was, in October, 1878, elected to the same position without opposition, which office he still holds. His rank as a lawyeris second to none in the district, and his administrations as Judge give almost universal satisfaction ; is held in high regard by the legal fraternity for his high sense of duty, his splendid social acquirements and his sterling integrity. His marriage was celebrated Feb. 25, 1864, wedding Miss Eloise J. Anderson, of Miami Co., Ohio ; four children now brighten their home-Maggie, Minnie, Gracie and Harry Lloyd. Judge Williams is a stanch Republican, and the embodiment of honor, truth and justice.

ROBERT M. WILSON, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Robert M. Wilson, one of the popular young farmers whom we are pleased to notice, is a direct descendant of one of the first families of this township, his father, John Wilson, having lived here for the past thirty-five years ; Robert was born March 6, 1848, upon the farm where his father now resides, and his occupation from choice has been that of & farmer ; he is now comfortably located on a nice farm of his own, in full view of the homestead, surrounded by relatives and friends. Sept. 17, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie D. Brown, the Rev. I. L. Griffith performing the mar- riage ceremony, at the Bethel Christian Church, fully 1,000 persons witnessing the marriage of two of their popular young friends ; they are now the parents of two lovely children-Clarence Wilford, was born Oct. 9, 1875, and Viona May, May 28, 1879 ; they are the sunshine of their parents' home, and give promise of great intellectuality ; Mrs. Wilson was born June 17, 1853, and is the daughter of George M. and Annie Brown, who have also been for many years residents of the county ; they were the parents of four children-Alonzo, Estella, Mollie and Allie (now the wife of Robert Wilson). They are both members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Wilson is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and of Concord Grange. We predict for the young couple a long and happy life, surrounded by friends and everything necessary to secure their happiness.

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ABNER R. WINANS, carriage manufacturer, Troy. Abner R. Winans is a manufacturer of carriages and spring wagons, and is otherwise known by his political and religious influence in the city ; he was born at Rahway, N. J., and his parents emigrated thence to Miami Co. in 1849. His marriage to Miss Mary Hol- liday was celebrated July 22, 1859, and their children are named respectively Nellie V., Charles A., Lulu M., Gertie and Warren. Mr. Winans' parents, Abner and Mary (Brant) Winans, were both born in Essex Co., N. J. The wife of the subject of this sketch is an Illinois lady ; her mother was born in South Carolina, and her father in Virginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Abner Winans are members of the Presbyterian Church ; their home is a model of neatness, taste and skill being everywhere displayed.

C. D. WRIGHT, attorney at law, Troy ; born in Miami Co. (of English ancestry) January 1, 1842 ; is a son of Jefferson and grandson of Nathan Wright, a native of Maryland, and one of the early pioneers of Miami Co., locating here about 1806. Jefferson Wright was born on the farm upon which Nathan entered, and upon this passed his days in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring Oct. 31, 1876. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Davis, a native of Troy, by which union five children were born, of whom one son and three daughters are living. Our subject obtained the advantage of the common schools of his district, and, after attending one winter in Troy, entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, April 1, 1862, graduating in August, 1864 ; served as musician for a period in the 87th O. V. I. ; on leaving college, for some time followed farming, and taught school during the winters ; later he devoted his time to reading law through the summer until May 1, 1870 ; he was admitted to the bar, and has ever since followed his profession ; has been successful to that extent that he now enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice ; in 1870, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, served three years, was re-elected and after serving two years resigned ; in 1868, he was the Assessor of the east precinct of Concord Township, and, in 1875, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, serving two years, was re-elected and served until January 1, 1880, serving four terms. Mr. Wright has been twice married, first in 1869 to Minnie, daughter of Robert Freeman, of Bethel Township ; she dying the same year. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of Joseph Stuart, who was born in Troy ; by which union they have one son and one daugh- ter-William B. and Laura M. In ending this sketch, we cannot refrain from adding that Mr. Wright is truly one of the self-made and self-educated men, having obtained his education by his own toil and exertion, working and teaching and thereby obtaining the necessary means to equip him well for life's battle.

GEORGE. H. ZIEGLER, farmer ; P. O. Troy. We are pleased to notice the name of Mr. George H. Ziegler among the many who are mentioned in this work, connected as he is with one of the most worthy families in the county ; his residence in this neighborhood dates back more than a quarter of a century ; he was formerly connected in Troy with business interests, but, for the past twenty-two years, has from choice followed the occupation of farming ; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Adams Co. Aug. 10, 1830, and his parents, Jacob and Hannah Ziegler, living in town, he had the opportunity of procuring a good education. He was married to Miss Eleanor Green Jan. 1, 1857, who is a daughter of William and Cassie Green, true pioneers, both born in this county in 1808. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler has been a happy one, and neither of them has ever had cause to regret the day upon which their troth was plighted ; they have been the parents of five children-Addie, was born Jan. 19, 1858; Emma, Oct. 25, 1860 ; William S., Jan. 6, 1863 ; Joseph G., Oct. 24, 1867 ; Laura Dell, Sept. 14, 1872 ; three of these children are now living-Emma E., William S. and Joseph G. ; they all reside at this time with their parents, and are such children, both mentally and morally, as do credit to the parents, who, by both precept and example, gave them instruction. Mr. Ziegler resides on the farm of his wife's brother, Dr. J. H. Green, and the excellent taste everywhere visible, ranks both himself and wife among our model farmers and housekeepers ; they are both members of the Troy Baptist

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Church, and are also connected with Concord Grange; Mr. Ziegler is also connected officially with the public schools in his district, and, as an official, cannot fail of giving satisfaction ; both himself and wife are public-spirited, honorable persons, enjoying the confidence of all who know them.

GEORGE ZIEGENFELDER, merchant, Troy ; born in Saxony, Germany, in the year 1820 ; is a son of Simon P. and Gertrude Ziegenfelder, who were born in the same State. In 1835, his father and one brother came to America and located in Cincinnati ; in 1836, our subject, his mother and other members of the family came, and for awhile resided in the above place ; in 1840, Mr. Ziegenfelder located in Troy, and the year following was joined by the balance of the family, who made Troy a permanent home ; his father died in 1858, aged 62 years ; his mother departed this life in Piqua, in 1846, aged 46 years ; they were parents of eleven children, three living. Our subject received his education in the common schools in his native country, and there a common-school education implies more than it does in our own country. In 1841, Mr. Z. embarked in the grocery business, which he successfully carried on till 1859 after which he engaged in milling, a business he followed until 1877, and again embarked in a general merchandising business, in which he is now engaged, in partnership with Mr. Stein. The above gentlemen constitute one of the most successful and enterprising business firms in Troy. In 1842 Mr. Z. was married to Catherine Bucka, who has borne him eleven children, eight living-Charles, George, Lewis, Walter, Maggie, Clara, Christy and Estella ; the deceased are Simon P., John P., and one dying in infancy, viz., Lizzie. He and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church, of which they have been members since childhood, and are exemplary Christian people. Mr. Ziegen- felder is President of the church organization in Troy, and one of the Directors of the First National Bank of Miami Co. He sustains the reputation of being liberal and generous to a fault, having donated nearly one-half the money that built the beautiful little church that adorns the town.

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP.

CLARK ADAMS, retired farmer ; P. O. Covington ; a son of Philip and Phobe (Travis) Adams, natives of New York State, who were married there in 1808 ; came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; removed to Miami Co. in 1831, where he purchased a number of tracts of land east of Covington, nearly a section being in Washington Township. Mr. Adams resided in the Harrison's Creek neighbor- hood two or three years, during which time he built on his land, and then removed to Washington Township, and remained a resident of that township until his decease, which occurred in 1874, he being in the 91st year of his age. His wife survived him about six years, and died quite recently at the age of 89. They had a family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and nine are now living, seven of whom are residents of this county. Mr. Adams, Sr., was an indus- trious, useful citizen ; he improved about half of his original purchase and sold . the balance unimproved ; he took an active part in politics. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and he of the war of 1812, and there were three sons and seven grandsons in the war of the rebellion. Mother Adams was an active member of the Methodist Church, and both were very much respected. Clarke was next to the youngest child ; was born in 1827, and remained on the farm with his parents during his minority. He was married in 1854 to Miss Mary E., daughter of Marshall and Elizabeth (Boggs) Morgan. Her father was a native of Kentucky, her mother was born and raised in Miami Co. Their decease occurred in Iowa after the daughter's marriage. Mr. Adams remained at the old homestead, and had the care of his aged parents ; in 1862, he built a fine residence on the old homestead. During the war, he left his farms to the care of his wife,

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and served in the Ohio National Guards, of which he was a member five years. In 1878, he built his present neat and commodious residence, which is situated on the North Piqua Pike, near the eastern limits of the corporation of Covington ; he still owns the old homestead in Washington Township, and also a 58-acre tract in same neighborhood; his time is now occupied in looking after his property and such money speculations as may offer the best opportunity for profit. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and respected, useful members of society. They have three children living-Annie, now Mrs. Andrew Orr, of Illinois ; Luella, now Mrs. Andrew Frank, of Washington Township, and Clara, a young lady at home.

B. F. ALBAUGH, farmer, etc .; P. O. Covington. B. F. Albaugh is a son of Samuel Albaugh, a native of North Carolina, who cameto Ohio in 1829, and entered land in Union Township, this county, and lived upon it until his decease; he was magistrate in that township a great many years. B. F. was born May 22, 1836, in this county ; was raised upon a farm and received a common-school education ; has been engaged in teaching school for twenty-seven years, and was Superintendent of the West Milton school ; he is now occupied in farming, and in connection with it, he owns one of the finest and best arranged floral gardens in the county ; they con- tain all the choicest and rarest flowers and fruits that are kept in any first-class garden in the country ; he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of molasses, making from eight to ten thousand gallons per year ; since he began the business, he has manufactured over one hundred thousand gallons. He married Miss Priscilla, a daughter of Thaddeus and Eliza Mendenhall ; her father was a native of South Carolina, her mother of Virginia. They have eight children-Emma A., married to Dr. Morr, of Troy ; Clarence M., Dora A., Lillian, Edwin S., Her- bert, Ellis and Ray. Mr. Albaugh contributes many useful and interesting articles that are published in the Cincinnati Gazette.

R. M. ALBERY, saw-milling, Covington. R. M. Albery was born in Frank- lin Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 1842 ; his father, John M. Albery, a native of Licking Co., Ohio, died in Iowa, in the year 1871. R. M. was raised and educated upon the farm ; in 1862, he learned the house carpenter trade; served two years as an apprentice in Ohio, then went to California and served one year there ; he worked three years as journeyman, then contracted jobs, and carried on the business for six years ; returned to Ohio and married Miss Hannah, a daughter of Hezekiah Fowler, of Randolph Co., Ind. Their marriage occurred Dec. 22, 1872. In the year 1873, he located in Miami Co., and purchased the saw-mill and privileges, about one mile south of Covington, on the Dayton & Covington Pike ; he has a No. 1 water-power mill, and all the custom work he can do. Mr. Albery has since added more land and a residence, making 37 acres of valuable property. They had three children-Martin S., Morris W. and Richard F.

BAER BROTHERS, millers, proprietors of Falls Mills, Covington. This mill is one of the early industries of the vicinity of Covington ; it was built by George W. Smith, of Dayton, in 1838 ; Mr. S. came here in 1837 with skilled help (he never. re- sided here, but did business here several years), and first built a saw-mill, which he used to prepare the material for a flour-mill and distillery, both of which he com- pleted and operated ; the present firm, Baer Brothers, came into possession in 1875 ; H. H. Baer, the senior member, began milling here in 1869, first learned the busi- ness, then operated the mill on shares, and, in 1875, the brother, B. F., became associated with him ; they have improved the mill by placing in new machinery, including the " patent process," and they now have capacity to grind 200 bushels of grain per day ; the power is supplied by Greenville Creek, and the whole machinery driven by a thirty-inch wheel, which is of the famous " Ross Patent" pattern ; the mill is situated on the pike, just below the beautiful Greenville Falls, which gives them twenty-eight feet head and fall ; Baer Brothers are young men of ability, possessed of the experience and knowledge to make a success, which is already proven by the large patronage they are receiving ..

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HAMILTON BARTMESS, dealer in harness, etc., Covington. Mr. Bartmess, a native of Washington Co., Md., was born in 1816; his parents came to Mont- gomery Co., Ohio, in 1820, and there Hamilton grew to manhood; in 1836, he came to Covington to learn the harness-maker's trade, and when he had completed his apprenticeship, bought out his boss, and has continued the business here ever since ; his shop and salesroom are located on High street, the demands of his trade keeping four hands constantly employed ; Mr. Bartmess is one of the oldest continuous resident business men in Covington. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Jane T., daughter of John Barber, who was one of the early residents of Newberry Township ; they commenced housekeeping soon after their marriage, in the house in which they now reside, having never moved during the forty years of their married life ; the issue of this marriage has been eight children, six of whom survive.

MICHAEL BASHORE, retired farmer ; P. O. Covington ; born in Juniata Co., Penn. ; emigrated to Ohio about the year 1835, and located first in Greene Co .; was in such limited circumstances that the end-gate of the wagon-bed was used for a table for several years ; the union of industry and economy has rewarded him with success, as he is to-day one of the most reliable and highly-respected citizens of the township ; he has lately given $60,000 to his children in lands and property. While living in Greene Co., he followed teaming for seven years ; then removed to Darke Co., purchased some land, and was engaged in farming until the year 1872, when he had a stroke of paralysis, which prevented him from laboring ; he re- mained in Darke Co. until 1859, then removed to this county, and is now residing in Covington. He married Miss Henrietta Senseman, of his native county ; they had six children, of whom five are living-William H., Benjamin F., Charles, Ja- . cob S. and Susan B.

R. F. BENNETT, Superintendent Preparatory School, Covington. Mr. Ben- nett is a native of Miami Co. ; was born in Washington Township, in 1836 ; was raised on the farm ; received the benefit of the common district and Piqua public schools, and a partial course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and has made teaching his profession; he came to Covington in 1863, when he took charge of the public school, and has continued its Principal ever since ; the record of the school is the best compliment we can give to his ability as instructor and Superintendent ; when he took charge, the school was in a chaotic state, with about 250 pupils, and four teachers ; since then, the school has been graded, system and efficiency have taken the place of chaos ; a new building has been erected, and there are now eight teachers and nearly 500 pupils, and the school ranks with the best public schools for efficiency. Mr. Bennett is a successful teacher and Superin- tendent, and a useful, respected citizen. He was married in 1867 to Miss Fanny, . daughter of Dr. David Jordan, deceased, lately of Piqua. As Mr. Bennett comes of pioneer stock, it will not be out of place here to trace, somewhat, his ancestry. He is the son of Enoch and Margaret (Withgott) Bennett, who came to Miami Co. in . 1834, and located in Washington Township, and are now residing on a farm near Piqua, to which they removed in 1840 ; each is now 80 years of age; the parents of each were pioneers in the vicinity of Chillicothe, his parents having removed from Pennsylvania and hers from Maryland, as early as 1800. The Bennetts were pioneers in America, having accompanied William Penn, and were Quakers. The Withgotts were Welsh, and Episcopalians ; the first of these who came to America was forced into service on board a British vessel which sailed to America ; when leaving port, he jumped overboard and swam safely to shore.

A. E. BILLINGSLEY, farmer ; P. O. Covington. A. E. Billingsley, born in Fayette Co., Penn., in the year 1819, is a brother of Thomas Billingsley, whose biography appears in this work. He was raised upon a farm, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, following the business for twenty years. In 1862, he enlisted in 83d O. V. I .; was commissioned First Lieutenant; was in the battle of Vicksburg, and in several other engagements. In 1863, he resigned on account of ill health contracted in the service ; since that time, has been engaged in farm-

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ing. He married Miss M. E., a daughter of Amos Tucker, a native of New Jersey. They had eight children, five living-Jennie, Hattie M., Mary A., John A. and Lida A. .

THOMAS BILLINGSLEY, farmer; P. O. Covington ; is a son of James Billingsley, a native of Maryland ; he came to Ohio about 1816, and located in War- ren Co., then moved to Hamilton Co. In 1832, he came to this township and entered the farm where Thomas now lives ; he lived upon it until his decease, which occurred at the ripe old age of 97 years. Thomas Billingsley was born Jan. 7, 1823 ; came here with his parents, and helped to clear off the farm where he now resides. He married Miss Mary E., daughter of George Luckey, a native of this State ; they had three children, of whom one is living-John E.

MRS. L. G. BLACK, widow, farmer ; P. O. Covington. Mrs. L. G. Black is. the widow of Rev. F. G. Black. In speaking of those who are gone, we feel that this history would not be complete, without a personal mention of Mr. Black. He was a native of Jefferson Co., Ky., born March 9, 1808; educated in the Old School Presbyterian Church, and professed religion when 17 years of age. Three years later, he left the Old School Church, connected himself with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was ordained minister in that church. In 1840, he moved to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, and was Pastor of the church in that place for thirteen years ; in April, 1853, he moved to Centerville, Ind., was Pastor there for thirteen years; and in April, 1866, he came to Covington, where he was Pastor of the church until his death, March 5, 1871; he died while holding a revival in his church ; when he fell, he said they should let him die, for he had the harness on, and was ready to go ; he was a faithful servant, always serving the Master. His death was a great loss to the church and com- munity. Mr. Black's marriage with Miss Kate Frederic, of his native place, was celebrated Dec. 11, 1851 ; they had nine children, of whom five are living-P. F., William H., Pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Penn., Chauncey, Ida K. and Mattie Bell.

GEORGE BOEHRINGER, Covington. Among the business enterprises of Covington, the manufacturing firm, composed of Daniel Face, George Boehringer and Henry Dress, doing business under the firm name of Dodd, Face & Co., deserve & more than passing notice. This enterprise was first started in 1871. The present firm took possession in 1878. The factory now is a two-story frame structure 96x36 feet, and is supplied with the necessary machinery for the work in which they are engaged. They employ fifteen to twenty hands constantly, and are turning out and shipping an average of one car-load of stock every week. Mr. Boehringer is the superintendent and manager, and has been connected with the enterprise from its infancy to the present time. He was born in Germany in 1828 ; came to America in 1851 ; spent about four years in Philadelphia working at his trade (house carpenter), then came to Covington and began working at his trade here. Many of the houses in Covington and vicinity are the products of his labor and supervision. His business gradually developed-to his shop was added a saw-mill, then a planing mill, and finally the necessary machinery for the manu- facture of hubs, spokes, rims, etc. Finally the saw-mill was sold, and his shop became a hub, spoke and binding factory, which has developed a quite extensive business. Mr. Boehringer has not only been directly connected with the growth and development of this factory, but also of that of the town and vicinity, and he is still an active, enterprising citizen. He was married in Philadelphia in 1852 to Miss Cathrena Haller ; they have had nine children, seven of whom are living.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 103

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