The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 116

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

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GEORGE W. WHITMER, merchant, Pleasant Hill. Prominent in the list of business men of Pleasant Hill is the subject of our sketch, who was born within the present corporate limits of this village in May, 1844 ; he is the son of John Whit- mer, an eminent citizen of this place ; he (John Whitmer) was horn in Union Co., Penn., March 20, 1811, and is of German extraction ; he is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth Whitmer, natives of Pennsylvania ; by a diligent application of his time and talents, he early qualified himself for the profession of teaching, which he followed for ten years; in the meantime, he engaged to some extent in the mer- cantile trade, which has been the principal occupation of his life ; in the spring of 1842, he emigrated to Ohio, locating within the present limits of the village of Pleasant Hill ; two years subsequent, he embarked in the mercantile business, starting the second store in this place ; this he continued, with an interval of a few years when he was in business at Covington, till about ten years ago, when he practically retired from active life ; he is known throughout the community as an enterprising business man, of integrity and intelligence. Although no political aspirant, he has been elected to all the important offices of the township ; he is now serving as Justice of the Peace, which office he has filled for fifteen years. He is, in politics, a Jacksonian Democrat. His first marriage occurred in 1836, with Miss Elizabeth Stewart ; one child was born to this union, now living in Kansas ; his second marriage was with Miss Sarah Lenhart, in 1840; eleven children are the fruits of this union, three of whom have died ; the rest are living in this immediate vicinity. Our subject grew up accustomed to the mercantile trade, which has been his life occupation. He exchanged the comforts of home during the late civil war, for the dangers and hardships of the camp and battle-field ; as a member of the noble 110th O. V. I., he participated in the three days' fight of Winchester, where the regiment suffered severely, the battles at Brandy Station, Mine Run, Kelly's Ford, and many skirmishes ; on the first night of the battle of the Wilderness, he received a severe wound, a large ball passing entirely through the back portion of his neck, thus disabling him from any further active duty in the field; he was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and returned home. After engaging for a time in the general produce business, he embarked in a mercantile career in 1867 ; he carries a large stock of all kinds of merchandise, including a full stock of goods in the harness line; he also, under the firm name of Whitmer & Patty, deals in all kinds of grain, for the handling of which they have erected a large elevator with all the modern fixtures ; in all his transactions, he strictly adheres to the principle of honesty. He has been twice elected to the office of Jus- tice of the Peace, now holds the commission of Notary Public, and was once elected Mayor of the town. He has been twice married ; his first marriage was celebrated in 1867, and his second in 1877; of each union a child has been born.

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JOHN H. WILLIAMS, wagon-maker, Pleasant Hill ; born in Newton Town- ship Feb. 16, 1826 ; is the son of Henry and grandson of Michael Williams ; the latter was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio about the year 1800, bringing with him his four sons and five daughters, viz., George, Michael, Henry, John, Catherine, Frances, Elizabeth, Barbara and Mollie ; from these, numerous descendants sprung, and now live in this vicinity ; Michael, Sr., died soon after coming here. Henry was born in North Carolina in 1783 ; he made his first loca- tion on Sec. 19, purchasing 90 acres, afterward adding 240, which he principally cleared ; he died Oct. 20, 1861 ; he was a good Christian, and held in high esteem. He was married four times ; his first wife, Elizabeth Stage, died Oct. 28, 1816 ; the second wife, Sarah Fetter, died March 15, 1829 ; the third wife, Nancy Miller, died May 15, 1858 ; his fourth wife, Esther (Neil) Coppock, now lives, at an old age; eighteen children were the fruits of these several unions, five by the first marriage, six by the second, and seven by the third ; seven now survive. John H. was raised on the farm until 18, after which he followed wagon and carriage making seven years, and was the first carriage-maker of the township, and the only one making coach varnish ; he has taken out the following patents : Improvement on fire setting and cooling machines, two patents on tire-setting, on following dates, June 19, 1857 and Oct. 18, 1870, also patent for improvement in reeds for looms of weaving machines, for flexible window-shades (date, June 28, 1870), and a patent for measuring carriage cushions, dated Feb. 14, 1871 ; he is now engaged on an improved chemical apparatus for manufacturing medicines, and is also proprietor of a valuable compound medicine. Has been twice married ; first, April 16, 1847, to Sarah Coate, who died March 17, 1861 ; of their seven children, three now sur- vive. Nov. 3, 1863, he married Mary A. Gillums, of French descent, and born in Pennsylvania.

W. M. WILLIAMSON, saw-milling; P. O. Covington; born in Clermont Co., Ohio, in July, 1838 ; is the son of Silas W. and Antis White; his grandfathers were from New Jersey ; his paternal grandfather emigrated to Virginia, and his paternal grandmother was born in Virginia; James W., his grandfather, came to Ohio in 1812, and to this county in 1840, where his wife died in 1866, and he in 1870. Silas was the oldest son of ten children ; in 1840, he located in Darke Co., soon after removed to Miami Co., where he died in September, 1869 ; his wife still survives. Of his six sons and one daughter, two sons are deceased. Our subject was the old- est of the family, and followed farming until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B, 44th O. V. I., in which he served two and a half years; re-enlisted, and was placed in the 8th O. V. C., and, with his regiment, was discharged August, 1865 ; he was in the battles of Louisburg, Knoxville, Lynchburg, and many others ; he served in Kentucky and West Virginia ; was wounded and taken prisoner at Bev- erley ; was soon paroled, and returned to his regiment. Soon after his dis- charge, he went to Iowa, returning to his present place in March, 1871. The past eight years have been devoted to the saw-mill business ; he has one of the best and most convenient mills in the township. In November, 1866, Mr. Williamson mar- ried Martha A. Sowell, of Henry Co., Iowa; they have three children. Mr. W. is Major of the 3d O. N. G .; has been a member seven years, and has held the offices of Second and First Lieutenant, also Captain. He is a Republican in politics, and labors for the success of his party.

KIRK WILLIAMSON, saw-milling, Covington ; born in Darke Co., Ohio, in 1848 ; is the son of Silas W. and Antis White; his paternal grandfather, James W., was a member of a militia company during the war of 1812. In the spring of 1849, Silas Williamson moved east of Covington, where he passed the remainder of his life. The subject of this sketch is the fifth child of this family, and his early life was that of a farmer boy ; he received his early education in the common schools of his day, and by close application to his books he acquired a good prac- tical education. His first move from the parental roof was on a farm near the homestead ; here he remained one year, and then in the spring of 1872, began the saw-mill business with his brother ; they located first in Franklin Township, Clark

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Co., where they remained four years, and then moved to Newton Township. He was married in 1874 to Harriet Weaver, of Franklin Township, Darke Co., whose father, Adam Weaver, was an 'early settler of the township, and entered the farm on which he lived and died, his death occurring in July, 1878, at the age of 66 years. He had a family of eleven children, five of whom are still living. He was born in Montgomery Co., and when a young man, moved to Franklin Township. He was married to Mary Hollopeter. Mr. Williamson finds his political views expressed in the Prohibition party.

DAVID D. WINE, minister and farmer ; P. O. Covington ; was born in Augusta Co., Va, in 1839. Jacob Wine, his father, also a native of Virginia, married Eliza- beth Garber, of Maryland, who, with her parents, came to Virginia when 5 years of age. Jacob W. was a farmer, and raised a family of nine children, all now liv- ing. he died in December, 1878, aged 79. Mrs. W. died November, 1874 ; they were for many years prominent members of the German Baptist Church. David D. was raised on the farm, obtaining a common-school education. In July, 1861, he was conscripted in the rebel army, serving until December. Being a Union man and his services again demanded for the rebel army, he fled, escaping on foot across the mountains to West Virginia, from there went to Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he was employed as a farm laborer, and attended school during the winter. In December, 1873, he located upon his present place, where he has a fine farm, under good improvement. For four years he has been a minister of the German Baptist Church, and has been promoted to the second degree in the ministry. Feb. 19, 1865, he married Susan Miller, of Montgomery Co. ; they are the parents of two sons and three daughters.

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DAVID R. ALBAUGH, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1829 ; is a son of Samuel and Anna M. Albaugh, who were born in Pennsylvania ; they emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Montgomery Co. in the year 1829, in which they lived two years, then removed to this county and entered 80 acres of land, which was then-and is yet-known as the Wolf Pen Hill Farm ; this land they cleared up, improved and lived on till their decease. Mr. A. held the office of Justice of the Peace for about fifteen years ; they were the Noah parents of six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A., D., R. Susanna, H. and Benjamin F. and Lucy, deceased. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, on which he labored till he was 24 years of age, when he began life for himself. March 5, 1857, he was married to Martha Murphey, by whom he has had seven children, viz., Laura B., Samuel O., Porter W., John B., Harvey H., Charley D., Anna G. ; she is a daughter of John W. and Margaret Murphey, who were born in this county ; Mrs. M. died many years ago ; he resides with our sub- ject, with whom he has lived for a number of years ; Mr. Albaugh settled on the farm where he now resides in 1863; he owns 80 acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation ; he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for three years, and is competent to discharge its duties ; his education was obtained in the common schools, where he fitted himself for the duties of teaching, which he has followed for a number of terms ; his children, Laura B. and Samuel O., are among the educators of the county, the former having taught ten terms, the latter four ; his brothers and sisters were also leading teachers, and have taught extensively in the county ; he and his wife are exemplary members of the Christian Church, he having been connected with above church three years, she for a period of eighteen years, and was born in this county Dec. 25, 1838.

WILLIAM A. ALDRICH, farmer ; P. O. West Milton. The subject of this memoir was born in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1827. He is a son

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of Anson and Lydia Aldrich. His father was born in the same State in the year 1791, and was a son of Luke Aldrich, who was connected with the pilgrim fathers. He lived, died, and is buried in the place of his nativity. Anson was married to Lydia Aldrich, who was born in Rhode Island. He did not permanently settle here until 1843, having previously traveled over the West on foot, wandering as far as Illinois, where he resided four years, then returned to his native place, where he remained a number of years, then again came West, and chose Miami Co. as his home. He first settled on land in Sec. 18, now owned by Tilly Hale, on which he lived a year and a half; then purchased 100 acres in Sec. 27, on the west bank of the Stillwater, on which he moved his family, and made a permanent home. Soon after added 100 acres to the original purchase. His wife, Lydia, was born in the year 1799, and died in 1878, aged 79 years ; he died in 1879, aged 88 years ; they had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Mary, now Mrs. Huddle, and our subject ; one died in infancy. Mrs. A. had been previously married to a Mr. Capron, by whom she had two children, viz., Carlysle and Sallie A. (deceased). William's boyhood days were spent on the farm in Massachusetts. Upon their arrival here he assisted his father, and the farm was carried on in a mutual way, each receiving whatever was necessary for his especial welfare. In 1861, he married Miss Amanda Bauman, a daughter of Michael and Mary Bauman. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1794; her mother in the State of Maryland in 1803. They were married in Maryland, and in 1830, removed to Ohio, and settled near West Milton. Mr. B. died in 1846, aged 52 years ; Mrs. B. is living, and resides in Dayton ; they had seven children, four of whom are living, viz., Julia, Ellen, Amanda and Sarah ; the deceased are Margaret, Rebecca and one in infancy. Our subject owns 139 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation. He has filled the office of School Director and Supervisor, and was Second Lieutenant of Co. D, 147th O. V. I., one hundred day men. His term of service was employed in Ft. Ethan Allen, one of the defenses of Washington ; he was discharged in September, 1864. Mrs. A. was born in this township in 1836 ; they have had eight children, all living, viz., Henry W., Celia, Sarah, Grace C., Nathan G., Lydia M., Carlysle C. and Crawford B.

LEVI AMMON, merchant, Potsdam ; born in Bucks Co., Penn., in the year 1813. Is the son of George and Mary A. Ammon, natives of Pennsylvania. They had two children-John (deceased) and our subject. He was partly reared on the farm, and at the age of 16 years, began learning the shoemaker's trade, and, young as he was, has taken care of himself since ; he followed his trade about twenty-two years, part of the time in Montgomery Co., Ohio. In 1839, he married Margaret Byerly, by whom he has had fourteen children, seven of whom are living, viz., George, Edward, William, Charley, Mary A., Jane and Belle. In 1860, he removed to this county, in which he purchased 80 acres of land, whereon he resided five years, and then came to Georgetown ; he owns in the aggregate 447 acres of land, which places him among the large landholders in the township; in 1865, he opened a store of general merchandise, and has since supplied the wants of the public from a large and well-selected stock. The fair dealing and popular business habits of the house of Ammon & Sons command for them a full share of the public patronage ; their stock consists of clothing, dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, and in fact everything usually found in a first-class retail house. Mr. Ammon is one of our self-made men in every sense which the term implies ; he began life without a dollar, but by close application to business, has built up a fortune, a fitting example for others to pattern from. His son. William has charge of the post office. Mr. Ammon also carries on merchandising in; Gordon, Darke Co., the business being under the control of his sons Edward and Charley, who are competent and energetic business men. Mr. Ammon owns city property in Brad- ford, Harrisburg, Castine and Gordon. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an exemplary Christian gentleman.

SAMUEL P. AXTELL, minister, West Milton; born near Franklin, Mercer Co., Penn., July 14, 1846; is the son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Grace) Axtell.

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Samuel P. joined the Methodist Episcopal Church Jan. 1, 1872, at Lincoln, Neb .; he received a local preacher's license from Southeastern Indiana Conference in 1874, and is now a local minister of the Cincinnati Conference ; he was educated at the Northwestern University of Evanston, Ill., and at Asbury University, Green- castle, Ind., being a student for two years at Evanston, and studying one year at Asbury University. He settled in this county January, 1877, on Sec. 16, in Union Township. Was married Aug. 10, 1875, to Miss Frances M. Kessler, at West Milton. They have had two children, viz., Leo Ray, born Dec. 29, 1877, and Thomas Maurice, March 10, 1879, and died April 29, 1880.

DAVID BAKER, farmer ; P. O. West Milton; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1824, and is a son of David and Salome Baker ; they were born in Bedford, now Blair Co., Penn., in the latter part of the eighteenth century ; they removed to Montgomery Co., about 1809 or 1810, and settled on land in Randolph Township, on which they lived till the death of Mr. B., which occurred just previous to the birth of our subject ; his mother soon after went to Indiana; then to Green- ville, in which place she resided till her death, which occurred in the 63d year of her age. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living, viz., Andrew H., David and Lavina, deceased. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the farm, in a manner incident to youth, and, at the age of 15, he was apprenticed to learn the wagon-maker's trade, and labored for awhile in Salem, after which he removed to Euphemia, in Preble Co., at which place he finished his trade, and soon after, in Phillipsburg, founded a shop of his own, in which he car- ried on wagon-making for eleven years ; then selling out, he embarked in a general mercantile business in the same place, and for fourteen years successfully catered to the wants of the public ; in 1869, he removed to the place where he now resides ; he owns 141 75-100ths acres of fine land, which is in a high state of cultivation. He was first married to Julia Fortner, in 1848 ; she died in 1861. His second marriage was with Sarah J. McGrew nee Reed, in 1862. They have two children, viz., Emma and Alma. Samuel McGrew and Miss Sarah J. Reed were married in 1852; he died in 1859. To them two children were born, viz., Allen, deceased, and Marley, who resides in Kansas. Mrs. B.'s parents, Jonathan and Sarah R. Reed, were born in New Jersey ; they removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, at a very early day, and later, to Marshall Co., Iowa, in which place Mr. B. died, in the 72d year of his age ; her mother is still living, and resides in the above-mentioned place. They have had nine children, all are living, viz., William, Jonathan, Mary A., Sarah J., Bowman, Esther, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Lucretia. Mrs. B. was born in Warren Co. in 1831. She is an exemplary Christian lady, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ' Mr. B. was a member of the 112th O. V. L., and, soon after his enlist- ment, was promoted to a Second Lieutenancy, with instructions to enlist a com- pany ; but, on account of a shortage of men, a consolidation of different companies was effected, which swallowed up Mr. B.'s company, and he was mustered from the service. He is one of our self-made men. Life was begun with small capital, yet energy and indomitable perseverance have accomplished their purpose, and a good home is the fruit of his toil. When Mrs. B.'s father crossed the Ohio River, he had only a dollar in his pocket, and with him came two other gentlemen, possessed of means, who soon lost their all and were penniless. The dollar which constituted Mr. Reed's capital, proved the nucleus of a handsome competency.

HENRY BARNHART, farmer and carpenter ; P. O. West Milton ; born near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, in the year 1839; is the son of John and Elizabeth Barnhart, who were born in Pennsylvania, the father in 1811, the mother in 1813, and were married in 1835 ; the following year they removed to Montgomery Co., in which they resided two years, then removed to Darke Co., where they resided a year, and finally settled in Concord Township, where they now live; they had five children, all living, viz., David, Henry, John, Andrew and Anna. Our subject was reared upon the farm, and, at the age of 16 years, learned the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed for three years. Aug. 19, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 63d O. V. I., and was soon after transferred to the front and placed in the 3d Brigade

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of the 17th Corps; the regiment took an active part in the thrilling scenes of the war ; Mr. B. participated in the battles of Resaca, Atlanta, Altoona, Kingston, Jonesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, and, in fact, all the engagements in and around this great rebel stronghold ; he passed through three years of active duty, and, receiving no scratches, he "veteranized" in 1863 and was discharged in July, 1865, having been promoted to Corporal. After his return home, he took up wagon-making, which he followed for ten years, then burned lime for two years in Davis Wheelock's kiln, after which he located on the farm where he has since resided ; he frequently works at carpentering, plastering, etc., being one of those natural mechanics who can turn a hand to most anything. Feb. 9, 1864, he was married to Sarah Root ; to them six children have been born, five of whom are living, viz., Noah, Nettie, Icy, Ida M. and John W .; Cora deceased. Mrs. B. is a daughter of John and Louisa Root; the former was born in France, the latter in Germany ; they had but one child, Mrs. Barnhart ; by a previous marriage, Mr. Root had twelve children, part of whom are living ; Mr. R. is deceased ; Mrs. R. resides with our subject ; she was born in 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart have been mem- bers of the Disciples Church for four years, and are zealous in the cause ; he is also a member of the subordinate Lodge, I. O. O. F., in West Milton.

CHARLES F. BEALL, dealer in stoves and tinware, West Milton. The sub. ject of this memoir was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 1842, and is a son of John I. Beall, who was born in Maryland in 1802, and settled in Greene Co. in 1813, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1867, aged 65 years. Mrs. Beall was born in Greene Co. in 1805-is still living, and resides in her native county. They had eleven children, of whom eight are living, three having died after gaining man's estate. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where he assisted in agricultural pursuits until his 18th year ; when the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. G, of the 54th O. V. I., and was transferred to the front in February, 1862; his regiment was in Gen. Sherman's gallant division which did its duty so nobly at Shiloh ; here he received a severe wound in the left hip, which kept him in the hospital at Cincinnati for some time ; he was discharged, July 12, 1862 ; Jan. 12, 1864, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and was placed on board the Cricket in the department of the Mississippi ; from this ves- sel he was transferred to the Champion, thence to the Benton, and finally to the Gamage. On all these vessels he held the commission of a 1st Lieutenant, and was among the youngest commissioned officers in the navy ; he was in the naval encounter at Fort Harrison, where four vessels were engaged, and after a severe fight, every gun in the fort was dismounted, the works captured and the town laid in ashes. After the close of the war, he received his discharge, Oct. 27, 1865 ; he returned home, and was employed by Shilato & Co. as salesman, remaining one year, when he engaged with Orr & Co., tobacco manufacturers ; in their employ he remained one year ; he soon after studied medicine for two years, under John C. Fall, a very prominent physician of Xenia ; he drifted back to his former business, in which he is still engaged, and removed to this place in April, 1879. His mar- riage with Carrie Keeler, a daughter of John Keeler, occurred Jan. 25, 1876; she was born Dec. 9, 1852. They have one child, Elsie Fay, born Oct. 13, 1877. Mrs. Beall was a distant relative of the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham.

RICHARD BENNET, proprietor of woolen factory, West Milton. The sub- ject of this memoir was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Dec. 20, 1808, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Bennet, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Huron Co., Ohio, in 1834, where they resided for twenty-five years, and then removed to Williams Co., where Mrs. Bennet died in 1873; her husband died in Huron Co. in 1871. They were the parents of six children, all sons, two of whom are dead. Our subject has had a wide experience in his business, having served in mills since he was 12 years old ; he is thoroughly versed in his business, and is master of every department ; he served an apprenticeship of several years, and since that time has run his own mill. He located here in April, 1862, and soon after purchased his pres- ent property, which is situated on the west bank of the Stillwater, half a mile south of

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 116

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