The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 120

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 120

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THOMAS ELLEMAN, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in this township in 1841 ; is a son of Enos and Margaret (Ward) Elleman ; his father was born in

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Washington Co., Tenn., March 31, 1802. The grandfather, John Elleman, was probably born in the same State in the year 1766, and removed with his parents when quite young to South Carolina, where they remained for some years, and where he married Susanna Coppock ; then returned to Tennessee, and soon after to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1805; here they raised a crop, then came to Miami Co. in the latter part of 1806, and settled on the southwest quarter of Sec. 7, in this township, where he lived until about 1815, when he removed to Wayne Township, Darke Co., and purchased 40 acres of land, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 16, 1818, aged 52 years. The Coppocks were originally from Pennsylvania, and were mem- bers of the colony William Penn planted in the great wilderness of Pennsylvania. Grandmother Elleman's maiden name was Catherine Collins, and she was of Ger- man birth ; her husband's grandfather, Enos Elleman, great-grandfather to our subject, was born in Wales, but reared in this country .; he had only two brothers, John and Abner; he was the father of six children, two sons and four daughters, viz., John, William, Amy, Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah. Our subject's grand- father was the parent of twelve children, of whom only two are living, viz., Sus- anna and his father, Enos ; the deceased are Elizabeth, Temperance, Drusilla, Hannah, Tace, Enos, Aaron, William, Norman and one who died in infancy. The early days of our subject's father were spent at home until his father's death, which occurred when Enos was only 16 years old ; he labored for some time on the home place, then bound himself out to his brother-in-law, Isaiah Pemberton, who lived in this township, and for him worked four years, when the indenture was canceled before the expiration of time ; he then worked as a farm hand, and did anything he could get to do that was honorable; in 1823, he went back to Darke Co., and purchased 80 acres of land in Wayne Township. He was united in marriage with Margaret Ward, Dec. 9, 1824; her father, David Ward, was born in New Jersey, in the year 1785 ; his father, George Ward, was a soldier in Washington's own army, and was through seven years of the struggle ; he was one of the daring and intrepid ones, who, under the leadership of the gallant Wayne, captured Stony Point. He was married to Margaret Swasick ; they were among the early pioneers of Virginia ; the Indians entered their cabin one day and deliberately killed one of the children, a daughter ; Grandfather Ward was knocked down with a club, and his wife, with great bravery and presence of mind, made her escape with two other children. A family by the name of Cananne, who were there, met a sad fate ; the husband was killed and his wife carried into captivity, and only rescued after seven years of imprisonment. After Enos Elleman's marriage with Margaret Ward, he went to work with might and main for a few years on his Darke Co. land ; then he disposed of it and came in 1831 to where he now resides ; here they have resided for nearly half a century, going hand in hand down the pathway of life for nearly three score years, and together they are enjoying their declining years surrounded by every comfort ; they are the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living, viz., Mary, David, William, Joseph, Thomas, Rebecca and Isam ; the deceased are Elizabeth and John. Thomas Elleman (our subject), was reared on his father's farm, where he labored until his marriage, which was celebrated in 1858 with Martha C. Jay, a daughter of Moses Jay, who was born in this township, near Frederickstown ; his father, James Jay, was born in North Carolina, and removed to Ohio in a very early day ; he departed this life on the land he entered, aged about 70 years. His marriage with Martha Coppock was celebrated in South Carolina ; they were parents of the following children, of whom five are living, viz., Mary, Jesse, James, Furnas and Isaac; the deceased are .Elizabeth, Phoebe, Hannah, Jonathan, Enoch, John, Moses, and William, an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Moses Jay were the parents of only one child, the wife of our subject ; her father, departed this life in 1840. Her mother's second marriage was cele- brated with Elijah Jay, whose father, Layton Jay, was one of the pioneers, and his remains the first interred in the Union Cemetery. To her second marriage seven children were given, viz., Moses, Joseph, Alfred, James, William and Enos ; Anna (deceased). Mrs. Margaret Jay departed this life April 14, 1874, aged 56 years,

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her husband is living, and at an advanced age. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Elleman nine children have been given, of whom five are living, viz., Dorry, Ella, Calvin, Allie and Walter ; the deceased are Margaret, Viola, Minnie P. and an infant.

OWEN ELLEMAN, retired, Laura ; born on Sec. 18 in this township, in 1823; is a son of Isaac and Mary (Jones) Elleman ; they were born in South Car- olina-his father in the year 1798, and his mother in the beginning of the nine- teenth century ; they came to this township with their parents in 1805 or 1806 ; they were married about 1822, and were the parents of four children, two of whom are living, viz., Owen and Jordan ; the deceased are Dorcas and William W. ; Mrs. Elleman died on the place where Owen was born, in February, 1831, aged about 30 years. Mr. Elleman's second marriage was celebrated with Elizabeth Coppock, by whom he had six children, three of whom are living, viz., Benjamin, Isaac and Rachel C. ; Mr. Elleman departed this life at the age of 61 years. Owen was reared on the farm, his boyhood days being spent in a manner customary with all boys; after attaining a proper age, he assisted in the labors on his father's es- tate till he was 22 years of age, at which time he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years ; in the fall of 1850, he moved to Cass Co., Ind., where he lived two years and followed carpentering ; he then went to Grant Co., in the same State, and for three years worked in a carding-mill, but afterward worked at his trade for eight years; in 1863, he returned to Laura, where he has since lived; on his return, he established himself in the mercantile business, which he has largely followed since; he was appointed under Lincoln's adminis- tration, afterward resigned, and was again appointed under Johnson's reign, but resigned, and was appointed the third time under Grant's administration ; he has filled the Justice's office three terms, and was elected for a fourth, but re- signed; he has also been Trustee, School Director and a member of the Board of Education ; thus we see Mr. Elleman's executive ability is fully recognized by his townsmen, and is fully demonstrated by his frequent re-elections. In September, 1845, he married Rachel McDonald, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are living-Mark, William J. and Joseph A .; the deceased are Sarah, Jane, Minerva and Caroline. Mrs. Elleman is a daughter of Joseph and Temperance McDonald, who were among the early pioneers of Ohio ; both are now dead; they were the parents of ten children, of whom only two are living-Rachel and Ma- hala; the deceased are Elizabeth, William, Mary, Phoebe, Dennis, Sarah, Aaron and Enos; Mr. McDonald's first marriage was with Sarah Mote, by whom he had three children, two living, viz., John and Charles; Mark is deceased; he died in the 65th year of his age; his wife, Temperance, departed this life at the age of 60 years. Mr. and Mrs. Elleman are members of the denomination of Friends, and are every-day Christian people.

JACOB ETTER, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Bucks Co., Penn., in the year 1828; is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Etter ; his father was also born in the same county and State. There they were married and lived till their removal to Ohio ; his father died in Germantown, Ohio, in 1833; his mother was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., and was thrice married-secondly, with Joseph Klein, and lastly, with David Landis. After his death, she resided with our subject till her decease in 1865. By her marriage with Mr. Etter, she had five children, three of whom are living, viz .. Jacob, John and Levi; George and Catherine (deceased). Mr. E. was reared on the farm, and after becoming old enough learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for eleven years. In 1850, he came to Ohio, and settled in this county, following his trade exclusively five years. After which he bought 67¿ acres of land, in August, 1854, which he began cultivating in connection with carpentering ; the latter he abandoned after three years, and has since given his whole attention to the farm, and now owns 75 acres of excellent land, which will be well improved. When his house was completed, Dec. 25, 1853, he was married to Hannah Gnodle, by whom he had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Mary E., Joseph, Lydia A. and Amanda A. (twins), Samuel and Sarah

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C .; John H. deceased, aged 1 year 11 months and 14 days. He has never been.a political aspirant ; but has held the office of Supervisor and School Director. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, with which they have belonged for a number of years. He is one of the Deacons, which distinction he has held three years. Mrs. E. died Jan. 8, 1873, aged 41 years. His second marriage was celebrated in February, 1878, with Mary H. Harlacher ; she was born in Montgomery Co. in 1835, and is a representative of the same church, as is his son George, a promising young man.

LEVI FALKNOR, blacksmith ; P. O. Laura ; born in Darke Co. in the year 1837 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth Falknor, who were born in this State, in which they made their home till their decease. His father was killed in a saw-mill in Phillipsburg in 1849 ; his mother died in the year 1876. They were parents of seven children, viz., Mary A., Harriet, John W., Albert, Margaret and Sarah J. Our subject was reared on the farm, and after his father's death remained with his widowed mother until he attained his majority. In 1857, he was married to Mary McCool, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living, viz., Semantha S., Erskine L. and Emily W .; Viola, deceased. After his marriage he continued farming in Darke Co. for a year, after which he came to this county and still worked on the farm, having, in the meantime, purchased a house and lot in Laura. In 1869, he abandoned the farm, moved to Laura and engaged in the smithing business, which he has since successfully followed. He owns 72 acres of fine land, 13 acres of which adjoins Laura, the balance near, on Ludlow's Creek. His long acquaintance with the people, combined with his skill as a workman, commands for Mr. F. a full share of patronage. He and his wife are members of the Christian. Church, with which they have been connected for eighteen years, always taking a lively interest in the cause and development of the Christian religion. Mrs. F. is a daughter of Richard and Martha McCool ; her father is deceased, but her mother is living, and resides with Mr. Falknor ; both were born in Ohio, but their parents came from South Carolina ; they were parents of four children, of whom only the wife of our subject survives.

ANDREW N. FALKNOR, West Milton; of the firm of Falknor & Hale, dealers in agricultural implements etc., etc .; was born in Montgomery Co. Oct. 5, 1824. At 12 years of age, his father died, and Andrew remained at home assist- ing his mother upon the farm until he attained his majority, during this time obtaining a good common-school education. He then followed carpentering and farming some eight years in Montgomery Co., and in 1853, came to Miami Co .; in 1861, he located upon his present farm of 80 acres, two miles southwest from West Milton, where he now resides ; in the spring of 1880, he associated with T. J. Hale in the above business, dealing in all the improved farm machinery, agricultural implements, pumps, wagons, etc., etc. Upon the 9th of December, 1847, he was united in marriage to Catherine Niswonger, of Montgomery Co. Two children now living-Granville N. and Amanda.

HENRY FESS, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1837 ; is a son of George and Louisa B. Fess, who were born in Ger- many ; emigrated to this country, and settled in Montgomery Co., where his father died. His mother is living and resides near him. They were the parents of eight children, of whom only three are living, viz., Lavina, Catherine and our subject; the deceased are Mary, Jacob, George, Frederick and John. Mrs. F. was again married, to John Root, by whom she has had one child, viz., Sarah. Our subject was raised on the farm, on which he labored until he was 21 years old, at which time he began life for himself, and engaged in farming. In 1858, he was married to Miss Mary J. Harshbarger, by whom he has had nine children, seven of whom are living, viz., George, Mary, Samuel E., John Jacob, Lloyd and Charles A .; the deceased are Sarah and Floyd, the latter a twin brother of Lloyd. Mr. Fess owns 80 acres of land, on which he resides, all being in good condition; and fairly improved. He and his amiable wife are exemplary members of the Brethren in Christ Church, with which they have been connected eighteen years, and are con-

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sistent Christian people ; he is one of the Trustees of the church. Mrs. F.'s parents were born in Ohio, her father in Montgomery Co., in 1815, her mother in this country in 1821. They are the parents of five children, four of whom are liv- ing, viz., Mary J., Samuel, Lloyd and George ; Anna, deceased. Mr. H. is a mem- ber of the German Baptist Church ; Mrs. H. belongs to the Brethren in Christ ; Mary and George, children of Mr. and Mrs. Fess, are members of the church to which their parents belong.

GEORGE FILBEY, retired, West Milton ; born in Berks Co., Penn., April 9, 1809 ; is a son of William and Elizabeth Filbey, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1855 or 1856, and lived there until their decease ; Mr. F. died April 19, 1858, he was born Aug. 18, 1781 ; his wife, Eliza- beth Sellers, was born June 11, 1788 ; she departed this life Sept. 20, 1879, aged 93 years 3 months and 9 days; they were the parents of the following children, of whom six are known to be living, viz., John, Mary, George, Ellen, Robert and Catherine ; the deceased are Thomas, Michael, Oliver, [Elizabeth and William. G. F. was reared a mechanic and learned the sadler's trade in Strasburg, Penn., with his uncle, John Seller, with whom he worked five years as an apprentice, mastering his trade, and continued with him two years longer. On the 31st day of March, 1833, he married Miss Barbara, daughter of Philip Folckamer, who was a native of Penn- sylvania ; after his marriage he opened a shop in Wrightsville, Penn., in which he labored for three years, then moved to Jefferson, Greene Co., Penn., where he started a shop, and for ten years, successfully prosecuted his business, after which he removed to Galion, Ohio, where he labored on a farm for three years, then came to West Milton in 1849, and immediately engaged in his trade, which he has fol- lowed nearly all the time since. He owns 74 acres of as fine land as is to be found in Miami Co. On this he permanently located in 1870 ; since he has regularly resided on the farm, which is all in a high state of cultivation. His location is good, his house and barns are very commodious, and their construction and finish prove Mr. F. to be a man of good taste ; his grounds are large and well kept, which renders his home a very desirable one ; he is one of our self-made men, having begun life without capital. His first shop was started with $10, but by hard work and good management, in which he has been nobly assisted by his amiable wife, they have overcome the difficulties and obstacles met with in life's journey, and made a good home, the fruits of labor and frugality. Together they are enjoying their declining years, surrounded by all that conduces to render old age enjoyable ; to their union nine children have been given, of whom seven are living, viz., Oliver, Ellen Rebecca, George, Frank, Josiah and Margaret ; the deceased are Samuel and William. The latter was a member of Co. D, 94th O. V. I. ; he died of small- pox, in Nashville, Tenn., May 14, 1863. They were raised in the Lutheran Church, and are consistent Christian people. Mrs. Filbey was born Dec. 9, 1808.

JOHN FOUTS, deceased ; born in this township July 22, 1814 ; was a son of Henry and Susanna Fouts, who were born in North Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio, settling in this township in 1803. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, on which he labored till his marriage with Rosanna Waymire, which was celebrated April 7, 1836 ; to them nine children were born, seven of whom are living, viz., Henry W., Caroline, Davis, John, Lyman, Susanna and Allen C. ; the deceased are Daniel and Harrison. While living, Mr. F. made his home on the place on which his widow and children now reside ; this place was the home of his parents, and has been in the family name for three-quarters of a century. Mr. F. departed this life April 7, 1857, the twenty-first anniversary of his marriage; he was afflicted many years with dyspepsia, which became chronic and finally terminated in con- sumption, which carried him to an early grave. Mrs. F. was born in 1821, and is a daughter of Daniel and Sophia Waymire, who were born in South Carolina, and removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, about 1804 or 1805 ; here they made their home until their decease ; he died July 3, 1826, aged 49 years and 2 months ; she departed this life July 19, 1859, aged 76 years 1 month and 4 days. They were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz., Davis, Daniel, John, Katie, Betsy.

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Sallie, Henry, Rosanna and Isabelle ; the deceased are Polly, Rebecca, Frederick, and one dying in infancy. Daniel, son of our subject, enlisted in the beginning of the late war, in Co. E, 48th O. V. I. ; he passed through some of the hard-fought bat- tles of the war, and, from disease produced through exposure in army life, died in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., March 2, 1863; was born Feb. 26, 1843. Davis was a member of the 8th O. V. C., and served eighteen months ; Henry was a mem- ber of the 147th 100-day men ; Allen is one of the leading educators in the county, having taught six terms in this township ; he received the rudiments of his educa- tion in the home school ; in 1873, he entered the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, for one term, then taught two terms, after which he entered the Hillsdale College, in Michigan, where he closely applied himself to study for a year and a half ; his eye- sight began to weaken, and he was obliged to yield the struggle for knowledge to save the light of day. Henry Fouts was married to Susanna Mast, by whom he had six children, viz., Mary, Barbara, Matilda, Rebecca, Betsy and John.

AARON FOUTS, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in this township Feb. 9, 1830 ; is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Yount) Fouts ; his father was born in Randolph Co., N. C., in the year 1796 ; his mother was born in this township Feb. 18, 1808 ; Mr. Henry Fouts, with his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Fouts, re- moved to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1803; they were the parents of twelve children, who grew to manhood and womanhood, and the first death occurred at the age of 49 years ; as husband and wife, hand in hand they walked down the pathway of life three score and two years, sharing each other's burdens and par- taking alike of each other's joys and sorrows ; the dial of life had marked four- score and eight years in his existence before the summons came ; his noble wife had borne the fatigues of the day fourscore years and one, amid the countless hardships which are to be encountered by those who make the first settlement in a new country, before her mission was completed; these two old settlers passed quietly away after a long and eventful life. The father and mother of our subject were married in 1824, and the following year came to this county, in which they made their home till their decease ; his father died in August, 1854, aged 58 years ; his mother departed this life in June, 1875, aged 67 years ; they were parents of four children, two of whom are living, viz., Susan and Aaron; the deceased are John, aged 11 years, and Amilla Furnas, nee Fouts, aged 27 years. Aaron was reared on the farm on which he now lives ; in 1853, he married Rachel Martin- dale; to their union nine children have been born, six of whom are living, viz., Henry, William, Ella, Lizzie, Elam and Robert; the deceased are Emma, John and Oscar. After his marriage, he located on the old home farm, which had been the home of his parents, and on which he still resides and has grown wealthy, own- ing in the aggregate 750 acres of land, well situated and most beautifully im- proved, thus making a most desirable home, embracing every comfort and luxury ; his broad acres make him the largest landholder in the township. Mrs. Fouts is a daughter of John and Amy Martindale, who were early settlers in Montgomery Co., both deceased ; they were parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living, viz., Elizabeth, Robert, Mary, Samuel, Rachel, John, Steward, Martin, Rebecca and Martha. Mrs. Fouts is a member of theChristian Church of more than twenty-five years' standing ; Mr. Fouts' parents were members of the same church.

JOHN B. FOUTS, Postmaster and dealer in notions, West Milton ; born near West Milton in the year 1848 ; is a son of John Fouts, who also was born in this county ; his father is deceased, but his mother resides near here, on the old home- stead, which was pre-empted by the family many years ago. Our subject was reared on the farm, on which he assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 17th year, when he enlisted in Co. D, 5th O. V. I., Feb. 14, 1864 ; he was immediately transferred to the front, where he took an active part in the closing scenes of the wat; he was in the engagement at Kenesaw Mountain, and received a severe wound under the left shoulder, the ball penetrating the lung, in which it is now imbedded, giving Mr. F. much trouble ; after being wounded, he lay in the hospital for thir- teen months, after which he was mustered out of the service, in September, 1865.

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He returned to his home, and has since followed various pursuits in West Milton ; he received his commission, making him Postmaster of this office, Feb. 16, 1880. He has been twice married ; first, with Miss Mattie Jenkins, Feb. 16, 1870, by whom he had one child, who is deceased ; Mrs. F. departed this life March 19, 1874. His second marriage was celebrated Jan. 21, 1877, with Anna B. Wright; they have one child, viz., Edgar, born Nov. 17, 1878.

JOHN P. FOX, deceased; born in Indiana, near Indianapolis, Dec. 18, 1822 ; was a son of Elijah and Susanna Fox, both deceased. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, where he labored till his marriage with Sarah A. Waymire, which occurred April 23, 1842, in Montgomery Co., in which Mrs. F. was born ; they resided in the above county about thirty years. Mr. F. departed this life March 6, 1873. They had nine children, seven of whom are living-William W., Eliza J., Daniel W., John H., Albert R., Theodore E. and Lucinda A .; Alvin E. and an infant are deceased. Mr. F. owned 120 acres of land, of which his widow now owns 80 acres, all in a good state of cultivation and well improved; on her land is situated one of the best gravel pits to be found on the Stillwater ; she is a daughter of Sol- omon and Marian Waymire; her father was born in North Carolina, her mother in Tennessee; they immigrated to and settled in Montgomery Co. in a very early day, doing much to improve the county ; both are deceased ; he was born Feb. 23, 1791, her mother Sept. 3, 1800 ; died aged about 50 years. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living-Daniel, Isabelle and Sarah A., Wesley deceased ; by Mr. W.'s first marriage he had four children, one of whom is living, viz., Nancy ; the deceased are Polly, Henry and Biddy. Mr. F. was a member of the Christian Church, with which he has been connected for a number of years ; his wife is a member of the same church, an exemplary Christian woman ; three of her children, Lucinda, Warren and Jane, are members of the same church ; Dan- iel and William were soldiers in the late war ; the latter. was taken prisoner, and suffered all the cruelties of the infamous Libby Prison; her son William has five children-Charley E., Fordie E., Mary E., Sarah E. and Emma E. ; Jane, the wife of Amos Daniel, has four children-Benson, Mary, Noah and Emily ; Daniel has two children-Anna and Sarah ; Lucinda (Mrs. Kessler) has three children- Lucy M., Estelle and Albert. John was recently married to Mary Greene.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 120

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