The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 126

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 126

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HON. JONATHAN H. RANDALL, retired, West Milton ; one of Miami Co.'s prominent and representative citizens ; was born in Baltimore Co., Md., in 1822 ; his father, Jonathan Randall, was a native of the above State, and with his family removed to Miami Co. in 1829 ; he departed this life March 23, 1855, aged 72 years. Massey, mother of our subject, died Nov. 25, 1869, aged 77 years 10 months and 22 days. Mr. Randall learned the shoemaker's trade under the super- vision of his father, and for thirty-five years labored upon the bench ; at the expiration of the above time, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in West Milton, a business to which he devoted his time and talent for nine years ; then, disposing of his stock-in-trade, retired from active business life for five years, after which he again engaged in merchandising for a number of years ; then again dis- posing of his stock, sought the quiet of retirement, and is now enjoying the fruits of a prosperous and well-spent life. In local offices he has been fully identified, having had a full share. In 1861, when secession was rife, and the whole country was submerged in excitement, he became the champion of the Union-loving peo- ple of Miami to represent the county in the Legislature of the State, an honor he retained for four years. He entered the army May 2, 1864, as Captain of Co. D, 147th O. N. G. ; his term of service, 100 days, was spent in Ft. Ethan Allen, on the Potomac River; he was discharged at Camp Dennison Aug. 30, 1864. In 1845, he was married to Miss Eliza Harrison, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are living, viz., Lucy A., Mary E., Harrison T. and Clara. The deceased are Henrietta and Julia.

GAIRHART RUMBURG, farmer and proprietor of stone-quarry ; P. O. West Milton ; was born in Holland, Texel, in the year 1835 ; is the third child of Albert and Fanny Rumburg. His father's name was Osbrooke, but, according to

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the laws of their country in relation to marriage, a man that marries a woman who owns real estate in the country, assumes his wife's name, instead of the wife tak- ing the name of her husband ; this occurs ouly among ladies who possess country estates. Our subject emigrated to this country and landed in New Orleans in the fall of 1857 ; his voyage occupied nine weeks ; he made his way North, and, at Piqua, his funds were exhausted, so he was obliged to stop and go to work ; he has resided in this county ever since, and for twenty-six years in the place where he now lives ; he owns 282 acres of land, mostly in cultivation; there is located on the home place one of the best quarries in the county ; the quality of the stone being far superior for building purposes to any we have ever seen in Ohio. After remaining here twelve years he returned to his native country, and the following year his parents came back with him. His mother and other members of the family reside at Omaha, eighteen miles from West Milton, on the Elkhorn River, where he and his brothers own 1,600 acres of fine land. Mrs. and Mrs. Rumburg, Sr., were parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz., Albert, Anna, Gairhart, John W. George, Frederick and Arnold ; John and Chris- tina. deceased. His father died in Freeport, Ill., four days after his landing in New York in 1866, aged 64 years. Our subject was married to Elizabeth Coppock in 1857, by whom he has had seven children, of whom three are living, viz., Fanny, Elida and Albert ; the deceased are Joseph, Sarah A., Emma and Osceola, who was named after a flourishing town on the B. & M. R. R. in Southern Iowa. Mrs. R. is a daughter of Joseph and Rachel Coppock, whose sketch appears in this work ; she was born in this county in 1841 ; he received his common-school educa- tion in his native country, attending regularly between the age of 6 and 14 years, after which he entered Mason's College, in Amsterdam, Holland. in which he prose- cuted his studies vigorously for three years, fitting himself to discharge the busi- ness complications of life, as well as obtaining much knowledge of the sciences and principles of nature that govern the universe ; he is no political aspirant, but has been School Director, which office he now holds ; he is a member of the Old- School Presbyterian Church, in which he was confirmed when 16 years of age ; his family has been connected with the same organization since the Reformation. Mrs. Rumburg was born and reared a Quaker, but is now a member of the Christ- ian Church. Their daughter Fanny is a member of the same church, while Elida is a Quaker by birthright.

JOSEPH SANDO, farmer ; P. O. Potsdam ; born in this county Sept. 13, 1839; his father, Joseph, was born in Pennsylvania June 10, 1804; Catherine, mother of Joseph, Jr., was born in the same State June 10, 1802. They removed to Ohio in 1831, in which they lived till their decease. The father died Sept. 17, 186S. the mother June 15, 1867. They were parents of eleven children, five living. viz., Samuel, born June 18, 1835 ; Susanna, born Nov. 6, 1836 ; Sarah, born July 25, 1841 ; Jacob, born April 27, 1844 ; the deceased, Maria, born Sept. 13, 1827 ; Jolm, born Sept. 13, 1831 ; Elizabeth, born Aug. 31, 1824 ; William, born April 30, 1834 ; Henry, born Nov. 6, 1832 ; Mary, born May 10, 1829. Our subject was reared on the farm, on which he labored till his 21st year, at which time he began life for himself. Dec. 8, 1864, he was married to Barbara Bolinger, who bore him one child, Edwin, born Dec. 6, 1865. Mrs. S. died in December, 1866. His second marriage was celebrated with Nancy Christian Dec. 8, 1867 ; they have six children- Davis, born Jan. 15, 1869 ; Mary, born Dec. 6, 1870 ; Allen, born Nov. 5, 1872; Com, born Feb. 3, 1875; Susanna. born Nov. 4. 1877; Emma, born Nov. 11, 1879 ; Mrs. S. was born Dec. 16, 1848. Mr. S. owns 80 acres of good land, all well culti- vated and improved. He and his wife are members of the Brethren in Christ Church, in which he has been an exhorter eight years, and still holds license. He is very zealously devoted to the cause of religion, and gives much of his time to further the principles of Christianity.

JOHN SCHEAFFER, farmer and blacksmith ; P. O. Fidelity ; born in Ger- many in August, 1820 ; is a son of John and Louisa Scheaffer, natives of the same place. ITis father was a farmer, and a soldier in the king's service, in which he

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died before our subject was born. His widow, with her family, emigrated to this country in 1831, landing in Baltimore, their voyage occupying forty-five days. They located in Maryland, in which they lived several years. John worked at the cooper's trade, in Hagerstown, for two and a half years ; then moved to Virginia, in which State they lived one year, then returned to Maryland, where they remained nearly three years. They removed to Ohio in 1838, settling in Mont- gomery Co., in which they remained till 1845, when he came to this township. In the same year, he was married to Susanna Keller, by whom he has had eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Lewis, Margaret A., Nancy E., John, Theo- dore and Cinderella ; two dying in infancy. After his marriage he carried on farming for a number of years on his farm above Nashville, after which he removed to the place where he now lives. He owns 440 acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation and well improved. He is one of the Elders of the Tippecanoe Lutheran Church, with which he and his wife have been members for a number of years. Their children-Lewis, Margaret and Nancy E., are also members of the same church, which is a source of satisfaction to their parents. Mrs. S. was born in Maryland in 1828; she is a daughter of Lewis and Margaret Keller ; her father was born in Germany ; her mother in Maryland. They came to Ohio, in which they lived till their decease; they were parents of six living children, viz., Susanna. Catherine, Sophia, Margaret, Samuel and Lewis. Our subject was the only child of his parents ; his mother, by her second marriage, had four children, viz., Jacob. Fred, Louisa and Christena. She died in 1874, aged 74 years.

ANDREW SEIBEL, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, in the year 1828; is a son of Samuel and Martha E. Seibel. of whom mention is made in this work. Our subject was partly reared on the farm. and learned the baker's trade, which he followed but a short time; he emigrated to America, and landed in Baltimore June 22, 1847, his voyage occupying nine weeks ; from there he went by boat to Pittsburgh, Penn., in which he remained four months, thence down the river to Cincinnati, then by stage to Dayton, and soon after located near Vandalia, where he remained three years; in 1851, he removed to the place where he now resides. April 8, of the same year, he was married to Catherine Airhart, by whom he has had thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz., Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Abraham, Aaron, Katie, Rufus, Emma and Enos; Matilda, Samuel, Catherine and Andrew are deceased. He owns 175 acres of land, all well improved. He and his wife have been members of the Evangel- ical Church since 1847, and take much interest in religious matters. Mrs. Seibel. born in Montgomery Co., in 1834, is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Airhart. both deceased. Mr. Seibel, in his native country, obtained a good common-school education, and in the English language has become proficient so far as speaking. reading and writing our language is concerned.

CHRISTOPH SEIBEL, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in the year 1842; is a son of Samuel and Martha E. Seibel, who were born in the same State. His father followed farimng in his native country, and oursubject's boyhood days were spent in rural pursuits. In 1849, they emigrated to this country, landing in Baltimore, their voyage occupying thirty-six days ; they came directly to Ohio, and lived one year east of Fredericks- town, in this county ; in the fall of 1850, moved to the place on which they now reside ; he owns 80 acres of land, which is well situated and improved. March 28. 1869, he was married to Theresa Steiner, by whom he had four children, two of whom are living, viz., Samuel E. and Emma S. ; Christoph and Daniel deceased. Mrs. Seibel departed this life Jan. 22, 1879, aged 27 years and 10 months. She was a member of the Evangelical Church, with which she had been connected for a number of years ; was an exemplary and devout Christian woman, and died rely- ing fully on the promises of her Savior, and in the triumphs of a Christian faith. Mr. Seibel has also been a member of the same church for many years, his Chris- tian zeal leading him to a re-union with loved ones who have passed the valley and shadow of death. His father was born March 3, 1800, is living and resides with

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our subject ; his mother died March 9, 1868, aged 50 years. They were parents of eight children, four of whom survive. viz., Andrew, Echardt, Elizabeth and Christoph ; the deceased are Christian, two daughters, cach named Catharine, and one in infancy. His father is also a member of the same church, and, though the weight of years hangs heavily, his frame is yet vigorous, his mind unimpaired.

ELI SHEARER, retired farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Ashe Co., N. C., in the year 1805 ; is a son of Abraham and Anna Shearer ; his father was born in the same State, his mother in Pennsylvania, but was reared in North Carolina, in which State they were married and resided till their removal to this county and township in the year 1813 ; they lived on the east side of the Stillwater till their death ; his father was born in 1779; he and his son Absalom were drowned in 1828, by the upsetting of a canoe in the Stillwater River ; five others were with them who escaped ; his mother was born in 1791 and died in 1831 or 1832 ; they were parents of twelve children, who lived to manhood and womanhood, and, so far as is known, six survive, viz., Eli, Mary, Philip, Martin, Hugh and Rebecca. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and, being a natural mechanic, he engaged in wagon- making, which he followed in this township for thirty years. In 1826, he was married to Matilda Fouts, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living, viz .. Henry, Davis, Abijah, Anna, Titus, John and Elizabeth ; the deceased are Susanna and one in infancy. Mrs. Shearer died in 1844, aged 37 years. His sec- ond marriage was celebrated with Rebecca (Kintzey) Fouts in 1845 ; to them four children have been born-two living. viz., Oliver and Cornelius ; he owns 114 acres of' land, on which he has resided thirty-three years ; he and his wife have been members of the German Baptist Church for many years ; his deceased wife was also a member of the same church. Jesse Fouts, first husband of Mrs. Shearer. died in 1844; they had three children, two living, viz., Rachel and Ira ; Silas, deceasedl.

ISAAC SUELLABARGER, farmer; P. O. Center, Montgomery Co., Ohio; born in Union Co., Penn., in the year 1828 ; is a son of David and Catherine Shella- barger ; his father was born in Juniata Co., Penn., as was his mother ; they resided in their native State, in which they were married, till 1833, at which time they came to New Carlisle. Clark Co., Ohio, where they lived one year ; then came to Miami Co. and settled in Monroe Township, in which they lived a number of years ; they removed to this township and soon after went to Newberry Township, in which they lived till their decease; his father died in 1878, aged 87 years ; his mother departed this life in 1848, at the age of 61 or 62 years ; they were parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are living, viz., John, Michael, Jacob, David, Isaac, Julia A., Mary A., Anna, Catherine and Hannah ; the deceased are Sarah, Lydia, Samuel, Solomon and Abraham. Our subject was reared on farms near Tippecanoe and Covington, and, at the age of 21, went for himself ; he followed various pursuits in his younger days. In 1861, he was married to Mary Christian, by whom he has had eight children, four of whom are living, viz., Joseph C., David W., Marley R. and Carrie C. ; the deceased are Philip H., Anna C. and two in infancy. Mrs. S. is a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Christian ; she was born in 1834, and on the place where they now reside ; they have 238 acres of land, which was the old Christian homestead ; their land is in a high state of cultivation and well improved- the beautiful surroundings-the yard full of shrubbery which was planted many years ago-make their home a very delightful one; he has held the office of School Director and Supervisor ; he is making strenuous efforts to educate his chil- dren, believing it to be the key to a successful and highly useful life, thus elevat- ing the mind and placing it in a condition to occupy that high plane on which in- telligence sits enthroned. Mr. S. has traveled through the States of Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, lowa, Ohio and Missouri, doing a mercantile business.

W. C. SIGAFOOS, merchant, West Milton ; was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, in 1844, and is a son of Dr. J. Sigafoos, who was born in the same county, and removed to this county, in which he successfully practiced medicine for eighteen years ; after a sojourn of five years in Iowa, returned to Ohio. Our subject was reared

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in West Milton, in which he received the rudiments of an education that was after- ward developed in Lebanon College, where he received the requirements necessary for teaching school, in which he afterward engaged in this county ; from here he went to Louisa Co., Iowa, where he assumed the duties of his profession, and was elected Superintendent of Schools in the above county ; in 1873, he returned to West Milton and engaged in mercantile life, in which he has been very successful ; he carries the largest stock in town, exceeding his competitors in the aggregate of sales. July, 1862, he enlisted in the 85th O. V. I., in which he served three months; was discharged, and 'afterward re-enlisted in Co. A, 88tl O. V. I .. serv- ing till the close of the war. As he was specially qualified, he was detailed to the Government Detective Force, which hazardous position he held to the satis- faction of the Government ; he was honorably discharged from the service of his country July 3, 1865. Oct. 20, 1873, he married Lucy A., an accomplished daughter of the Hon. J. H. Randall, whose sketch appears in this work. One child is the result of their marriage-Howard C., born Sept. 4. 1878.

D. W. SINKS, merchant, West Milton ; was born in Montgomery Co .. Ohio. in 1838, and is a son of Enoch and Catherine Sinks, natives of Montgomery Co .; both are living, and reside in West Milton. They are the parents of ten children. of whom six are living. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where he assisted in agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority. His marriage with Margaret J. Pearson was celebrated in 1859. She is a daughter of Charles Pearson. They are the parents of three children, viz., Edward. Charles and Frank. In 1867, he engaged in a general mercantile business in West Milton. which he has followed since with much success ; by good stock and fair dealing he has always secured his full share of the public patronage. Officially, Mr. Sinks has been highly honored by his townsmen and constituents, they having elected him Treasurer of the township. in which capacity he has handled the peo- ple's money to the satisfaction of all, and much to his own credit. In the fall of 1879, he was elected County Treasurer. His long and successful business career has eminently fitted him for the responsible position which he has been called to fill. and that he will acquit himself in a manner satisfactory to the public is the uni- versal verdict of his townsmen.

WILLIAM SMITH, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born on the place where he now resides Oct. 24, 1828; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Fouts) Smith. His father was born in Ashe Co., N. C., April 3, 1801 ; his mother was born in this township July 3, 1809, and was a daughter of Grandfather Fouts, a pioneer. of whom proper mention is made in the historical part of this work. His father, with his parents, came to this country in the year 1810, and located in Brush Creek. in Munroe Township, where he lived and died, having been born in Germany. John. father of our subject, remained at home till his marriage, which occurred Dec. +, 1824, after which he removed to this township, locating in the thick woods, being obliged to cut away the underbrush before he could erect a cabin ; here he cleared up a farm and made a permanent home, in which he lived till his death, Sept. 26. 1870 ; his mother departed this life June 19, 1855. They were parents of three children, two of whom are living. viz., Mrs. McCool, widow of Albert McCool, and our subject. Mary, Mrs. Fentress, deceased. Grandfather Henry Smith was born in Baden, Germany, in 1770, and, owing allegiance to the crown. was obliged. in order to get away, to go without means ; on his landing in Baltimore, he was sold to a man named House, of Pennsylvania, to pay his transportation, and after gain- ing his freedom, removed to North Carolina. He died in 1827 ; he was the father of nine children, three of whom are living, viz., Henry, Rachel and Leah ; the two latter reside in Fairbury, Ill. The deceased are George. John, David, Catherine. Sally and Elizabeth. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in a manner usual with youth. and after gaining proper age and strength. he became a valuable auxiliary to his father in the labors of the farm, with whom he labored till he attained his majority. He has been twice married; first. with Henrietta Pearson in 1849 ; to them two children were born, both deceased. viz .. John and

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Noah W. Mrs. Smith died in 1851, aged 22 years. In 1853, with Mary Davis be celebrated his second marriage ; to them six children have been born, five of whom are living, viz., Lawson, Martha, Branson, Isabelle and Esly. The deceased -Elizabeth. He owns 190 acres of land, which is all well improved, making a very desirable place in which to enjoy one's declining years. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Davis, who were born in Henry Co., Va., and removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, about 1838, where he died June 2, 1852 ; he was born June 11, 1800. Her mother was born in the same month and day, in 1803. and departed this life April 8, 1872. She was the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters. She united with the Regular Baptist Church when 18 years of age, of which church she was an exemplary member ; she afterward united with the Christian Church, of which she was a member until her death.

W. H. SMITHMAN, nurseryman, West Milton ; was born in Clarion Co., Penn., in 1841, and is a son of Henry and Agnes Smithman ; his father was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1816 ; his mother in Wittenberg, in the year 1820 ; they emigrated to America with their parents and friends when quite young ; they settled in Pennsylvania, where they subsequently were married. In the home of their adoption, they remained until 1865, when they came to Dayton, in which place they resided one year, then moved to Piqua, where they have resided since. They are parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living, viz., W. H. (our subject), John B., Edward, Henry, Luly, Mary and Aggie. The deceased are Maggie, Emma, Charlotte and Walter. W. H. was reared on the farm of his father, on which he labored after he attained a proper age, until his majority, when he left the parental roof and mingled with the affairs of the world. Aug. 1, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, of the 155th O. V. I. The regiment was quartered in Wash- ington for awhile, and finally pushed forward to the front, and took an active part in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., where his company lost twelve men. The regiment maneuvered around for awhile, and then went with the Burnside expedi- tion. and. after marching through mud for a week, went into winter quarters, where they remained till spring, when they were joined to Hooker's command and were engaged in the fight at Chancellorsville, after which they crossed the Rappahan- nock and were placed on picket duty. In April they were put on the move in order to intercept Hood, who at the time was making a threatened invasion in the North. The Rebels were met at Snakes Gap, where a slight brush was had, after which they pushed on through Maryland, and coming in collision with the enemy at Hanover, Penn .. a sharp engagement took place, after which they plunged into the terrific battle of Gettysburg. where W. H. was struck with a piece of shell, but not seriously injured. They occupied the fortifications from which they could not be dislodged, consequently the loss of the regiment was not severe. After the battle, they passed down the Potomac and engaged the enemy at Beloy's Ford, thence to Culpeper, Va., thence to Alexandria, and finally crossed the Rappahan- nock and again went into winter quarters. In the spring they were placed under Grant's command, and broke camp May 1. Immediately after, they closed with the enemy in the terrible and ever-memorable battle of the Wilderness, and for three successive days breasted the leaden hail, and received the terrific shocks of the enemy's charge." The regiment lost heavily ; soon after, with thinned ranks and battle-torn banners, they engaged with the enemy again at Laurel Hill, and in the many subsequent sharp and decisive encounters that took place in and around Spottsylvania. In the Anna River fight, the enemy made terrible and repeated assaults upon their ranks, and finally with overwhelming numbers carried their line. Finally, the battle of Cold Harbor was fought, after which they took up position on the banks of the James River, held their ground, and pushed their lines to the opposite bank in the afternoon, and the ensuing night found them on the march to the vicinity of Richmond, where they were fearfully exposed to the scathing fire for two days, and soon after charged the rebels in their intrenchments on the line of the Norfork & Richmond Railroad, which they carried in brilliant style, on the afternoon of June 18. 1864. Here W. H. received a wound in the

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knee-joint, and was also struck in the side by a spent ball. The wound compelled him to return to the Division Hospital, and soon after to the hospital of the 5th Corps, where he remained for two weeks, after which he was sent to New York City, where he remained five months ; he came home on a furlough and remained one month, then went back to New York, from there to Philadelphia, when he was discharged, April 9, 1865, on account of inability, caused by wounds. In May of the same year, he located in Dayton, where he labored by the month for two years ; he then engaged in the nursery business with Peter Bohlander, which they success- fully followed over seven years, when he sold his interest and removed to Piqua, where he purchased a farm in 1871, with the intention of establishing a nursery, but sold to T. S. Cox, and in 1874, purchased 84 acres of land where he now resides. His land is well situated, and in every way adapted to his business, which. taken in conjunction with his knowledge and experience, insures a success in the enterprise, thus giving farmers the advantage of buying home trees. He has all kinds of large and small fruits, which are selected with great care, and all who favor him with orders will certainly be benefited by his long experience and superior knowl- edge. His marriage with Elizabeth Elmore was celebrated in 1868. She is & daughter of David Elmore, who died in 1854 ; her mother is yet living and resides in this county. They are the parents of two children, viz., John W. and Edna Rose.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 126

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