The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 127

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 127

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H. C. SNYDER, of the firm of Snyder & Brother, merchants, Potsdam; born in this place in the year 1839 ; is a son of Daniel and Margaret Snyder ; his father entered the land on which this village stands ; he was born in Pennsylvania, his mother in this State, and is yet living ; his father died in March, 1879. aged 64 years ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom five are living, viz., Calvin G., Mary, Frances, John P. and our subject ; the deceased are Cornelius, Daniel, Ephraim and Susan. H. C. was raised on the farm, on which he labored for his father till his 18th year, at which time he began life for himself, and engaged in farming for a short time, since when he has followed various pursuits, prominent among which is the mercantile and grocery business. In 1868, he was married to Barbara Limpert, by whom he had one child, viz., Louella B., who was born in 1869. Dec. 1, 1879, he entered a partnership with his brother Calvin and engaged in a general mercantile business ; they carry a full stock, which consists of dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes, and, in fact, everything usually found in a first- class retail house ; their long acquaintance with the people, in conjunction with their popular business habits, will command for them their full share of the public patronage ; this firm is yet in its infancy, but their facilities for doing business are sure to make their competition felt by their cotemporaries. Mr. Snyder has been Postmaster of this office for three years.

JOHN SPITLER, farmer; P. O. Potsdam; is another of the old and prom- inent settlers of this township ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 10, 1814, and is a son of John and Barbara Spitler; his father was born in Virginia in 1785, and departed this life in 1875 ; his mother was born in the State of Penn- sylvania in the year 1788, and departed this life in 1872; they were married in 1807, and were the first couple married in Clay Township, Montgomery Co. His mother's parents removed from their native State to Kentucky in an early day, in which State they lived some years, and, in about 1800, settled in Montgomery Co., and at that time his mother was the only white girl on the west side of the Miami River ; his father, John, came with his sister Elizabeth to Ohio, first settling in Warren Co. in 1805, making the trip from Virginia on horseback; to his parents eleven children were born, who all lived to be married ; now only seven are living -Mary, Jacob, Joseph, John, Andy, Hannah and Solomon ; the deceased are Susana, Elizabeth, Barbara and Samuel. The early life of these pioneers was spent in a pleasant way, having plenty of everything to subsist on-all kinds of vegetables and grain growing in profusion. Mr. Spitler informs us that, when the Dayton and Greenville road was surveyed, his father was one of the party ; as a means of defense, as well as for the purpose of striking fire, the party bad two

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guns, which, from some cause, were lost ; night coming on while they were in the heavy woods of Darke Co., they were without the means to start a fire; rubbing sticks together was indulged in for a long time, but without success ; no flame blessed their effort, and, as it was in the dead of winter, the party, ax in hand, chopped all night to keep from freezing, clearing or felling over an acre of heavy timber. His grandmother, Mary Roher, was the first person baptized in the Ger- man Baptist Church in Miami Valley ; at the time of the Revolutionary war, a com- pany of Tories made a raid on her father's stock and provender, when the heroic girl, ax in hand, disputed the liberty they were taking and made them beat a hasty retreat. His great-grandfather, John Spitler, was killed by the Indians about the time of Braddock's inglorious defeat ; he, with his wife and children, were in the field, when they were suddenly attacked by the wily red men ; his wife and children made their escape, while he, in clambering over a fence, was precipitated, by the breaking of a rail, into a dense undergrowth, and was overtaken and instantly killed. His father, John Spitler, attended the funeral of Washington and listened to the preaching of the sermon ; in 1810, he purchased 160 acres of land on the Stillwater, near Covington, on which he had paid $80; the war breaking out, he was pressed into the service and was unable to meet his obligations, in consequence of which he lost his land ; after the war, by proclamation of President Adams, all who held certificates of payment to the Government for land were allowed to pay $20 extra, and choose any other land belonging to the General Government ; he was present at the great, treaty in Greenville, which was probably the largest congrega- tion of Indians ever witnessed on the soil of Ohio. Our subject was reared on the farm, on which he labored for his father till he was 21 years old ; in 1835, his father sent him to Elkhart Co., Ind., to buy land; he traveled there on foot, with $6 in his pocket to bear expenses ; young John faithfully performed the duty assigned, and afterward made three more trips in the same manner. In 1839, he was married to Esther Warner, by whom he had fourteen children, eleven of whom are living- Oliver, Barbara, Elizabeth, Susanna, William, Hannah, Lydia, Frank, Ephraim, Flory and Charley ; the deceased are John, Solomon and Mary ; Solomon was a member of the 63d O. V. I .; he was wounded at Decatur, Ga., from the effects of which he died Aug. 9, 1864-eighteen days afterward-aged 20 years 7 months and 23 days. Mr. Spitler settled on the farm now occupied by his son-in-law, Jacob Kreider, in March, 1841, on which he remained till 1877; then removed and built a fine dwelling on the opposite side of the road, where he now resides ; he owns 160 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation and handsomely improved. He has held the offices of Trustee, Supervisor and School Director, and has also been a member of the Board of Education. He and his amiable wife are members of the German Baptist Church, with which she has been connected for thirty-four years, and he for a period of fifteen years ; his daughters Barbara and Hannah are members of the same church. They have had thirty-nine grandchil- dren, thirty-two of whom are living. Mrs. S. is a daughter of Jacob and Rose A. Warner, who were born in Pennsylvania; they came to Ohio in 1808, settling in Montgomery Co., in which they lived till their decease-her father at the age of 61, her mother at the age of 46 years ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom only three are living-Jacob, Nancy and Esther ; the deceased are Bar- bara, Abraham, Susanna, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Rose A., George, Henry and Catherine. Mrs. S. was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1820.

CHRISTIAN STICKEL, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Lebanon Co., Penn., April 26, 1839 ; is a son of John and Catherine Stickel, who were born in Lancaster Co., Penn. ; they removed to Lebanon Co., where they resided for some years. then emigrated to Miami Co. in 1853, in which they lived till their decease ; his father died at the age of 66 years ; his mother departed this life at the advanced age of 73 years ; they were the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are living, viz .. Peter, Samuel, Benjamin, Christian, Jacob, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Edward Ruhl; Catherine, now Mrs. Samuel Miller ; Hannah, now Mrs. Levi Pane, and resides in Pennsylvania ; Fianna, now Mrs. John Slepey ; Susanna, unmarried ; the deceased

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Casper. Christian was raised on his father's farm, on which he labored till his 21st Jear, at which time he began the battle of life, and struggled manfully with con- tending adversity ; he labored in Montgomery Co. as a farm hand for some time. On the 14th day of November, 1868, he led to the marriage altar Miss Rachel Pear- son ; she is a daughter of Benjamin and Anna Pearson, who were among the early pioneers of Miami Co .; after his marriage, he came to the place where he now resides ; he has 73g acres of fine land, which is all in a fine state of cultivation, with good, substantial buildings erected thereon. They are the parents of five children, all living, viz., Elger C., Estella, Harmon, Ellis and Anna M. ; Mrs. S. is a member of the Society of Friends, and is a consistent Christian woman.

WILLIAM T. STONEBRAKER, farmer and teacher ; P. O. West Milton ; was born July 5, 1834, and is a son of Arnold S. and Sophia Stonebraker ; his father was born in Virginia, and his mother in the State of Maryland ; they emigrated to and settled in Champaign Co., Ohio, about 1836 ; there they made their home and still re- side ; they are parents of four children, three of whom are living, viz., Charles, Minerva, and our subject ; his father, by occupation, was a miller ; young William, after attaining the proper age, attended the district school, and afterward entered the high school in Urbana, in which he prosecuted his studies three years, fitting himself to perform the duties of teaching, the profession he had chosen, and which he followed in his native county from the fall of 1854 to the spring of 1865 ; after that he taught in Montgomery Co. at irregular intervals for eight terms, three in one dis- trict, two in another ; has also taught five terms in Miami Co. and one in Darke Co., making in the aggregate fifty-six quarters, for which he has received $6,501.15, and he has paid $370 for board ; the distance traveled to and from school, 5,740 miles (this does not include travel on foot) ; he has the saddle yet in his possession, which he claims will do for a few more quarters ; in the fall of 1870, he moved to the place in which he now resides ; he owns 40 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation, with more than ordinary improvements erected thereon. May 16, 1867, he was married to Emma Baker, by whom he has had four children, viz., Horace G., Claude O., Maurice E. and Edgar A. Mrs. S. is a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Baker ; her father is dead, but her mother is living, and resides in this township ; his father was born March 6, 1811 ; his mother Oct. 29, 1810 ; our subject has been a regular attendant at the County Institute, and labors hard to keep himself posted in all new methods of teaching ; he is a frequent con- tributor to the press ; in all branches Mr. Stonebraker is well versed, and as an educator he stands at the head of his profession. Mrs. S. was born in this county, Sept. 16, 1849.

JOHN STRICKER, dealer in stoves and tinware, Laura ; was born in Mont- gomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1827 ; his father, John M. Stricker, was born in Ger- many ; emigrated to America, and in Maryland lived for awhile, then came to the above county, in which he settled ; he was the father of nine children, four of whom are living, viz., Margaret, Rosella, Susanna and John; his parents are both deceased. Our subject learned the shoemaker's trade in the villages of Lewisburg and Ithaca, which he followed for seventeen years ; then became a tinsmith, which business he has been engaged in since 1873; he located in Laura in the fall of 1875 ; his fair dealing and moderate prices command for him a full share of the public patronage. In June, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Wiles, by whom he had eight children, all living, viz., George W., Susanna, John, Grant, Emmeline, Martha, Amanda and Mary ; Mrs. Stricker departed this life in 1875, aged 35 years ; his second marriage was celebrated with Eleanor Hess in September, 1878. He makes a specialty of putting up country work ; his business extends over a large territory and is constantly on the increase.

FRANCIS SWANK, farmer ; P. O. Center, Montgomery Co .; born in Mont- gomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1842 ; is a son of Solon and Elizabeth Swank, who were born in the above county, in which they lived till their decease; his father died Sept. 2, 1877, aged 57 years and 4 months ; his mother, Dec. 24, of the same year, aged 56 years 11 months and 22 days ; they were parents of eight children,

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three of whom are living, viz., Francis, John and Elmira ; the deceased are Susan. Mary A., Alvin, Judy and Ephraim, who was a member and Corporal of Co. E. 63d O). V. I .; he was wounded in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain ; while reach- ing out from his rifle-pit to remove an obstruction to his sight, he received a buck- shot wound in the wrist, necessitating amputation ; gangrene setting in afterward caused his death July 22, 1864, aged 21 years, having passed through many of the hard-fought battles of the war. Our subject was a member of the same company and participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged ; he was one of the fortunate ones, coming home " whole." Sept. 25, 1862, he was married to Leab Ruhl, by whom he has had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Alice C., Jesse M., Clinton C., Dora E. and Ezra J .; Cora is deceased. He possesses 118 acres of good land, highly improved and in a state of good cultivation; he and his estimable wife are members of the U. B. Church of two years' standing. Mrs. Swank was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1841, and on the last day of the year.

ELI TENNEY, M. D., deceased ; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, March 22, 1809 ; at 16 years of age, he commenced school-teaching, which he followed for twenty years, several years of which time he read medicine, and attended the Starling Medical College during the winters of 1847-48; in 1848, he located at West Mil- ton, and soon gained an extensive practice. In 1855, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature ; in 1871, he was elected County Auditor, serving one term, and received the nomination for the second term, but died before the election; bis death, which occurred 'Sept. 15, 1873, was very sudden ; he was found by his daughter Florence in his office lying on a sofa, a few minutes after breakfast ; she spoke to him, receiving an answer that his head hurt badly ; he died in a few moments. His life was a busy one ; for twenty years he was occupied in teach- ing, and twenty-three years in his profession. In politics, he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, under which standard he was twice elected to official positions ; he was a strong temperance advocate, and an active member of the Washingtonian Society for many years ; as a devout Christian, he was greatly beloved by his associates ; he was never known to utter an oath, and was friendly to everything that promoted moral, social and intellectual development ; he was buried at Milton Cemetery, the services being conducted by Revs. J. P. Watson and William Jay. Dr. Tenney was married in 1830 to Margaret Ann Hatcher, who now resides in West Milton ; they were the parents of seven children. viz., Mary J., Washington I., Nancy A., Maria L., Joseph A., Florence P. and William A. R .; all lived to an adult age ; five are now living.

OSCAR M. THOMAS, landscape, portrait and carriage painter, West Milton : was born in Concord Township, near Troy, in 1847 ; his grandfather was one of the early pioneers, having emigrated from Kentucky to Miami Co. about 1803. locating on land in Concord Township when the primeval forest of Ohio was unawakened from the repose of nature's solitude; on this land he reared his family, and there he was gathered to his fathers, at the advanced age of 89 years. Our subject's father, John Thomas, was born on the old home place in 1827, but has resided in various places, having dealt quite extensively in lumber, though by trade he was a plasterer ; his mother, Elizabeth (Wingett) Thomas, was born near Greenville, Ohio, about 1835 ; they are the parents of seven children, of whom five are living, viz., Oscar M., Charley F., Maple O., Beecher M. and Addie; the deceased are Belle and Caroline ; his parents are living, and reside in Union City, Ind. Our subject was raised on the farm, where he assisted in agricultural pur- suits till his 18th year, and during the time had the advantage of the common schools ; he then entered S. G. Grier's Commercial School, in Dayton, where he took the full commercial course; he then began his trade, and worked under instructions in Cozats Bros. shops in Dayton, for four years ; in 1872, he removed to Greenville, Ohio, and for one year faithfully labored at his trade; thence to Troy, where for four years he was actively engaged in his business ; thence to West Milton, where he is now located ; he is a gentleman who is thoroughly educated in

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his business, fully understanding every branch of his work, and, from actual observance, we know he is master of his vocations ; he also possesses good musical ability, and is a member of the home band ; as a portrait and landscape painter, he possesses rare natural talent, and The Four Scenes of Life, which adorn the walls of his parlors, show good artistic skill and originality in characters ; the first vividly portrays free, joyous and happy childhood, just entering the river of life in a bark canoe, with not a ripple of water to mar life's early dream; the second is neatly and artistically drawn, representing the second scene in life, with the voyagers a little farther down the stream of life, still joyous and happy, glid- ing peacefully along, and unconsciously nearing the breakers where so many lives have been lost ; in the third scene, the voyager is strongly depicted in the midst of the storms of life, his broken canoe is struggling violently with the surging breakers, and the occupant is endeavoring to withstand the fury of the storm ; the weird grandeur of this scene is striking in contrast with the elements all have to contend with ; the fourth is the closing scene of life ; the voyager has drifted into more quiet waters ; the angel of mercy is hovering near ; the hand is palsied, and no longer controls the craft, which is entirely at the mercy of the waters, and on which angels keep a faithful vigil. His marriage with Miss Minnie Dibra was celebrated Nov. 17, 1868 ; her father, Henry Dibra, was born in New Jersey in 1803 ; her mother, Charity Dibra, was born in Miami Co. in 1813; they are the parents of seven children, six daughters and one son, viz., Lizzie, Alma. Elijah, Minnie and Nannie ; the deceased are Mary and Susan. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas two children have been given, viz., Claudie, born Sept. 11, 1869, and May, born Aug. 16, 1864. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Christian Church of Troy, and is an exemplary Christian woman.

JOSEPH THOMAS, farmer and carpenter ; P. O. West Milton ; he was born in Clay Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 4, 1835, and is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Cox) Thomas, who were born in South Carolina-his father, July 30, 1791, his mother, Oct. 2, 1795 ; Grandfather John Thomas was born in South Carolina March 10, 1766, and was a son of Isaac and Mary (Davy) Thomas, who were also born in South Carolina. John Thomas was married to Ann Pemberton ; Elizabeth (Cox) Thomas, mother of our subject, was a daughter of David and Jane (Owen) Cox, who were probably born in South Carolina ; John Thomas, grand- father of our subject, came to Ohio in 1806 and settled in Warren Co., on the Little Miami River, where they resided a few years and then moved to Montgom- ery Co., where they resided till their death ; he died March 10, 1847; his wife departed this life July 22, 1840 ; they were the parents of four children, viz., John, Isaiah, George and Ann, the three latter are deceased ; Isaiah, father of our sub- ject, came to Ohio with his parents, when a young man, remaining with them until his marriage ; he was a farmer by occupation, and the land which he chose for his home was his dwelling-place for many years ; he reared a family of eight children, of whom six are living, viz., David, Ann, Elijah, Susanna, Martha and our subject; the deceased are James and Isaac. Many generations ago, the Cox family lived in the mountain fastnesses of their Welsh home, and it is not positively known where or in what locality they first settled in this country ; Isaiah Thomas died May 8, 1862 ; his wife departed her life June 6, 1877. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, on which he labored till his 21st year. On the 22d of December, 1855, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John E. and Susanna (Coppock) Pemberton ; after his marriage, he engaged in farming in Montgomery Co., for ten years ; disposing of his farm, he removed to near Laura, Miami Co., but only remained a few months, when he sold out and purchased 56 acres of land where he now resides ; his land is all in a good state of cultivation, and his farm buildings are superior in every particular ; his land was entered by his wife's ancestors, in 1803, and is yet in the family connection ; after he moved here, he cut down an apple tree, which had been planted many years ago, measuring nearly four feet in diameter; he has been much engaged in carpentering since he has made this his home, the work on the farm being performed by his son, who, is

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abundantly able to superintend all departments of the business ; he and his wife are the parents of seven chisteen. of whom six are living, viz .. John. William. Emma. Clara. Francis and sarah : Henrietta, wife of Allen McDaniel, deceased. aged 17 years 7 months and 9 days. John united his fortunes with Ada Pearson. by whom he has one child. viz. Orphe Liona.

NATHAN THOMPSON, farmer and stone-cutter ; P. O.West Milton ; was born in Newberry Township, Miami Co., in 1844. His father, William Thompson, was born in North Carolina in 1804. and removed to Ohio with his parents when quite small. Ilis mother, Nancy (Rudy) Thompson, was born in the same year as her husband. and departed this life when our subject was only 2 years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eight are living. viz., Polly, John, Sarah, Han- nah. Henry, Nathan. Sylvester and Martha ; the deceased are Samuel, Margaret. James, Nancy A. and William. He was again married to Rachel Shiller, by whom he had two children. viz ... Matilda and Susan. Our subject was reared on the farm, and at the age of 9 years began his battle of life alone and unaided. In 18til. he enlisted in Co. B, of the 44th O. V. I .. in which he served for nearly three years, when he was discharged for inability to perform duty ; he was twice sun- struck. the last time so severely his life was almost despaired of; he passed through some of the hard-fought battles, of which we mention Louisburg. Fay- . etteville, Charleston and Knoxville ; he was discharged from the service of bis country in September, 1864. After his return from the army, he remained with his brother-in-law. Dr. Hollopeter, of Shelby Co .. for one year, thence to near the place where he now resides. in April, 1865. He has 50 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation. He was married to Amanda Muck in 1865; she is a daughter of Jacob and Christianna Muck, who were born in Pennsylvania, but are now residents of Newton Township. this county. They are the parents of nine children. of whom seven are living. viz., Catherine, Rebecca. Barbara, Sarah. Sam- uel. Amanda and Lydia ; the deceased are Henry F. and Caroline. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of seven children, all living. viz., Samuel S., Sarah L .. Christiana. Elizabeth. Jacob. Maggie, Lydia and Jane. He and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for twelve years, and are consistent Christian people. He has held the office of School Director for seven years.

THOMAS VORE. farmer and miller ; P. (). West Milton ; was born in Bet- ford Co .. Penn., in the year 1819 ; he is a son of Joseph and Rebecca Vore, whi. were born in Pennsylvania. in which State they were married and resided until 1824 or 1825, when they removed to this county. in which they made a permanent home until their decease ; he died in 1826, when in middle-age ; she survived her husband a few years, and died at 40 years of age ; they were parents of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living. viz., Joseph, Isaac. William, Elizabeth, Thomas and Peter. The deceased are Mary A., Rebecca and Susan A. Our subject was reared on a farm, on which he labored until he was 18 years of age, at which time he engaged in carpentering and cabinet-making. which trades he followed till 1843. when he was married to Susanna Fouts; to them have been born eight children. of whom three are living. viz .. Sarah E .. now Mrs. Edwin Eby ; Thomas A. and Elmer E .; the deceased are Alvin E., Harriet R., Mary J., William H. and John C. After his marriage, he engaged in farming on the cast side of the river, work- ing on rented land for six years, making enough in the meantime to purchase $1 acres of land, and. about this time his wife came in possession of 81 acres more. from her father's estate ; he afterward purchased 165 acres, which made a very large and remunerative farm. Desiring a different field in which to operate. he exchanged 180 acres of his land for a fine mill property, situated a little south of Milton, which he still owns, but is operated by different parties; his home farm is in excellent condition and finely improved ; he informs us 7 acres of his wheat of the crop of 1879 vielded fifty bushels per acre ; he began life empty-handed. and, aside from the SI acres inherited. the property is the fruit of his own labor. Mrs. V.'s parents. Henry and Elizabeth Fouts, were among the early set- tlers : her father was born in 'South Carolina, and came to this county in 1803 :

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 127

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