The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 74

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 74

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MADISON ROBINS, farmer; P. O. Troy; was born in Miami Co. Oct. 3, 1834, and is the son of Benjamin and Pamilla (Covalt) Robins ; his ancestors were from New Jersey, and hers from Virginia ; the grandfather, Richard, came to this county at a very early day, and entered the land upon which his grandson, Madison, now resides, making him one of the early pioneers of the county ; the father, Ben- jamin, and wife, were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are now living, viz., Sarah. now Mrs. J. Martin, of Springfield, Ohio ; Alvernas, Madison, Erastus, Benjamin M. and Jolin ; after his marriage, he located upon his father's farm, where

Digitized by Google

ome

sprained ve som she fre's beran Is

erem mer:

terson; gt being ha ! [ the inte

dancias

s for young ksås me to Tribe

and be per whom three det: and Darif Ti Farm, which but Ded's lunge tx n) chilina zir

556

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

he resided for a few years, when he removed into Lost Creek Township, on to the Cromer farm, where he resided about three years, and his son, Madison, our subject, was born ; then he moved back upon the old home farm, where he lived till his death, which occurred in February, 1854; Madison remained with his father until his death. Oct. 14, 1855, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Earnhart, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Robeson) Earnhart, who were natives of New Jersey, and came to Ohio at an early day ; in 1823, located in Brown Township, where they opened right in the woods in pioneer style, by erecting a log cabin, in which they lived many years; here on the same farm which they cleared, and, by constant labor and industry, had brought to a high state of cultivation, having pro- cured everything to make home comfortable and pleasant, they passed away from works to rewards. Madison and wife by their marriage have had two children, viz., Lucinda Jane and Sarah Frances ; after their marriage, they located on a farm in Lost Creek Township, where they remained about three years, then to the old home farm for three years, returning to Lost Creek again for two years, finally going back to the old farm, where they remained till 1871 ; removed to Springfield, Ohio, and lived about two years, thence back to the old farm where they have since resided. Mr. Robins and wife are members of the Christian Church, his membership dating back for fifteen years and hers for twenty-five years.

WILLIAM B. RUSSELL, farmer; P. O. Troy ; was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 3, 1809 ; and is the son of John and Hannah (Hough) Russell, who were born in Pennsylvania ; the grandfather, Elijah, was also a native of Pennsylvania, his ancestors coming from Ireland ; the mother's ancestry were from Cheshire, Eng., and came over in the ships Endeavor and Friendship, in the year 1683 ; The father, John, came to Ohio in 1831, and located in Staunton Township, on the farm now owned by James Gardner, where he lived about twenty-five years, then moved to Elkhart, Ind., where he lived and died ; they were parents of three children, viz., William B., John H., now deceased, and Newton, also deceased; Mr. Russell came with his father to Ohio, being then 22 years of age. He remained with his father till June 19, 1833, when he was united in marriage with Martha Hamlet, daughter of Benjamin and Chloe (Kimball) Hamlet; he being born in Kentucky and coming to this county about the same time with the Knoops, Gerards, etc., the earliest pioneers of the county ; by this union they had four children-Hiram, dying in infancy ; Mahala, now Mrs. James Post; Hannah and William Riley ; he lost his wife by death in April, 1840. Aug. 19, 1843, was mar- ried to Amanda (Simms) Ralston, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Simms, who were natives of Virginia ; by this union they have four children, viz., Melissa, now Mrs. James Love ; Sarah, Laura Bell and John dying in infancy ; Mr. Russell after his first marriage located upon the farm where he has ever since resided, making a continued residence of forty-seven years ; when he came to the farm, there were about 25 acres partly cleared standing in a " deadening," with a log house and barn on it ; here he has labored and toiled, enduring the hardships and depriva- tions of early settlers, till now " he sits under his own vine and fig-tree," having a fine farm of 149 acres, of which 110 are in good cultivation, and the balance all under fence, with comfortable brick house, good barn and other buildings ; Mr. Russell is, politically, a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM F. RUSK, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, July, 1820, and is a son of James and Sarah (French) Rusk ; he was born in Ireland, coming to this country when about 17 years of age ; she was born in Penn- sylvania, emigrating to Ohio with her parents when a child. They were the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living, viz., Mary, Eleanor, William F., David, Sarah and Daniel. Mr. Rusk lived with his father till twenty-four years of age. Sept. 16, 1843, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Anderson, daughter of James L. and Elizabeth Anderson, who were born in New Jersey, and came to Ohio at quite an early day, about 1815 ; by this union they have had nine children, of whom five are now living, viz., William Franklin, Lettie, Walter Scott, Edwin N. and Luella L. Mr. Rusk came to Miami Co. about thirty years ago and located

Digitized by Google

557

STAUNTON TOWNSHIP.

near West Charleston, where they remained about five years ; thence to Shelby Co., and lived about six years ; removing to Miami Co., in Spring Creek Township, they resided there for five years, finally going to Staunton Township, upon the farm on which he now resides, having now been here about sixteen years. He has a good farm of 87 acres, with fine buildings, constituting a very pleasant home. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Rusk furnished two sons for the country's defense, James A. and John N., and both were sacrificed upon the altar of liberty, never reaching their home and friends again. Mr. Rusk is a member of the Christian Church, his membership dating back for twenty years.

CLARK E. STEWART, farmer; P. O. Troy; was born in New Jersey Sept. 5, 1800 ; is a son of David and Sallie (Clark) Stewart, who were also born in New Jersey, came and located in Staunton Township, in 1817 ; taking a lease of land right in the woods, began to clear it up, built a log cabin and commenced in pioneer style; their labors were of short duration, being attacked by that fell destroyer, "milk sickness," to which so many early settlers fell victims ; in 1820, or about three years after locating, he and his wife and an only daughter were in three days' time transported from time to eternity ; the only surviving son, Clark, was prostrated with the terrible disease, but his life was spared, and he is still alive and the subject of our sketch, being nearly 80 years of age ; after recovering from his sickness, Mr. Stewart remained with his uncle about three years, then went to learn the mason's trade with Abraham Miller, at Piqua, with whom he remained six years. Nov. 25, 1834, he was united in marriage with Hannah E. Rollins; daughter of Josiah and Ellen (Hart) Rollins, who were born in New Hampshire, and came to this county in 1815 ; the Rollins families were among the very early settlers of this county ; they were parents of ten children, as given in sketch of Isaac Rollins in this work. Mr. Stewart and wife, by their union, have had ten children, viz., one dying in infancy ; Josiah R .; David C., deceased ; Sallie Ann, now Mrs. D. Rusk, living in Troy ; Abigail W., now Mrs. J. Whisman ; Mayhew R., deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Mary Jane and Phoebe, now Mrs. John Drake. After their marriage, they lived twenty-one months on the Winans place; then bought a piece of land adjoining the farm where they now reside, where they remained twenty-one months ; thence to the farm upon which they now reside, and have made a continued residence of fifty-two years, constituting them the oldest residents in the neighborhood. When they commenced in life they had no means, but, with an energy of will and industry, they worked hand in hand together, and have acquired a good farm and homes for themselves and children, always sustain- ing a good credit. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her membership dating back for sixty-four years.

THOMAS B. STEWART, farmer ; P. O. Piqua ; was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 23, 1840, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Barnett) Stewart, who were also born in Pennsylvania, living and dying there, both dying in July, 1878, there being only sixteen days' difference in their deaths; they were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living, viz., Robert C., Sarah Jane, Margaret Elizabeth, Nancy Rebecca, Thomas B., Harriet, Caroline and William Calvin. Mr. Stewart, our subject, was married Sept. 30, 1872, to Matilda McElheny, daughter of Samuel and Hannah McElheny, who were born in Pennsylvania ; by this union they have five children, viz., Robert Earl, John J., Sarah Elizabeth, Thomas C. and one infant child; Mr. Stewart lived with his father till 1872, when he came to Miami Co. and located upon the farm where he now resides; he served in the war of the rebellion for three years and returned safely home; he has here a fine farm of 120 acres, with good buildings, constituting a comfortable and pleasant home. Mr. Stewart is, politically, a stanch Republican.

JOHN C. WINANS, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Among the early settlers of Miami Co. were the Winans family ; in 1807, Richard W. Winans left his native State, New Jersey, and came to this county and located at Upper Piqua ; he was a son of Samuel and Hannah (Woodruff) Winans, who were also born in New Jersey ; Samuel was born March 20, 1746, and his wife was born June 3, 1749 ; they were

Digitized by Google

sell why ve PenasT.z.

ent d'is

k Township and Madison OR Ket: where he lived ile with his father Es Elizabeth Erir rere matires d' in Brom Tons: từng họ ai: er clearal El r ivation haragy. passed amy is two children : ated co s her ! then to the si two peux but ed to Spriste. where ther is

e par 1 Tomai 1

le Faci:

558

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

united in marriage Jan. 1, 1770 ;. their son, Richard, was born Jan. 3, 1781 ; on June 4, 1807, Richard was united in marriage with Sarah R. Winans, who was born May 20, 1788. In coming from New Jersey to Ohio, they came with ox teams to Wheeling, Va., then by boat to Cincinnati, then by their teams to this county, the time consumed in making the journey being forty-one days; about two years after, or in 1809, his father, Samuel, came to this county and located on the south- west quarter of Sec. 14 ; shortly after, his son came from Upper Piqua and located with him ; in the same year, between Christmas and New Year's, Richard W. and wife were taken into the M. E. Church on probation, being the first persons uniting with the church, in this manner, in Miami Co. ; for several years after locating on their farm, their house was used as a place for preaching and worship ; here they lived and labored in pioneer style, opening out, clearing, and enduring all the hard- ships, deprivations and dangers of such early settlements ; but the prospects of & better future, the comforts and benefits which they hoped to hand down to their children, renewed their courage from day to day and from year to year, enabling them to bear all their burdens patiently ; finally, in their latter days, they were per- mitted to enjoy, to some extent, the comforts and conveniences which their labors had won. Samuel Winans, the grandfather, departed this life May 6, 1830, and his wife, Hannah, followed him on Oct. 29 of the same year ; Richard, their son, continued to reside upon the home place till his death, which occurred Jan. 10, 1863. John C. Winans, the son of Richard W. Winans, was born March 8, 1822; on June 2, 1869, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Rachel Rollins, who was born Jan. 8, 1830 ; by this union they have one child, viz., Richard Maxwell, born April 14, 1871. Mr. Winans has always remained upon the old home farm where he was born, and probably will continue here during his life, as he can see no reason to desire any other location, having a beautiful residence and home, with everything to make his life comfortable and pleasant ; Mr. Winans and wife are members of the M. E. Church, his membership dating back for nine years, and hers for thirty-five years.

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP.

JACOB ARMSTRONG, farmer and stock dealer ; P. O. Alcony ; born in Miami Co. March 27, 1827 ; is a son of James and Hannah (Saylor) Armstrong ; he was born in Virginia, and she in Miami Co., the grandparents being natives of Virginia. James, the father, came with his parents to Miami Co., and located here among the early settlers. James and Hannah were parents of eight children, of whom five are living, viz., Jacob, Margaret, Fanny, James and Mary. Mr. Armstrong lived with his father till his marriage, which occurred in the fall of 1847 ; in the spring of 1848, he located upon the farm where he now resides ; he married Jane Ann, daughter of Henry and Mary Beals, natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of five children, of whom three are living, viz., Jane Ann, Eliza and Isaac Alexander. Mr. Armstrong and wife had seven children, two are living, viz., Clara Bell and Jacob Albert ; Mr. Armstrong has a fine farm of 150 acres, with good buildings and improvements ; he has been an extensive stock, dealer, probably one of the largest in this section of the country. In former years, he made a great deal of money in this business, but since met with heavy losses ; but in this connection we would say, although he has worked hard and had s variety of success and reverses in his business, yet he has probably benefited his neighbors and community, by making a market for their stock, and was never known to fail to pay every man from whom he bought stock, no matter what reverses he might meet.

WASHINGTON BARNES, Superintendent Knoop Children's Home, Troy ; born in Adrian, Mich., April 5, 1835, is a son of Saley Seymour and Louiss

Digitized by Google

559

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP

Barnes, natives of New England, the ancestry being of English descent. S. S. Barnes and wife located in Adrian, Mich., about 1833, and there followed his trade, that of a carpenter, at which he continued to work throughout his life ; in about 1840, removed to Cincinnati, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1852, his wife surviving him till 1863 ; they were parents of four children, three now surviving, viz., Louisa (now Mrs. Hart), Helen M. (now Mrs. George Clyde) and Washington. Mr. Barnes resided with his father till his death, being then 17 years of age, and soon after went to Xenia, Ohio, as an apprentice in the car- riage manufacturing business ; after becoming proficient in this trade, he con- tinued to work at it until March 1, 1879, when he received his appointment and took charge of the " Knoop Children's Home," as its Superintendent, which posi- tion he has since held ; and we can say that to all appearance, the institution which has just been founded, and is, as it were, in its infancy, is being well managed, and will doubtless, in a reasonable time become established upon a basis and a per- fection that will ensure its success, and enable it to fulfill the object of its establish- ment, to the credit of its founder, its Superintendent, and all who have a control- ling power over its welfare. On April 7, 1856, Mr. Barnes married Miss Martha Jane, daughter of James and Sarah Ann Jolly, natives of Ohio, who were parents of two children-Simeon and Martha Jane ; also by a second wife there are three children, viz., Mellie (now Mrs. Hammer, living in Fayette Co., Ohio), John and Sallie (now Mrs. West, of Casstown).

ISAAC A. BEALS, farmer ; P. O. Troy; born in Pennsylvania Nov. 26, 1831 ; is a son of Henry and Mary (Day) Beals, who were natives of Pennsylva- nia, where the grandparents were also born. Henry and Mary removed from Pennsylvania to this county in the spring of 1834, and located in Elizabeth Township. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, viz., Jane Ann, Eliza and Isaac A. The parents died in this township, he June 22, 1853, and she Jan 20, 1856. Mr. Beals lived with his parents till their death. On Jan. 31, 1856, he married Miss Mary C., daughter of John and Ellen Gearheart. By this union, they had one child, viz., James Nelson. Mr. Beals lost his wife June 12, 1858. On Sept. 11, 1859, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Rowe, he being a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Ohio. By this marriage they have had one child, viz., Henry R. Mr. Beals, after his marriage, bought 50 acres of land on Sec. 15, where he resided till 1867, when he bought the farm upon which he now lives ; in this farm he has 202 acres of fine land, 175 acres in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. In justice to Mr. Beals, we would add that their fine property has been made mainly by his own labor and industry. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been such for twenty-four years, and his wife has been connected with the Christian Church for twenty-nine years.

REASON BUTT, farmer ; P. O. Casstown ; born in Greene Co., Ohio, June 22, 1812; is son of Samuel and Ellen (Borders) Butt, he being born in Maryland and she in Virginia, the ancestry coming from Germany. Samuel, the father, removed to Ohio and located in Greene Co., where in 1808, he married Ellen Bor- ders, by which union they had six children, three now living, viz., Reason, Otho and Anna. After their marriage, he was in the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Tupper through the entire war, being in several important battles. He resided in Greene Co. till 1832, when he removed to Darke Co., where he died in 1864, his wife having died in 1835. Our subject lived with his father till May, 1831, when he located in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co. Having learned the milling business, he followed that trade till 1845, then bought the farm now owned by John Lefevre, and in 1850, exchanged it for one in Shelby Co., where he lived until 1860, then removed to his present location, where he has since resided. In 1836, he was united in marriage with Jacqueline, daughter of Mark and Mary Kerr, natives of Virginia, who were early settlers of Ohio, locating first in Montgomery Co., then removing to Miami Co. Mr. Butt had four children, two now living-Jane, now Mrs. I. W. McDowell, living in Shelby Co., and Sarah Bell,

Digitized by Google

born Jan 3 1,1 Winans, vborz ir ume with or tas is to this coer a

cated on the r Piqua sai ine

Ist person as

orship: be ž aring al år in be prospera d' d dor p 2

&. ther we x Lich ther die

ling vist

Mì vắc

560

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

now Mrs. J. C. Knoop, also in Shelby Co. Mrs. Butt died June 20, 1859. On Sept. 7, 1862, he married Mrs. Maria Sanderson, daughter of Henry and Rachel Ann Harvey, natives of Pennsylvania. They had three children, viz., Eva, Charles and Dora (twins). Mr. Butt is a Democrat, and, having the confidence of the people, has held various offices, was District Land Appraiser in Shelby Co., and in Miami Co. has been Township Trustee one term, and Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. The father, Samuel Butt, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served through the war under Gen. Tupper, being in some important battles, but returned home safely to his family.

HENRY G. CARVER, farmer ; P. O. Troy; he was born in Miami Co. on the farm where he now resides Nov. 14, 1816, and is a son of Michael and Anna (Lenon) Carver, who were both born in Pennsylvania ; the grandfather Carver, came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived and died; Michael and Anna were parents of eight children, of whom three are now living, viz., Jacob, residing in Kansas, Benjamin and Henry G. ; Michael removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and located in Miami Co. in 1799; his wife (as she after- ward became), came to this State with the Knoop family in 1796; soon after his marriage, he settled upon the farm where his son Henry now lives ; this land he bought from the Symmes purchase ; here he commenced right in the primeval forest, and cleared up the land, enduring all the hardships and deprivations to which those early settlers were subjected; but by his labor and industry, and the help of his noble family, he was enabled, in his later days, to enjoy some of the comforts of a good farm and the home which his labors had made ; he departed this life Dec. 2, 1843 ; his wife lived till June 6, 1850, when she, too, passed away. Mr. Carver, our subject, lived with his father till his death. On Nov. 16, 1843, he was united in marriage with Milly Knoop, who was born Sept. 12, 1819; she is a a daughter of Christopher and Catharine (Shidaker) Knoop, he being a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland ; the grandfather Knoop came from Germany ; Christopher and Catharine were parents of five children, of whom four are now living, viz., James L., living in Shelby Co .; Abraham ; Henry, living in Dayton, Ohio, and Milly ; Mr. Carver and wife, by this union, have had six children, of whom three are now living, viz., Mordecai B., George W., and Mary B., now Mrs. L. Nysewander ; Mr. Carver has alwaysremained on the home farm, where he has & fine body of land of 423 acres, mostly in cultivation, and has erected large, com- modious buildings ; in connection with his farm, he is also owner of a large, woolen- mill, which he bought over a year ago ; this sketch is the record of two of the old pioneer families of Miami Co., the Knoops being among the first settlers, and the Carvers coming about the same time ; too much praise cannot be given in behalf of these hardy old pioneers, who spent their strength and their lives in bringing out from the wilderness these beautiful farms and homes ; and, as we place their names and record here, we do it that the future generations may read their names and their works and give them due remembrance and honor. Mr. Carver and wife are members of the Christian Church, having been such for twenty years.

ISAAC CLYNE, farmer; P. O. Casstown ; born in Miami Co. March 18, 1818, on the farm where he still resides ; is a son of Isaac and Olive (Ingraham) Clyne, both born in Pennsylvania ; the grandfather Clyne was a native of Saxony; the grand- father Arthur Ingraham, of Ipswich, England. Isaac and Olive, the parents, located in Miami Co. in 1809 or 1811 ; they came by river to Cincinnati, and there landed, when there was nothing there but the block-house ; they located upon the farm upon which the son Isaac now lives ; here he cut out the first stick of timber, put up his log cabin, and roughed it in pioneer style, his nearest neighbor being nearly two miles distant, and in other directions much further; they were parents of eleven children, five of whom are living, viz., Hannah (now "Widow Deweese), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Dye, living in Indiana), Letitia (now Widow Crane), Isaac, and Ingraham (now living in Delaware Co., Ind.); his death occurred in 1833, from cholera, his wife living till 1852 Mr. Clyne, the subject of this sketch, lived with his father till his death, after which the oldest son came home and farmed the

Digitized by Google

561

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP.

place one year, and trained up the younger sons, so that they took care of the farm after the first year. April 11, 1839, Mr. Clyne was united in marriage with Eliza- beth, daughter of Jonathan and Catharine (James) Knight, born in Pennsylvania, and were among the early pioneers of this county, their ancestry coming from England, and the Jameses of Scotch descent; her father, Jonathan, cleared up the land on the farm where the Orphans' Home is now erected; the works and labors of the Knight family come largely into the early history of Miami Co .; by this marriage they have had eleven children, of whom six are living, viz., Mary Apn (now Mrs. J. M. Studebaker), Nettie (now Mrs. William Frazee), Priscilla (now Mrs. B. F. Hance), Horatio S., William K. and Minerva Ellen ; Mr. Clyne has always resided on the old home place, has improved and cleared up the farm, and brought most of it into good cultivation, erecting fine buildings upon it; this land has now been in possession of the father and son nearly seventy years. Mr. Clyne is, politically, a Democrat ; has been Township Trustee for many years, and. is now serving his second term as Commissioner of the county. He and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church for twenty-four years.

JOSHUA H. COTTINGHAM, farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; was born in this county Nov. 30, 1828; is a son of Joshua E. and Elizabeth (Harritt) Cottingham ; he was born Oct. 23, 1792, in Maryland, and she Oct. 24, 1791, in Pennsylvania; the grandfather, William, was born Feb. 7, 1775, the ancestry being from England ; the grandfather, Harritt, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father, Joshua, came with his parents to Bourbon Co., Ky., when about 5 years of age; thence to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1807. On June 16, 1814, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Harritt and located in Greene Co., where they resided till December, 1822, thence to Miami Co., and located on the farm upon which Joshua now lives ; here he died Aug. 11, 1879, nearly 87 years of age ; his wife, Elizabeth, is still living, in her 89th year. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he for sixty-two years, and she for seventy-three years. They were the parents of eight children, viz., Mary Leah, William, Robert H., Abigail, James, Joshua H., Elizabeth and Louisa, all living. the father's death being the first in the family. Mr. Cottingham, the subject of our sketch, lived with his father till about 22 years of age. On Feb. 14, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth Bousman, who was born Aug. 28, 1832, and is a daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Jackson) Bousman ; he being a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of nine children, seven now living, viz., Mary, Catharine, Elizabeth, William, Eliza, Henry and Harriet. Mr. Cottingham and wife, by this union have two children, viz., Milton A., born Feb. 28, 1858, and Freeman O., born Oct. 25, 1860. Mr. Cottingham, after his marriage, lived on various rented farms for about seven years ; then rented a farm near Tippecanoe, where they lived for sixteen years; finally removing to the old home farm, where he has 116 acres of good land, mostly in cultivation.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 74

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