The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 77

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 77

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JOHN K. SHEETS, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; born on the farm where he now lives Sept. 27, 1833 ; is a son of Isaac S. and Nancy Sheets ; our subject lived with his father till his marriage, which was celebrated June 4, 1861, when he was united with Miss Ann Elizabetb, daughter of Jacob and Sybil Null, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio when Ann E. was an infant ; twelve children were born to them, of whom eleven are now living, viz., John M., Ann E., Frances (now Mrs. Leonard), Jesse, Margaret (now Mrs. Starr), Etta (now Mrs. Smith), Andrew, Alice (now Mrs. Johnson), Leonora (now Mrs. Hooper), Capitola and Grant; Mr. Sheets after his marriage located on the old home place, by Sheets' Mill, and ran the mill two years ; then went to Indiana and lived nine months ; returned to the south part of the old home farm and lived till 1879, finally settling on his present place of residence. Mr. Sheets and wife have two children -- Mary Jane and Isaac S .; their farm is composed of 320 acres of excellent land, mostly in cultivation,

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constituting two fine farms, with good buildings ; they also have another good farm of 154 acres, in Staunton Township; he also, in connection with his brother George, owns the grist-mill at the home place, which was built by their father nearly half a century ago, and has always done an extensive business, being one of the best mills in this section of the country.

ELIZABETH SHEETS, farmer ; P. O. Casstown ; born in Miami Co. Feb. 7, 1826; is a daughter of Isaac S. and Nancy (Knoop) Sheets; he was born in Pennsylvania, and she in Staunton Township. The grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather Sheets removed to Tennessee when Isaac was a child; went to Miami Co., in fall of 1812, and located on the farm now owned by Joseph Studebaker, where he lived till about 1832, when he removed to Clark Co., where he died. Mr. Isaac Sheets, after his marriage, lived with his father about two years, then located on what has been known as the "Sheets place," where he resided during the remainder of his life. He cleared up all the farm but about 10 acres, upon which were small log buildings. Soon after locating bere, he built a saw-mill, and in 1832 erected a grist-mill, where they commenced grinding about the 4th of July, 1834. Mr. Sheets and wife were the parents of seven children, of whom five are now living, viz., Elizabeth, Mary, John K., Barbara Jane and George M. He lost his wife May 3, 1862; he died suddenly Sept. 24, 1876, from disease of the heart, while at Philadelphia attending the Centennial, being nearly 78 years of age. Mr. Sheets was a great worker with both mind and body, and accomplished a vast amount of labor during his life, being a public-spirited man and a leader in all public improvements. At his death he was the owner of over 500 acres of land, with good buildings upon all his farms. He was a very popular man in the community, having served as County Commissioner for two terms. At his death, the subject of this sketch came into possession of 120 acres of land, on which she lives, surrounded by good buildings and improvements.

HENRY C. SHIDAKER, farmer; P. O. Troy; born in Miami Co., on the farm where he now resides, Feb. 20, 1825 ; is a son of Valentine and Emily (Har- ter) Shidaker ; he was born in Maryland and she in Kentucky. The grandfather, Michael, was also a native of Maryland, the ancestry originally coming from Ger- many. The grandfather, Michael, removed from Maryland to Miami Co., in 1805, and located in Elizabeth Township, entering Sec. 14, in the dense forest, with no neighbors nearer than two to three miles, being as it were, an opening wedge in the pioneer work in this section. He died after performing many years of hard labor, and was succeeded by his son Valentine, who continued the work of clear- ing up and making improvements until he died, in 1846. He and wife Emily had eight children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Mitchell, Catharine, Henry C., Andrew, Jonathan, Sarah and Robert. Our subject always lived with his father till his death, since which he has succeeded him in possession of the old home farm. He was united in marriage, Oct. 8, 1847, with Elizabeth, daughter of Ben- jamin Edmunds, who came from Virginia. They had three children, viz., Lucy Matilda, Laura E. and Clara F. He has a fine farm of 127 acres, of which 100 acres are in cultivation, with very fine buildings attached. This farm has now been the residence of the Shidaker family for seventy-five years.

! ANTHONY SNYDER, farmer; P. O. Troy ; born in York Co., Penn., Aug. 12, 1818 ; is a son of Philip and Elizabeth Snyder. The ancestry came from Ger- many. The parents died in Pennsylvania, leaving nine children, of whom six are now living, viz., John, Abraham, Michael, Susan, Mary and George. Our subject was 8 years of age when his mother died ; he was then bound out to Aaron G. Blackford, with whom he lived till 16 years of age, then, until 30 years of age, he' worked by the month. March, 1848, he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth Roller, natives of Pennsylvania, and were parents of six children, viz., Joseph, Mary, Barbara, Rebecca, George and Sarah. After Mr. Snyder's marriage, he located in Center Co., Penn., till about 1864, when he removed to Miami Co., and in the spring of 1880, settled on the Scott farm, where he now resides. They have had three children, viz., Angeline, James and John .

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R. James, the second child, married Jane Walders, daughter of Jacob Walders, by which union they had two children, viz., Flora and Sabin. James also lives on the Scott farm, assisting his father and brother in cultivating it. Mr. Snyder and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been a member for forty years, and she for thirty years. Their two sons are also members of the same church.

ROBERT SPROUL, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; born on the farm where he now resides Feb. 11, 1826; is a son of Robert and Isabella (Hayes) Sproul, who were born in Ireland ; he came to America in 1800, and she in 1793 ; they first located in South Carolina, but, about 1812, removed to Miami Co .; while here he was drafted for the war and sent to Greenville, doing military duty two months, when he returned home ; in 1813, he located upon the farm where his son Robert now resides ; he died June 14, 1858, his wife April 2, 1868; they were parents of twelve children, of whom eight. are still living, viz., Sallie Hayes, Nancy, Thomas, James, Isabella, Jane, Maria Matilda and Robert ; when Mr. Sproul took this place he entered it from the Government, commenced in the woods, and spent bis life in making a farm and home ; by industry and economy, he had, before he died, a fine farm in cultivation, with good buildings and everything necessary for com- fort and convenience. Our subject lived with his father till his death, and shared in the hardships of clearing up half or more of the farm. Dec. 8, 1859, he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of John Hannan, a native of Ireland ; they have had two children, of whom one is living, viz., Sarah Bell ; his wife died Oct. 23, 1863 ; on Aug. 25, 1870, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Robert and Jane Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania ; they had four children, three living-Ann, Jane and Rebecca ; Mr. Sproul has always resided upon the home farm. which has been in the possession of the Sproul family for sixty-seven years. Mr. Sproul and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

LEVI STALEY, farmer ; P. O. Alcony ; born in Miami Co. March 27, 1840; is a son of Elias and Hannah (Ritter) Staley, who were natives of Maryland, the ancestry supposed to have been from Switzerland ; the father removed from Mary- land to Ohio in about 1802, and, in quite an early day, became a citizen of Bethel Township, this county, where he lived and died ; they were parents of seven chil- dren, of whom four are now living, viz., Simon, Andrew, John and Levi. Mr. Staley, our subject, lived with his father till after his majority ; in 1867, he was united in marriage with Ann Thompson, daughter of Mark and Rebecca Thomp- son, who were natives of New York State; they were parents of seven children, of whom six are now living, viz., Eleanor (now Widow Davis), William, Elmira (now Mrs. Bare), Ann, Giles T. and Minerva (now Mrs. Cromer) ; Mr. Staley and wife have one child-Newton Kiefer. Mr. Staley, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides ; he has 193 acres of land, of which 160 are in cul- tivation, with good improvements attached.

WILLIAM STEWART, farmer ; P. O. Casstown ; born in Pennsylvania April 3, 1822 ; is a son of James and Mary (Hayes) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania, the ancestry being of Irish descent ; James and Mary located in Miami Co. in 1834; about one year after arriving here, James died from that dreaded disease, cancer ; the mother died in 1875 ; they were parents of six children, of whom four are now living, viz., William, David Hayes and Eleazar (now in Iowa) and Jane (now Mrs. Maxwell) ; the children all being young when the father died, quite & responsibility came upon the mother to keep together and raise her family, which work she nobly performed until they all arrived at majority. In February, 1852, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Ann, daughter of Robert and Jane Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania ; they have five children, viz., James W., John Hayes, William. Mary Jane (now Mrs. A. Knoop) and Anna R. Mr. Stewart has always remained on the old home farm ; after the children arrived at majority, Mr. Stewart, being the eldest of the family, bought out the other heirs and became sole owner of the farm ; he has 120 acres of good land, of which 100 acres are in cul- tivation, with fine buildings and improvements ; they are members of the Presby- terian Church.

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ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP.

ISAAC S. STUDEBAKER, farmer ; P. O. Casstown ; born in Bethel Town- ship, Miami Co., March 23, 1822 ; is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Steele) Studebaker, who were both born in Bedford Co., Penn. The grandfather Studebaker was also born in Pennsylvania, but the great-grandfather came from Germany. Abraham came to Bethel Township in 1812 ; bought land on credit to the amount of $500, and worked hard to pay for it, but, becoming discouraged, he proposed to give it up, but was told to keep it and pay for it when he could. By great econ- omy and hard work, he finally paid for his land ; he was industrious, prospered, and purchased more land, and before his death he owned 700 acres of land. On his home place he had good improvements, and everything comfortable and pleas- ant around him. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are now living, viz., John, Lydia, Samuel, Isaac S., Abraham, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Phebe (twins), and Joseph. He lost his wife, and was afterward married to Barbara Weaver, by whom he had one child, now deceased. Isaac lived with his father till about 26 years of age. On Jan. 25, 1848, he was married to Anna, daughter of George and Catharine (Olinger) Warner, who were born in Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio in quite an early day ; they were the parents of three children, two are now living, viz., Anna and John O. Mr. Studebaker and wife, by this marriage have had ten children, of whom three are now living, viz., Anna, Priscilla and Martha. After his marriage, Mr. Studebaker located upon the farm where he still resides, moving into a log cabin erected in one day's time ; here they began their journey of life, having about 40 acres cleared ; he has 480 acres of good land, of which 340 acres are in cultivation, constituting two farms, with good build ings on both ; the home place having a fine brick house, an excellent barn, and all other buildings necessary for comfort and convenience. Such is again the result of indefatigable labor and industry, coupled with economy and good manage- ment, which will stand as a bright and lasting example for future generations. Mr. Studebaker and wife are members of the German Baptist Church, with which they have been connected for twenty-seven years.

ARTHUR A. VANDEVER (deceased) ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, July 7, 1807, was a son of Arthur and Althea Vandever, natives of New Jersey, who removed to Ohio in a very early day. They were the parents of ten children, two now living, viz., Ann and Charles. Mr. Vandever lived with his father till of age; and on Aug. 17, 1828, was united in marriage with Eliza M., daughter of Elisha and Isabel Shepherd ; they had nine children, of whom three are now living, viz., Eleanor, William and Arthur ; he lost his wife May 3, 1843; on May 20, 1844, he married his second wife, Amanda Jane, daughter of Robert and Winnefred Russell, natives of Kentucky, who located in Ohio at a very early day and were the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living. viz., Hinson, Polly, Nancy and Amanda Jane. Mr. Vandever and wife, by this union, had eight chil- dren, of whom seven are now living, viz., Robert Hinson, Martha Jane, Harrison, Tunis Laroy, Amanda Ann, Elizabeth and Firman. Mr. Vandever first located in Warren Co., where he lived about two years ; then went to Miami Co., and located south of Miami City, residing there several years; finally removing to the farm where he died, March 8, 1880. Mr. Vandever had always been an industrious, energetic man ; having cleared up a great portion of his farm, bringing it into good cultivation and erecting fine and commodious buildings. He was quite successful in accumulating property, and noted for his kindness and generosity ; such was the character of Mr. Vandever, and his name, we trust, will be honored by future generations.

CHARLES VOORHIS, farmer ; P. O. Alcony ; born in Richmond, Ind., Jan. 3, 1826 ; is a son of Daniel P. and Ann (Vandever) Voorhis ; he was born in Kentucky and she in New Jersey ; Daniel P. and wife were parents of three children, viz., Lydia, Sarah A. (deceased) and Charles ; Daniel came to Miami Co. and located here in the fall of 1830, where he died April 12, 1855 ; his widow is still living, and in her 81st year. The subject of our sketch remained with his father till his death. On Oct. 16, 1855, he was united in marriage with Melinda,

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daughter of Howard and Nancy (Stafford) Mitchell, he being a native of Virginia and she of Ohio ; by this union they had two children, one only now living, viz., Sarah Luella, now Mrs. J. O. Leffel ; Mr. Voorhis, soon after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides ; he lost his wife May 15, 1874, and on May 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Amy Fenner, born March 23, 1847, in Troy, a daughter of John and Amy Irwin ; he was born in Pennsylvania and she in New Jersey, and were quite early settlers of this county ; they were parents of ten children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Ferdinand, Washington, John, George, Amy, Mary and Henry ; Mr. Voorhis and wife have one child, viz., Mary C .; they have been residents on this farm twenty-four years ; he has 135 acres, with a fine brick house and other essential buildings, he having erected the house and made most of the improvements during his residence here. Mr. Voorhis has held many offices, as Township Trustee, School Director, member of the Board of Education, etc.

REV. THOMAS S. WELLS, minister, Alcony ; born in Virginia in 1815 ; is a son of Silas and Elsie (Skinner) Wells ; he being born in Virginia and she in North Carolina, the grandfather being probably a native of Virginia, and the ances- try coming from England. The grandfather, Samuel, with his family, removed from Virginia to this county in October. 1817, locating in Monroe Township, where he lived and died upon the farm that he first settled on ; he purchased a large tract of land and located his children all near by him ; among them was his son Silas, with his wife, Elsie, who resided in Monroe Township the remainder of their lives ; they . were parents of eleven children, of whom nine are still living, viz., William, James, Samuel, Robert, John, Jane (now Mrs. McCullough, of Sidney, Ohio), Sarah Isa- bella (now Mrs. Angabright Levi, of Detroit), and Thomas S. Rev. Wells, our subject, left home when about 15 years of age, came to Troy and served an appren- ticeship at the tailoring business with Maj. Hart, where he remained some three years, then entered a dry-goods establishment as a clerk for several years, but resumed the tailoring business again in Preble Co., Ohio. During the years in which he was engaged in the tailoring business he was procuring a library, and reading theological and religious works preparatory to entering the min- istry, having for some time felt himself called for that work. In the year of 1850, Mr. Wells extricated himself from all secular pursuits, located in Dayton, and gave himself exclusively to the work of the ministry in the Christian Church. He first supplied the church in Dayton, and also one on Wolf Creek, seven miles west of Dayton, since which time he has filled the pulpits of several churches in Shelby and Miami Cos., living at the various points and places, which his field of work seemed to demand. About three years ago, he located upon the farm where he now resides, which makes him a very pleasant home, and is near the center of his ministerial work ; he is now especially engaged in a missionary work of supply- ing and building up the weak churches. Mr. Wells has performed a large amount of labor for the building-up of the churches ; but his zeal in the work is unabated, and he desires to continue earnestly in his Master's cause, believing that if he holds out faithfully to the end. his works will be justified, and his rewards sure.

SAMUEL R. WOLLERTON, farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe ; born in Miami Co. Nov. 22, 1836; is a son of Ishmael and Jane H. (Ramsey) Wollerton ; he was born in Pennsylvania and she in Ohio, the ancestry probably coming from Wales. Ishmael, the father, removed from Pennsylvania to Miami Co., somewhere about 1833, and on March 1, 1836, was married to Jane H. Ramsey, daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Fletcher) Ramsey, who were the parents of two children, of whom one only is now living, viz., Samuel R. Mr. Wollerton was, when quite young, placed with his grandfather Ramsey, where he lived till his death. On Dec. 24, 1863, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann McManus, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret McManus, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to Miami Co. in the spring of 1847. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are now living, viz., Sarah Ann and Margery, now Mrs. Benton Snyder. They have two children, viz., Harry H. and Jennie R. Mr. Wollerton, after his marriage,

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bought the Wesley Heywood farm, where he lived for eight years, but afterward removed to the farm where he has since resided, consisting of 100 acres, mostly under cultivation, with good buildings and improvements.

DAVID D. YOUNG, farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe ; born in Miami Co., Bethel Township, June 22, 1826 ; is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shroyer) Young, who were born in Maryland, the ancestry originally being from Germany. Daniel and Elizabeth came to Ohio with their parents in a very early day, and located first in Montgomery Co., afterward removing to this county, where the grandparents lived 'and died, being among the early settlers of Miami Co. Daniel and Elizabeth are still living in Bethel Township. They are the parents of six children, of whom five are now living, viz., David D .; Louisa, now Mrs. Rudy ; Susanna; Mary Catha- rine, now Mrs. H. Hawver, and Benjamin F. David, our subject, lived with his parents till 30 years of age. On Sept. 31, 1856, he was united in marriage with Henrietta E. De Long, daughter of George and Elizabeth De Long ; he was born in Virginia and she in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom eight are now living, viz., William ; Christine, now Widow Thayer, living in Indiana ; Ellen, now . Mrs. Surface ; Sarah, now Mrs. Fitch ; Eliza, now Mrs. Ross ; Henrietta E., Edward and Jefferson. Mr. Young and wife have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Sarah E., George D. and Ada A. After his marriage, he located in Bethel Township, on 35 acres of land which he bought, removed to the farm of his mother-in-law, where he lived six years, then went to Tippecanoe in the grocery business for four years, and finally settled on the farm where he now resides. Here he has 205 acres of good land, of which 154 acres are in cultivation. Mr. Young and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, having been such for twenty and thirty years respectively, and have had the pleasure of seeing their children become members of the same church.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

AMOS ABLEY, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Piqua. Mr Abley was born in Pennsylvania in 1837, and came with his parents, Philip W. and Margaret Abley, to Miami Co. in 1844 ; his parents settled in Piqua, and his father still resides here. The subject, of this sketch commenced working at his trade as an apprentice when quite young, and has always followed that occupa- tion ; he first began business for himself in 1860, and has continued it success- fully ever since ; his shop and salesroom is located on Main street, south of Market space, where, in addition to his custom work, he keeps a good assortment of "ready made," and is doing a very creditable business. Mr. Abley is not only one of the substantial business men of Piqua, but is also one of its enterprising, public spir- ited citizens ; he has been a member of the Council for the past three years, and has also held the office of Treasurer of the Fire Department for a number of years. In religion, he is a Catholic ; in politics, a Democrat. He married, in 1860, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Himken, formerly of Cincinnati, but at that time a resident of Piqua; and, after her decease, in 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Veronica Becker.

C. W. BENNETT, Superintendent of Public School, Piqua. Mr. Bennett is a native of Miami Co., having been born in Washington Township in 1840; he is a son of E. Bennett, who is an old resident of Washington Township. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, taught two terms of district school, after which he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, graduating in 1866 ; was elected to the chair of mathematics in Moore's Hill College, in Indiana, which position he held eight years ; in 1874, he took charge of the Piqua schools,

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which position, as others, he has filled with credit to himself and benefit to the schools ; the magnitude of his work may be judged from the fact that he has over a thousand pupils, with twenty-five teachers, under his supervision. He was mar- ried in 1868, to Miss Louisa Timmons, a graduate of, and, at the time of her mar- riage, a teacher of music in, the Ohio Wesleyan Female College.

PHILOMEN BROTHERTON, grocer ; Piqua ; was born in New York in 1815, and when but a child was taken by his parents on an emigration trip to Bartholomew Co., Ind., where he procured his education in the common school. About 1825, his parents removed to Hamilton Co., Ohio ; four years later they located in Miami Co., where the parents both passed away at the age of 934 years each ; Philomen is the eldest of thirteen children ; in 1835 he engaged in the manufacture of brick, which he followed several years ; ten years since he located on Park ave- nue, opening out a grocery ; here he has since been favorably known. Aug. 30, 1842, he married Nancy Morton, born in Pennsylvania in 1810 ; the issue of this union was three children-Albert M., born Oct. 16, 1844 ; Franklin P., Oct. 16, 1852, and one that died in infancy.

HIRAM BROOKS, livery ; Piqua. Mr. Brooks is a native of Western New York ; came to Miami Co. in 1837, and located in Piqua in 1840 ; in 1846, he bought out his brother James, who was engaged in the livery business here, and has successfully conducted the business ever since, having remained in the same locality, built his present commodious buildings and gradually increased his stock and conveniences to the present very creditable standing ; he is one of the few livery men who have stuck to one place, and is now in very comfortable circumstances ; his residence, on the corner of Wayne and Water streets, is a handsome property. He married, in 1843, Miss Catherine A., daughter of William Atkinson ; they have six children-four sons and two daughters-T. D., a physician at Conroy; W. C., a livery man at Van Wert ; James E., a telegraph operator, now at Cambridge City, Ind .; Geo. A., a member of the bar at Piqua; Hattie A., now Mrs." Nate C. Perry, of Troy, and Nettie E.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 77

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