The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 91

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 91

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

Wapakoneta, she informed Col. Cromer, who, upon his arrival at Laramie, again took charge of her, and delivered her in safety to John Johnston, Indian Agent at Fort Piqua, remarking to him that he wanted him to be a father to the girl. He then resumed his march, as he was taking the Indians to some point in Kentucky. She lived with Mr. Johnston's family a year, perhaps, and as she was an adept in spinning, manufactured 130 pounds of wool into stocking-yarn, during three months of her stay. She then went to Mrs. Ewing's to live, and finally made her perma- nent home with Mr. Jesse Miller, with whom she lived until her marriage to James Kerr, in 1818; she first came to Fort Piqua in August, 1812. During their mar- ried life they had eleven children-Hanford, Hamilton, George, Margaret, Jona- than, Rebecca, William, James, John, Perry and Sally A. ; seven of these children are now living, and are all persons of prominence in the community in which they live. Her husband, James Kerr, was very prosperous and accumulated quite an extensive tract of land. He died July 11, 1863, his widow (the Aunt Sally of our sketch), lives now on the old homestead.

CAPT. NEWELL KERR (deceased), was, during his lifetime, a prominent man, not only as an agriculturist, but a local politician as well; he was the only one of the name in Miami Co. that espoused the Republican cause, but his motive for doing so was no doubt a pure one. His marriage to Mrs. Martha J. Kerr was celebrated Sept. 21, 1851, and for three years they resided on the farm now owned by Joseph Conrey, on the Dayton Pike; from there they came to the beautiful farm upon which Mrs. Kerr now lives, which is appropriately named Glen Forest. Mrs. Martha Kerr is a daughter of John D. and Nancy Fowler, who came to this country in 1821, and were always prominent citizens. The death of Newell Kerr occurred July 16, 1876 ; in his lifetime he was a prominent Magistrate, and, during a nine-years official career, never had one of his decisions reversed ; he held a com- mission as Captain in the Home Guards, but, when the war broke out, resigned his captaincy and enlisted in Co. L, 8th U. S. C .; he was in Hunter's memorable raid through the Shenandoah Valley, and endured many hardships and privations; he was captured by the rebels at Beverly, W. Va., and thrown into Libby Prison, the horrors of which are graphically described in the history of the civil war in America; he was exchanged after forty days' confinement, weighing 180 pounds upon enter- ing the prison, and only ninety-eight pounds when released ; this was caused by starvation alone, and the blood-curdling tales related by those who were confined in that prison pen are truly appalling ; he was discharged in April, 1874, having given his life almost in the defense of his country ; all their children were born before his enlistment-John F., Edward V., Rhoda, Hamilton, Lulu M., Carey F. and Carrie Evalyn; Mrs. Kerr's son, by her first husband, also enlisted, and died during his term of service ; four of the children are married; Hamilton married Miss Eva Martin, of Xenia, Ohio, and manages the farm, which is beyond question the best-arranged farm in Monroe Township; the elegant residence is luxuriously furnished ; everything that wealth can procure is lavishly supplied ; books, music, works of art, etc., are everywhere seen in profusion ; the style in which they live is not equaled, perhaps, by any family in the county. Mr. Kerr was one of the leading spirits in the Kentucky Home Grange, which was organized under his man- agement, and he was a number of terms Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, A., F. & A. M .; he was an honorable, conscientious man, and did his whole duty as a husband and father, a neighbor and a soldier.

JAMES KERR, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; is the first one of his name to give us inform- ation of his family history, and Monroe Township furnishes a list of family remin- iscences equal perhaps to any in the county. A long historical sketch appears of Sally Kerr, the wife of James Kerr, and the parents of Hanford, Hamilton, George, Margaret, Jonathan, Rebecca, William, James, John, Perry and Sally A. Kerr. To avoid repetition, we here state that her children are nearly all represented in the biography of this work, and Aunt Sally's sketch will explain where and when they settled in the county. James was born in 1834 ; his education is a good one. In 1858, his marriage to Miss Mary E. McPherson was celebrated, and they purchased

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the farm upon which they now reside, in 1860. Their four sons were born and named in the following order : James M., born Jan. 15, 1859 ; William M., born Dec. 8, 1860 ; Wesley S., Nov. 13, 1865 ; and Albert B., born Dec. 30, 1867. Under the able management of Mr. Kerr, assisted by his sons, the farm is a source of great revenue. The boys promise to make men of substantial character and intelli- gence. James Kerr is an honorable and upright Mason, is now Master of Frank- lin Lodge, No. 14, A., F. & A. M., and also is Master of Concord Grange, No. 144; both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat in whom there is no guile ; for many years he has been connected with the public schools, and is also Pike Superintendent in this district. He is a gen- erous, hospitable host, and enjoys the confidence of every man who knows him.

PERRY KERR, farmer ; P. O., Troy ; is Mrs. Sally Kerr's youngest son, and has managed the home farm for many years, and the general appearance of the buildings and farm are indicative of his care and adaptation for his business ; the brick residence is the first one of the kind erected in the neighborhood. Perry was married to Miss Susannah E. Kessler March 28, 1876 ; her father was wounded at the battle of Lexington, Ky., and died from effects of the injury. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of Hanford W., born Feb. 8, 1867 ; Cora A., Jan. 29, 1869 ; Susan- nah E., Nov. 26, 1870 ; Alva M., Feb. 23, 1874; Sarah E., Dec. 24, 1876; and Martha A., Feb. 13, 1879. They are a splendid family of children. Through the efforts of Perry and James Kerr, the Nashville and Troy (Branch) Pike was built, which is one of the best in the township. Perry Kerr is owner of 220 acres of elegant land, which was mostly purchased by himself, and contains the principal part of the homestead ; the site of the old home has never been disturbed by the plow, and is revered as "consecrated ground." Many things dear to childhood's memories are yet to be seen ; the rock upon which they cracked their hickory nuts, the remains of the walnut stump that stood at the end of the porch, and three trees that were budded by different ones of the family, and since have been called by their names ; the old hearth-stones, and the old chimney-place are still visible, and are the dearest objects to the family, who revere the memory of the man who did so much for them in childhood's happy hour. Aunt Sally makes her home with Perry and his amiable wife, and is now 81 years of age. Perry, like his father, is a lavish provider of the good things of earth, and follows in his political footsteps, Democratic, first, last and always.

J. A. KERR, attorney, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Chambersburg, Mont- gomery Co., July 7, 1853, and is the son of J. T. Kerr, and a direct descendant of George Kerr, the pioneer ; J. T. is a farmer by occupation ; born in this township March 11, 1828, and married Feb. 10, 1851, to Matilda, daughter of Col. Westlake, an early settler ; by this union he had a family of five sons and one daughter ; one son died in infancy. He is the son of James and the grandson of George Kerr, who was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, near the Lake of Killarney and the Eagle's Nest; he married Martha Newel, of the same place, and came to America with his par- ents just previous to the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he took a part; was one of the first settlers in Marietta, Ohio, and, in 1813 or 1814, moved to Leb- anon ; his father was brutally murdered by the Indians ; he had six sons and one daughter. Our subject is the second child of the family ; he passed his early life on the farm, attending the common school till 16, when he entered the National Normal, of Lebanon, Ohio, and attended it for two subsequent winters, where he learned the science of surveying, which he has since practiced ; as early as 1868, he turned his attention to the study of law, and, in 1873, was admitted to practice in the State, and, at the age of 23, was admitted to the United States Courts ; in the fall of 1873, he located in Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law ; he has, by careful attention to business, won the confidence and esteem of the public, and is one of the promising and energetic young attorneys of Miami Co .; in politics, he is a Democrat, and a member of the City Council. He was married, at the age of 20, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lemuel Coat, a descendant of Samuel Pearson, a pioneer; one daughter has been the issue of this union.

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GEORGE KERR, farmer; P. O. Troy. The last man of the Kerr family to place on our list is as well known in this county as any man now living in it; he was a brother to Newell, John and Furnace Kerr, and it may be proper to remark that the Kerr and Miller families are the best represented in this work, and the most wealthy farmers in Monroe Township. George was born July 16, 1831 ; he mar- ried Miss Nancy J. Culbertson in 1853; they are the parents of Samuel H., Otto and Otho (twins) ; Samuel was born Oct. 18, 1856; Otto and Otho, Jan. 17, 1858; the other child died in infancy ; Samuel is the husband of Miss Minnie E. Stewart, and Otto married Miss Elizabeth Northcutt. Mrs. Nancy Kerr was born .March 8, 1836. Mr. Kerr owns 500 acres in this county, part of which is in Concord Township ; the extreme neatness of this farm must be seen to be appreciated; evidences of wealth abound everywhere. For the past twenty-one years, he has been connected with our public schools, and his long continuance in this capacity is evidence of his good judgment; he has also been Master of Monroe Grange for the last seven years, and is one of the charter members of Coleman Commandery, K. T., No. 17; these are honors of which his children may well be proud, and gladly are these laurels incorporated in the family biography ; himself and brothers are acknowledged leaders of the Democratic party in their neighborhood, and better men cannot be chosen as standard-bearers.

FURNACE KERR, farmer; P. O. Tippecanoe City. Furnace Kerr ranks high in the estimation of our people, and we are pleased to note that his father, Hamil- ton Kerr, came to this county in 1806, before any settlements worthy of mention were made, the wild deer, the panther and the Indian having full sway in the track- less forest, which has given way to the march of progress, until our beautiful land ranks second to none. Furnace is the youngest child of Hamilton and Rhoda Kerr, and was born on Sec. 18, Feb. 22, 1836; there were three other sons; the Pearson and Newell Kerr farms were the first ones settled upon in this township. Furnace was wedded to Miss Anna, daughter of David and Annie Skiller, of Shel- by Co., Jan. 6, 1870 ; he was an almost confirmed bachelor, but now makes a model husband ; they are the parents of Enona and Hamilton, two lovely chil- dren. The buildings upon this farm are the finest in Monroe Township, and are second to none in the county ; the house is luxuriantly furnished, and everything necessary for pleasure or comfort has been procured ; to say that we feel a just pride in the sons of Miami Co., would be a feeble expression compared to their industry and prosperity ; the Miami Valley against the world for wealth and pro- ductiveness. Mr. Kerr is a Jacksonian Democrat, an honest man, and a member of Tippecanoe Lodge of A., F. & A. M.

MRS. ANNA KESSLER, P. O. Troy ; Mr. and Mrs. Kessler were both born in this county-he Nov. 13, 1816, she March 10, 1819 ; she is a daughter of Solo- mon and Barbara Hoover, who were also born in the county-he in 1795, she in 1800 ; Mrs. Kessler has one brother and two sisters living-Sarah Leighton, Nancy Blue and Henry Hoover. Her marriage to Martin Kessler was celebrated on April 3, 1838, Esquire David Jenkins performing the ceremony. They had eleven children-William H. H., born Jan. 13, 1839 ; Susannah E., born Sept. 7, 1840 ; David S., born June 18, 1842 ; John O., born July 31, 1844; Samuel C., born March 24, 1847 ; Solomon W., born April 8, 1849 ; Sarah M., born March 7, 1851 ; Martha A., born Sept. 17, 1854; Martin W., born June 2, 1857 ; Webster P., born June 19, 1859, and Elizabeth B., born Sept. 20, 1862 -; all are living, and five are married. Mr. Kessler was a gallant soldier during the war of the rebell- ion, but died during his term of service; he was a good man, and highly respected by all who knew him ; his death occurred July 23, 1863 ; the remains were brought home in October following, and were interred in the Wheelock Cemetery. The widow and six of the children live on the farm, which is superintended by the sons, and furnishes a good income. John, William and Samuel were also sol- diers during the war of the rebellion, and were brave and daring volunteers. We remember with pride our gallant men who filled the ranks, from Miami Co., and are ever ready to do them honor.

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ERNST KOETITZ, carpenter, Tippecanoe City; was born in Germany in 1830 ; his father, Nicholas, was a carpenter by trade, and married Mary Scholl, by whom he had thirteen children ; eight still survive. Our subject, the second child of the family, was reared and schooled in his native country ; at the age of 15, he learned the carpenter's trade, and has since followed it; he emigrated to America in 1859, landing in New York City, whence he came to Tippecanoe; here he engaged at once at his trade, and, in the early part of 1868, formed a partnership with the firm of Trupp, Weakley & Co .; Mr. K. is one of the industrious and en- terprising citizens of Tippecanoe City, and is always found interested in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He is a member of the H. O. D., and of the German Lutheran Church. He has been married twice, first, in 1859, to Mary Roehling, of Germany, and, second, to Mary Schoch, of the same place, in 1876.

H. L. LEHMAN, farmer; P. O. West Milton. Henry L. Lehman is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Miami in June, 1852 ; in 1854, his wedding was celebrated, he leading to the marriage altar Miss Catharine Kellar; his trade is that of a miller, and, during his early residence in this country, he followed this business ; in 1856, he purchased the fine farm upon which he now resides, since which time his attention has been devoted to agriculture; they have sever. chil- dren living-Daniel, Mary E., Samuel C., John, Annie, Emma and David ; Henry is not living ; David is the husband of Miss Alga Haines, and resides in Marshall Co., Ind. ; Mr. Lehman owns 135 acres of land, and upon it is a splendid orchard, small fruits, etc., of every variety known in this climate ; he has the finest sor- ghum mill in the county, and the best and latest improved machinery ; both him- self and wife belong to the " Church of God ; " three terms he has held the office of School Director in his district ; his sons cultivate the farm, and Mr. Lehman lives at his ease; they are surrounded with comforts on every hand, and are both good and useful members of society ; he is also considered one of the best theolo- gians belonging to his church, and is also well posted on the current topics of the day.

T. C. LEONARD, superintendent wheel-works, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Covington, Miami Co., in 1850, and is the son of Joseph and Margaret Leonard ; Joseph followed merchandising most of his life, his death occurring when our subject was quite small ; he had four children, two of whom have died; T. C. is the youngest of the family ; his boyhood and youth were passed in his native place, attending school ; his business career in Covington was passed as a clerk in a dry-goods store, where he obtained that practical education which has secured him success since ; he came to this place in the fall of 1876, and at once took stock in the wheel-works known as the " Ford & Co. Wheel-Works," where he has since been engaged ; he has lately been made superintendent of the establishment; it is one of the most extensive factories in the county, and employs continually from seventy-five to one hundred hands, turning out from fifty to sixty sets of wheels per day ; the establishment has gained a wide reputation for manufacturing the best quality of work, which is evidenced by the demand for their work being much larger than the supply ; Mr. Leonard is one of the most enterprising young men of Tippecanoe, with good business sagacity. Politically, he is a Democrat ; personally, affable and pleasant. He is a member of the Town Council. He was married, in 1875, to Mary, daughter of Jacob Rohrer ; one son and one daughter have been the issue of this union.

YOUNG G. McCOOL, shoemaker, Fidelity; has a history of interest, and, although 75 years of age, does good work at the bench, and has followed this business for fifty-five consecutive years ; he was born in 1804, in Newberry District, S. C .; his parents moved first to Savannah, Ga., thence to North Carolina, thence to Virginia, and lastly to Miami Co .; his father, James D. B. McCool, was born in 1777, and Charity Chapman, his wife, in 1781 ; three of his children- Young G., William and Grace Mehaffy, are now living. Young was married to his first wife, Miss Margaret Cloyde, in January, 1828 ; they were the parents of six-

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teen children, eight of whom are living-Esther Stanfield, William, Caroline Houser, Eliza Cress, Thomas A., John A., Hannah Zimmerman and Jesse ; all live in this county except Alfred and Caroline ; Mrs. McCool died in 1862. During the late war, Young enlisted in Co. L, 8th O. V. C., and was honorably discharged in 1864. His marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Hepher was consummated July 20, 1867 ; they had no children ; her death occurred in 1876, since which time Mr. McCool has been his own housekeeper ; he is a jolly fellow, and dispenses his charity with a liberal hand ; many a needy person has been the recipient of his bounty ; he is still as sprightly as a lad of 20, and has worked in the harvest field for fifty-five consecutive years ; his library is large, and he is a great reader ; and last, but not least, he is a Republican, and reveres the grand principles of his party.

SAMUEL McGIFFIN, physician and surgeon, Tippecanoe City ; prominent among the physicians of Tippecanoe; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1824, and is the son of David and Nancy (Hudson) McGiffin, both of the same county. David was a farmer, and followed the pursuit of agriculture and stock-dealing through- out his active life ; he still survives at the advanced age of 86 years ; he had nine children, of whom the Doctor is the fifth child ; he was brought up on the farm, and received his early education in the characteristic pioneer log cabin, under the usual difficulties of his day. At the age of 14, he moved with his parents to Jackson Co., and here began the study of medicine at the age of 17, under the tutorship of Dr. Kenan ; he continued his studies here a few years, and then entered the practice in Berlin, and at the end of two years established himself in Allensville for ten years, and then returned to Berlin in 1860, and went to Waverly, Pike Co., where here- mained till the breaking-out of the war, when he repaired to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and became surgeon of the 15th Veteran Reserve Corps, but subsequently, was placed in charge of the "Rebel Prison Ward Hospital," at the same place, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he returned to Ohio, practicing a short time in Zanesville, and then went to Perry Co., where he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; his eminent success in this field is attested by the fact that he took charge of a circuit in great disorder and confusion from political factions, and by much earnest labor brought it to a good condition, and added 186 members to the church. At the end of the year, he resumed his prac- tice, and came to this county in April, 1871, where he has since successfully practiced. The Doctor feels the responsibility which his profession imposes upon him, and is conscientious and careful in the discharge of his duty. He finds his religious creed in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, with his wife, is a faith- ful member of the same. He was married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Jackson Co., Ohio. One child, who died in infancy, has been the issue of this union.

ROBERT MARTINDALE, farmer; P. O. Ginghamsburg. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, has spent more than a half-century within sight of his present home; he was born in 1827, and his parents, John and Amy Martindale, were well known ; he was born in South Carolina in 1798, and settled on Mill Creek, near Frederickstown, in 1808. Amy was born in Pennsylvania in 1806, and came to Montgomery Co. in 1818. They were married in 1823 ; the children were twelve in number, and eleven of them are yet living-Jesse, Elizabeth, Robert, Mary, Samuel, John, William, Stewart, Martin, Rebecca, Cynthia A. and Martha. All the children were living at the time of their parents' death. The father died in March, 1859, the mother, April 28, 1865; they were among the noted pioneers, and reared a family that are an honor to the county. Their eyes beheld the beauty of the country they loved, and their lives were the better for helping in its develop- ment. Their son Robert, was wedded to Miss Alvina Waymire in 1849. Her father is the oldest man living that was born in Butler Township, Montgomery Co. Her mother, Mary Gallihan, was born in that county, and her ancestry were from North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Martindale are parents of one child, only -Alexander G. ; he was born Jan. 14, 1851, and married Miss Mary Coppock, a daughter of one of the pioneers, in 1871 ; they are the parents of Dora, Charles

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and Samuel, bright and splendid-looking children. Mr. Robert Martindale lives like a prince ; his house is a neat one, his barns and other buildings large and commodious ; he owns 110 acres of land, equaling any in his neighborhood: He was a volunteer in Co. G, 147th O. V. I. during the war, having rank of 3d Sergeant. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is also a member of Coleman Commandery. As a host, he cannot be equaled in this or any other county, and his name, for honor and veracity, is without a stain.

F. C. MERKLE, harnessmaker and saddler, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Aug- laize Co. April, 1851; is the son of Charles T., a native of Germany, and a wagon-maker by trade ; he married Ann E. Cottenberger, of Germany, by whom he had nine child- ren, five of whom still survive. Our subject is the third child of the family, and was reared and schooled in the town of Wapakoneta, his native place ; began an apprent- iceship at the harness trade at the age of 14, and served some three years ; he then engaged at butchering for three years, and then at railroading for three years, when in 1874 he came to Tippecanoe and began the manufacture of harness, and, by his enterprise and careful attention to business, has established a gratifying trade; he is located on North Main street, between First and Second streets, where he keeps on hand a full line of first-class stock. He took a course in the Commercial Col- lege of Dayton, Ohio, in 1871, thus acquiring a thorough business education. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and M. R. A., of Tippecanoe. He married Eliza- beth Pohlkotte, of Montgomery Co., in 1873 ; they have a family of three children.

A. W. MILES, confectioner, grocer and Postmaster, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Newton Township, this county, Nov. 27, 1839, and is the son of Wade and grandson of Jonathan Miles, one of Newton Township's first settlers. Wade was & native of same place, and a farmer by occupation ; he was married twice, first to Mary Tucker, of this county, and second to Malinda Hayes, nee Thomas; eight chil- dren were born of the first, and one child of the second marriage ; a son and two daughters are dead. The subject of this sketch is the second child of the family, he was brought up on the farm, and educated in the common school. He assisted in the duties of the farm till his father's death, and one year after this, began the profession of teaching, which he continued till 1858 ; in the fall of 1858, he entered a dry-goods store as clerk, and continued here till the outbreak of the late rebell- ion, when, at the first call for troops, he responded, and entered the army as a mem- ber of the 11th O. V. I., Co. H, in which he served till the close of the war, & period of four years three months and five days ; enlisted as a private and was promoted to Corps Commissary, which office he held when mustered out; participated in the hard-fought battles of second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, around Chattanooga, Atlanta campaign, besides numerous skir- mishes ; was with Sherman to the sea, in the campaign of South Carolina, at close of the war, and from latter place went to Washington City, and then to Louisville Ky., where he was mustered out ; he returned to Tippecanoe and engaged as clerk in & dry-goods store till May, 1868, when he became clerk in the post office, and in March, 1869, received appointment as Postmaster, which position he has since filled with fidelity and satisfaction to the public. In connection with the post office, he keeps a full line of fancy groceries and confectionery. His motto is excellence in quality, integrity in transactions, low prices and quick sales. He finds his polit- ical views in the Republican party, and has frequently held the office of Township Trustee. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and M. R. A. of this place, and also a member and clerk of the Baptist Church of this place. He was married in Jan- uary, 1867, to Mary C. Wesler, of this county, who died last Febuary, leaving four sons, a son and a daughter having previously died.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 91

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