The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 92

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

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JOHN MILLER, grocer, Tippecanoe City ; one of the well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; was born in Baden, Germany, in 1834; his father, Philip, was a farmer by occupation and raised four sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the youngest son ; he was reared on a farm and schooled in his native country. He immigrated to America in 1854, landing in New York from which place he came to this, where he shortly engaged in the coopering busi,

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ness ; this he followed two years and then embarked in the occupation of a baker, which, with hotel-keeping, he continued till 1875, when he engaged in the grocery trade. He is located on North Main, between First and Second streets, where he keeps on hand a full line of groceries and queensware, which he sells at lowest prices ; he is reliable and honest in all his dealings. In politics, he is a Democrat, but no politician. He has been member of the Council, and for five years of the fire department, of which he is now Treasurer, and in 1861 carried the mail from Charleston to Brandt. He married Catharine Steck, of Alsace, Germany, in 1858. Of the five children born to this union, one has died.

ALBERT MILLER, farmer; P. O. Troy. Albert Miller was born and reared in the township in which he resides, his parents, John R. and Mary Miller, then being residents of the county. He was 20 years of age when wedded to Miss Amanda Honeyman, which event was celebrated March 25, 1852, Squire David Jenkins tying the nuptial knot ; his parents gave him one horse, a cow and a feather bed ; after farming with his father one year, he began business for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Miller were the parents of nine children, of whom five are now living-Matilda J., Calista Belle, Ella D., Cora E. and Lulu M. Matilda mar- ried Lewis Schafer ; none of the others are yet married; they are eminently fitted to adorn any position in society. Mr. Miller is a Democrat of the conservative stamp ; his wife is an excellent housekeeper ; their residence is neatly furnished, and Mr. Miller provides liberally for his family. The splendid farm of 60 acres, with the neat residence and substantial outbuildings, surrounded by forest trees, is a home as cozy as any in the township.

J. W. MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; is the eldest son of John V. and Rebecca Miller ; was born April 22, 1838. Miss Sarah A. Shoemaker, of Dayton, became his wife in 1865 ; their children were born in the following order : Will- iam A., Sept. 20, 1867 ; Asbury W., Feb. 22, 1870 ; Isaac N., Jan. 20, 1872; Belle, Aug. 27, 1875 ; and Jeannette R., March 17, 1878; they are a most interesting family of children; Mrs. Miller is a native of Pennsylvania, and was raised in a city, but, as a farmer's wife, she can scarcely have an equal; Mr. Miller proposes to move to Kansas in the spring of 1881, and engage with his brothers in the stock business ; Miami Co. will thus lose one of her best men, who can illy be spared; they are both influential members of the M. E. Church, and here will their loss be felt. Mr. Miller sold his elegant farm last year, and intends invest- ing a large part of his money in lands in Kansas. He carries with him the kind- est wishes of every family in Monroe Township.

ISAIAH K. MILLER, stock-breeder ; P. O. Troy. His mother, Rebecca Kess- ler, was born in this county in 1813, and his father, John V. Miller, in Berkeley Co., Va., in 1803 ; he came to this county in 1832, and was married at the residence of the bride's parents, in 1834; David Jenkins, Esq., conducted the marriage cer- emonies ; an old log cabin was the birthplace of their first children ; six of eight children born now survive John W., Henry H., Levi S., Isaiah K., Susannah E. and Elizabeth J .; almost the entire tract of country was then covered with heavy timber, and the pioneer was used to rough fare, and the howling of the wolves; every year found them prospering, and Mr. Miller, at the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1878, was owner of nearly 900 acres; Isaiah has had practical control of the farm since the age of 16, and his experience in breeding thor- oughbred stock has made him famous throughout the country ; his herd has pro- duced the finest Durhams in the county ; himself and Levi S. Miller have purchased a large tract of land in Kansas, upon which Levi resides ; they are now conduct- ing the breeding of thoroughbred cattle on a large scale; J. K. Miller is also part- ner in the steam saw-mill near his residence. His marriage to Miss Lizzie Cron was celebrated Feb. 5, 1874, in Cincinnati, Ohio ; her parents were natives of Jef- ferson Co., Va., but now live in this county. They are, at this time, the parents of two children-Samuel C. and Minnie V .; Mrs. Rebecca Miller makes her home with her son Isaiah, and they have everything necessary for the promotion of com- fort. The tidy house, the neatly trimmed orchard, substantial barns, etc., etc.,

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give evidence of the best of management, both indoor and out; theirs is a happy and pleasant lot in life.

JOHN MILLS, farmer ; P. O. Ginghamsburg ; the subject of one of our most wonderful biographies, is well known in this neighborhood ; his grandfather, Elias Mills, was born in 1683, and married Miss Martha Stiles ; he weighed 485 pounds, and was considered not only the strongest but also the fleetest man in the world ; he challenged England to produce a man who could compete with him as an ath- lete; a man came, and they started in a race, Elias easily coming out ahead and running backward all the while ; he was killed by a kick from a horse, at the re- markable age of 140 years. John Mills was born in 1812, and was the youngest son of Richard and Martha Mills; they emigrated to Montgomery Co., in 1800; he was a blacksmith, and was of great service to the early settlers ; they were the par- ents of Jonathan, Lydia, Rachel, Lutitia, Ira, Henry, John and Gideon; John is the only one now living of this large family. He married Miss Elizabeth Watkins, in 1836 ; they were the parents of twelve children, three of whom are deceased ; Cerelda, Richard, Carletta, Joanna, Mahala, Sarah, David, Henry and Joseph C. are living ; five are married, and live in this county ; John and his wife are grand- parents of twenty-one children ; his farm consists of 80g acres of land, which is cultivated by his sons ; he is a Democrat, and has reared a family of sons who are all strong in the faith ; his descendants can hereby trace their relationship to their great-grandfather, who was supposed to be the strongest man living in his time.

JACOB W. MYERS ; farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; is a native of Lan- caster Co., Penn., and was born in 1822; his parents were named Daniel and Hester Myers ; his mother died when Jacob was one year old; as he grew to man- hood, he learned the trade of weaving, and, in 1842, in company with some friends, emigrated to Clark Co. He engaged in weaving near Carlisle, previous to his mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Shuman, which event occurred in 1850; one and a half years after the marriage, Mrs. Myers died, also their infant daughter, Magdalena. He continued weaving in winter and farming in summer, until his marriage to Miss Sarah Mott, in 1855; they are the parents of ten children, of whom Mary J. and Lilly F. are deceased. Daniel is the husband of Miss Mary Gottschall, and has two children-George Arthur and Bertha Estella ; William, Eunice L., Otho P., Calista E., Jacob W., Sarah E. and Charles are now living with their parents, and form an interesting family. Jacob is a prosperous farmer and generous provider; has always voted the Republican ticket ; his wife and daughters are excellent house- keepers.

LUCINDA NEAL ; P. O. Fidelity ; is the widow of a man well known in this county, and their names are worthy of remembrance; they were born in Monroe Township in 1808, and have always lived near their birth-place ; Mrs. Neal's par- ents were married in Tennessee, and emigrated to Miami Co. in 1807; their names were Francis and Jemima Million ; they were the parents of five children, of whom William Jester and the worthy lady whose name heads this sketch are yet living ; they are among the eldest settlers now living in the county. Lucinda was wedded to William Neal in 1828, and they were blest with seven children-Melinda, Phoebe, Matilda, Annie, Israel, Francis and Henry; four of these are married; Mr. Neal was 66 yearsof age at the time of his death, and left a large estate ; he was a very prominest man, being Township Trustee and School Director a number of times; he was a cordial supporter of everything that tended toward advancement, both morally and socially. Mrs. Neal owns 120 acres in her own right, and all her children have nice farms ; the home place is a lovely spot, and is carefully looked after ; the neat house near the old homestead belongs to one of the sons, and is one of the most tasteful residences in that part of the township. Mrs. Neal leaves her children a birthright of honesty and sociability.

GEORGE P. NISWONGER, farmer; P. O. Troy. George P. Niswonger was born in Preble Co., Ohio, June 25, 1845 ; his father, John Niswonger, being a native of Ohio, and his wife, Lydia Rhinehart, of Virginia ; their marriage was celebrated in 1838, and they were the parents of eight children-William, Amanda, John M.,

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David A., George P. (was born June 25, 1845), next came Joseph E., Christian S, and Melinda A., born Oct. 8, 1852 ; she is the wife of Franklin Slack, and mother of three children, John, Ida and Lydia. George and Melinda are the only children now living of the numerous family of John and Lydia Niswonger. George mar- ried Miss Margaret Clawson, Feb. 4, 1875; they are the parents of two bright little girls-Lydia J. and Clara E. The old folks reside with them, and the old gentleman is a jolly Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and his son has the prin- ciples of the party deeply instilled in his nature. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, under command of Admiral Porter, of the Missis- sippi Squadron. He participated in several bloody engagements, was never wounded while on duty, and was honorably discharged in December, 1864. As a farmer he is very successful. The family library is large and well read. This family is highly respected, and lives in good style on a farm near Troy.

SAMUEL PEARSON, farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; is a representative of that branch of the Pearson family who can trace their ancestry to the landing of the Mayflower, three brothers coming on that vessel, one going to South Car- olina, one stopping in New Jersey, the other in Pennsylvania. Samuel is a descendant of the South Carolina branch, and was born in 1820, within a half-mile of where he now lives. His parents, Enoch and Rosanah Pearson, were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are now living, Samuel, Margery Mahala, Ruth, Hirzah, Pemberton and Enoch. All live in this county except Mahala and Ruth. Samuel was married to Miss Sarah Enyeart, Oct. 28, 1849 ; they are the parents of three sons-Silas G., Leroy and Webster. Silas was married to Miss Matilda B. Patterson. Mr. Pearson is comfortably located on a nice farm of 60 acres, is a member of the Christian Church, an ardent temperance man, a good Republican, and also a member of Tippecanoe Lodge, A., F. & A. M. and Franklin Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M. He is well acquainted with all the facts and incidents detailed in full in this history.

MISS MARY PEARSON, Tippecanoe City. Miss Mary Pearson is a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Ruth Pearson; they were among the first settlers, Samuel, the father of Benjamin, coming to Monroe Township in 1804; he was born Aug. 27, 1796, and his wife, Ruth Pegg, Dec. 9, 1795; he died May 26, 1875, and his wife in June of the same year; they were, at that time, the oldest living couple in the township, and, during their long wedded life, were separated only five weeks; hand in hand, they journeyed down the hillside of life, always loving and encour- aging each other ; they reared a family of four children-Sarah, Esther, Valentine and Mary ; the two latter are still living. Mary is the owner of the home farm, which she has rightly named " Wilderness Home ; " she has reared, from infancy, her sister Sarah's only daughter ; she is an intelligent lady, and, in her neighbor- hood, there are none more universally respected than Mary Byrkett ; she was born in 1856. Miss Pearson lives very comfortably, and the home she loves is hers by birthright ; she is an estimable lady, and we are glad to give her the place she de- serves in the biography of her township. Benjamin Pearson was a native of South Carolina, and his wife's grandfather was one of the first settlers in that State, com- ing as early as 1680. There are few families that can trace their genealogy further back than those of the Pearson name.

JOHN M. PEARSON, apiarist; P. O. Troy ; the eldest son of Rachel (Moore) and Aaron Pearson, was born Oct. 21, 1831 ; he had three brothers and one sister- George W., Eli W., Christopher C. and Sarah A. ; John, Eli and Christopher are yet living ; George was for eight years a soldier in the United States Regular Army, and fought during the war of the rebellion, and was in several of the hardest-fought bat- tles of the war ; he died in December, 1872, and his name is recorded among those of our gallant soldiers who defended the cause they loved. John's parents came from South Carolina in 1804 and settled near where Frederickstown now stands. John M. was married to Miss Harriet Russell Feb. 19, 1857; she was a daughter of Tamar and Isaac Russell, and was born March 16, 1835 ; they have no children. John M. Pearson purchased the farm upon which he now resides in 1873; it is in a high

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state of cultivation; for the past year he has been engaged in getting under way an apiary, which promises to be a lucrative business ; he has facilities for manu- facturing his own hives, and has a large number filled with bees; he is a Repub- lican of the radical sort ; he and his wife belong to the Christian Church, and are also members of Monroe Grange. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. G, 147th O. V. I., and acquitted himself with honor.

ELI PEARSON, SR., farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; is well known in the county, and perhaps there is no one who is so well skilled in all branches of mechan- ism as himself, who never served an apprenticeship ; his parents were Samuel and Mary Pearson, whose maiden name was Coats ; her parents were among the first settlers in this township, and are mentioned in this history ; they were the parents of eleven children, four are living-Henry, aged 82 ; Hiram, 80 ; Sampson, 70 and Eli, 62, their united ages amounting to 294 years. Eli was married to Miss Rebecca Mooney, daughter of Sarah and John J. Mooney, Oct. 15, 1837; they were the parents of Joseph J., Mary J., Benjamin S., Martha A. and William H .; Mary is the wife of G. K. Westlake, and Joseph married Miss Phoebe Stewart; Mrs. Pearson died Jan. 14, 1854. His marriage, to Hannah Julien, was celebrated April 15, 1856 ; they have two sons, Sylvanus E. and Warren J. Among the relics of olden times, in possession of Mr. Pearson, are a wooden clamp to catch wild hogs, made by his father in 1804, which is now as strong and efficient as ever; & mirror, that was made in 1680, and has been in the possession of his ancestry two centuries ; and a wagon, built by his father in South Carolina, in 1799, that carried them to this county from that State, was used in transportation of supplies for the army in 1812, and was driven by his brother Benjamin ; it has been used by every son of his father's family until he could buy himself one, and is now used for heavy work on the farm. His son Joseph enlisted during the war in Co. A, 11th O. V. C., under command of Maj. O'Farrell ; his battalion was ordered to the frontier, and guarded the United States mail during the war ; he was honorably discharged in 1865, having passed through the whole campaign without a wound. Mr. Pearson is one of the most social men in the county, and, with his wife as hostess, there cannot be a more inviting place to visit. The products of her dairy cannot be excelled in the State of Ohio. The finest spring in the county bubbles from a fissure in the rocks, and, passing through the dairy room, furnishes water enough to supply all the stock bred in the State. The beautiful spring-house was planned and built by Mr. Pearson, the stones of which were squared and laid with his own hands ; the tasteful appearance of everything shows his skill and energy. He is a member of Coleman Commandery, No. 17. They are both professed Chris- tians, he being a member of the Christian, and she of the Baptist, Church. His farm of 160 acres is a beautiful one, and is well tilled. His son, Benjamin, was also a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Co. G, 147th O. V. I. ; he died in 1867. Mr. Pearson was a member of the Board of Education for thirty-nine consecutive years.

ELI PEARSON, JR., farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; represents one of the oldest men in Monroe Township, his grandfather, Samuel Pearson, emigrating to this township in 1806 ; Hiram, the father of Eli, Jr., was born in 1800, and was married to Elizabeth Jenkins in 1824, according to the forms of the Quaker Church, and their marriage certificate is now in possession of his son ; they are quaint old documents, and are signed by all the wedding guests ; three of that large number are yet living, and are the oldest persons living in the county ; their children were seven in number, four of whom are living-Jesse, Rosanna, Eli and Elizabeth ; Jesse is living in Indiana ; Hiram's wife died in 1857, and his home is made with his son Eli, who lives on the home farm. Eli was married, in 1852, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Noah and Florentine Pearson, whose maiden name was Siddons ; their children number five, and are all living ; their names are Mary E., Alva Y., George W., Luetta F. and Jennie ; the eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of James Counts. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson are members of the Christian Church, and of Kentucky Home Grange. Mr. Pearson is a member of Franklin Chapter, No. 24, and is also

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Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 174, A., F. & A. M. There are 80 acres in the home farm, which is highly cultivated ; himself and lady are a genial couple, and enjoy a large acquaintance in the county ; his father is still living, is hale and hearty, and is now absent, having taken a trip to Indiana.

ROSANNA PEARSON ; P. O. Tippecanoe City. Every one in this vicinity is well acquainted with the lady named, and will read this brief sketch with interest ; aside from the fact of her being the eldest pioneer now living in the township, she is mentally well gifted, and can tell of incidents that happened long ago ; Rosanna Pearson has furnished considerable material for the Monroe Township history ; she is the oldest lady now living in the township, and has a remarkable memory ; she was born in South Carolina in 1797, and is now 82 years of age ; she has a sister, Mrs. Margaret Ingle, who lives in Indiana, and is 93 years of age. Her father, Robert McClure, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war ; his wife's maiden name was Mary Buffington ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1806. Rosanna was married to Enoch Pearson in 1815; they have six children living-Samuel, Enoch (the youngest child), Mahala Gates, Ruth Reisensaign, Tirzah Pemberton and Mrs. Margery Jenkins, who has given a great deal of information for this work ; Rosanna's husband died in 1860. When Robert McClure first settled in Shelby Co., there were no neighbors but Indians, and during the war of 1812, they moved to Fort Piqua ; Rosanna gave the Indians who murdered Gerard, Dilbone and his wife, their dinner, the next day after the murder was committed ; they had scarcely finished their meal when their pursuers arrived, hunting them ; during one winter, Rosanna killed twenty-two coon, six wolves, two deer and one panther, with her rifle ; she was a woman of much energy, and deserves to live long in the minds of the settlers of Miami Co .; Miss Alice Brown is her housekeeper, and makes her home with the old lady, whom we leave in excellent health.

WILLIAM L. PENCE, farmer; P. O. Ginghamsburg ; is a man of much influence in his neighborhood ; his farm, adjoining the pleasant little village of Ginghamsburg, is highly improved, and is a cozy, homelike place. William was born in Champaign Co. in 1821 ; his parents, Reuben and Annie Pence, coming to this county in 1835 ; they settled first in Champaign Co. in 1804 ; they had six children-Ocey, Phoebe, Mary, Annie, Rhoda J. and William L. ; his grandparents both lived to the extraordinary age of 104 years. William was married to Miss Harriet Rudy in 1848. They were the parents of one son, Joseph B. Mrs. Pence died in 1849, and Joseph in 1863. In 1851, Mr. Pence was married to Miss Bar- bara Rudy ; they are the parents of five children-Harriet T., Alfred F., Mary Annetta, William H. and Daisy P. Harriet is the wife of J. F. Kerr, and is the mother of Guy and William Newell Kerr. Alfred married Miss Ella Stoher, and Mary is the wife of John F. Eidemiller. The children are all well educated, and Alfred has been engaged in teaching. W. L. Pence was elected Justice of the Peace in 1867, and served two terms ; for twenty-three years, he has been connected with the School Board, which is a good record in itself. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church He has been Township Trustee for four years ; he votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the most genial of men ; he has also been connected with the ministry for fourteen years, and has done much for the cause he loves.

JOHN H. REICHEL, grocer, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Germany, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, Sept. 23, 1828, and is the son of J. G. and Mary E. (Weil) Reichel, the former a practical farmer, who had a family of eight children, six of whom he reared ; he is still living at the age of 74 years. Our subject was the oldest child, and the only one who emigrated to America ; he was inured to farm labor, and educated in the common schools ; in 1852, he came to this country, making his first permanent location at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he engaged in farm work over one year ; in the fall of 1853, took a trip to New Orleans as a steward on a boat, and, while in the latter city, he fell sick, and, after recovering, returned to Cincinnati, where he had a relapse and lay in the hospital for some time ; after recovering, he found himself unable to go at hard labor, and almost

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penniless ; with his little money he purchased some notions and embarked in the peddling business, which he continued six years with eminent success ; he then located at Foster's Crossing, Warren Co., Ohio, and engaged with marked success for five years, when he went to Springboro, and in 1876, came to Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the grocery trade; he keeps on hand gents' furnishing goods also ; Mr. Reichel is thoroughly acquainted with his business, and reliable ; honesty and integrity are his ruling principles in all actions. He has been married twice ; first in September, 1859, to Ethlinda Miller, who died in 1866, and again to Hannah A. Cartwright. He had one child, now dead, by his first wife, and four children by the second union.

B. F. RHODEHAMEL, manufacturer, Tippecanoe; one of the enter- prising and well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; was born near Sydney, Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1843, and is the son of Jacob and Julia R., the former of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Dayton, Ohio. Jacob was a farmer by occupation, and came to this State when a young man ; his death occurred about twenty-seven years ago, and that of his devoted wife, August, 1878. They had a family of four sons and four daughters, all growing up to maturity ; one son and two daughters have died ; the son died in the service of late civil war; was a member of the 57th O. V. I. Our subject was the youngest son, and was reared and schooled in his native county ; followed farming till 18 years old, when he came to this county, locating in Piqua, where he embarked in the wholesale notion business. This he continued with gratifying results for fifteen years, and then moved to Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil and flour. With his brother he holds the largest stock interest in the "Grape Sugar Co.," lately organ- ized in Tippecanoe. Mr. R. is a successful and reliable business man, and has the confidence and esteem of the public. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic Order, Royal Arcanum and M. E. Church. He was married, June 11, 1873, to Angie, daughter of Dr. Harrison, of Covington, Ohio.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 92

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