The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 98

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 98

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MRS. MARGERY JENKINS, Troy. We present to our readers a sketch of Mrs. Margery Jenkins; she is the eldest daughter of Enoch and Rosannah Pear- son, who were natives of South Carolina, and emigrated from Newberry Court House to Monroe Township. Margery was born March 7, 1818; during her girl- hood, she received a liberal education, which was very beneficial to her ; when her father had his first cabin erected, he had no material to make doors of, so a blanket was substituted, and served its purpose well ; Margery's father was her first school- teacher, and the log schoolhouse was only partly floored; one log removed from the side gave light, and the benches were hewed logs, with pegs driven in holes for legs ; the fire-place nearly filled one end of the room, and would hold half a cord of wood ; this hardly served to keep them warm on a cold day ; the scholars would often bring their dinner in their pockets, consisting of raw potatoes, and these, roasted in the ashes, were considered quite a luxury ; "salt pork and lye hominy'

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were staple articles of diet. She was married to Jesse Jenkins March 29, 1835, Esquire David Jenkins tying the nuptial knot; her wedding dress was of silk, which was considered rather stylish ; she began teaching "select school " in April, 1836, in her kitchen, superintending, in the meanwhile, her cooking, which was at that time all done by the fire-place ; Elizabeth, their first child, was born Feb. 20, 1837 ; she is now the wife of Benjamin Blackmore ; Enoch P. was born Sept. 24, 1839; Rosannah, June 24, 1842 ; Rebecca E., April 18, 1845 ; she is the wife of John Herr ; Ruth A. was born Feb. 25, 1848, and is now the wife of Sherman Le Blonde; they live with Mrs. Jenkins, and Mrs. Le Blonde is a very fine house- keeper and an "ardent supporter " of the Miami Co. History ; Mahala was born Fel. 9, 1850, and is now deceased; Margaret J., May 5, 1853; Silas L., Sept. 24, 1855 ; Sarah B., June 27, 1858, also deceased ; Silas L. was married to Rebecca Fogle. David Jenkins, the father and husband, died Oct. 9, 1870. Mrs. Jenkins is well provided for, and is a consistent member of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON, Judge of the Probate Court, Troy ; son of Stephen and Uretta Johnston, was born July 24, 1842, at Troy, in the old Sheriff's resi- dence, his father being Sheriff of the county at that time, subsequently removed to Piqua. At the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted as a private soldier in the 11th O. V. I., and afterward was assigned to the staff of Gen. O. W. Mitchell, with the rank of Lieutenant; but a lingering fever, contracted while in service in Western Virginia, prevented him from entering upon the duties of that office ; he again served in the 147th O. N. G., until near the close of the war ; for & time previous to November, 1865, was Deputy Collector United States Internal Revenue; in December, 1867, was admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio to the practice of law ; for about a year, was Chief Clerk in the Assessor's Office United States Internal Revenue, Fourth District, Ohio. In the spring of 1869, was elected City Solicitor or Attorney for the city of Piqua, which position he held, with the exception of a portion of one term, until February, 1879, when he became Judge of the Probate Court, which position he now holds.

M. C. KAUFFMAN, of the firm of Kauffman & Ellis, merchant tailors, and dealers in ready-made clothing, Troy, was born in Lebanon Co., Penn. ; his father, Jacob Kauffman, was born in the same State Feb. 21, 1804 ; died Jan. 31, 1840; his grandfather, Abraham, was born in 1771 ; died in 1826 ; his great-grandfather, Abraham, was born in 1741 ; died in 1802 ; his great-great-grandfather, Frederick, was born in Switzerland, in 1709 ; came to the United States in 1734; at the age of 25 years, was a Bishop of the - Church ; he settled in Anville Township, Lebanon Co., and died in 1789, aged 80 years ; Sarah, mother of M. C., and wife of Jacob Kauffman, was born Jan. 9, 1810; died Sept. 6, 1863, aged 53 years and 7 months. Our subject began learning the tailoring trade when only 12 years of age, in Lebanon, which was finished in the city of Philadelphia ; his education was mostly received in the latter place, by attending night schools. After completing his trade, he was employed as cutter in an establishment in the above city for some time, then came West, locating in Greenville, Ohio, where he did a general mer- chant tailoring and ready-made clothing business ; then afterward came to this place, and was employed as cutter. In 1868, he went to Omaha, where he was engaged as cutter and general overseer of all work for six months; returned to Troy ; established himself in business, giving employment to a number of skilled workmen. He is a professional cutter, in the strongest sense which the term implies, and is testified too by all who have been so fortunate as to have their dimensions encircled by his tape. This firm, from their fair-dealing, and popular business habits, command what they deserve, the leading trade in Troy.

GEORGE. KEIFER, physician and surgeon, Troy ; is a son of Margaret and George Keifer, and was born in Washington Co., Md., July 4, 1806 ; his father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Maryland, in which State they were married ; they removed to Bethel Township, in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1812, the over- land trip to Springfield occupying thirty-one days ; his father died Aug. 31, 1845, she in 1822 ; they were parents of five children, two living-Mrs. Catherine Hum-

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phrys and our subject ; Mr. K., Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and had much knowledge of the science of medicine, and, withal, was a very useful man. At the age of 12 years, our subject entered the Findlay Seminary, a Methodist institution, in which he obtained a preparatory education, which was afterward fully developed in the same institution ; in 1826, he began the study of medicine in Troy, under the guidance of the late Dr. Asa Coleman, who was his preceptor for three years ; he then entered the Ohio Medical College, which conferred on him their diploma of medicine and surgery. Returning to Troy, he entered on the duties of his pro- fession, and for three years practiced with his former preceptor ; since then, with the exception of a short time, he has practiced independent of assisting physicians. He has been twice married ; first to Eliza Cushman, of Providence, R. I., Oct. 27, 1833, who bore him seven children, four living-Mary E., Asa C., Sarah J. and Henrietta ; the deceased are Charles L., George D. and Eliza. Mrs. K. died Dec. 12, 1845, aged 36 years. His second marriage was celebrated May 8, 1849, with Elizabeth Hazard, of New London, Conn .; she died May 5, 1880, aged 76 years. With one exception, the Doctor is the oldest practitioner in the county, and has built up a large practice. July 9, 1862, he was commissioned Surgeon of the 50th O. V. I., and had charge of General Hospital No. 19, in Louisville, Ky. ; he was honorably discharged Dec. 26, 1863 ; during Gov. Allen's administration, he became one of the managers of the Soldiers and Sailors' Orphan Home for three years, and was afterward appointed by the trustees as Superintendent of the same insti- tution, receiving many compliments for his able management. In 1838, he was commissioned Brigadier General, by Gov. Vance, which position he held ten years. In extracts from the press during his term, we learn that the Doctor was a very gallant officer. At home he has always been a representative man, discharging the duties of Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, Mayor three years, President and member of the Board of Education three years, which speaks much for the Doctor's official capacity. He has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1830, and has held positions of honor and trust ; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Order, in which he served as District Deputy Grand Master three years.

ELI KELLY, dealer in books, music, etc., Troy. Seth Kelly, the father of our subject, emigrated from Massachusetts, about 1820, to West Milton, and was iden- tified with his brother Samuel, for a number of years, in the building of saw- mills, factories, oil-mills, etc .; he was the manufacturer of the celebrated "Kelly's Scythe " that earned a justly deserved reputation long before reaping machines were thought of. His wife's maiden name was Mary A. Coppock, a native of Ohio; she was born near Ludlow Falls ; her death occurred in August, 1852, and her hus- band's in November, 1852. Eli, our subject, was born Nov. 4, 1839, near West Milton, and was 14 years of age when his parents died ; he saw but little of the sunny side of life during his boyhood, having to work at any kind of a job that offered itself; on the farm in the summer, he attended the common schools in the winter, and obtained such an education as they then afforded ; at the begin- ning of the war he was 21 years of age, and enlisted as a private in Co. A, 44th O. V. I. ; served as such until the re-enlistment of regular veterans in 1864; when the 44th Regiment was re-organized with the 8th O. V. C., he received a commis- sion as 2d Lieutenant, and was afterward appointed Adjutant of the regiment, and served until his resignation, June, 1865, which was accepted by the Governor of the State, for reason of wounds received in battle Jan. 11, 1865. Upon his return, he commenced the book and stationery business in Troy, which has been continued to the present time, and has been largely increased, until his establishment is now the best one of the kind in the county ; lately has been added the music and sew- ing machine branch of the business. His marriage to Miss Hattie L. Bates oo- curred May 4, 1867 ; she was a graduate of Adrian College, Mich., Class of 1866 ; they have had three children-Edward Bates was born Feb. 21, 1869 ; Harry, Feb. 21, 1870, and Robert, July 1, 1875 ; Harry died in his 4th year, Jan. 15, 1874, and his body was interred in a lovely spot in Rosehill Cemetery. Mr. Kelly is one of our most accommodating business men, and has hosts of friends.

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JOHN KELLY, Troy, of the firm of Beedle & Kelly, manufacturers of the Champion corn-planter, plow, automatic gates, Monitor wind engines, etc. ; he was born in Union Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1823, and is a son of Samuel Kelly, a man of great public spirit and enterprise, who was born in Massachusetts, and came to Miami Co., at the beginning of the present century, and located in Union Township ; he was a machinist by trade, and at an early day purchased several water privileges on the Stillwater, and erected the first and only cotton factory in the county ; he also erected other factories and mills ; he was liberal and did much to develop the Stillwater region ; in 1866, he emigrated to Iowa, where he died in 1874 ; our subject was raised and educated in the different manufacturing business in which his father was engaged, until 1844, at which date he went to Providence, and served as an apprentice, until he had completed the trade of ma- chinist, when he went to West Milton and built the machinery for his father's fac- tory ; he remained at West Milton and followed his occupation as machinist until 1868, during which time he built the machinery for several factories and mills; then he came to Troy, continuing at his trade in its different branches until 1873, when he became associated with his present partner in the above business, since which time their business has been on an increase and is now quite extensive having in their employ from forty-five to seventy-five hands ; the implements of their manufacture find a market in all the Western States; Mr. Kelly manufactures the two-horse corn-planter, and in the past six years has taken six patents, all im- provements on this machine; the whole manufacturing department is under the super- vision of our subject. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. Miller in 1849, who was a daughter of Zachariah Miller, of West Milton, born in Virginia, of which union sprung four children, viz., Carrie, Mary, J. M. and George C .; the two sons being foremen of the machine-shops and foundry of the firm.

SOLOMON KERNS, retired farmer ; P. O. Troy. Among the early settlers of this township we are pleased to notice Mr. Solomon Kerns, who has lived the longest, perhaps, of any man in the county in one township; he was born within one mile of his present home, sixty-seven years ago, and his entire life, with but short intermissions, has been spent in this county ; he is a son of Henry Kerns, who was born in North Carolina, in 1784, and emigrated from Rowan Co., N. C., and settled in Concord Township, in 1809; a few years later, he pur- chased the place now occupied by our subject, upon which he resided until his de- cease, which occurred in May, 1861, at the advanced age of 77 years. He married Mary Summey, also a native of the above State, who died in Concord Township, about the year 1875, at the remarkable old age of 93 years; they were the parents of sixteen children, of whom seven now survive ; Solomon Kerns was born May 13, 1813, upon the farm where he has always lived ; he has witnessed the transforma- tion of the vast wilderness into well-cultivated farms, fine residences, take the place of the rude log cabins, and the wild savage become entirely extinct. The marriage nuptials of Solomon Kerns with Diana Frazier were celebrated in Concord Town- ship in 1839 ; she was born March 22, 1822, and died March 5, 1879; they were the parents of three children, of whom Philadelphia and Harriet Frances now sur- vive; Mr. Kerns has devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits, and was also extensively engaged in stock-dealing ; he owns 203 acres in his home farm, with good buildings, under a fine state of cultivation, and some timber land in other parts of the county, all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and correct business habits ; he is now retired from active labor, having his farm rented out to good tenants. He is a Republican in politics, and, while he has no aspirations for political honors, he has held the office of Township Trustee for & period of twenty years in succession.

DAVID KERNS, farmer; P. O. Troy. Mr. Kerns was born May 31, 1823, and has always followed the occupation of farming ; when he was 6 years of age, his parents immigrated to Indiana, near Muncie ; two years afterward his father died very suddenly, and the widow and her children removed to Darke Co., Ohio, settling near Greenville ; after living with his mother nine years, David came to

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this township and worked two and a half years for Solomon Kerns. During this time he became engaged to and afterward married Miss Amanda Kerns, Aug. 29, 1845; the Rev. John Stephenson officiating ; they went to Indiana, where Mrs. Kerns contracted the ague ; they left Indiana on that account and came back to Concord Township, where Mr. Kerns purchased a part of the land upon which they now reside ; they moved into an old log cabin, 16x18, comprising parlor, dining and sleeping rooms in one room ; he built a cabin the next year that was the envy of the neighbors, it being plastered overhead and having a fine porch attached. Six children are now living, one deceased, three married; one son and the daughter Olive still live with their parents ; their names are Salista J., now the wife of John Strong; Luther J. is the husband of Miss Mary A. Brown; Alonzo R. married Miss Sarah J. Blackmore ; Winfield S., William H. and Olive E. are still single. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns are in comfortable circumstances, and enjoy life, in their quiet way, in a high degree ; their farm is in a fine state of cultivation, superintended by Mr. Kerns, and paying him a nice profit ; the buildings and orchard are neatly kept, contentment reigning around the fireside.

WILLIAM KERR, farmer ; P. O. Troy. William Kerr was born in this county ; his parents were Harvey and Sabra, who were also born in the county, and may be classed among the old settlers ; William was born Dec. 11, 1834, and, from choice, he has followed farming ; work was too plenty in his younger days for boys to get a very extensive knowledge of books, but William managed to obtain enough education to aid him materially in his business ; at 18, he com- menced working for himself, at the rate of $10 per month, and continued working on the same wages for six years. March 10, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Mahala, eldest daughter of William Swailes ; she was born in October, 1830, on the farm where they now reside, and never has nor ever wishes to know any other home; two daughters thus far have gladdened their home. Naomi and Effie, whose education is fast approaching completion ; Naomi was born Feb. 1, 1865, and Effie May 7, 1868. Mr. Kerr is owner of 80 acres of splendid land, with sub- stantial improvements ; an air of neatness is everywhere apparent, his farm paying him a large revenue ; much of the change that has taken place in this county has been closely observed by him, and his arm has done much toward its improve- ment ; he is Democratic in politics, and never misses an opportunity of voting ; is fond of company and very agreeable.

WM. R. KERR, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Wm. R. Kerr is a direct descendant of one of our early pioneers ; he is a son of William and Rachel Kerr, both of whom were born in Monroe Township. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survive-George G., Sarah P., Susannah, Margaret E., Edward E., and William R., to whom this sketch is dedicated. He was born on the home farm March 30, 1852, and his occupation, from choice, has been that of a farmer. Since the death of his father, he has been the manager of the whole estate of 332 acres, and the general aspect of things betokens his ability. He was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Pence, Dec. 22, 1873, by the Rev. Wm. Jay. Thus far, two bright little children have blest their union-Ercy C. and Mary E. Mr. Kerr is now engaged in rearing blooded stock, and will, no doubt, make it a success. He is himself a worker, and under his auspices the farming is done in a systematic man- ner. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and we are also pleased to note him a thoroughbred Democrat. He possesses the character- istics of the Kerr family in a high degree, and will, no doubt, attain a prominent position among our best farmers.

S. H. KERR, farmer ; P. O. Troy. S. H. Kerr justly takes a place in the history among the legal representatives of the pioneers. His grandfather, Ham- ilton Kerr, came to the county in 1804, and afterward married Miss Rhoda Furnace. Their four sons are all represented in this history, except John, and the Kerr family has a record equal to that of any in the county. George Kerr is the father of the subject of this sketch, and is one of the wealthiest men in Monroe Township. Samuel H. Kerr was married to Miss Minnie E. Stewart, of Clark Co.,

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April 2, 1874, at the residence of the bride's parents. The first year after his marriage was spent at the home of his wife's parents, and the next spring they took possession of the fine farm upon which he now resides, everything betokening his practical knowledge of agriculture. Thus far they are the parents of two children, both beautiful girls-Blanche and Daisy. Blanche was born in 1874, and Daisy in 1878. Mr. Kerr was born a Democrat, and adheres strictly to its Jacksonian principles. He is one of our most courteous and affable young men, and is especially well posted upon topics of the day. Mr. Kerr's education is first-class, his leisure being spent in storing his mind with useful knowledge.

CHARLES KESSLER, dealer in wines and liquors, Troy ; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1847 ; received his education in his native country ; at 13 years of age, he commenced the occupation of rope-making, continuing the same until 1867, at which date he emigrated to America, and for ten years followed the occu- pation of harness-making; in 1877, he engaged in his present business, in which he has been quite successful. Married in 1875 to Margaret Pfister ; one child was born to them, Augusta, now deceased.

CHRISTIAN LEIDIGH, carriage blacksmith, Troy. Christian Leidigh was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 13, 1845 ; he is a son of Michael and Louisa (Schwartz) Leidigh, both natives of Penn .; his parents moved to this State in the year 1853, and settled in Clark Co., where they lived till the death of his mother, in the autumn of 1863 ; his father is still living in Medway, Clark Co. The boy- hood of our subject was spent on the farm, and his education was received in the common schools. In the fall of 1862, when the flag which we all love was in dan- ger, and rebellion was rife in the Southern States, he, although only a boy of 17, bade farewell to home and friends, and enlisted in the 83d O. V. I., under Col. F. W. Moore. of Cincinnati, and started for the seat of war; he served his country for three years, most of the time in the 3d Division, 13th Army Corps, Department of the Gulf ; he was in the fight of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post and Vicksburg, also the Red River campaign, the Battle of Champion Hills ; assisted in the tak- ing of Jackson twice ; he was in numerous other battles in the Gulf States, some of which, though of little note in history, were as hard-earned as any of the more prominent ones ; he served faithfully till the 24th of August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Galveston, Texas, and was finally discharged at Camp Den- nison. After coming home, he learned the trade of blacksmith, worked as journey- man in several counties, and finally located at Troy, where he now carries on busi- ness, working chiefly on buggies, carriages and spring-wagons. He married Miss Candace Heckerman on the 17th of November, 1870. One child, Cora, has been born to them, Oct. 29, 1871. Mr. Leidigh is a genial, jovial gentleman, and has many friends, both in the fraternity of I. O. O. F., of which he is a member, and in the community at large. His wife is an exemplary lady, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM LIEDEL, barber, Troy. William Liedel is the most popular barber in Troy ; he was born and reared in Cincinnati, his father, Peter Liedel, being the first white barber in that city ; he was married to Miss Julia Leitz, in Baden-Baden, Germany ; they emigrated to Cincinnati in 1831 ; their children were seven in number-Peter, William, Frank, Julia, Louisa, Amelia and John ; of the whole family, there are none living except the subject of this sketch ; he has for more than a quarter of a century been engaged in the tonsorial business, and is, without doubt, the finest barber in the county ; his parlors are on Market street, near the public square, Troy, Ohio ; he employs four skilled workmen, and does the business of the city. His marriage to Miss Charlotta Wasserman was cele- brated in 1867 ; her parents, John and Mary Wasserman, were among the old set- tiers of Troy ; Mr. W. left a large estate at the time of his death. William Liedel and wife have no children, but have lately adopted a son, who is named after his foster father. Mr. Liedel was one of the first to respond to his country's call for troops during the late civil war ; he enlisted in Co. C, 6th O. V. I., and at the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted in the same company and regiment;

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participated in the battles of Stone River, Shiloh, Perryville and Rich Mountain ; was also with Sherman on his march to the sea ; he was twice wounded at Stone River and Shiloh ; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and is entitled to a place among the heroes of our country.

MARTIN H. LONG, grocer, Troy. The subject of this sketch was born in Troy Nov. 8, 1853; is a son of Adam and Mary (Dick) Long, who came to this county at an early day, and located in Troy ; he was engaged in the butchering business until the time of his death, in 1863. Martin spent his boyhood here, and was educated in the Troy schools ; he entered the grocery business soon after having attained his majority, where he has continued the business, keeping a full line of groceries and everything pertaining to a general grocery trade. March 4, 1875, he was joined in wedlock to Mary Streuble, by whom he has one child, Cora, born May 18, 1876. He and his wife are both members of the German Lutheran Church, with which they have been connected for several years.

JOHN A. LONG, butcher, Troy ; is a native of Miami Co., and was born in Troy May 31, 1842, his father being Adam Long, a native of Germany, who came to Miami Co. about the year 1824, where he followed butchering until his death in 1861 ; his widow still survives, residing in Troy. Our subject was educated in the schools of Troy, and has devoted his whole life to his present business, learn- ing the trade of his father when quite young, and has successfully followed the same for a period of nineteen years, his present place of business being on the corner of Main and Chestnut streets. His marriage with Lucinda Layton was celebrated in March, 1864 ; they have two sons, Walter and Eugene.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 98

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