The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 81

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 81

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GEORGE BEECHER. The subject of this sketch is a leading, influential citizen of Union Connty, was born near Utica, N. Y., April 18. 1827. His father, Zina Beecher, was born near New Haven, Conn., and was a first cousin to Lyman Beecher, the father of Henry Ward Beecher. His mother, Lucretia Sanford. was also born near New llaven. His parents were married in Connecticut, and moved to Herkimer County, N. Y., and in 1836 to Licking County, Ohio, where Mr. Beecher died September, 1868. Mrs. Beecher died February 4, 1880, at the ripe age of ninety-six years. She was a remarkably firm and intelligent lady, and retained her mental fac- ulties up to the last. She was the mother of six sons and three daughters, of whom all the sons and one daughter are living-Lucretia (deceased) ; Beri, who resides in Granville, Ohio ; Alme- lia deceased ; Lyman, who occupies the nomestead in Licking County ; Edwin, of Fairfield, Ill .; Mary, wife of Carter Wilcox ; George, the subject of this sketch; Charles, of Cincinnati, attor- ney for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and Walter, the youngest, resides in Mill Creek Township, this county. Mr. Beecher, our subject, was reared to manhood on his father's farm. For four years after he was of age, he worked for a salary of $100 per year. April 17, 1852, he came to Union County, and located on 185 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, which was in nature's original state. He cleared this farm, and continued to make additions till he now owns a body of land containing 509 acres, all of which he acquired by his untiring industry and successful business management. In the fall of 1877, he purchased forty acres adjoining the corporation of Marysville on the east, and erected on it a commodions frame residence. Mr. Beecher is en- gaged extensively in rearing fine sheep, and is ranked as one of the leading sheep-raisers of the county. For the last two years he has bought and shipped draft horses to Mansfield, doing a large and successful trade. He is a man of much force of character, and in the pursuits of life has been eminently successful. His marriage was celebrated January 16, 1852, with Miss Rosanna Rogers, a daughter of M. W. and Mary Rogers, formerly of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Beecher is a native of Licking County, was born July 5, 1828. Three children are the fruits of this union-Alice A., wife of Marion Taylor, Clara and Mary L.

EOHagen

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

SAMUEL BEIGHLER, farmer, P. O. Marysville, eldest son of Tobias and Saran Beighler), was born in Paris Township December 10, 1828. He was reared and brought up on his father's farm, and was educated in the common schools. He was married April 12, 1849, to Miss Ann J. Fawcett, a daughter of Jesse and Philadelphia Fawcett. They have six sons living -Asbury H., an attorney at law in Marysville ; Warren, Jasper, John, Elwood and Tobias. Mr. Beighler purchased and located on his present farm in the spring of 1858. He cleared his farm from the " stump," and has well improved it. Mr. B. and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically he is a Republican. He owns a farm of ninety acres, and is en- gaged in agriculture.

A. H. BEIGHTLER, attorney, Marysville. The Beightler family whose record may be found in this volume, comprises one of the most extensive connections of the pioneer settlers. The subject of this sketch is a son of Samuel and Ann J. (Fawcett) Beightler, and was born in Paris Township, Union County, in 1852. He was raised on a farm and received his primary education in the high schools of this city, where he began the study of law in the office of R. L. Wood- burn, in 1874. He was admitted to the bar April 20th, 1877, and the same year began the prac- tice of his profession in Marysville, where he has since been constantly and actively engaged. He has served the township as clerk, and since his admission to the bar has filled the office of secretary of the Agricultural Society. Ile is a member of the Lodge and Chapter F. & A. M. at Marysville, and of the Commandry at Urbana, and connected with the Presbyterian Church of this town. Politically Mr. B. is a stanch Republican. He was united in marriage to Miss Laura C., daughter of G. T. Dorland, of Cincinnati, in 1880. Two children, Alice and Gordon R., are the issue of this uniou.

IRA BELVILLE, farmer, P. O. Marysville, son of Nicholas and Anna Belville, was born in Paris Township April 18, 1839. He passed his early life on his father's farm and received a common schooling. August 19, 1861, he married Caroline Smith, a daughter of Andrew and Jane Smith. She departed this life August 4, 1864, and August 4, 1867, Mr. Belville was again married, this time to Mrs. Rachel Draper, widow of Nelson Draper (deceased), and daughter of Adam Shirk. Three children were the fruits of this union : Anna L., Mary R. and Ada May. Mrs. Belville died June 15, 1878. She had two children by her former husband ; of these one (Biance), is living. Hannah is deceased. In 1867, Mr. Belville took up his residence on his present farm. He is engaged in the pursuits of farming and rearing stock. His farm is located in Taylor and Liberty Townships and contains 84 acres. He has been prominently connected with the Grange, and in politics is Democratic.

ROBERT BELT, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born near Newark, Ohio, June 15, 1822. Ilis parents, Benjamin and Rachel Crouch, were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respect- ively. They had nine children, of whom four are living: Letha A. (wife of Samuel Park), Ella (wife of Asa Park), Robert and Wesley. Robert was reared on the homestead in Licking County and occupied it till 1846. In April, 1864, he came to Union County and bought 146 acres, liis present farm. He was married in 1844 to Mary Park, a daughter of John and Margaret Park. She bore him ten children of whom five are living, viz .: Gilbert, George, Frank, Lucy and Ella. Alvin died October 22, 1846, Benjamin died October 21, 1864, Henry, December 1, 1864, and Isabell December 14, 1864. Mrs. Belt departed this life January 5, 1865, of typhoid fever. The three children, Benjamin, Henry and Isabell, who preceded her but a few days, died from the same fever. Mr. Belt was again married, January 29, 1866, to Mrs. Mary C. Wells, widow of Joseph Wells, and daughter of Ezekiel and Sarah Cunningham. Mrs. Belt was born in Lick- ing County September 2, 1832. She had two children by her first husband ; one (Sarah E.) is living, now wife of Henry N. Amrine. Mr. Belt has cleared and well improved his farm which was covered with woods when he located on it in 1864. He has been a successful farmer; of late years he has devoted especial attention to rearing fine sheep. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church of Marysville. He is associated with the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a supporter of Republican principles and doctrines. He owns a farm of 148 acres, with good improvements, located near Marysville.

TOBIAS BIGLER (or Beighler), was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1805. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Lookenbill) Beighler, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The original name was spelled Beighler, but was subsequently changed to Bigler and since to Beightler. The name is of German origin, the grandfather of our subject having emigrated from Germany to the United States prior to the American Revolution. Tobias, the subject of this sketch, is the second son and fifth child of a family of eight children, of whom two are living, viz .: George, Elizabeth, Solomon, Rebecca, Sophia, Tobias, Sallie and Enoch. When our sub- ject was four years of age, his parents removed to Licking County, Ohio, and the following year to Fairfield County, where he spent his boyhood and early inanhood. He worked by the month at the small salary of $7 till he came to this county in the latter part of 1825. He " squatted " on land owned by James Dines for a short time then purchased one hundred acres of woodland for which he paid $450. He cleared the site for his house. His dwelling place for several years was in the solitude of nature's wild dominion which was the habitation of the deer, wolf and bear. Mr. Bigler began the work of clearing and improving his farm and making additions to his original purchase till his farm now contains 225 acres ; of this 215 acres are well-improved

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Bigler was married January, 1827, to Miss Sarah Amrine, a daughter of John and Ornzie Amrine, and a native of Pennsylvania. Twelve children were the fruits of this union ; of these eight are living, viz .: Samuel, Mary A., Andrew, John, Eliza, Daniel, Harrison and James M .; Abraham, Lewis, Solomon and George are deceased. Mrs. Bigler died March 25, 1862, and June 5, 1862, Mr. B. celebrated his second marriage with Nancy Burrows, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary A. Burrows. Of two children by this marriage one (Wilson H.) is living. Nancy is deceased. Mr. Bigler is one of the sturdy old pioneers of Union County ; he located within its limits when an almost unbroken forest, with no capital save his energy, which he diligently displayed in hewing down the monarchs of the forests and clear- ing up his farm. The broad acres with all their wealth of soil and improvements are the fruits of his years of arduous toil and industry. IIe is now bordering on the seventy-eighth year of his age, but is in possession of strong mental powers and a good physical condition.

HAMILTON BLUE, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 24, 1819. He is a son of William and Margaret (Ilamilton) Blue, natives of Old Virginia. Mr. Blue was born December 12, 1796, and Mrs. Blue, January 4, 1798. Mr. Blue's parents, John M. and Catharine Blue, removed to Ross County in 1808; his wife's parents, Alexander and Mary Hamilton, settled there about the same. time. Mr. and Mrs. Blue were married May 28, 1818, and had tour sons-Hamilton, Josiah, David and William. They removed to Union County in 1832, and located in Paris Township, where Mr. Blue died, May 12, 1879. His widow lives with Josiah, the second son. Hamilton was reared to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. October 20, 1839, he united in marriage with Susan Orahood, a daughter of Samuel' and Polly Orahood, and a native of Hardy County, Va. She was born February 29, 1816. 1Ter death occurred June 20, 1873, leaving one son and five daughters-Alexander, Me- lissa (wife of Joseph Snider), Mary E. (wife of Charles Amrine), Margaret (wife of Peter Heckel), Susan (wife of Jacob Reed; and Clarinda. Mr. Blue married the second time, October 29, 1875, to Mrs. Mary Martin, widow of Benjamin Martin and daughter of John and Euthania Thompson. Mrs. Blue was born in Virginia, October 29, 1817. She had nine children by Mr. Martin-Caroline ( wife of John Johnson), Riley, Charles C., Mattie (wife of Alexander Blue) are living. Mr. Blue settled on his present farm in 1851, and has since occupied it, engaged in farming and rearing stock. llis farm contains 125 acres, and was all in woods when he located on it. He has cleared it up and aided in making many of the improvements of his neighbor- hood. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church. He is associated with the Ma- sonic fraternity and in politics with the Democracy.

JOSIAH BLUE, farmer, second son of William and Margaret Blue, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 24, 1822. When ten years of age, his parents removed to Union County, and young Blue spent the rest of his early life on his father's farm, in the northern part of Paris Township. Ile married, September 10, 1846, to Malinda Orahood, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Orahood. Mrs. Blue was born in Union County, and died in February, 1848, and left one son and one daughter-Lewis F. and Nancy. Mr. Blue's second marriage occurred in 1851, with Mrs. Susanna Orahood, daughter of Levi and Susan Wells, and widow of Joseph Orahood. Of six children by this union, four are living-Sarah (wife of Silas G. Gray), Lucy, Dorcas, Della, William and David. In 1851, Mr. Blue bought fifty-one acres of his present farm, and made additions till he now owns 171 acres, most of which he cleared and improved from the "stump." He is connected with the Masonic order and Democratic party and is a successful farmer.

R. S. BONNETTE, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, was born in Ohio County, Va., February 10, 1834. He is a son of John and Ann M. Bonnette, who came to Union County in 1840 and located in Leesburg Township, where our subject was reared to manhood. September, 1862, he volunteered in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the following principal battles : Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and a number of minor battles. He accompanied Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in all the engagements of note. In the spring of 1864, he was commissioned Sergeant, and served in that capacity until discharged. He returned home and farmed till 1868, and engaged in the grain trade in Dover, which he carried on till 1873. He returned to his farm, and was engaged in its pursuits till March, 1882, when he was ap- pointed to his present charge. He has managed the institution successfully and creditably. Ile was married, October 9, 1856, to Hester A. S. Brown, a native of Union County, born March 16, 1837, and a daughter of S. P. G. and Sarah Brown. They have three children-Elbert W. (married Glennie Dodge). Linnie E. and Nelson I. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnette are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bonnette is identified with the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. He served as Trustee of Leesburg Township two years. His farm in Leesburg contains 118 acres of well improved land.

JOHN K. BORGER, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 3, 1841, and in 1843 was brought to America by his parents, William and Elizabeth B. Borger. They settled in Co- lumbus, and in 1858 removed to Darby Township, and in 1861 to Union Township, where Mrs. B. departed this life September 11, 1870. John is the youngest of five children. When fifteen years of age he took up the trade of bricklaying, with George A. Fox, of Marysville, and followed

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

it three years, since which time he has pursued the avocation of farming and keeping stock. October 18, 1866, he was joined in marriage to Miss Maggie Magerlein, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country with her parents, Leonard and Eve Magerlein, when only a child. She bore seven children, of whom six are living, viz. : John F., John L., Mary A .. Lena L., John W. and George E. Charlie C. is deceased. Mr. Borger died August 20, 1882. Mr. B. was the possessor of 175 acres of rich land, fifty-two acres of which are situated in Paris Township. It is adorned with a substantial brick residence and other good improvements. Mr. Borger was a good, law-abiding citizen. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and a Democrat.

JOHN BRAUN, tailor, Marysville, is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1842. He crossed the waters to the land of the free in 1861, and located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1874, at which time he came to this city and engaged at his avecation with Otte Brothers. Here he has bent his energies to his task with scarcely one day of relief or relaxation. He was, however, possessed of the true German element, and by strict economy and indomitable energy has made fine possessions. He erected a brick block of buildings in East Cen- ter street at a cost of $7,000, which is a fine addition to the street. Mr. Braun was married in 1865 to Miss Coney, daughter of Stephen Childers, a native of this county. Five children born to this union are all living, viz. : Clara, John, Harvey, Adam and Georgia.

JOHN M. BRODRICK, attorney, Marysville. Jolin M. Bredrick, prosecuting attorney, is a native of Allen Township, Union County, where he was born May 19, 1854. His parents, Isaac, Jr., and Sarah P. (Iloff) Brodrick, with their respected and venerable ancestors, were among the pilgrims and founders of Allen Township, who built their cabins in the forest, and scattering the seed of that better intelligence, which, growing year by year, has transformed the dense for- est into well cultivated fields and waving grain. A history of their settlement appears in another portion of this work. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and learned to labor with his hands. He received his primary education in the district schools, and academy at Lewis- burg. He began teaching school when eighteen years of age, and two years afterward began the study of law in the office of Porter & Sterling, of this city. He was admitted to the bar Septem- ber 5, 1875, and began the practice of his profession in this city November I, 1876. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in November, 1881, and fills that position at this time. He has also served two terms as Corporation Clerk, and has, by close application and attention to business, cultivated and sustained a large and well merited practice. He is a loyal Republican. a member of the Masonic fraternity, and past officer in the I. O. O. F. Mr. B. was married April 16, 1878, to Miss N. M. G., a daughter of B. T. Benton, and a native of Delaware, Ohio. One child, Will- iam F., is the issue of this union.

AARON BROWN, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a native of Fayette County, Pa., was born March 2, 1813. His parents, Vincent and Amelia (Wilson) Brown, came from Pennsylvania to Union County in 1830 and settled in Darby Township, where Mr. Brown died in 1847 and Mrs. B. in 1852. Aaron is the sixth of nine children. He was reared to manhood a farmer boy. April 15, 1848, he united himself in marriage with Elizabeth Brown, a daughter of Christopher and Eliza- beth Brown, and a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born November 11, 1826. Of seven children by this marriage only two are living: Amelia, and Harriet, wife of David H. Smith. Mr. Brown resided in Darby Township till 1866, when he removed to the farm he now occupies. Ile owns 128 acres of land, and is by occupation a farmer.

THOMAS BROWN, Ex-Judge of the Probate Court, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, March 25, 1819. In 1824, his parents Allen and Margaret M. Brown, came across the waters and settled in Clermont County, Ohio, where they resided two years, in 1827 removing to Camp- bell County, Ky., and in 1829 to Highland County, Ohio, where they were among the earliest pioneers. Mr. Brown bought a farm and kept a country tavern on the Cincinnati & Chilli- cothe Stage Road, fifteen iniles west of Hillsboro. He entertained the " pioneer travlers" for twenty years, and died January 10, 1860. His widow followed him in September, 1876. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the second. He was reared on a farm till fifteen, when he began and served an apprenticeship of four years and a half at tanning at Point Pleasant, Ohio, the birth place of Gen. Grant. At the expiration of this time he entered upon a course in Miami University, of Oxford, Ohio, and remained a student three and a half years, when, on account of ill health, he retired and taught school three years. In 1844, he en- gaged in the mercantile trade in Highland, and in 1846 removed to Marysville, where he con- tinued in merchandising till 1851, where lie was elected Probate Judge. In 1860, he was ap- pointed to the same position to fill a vacancy. While Probate Judge he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1854. After practicing law two years, he again engaged in mercantile pursuits, retiring in 1870. The following year he embarked in the insurance business, and now represents the following companies, viz .: Hartford, Continental, North British and Mercantile, Lancashire Sun, Ohio, Dayton, Niagara and Michigan Mutua). Judge Brown was twice Mayor of Marysville and two terms Infirmary Director. He was first married April 4, 1843, to Miss Mary E. Root, who died September 12, 1873, leaving four children; William M., Matilda R., wife of W. M. Liggett, Margaret E., wife of W. F. Gallaher, and Harry E. His second marriage occurred Nov- ember 4, 1875, to Miss Sarah A. Carpenter, daughter of James Carpenter, of Delaware County. Judge Brown and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

B. V. BUFFINGTON, physician, Marysville. Dr. Buffington has attained considerable prom- inence as practitioner of this city and has wou a merited reputation. He was born near Har- pers Ferry, Va., in 1838. In infancy, his parents, Samnel and Nancy A. (Wheatley) Buffington, moved and settled in Pleasant Township, Clark Co., Ohio, being among the pioneers of that township. Subsequently they selected a home at Milford Center, Union County, where they yet reside. Here the subject of this sketch was brought up and received his common school edu- cation At the age of twenty-two years, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Leon- ard, of Urbana, and after four years of constant application and service, began the practice of his profession. He passed graduation at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati in 1873, and as a student of that school has built up a large practice. Dr. B. became a resident physician of Marysville in 1868, and has firmly established himself as a successful doctor and esteemed cit- izen. He was married in New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, in 1874, to Miss J. H. Johnson, a native of that county. Three children were born to this issue, two of whom are living, viz .: Edna B. and Opal A. Dr. B. is associated with the I. O. O. F. society.

JOHN Q. BURGNER, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, was born in Delaware County Ohio, October 21, 1853 ; his parents were William Burgner and Mary A. Kile, his wife, the former of German and the latter of Scotch de-cent. William Burgner was born in Pennsylvania, in 1826, and when two years of age came to Ohio with his parents, settling in Fairfield County. In 1850, he removed to Delaware County, and in 1872 came to Richwood, this county, where lic now resides. His wife died in 1856. The subject of this sketch was raised principally on a farm and acquired his education in his native county. In 1872, he removed with his father 10 Rich- wood, and in the autumn of 1875, engaged with him in the mercantile trade under the firm name of William Burgner & Son. In October, 1881, he was elected Clerk of the Courts on the Repub- lican ticket, and assumed the duties of his office in February, 1882. Mr. Burgner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Marysville, and is identified with the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias.

AMOS BURRIS, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born on the Whitewater River, in Indiana, September 4, 1825. When three years of age, his parents, Jeremiah and Mary (Billater) Burris, removed to Adams County, and in 1841, to Union County. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died near Marysville December 25, 1863, aged seventy-two years. Amos, the sub- ject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the farm. May 15, 1844, he was joined in marriage with Miss Polly A., daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Amrine, by whom he has had six children, viz .: Randolph F., William M., Martha, wife of Alonzo Reed, Josephine. Mahlon and Elgar. Mr. and Mrs. B. are connected with the United Brethren Church. He owns a farm of forty-six acres and is engaged in tilling the soil.

J. L. CAMERON, attorney, Marysville, is a native of Union City, and was born in Jackson Township May 22, 1844. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Reed) Cameron, were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They founded a home in Jackson Township, in 1827, and were among its earliest and most respected pioneers. lle was a successful farmer and re- sided on the homestead to the close of his life, in 1873. His devoted companion, who survives, is in the seventy-third year of her age. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he was diligently engaged until the 7th day of October, 1863, when he joined the forces of the Union Army, in Company C, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was discharged as Corporal, at Chattanooga, Tenn., August 31, 1865. He participated in the battles of. Cynthiana, Ky., Laurel Gap, Va., Mount Sterling, Ky., June 9, 1864; Wytheville, Va., December 16, 1864; Saltville, Va .. De- cember 20, 1864: Marion, December 22, 1864; and on the memorable Stoneman raid, in Feb- ruary, 1865. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he began the study of law under the preceptorship of Hon. J. W. Robinson, of this city. He was a pupil apt to learn, diligent and persevering in application to bis studies, and became thoroughly versed in the arts of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and soon after began the practice of his chosen profession in Marysville, where he has since been successfully engaged It is but justice to say of Lawyer Cameron, that he was without the aid of advantageous circumstances, but has risen from the humble walks of life, to be classed among the leading attorneys at the bar of Union County. Ile was married, in 1872, to Miss Emma, daughter of William Toomire, of Champaign County, Ohio. Two children born to this issue-Mabel and Richard, are both living. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and a veteran in the ranks of the G. A. R.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 81

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254