The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 109

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081

USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 109

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CHRISTOPHER BLIN, farmer; P. O. Red Lion; born in Clear Creek Township July 13, 1827; is a son of Christopher and Mary Ann (Fry) Blin, he a native of Warren County and she of Virginia. The grandfather was Adam Blin, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America in an early day, and, being without means, was sold to pay his passage, and, after serving three years, was a free man and emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren County, Clear Creek Township, on Section 5, the place now owned by George Blin, his son; here he settled right in the woods, having entered the land from the Gov- ernment and was one of the earliest settlers of this township, and here he re- mained till his death. Christopher, the father of our subject, was born and raised on the old home place, where his father lived and died; grew to man- hood, fully inured to pioneer work; he married and located on a part of the tract of land which his father entered, and there commenced in the woods, not a stick amiss; erected his log cabin and there toiled and labored to clear up his farm and make a home. During his life, he erected a second log cabin, much better than the first, and finally erected a good brick house; had the greatest portion of his farm cleared, with good improvements. He died in January, 1856, aged 58 years; his wife subsequently removed to Indiana, where she spent the balance of her life with her children; she died in 1878,

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nearly 80 years of age. They had twelve children, two sons and ten daughters; all grew to maturity but one; three now survive-Henry, Christopher and Rachel (now Mrs. Wentle Eyer). Mr. Blin was a man of great physical en- durance, strong and hearty, and did a great amount of hard work; of his farm of 112 acres, he cleared all but about 25 acres, and brought everything in good condition for comfort and convenience; was a man whose honor and in- tegrity were undoubted; one of the kindest and most accommodating of neigh- bors, too much so, many times, for his own good and prosperity. He was a faithful and devoted member of the United Brethren Church for many years, having united with the church when a young man; was a class-leader and trustee in the same for many years The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood on his father's farm, accustomed to hard work, where he remained till 25 years of age; was married, July 25, 1852, to Miss Margaret Jane Eyer, born April 3, 1834, a daughter of John and Mary Jane Eyer. By this union, they have three children-John C., born May 17, 1853; William H., Oct. 31, 1858, and Ellen Jane, born Oct. 6, 1862. Mr. Blin has made farming his business through life; he bought and located where he now lives in the fall of 1853; this place he purchased of Elizabeth Fry, upon which he has erected all the buildings on the place, and has everything in good trim, constituting a pleasant home and farmer's residence. Although Mr. Blin obtained but a limited edu- cation, yet, by his industry and careful business habits, he has obtained a fine farm and a pleasant home. Mr. Blin and wife are devoted members of the United Brethren Church, to which they have belonged for many years, he having united with the church when 18 years of age; is trustee of the church and Superintendent of the Sabbath school; is an active Christian man and worthy citizen.

GEORGE E. BUNNELL, farmer; P. O. Red Lion; born in Bourbon Co., Ky., March 15, 1802, is a son of Jonas and Sallie (Tomlin) Bunnell, he a native of New Jersey and she was raised in Tennessee. The grandfather, Stephen Bunnell, was a native of New Jersey, but emigrated to Kentucky after the Revolutionary war, and resided there during the great trouble with the Indians. Subsequently, on account of slavery and its evils, he removed to War- ren County, and about 1806-08 located on Section 10, Clear Creek Township, where William Bean now lives, and there he resided till his death, during the war of 1812. Jonas Bunnell, the father of our subject, was quite young when his father moved to Kentucky. and while living there was married and moved to Ohio, and located east of Cincinnati about four miles north of the Ohio River, remaining there one year, or little more, during which time his wife died, leaving him with nine children; these were most of them placed among friends and relatives. About two years after, he married for his second wife, Betsey Hathaway; she lived but a short time and died with consumption. She bore him one child (deceased). During the war of 1812 he removed to Clark Co., Ohio. His oldest son, William, served two years in that war and his son John served a short time. Mr. Bunnell died in Clark County about 1817. He has four children now living -- William, who resides in Missouri; Sytha, now Widow Hayes, living in Indiana; George E. ; and America, now Mrs. Huggins, living in Kentucky. Mr. Bunnell and his brother-in-law, Mr. Tomlin, served in the war of the Revolution, in which Mr. Tomlin was killed. Mr. Bunnell saw his full share of pioneer and frontier life, first in Kentucky and then in Warren and Clark Counties. The subject of this sketch was abont 15 years of age when his father died, and was then thrown mainly upon his own resources. He came to Warren County and lived a short time with an older brother; thence he worked by the month for wages for several years; was married March 15, 1821, to Miss Sallie, daughter of John and Mary Peck, natives of Pennsylvania

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who became settlers of Kentucky and subsequently of Warren County, where their children all grew to maturity and married. Mr. Peck died at Fairfield, Greene Co., Ohio, and his wife near Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio. Sal- sie was born in Kentucky, Aug. 29, 1799, and was 11 years of age when her father with his family came to Ohio. By this union, Mr. Bunnell and wife have had nine children. All grew to maturity, married and have children --- seven still living-Richard. Archibald, Isaac, William. Lucinda now Mrs. Boyer, John and Henry. Mr. Bunnell has followed farming as his principal business through life, and all in Warren County, but three years spent in Montgomery County, near Centerville. In September, 1832, he bought the farm where he now lives, and moved on it in April 1833, where he has since resided, a period of almost half a century Mr. Bunnell and wife commenced in life without a dollar and have worked their way through life dependent upon their industry and good management; they experienced their full share of the trials and hardships of log-cabin life, but they toiled on knowing no such word as "fail;" they raised a large family of children, were blessed with health and prosperity, and to-day they " sit under their own vine and fig-tree" and enjoy the competency their own hands and united labors have won for them. He owns 179 acres of fine land, has erected all the buildings on the place and has a good home and residence. Mr. Bunnell and his companion have trav- eled the journey of life together bearing its burdens and enjoying its pleas- ures for the remarkable period of three score years, and have witnessed the wonderful changes in the transformation of the wilderness into these fine cul- tivated farms; the log-cabins replaced by fine brick and frame houses; the vast improvements in farm implements, and the means of transportation of the products of the farm to distant markets-all this they have seen and experi- enced, and when their time shall come to leave all these earthly scenes, as it must come to all these worthy old pioneers-these brief records of their lives may serve to their grandchildren as a kind remembrance that shall call forth praise and honor for their noble lives and labors. Mr. Bunnell has been a member of the Christian Church for sixty years, during which period his noble wife has borne him company on the heavenly road.

STEPHEN CLEVENGER, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born in Clear Creek Township Jan. 6, 1827; is a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Venard). Clev- enger, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she, probably, of this county. The grandfather, Zachariah Clevenger, was a native of New Jersey; thence became a resident of Pennsylvania; thence removed to Kentucky, and lived a short time, when about the year 1800 became settlers of Warren Co., Clear Creek Township, being among the earliest settlers of the county, and here he lived and died. The father, Jonathan, was about eight years of age when brought to this county, and here grew to manhood, fully acquainted with pioneer life; was married and became the father of ten children; seven now living -- Thomas, Joseph, Barbara, Lucinda, Stephen, Zachariah and Lovina. Mr. Clevenger bore his full share of pioneer work in this county in bringing from the wilder- ness our present fine farms and comforts; was a very industrious, hard working man; possessed a high standard of moral character, whose integrity was un- doubted; unpretentious in his habits, never holding office or desiring public notoriety, but one of those sturdy farmers who constitute the best society, a kind neighbor and worthy citizen. He died in April, 1870, in his 78th year; his wife died in October of same year, aged 74 years. Our subject was born and raised in this township; was married April 10, 1853, to Mary, daughter of John and Jane (Vandiver) Crain. he a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and she of this county. The grandfather, Joseph Crain, was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio, coming down the Ohio River on a flat-boat, and located at

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Cincinnati, one among the first settlers; erected a house which was the first in Cincinnati that had a floor; it was made from the floor of the flat-boat. He kept a house of entertainment, which was said to be the first hotel ever kept in the city. They then moved to Franklin, Warren County; thence to Montgomery County, where the grandfather died, about 1831; John, the father, was three years of age when they came to Franklin, and five years when they moved to Mont- gomery County, and there he grew to manhood, and married and spent his entire life. He died in May, 1874, aged 78 years; his wife died about 1851. They had ten children; seven now living-Mary, Arthur, Sidney, Sarah Jane, Jemima, Anna and John. Mr. Clevenger and wife by their union have two children- Arthur Elwood, born May 10, 1854; and Charles Oscar, born July 21, 1857. Mr. Clevenger has made farming his occupation through life; he bought and located upon the place where he now lives, in the spring of 1859, where he has since resided; he erected all the buildings on the place, and made general im- provements such that he now has a pleasant home and farmer's residence. Mr. Clevenger is much like his father in his habits and character, and is among the substantial farmers of Clear Creek Township.

SAMUEL R. CRANE, retired farmer; P. O. Red Lion; was born in the house in which he resides, in Section 15, Clear Creek Township, Warren Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1818. He is a son of Ahner and Huldah (Robertson) Crane, natives of New Jersey. The paternal grandmother of our subject, a widow · with six children -- Abner, Jonathan, Stephen, Moses, and two daughters, one of whom married Daniel Doty, who accompanied them-emigrated to Warren County in the year 1795. Abner, while out hunting, followed a beautiful stream to its scource, which proved to be two fine constant springs, and so struck his fancy that he concluded to locate near them; accordingly he entered from the Government the land surrounding them, and here lived until his death, which occurred April 3, 1848. The mother died at Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, at the advanced age of 91 years, and her remains were interred there. The mother of our subject having died in January, 1835, the land descended to the heirs, and was purchased by him who has since owned it. He has followed farming during the whole of his life, until his recent retirement. He has amassed a handsome fortune, including over 1,400 acres of land and town prop- erty to the value of $18,000. He was married, March 18, 1840, to Elenor J., a daughter of Samuel and Keturah (Townsend) Dearth; the former a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he emigrated to Warren County in 1798, and remained here until his death July 19, 1862; the latter a native of New Jersey with two brothers Josiah and Jesse, and mother Judith, a widow, emigrated to Warren County in 1810. She died Dec. 31, 1868. Mr. Crane by his marriage had the following children-Sylvester E., who married Sarah A. Eyer, April 3, 1862, and to whom was born one son who died March 6, 1864. Sylvester en- listed during the late war in Co. B, 64th O. V. I., and died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1862, of a relapse of the measles; William A. married Sarah E. Blinn, and has had seven children -- Zina, Ida B., George, Samuel, Emma F., Charles and Mary E .; Keturah J. married Gilbert H. Doty, she died Feb. 11, 1874, leaving four children-Mary F., Ellen M., Charles B. and Jennie; Judith A., married David D. Monger, and has one child-Leroy E .; Ruth A. married Hugh P. Vail, and has one child, Charles E .; Mary E. died unmar- ried; Huldah A., married Benjamin E. Blackburn, and has one child, William C. The subject of this sketch has lived to see his surviving children all well settled in life and is now enjoying the peace, quiet and rest that he has so well earned. His portrait appears in this work, as one of the wealthiest farm- ers in the county; though more than threescore years of age, he is still hale and hearty. He has met with a number of serious accidents, his escape from

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death in some cases being little less than miraculous. In February, 1871, while in a tree adjusting a rope, a tree which he was uprooting fell and threw him to the ground a distance of sixty feet by actual measurement, falling in a low place in the ground with the tree-top over him; he escaped without broken bones, but with a bruised and lacerated body. He has also been kicked by horses, and thrown out of vehicles by runaway teams. As Mr. Crane himself graphically expresses it, he has been killed six times.

CALEB M. CRANE, farmer; P. O. Ridgeville; born on the place where he now lives, Dec. 13, 1820; is a son of Judge Daniel and Elizabeth (Merritt) Crane, he a native of Vermont and she of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were Amos and Huldah Crane, natives of New Jersey, where they lived till about 1790; they removed to Vermont; thence, about 1802, they returned to New Jersey, and in 1803 came to Warren Co., Ohio, and here resided till their death. He died Sept. 4, 1818, aged 54 years, dying suddenly of apoplexy; his wife died June 7, 1834, aged 68 years. Judge Daniel Crane was the third child and second son of Amos and Huldah Crane; was born in Vermont Sept. 21, 1792, and was 11 years of age when brought to Warren County; here he grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pio- neer life, receiving a very meager education-such as those log-cabin days afforded, but he was a man of more than ordinary ability, and held many of the highest positions in the county; was a Justice of the Peace thirty years, and during that long period of service there were but two of his decisions ever reversed, showing the strong mind and correctness of his judgment; was Rep- resentative to the Legislature and an Associate Judge of the court for seven years, and in his official life his labors were characterized with great profi- ciency and justness. His integrity of character and honesty of life stood so high in the estimation of his fellow-men that he was intrusted with a great amount of public business; probably settled up more estates than any other man of his day in the county, and in his death was lost one of Warren County's ablest and truest men. The Judge was thrice married, first Oct. 31, 1816, to Elizabeth Merritt, by whom he had seven children, four now survive-Caleb M. ; Amos; Emiline, now Mrs. Plunkett; and Joseph J. His wife died July 29, 1833, aged 33 years. On March 3, 1835, he married for his second wife Eliz- abeth Carter, by whom he had two children (deceased). She died July 8, 1840, aged about 40 years. He married for his third wife Lewezer Warton, by whom he had five children, three now survive-Huldah, now Mrs. Burnett, Susan, and Lester. His last wife still survives, aged 63 years. The subject of this sketch was the second child of his father by his first wife; was married March 22, 1844, to Phobe, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Hathaway, he a native of Kentucky and she of Pennsylvania, but who became pioneer settlers of Warren County about 1800. By this union Mr. Crane and wife have had six children-Elizabeth H., born July 10, 1846, married C. M. Earnhart; Daniel, Dec. 16, 1848, married Elizabeth Rosier; Benjamin H., born May 12, 1851, married Addie Lewis; Mary E., Sept. 21, 1854, married Charles Cafferty; Dora M., Dec. 28, 1859; and Amos Mcclellan, born Sept. 1, 1862. Mr. Crane has made agricultural pursuits his business through life; has never held or sought office, but has refused the earnest solicitations of his many friends to accept many local offices; is a very social, congenial man in his nature and in honor and integrity sustains well the character of his noble father; is an excel- lent neighbor and a most worthy citizen. We would add that Judge Daniel Crane served in the war of 1812, entering the war as a substitute two different times during the campaign.

AMOS CRANE, farmer; P. O., Pekin; born on the old farm of Judge Crane, Oct. 12, 1821, is a son of Judge Daniel and Elizabeth Crane,

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whose history is given in sketch of Caleb Crane. Amos was married May 30. 1849, to Emily H., a daughter of Joseph and Amy (Hormel) Evans, he a native of New Jersey and she of Warren County. Her grandparents were Joseph and Elizabeth Evans, natives of New Jersey but who became early settlers of Warren County, where they lived and died. He was twice married and had five children by each wife, all now deceased but Job and Aaron. Her mater- nal grandparents were John and Rachel Hormel, who were also very early set- tlers of Warren County; the great-grandfather, John Hormel, also came to this county and died, and was buried here. Joseph and Amy Evans had five child- ren, three sons and two daughters-George W. H .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Bean; Japhet; Elias; and Emily H., who was born in this county, Nov. 2, 1830. Mrs. Evans died April 29, 1835, aged 39 years; Mr. Evans died Sept. 2, 1851. aged 54 years. Mr. Crane and wife have had three children-James Elias, born Feb. 27, 1850, died Aug. 11, 1850; Ella Jane, Oct. 20, 1852, died Dec. 30, 1877; and Ada A., born Jan. 14, 1856. Mr. Crane is a carpenter and farmer; the former trade he followed about ten years; the balance of his life has been devoted to farming, and all within this county and all on the same section of land where he was born and raised. He purchased the place where he now lives in 1847, of Margaret Hormel and heirs, and moved on to the same in the spring of 1850, where he has since resided. Mr. Crane is a fair representative of his ancestors in character and integrity; although he quietly follows his occupation of farming from choice, avoiding all notoriety by holding public offices, yet is one of Clear Creek Township's best and most worthy citizens.

MARMADUKE CROCKETT (deceased) was born near Springboro February 19, 1815; was a son of Andrew and Sarah (Mullen) Crockett, natives of New Jersey. Mr. Crockett was thrice married-first, in his native State, New Jersey, where he lived several years, during which time his first wife died. About 1810, he emigrated to Ohio and located near Springboro. In November, 1812, he married Sarah Mullen, by whom he had three children, all now deceased; his second wife died Nov. 24, 1817. On March 7, 1819, he married for his third wife Mrs. Margaret Freeman, by whom he had one child, Susannah Sarah Ann, who married John Fox and resides in Indiana. Mr. Crockett died May 21, 1849, aged 93 years; he was an active and industrious man, who started in life from a poor bound boy, and acquired a good compe- tency; he then purchased some military lands in Clark County, soon after which a second claimant appeared, and he again paid for his land; finally, a third claimant presented himself, when, rather than to run any further risk, he gave up his land; he had nearly exhausted his means, and, after so much hard work and toil with good success in former years, he was now, by this misfortune, obliged to live the balance of his life in limited circumstances. The subject of this sketch, born in this county, grew to manhood and married Jane S., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Mullen, whose ancestral history is fully given in sketch of Job Mullen; by this union they had twelve children; nine grew to maturity-Mary E., born March 28, 1838, now Mrs. David Merring; Sarah M., Sept. 13, 1842, now Mrs. Easton; Letitia, Jan. 23, 1847, now Mrs. William H. Maltbie, residing in Missouri; Charles A., May 21, 1850; Oliver E., Sept. 26, 1852; Mordecai M., March 2, 1855; William H., July 10, 1857; Ruth Eva- line, Nov. 14, 1859; and Elmer E., born June 26, 1862. Mr. Crockett followed farming till about 25 years of age; thence he entered upon the milling busi- ness, which he followed about eight years; thence again gave his attention to farming. In 1854, he bought and located upon the place where his widow and family still reside; here he resided till his death, Oct. 19, 1867, aged 52 years Mr. Crockett started in life a poor man, but full of energy and determination, and, by his industry and economy, he became possessed of a good farm and

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home, and raised a large family of children; his character and integrity were undoubted, and he lived beloved and respected by those who knew him best.

WILLIAM L. DEARTH, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born on the place where Samuel Dearth now lives, Nov. 7, 1810; is a son of James E. and Eliz- abeth (Long) Dearth, he a native of Fayette Co., Penn., and she of Virginia. The grandparents were Edward and Elizabeth Dearth, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren County, on the place where Isaac Dearth now lives, in 1798, and there spent the balance of their lives; they were among the true pioneers of the county, enduring all the many deprivations and hardships of the log-cabin life; he finally purchased more land and became owner of 1,150 acres, all in one body of land. The first burying-place was at Franklin, where many of the early settlers were buried-their last resting- place. But, as public improvements advanced, the canal was built and passed through the burying-grounds. The bodies were then removed and buried further back; and again, when the railroad was built, it passed through where the bodies were deposited, and again they were taken up and removed to Springboro. Thus were they troubled in early times, being unable to see the progress and demands of the future. They had five sons and one daughter, all deceased. James E., the father of our subject, was a young man of 19 years of age when the family came to Warren County, and here was married and became the father of seven children; five now survive -- Allen, now resides in Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bedford; William L., Samuel, and Eleanor S., now Mrs. Earnhart. Mr. Dearth passed his entire life on a part of the old home place; was one of the prominent farmers of this community; was a Jus- tice of the Peace for many years; a good neighbor and an excellent citizen. He died March 24, 1856, aged 77 years; his wife died Dec. 18, 1860, aged 78 years. William L., our subject, at 15 years of age was placed as an apprentice at the tailor's trade, in Richmond, Ind., where he remained five years, thence returned to Springboro and carried on the business twelve years; then engaged in farming, which business he has since followed. He resided in Clinton County six years, and while there served as Township Trustee two years. In the spring of 1854, he located on his present farm, where he has since resided. He was married, Jan. 1, 1833, to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Thomas and Jane Bedford, he a native of England and she of Pennsylvania; by this union they have had six chlidren, two now living-James B. and Cornelia Jane, now Mrs. Crockett, residing at Lima, Ohio.

ISAAC N. DEARTH, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born on the place where he now lives March 12, 1841; is a son of Samuel and Keturah (Townsend) Dearth. The paternal grandparents were Edward and Elizabeth (Roberts) Dearth, whose history is given in sketch of William Dearth. The maternal grandparents, Jesse and Judith (Smith) Townsend, natives of New Jersey; he lived and died in his native State; subsequently, his widow married Philip Pedrick, and became settlers of Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, thence removed to Warren County, Wayne Township, where they resided fifteen to twenty years; thence removed to Wayne Co., Ind., where they died. Samuel was 8 years of age when brought to this then wilderness of a country; he was the seventh son of his father's family, and here was raised and grew to manhood, inured to the roughness of pioneer life; was married, Dec. 7, 1820, and became the father of five sons and five daughters; four now survive-Eleanor Jane, now Mrs. Crane; Ambrose T., Mahala A. and Isaac N. Mr. Dearth served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Wayne, for which he obtained a land warrant for 160 acres of land; he was a prominent, substantial farmer, who gave his whole attention through life to that occupation; was a man very prompt and peaceable in his habits, never holding office to much extent, and

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 109

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1081

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081