The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 113

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

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CLAYTON W. MULLIN, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born in Montgom- ery County May 20, 1823; is a son of John and Charlotte (Haines) Mullin, he a native of Virginia and she of New Jersey, their ancestors being given in sketch of Job Mullin. The maternal grandparents were Mark and Deborah Haines, natives of New Jersey; he died in his native State; his wife married for her second husband Alexander Ray, and emigrated to Ohio, and located in Warren County, about 1810. Mr. Ray died about 1823, his widow married for her third husband James Clutch, 'with whom she lived till her death in September, 1845, aged 83 years. John Mullin was born Sept. 24, 1791, and in 1801, at 10 years of age came with his parents to Ohio, grew to manhood, and married in Warren County, where he spent all his life, except two years spent in Montgomery County; was one of the early settlers of this part of the county, opening out right in the woods and experiencing the true pioneer life, there being but two or three other settlers within about three miles in every direction. Mr. Mullin was in the war of 1812, with Capt. Sutton's company from this county, and was among the number of Hull's troops surrendered at Detroit, and partook fully of the chagrin experienced by all at the uncalled for surrender. Mr. Mullin died at Springboro March 6, 1867, aged 76 years; his wife died Dec. 29, 1865, aged 73 years. They had nine children; six now sur- vive-Mark H., Zimri, Tamson, Clayton W., Jehiel H. and Mary (now Mrs. Langsdon). The subject of this sketch was married Dec. 27, 1848, to Mary C., daughter of John and Mary Blecker, natives of Pennsylvania, who were mar-

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ried in Pennsylvania about 1820, and subsequently moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they spent most of their lives, but a few of the last years of his life he lived in Cincinnati, where he died in the spring of 1865; his wife died at Findlay, Ohio, in April, 1868; they had ten children; seven now survive -- Margaret A., Mary C., Eliza J., Henry, Joseph, Sarah and Anna. Mary C. was born in Columbiana County July 2, 1828. Mr. Mullen and wife have had six chil- dren, four now survive-John B., born Aug. 13, 1854; Charles, born Dec. 16, 1855; Edward C., May 1, 1864; and Harry, born June 24, 1865. Mr. Mullin lived in Springboro five years; thence in fall of 1853 moved where he now is, and has since resided. He erected a good cottage house, which was destroyed by fire in Decem- ber, 1867, since which he has lived in the old log-cabin on the farm; but has now nearly completed a large and commodious house, which he will soon occupy, and will have a fine home and residence. He is one of the substantial farmers of this community, of undoubted integrity, whose life and labors have been characterized by careful and honest dealing, and is an excellent and worthy neighbor and citizen.

JONATHAN MUNGER, farmer and teacher; P. O. Ridgeville. The family whose history we now write were of English origin, and the first who reached the American shores was Reuben Munger, who was impressed into the King's service when a young man, and brought to New England, where it is believed he deserted the King's forces, and there continued to live, refusing to yield to the earnest solicitations of his parents to return to England, declaring that he would not live under a government so despotic. He had four sons be- sides daughters. Two of his sons, Edmond and Jonathan, emigrated to the Miami Valley in the then Northwest Territory, as early as 1799, settling with other New Englanders on a body of land about midway between Lebanon and Dayton, in the south portion of Montgomery County. The road passing through the same received the appellation of Yankee street, which name it re- tains to this day. Here these two brothers lived to a good old age, and each reared a family. They were men of unswerving patriotism; the former being known as Gen. Munger, while the later inherited a full share of his father's detestation of the Mother Country, enlisted three times in the Provincial armny, and was three times honorably discharged. Gen. Edmond Munger received his title in the war of 1812, being elevated to that position in the army, and was in command of the troops at Dayton. Patriotism was a predominant trait with the Munger family. They never lacked the nerve and energy to make that manifest whenever occasion required; their father having come from under the despotic government of England, his descendants have appreciated the value of liberty and just rights of citizens, and were ever ready with their lives and their property to defend those rights. Gen. Munger continued in com- mand, and to defend these frontiers until the rights of American citizens were fully recognized and peace declared. An incident in Gen. Munger's mili- tary life worthy of record, showing that although a General in the army, he was not above any service that needed his attention. The General was in his early life a blacksmith. During the war they used many ox teams, and it was often difficult to get them properly shod by the blacksmiths in those days, so the General sent home for his leather apron, and he then shod their oxen to his own liking. How many Generals in the army in this day would conde- scend to shoe oxen or horses? Much might be written in honor of the worthy character of the Munger family, but suffice it to say, their descendants were and are still among the leading citizens of Montgomery and Warren Counties; and in the latter county's history will be found an extended sketch of the fam- ily, their lives, character and usefulness. Jonathan Munger had four daugh- ters and one son-Hervey-all now deceased. Hervey was born in Addison

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Co., Vt., in 1790; he married in 1812, and died in 1859. His wife Catharine, was the daughter of Daniel Gray, of New Jersey; she was born in 1791, and emigrated to the Miami country with her parents in 1809. She died in 1836. She was of small stature, and much esteemed for her social nature, and it used to be said, "that wherever Katie Munger was, there was sure to be good com- pany." They were parents of fourteen children; five now survive-Jonathan, James H., Samuel C., Susan Eliza (now Mrs. Carmany), and Martha A. (now Mrs. Anson). Jonathan Munger, the eldest child of his father, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 11, 1812; was raised and grew to manhood in Warren County; was married Jan. 6, 1838, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Peter and Mary Taylor, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania, who became settlers of Montgomery Co., in 1830, and soon after of Warren County, where they lived till their death; he died in Waynes- ville in the fall of 1870, aged 85 years; she died April 11. 1863, aged 84 years. They had two sons and three daughters; four now survive-Hannah, Sidwell, Lewis (who resides in Iowa) and Lydia Ann. Mr. Munger and wife have had five children; two now survive-Matilda (now Mrs. R. M. Duke) and Alonzo. Corwin died in infancy; Lewis and Milo, the other children deceased, died in their country's service, in the late war of the rebellion; Lewis enlisted in California in the 2d Mass. Cavalry, it being thus designated by agreement between the Govenor of Massachusetts and the authorities of California; he served faithfully in this cavalry, till his death at the battle of Five Forks, Va .; there while reconnoitering, his horse came running into camp with the saddle turned, and as he was never seen or heard of afterward, it was quite certain he was shot by the rebels. Milo enlisted in the 79th O. V. I., in which he served till his death in the hospital at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 18, 1862, aged 19 years and 6 days. Thus again was exhibited the true patriotism of the Mun- ger family; descendants of the old ancestor, who left the tyranny of his native country, and who with his sons fought in the Provincial army, for the first establishment of this glorious Union; and again, in its protection in 1812; and last, but not least, these noble sons of our subject possessing the true patriot- ism of their ancestors, sacrificed their lives to protect and make more free these glorious United States. Lewis enlisted as a private, and arose to the command of his company. Although it was a great sacrifice for Mr. Munger to give up these noble sons, yet their memories will be embalmed on the pages of history, and their laurels shall shine forth with those of their ancestors, through ages to come and reaching beyond the confines of time, their characters and noble deeds shall shine still brighter on the shores of immortality. Our subject while young obtained a good education, and entered upon the arduous but noble professiod of teaching; this profession he has followed principally through life, some in Iowa, but principally in this county. His last service was performed in 1876, in the Buckeye School, Clear Creek Township. His labors have extended over a period of forty-three years; and during this re- markable length of service; he has been permitted to teach the grandchildren of some of his first pupils, which is probably a circumstance that has rarely happened with any of our educators. This long period of labor of Mr. Mun- ger, as a teacher, speaks for itself, and he needs no eulogy; for no one of ordi- nary ability and success would have been thus long employed, and a greater part of the time in the same county. Who can estimate the great and impor- tant results upon the immortal minds of the great number of pupils who have been under his instructions during forty-three years of teaching? It can only be known and measured by the great Teacher of the universe, who will reveal the results at the last great day. Mr. Munger was President of the Teachers Association of Warren County for several years, was a Justice of the Peace for

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many years, and held various other offices of his township. We have endeavored here to place on record some features in brief of the Munger family, but limited space forbids our writing all we would desire to hand them down to future generations, in their true light and virtues; suffice it to say, they have been and are, and we trust ever will be among the bravest, truest, and best citi- zen of Montgomery and Warren Counties.

JOSEPH NEDRY, farmer; P. O. Lebanon; born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Feb. 22. '1818, is a son of James and Lydia (Antrim) Nedry, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. The maternal ancestry is fully given in sketch of Isaac Antrim. James Nedry was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1767, and remained there till 18 years of age; thence, in 1785, he removed to Frederick Co., Va., where he married and resided till the year 1817, he emi- grated to Ohio and located in Clinton County, where he resided till 1856, they removed to Harveysburg, Warren Co., where he died in September, 1869, aged 102 years; his wife survived him till Aug. 19, 1881, she died, aged 89 years. They had ten children, seven now survive-Maria, now Mrs. Edwards; Joseph: Mary Ann, now Mrs. Welch; William; Lydia, now Mrs. Haines; and Eliza, now Mrs. Wilson. Mr. Nedry lived to a remarkable old age, having seen the beginning and favorable ending of the three great wars of our country. the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the great and terrible conflict of the rebellion. During the war of 1812, he was engaged in teaming, and one day while in Baltimore he was seized and impressed into the service and served about three months and returned home. He was a man of remarkable phys- ical endurance, and performed a great amount of labor and endured much exposure in teaming and other labors of those early days; was a man of energy and promptness, whose character and integrity were above reproach. Joseph, our subject, was raised in Warren County; was married, February 25, 1846, to Mary, daughter of William and Mary (Wright) Wilgus, natives of New Jersey, who came to Ohio by way of Pittsburgh and down the river on a flat-boat to Cincinnati in 1815; thence to Warren County and located on the place where our subject now lives, and here opened out right in the woods and swamps, and here he toiled and labored till his death. He was a tailor by trade, which business he followed many years, hiring help to clear up his farm; he became a very successful farmer and quite a trader and dealer in stock; was a man of great activity, and of more than ordinary ability-thoroughly posted in the affairs of business and the progress of the times; an excellent neighbor and a worthy citizen. He died March 9, 1866, aged 90 years; his wife died Sept. 2, 1843, aged 60 years. They had twelve children, ten grew to maturity, seven now living -- Thomas, William, James, Daniel, Mary, Lydia (now Mrs. Dun- ham), and Harriet (now Mrs. Sabin). Mary was born on the place where they now live, May 8, 1821. Mr. Nedry and wife have had four children, three now survive -Lydia Alice, born June 8, 1849, married Henry Mckinney; Lillie L .; born Sept. 25, 1854; and Emma B., born Dec. 25, 1859. Mrs. Nedry's paternal grandparents were Samuel and Rhoda (McCabe) Wilgus, natives of England, but who emigrated to America and died in New Jersey. The maternal grand- parents were Stacy and Sarah (Baker) Wright, also from England, and died in New Jersey. Mr. Nedry was a carpenter by trade, which he followed twenty-five years; then engaged in the mercantile trade; then gave his attention to farming and general trading business; has been an active, stirring man, des- tined to "wear out and not to rust out." Started in life with no means, now has a good competency. In spring of 1867, he bought and localed upon the place where he now lives, which is the old Wilgus farm. Here he has improved the farm and buildings till he has a beautiful home and residence, and can now enjoy the comforts of life. Mr. Nedry is a Director of the County Infirmary.

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JONATHAN J. NULL, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born on the place where his son, H. E. Null, now lives, Oct. 13, 1828; is a son of Henry and Anna Mary (Gebhart) Null, he a native of Virginia and she of Montgomery Co., Ohio. The grandfather was Charles Null who, it is believed, was a native of Virginia, and who with his family emigrated to Ohio and located on the place where our subject now lives, in 1800. This tract of land, it is believed, he entered from the Government, and here he opened out right in the woods, erected his log-cabin with split puncheon floor, and began in true pioneer style, and here he spent the balance of his life. Mr. Null was a very active business man, whose character and integrity were beyond reproach. From time to time, he entered and purchased more land till he became owner of about 600 acres of land, and was one of the most active and prominent among the early settlers, and withal was a devoted Christian man and a member of the Reformed Church for many years. Henry, the father of our subject, was but 4 years of age when his father's family settled in this then wilderness of a country, and here grew to manhood fully inured to pioneer life; was married and became the father of five children, four sons and one daughter; three now survive-Jonathan J., David S. and Benjamin J. Mr. Null located on Sec- tion 12, where Elijah Null now lives, and spent his entire life there; he died April 19, 1880, aged 84 years; his wife died March 16, 1860, aged 52 years and 7 months. Mr. Null was a man of more than ordinary physical endurance, of great moral and Christian worth, and while he did so much of early pioneer work in transforming from the wilderness these now beautiful farms with comforts and conveniences, he also did much by his moral and Christian life to promote the growth of piety and pure moral sentiment throughout the community; unpretentious in his habits, never holding or seeking office-his whole life was one of very exemplary character, and won the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was a pillar in the Reformed Church, and a Deacon in the same for many years, and died in the triumph of a living faith. The subject of this sketch was raised and grew to manhood on his father's farm; was married March 7, 1852, to Catharine M. Brehm, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, Sept. 15, 1832; is a daughter of Henry and Mary Brehm, natives of Penn- sylvania. By this union they have three children -- Henry Elijah; Howard Wes- ley, born April 1. 1859; and Clara Luella, born Jan. 7, 1863. Mr. Null after his marriage settled on the farm where he now lives and has since resided. In character and integrity of life, Mr. Null is much like his father, and is also a devoted member and Christian worker in the church his father loved and served so long, and has served as Deacon and Elder in the same. Mr. Null was the executor of his father's estate, and settled up all his affairs amicably and with satisfaction to all. He is a kind neighbor, enjoys life well and is one of Warren County's best and most worthy citizens.

GEORGE W. NULL, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born on the old Null place in Clear Creek Township, July 12, 1839; is a son of Jacob and Nancy Null, whose history is given in sketches of Edward and Joshua Null. Our sub- ject grew to manhood, brought up to farm labor; was married Nov. 12, 1860, to Mary E., daughter of Samuel and Keturah Dearth. Mrs. Null died Sept. 29, 1879, aged 39 years. On Nov. 12, 1880, he married for his second wife Sarah E., daughter of Henry and Ellen Butt, residents of Franklin Township, this county, by whom he has one child-Mary Ellen, born Feb. 11, 1881. Mr. Null has made farming his occupation; soon after his marriage, he bought and located on the place where he now lives and has since resided. This place he purchased of the heirs of John Miltenberger. Mr. Null has never desired office, but is a quiet, unpretending farmer-a good neighbor and a worthy citizen, and is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, and has acted as Steward in the same for many years.

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EDWARD A. NULL, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born in Clear Creek Township Dec. 4, 1844; is a son of Jacob and Nancy Ann (Aughey) Null, natives of Rockingham Co., Va. Further ancestral history is given in sketch of Jonathan J. Null. Jacob was but a boy when with his parents, he emi- grated in 1800, to Warren Co., Ohio, and here was raised and grew to man- hood fully inured to the trials and hardships of pioneer life; was married and became the father of ten children, eight now survive-Martha Jane, Mary E., Charles J., George W., Judith A., Edward A., William A. and Rebecca E. Mr. Null was one of the hard-working, industrious pioneers, who did his full share of transforming the primeval forests into our now fine cultivated fields and homes. He helped to build the aqueduct at Franklin when the canal was built-one of the first improvements of the country. His whole life was mainly devoted to farming; he never held or sought office but was a plain, substantial farmer, who was very successful in his pursuit and became owner of about 400 acres of excellent land on Clear Creek; was a man of honor and integrity, a kind neigh- bor, a worthy citizen and a devoted member of the Methodist Church. He died about 1866; his wife died in November, 1876. She was a woman of remarkable business capacity, a great financier, very congenial and affable in her manners, who was beloved and respected by all who knew her; a devoted church member and a lady of excellent Christian character. Edward A. grew to manhood; was married, March 17, 1870, to Ellen M., daughter of Gregory and Phoebe Jane (Dubois) Schenk, he a native of Warren County and she of Carlisle, Montgomery County, Ohio, who have seven children now living- Alexander, Mary P., Ellen M., Phebe Jane, Alletta D., William and Lizzie F. Mr. Null and wife by this union have five children -Frank, born July 21. 1871; Nannie, June 3, 1873; Jennie, Oct. 26, 1875: Charles W., Nov. 27, 1877; and William, born Nov. 26, 1879. Mr. Null has followed the occupation of his ancestors -- that of farming -- and sustains well their character of integrity and uprightness; is a worthy citizen of Warren County, and a member of the Meth- odist Church. The maternal grandparents were Dr. Benjamin and William- pie (Van Doran) Dubois, natives of Freehold, N. J., who were very early set- tlers of Warren County, and their ancestors were of French descent.

HENRY ELIJAH NULL, farmer; P. O. Springboro; born on the place where his father still lives, in Clear Creek Township, March 7, 1853; is a son of Jonathan J. and Catharine Null (see sketch of Jonathan J. Null in this work). and was raised and grew to manhood on that farm; was married, May 21, 1874. to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ritz) Siegfried, na- tives of Germany. who emigrated to America about 1847, and located in New York City, where they resided seven years; thence to Ohio and located at Springboro, where they remained till in the spring of 1881, when they removed to Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, where they now reside. Mr. Siegfried is a tailor by trade and has carried on a merchant tailoring business and custom made cloth- ing ever since his arrival in this country; he carried on the business in Spring- boro twenty-six years, where he did quite a prosperous trade. They have had ten children ; seven now survive -William Henry, Elizabeth, John, Charles, Franklin P., Lydia and Ferdinand. Mr. Null and wife have one child -- Clara Luella, born Dec. 26, 1876. Mr. Null resided in Montgomery County from 1877 to 1880; the balance of his life has been in Warren County; he located upon his present farm in the spring of 1881; they are members of the Reformed Church.

"JOHN PLUNKETT, farmer; P. O. Pekin; born in Lexington, Va., Oct. 13, 1795; is a son of Thomas and Mary (Smith) Plunkett. he a native of Dub- lin. Ireland, and she of London, England. Thomas emigrated to America when a young man, some time prior to the Revolutionary war, and served five

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years as a soldier in that war; was also a soldier under Gen. Morgan in putting down the whisky rebellion in Pennsylvania. He married in Virginia and re- sided there till his death, about 1830, aged 86 years. His wife subsequently came to Ohio and lived with our subject till her death, in October, 1832, aged 77 years. They had ten children, all deceased but John, our subject, who emi- grated from Virginia to Ohio in 1819, and located in Warren County, where he has since resided, except eight years' residence in Clinton Co., Ohio; was mar- ried, Dec. 31, 1819, to Mary, daughter of John and Margaret Hopkins, natives of Virginia, who lived and died in their native State. Mary came to Ohio with her parents, to Hopkinsville, Warren Co., where they landed July 4, 1819. Mr. Plunkett has made farming his occupation through life; he bought and located upon the place where he now lives in 1855, where he has since resided -a period of twenty-six years. This place he purchased of George W. La Fettre; it consists of 92 acres of good land and about, 80 acres in cultivation; has erected a new house and made other improvements such that he has a pleasant home and farmer's residence. Mr. Plunkett started in life with no capital. and, by his own industry and economy, has made a good farm and home and has a good competency. His wife died June 17, 1869, aged 72 years; they traveled the pathway of life together nearly half a century. Mr. Plunkett is now 86 years of age and still enjoys good health; has never been sick but little during his long life, and we may hope that he may live many years yet to enjoy the comforts of his pleasant home. Of his brothers, de- ceased, James Plunkett married Margaret McMullen, of Virginia, by whom he had twelve children; ten now survive-Thomas B., Agnes B., Mary B., Margaret, Rebecca S., Louisa, Isabella, Musadora, who still reside in Virginia, and John McMullen and Robert W., who reside in Warren Co., Ohio. The latter was raised and grew to manhood in Virginia, and, in the late war of the rebellion, served as a soldier until, in 1864, when, from a wound received in his right arm, which shattered it so badly that he could do no more service, and he re- ceived his discharge. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1871, and is residing with his uncle, the subject of this sketch.

GEORGE W. READ (deceased) was born in North Carolina Aug. 31, 1819; was a son of Jesse and Nancy L. (Townsend) Read, natives of Maryland. The grandparents were Isaac and Abigail Read, natives of England, who emi- grated to America in an early day, and, it is believed, died in Virginia. Jesse and Nancy Read moved to North Carolina, where they resided a few years; then became residents of Virginia till about 1827, when they emigrated to Ohio, making the entire journey in carts, and located in Warren County, near Waynesville, and lived two years; thence located near Springboro, where he died Sept. 10, 1849, aged 66 years; his wife died May 10, 1875, aged 83 years. Mr. Read was a hatter by trade, which business he followed in his native State, and, for several years, in this county; then he gave his attention to farming, which he followed the balance of his life. George W. was about 6 or 8 years of age when his father and family came to Warren County and here grew to manhood; was married, Sept. 27, 1840, to Margaret, daughter of Trustus and Margaret Robinson, he a native of Canada and she of Ohio, He became an early settler of Warren County and was married near Ridgeville; he died near Green Plains, Ohio, about 1821. They had three children; one only now sur- vives-Margaret, who was born near Green Plains Aug. 22, 1818. Mrs. Rob- inson married for her second husband Benoni Bousman, by whom she had five children; two now survive-Joseph and John. Mr. Bousman and family sub- sequently moved to Henry Co., Ind., where his wife died in 1869. Mr. Read and wife had nine children; eight now survive-Jesse, born Feb. 13, 1843; Nancy Mary, Jan. 16, 1845, now Mrs. Frye; Benjamin, April 8, 1847; Cynthia

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 113

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