The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 116

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

USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

939

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

his return from the war he purchased 50 acres of land where our subject lives. To them were born nine children and all grew to manhood and womanhood, viz .: Eliza- beth, Catherine, Rachel, Joseph, Henry, I. C., William, Ellenor and James. He died April 20, 1849; she died Aug. 7, 1840, and was a daughter of Isaac Clinton. She was born in County Armagh, Ireland. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education, which he largely developed by his labors and research. He is a natural mechanic and for 15 years followed cabinet making and has followed seven different trades. As a gunsmith his reputation is known far and wide, and none can make a better or more accurate fire-arm than he. Of quick perception, he readily accomplishes all undertakings and is well posted in the arts and sciences, a knowledge he has gained entirely through his own efforts. His brother Henry was born in 1818, and was married to Ellen Simonton in 1848, by whom he has had seven children, Mary E., Dewitt C., Margaret E., William, Henry D, Belle D., and Ella. He owns 120 acres of excellent land, which is com- forta bly improved.

WILLIAM BURTON, retired carpenter, P. O. Maineville, was born on the old home farm in 1824, on which he lived until 19 years old, when he learned the carpenter trade, which he actively followed till a few years ago, when he retired from active business and has since lived a retired life in the village of Maineville. He is a member of Emery Lodge, of Loveland, No. 258; joined at its organization in 1854.

WILLIAM BUTTERWORTH, retired farmer and teacher, P. O. Maineville. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is another of the old and prominent settlers of Warren Co. He was born in Campbell Co., Va., Sept. 27, 1802, and is a son of Benjamin and Rachel (Mormon) Butterworth, natives of the same State. Benjamin was born Feb. 11, 1766; he was a Southern farmer, a member of the Society of Friends, and a near relative of Col. Lynch, the celebrated author of the "Lynch law." Rachel was born Jan. 26, 1765. Their marriage was cele- brated August 31, 1786, and to them were born children as follows: Polly, Betsy, Milly, Mary M .. Mormon, Benjamin, Isaac, Samuel, Rachel, William and Henry. In 1812 the Butterworth family emigrated to Ohio and settled in Wayne Township, Warren Co., and two years later removed to Hamilton Township in the same county. Later the father purchased 500 acres of land on a portion of which was afterwards laid out the village of Loveland. This pioneer was a modest and unassuming man, was successful in business, and accumulated considerable property. He died Jan. 20, 1838, and his wife March 10, 1848. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received his education in the district schools, in which he fitted himself to teach, a profession he followed for forty years, becoming a popular and successful edu- cator. On the 21st of June, 1826, Mr. Butterworth was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan and Rachel (Smith) Linton, who was born in Clin- ton Co., O., July 29, 1807. Her parents were born, the father on the banks of the Delaware River, in Bucks Co., Pa., Jan. 17, 1778, and emigrated to Ohio in 1802, settling in what later became Clinton Co., where he was employed as a surveyor in 1803; he was appointed County Surveyor in 1810, on the organization of that county, and held the office for twenty years, and the mother near Greenville, Tenn., Jan. 18, 1790. They were married on the 31st of Jan., 1806, and died in the years 1858 and 1859 respectively. To our subject and wife have been born seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Kalista, the wife of Harry Eastman, Esq., of Maineville, with whom the parents are now residing; Rachel L. Hadley,

Susan B. Murdock, Benjamin Butterworth and Elizabeth B. Crowell. The de- ceased are Nathan and Louisa. Benjamin was born Oct. 22, 1837, and was edu- cated at Athens College. He read law in Cincinnati, O., and was there admitted to the bar. He is now a member of Congress, representing the first district of Ohio, and is a man of ability and sterling worth. Our subject has been successful in life, and is now the possessor of over 400 acres of valuable land.

HENRY K. CAIN, farmer, P. O. Maineville. The above gentleman is one

Digitized by Google

940

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

of the representative men of his township, in which he was born, March 25, 1827, and is a son of Samuel Cain, an early settler, of whom mention is made in this work. Our subject was reared on the farm where he remained with his parents until of age, at which time he began life for himself. He has been three times married; first to Sarah, daughter of Job Mulford, of Indiana, in April, 1849; she died Aug. 15, 1850. His second marriage was celebrated with Emily S., danghter of Eli Cook, of Cincinnati, May 12, 1853. To them were born two children, viz: Oscar B. and Nellie A. Mrs. Cain died Nov. 21, 1868. His third marriage was consummated with Mary A. Cook, sister of his second wife, April 29, 1879. Mr. Cain has been engaged in farming and operating a sawmill all his life, and has been successful. He is a member of the Baptist Church, to which he has been connected twenty-five years, deacon for a number of years, and also clerk. He owns a fine farm consisting in upwards of 70 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and beautifully improved. His wife is a most estimable and agree- able lady and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Maineville.

HORACE CLINTON, attorney at law, P. O. Murdock. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Hamilton Township in the year 1835, and is a son of James and Martha (Dickey) Clinton. He was born in Kentucky in 1799, and was a son of Isaac Clinton, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, and his wife was Elizabeth Harcourt, also a native of Ireland. They'emigrated to America in the year 1795, and soon after settled near Lexington, Ky., where they lived until 1807, when they removed to this township, in the south part, where he purchased 120 acres of land, there maing » permanent home. She died July 19, 1824. He died in 1832, aged sixty-five years. They were parents of eleven children, and were members of the Bethel Church. James was married in Cleremont Co., O., after which he settled in this township, where he died Feb. 14, 1878; his wife died in April, 1865. To them were born four children, viz: John, James H., Horace and Martha. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and received a common education in the district schools, which was developed in the Maineville Academy, where he fitted himself to teach, which he followed for a number of years in the county. During the time he was teaching he read law, and through his own efforts accomplished the undertaking and was admitted to the bar in 1880. At present he is engaged in the practice of his profession in Love- land. Feb. 25, 1862, he was married to Sarah R., daughter of A. J. Walker, who has born him four children, viz: Chilton H., Mattie I., Edward W. and Josephus. He is a member of the order of F. & A. M., in Goshen Lodge, and during the war was a member of the Home Guards, and 1st Lieut. of his Company.

ROBERT COOK, merchant, P. O., Foster's Crossings. This gentleman, whose name heads this sketch, was born in the County of Donegal, near Londonderry, Ire- land, in the year 1831, of humble parentage. At the age of 20 he concluded to seek his fortune in the new world. He embarked from Liverpool, and landed in New Orleans, in 1851. His voyage was uneventful. He came up the Mississippi to Cincinnati, and from there went to Hillsboro, in Highland County, and worked during the summer on a railroad running from Hillsboro to Chillicothe, from which place he went to Lebanon and engaged with the contractors of the then Cincin- nati, Lebanon & Xenia R. R., and now the Cincinnati Northern, remaining there a part of the year 1852. Tiring of railroading, he began working for Isaac Stubbs, on the farm and in the mill (Mr. Stubbs being largely engaged in both avocations). During the year 1858, being desirous of seeing some familiar faces, he visited Boston to see his brothers, who resided there. After spending a time very pleas- antly he returned to Ohio and renewed his engagement with "Mr. Stubbs, remain- ing with him until 1868. From here he went to Iowa, remaining about nine months, but, preferring old Warren to the newness of the west, he returned to Ohio and worked at different places. During the year 1872 he purchased the property he now occupies as a store room, and for the following 7 years did a successful business on his own account. In March, 1879, he entered into co-part-

Digitized by Google

941

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

nership with Mr. B. Rolling, and they are now conducting a large and lucrative business. In their large and well-kept establishment can be found a complete stock of all lines of goods kept in a general retail store, and all who call to see them will be assured of good treatment. Cook & Rolling are also prominent dealers in coal, handling a number of car-loads during the year. Mr. Cook's bus- iness career has been a success, as he has accumulated quite a competency, and is taking life easily, looking after the outdoor business. He has never attached him- self to any of the churches of the land, but has always been a Democrat, upon all national issues voting with that party.

LUCIUS A. COTTLE, physician and surgeon, P. O., Maineville, is one of the oldest practicing physicians in Warren Co. He was born in Farmington, Me., Oct. 18, 1815, and is a son of Dr. John and Thirza (Porter) Cottle. Dr. John was born in Martha's Vineyard, Sept. 26, 1780. His wife was born in Somerset Co., Me., in 1789. He chose medicine and surgery as his profession, and was a graduate of a Massachusetts school, after which he practiced six years in the State of Maine. He was married to Thirza, daughter of Col. Porter, in 1806. In 1818 he, with his wife and five children, emigrated westward, and at Olean, N. Y., met John Gros- beck and family, with whom they continued their journey on flat-boats down the Ohio, and landed in Cincinnati in November of the same year. Soon after he removed to Maineville, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he was successful, having built up an enviable reputation as a skilful phy- sician. For 30 years he practiced uninterruptedly and accumulated considerable wealth, which would have been largely augmented had he collected closely. The territory over which he rode was extensive, and he never failed to respond to those who summoned his assistance. Several years before his death he relinquished much of his practice, and attended only calls to extreme cases, or to consult with other physicians. He died in 1858. His wife survived him and departed this life in 1865. Both were prominent members of the Free Will Baptist Church, to which they belonged from the date of their settlement in Maineville. He also belonged to the order of Masonry, and was an advanced and worthy member. The rudiments of our subject's education were received in the subscription schools, which were afterward developed in the Miami University at Oxford, O. On account of failing health he was obliged to relinquish his fond anticipation for a collegiate course for the time being and return home, where he finished his liter- ary education under the tutorage of his father, who was a thorough scholar and a fine linguist. At the age of 15 he began the study of medicine under the direction of his father, who was his professional preceptor until the winter of 1834-35, when he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he took his first course of lectures. During the above time he witnessed the hanging of Cowan, in penalty of the fearful crime of murdering his wife and children. He then entered on the practice with his father, and eventually began reading under Dr. Muzzy, of Cin- cinnati, and took other courses of lectures in the same institution, from which he received a diploma of graduation in 1842. Immediately he entered upon his prac- tice at Maineville, and with the exception of a single year he was located in Deerfield, has resided in Maineville since. He has always enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, and is a well-read and skilful physician. Oct. 19, 1836, he was married to Adaline, daughter of the Rev. D. Dudley, of Butler Co., O., who bore him two children-one living, viz: Pliny; John C., deceased. Mrs. C. died Nov. 3, 1843. His second marriage was celebrated with Anchor C., daughter of Absa- lom Death, of Franklin, O., who bore him seven children, six of whom are living, viz: John A., Wyman A. W., Lucius C., Eva J., Thirza and Ida M. Susan, the eldest, deceased. Mrs. C. died April 10, 1860. His third and last marriage was celebrated with Mrs. Phoebe Shawhan, daughter of Joseph Greene, Aug. 15, 1860. The Doctor was surgeon of the 2d Brigade and 19th Div. of the Ohio militia for seven years. His father was surgeon of this same corps for five years previous. Our subject was afterwards appointed Adjutant of the same command,

Digitized b Google

942

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

a position he held three years. He was then elected Colonel by the officers of the regiment, in Lebanon, a position he held until his commission expired. In 1862 he was given a special commission by Gov. Brough to visit the hospitals at St. Louis and Pittsburg Landing, in company with Drs. Mitchell, of Piqua, and McCook, of Steubenville, whose duties it was to bring home the sick and disabled soldiers. He is well advanced in the order of Masonry, belonging to the Blue Lodge Chapter and Council at Lebanon. He is also a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined under the ministration of the Rev. Joseph Hill, in 1837.

FRANK CUMMINGS, farmer, P. O., Morrow. Frank Cummings was born in Campbell Co., Ky., on the 17th of April, 1855. He is the son of Samuel and Eliza Cummings. Mr. Samuel Cummings was president of the city council of New- port, Ky., for four years. Frank, the subject of our sketch, received the rudiments of education in the district schools of Cincinnati. He subsequently entered Hollings- worth Commercial College at Newport, Ky., from whence he received his diploma. He left his native State in the year 1878, and removed to Warren Co., O., where he at present resides. He was married on the 17th of Sept. 1880, to Miss Ida B. Ford. To them has been born one child, viz .: Frank. Mr. Cummings has been successful in business, and is at present the owner of 109 acres of good tillable land.

REV. ISAAC J. CUSHMAN, deceased. We point with pride to this sketch, and although so brief in detail, it represents the correct and Christian-like life of one who was endeared to all with whom he became acquainted. He was born in Monongaha Co., W. Va., near Morgantown, Sept, 19, 1830. He was taken when two years old by an uncle on his mother's side, to Fayette Co., Pa., where he lived until he was about five years old, when they removed to Fayette Co., O., in which he lived on a farm until he attained his majority. He then attended high school at Bloomingsburg, O., from which he went to the Academy at S. Salem, O., then under the management of Rev. James A. I. Lowes. In Jan., 1856, he entered the Miami University at Oxford, O. The first year he accomplished the work of two years, and the remaining part of his college life studied theology, under the able guidance of Dr. Young, then President of the Theological Seminary at Oxford, which was under the care of the United Presbyterian Church. He graduated in 1858, and in September of the same year accepted the Principleship of Salem Col- lege. March 10, 1859, he was married to Martha J. Dennis, of Williamsburg, O. Nov. 80, 1860, he received and accepted a call from the Bethel Presbyterian Church at Murdock, O., where he spent his whole ministerial life. He was strong in his faith, having inherited from his maternal ancestry great love for the princi- ples and doctrines of his church, which he adhered to and defended with Spartan fortitude. His father, Squire Cushman and his ancestors were of the Episcopal Methodist belief. Although strictly a Presbyterian, Mr. Cushman always bore towards other evangelical denominations with much brotherly love, and often united with them in their services and exchanged pulpits frequently with their ministers. Mr. Cushman possessed fine educational attainments, which, coupled to his excellent natural talents, made him a strong reasoner and a master in debate. He was a fine linguist, and with the exception of not having a'thorough knowledge of the Hebrew, was a proficient in the other languages, especially those that could be advantageously used in his ministerial research and labor. During the twenty consecutive years that he labored in the Bethel church he drew around him many loving hearts and trusty followers who had confidence in their leader. His teach- ings and precepts were always of a lofty character, and what he taught he prac- ticed in his daily walks through life-always ready with a word of encouragement to a faltering one by the wayside, or to rejoice with those that rejoiced. In spite of arduous labors, his health and strength remained intact until about one year before his death occurred; at which time he began to fail and gradually he wasted away, but not realizing it until a brief time before the final end was near. Died Aug.

·Digitized b Google

943

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

26, 1881. He slept to awake in a brighter world; his voice was hushed to be raised on high, when the gates were opened wide, and an abundant entrance was made for him. The children of the Rev. and Mrs. Cushman were six in number- five of whom are living at this time (1882) viz .: John S., George J., Isaac N., Ed- ward Z. and Mary O. Their eldest son, Charles D., a young man of much prom- ise, departed this life July 16, 1880, in the 21st year of his age.

H. P. DOVE, Government store keeper, P. O., Foster's Crossing, was born in Butler Co., O., in 1819, and has filled his present position under the U. S. Government for the past twelve years. He came to Warren Co. in 1876, and has been store-keeper of the Foster Crossing Distillery since. He was married in 1840 to Sarah A. Hinsey, who bore him three children, viz .: Lizzie C. and John C., (twins) and Frank N., who is editor of the Leavenworth, Kas., Workingman. Mrs. D. departed this life in 1862. Mr. D. served four months in the 167th O. N. G. Reg't., as Lieutenant and Quartermaster of his regiment, from which posi- tions he was honorably discharged on the expiration of his term of service. He is a worthy and working member of the order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1845, and is connected to Lodge 54 at Summerville, Butler Co., O.

JOHN M. DYER, miller, was born in Hamilton Township, Warren Co., O., Sept. 22, 1825. His parents, John and Milly (Butterworth) Dyer, natives of Vir- ginia, were born, the former near Petersburg, Feb. 22, 1779, and the latter in Campbell Co., Sept. 15, 1789. They were married in 1807, and in the year 1815 emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton Township, Warren Co. They died Feb. 20, 1855, and Aug. 81, 1880, respectively. Mrs. Dyer was a daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Mormon) Butterworth, who were of English descent. Our subject is the youngest of a family of five children, of which he is the only survivor. He was reared on a farm, and in the district schools of the township re- ceived his education. On the 14th of March, 1844, he was united in marriage with Margaret L., daughter of Joseph and Mary Martin, of Virginia; and to them were born two children, namely: Mary E., born April 18, 1847, and Benjamin F., born Jan. 27, 1858, both of whom are graduates, having received & collegiate education. Benjamin F. is now Principal of the public schools of Love- land. Our subject was brought up a "Friend," but in later years became a Meth- odist, of which church both himself and wife are consistent members. In the days of the Whig party Mr. Dyer was found in its ranks, and on the organization of the Republican party became an advocate of its principles. He served as one of the Commissioners of Warren Co. during the years 1870-71-72, and for many years as Trustee of Hamilton Township. He was occupied as a farmer until the year 1872, when he became a partner with H. Eveland in the flouring mill at Loveland, where he is now engaged, but retains his residence in Warren Co. He is a very affable and genial gentleman, and one of the best citizen of the county.

BENJAMIN ELTZROTH, retired farmer, P. O., Cozaddale, was born in Hamilton Township, in Aug., 1802, and is a son of Francis and Catherine Eltzroth, who settled where our subject lives the same year he was born. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and the family was sent down the Ohio River on a flat boat, while Mr. Eltzroth, with some of his sons, came overland with the horses. He bought 200 acres of wild land on which he built a cabin and cleared up his land. Their means were small, yet he succeeded well and made a good property. Ten children were born to them, three living, viz: Benjamin, John and Catherine. He died in 1840, aged about 77 years. She died in 1841, aged 66 years. Our sub- ject was brought up a pioneer boy, and is now the oldest living native of the township. He was married in 1826 to Elizabeth Snyder. She died in 1874 aged 67 years, 10 months and 12 days. He has been successful in his business enterprises and from nothing but a pair of willing hands he made 100 acres of good land, of which he now owns 50 acres.

DANIEL ELTZROTH, farmer, P. O., Cozaddale, is a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of the township. His great grandparents, Valentine and

Digitized by Google

944

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

Susannah Eltzroth, came to America from Germany about the middle of the last century, and settled in Frederick Co., Md., about nine miles from Hagerstown and eighteen miles from Baltimore. Here Francis Eltzroth, the grandfather of our subject, was born June 4, 1762. Young as he was, during the Revolution he took part as a soldier in the war of Independence, and on the return of peace, was mar- ried July 24, 1786, to Catherine Oswalt, daughter of Philip and Margaret Oswalt, who was born Feb. 20, 1766. To Francis and Catherine Eltzroth were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, seven of whom were born in Maryland and three in this township. Early in 1802 Francis Eltzroth with his family left his native State for the North West Territory. On reaching the upper Ohio, the family, with the exception of the father and eldest son, embarked in a flat-boat and arrived at Columbia, May 15, 1802. Francis and his son Jonas, aged 13, came with the horses through the wilderness by way of Chillicothe, and joined the family at Co- lumbia, a few days after the arrival of the boat. In the summer of 1802, Francis moved with his family to whatis now Hamilton Township, Warren Co., where he pur- chased the whole of Military Survey 3,791, upon which he resided until his death. Jonas Eltzroth, the father of our subject, was born April 24, 1789, and married Catherine Morgan, by whom he had thirteen children, six sons and seven daugh- ters, ten of whom lived to maturity, married and raised families. He owned and resided on a farm upon which a part of which Cozaddale now stands. The last years of his life were passed in Stark Co., Ill., where he died. Daniel, the eldest child of Jonas Eltzroth, was born Sept. 26, 1813, on the farm where Benjamin Eltzroth now lives; was reared on his father's farm and had benefit of but three months at school. He has always followed the business of farming; owns 125 acres, upon which he has resided since his marriage, and which he successfully cultivates, his farm being one of the best in Hamilton Township. He attends strictly to his business, avoids law suits, and is respected by all his neighbors. He was married to Hannah Shepley, only child of Samuel Shepley, of this township, by whom he has had three children, Samuel, Jonas and William F. The two former are farmers in this township, the last is a lawyer at Lebanon.

JACOB ERTEL, farmer, P. O., Maineville. The subject of this sketch was born in this township in the year 1810, and is a son of Daniel Ertel, who settled in the southwestern part of the township in 1792. He came from Pennsylvania with his family, wife (Catherine) and three children. He purchased 600 acres of land but lost all but 110 acre by putting up a forfeit he could not redeem. On this land he lived and prospered, built a "still" house, and afterwards purchased other lands at from $2.50 to $3.00 per acre, owning in the aggregate about 1,000 acres. He died in 1831 at the age of 54 years. He had by his wife eleven children, two of whom are living, viz: Sophia and our subject. His wife survived him and died at the age of 94 years. Valentine, their son, served in the War of 1812. Our sub- ject was reared on the farm and has seen as much of the hardship of this county as any other man, and has made rails at 25 cents per hundred. He was married in 1834 to Malinda Borum. For twenty years he was engaged in the plant busi- ness in Loveland and at home, and in 1837 settled where he now lives. At present he owns 642 acres of land. Twelve children have been born to them, five living, viz: James, Lewis M., Benjamin F., Sabina and Elizabeth. The deceased are, Andrew J., Nancy J., Solomon, Kemper, Adelaide, and two who died in infancy. The living are, with a single exception, living in the county, and are well-to-do citizens.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 116

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