The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 120

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

USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 120

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DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP.

born June 23, 1851, died in infancy. Our subject was reared a poor boy, and at the time he came to Ohio, in the fall of 1840, he landed in Cincinnati with 26 cents in money, 25 of which he paid for his supper. Possessing both energy and health, he went to work with a will, and he has won. His educational qualifications, which he secured through his own efforts, enabled him to teach, which he successfully did for five years. In 1850, the savings of ten years enabled him to open a store of general merchandise in Mason, which he carried on with profit to himself till he closed out, in 1868, when his son, John C., became his successor. Mr. Bennett is one of the most energetic and enterpris- ing citizens, and a highly esteemed gentleman in the community. Though unassuming in disposition, he is benevolent and liberal, and all enterprises of a meritorious character he generously supports. For forty-two years, he has been identified with his community's interest, and, during that period of time, has done much in the way of assisting public improvement. In 1863, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was commissioned Notary Public at the same time, and the responsibilities of each he has discharged with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to all whose interests were in his hands.

DAVID E. BENNETT, farmer; P. O. Socialville; was born in Turtle Creek Township, Warren Co., Ohio, in the year 1822. He is a son of David and Elizabeth (Enyert) Bennett, who were born in Westmoreland Co., Penn. He (David, Sr.), in about 1815, when 21 years old, came to Ohio and located at Beadle Station in about 1815; he was a son of William Bennett, whose sketch appears in this work. After David, Jr.'s, marriage, he removed to near Johns- ville, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he resided for awhile, then back to Warren County, locating in the Sea's neighborhood, where he lived four years, then removed to a place near where our subject now resides; soon after, he bought land on the east side of Sec. 4, on which he lived till his death, which occurred April 13, 1864, aged 72 years; his wife is now (1881) living, aged 85 years; they were parents of ten children, five living, viz., Isaac, David E., Andrew J., Permelia and Elizabeth; the deceased are Mary, William, Nancy, Adra and Sarah. He (David, Sr.) was a member of the Methodist Church, with which he was prominently connected. Politically, he enjoyed the confidence of his townsmen, and served them in the capacity of some of the offices of the town- ship; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his now aged wife is a pensioner on the pension rolls of the United States Government. Our subject was mar- ried to Mary J. Eddingfield in 1854, who has borne him four children, three living, viz., William E., Leroy R. and John E .; Eddie, deceased, aged 6 months. Mr. Bennett now owns 121 acres of fine land, which is all well im- proved. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, to which they have been connected many years, and are much interested in helping to advance Christianity.

J. C. BENNETT, Merchant, Mason. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the prosperous business men of Warren County, and in the little village of Mason, he stands prominently to the front in the mercan- tile circles of the place; to say that his position to the "bulls" and " bears" of Mason can be likened unto the position that Jay Gould sustains to the "bears" and "bulls" of Wall street, is not putting it too strong, for "Cal." (the name he is known by among his friends) gives quotations and his cotem- poraries are bound to "drop." He was born near Mason Sept. 7. 1846, and, for a sketch of his ancestors, we refer the reader to the memoir of his honor- able sire-R. H. Bennett. Cal.'s boyhood days were passed in his native vil- lage, and in the public schools of the place he received his education. The happy event of his marriage with Miss Fannie, an accomplished daughter of James H. and Sarah Webb, was celebrated in 1867. As marriage is the great

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pivotal place in man's career, he sought the practical part of life and imme- diately entered the mercantile world, and has since catered to the wants of his numerous customers. He carries the largest and best stock in town, and con- sumers always know the advantage of buying goods where they can get the most for their money. His mammoth stock consists in everything nice for the ladies, from an article of pure lily white to genuine laces, fringes in every artistic design, besides ribbons of the gayest colors-enough, indeed, to make the methodical old maid wish she was young again. To enumerate all would simply be impossible; to suffice, he carries everything usually found in any first-class retail house. To those who love the mysteries of the excavated and antiquated past, his cabinet affords many rare and interesting relics of pre-his- toric and aboriginal times. Archeology, or the science of antiquities, demon- strates to the archeologist that many of the specimens found here in Ohio sub- stantiate the theory that a race once occupied this land who were far advanced in the arts and sciences; but who they were, or where they went to, is a matter of conjecture and idle speculation. Mr. B. is prominently identified with three well-known orders of the county, being a member of the Masonic Lodge of Lebanon, and an Eminent Sir Knight of Miami Commandery, No. 22; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Mason Lodge, 209, and the Knights of Pythias, " Favorite Lodge," No. 118, of Mason, Ohio. The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are three in number, viz., James W., Albert H. and Viola G. Through transition, two live in spirit life, viz, Taney and Ova.

SAM C. BENNETT, hardware and agricultural implements, Mason; he was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., May 10, 1854; he is a son of Isaac and Sarah J. College Bennett; Isaac is a son of Abraham Bennett, of whom men- tion is made in this work; he (Isaac) was reared in his native State (Pennsyl- vania), in which he was married and resided until 1860, when, with his family. he came to Ohio, the journey being made from Pittsburgh by the Ohio River. He located in Mason, in which he lived two years, and, in partnership with R. H. Bennett, together carried on a mercantile business until 1863, at which time he sold out his interest and removed to Monroe, in Butler Co., Ohio, where he embarked in the grocery business, in which he was engaged ten years. In 1873 or 1874, he removed to Hamilton Co., Ohio, in which he has since lived a retired life. Sarah College Bennett, daughter of William and Mary College, was born in Cambria Co., Penn., in which she was raised. Her marriage with Isaac Bennett was celebrated in Westmoreland Co., Penn .; to them have been born eleven children, all living, viz., Alsena (Mrs. Ruch); Joseph, Sam C .; Em- ma (Mrs. Bennett); John, Hetty, Mabel, Robert C., Agnes, Lorena, Frank and Clarence. With the exception of Emma and Hetty, who reside in La Fayette, Ind., the other children reside in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Bennett are members of the U. B. Church, to which they have been connected since childhood. The boyhood of Sam C., up to his 6th year, was spent in his native county. The rudiments of his education were principally received in the village schools of Mason and Monroe, which was afterward developed in the Nelson Commercial College, of Cincinnati, where he took a full business course, closing his school labors in 1870. When yet in school, his experience in the mercantile world began, and, for several years, was employed as a salesman in some of the leading houses in prominent towns, among which we mention Cin- cinnati. Sept. 12, 1877, he was married to Miss Nellie, the accomplished daughter of Charles H. and Nancy ( Bennett) Phillips, of Doniphan, Kan. After the consummation of this event, he, with his bride, returned to Mason. and the year following, was engaged as a salesman. In 1879, he purchased of L. Babbitt & Co. their stock of drugs, which he disposed of six months later. In the implement business he next engaged, in which he successfully operated.

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and, May 10, 1881, purchased the hardware house of Cox & Randall, which he combined with his implement trade, and now he controls the custom of the surrounding country in both lines. He carries everything usually found in a first-class retail house, and the entire business is carried on under his super- vision. Among the business men of Mason, Sam C. Bennett stands prominently to the front. Having been schooled in mercantile pursuits from his boyhood, he received that drill which is always so indispensable to success. Through persistency and good business management, the boy salesman has worked his way to the front, and is now the owner of a well-stocked store and doing a large and paying business. Charles H. Phillips, father of Mrs. Bennett, was born in Norwich, Conn., in which he was raised, and in the schools and colleges of his native State he received his education. He is a thoroughly educated gen- tleman, a fine linguist, and, in former days, a prominent and successful edu- cator. He came to Ohio when a young man and unmarried, and for some years taught the village school of Mason. In 1857 or 1858, he removed to Doniphan, Kan., in which place he extensively engaged in the mercantile business, besides doing a regular stock shipping business. He was thus engaged for twenty years, when he withdrew from active business pursuits, and has since enjoyed the retirement of the farm. Nancy, mother of Mrs. B., was born in Warren County, and is a daughter of Nicholas Bennett. To them have been born four children-Nancy, Dolly, Charley and Nellie. Mrs. Sam C. Bennett was born in Kansas Aug. 22, 1859.

JOHN BERCAW, farmer; P. O. Mason; was born in the place where he now lives in the year 1818; he is a son of Cornelius and Magdalene (Den- more) Bercaw, who were born in Adams Co., Penn., where they were married In 1817, they came to Ohio, settling where our subject now resides. He pur- chased 180 acres of land, of which 130 is yet in the family name. He died Jan. 31, 1858, at the age of 74 years; she departed this life Nov. 19, 1831. They were parents of seven children, of whom our subject alone survives. The deceased are Sarah, David, Abraham, Margaret, George and Elizabeth. By Mr. B.'s second marriage with Mary Snodgrass, he had five children, one of whom is living, viz., Thomas. The deceased are Magdalene, Samuel, William and Rebecca. The early life of our subject was passed on the farm, and received an education which was largely obtained through his own efforts, to enable him to become an assistant teacher. In 1842, he was married to Narcissa Coulsen, who bore him four children, two living, viz., Oscar M. and Mary J. The de- ceased are William H. and Marilda. The latter died on her 18th birthday. William H. was a member of Company H, 89th O. V. I., having enlisted in the beginning of the war, and served till his death, which occurred in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1862. Mrs. Bercaw departed this life in 1872, dying suddenly of heart disease.

THOMAS M. BERCAW, farmer; P. O. Mason. This gentleman was born where his half-brother now lives, Dec, 6, 1824; he is a son of Cornelius and Mary (Snodgrass) Bercaw, the second wife of Cornelius. Of this marriage, five children were the result, of whom only Thomas is now living. The de- ceased are Magdalene, Samuel and two infants. Mrs. Bercaw, mother of our subject, died in 1872, aged 86 years. Thomas was reared on the farm, and ob- tained only a limited education in the district schools. In 1855, he was mar- ried to Rachel A. Hercules, after which he located on land then owned by his brother, for a year or so; then removed to Mason, in which he lived three years, and was engaged in farming and teaming. Then he removed to Butler County, where he resided about two years; thence to Mason, for a period of five years, and finally, in 1869, removed to the place where he now resides. He owns 114 acres of excellent land, which is situated in Section 23. To Mr. and Mrs.

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Bercaw have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living, viz, Samuel A., Lorenzo P., Zuinglas V., Marcellus M., Reno R., Cecelia M., Thurman F. and Chalmers O. Two of his children came to their death through accident, viz., U. S. Grant, while at play in the schoolhouse was pushed by a schoolmate against the corner of a seat, from which he received an injury that resulted in his death one week from the day of the accident, died May 3, 1877, aged 12 years; Clarence De. Orville accidentally fell from a wagon loaded with corn, and the wheels passing over his body at the intestinal parts, caused injuries from which he died two hours afterward, Oct. 28, 1877, aged 4 years and 6 months. Sylvanus Everett died, May 5, 1878, from the effects of a tumor, which, after removal, weighed eleven pounds; he was aged 3 years, 3 months and 3 days.

HAMILTON L. BERCAW, farmer; P. O. Mason; was born on the place where he now lives Dec. 9, 1848; he is a son of Abraham and Mary A. (Robin- son) Bercaw. She (Mary A.) was a daughter of Capt. John L. Robinson, an early settler of Warren County. Abraham Bercaw was a son of Cornelius Bercaw, whose sketch appears in this work. Abraham was born in Adams Co., Penn., and, at the age of 5 years, he, with his parents, came to Ohio, as will be found elsewhere recorded. He was a prominent member of the M. E. Church; also a member of a muster company during the old muster days. Seven chil- dren were born to them, of whom three are living, viz., Hamilton L., Melissa F. (Mrs. Williamson), and Mary. The deceased are Charlotte A., Sylvanus V., Cornelius D. and Ida A. Mr. B. died Jan. 17, 1874, aged 62 years: Mrs. B. departed this life Aug. 29, 1880, aged about 50 years. Mr. B. was success- ful during life, and, at the time of his death, owned 1112 acres of land, be- sides other property of considerable proportions, which was all the result of his enterprise and industry. Where our subject was born he has thus far in life resided, and at present (1881) is carrying on the old home farm, thus perpetuat- ing a work that was begun by his parents. He is a member of the Mason Grange, No. 49; also to the Mason Horse Rangers, whose members constitute the best men in the township.

THOMAS J. BLACKBURN, farmer and harness-maker; P. O. Foster's Crossing. The above gentleman is one of the well-known citizens of Warren County; he was born in Monroe, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1828; his parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Biggs) Blackburn ; he was born in Cincinnati in 1790; she in Monongahela Co., Penn., in 1792. James, father of Benjamin, was born near Blackburn's Ford, in Virginia, and was a Captain in the colonial forces during the Revolutionary war. He came to Ohio in either 1788 or 1789; came down the Ohio River in a canoe, and was one of the first settlers in Cincinnati, where he purchased a tract of land, living thereon for a few years, after which he came to Warren County and settled in Turtle Creek Township about 1791, in which he lived till his death, which occurred in 1825; he was a farmer and gunsmith by occupation, and, in an early day, a renowned hunter. Benjamin was married, in Lebanon, in 1813, to Elizabeth Biggs. After the sale of his father's property, in 1826, he went to Butler Co., and, in 1829, re- turned to Warren, in which he lived till his decease, which occurred in 1852; his wife departed this life in 1871. They were parents of eleven children, seven living, viz., Wiiliam, James, Thomas, Sarah, Dorothy, Lucinda and Eliza- beth. The deceased are Permelia, Mary J., Hannah and Phineas. He served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, his official life ending in 1851; he was a Commissioner for about the same length of time, Mayor of Lebanon for a number of years, and also served as Trustee in his township for a long period of time. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Hull. Our subject was reared in Lebanon, receiving his education in the village schools

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and the academy. In Lebanon, he learned the harness-maker's trade, living there till 28 years of age, when he moved to Mason, where he followed his trade; was appointed Postmaster of Mason, by Lincoln in his first term, and served consecutively till 1878, going out during Hayes' administration. Hi first marriage was celebrated in Mason with Miss Thisbe Gillespie, in 1858. She was a daughter of Simon Gillespie, one of the early settlers in Warren County, who came from Botetourt Co., Va., in the year 1799, and located in Hamilton Township. Our subject resided'in Mason till 1878, when he removed to his farm near Foster's Crossing. He was Justice of the Peace of Deerfield Township from 1867 to 1869, and again from 1878 to 1881, and while in Ma- son, for a time, was Mayor of the village. Mrs. B. died in 1867, aged about 42 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Dorcas L. Woodruff, daughter of Ezekiel and Ann Woodruff, distant relative of the well-known Morrow family. To them have been born three children, viz., Anna E., John M. and Mary P. He is a member of the Masonic order, Emory Lodge, No. 258, of Loveland, Ohio. He own 65 acres of land in the home place and a 13-acre tract in the corporation limits of Mason. Politically, he is a Republican in the broadest significance of the term, and before the organization of that party was an Old Line Whig. In politics. he is true to his party and a representa- tive man in the broadest acceptation of the term.

JAMES BOWYER, Mason, Ohio. Our subject was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Dec. 9. 1810. His educational privileges were few, yet they planted in him an energetic disposition. For some five years of his early life he spent in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. On June 9, 1836, he married Mary Ann Seward, of Mason. This marriage was indeed a happy one, being blessed by a family of nine children -- three sons and six daughters -- Cythera, born May 13, 1837, and married James Kendall Aug. 30, 1855; Florella, born Oct. 27, 1838, married T. J. Armstrong in 1859, who died in 1862; she mar- ried M. O. Adams in 1865; Selecta, born Nov. 28, 1840, married W. Hall in 1863, who died in 1872; she married Albert Buckingham in 1872; Eli, born March 4, 1843; Adrew, born Aug. 16, 1846, married Flora Lang in 1872; Wellington, born March 12, 1848; Leora, born Feb. 3, 1851; Francisco, born Nov. 29, 1853, married George Holdon in 1876; Ida, born Jan. 20, 1857, mar- ried, 1878, Arthur Lacy. Eli, the oldest son, served in the late war, in the 4th O. V. C., and was drowned in the Ohio River Oct. 19, 1865; his body was found by some fishermen below Cincinnati, and was identified by his discharge papers, found upon his person; this bereavement was especially sad to the fam- ily from the fact that no clue to the accident has ever been found; the post- mortem examination of the body gave rise, however, to the suspicion of foul play. Mrs. Bowyer died Nov. 15, 1864; she was a woman loved by all for her kind disposition, and while with the family she was kindly beloved by all of them; she was connected for many years with the Universalist denomination. Mr. Bowyer married for his second wife Miss H. A. Cline, of Mason, on Dec. 28, 1865. For some fifteen years, he was connected with the Ohio Light In- fantry, in which he held various positions, from Sergeant up to Colonel. The greater part of his life has been spent upon the farm; his uprightness, gener- osity and kindness won for him the esteem of all. Prosperity has been the fruit of his striving aim. Besides helping his children, he has as a reserve, for the comfort of his old days, a farm of some 360 acres of fine land west of Mason; on this he has an extensive tile factory, which has been of much benefit to the country round. His father was John Bowyer. born in Pennsylvania, near the Red Stone Country, June 6, 1786; his wife was Jane Sheplar, born May 18, 1794. Mrs. Bowyer died Feb. 18, 1860; Mr. Bowyer, in March, 1864. Their fam- ily record is as follows: James, born in 1810; Hannah, in 1814; Levi, in 1816, QQ

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who died in infancy; Eli, in 1818; Sarah, in 1820; John, in 1824; Jane, in 1826; Stephen, in 1835; Elizabeth, in 1831, and died in 1869; Mary, in 1837. The record of the family is an extensive one, and many are the descendants of that name now in the county; all are of that good, sturdy type, which has gained for them the esteem of all. In 1881, our subject left his farm, and is at present leading a retired life in Mason; he is a man of good judgment, and weighs all things carefully before venturing, and is well worthy of being an example for the younger men of the community.

JOHN S. BOWYER, farmer; P. O. Foster's Crossing. This gentleman is another of the old and well-known citizens of Warren County. He was born in Deerfield Township, on the farm adjoining the one on which he now lives. in 1824; his parents, John Bowyer and Jane Sheplar, were among the early pioneers of Warren County. John S. was reared on the farm, and in the dis- trict schools received a meager education. In 1845, he was married to Han- nah, a daughter of James and Dorcas Clark, of Warren County; after the celebration of his nuptials, lived one year in Deerfield Township, after which he removed to Darke County, in Harrison Township, where he resided four years, then went to Union Township, Warren Co., living there a like length of time. In 1854, he located where he now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowyer have been born two children, viz., Elizabeth and Louisa. He owns 80 acres of land, which is largely in cultivation and comfortably improved; he and his estimable wife are old and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in the same, he has held the positions of Trustee. Steward and Class- Leader, and, withal, is one of the representative members, and a gentleman of enlarged and zealous religious views. He is comfortably situated in life. during which he has been tolerably successful, and, although not owning as much of this world's goods as some others, he has a handsome competency, which affords him all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. His wife was born at the place where she lives, in the year 1822. Their daughter, Eliza- beth, was married to Elbert Hoff, by whom she has had eight children, viz., Ol- lie, Charley, Nettie, William, Arthur, Lizzie (deceased), Frank and Forrest.

JOHN W. BOWYER, farmer; P. O. Mason; was born in the house in which he lives Aug. 5, 1835; he is a son of Stephen and Mary (Clark) Bowyer. He (Stephen) was born in Virginia, and when a young man, came with his fa- ther, Stephen, to Deerfield Township. Stephen B., Jr., was married to Mary Clark, in this township; they were parents of eight children, four living, viz., Thomas, John W., Ellen and Stephen K. ; the deceased are Rachel, Elisha. Sarah and George. Mr. Bowyer. Sr., was born Feb. 25, 1792; died Nov. 14, 1863. Mrs. Bowyer was born May 19, 1808, and departed this life Dec. 30, 1857. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belonged to that type of Christianity which so characterized our forefathers. Our sub- ject was reared on the place where he was born, and, during the portion of his life passed, he has known no other home. In 1860, he was married to Mary E., daughter of William and Charlotte White, who has borne him five children, four living, viz., Clark, Laura, Clifford and Lizzie; John E., deceased, died Aug. 1, 1869, aged 1 year 10 months and 20 days. Mr. Bowyer's farm at present consists of 112 acres, which is mostly in cultivation and well improved, which significantly shows the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He belongs to the order of Masonry, and is a member of the Mason Horse Ranger Com- pany.

JOHN N. BREWER, farmer; P. O. Mason; was born in West Chester, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1825, and is a son of Abram and Ann (Elder) Brewer. He was born in Johnson Co., Ky., in 1800; she was born in Indiana Co., Penn., in 1799. He, with his father, Daniel Brewer. came to Butler Co., Ohio, in an

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early day, where the elder Brewer ended his days. Abram was a tailor by trade, and plied his vocation in West Chester, Ohio, until coming to Warren, when he settled on land where our subject lives; here he turned his attention fully to farming till his death, which occurred in 1857; she departed this life in 1873. They had seven children, four of whom grew to maturity, and three are yet living, viz., John N., David W. and Abram N .; deceased are Sarah A., Matilda - Maria and Daniel K. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brewer, Sr., were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a Ruling Elder, and alike they were consistent Christian people. The boyhood of our subject was spent in his native village, and he was but 6 years old when his parents came to where he now lives; he received only a common education in the sub- scription schools, to which he walked several miles. After attaining his ma- jority, he continued on the old home farm, where over half a century of his life has been passed. He was married, in 1867, to L. M. Hutchinson, by whom he has had three children, viz., Ann C., Vienna P. and Elder R. He owns 220 acres of excellent land, which lies in the townships of Turtle Creek and Deerfield. He is a self-made man, as his success is largely due to his own efforts, which have resulted in a good home and is free from debt. His esti- mable wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an exem- plary Christian lady. Mr. Brewer belongs to the Mason Horse Rangers, which he joined in 1881.

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 120

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