The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 129

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

USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 129

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place where Jonas Stump now lives, and here they resided till their death ; he died Nov. 9, 1832, aged 71 years ; his wife died Dec. 31, 1838, aged 71 years. They had fourteen children, ten grew to maturity ; two now living-Jonas, and Catherine, now Widow Henry, residing in Clinton Co. Mr Stump was a very reserved, unassuming man, never seeking or holding office, a man of undoubted integrity, an excellent neigh- bor and a worthy citizen. The subject of this sketch was 12 years of age when he came to this county with his parents, and here grew to manhood; was married Nov. 28, 1828, to Prudence, daughter of William and Prudence Smalley, natives of Pennsylvania, (see in history of Washington Township) ; by this union they have had six children-Mary M., born Oct. 28, 1829, now Mrs. Meyers; Matilda C., Jan. 19, 1836, now Mrs. Isaac Evans; Daniel S., Sept. 16, 1839 ; William J., Nov. 16, 1842; Martha H., Jan. 20, 1846, now Mrs. George Talbott, and Jonas, born Feb. 21, 1851. Mr. Stump after his marriage located on an adjoining farm to where he now lives, and resided there seven years ; thence bought a farm in Greene Co., where he lived 45 years ; then in August, 1879, he moved back to the old homestead place of his father, where he has since resided. This farm had been occupied by his brother till 1879 ; he died, and Mr. Stump took the place as above mentioned; this place has now been in possession of the Stump family for 64 years. The character we gave to the father of our subject is equally applicable and true to Mr. Stump, as he is one of the most worthy citizens of the community where he lives. Mr. Stump, is now 76 years of age, and his wife is 72 years ; they have traveled the journey of life together for 53 years, over half a century. On Nov. 28, 1878, they celebrated their "Golden Wedding," at which time they had a large company of friends and relatives present and had a very enjoyable occasion.

JONATHAN VANDERVOORT, farmer ; P. O. Clarksville, Clinton Co .; born in Massie Tp., Dec. 26, 1824; is a son of Paul and Elizabeth ( Wilkerson) Vandervoort, he & native of Virginia, she of Kentucky. The paternal grandparents were Paul and Dinah (James) Vandervoort, he a native of Long Island and she of Wales. The great-great- grandfather was a native of Holland, who with two brothers emigrated to America about the beginning of the seventeenth century, the great-great-grandfather of our subject settling near New York City ; one of his brothers in North Carolina and the other in Canada. Paul, the grandfather, emigrated from Long Island to Berkeley Co., Va; thence to Monongalia Co .; thence, in 1809, he with his family emigrated to Ohio, and located in Clermont Co. ; thence to Warren Co., near Hopkinsville, and, in 1817, bought and located on the place, ever since known as the Vandervoort farm, in Marsie Township; here they commenced right in the woods, not a stick amiss, and here they labored in their great and laborous pioneer work, and here, in 1835, the grandfather died ; his wife had died about 1815, while living near Hopkinsville. The maternal grandparents were .James and Sarah (Moore) Wilkerson, natives of Virginia ; he was a son of Will- iam and Sarah Wilkerson, and was born Nov. 29, 1758; was married in Virginia, April 30, 1782 ; his wife Sarah was a daughter of James and Margaret Moore, and was born Nov. 4, 1763; they emigrated to Kentucky; thence, in 1805, came to Warren Co., where he died Dec. 4, 1834; Mrs. Moore died July 17, 1841. They had nine children-William, Peggy, John, Frances, Nancy, Mary, James, Sarah and Elizabeth, all deceased but the latter; she was born in Kentucky, Aug. 23, 1801. Paul, the father of our subject, was born April 8, 1793; was about 17 years of age when he came to Ohio with his parents ; here he arrived at manhood, was married, and entered upon the pioneer work of clearing up and bringing into cultivation the farm upon which his father had commenced, and here he continued his labors till his death, in 1863, aged 70 years. He was in the war of 1812; was with Gen. Harrison at Ft. Meigs. His wife is still living and resides in Harveysburg, aged 80 years. These were truly pioneers of our county, Mr. Vandervoort, however, lived to see much of the fruit of his labors, consisting of fine fields of waving grain, good buildings and improvements, and the general comforts of life, and all the work of his own industry and that of his noble family. They had eleven children, five sons and six daughters ; six now survive-William, now a resident of Bloomington, Ill. ; Jonathan ; Maria; James W. ; John ; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Van Doren. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his father till 34 years

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of age; was married March 20, 1858, to Margaret, daughter of Elias M. and Margaret Fisher, natives of Virginia, but who became among the early settlers of Clinton Co., Ohio, and lived and died there. They had seven children, five now survive-Benjamin, Parker, Mary, Margaret, Eleanor and Tannah. Margaret was born in Clinton Co. Feb. 7, 1830. Mr. Vandervoort located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided ; he erected all the buildings on the place, and now has everything very com- fortable and pleasant around him ; has a fine farm and a pleasant home.

JOHN VANDERVOORT, farmer; P. O. Clarksville, Clinton County ; born on the place where he now lives, Nov. 16, 1836; is a son of Paul and Elizabeth Vandervoort, whose history appears in sketch of Jonathan Vandervoort. The subject of this sketch was born and grew to manhood on the old home place of his father, where he now lives ; was married Sept. 24, 1862, to Eliza A., daughter of Jabez H. and Eleanor C. (Edwards) Turner ; he a native of North Carolina, and she of Ohio. The paternal grandparents were William and Edith Turner, natives of North Carolina, but who em- igrated to the State of Indiana, and there lived and died. Jabez H. Turner married in Warren County, but lived a few years in Indiana; then returned to this county, and here resided till the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when, at his country's call, on May 31, 1861, he enlisted in the 12th O. V. I., and served only about one month, when, in a skirmish at Scarry Creek, W. Va., on July 17, 1861, he was killed ; and thus suddenly was his war record and life terminated. Mrs. Turner is now resid- ing in Harveysburg. They had five children ; three now survive -. Eliza, born June 16, 1845; Martha J., Aug. 26, 1847; and Emma B., born June 15, 1856. The maternal grandparents, Archibald and Nancy Edwards, were natives of North Carolina, but came among the early settlers of Warren County ; opened out right in the woods, and have done a great amount of pioneer work, and lived and died in this county. Mr. Vandervoort and wife have one son and three daughters-Eva, born Jan. 29, 1865; Ida, Sept. 13, 1866; Allie, Oct. 30, 1868; and Edwin, born April 17, 1870. Mr. Vandervoort located on the old home place, where he has resided from his childhood ; this place has now been in possession of the Vandervoort family for a period of 65 years. This family were among the early settlers, and their descendants are well known in this com- munity ; are among the prominent farmers and best citizens of Massie Township.

THOMAS M. WALES, retired farmer ; P. O. Harveysburg. The earliest ancestor of the Wales family of whom we have any knowledge was George Wales, a native of Scotland, but who removed to Ireland in 1690. He had one brother who never married and was editor of a paper in Belfast, Ireland, and died there. Of the children of George Wales, his son Thomas, emigrated from Ireland to America in 1735, and of his children, George Wales was the grandfather of our subject, and was born in Pennsylvania ; was married to Jane Irvin, a daughter of Wm. Irvin, who came from Ireland to America with Thomas Wales in 1735, and they settled together in Pennsyl- vania. Their descendants emigrated to North Carolina, with a brother of Jane Irvin, Samuel Irvin, who removed to Ohio in 1799, and settled six miles south of Dayton, Montgomery County, where he died, leaving four sons and one daughter; the eldest son became Judge Amos Irvin, all of whom have now passed away. The grandfather, Geo. Wales, with his family, emigrated from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in 1767. He had a brother John, who spelled his name Weailes, who moved to Alabama when young, of whom no information has ever been received. Of the children of Geo. Wales, Isaac, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina in 1778, emigrated to Ohio in 1814, and settled in Highland County, and in 1815 settled on the west bank of Cæsar's Creek, right in the dense woods. In 1822. he erected a house on the hill west of his first cabin. Mr. Wales had one brother Samuel, who resided in North Carolina until 1846, when he removed to Indiana, where he died in 1847. They had several sisters who married and moved south, of whom but little has since been known. Mr. Isaac Wales married Ruth Welch, who was born in Virginia in 1784, a daughter of Samuel and Cloe Welch, who settled in North Carolina, thence emigrated to Ohio in 1814. Of their children the youngest son, Samuel G. Welch, still resides in Harveys- burg. The grandfather Welch was of English and Scotch descent ; he married a lady

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whose maiden name was Hendricks, and whose parents came from Holland in the latter part of the 17th century, and settled in Virginia, their descendants mostly emigrating to the far south. Geo. Wales the grandfather of our subject, emigrated to Ohio in 1816, and lived with his son Isaac, till his death in 1824, age 87 years. Isaac Wales died in September, 1824, about two months after his father's death, aged 46 years. His wife survived him and died. in 1856. They had five children-Mary ; Jane F .; Nancy J .; Thomas M. and Caroline M .; the eldest and youngest are deceased ; Jane F.

married Mr. Nicholson, has three daughters, and resides in Indianapolis, Ind .; Nancy J., married Henry T. Butterworth, and resides at Foster's Crossing, this county. The subject of this sketch, the only son and fourth child of his father, was born in North Carolina Aug. 17, 1812, and was about two years of age when brought to the dense forests of Ohio, and here grew to manhood, fully inured to pioneer life; he served two years in the tanning business, one in Harveysburg, and on near Maineville. In 1833 he bought a part of his father's farm where he first settled, and entered in good earnest upon agricultural pursuits, and here he continued a very successful farming business till 1868, when he retired from the farm and settled in Harveysburg, where he has since resided (except eight months in the winter of 1873-74 spent in Southern California). In March, 1836, Mr. Wales was married to Sarah G. Stevenson, youngest daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Stevenson, natives of New Jersey. But this union was of short duration, when she was taken from him by death. In November, 1839, he married for his second wife, Harriet R. Fallis, who was born July 27, 1817, daughter of Rich- ard and Phebe Fallis, natives of Virginia. By his first wife he had one son, Isaac, who died at six years old; and by his last wife he has one child, Richard F., born Dec. 1, 1841, who married Caroline M. Sanders, adopted daughter of Rachel M. Sanders ; they have one adopted daughter, Harriet R. Wales, born in October, 1872. In October, 1874, Mr. Wales was elected to represent his county in the 61st General Assembly, and re-elected to the 62d and 63d, serving in all five years to the general satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Wales is a gentleman of very reserved and unpre- tentious habits, but of a high moral and intellectual cast of mind-firm and resolute in carrying out all his convictions of right and justice, which principle has fully characterized all his actions both in private and public life. This has given him a prestige in his community, and won for him the confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

SALEM TOWNSHIP.

ALBERT BRANT, P. O. Morrow, was born in Warren Co., O. Feb. 12, 1842; son of Abraham and Hester (Jeffries) Brant, the former a native of N. J., born March 6, 1807, and the latter, a native of Warren Co., born Nov. 23, 1812; the father emigrated to Ohio with his parents in 1814, who in the following spring settled in Warren Co. The grandfather of our subject served in the war of 1812; the father of our subject served for nine years as County Infirmary Director, and for a period of over thirty years as a Justice of the Peace in the township of Union. Albert Brant enlist- ed in company A. 4th O. V. C., Sept. 10, 1861, and served under Gen. O. M. Mitchell as a scout or courier. During the campaign from Bowling Green, Ky., to Huntsville, Ala., he was with his command in every engagement of that department, except Stone River (being a prisoner at that time) until after the battle of Chicka- mauga ; he served as a scout during the celebrated Wheeler raid. In November preceding the battle of Mission Ridge, he was sent for by Gen. Crook, who asked him if he could carry a message to Gen. Sherman, who was at that time making his way up the Ten- nessee River ; Mr. Brant replied that "he could, if any man could." Gen. Crook said "he could take one, or five, or a hundred men, just as he chose," so as to deliver it to Gen. Sherman safely and quickly, as it was of great importance; he chose one man and proceeded down the Tennessee River; he found the river guarded at every point,

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and being pursued from behind, he abandoned his horse just in time to escape capture Pressing forward as rapidly as possible, after three days they reached the Elk River ; having endured many hardships and dangers. Between Huntsville and Decatur, they were fired on by a company of cavalry, when they took to a swampy woods for protec- tion ; but here they were pursued by a blood-hound; the dog came near them at one time but hearing his master's halloo, left the trail. Brant had concealed the message until the cavalry abandoned the pursuit, representing himself as a confederate soldier, Brant secured from a planter the loan of a horse and a mule which the scouts rode to Athens ; when near the latter place they were startled by a sharp "Halt; who comes there ?" Mr. Brant answered the challenge by the rebel picket who demanded the coun- tersign. Mr. Brant replied that he did not have it, but that he would speak to the commander ; the sentry passed them and they proceeded right onward through the camp; there were probably forty or fifty men in the camp together with several teams ; they, however, gave the two scouts no further trouble. The scouts passed Athens in night ; the town was full of confederate soldiers, but they kept as far from them as pos- sible and met no serious obstacles ; when accosted, they represented themselves as con- federates ; the rebels were not expecting to see any Yankees in that part of the country. They came in sight of the Elk River on the third day and found there a small band of so-called State troops ; the two men concealed themselves in a ditch all day to escape detection and capture; finally they succeeded in securing a canoe which they headed down stream. They reached the Tennessee River at daylight, after a tedious and dangerous ride of twenty-four miles, and discovered two large rebel camps on either side of the river; knowing that they could not run past them with safety, they pulled their canoe upon one of several small islands and spent the day in full view of the rebel camps; so near, that they could hear all that was said, and see all that was done.

After dark they started on one of the most perilous voyages ever undertaken The Elk River empties into the Tennessee at the mouth of the famous " Muscle Shoals." These shoals consist of fifteen miles of tumultuous rapids, rushing with terrible force through a narrow and rocky channel. Sometimes the canoe would almost strike the rocks, and almost sink. The men kept the center of the stream, to keep as secure as possible from the rebel pickets, which lined each side of the river. This was the fourth night from the army, and the heroic scouts were almost dead from hunger, exposure and loss of sleep, not having slept since the departure from the Elk River, and having had nothing to eat except corn bread and raw bacon, procured from the negroes in scanty supply. Taking the last meal at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, before starting down the Elk River, they walked all that night, and lay concealed all the next day on an island, making thirty-nine hours without a bite to eat. The men landed once in going down the Tennessee, but found nothing but a deserted plantation. Finally, they found a plantation where they got some corn bread, and what was more to their liking, news from Sherman's advance guard. An old darkey told them that the Yankees had come near capturing his young master that evening, together with his whole company, at Florence, Ala., and that his master was in the house at the time, while the company was encamped a short distance up the road. Mr. Brant took the old negro into his confidence, told him his name and business and asked him the distance to Florence ; he was told that it was twelve miles distant, that the river was closely guared at every point, and that the camp referred to was on the road to Florence, so that it would be necessary to exercise great caution. Therefore, Mr. Brant and his companion took a canoe and traveled by river to Florence, where they arrived at 9 o'clock, and made their way into the Union camp without being seen by the pickets. Making their way to headquarters, they were introduced to Gen. Hugh Ewing. When told by Mr. Brant that he was a courier from Chattanooga, and the bearer of important messages, Gen. Ewing was incredulous, but was finally convinced of the truth of the story. Gen. Ewing received the scouts very kindly, and relieved their necessities, which were press- ing, as the men had not had a meal for four days. Mr. Brant was sent on to Gen. Sherman by Gen. Ewing with a strong guard and a personal letter to Sherman. They reached Gen. Sherman's quarters at evening, having ridden thirty-five miles since noon,

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and were kindly received by the General. Mr. Brant had been instructed by Gen. Crook not to have the message captured at all hazards, and if after destroying the message he should reach Gen. Sherman, he should tell him to drop everything east of Bear River, and make all possible speed to Chattanooga. Gen. Sherman gave Mr. Brant letters to return to Gen. Crook, which he delivered after fully as many perils and difficulties as he had experienced in going down, none of which, however, we can give, suffice it to say, that he got back to Gen. Crook's headquarters and delivered the messages safely, in due time. This was one of the most perilous and important trips connected with the late war, the distance, 170 miles, lying in the enemy's country, and 135 miles without seeing a friend; at the same time, Sherman was pushing the rebel army before him, and Mr. Brant had to pass directly through the rebel army. In ad- dition to this the country was full of paroled prisoners from Vicksburg, and these were treacherous and dangerous men to meet. He was discharged from the service Nov. 22, 1864, and on the 16th of March, 1865, married Sarah E. Troville, a native of Warren Co. To them have been born the following children : Dora, Berte, Clif- ford, Charles, Mary and Fred.

JONATHAN P. CODDINGTON, farmer; P. O. Morrow. This enterprising farmer is a native of this township and county. He was born Feb. 7, 1834. He re- ceived the usual common-school education, and was married the first time in December, 1859, to Elizabeth Kirkhast, who was one year his junior. These parents had one child, Emma, born October, 1860, died when about 3 years of age. In October, 1860, Mr. C. was called upon to part with his companion by death, and he was again married in May, 1864, to Elizabeth Carroll, a native of this county, born May, 1840. Three children blessed this union-Alice M., born April 7, 1865; Mary E., born Oct. 6, 1866, and Edwin C., born May 28, 1875. Mr. Coddington has held the office of Town- ship Trustee for three years, and at present writing is Township Assessor. He owns a good farm of 104 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, and on which is produced the various grains in good quantity. He has recently built a magnificent frame build- ing for a residence, in fact one of the best in the township. It contains eight rooms, two halls, and is two stories high ; it cost $2,800, and is a fine specimen of rural archi- tecture. His barn is 40x50 feet, and is one of the neatest in the township. His father is William Coddington, a native of New Jersey. born about April 26, 1784, and when 1 year of age, he removed with his parents to Maryland, and was married in 1807. He emigrated to this county the subsequent year. His wife was originally Miss N. Irvin. Losing his wife, he was again married to Ann Smith, who lived but a short time. He was married the third and last time to Nancy Price in 1832. He died in No- vember, 1860, and she Jan. 21, 1877. Mr. Coddington is one of the enterprising men of his neighborhood and not one of the "penny wise and pound foolish " kind of citizens. He believes that a farmer should be fully as intelligent as any other class of men. Th intelligent farmer is more successful and much more of an ornament to society.

JAMES SKINNER COUDEN, retired banker, etc., Morrow, son of John and Susan (Skinner) Couden ; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1816 ; he came with his parents to Warren Co., Ohio, about the year 1823, and settled in what is now Washington Township. On Jan. 29, 1825, his father was accidentally killed by a fall- ing tree, while engaged in clearing off a piece of land. The care of the family, consist- ing of five boys, then devolved upon the mother ; James was then 8 years old; he con- tinned to work on the farm for his mother until he was 18 years old, when he engaged with Wilcocks & Co., of Warren Co., Ohio, manufacturers of wheat fans ; he traveled through the country for said firm during the summer, selling the wheat fans, and dur- ing the winter would sell clocks ; he remained in the employ of this firm about three years, during which time he saved from his wages about $1,000, and with this money he engaged in the manufacture of the wheat fans, and buying and selling clocks on bis own account, keeping from two to three wagons on the road all the time ; he carried on this business until about the year 1850, when he discontinued his shop. After settling up his business, which took him about three years, dealing some in stock in the mean time. At this period he purchased what was known as the Whitaker Mills, which he

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still owns and runs. Besides running the mill. he has been engaged in banking, and has done a general trading business ; he also ran a distillery from 1857 to 1864 ; he was married in August, 1839, to Ann Tea. They have had twelve children, of whom seven are still living. viz., Susan, Mary Etta, Alfred N., Harriet, Theodore, Oscar and James. He was one of the charter members of Morrow Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. Mr. Cou- den started in life with the determination to build up a character and reputation above reproach, which he has done successfully ; he has always been a hard-working, indus- trious man, and now in his 66th year, is quite active, although he does now perform any manual labor. Alfred N. Couden was born Aug. 7, 1843 ; he worked on the farm with his father, attending school during the winter terms, until 25 years old; since then has devoted his attention to milling; he was married Oct. 15, 1868, to Prudence A. Brant, daughter of Abraham and Hester (Jeffries) Brant. They have two children- Frank M. and Grace A. Mrs. Prudence Couden was born in this county Aug. 28, 1846; her father was a native of New Jersey and her mother of Virginia. They came to Ohio and settled in Warren Co. as early as 1814. Alfred Couden is a Past Grand of Morrow Lodge, No. 116. Also a Past Chief Patriarch of Salem Encampment, No. 208, I. O. O. F. He is also Treasurer of the lodge. During the late rebellion, he served in the 146th O. N. G. during the 100-days service. Theodore Couden was born Aug. 22, 1848 ; he also was raised on the farm and received his primary education in the district schools. At the age of 19, he entered college at Delaware, Ohio, where he remained two years, taking an irregular course. In 1871, he entered his father's bank, as Cashier, which position he has and is still faithfully filling; he has obtained his knowledge of banking by his own personal application and perseverance ; he was married Oct. 27, 1870, to Clara A., daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Lee) Brant. Their chil- dren are Lucy B., Clem V. and Edgar. Mrs. Theodore Couden was born in this coun- ty Jan. 28, 1850. Theodore Couden is a Past Grand of Morrow Lodge, No. 116, I. O. O., F. He is a Master Mason of Morrow Lodge, No. 265, a member of Morrow Chap- ter, No. 153, R. A. M .; also a Sir Knight of Miami Commandery, No. 22, of Lebanon.

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 129

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