The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 133

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

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SAMUEL SHARP, farmer ; P. O. Edwardsville ; this substantial citizen is a na- tive of Harlan Township, this county, born Jan. 15, 1840; he received the rudiments of a common school education in the rural districts of his own neighborhood, and although alone in life, he is one of those careful and industrious men who always suc- ceed well in life. He is a Democrat of the old school, and although not an aspirant for political honors, has held the office of Township Trustee of his own township for three consecutive years, and has further declined the honor. All his time is taken up in the care of his valuable farm, which consists of 212 acres of choice land ; the farm is in a high state of cultivation. He is a great lover and grower of fruit, and has over 500 apple trees, and raises all the choice varieties of the country. His crop of apples averages from 500 to 1,500 bushels annually, and commands the highest market price ; he farins extensively and produces all the principal grains raised in the country, and in all his work is pre-eminently successful. His father was Samuel Sharp, whose honored

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name the son bears ; is a native of New Jersey, born June, 1785; he married Rachel Crammer, a native also of New Jersey, and born March 31, 1790. They came to this township in 1814, and settled on the farm now owned by the son; these parents had three sons and three daughters-John, born July 12, 1816; Hannah A., born June 28, 1818 ; Elizabeth, born Jan. 27, 1822 (deceased) ; Mary A., born March 24, 1824 (deceased), and Stacy C., born Jan. 7, 1827. The mother of this family died in early womanhood, Jan. 15, 1827, just when her guardian care was most needed for her family. In tears and sorrow they laid her away amid the scenes that she loved, and was followed by her husband in June, 1840; they sleep side by side, and when " flow- ery June " annually returns, their graves are made more lovely and more sacred by those who love them.

DAVID H. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Butlerville. Among the worthy old pioneers of this county, none are more entitled to mention than the old gentleman whose name appears above; warm hearted and genial of nature, he naturally puts all at ease who meet him. He is a native of Harrison County, now Lewis, Virginia, where he was born, Jan. 22, 1804. He came with his parents to Fayette Co., Ohio, when about 4 years of age; he remained for two years in this county, removing to Greene, where he resided until 1818. He then came to this county, settling in what is known as Salem Township. He attended school at Rossburg, enjoying the limited advantages of the common school system of those days. He learned the blacksmith trade, at which he labored for eighteen years consecutively. He was married three times, the first time Feb. 20, 1825, to Elizabeth Bennett, a native of the same county in Virginia where he was born, she being one year his junior. To these parents eight children were born- John, born Dec. 24, 1825, and married to Miss Runyan; Elias J., born Nov. 7, 1827, deceased ; Valentine P., born June 7, 1832, deceased; David, born Aug. 11, 1834, de- ceased ; Joseph, born Jan. 5, 1836, deceased; Thomas M., born May 13, 1838, deceased, and Alvah, born September 22, 1840, deceased. His wife died Dec. 16, 1840, and for the time being he was alone with the care of his family. He was married the second time Sept. 8, 1841 ; their children were George E., Benjamin F., Avilla and Polly. Mr. Smith was again called to mourn the loss of his wife, Aug. 12, 1853. He was again married December, 1853, to Mary C. Sluth, nee Cawblin, two years his senior, with whom he now lives. His father Caleb was a native of New Jersey, born July 26, 1771; he married Elizabeth Harlan, a native of Maryland, born in the year 1774. These parents had a large family-Elizabeth, Mary, Peter, Catharine, John, David H., Caleb, Nancy and Susannah. The old gentleman died after a long life of usefulness, Aug. 13, 1851, his aged companion Jan. 6, ten years later. He was of a good family, being a cousin to Commodore Perry, of the United States Navy. He was in the war of 1812, and his father took a prominent part in the Revolution. The present wife of Mr. Smith was a native of Washington Co., Penn. She came with her parents to Warren County in 1803. She was married first to Robert Sluth in 1820. Her father, Robert Cawblin, was a native of Chester Co., Pa., where he was born Sept. 1, 1773; her mother was born in New Jersey, Sept. 20, 1773; they were the parents of eleven children. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and held the offices of Township Trustee and Constable for thirteen years.

SAMUEL S. SMITH, farmer ; P. O. Butlerville; born on the old homestead in this township, Sept. 24, 1852 ; he was educated in the common and graded schools of the county, and from boyhood has been a farmer. He was married Jan. 24, 1875, to Sallie V. Johnson, who was born Dec. 25, 1852. They have two children-Edward C. and an infant. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and one of those genial, com- panionable men who are always esteemed by his neighbors ; he is of German origin, in- telligent and noted for his industry.

ESTLE SNELL, school-teacher; P. O. Goshen. This enterprising and success- ful young teacher was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1856. From his early boy- hood he seemed to take delight in books, study and investigation ; he attended the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, and also took a course in the Normal School, at Leb- anon, this county ; he then commenced the business of teaching, and for four years he

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has been successfully engaged in his chosen profession, three years of which time he has been in the graded schools of his county. His good judgment, gentle yet firm de- meanor in the schoolroom, make him a universal favorite with all right-minded patrons and students. His father, Peter L. Snell, is a native of Warren Co., born Jan. 21, 1828; he married Lydia Karn, of Clermont Co., Ohio, born Aug. 18, 1834. These parents now reside in Clermont Co .; they were the parents of five children, four be- sides the subject of this sketch-Harriett A., born Nov. 17, 1857 ; Ida J., born July 26, 1859; Emma E., born Oct. 7, 1867 ; and Effie M., born April 9, 1874. A long and bright future is predicted for Mr. Snell, who is now in the vigor of his young man- hood, and who looks forward to years of success. He is a Democrat in politics, aod with the fortunes of that organization has he cast his lot.

GUSTAVIUS A. SPENCE, farmer ; P. O. Level; this esteemed citizen is a native of Warren Co., this State, and is a son of Isaac and Johanna (Monnan) Spence. He was born January 28, 1837; he was educated in the common schools of this county, and also spent one term at College Hill ; he chose the occupation of farming, and was united in marriage, Sept. 2, 1860, to Mary A. Jackson, a native of this county, and born January 19, 1841. He early espoused the Union cause, and upon the organization of the band for the 12th I. V. I., became a mem- ber of that organization ; he was discharged from the service in May, 1862, at Washington City, D. C .; remaining at home until 1864, when he became a mem- ber of Company C, 146th O. V. I., serving in the capacity of Orderly Sergeant of his company; when the war was over, he returned home and has since been engaged in farming. His father was a native of this county, born Jan 1, 1812; he married Miss Monnan, born in the State of Virginia, Jan. 26, 1805; they were married in March, 1835 ; he was a man of sterling worth and served as Lieutenant of the Ohio Militia for a number of years. He was of Irish descent, and died June 28, 1871, and she June 28, 1881. They settled on the farm where the son now resides in the year 1835. Jacob Jackson, the father of Mrs. Spence, was originally from the State of Virginia, where he was born, in December, 1804; he married Miss D. Williams, a native of his own State, and born Feb. 22, 1808. They were the parents of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters. Mr. Spence had a family of five children- Scott E., born May 25, 1861 ; Oliver M., bora Jan. 7, 1865; Ida M., born April 3, 1867, died Sept. 24, 1880; Isaac D., born April 22, 1872; and Grace, April 11, 1874. Mr. Spence is a Republican of the Stalwart kind ; and he and his worthy com- panion are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he is temperate in his habits, and a gentleman whom his neighbors respect.

WILLIAM SYMONS, farmer; P. O. Blanchester; a native of Devonshire, En- gland ; the son of James and Ann Brinicum Symons, born Nov. 7, 1809. His father was born at the old homestead in Devonshire, England, about the year 1766, his wife being some two years his senior. They were both of a distinguished family, well re- spected, and rest on the green hills of their loved England, never having left there. The subject of this sketch was married three times, the first time to Miss Reed, Oo- tober, 1835. He came with his family to America about the year 1846, landing at New York. He soon after came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained in its suburbs for two years. After making some changes, he finally settled on the farm where he now re- sides. He is the father of eleven children, of which number ten were born to his first wife-Sarah, Charlotte, William (killed at the battle of Springfield, Mo., under Gen. Lyon), Mary A. (deceased), John, Robert and King (twins, the latter deceased), Kitty, Addie and Lafayette. In the winter of 1870, Mr. Symons was called upon to part with the companion of his youth, by death, and he was for once alone in the world. In 1872, Mr. Symons was again married, to Sarah Urton, who only survived some nine months, and in December, 1873, he was married, the third time, to Mary E. Furge- son. To these parents one child was born, Henley, Nov. 26, 1875. Her father was Jacob H. Furgeson, a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio, born April 2, 1811. He married Mary Erwin, of Clermont Co., Ohio-both now deceased. Mr. Symons is a Demo- crat of the old school, and, although frequently solicited to do so, has never been an

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aspirant for office. He owns a well-cultivated farm of 109} acres of choice land, and his home is always open to his friends who receive a hearty welcome when they visit him. He is of the Universalist faith, and of broad and liberal views upon all subjects. His platform is large enough to embrace all mankind, disbelieving in the future punish- ment of his fellow creatures, and believes that he will ultimately see all men happy. He is sober, temperate, frugal and industrious, which he believes is the natural condi- tion of mankind, and which all classes should strive to attain.

F. M. VAN TRESS, druggist, Pleasant Plain ; born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1840 ; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county; he served in Company D, 79th O. V. I., and served until physical disability compelled his discharge. Not wishing to abandon the struggle for the Union, as soon as his health permitted he returned to the service, enlisting in Company C, 149th O. V. I., in which regiment he served until the close of the war. He was married March 15, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Whetsel, a native of his own county. To these parents one child was born-Warren, July, 1868. Mr. Van Tress is a worthy member of the Prot- estant Methodist Church, and a Mason of long standing, being a member of F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 312; he has been compelled to change his business at different times on the account of his health. Notwithstanding his lost health, he has never lost sight of his business, nor asked the Government for a pension. Archibald Van Tress, the father of the subject of this sketch, is a native of New York ; he was among the first settlers of Clinton Co. He married Miss Mary Rockhill, a most worthy lady, and a native of New Jersey. Mr. Van Tress is now engaged in the drug business, and keeps on hand all the various goods in his line-drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, dye stuff, notions, etc. People will find him an obliging, clever gentleman.

GEORGE VEIDT, farmer; P. O. Edwardsville ; a native of Baden, Germany, born Nov. 1, 1832. He was educated in the common schools of his native land, and they being of a superior character, his advantages for a common school education were good. In early youth, he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he was compelled to work for three years ; he also learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1854, he concluded to try his fortunes in America. He came to Cincinnati in May, 1854, and from there he went to Newport, Ky., and worked at the carpenter's trade for about two years, receiving $28 per month. Mr. Veidt came to Rossburg, this county, in 1856, and on March the 30th of that year, he was united in marriage to Catharine Balzhiser, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born Jan. 4, 1832. These parents had the following children : Mary, born Nov. 19, 1857, died Nov. 21, 1869; William, born Oct. 30, 1858; Louisa, born July 29, 1860, died same month ; Katie, born Sept. 29, 1864, and George, born Jan. 4, 1879. Mr. Veidt settled on his present farm some seventeen years ago. He at first rented it, but succeeded so well that he was soon able to purchase it ; 100 acres good land, in a high state of cultivation ; his barn and dwellings are models of neatness and comfort ; they were built by Mr. Veidt and they show skill and industry ; it exhibits what industry and economy will do in the race of life. Michael, his father, was a native of Germany, born Jan. 1, 1801 ; he married Barbara Bennert, who was nine years his junior. Mr. Veidt was well educated and officiated as Clerk and Recorder of his district for over forty-five years. They never came to America, but rest in the fatherland, she having died about the year 1870, and he some nine years later. They were the parents of four song - Michael, who resides in Cincinnati, born November, 1829; Jacob, born December, 1836, and John, born July, 1854. The parents of Mrs. Veidt were of German origin, and their history appears elsewhere in this work.

WILLIAM YOUNG, farmer ; P. O. Pleasant Plain ; of German origin, born in this county March 10, 1821 ; his father, Jacob Young, was a German by birth and was born about the year 1772; he participated in the wars of Europe under Bonaparte, but not admiring the disturbed condition of affairs of his native land, he sought an op- portunity and came America, at the early age of 23 years; he married Miss Elizabeth Fullington, a worthy young lady of Maryland. They settled in this township in the year 1813, and he died at the advanced age of 80 years. Mr. Young was united

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in marriage Feb. 3, 1847, to Miss Abigail Snell, a native of this county and born June 12, 1821. They have five children-Henry R., born Feb. 23, 1847, and married to Miss Gregory ; James F., born Feb. 10, 1853 ; Jane I., born June 12, 1855, married; William A., born Jan. 11, 1858; Alma, born July 25, 1864 ; and Mary E., born May 20, 1849 (deccased). Henry Snell, father of Mrs. Young, was originally from the State of Maryland, where he was born April 12, 1792 ; he married Mary Runyan, a native of Virginia, born June 15, 1799. They were closely identified with the inter- ests of this county, and after lives of usefulness she died July 24, 1854, and he at the advanced age of 84 years, Oct. 28, 1876. The subject of this sketch received the ru- diments of a common school education and is an industrious, frugal and hospitable citi- zen ; he is fully alive to the stirring times, and aims to keep pace with human progress and improvement ; his farm of 116 acres of land is well improved, and an imposing brick mansion costing $3,500, with its cheery surroundings, is his home.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ISAAC CAMPBELL, farmer ; P. O. Oregon ; was born in Salem Co., N. J., June 1, 1824, and is a son of James and Temperance (Bradford) Campbell, also natives of Salem Co., N. J. His father was born March 19, 1780, and died Aug. 12, 1867; his mother was born Feb. 14, 1798, and departed this life Aug. 20, 1872. In May, 1835, they came to Warren County, and settled in Turtle Creek Township, and in the spring of 1836 removed to Washington Township, where they both died. Mr. Camp- bell, our subject, was married Dec. 11, 1850, to Elizabeth Byron, a daughter of Bayliss and Nellie (Cooper) Byron, born in Stafford Co., Va., Oct. 8, 1828. They have six children, viz. : George W., born Sept. 25, 1851 ; Laura, born Feb. 5, 1854; James, born July 6, 1856 ; Anna, born Aug. 22, 1860; Baley, born Jan. 18, 1863 ; and Charles, born Jan 18, 1869. Mr. Campbell and family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He served his township as a Trustee three years. He owns a farm of 1967 acres, with a fine residence and excellent improve- ments ; and is engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Campbell is & most worthy and enterprising citizen of Washington Township.

ISAAC CLEMENTS, farmer ; P. O. Clarksville, Clinton Co .; was born in Wayne Township, Jan. 27, 1828. He is a son of John and Catharine (Duterrow) Clements, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland. They settled in Wayne Township, in 1805. Forgus Clements, grandfather of our subject, came from Pennsylvania, and settled on Round Bottoms, Hamilton County, where he was killed when passing from one garri- son to another. Mr. Clements' father served in the war of 1812, and his brother was a Lieutenant in that army. Our subject passed his early life upon a farm, and obtained his education in the district schools. Oct. 3, 1878, he joined in marriage to Elizabeth A. Lewis, daughter of John and Sarah Lewis. Mrs. Clements was born in Clear Creek Township April 16, 1839. This union was blessed with one child-Mary Blanche, a blue-eyed, light-haired little girl, the charming idol of her parents ; she was born Jan. 27, 1880 ; but before the beautiful rose-bud had opened, the hoary frosts of death had fallen upon her brow, and, Aug. 5, 1881, her spirit returned to the God that gave it. In 1875, Mr. Clements located on his present farm, which he had purchased in 1864. His farm consists of 100 acres of well improved land. Politically, Mr. Clements is a Republican.

GEORGE W. ELBON, farmer, P. O. Oregon ; was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., May 29, 1824; he is a son of Montgomery and Margaret (Hinkins) Elbon, who were natives of Virginia. When our subject was 14 years of age, his parents died, and from that on he was compelled to do for himself. In 1849, he came to Warren Co., and in 1856 settled on his present farm, where he has ever since re-

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sided, pursuing the avocation of farming and stock-raising. He was married Feb. 20, 1855, to Sarah Sherwood, daughter of Henry and Hester Sherwood, born in Washington Township, June 10, 1837. Their three children are as follows : Hester A., born Dec. 5, 1855 ; Sylvan F., born Aug. 21, 1857; and William H., born Dec. 27, 1864. Mr. Elbon and family are members of the M. E. Church. He owns a farm of 126} acres with good improvements. Politically he votes Repub- lican.

AARON W. ERTEL, farmer, P. O. Fort Ancient; was born in Hamilton Township, July 16, 1825. His parents, Daniel and Lydia Ertel, were natives of Warren and Hamilton Cos., respectively. The former was born Oct. 8, 1797, and the latter May 16, 1807. Our subject's father came with his parents, Daniel and Catharine Ertel, to this country in 1797, and settled in Hamilton Township, where they owned the first hand-mill to grind corn. Mr. Ertel's father died Nov. 6, 1878, and his mother Dec. 6, 1870. His grandfather, Aaron Boorone, served in both the war of 1812 and the Revolution, and was well acquainted with Gen. George Washing- ton. Mr. Ertel, the subject of this sketch, passed his early life on his father's farm, and was married Sept. 12, 1849, to Nancy Smoot, who died April, 1862, and left two children-Francis M. and Granville (deceased), Oct. 5, 1863. Mr. Ertel was united in marriage to Mary A. Reins, by whom he has had six children-Jeremiah G., Charles S., Samantha E., Eva, Aaron W. and Caroline I. (deceased). In September, 1849, Mr. Ertel removed to Clinton Co., where he lived till March, 1867, he came to Wash- ington Township, where he owns a farm of 172 acres with excellent improvements. He donated 1 acre to the Freewill Baptist Church, and at the building of the church gave $300. Politically Mr. Ertel is an adherent to Republicanism.

JAMES HARRIS, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, Clinton Co. ; was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1813 ; he is a son of James and Mary Harris, of Maryland and Virginia. The former was born Dec. 2, 1775, and the latter April 3, 1784. Mr. Harris' father was a carpenter and helped to build the Capitol at Washington ; his mother was a daughter of Captain Cherry, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Harris' parents came to Clinton Co. in the early history of Ohio; his father represented Clinton Co. in the State Legisla- ture six terms ; he died Nov. 21, 1845 ; and Mrs. Harris departed from this earth Aug. 18, 1860. Mr. Harris, our subject, was married Feb. 9, 1837, to Sarah Wilkerson, who died March 6, 1842, leaving three children-William H., Martha J., wife of Mr. Eldred ; and John J. Mr. Harris again married Dec. 19, 1844, to Mary Biggs, a native of Clinton Co., born Feb. 26, 1822, and a daughter of William and Rhoda Biggs. Eight children were the fruits of this union; of these six are living-Mary E., wife of Henry Vandervoort; Lucinda, wife of Rev. J. R. Hunter; David. Har- riet, Alfred and Isaiah ; George and Rhoda are deceased. Two of Mr. Harris' sons, George and John J., were soldiers in the late rebellion. Mr. Harris owns a farm of 200 acres ; and in politics is Democratic.

SAMUEL HARRIS, farmer, P. O. Clarksville; was born near the present site of Clarksville, in Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, Dec. 28, 1815; his father, James Harris, was born in Prince George Co., Md., Dec. 22, 1775, and at the age of 14 years went with his parents to Loudoun Co., Va., where he served a seven years' apprentice- ship with James Young, at the carpenter's trade. In this occupation he continued until 30 years of age, when he married Miss Mary Cherry, a native of Virginia, then 21 years of age, and a daughter of Maj. William Cherry, who served all through the war of the Revolution. This marriage was blessed with issue as follows: Mary (the wife of Samuel Statler), Jane (the wife of George Villars), Susannah (deceased), Susan (de- ceased, wife of James Deacon), James, Samuel, Isaiah M. (now. living in Kansas), Martha C. (the wife of William Stackhouse), George and Henry C. (deceased). The father of these children with his family emigrated to Ohio in 1809, and settled on Todd's Fork. He followed farming after his marriage, and served as a Captain and Col- onel of militia, and for eighteen years as a Justice of the Peace. He also served six years in the State Legislature. He was largely instrumental in establishing an infirm- ary in Clinton Co., and was one of the first directors of that institution. He died on

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his farm in Clinton Co., in November, 1845; his wife died in 1860, and both were buried in a family burying ground on the home farm. Our subject's youth was spent on the farm, and in attendance at the subscription schools of his day. He remained on his father's farm until he reached his majority, when he embarked in mercantile busi- ness in Clarksville, at which he continued three years. He was married in Clarksville Oct. 20, 1838, to Phobe Kibbey, who was born in Clarksville Feb. 2, 1818. She was a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy (Vandervoort) Kibby. By their marriage the following children were born, viz .: Henry C. (deceased), Charles A., Mary N. (the wife of George H. Wilkerson), James E., Angeline (the wife of Thomas N. Wilker- son), Cynthianna (wife of Uriah Compton), and Fielder B. Mr. Harris has been for many years identified with the history of his township, and since his marriage has fol- lowed farming exclusively.

JABEZ HOLLINGSWORTH, farmer, P. O. Oregon ; was born in Turtle Creek Township Sept. 3, 1811; he is a son of Abram and Eunice (Steddom) Hollingsworth, natives of South Carolina. They settled in Turtle Creek Township in 1804. His father was born March, 1776, and died Nov. 28, 1849. Mrs. Hollingsworth was born in 1789, and died in 1814. Our subject was reared on a farm, and obtained his educa- tion in log school-houses, furnished with a fireplace and greased paper window lights. Mr. Hollingsworth has always followed farming, and the rearing of live stock to some extent ; he owns a farm of 260 acres, and is an enterprising citizen. Notwithstanding his eccentricities, he is classed among the better citizens of Warren Co .; his portrait will appear in this work.

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 133

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