The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2, Part 103

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2 > Part 103

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).

( i

a €

1 1

SE e G

}

u t

1155

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

February 9, 1843, Mr. Geffs married Miss Mary, daughter of Harrison and Jane West, who came from Virginia to Ohio in an early day. By this union they have had seven children, four now survive-Tamar Morris, Foster; Elmira, married Dr. Houseworth, and Irvin, who resides in Parsons, Kan.

JACOB J. HARRIS, blacksmith, Memphis, born in Vinton County, Ohio, June 3, 1847, is a son of Andrew and Sarah E. (Stout) Harris, natives of Tioga County, Penn. The grandfather, Jacob Harris, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1815, and located in Pennsylvania, and lived and died in that State. An- drew Harris grew to manhood, and was married in Pennsylvania, where they con- tinued to reside till, about 1842, they came to Ohio and settled in Hocking County, in that portion which is now embraced in Vinton County, and there he resided several years ; thence came to Ross County, and thence to Clinton County, and finally removed to Pickaway County, where he still resides. His wife died about 1851, aged about thirty-four years. They had eight children, five now survive-Williamn, Amos T., John W., Jacob J. and Sarah E. (now Mrs. Van Skey). Mr. Harris, when young, was in the regular army of the United States for a few years ; thence he learned the blacksmith trade, which business he has since followed. During the war of the rebellion, he en- listed in the First Ohio Infantry Sharpshooters. He married for his second wife, Miss Hannah Lot, by whom he had one child-Thomas. Our subject was about five years of age when his mother died, and was then placed among strangers here and there, as he could find a home, being principally raised in Ross County. During the war of the rebellion, on June 13, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; thence they were re-organized and became the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served till the close of the war. Subsequently, Mr. Harris learned the blacksmith trade, which business he has since followed. He was married January 15, 1868, to Miss Hannah E., daughter of David and Mary Grove, natives of Virginia, but who came to Ohio about 1832, and located in Clinton County. By this union they have had one child-died in infancy. Mr. Harris located where he now lives, at Memphis, in 1874, where he has bought property, and has since carried on his trade ; has a good busi- ness, and is known as one of the best workmen in this portion of the county. He is also giving especial attention to the study of the horse and his diseases, and is consid- ered an excellent veterinary surgeon.

REV. WILLIAM HOLMES, farmer, P. O. Memphis. Of the Holmes family, of which we now write, we begin with the Rev. Obadiah Holmes, so favorably known in the annals of the Baptist Church in America. He was born at Manchester, in Lancashire, England in 1606; married, in 1636, to Catharine, and came to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1639. For his zeal in preaching Baptist doctrines, he was sentenced by the Puritians of New England to pay a fine of thirty pounds, or be publicly whipped. Although abundantly able to pay the fine, he refused to do so, as he deemed it would be an acknowledgment of error, and he choose rather to suffer than to " deny his Lord." In September, 1651, he was publicly and severely whipped at Boston, "with a three- corded whip-thirty strokes." Rev. Holmes was one of the original patentees of Old Monmouth County, N. J., although it is believed he never resided there. He died at Newport, R. I., in 1682. His son, Jonathan Holmes, became a resident, and in 1668 was a member of the General Assembly. Subsequently, he returned to the family homestead, in Middletown, R. I., having settled his two sons, Jonathan and Obadiah, upon his lands in Middletown, N. J., which he bequeathed to them in 1713. These two sons were among the pioneers of the Baptist faith in New Jersey. Obadiah had a son named Jonathan, who died about 1766. Of his children, John Holmes was the grandfather of Rev. William Holmes, our subject. He lived at the Upper Mill, on Forked River, N. J., during the Revolutionary war. He suffered great loss of property and goods, taken by the Tories, during this war. He married Catharine Potter, by whom he had six children-William, John, Huldah, Katie, Polly and Sally. John, the second son, was the father of our subject, and married Catharine Lane, by whom he had eight children ; five now survive-Stephen, now a resident of Illinois; Jacob, William, Gilbert and Maria, now Widow Raleigh. Mr. Holmes lived and died in his native

1156

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCIIES:

State ; he died in 1832, aged sixty-two years. His widow subsequently came to Ohio with our subject, and lived with her son, Gilbert, at Hillsboro, where she died in 1869, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Holmes was a miller by trade, which business he followed through life. The subject of this sketch was born in New Jersey, September 8, 1808, and grew to manhood ; was married to Catharine Stout August 6, 1829, by whom he had four children-Matilda, born October 24, 1831, now Widow Wolary, residing in Missouri; Daniel S., born October 5, 1833; Charles P., born December 2, 1836, and Hannah E., born January 13, 1839 ; married John Luttrell. Mrs. Holmes died No- vember 8, 1840, aged thirty-eight years. On September 7, 1841, Mr. Holincs married for his second wife Elizabeth Cowgill, by whom he had six children, four now survive- Priscilla, born January 17, 1843, married Alfred McVay, now a practicing lawyer in Toledo, Ohio ; Zachariah H., June 16, 1844 ; James W., April 29, 1845, and Webster H., born June 7, 1856. His second wife died March 10, 1877. On September 12, 1878, he married for his third wife Mrs. Sarah T. Wright, widow of Rev. John T. Wright. She is a daughter of Absalom and Mary A. (Ballard) Roush, hc a native of Virginia, she of Pennsylvania. They had nine children, five now survive-Lucinda, now Mrs. Roush ; Sarah T., Nathan B., Cloys B. and Minerva, now Mrs. Lovingfoss. Mrs. Holmes was born in Adams County, Ohio, November 28, 1823. By her first hus- band, Rev. John T. Wright, she had two children, one now living-Mary A., the wife of Rev. John H. Middleton. Mr. Holmes, our subject, emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1832, and the following year he located in Clinton County, where he has since re- sided, a period of nearly half a century. He bought and located on the place where he now lives in the spring of 1849. This place he purchased of Woodmansee, Cooper and Morris; it consists of 212 acres of good land with good improvements. Rev. Holmes is now one of the oldest settlers living in this vicinity ; is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church to which he has belonged for over half a century ; he has held nearly all the offices of his church, and has been a licensed preacher for forty-one years ; has probably married more people and preached more funeral sermons, than any other minister now residing in the county.

JOSHUA W. JOHNSON, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Memphis. Among the prominent farmers and stock dealers in Wayne Township is Joshua W. Johnson, born in Highland County, Ohio, February 13, 1828, a son of Christopher and Anna (Johnson) Johnson. He, it is believed, was a native of Virginia, and she of Ohio. The maternal grandparents were Micajah and Rachel Johnson, he a native of Virginia and . she of North Carolina, but became among the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio, where they endured their full share of hardships and trials of pioneer life, and there lived and died. The great-grandfather, James Johnson, also came to Ohio and died here. Christopher Johnson and family resided in Highland County till his death in the spring of 1831, aged about forty-four years. They had two children-Joshua W. and Will- iam P. The latter died at two years of age. Mrs. Johnson married for her second husband John W. Brock, by whom she had several children, of whom three now sur- vive-Rachel Euphemia, now Mrs. Miller ; John L. and Levi M. Mr. and Mrs. Brock now reside at Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio. The subject of this sketch was but three years of age when his father died, but was raised by his mother and step-father till he grew to manhood ; was married February 15, 1849, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Ed- ward and Leah Adams, residents of Clinton County. By this union they had two children-Christopher C., born February 14, 1850, married Mary Graham, have three children living-Andrew Cowper, Joshua Henson and Maynard-and Edward J., born. August 19, 1854, married Phebe Elizabeth Davis, of Lexington, Highland Co., Ohio. Mrs. Johnson died April 23, 1877, aged fifty years. Mr. Johnson resided in Highland County till spring of 1853; when he bought and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. This place he purchased of Edward Jennings, which then consisted of 177 acres, to which from time to time he has added by purchase more land, till he became owner of 400 acres of good land, constituting thrce farms, two of which have good buildings and improvements ; and the most of this property Mr. Jolin- son and family have made by their own industry and good management. Mr. Jolinson

أرسل

1157

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

is one of the best farmers in his neighborhood ; is a quiet, unpretending man, never seeking office or public notoriety ; has served as Township Trustee, but generally re- fuses all offices ; is a man whose character stands above reproach, and is one of Wayne Township's best eitizens.

SAMUEL LAWSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, born in the State of New York Sep- tember 5, 1818, is a son of John and Maria (Cope) Lawson, natives of New York. The grandparents were Peter and Jane Lawson, also residents of New York State, but who subsequently removed to Ohio and settled near Columbus, where they died. John Lawson was raised and married in his native State, and about the year. 1821 came to Ohio and located near Columbus, and remained in that vicinity till his death, about 1827, being then only in the prime of life. He was the father of five children ; two now survive-Samuel and Peter, the latter a resident of Westmoreland County, Penn. His widow married for her second husband James Cochren, by whom she had four sons, of whom only one survives-Joseph. Mrs. Cochren died about 1866. 'Mr. Lawson, our subject, was but nine years of age when his father died ; thenee he was cared for by his mother and grandfather Lawson till old enough to work his own way through life, when he started out in the world and worked here and there as he could find oppor- tunity. In 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine, daughter of Stanus and Catharine Miles, natives of Maryland, but who removed to Ohio about 1836 and located in Madison County, where they died. They had nine children ; three now sur- vive-Ellen, Mary and Catharine. The latter was born in Maryland October 20, 1826. Mr. Lawson and wife have had ten children, eight now living-Sallie, now widow Manlove ; Charles ; Mary, now Mrs. Taylor, living in Ross County, Ohio ; John ; Frank ; Jennie, now Mrs. Abams ; Kate and James. Mr. Lawson has spent his business life in Ross and Clinton Counties. He came to the latter county in the spring of 1869. He located upon the place where he now lives in the fall of 1876. Mr. Lawson started in life a poor boy, and by his own industry and good management has acquired a good competeney. He now owns 220 aeres of good land with good improvements, and as an example of success in life through his own efforts, is worthy of imitation by all young men who have to depend upon their own energies.

WILLLAM W. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Lee's Creek Wayne Tp., was born in Wayne Township, March 24, 1833. He was the third sonof William and Susan Moore. He attended the district schools of this township, and remained on the farin with his father until April 3, 1856, when he married Lydia Van Pelt, a daughter of Elijah and Lucinda, (Bethel) Van Pelt, of Belmont County. They have had eight children, viz., Lavinia, deceased, Cassius M., Samuel B., deceased, Jessie, Horaee J., deceased, America, El- wood A. and an infant now deceased. Mr. Moore is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Society of the Friends. He is a fancier and raiser of fine sheep of many varieties. He has a beautiful residence on the Lexington pike, three miles from Centerville, on which he has a deer park with a fine herd of these graceful creatures, browsing among the majestic forest trees of the park. Ife is a man of enterprise, of sterling integrity and ready business taet.

JOHN T. MOORE, farmer and tile manufacturer, Sabina, born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 2, 1842, is a son of William and Naney (Johnson) Moore, he is a: native of Ohio, and she, of the State of Delaware. The maternal grandfather, George Johnson, was a native of Delaware, but emigrated to Ohio, in an early day, probably about 1820, and located about twenty miles from Cincinnati, where he lived and died. William Moore, the father of our subjeet, was raised in Seioto County, Ohio; thenee came to Fayette County, where he married and settled in life, and where they still reside. They have had seven children, five now survive-George; John T .; Elizabeth, married Raymond Brinkly ; Mary Jane, married Charles Groves; and William. Mr. Moore has made farming a business through life; has been a very industrious, hard working man ; he started in life with no means, first working out at $8 per month. Now he is well situated, owning 270 acres of good land with good improvements, and some money besides. He has also given his children a good start in life, all of which he has accomplished by his own labor, industry and economy, and is now one of the substan- BBB

معر

1158

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

tial farmers of Fayette County. The subject of this sketch was raised to farm labor on his father's farm. In the spring of 1871, he came to Clinton County, and located where he now lives ; was married September 10, 1874, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Alexander and Catharine Haynes, natives of Virginia, but who came to Ohio, and were among the early settlers of Clinton County, where they have since resided. They are now quite aged and have retired from labor and are making their home with our sub- ject. They have had eleven children, six now living-Melethe, married Joseph Hix- son ; Susan, married Edmond Myers; Eliza, married Isaac Haynes; Francis ; Granville and Catharine, the latter born in Clinton County June 6, 1850. Mr. Moore and wife have had two children, one now living-Alexander B., born June 6, 1879. In 1875, Mr. Moore commenced the manufacture of tile, which business he has con- tinued in connection with farming to the present time; his trade in tile is increasing from year to year, and he intends to increase his supply in accordance with the demand and to make his tile as good as any in the county. He is a man of character and in- tegrity, and, although in the prime of life, has a good start in life and is highly esteemed in the community where he lives; is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Wayne Grange, No. 470.

ENOS MORRIS, farmer, Centerville, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, October 22, 1841, is a son of James and Elizabeth (Haines) Morris, he a native of Virginia, and she of Ohio. James came to Ohio when a single man, and married in Highland County ; thence he settled in Clinton County, where he resided till his death. His wife died about 1860. They had eleven children, eight now living- Mary, wife of C. A. Pavey; Enos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mahlon, James ; Lydia, wife of William Smith; and Martha, wife of Charles Woodmansee. Mr. Morris, married for his second wife Hannah Whinnery, by whom he had two children-Charles and Wilson. His second wife died, and he married for his third wife, Mrs. Hannah Ladd, by whom he had one child-Walter. Mr. Morris died May 8, 1878, aged about 74 years. Mr. Morris devoted his life to farming. He started in life poor, but by industry and econo- my, he acquired a good competency, and gave his children a good start in life. He was a quiet, unassuming man, never held an office or desired notoriety, but was a worthy member of the Society of Friends. Enos, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood brought up to farm labor ; was married in February, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of John W. and Jane Morrison, natives of Virginia. By this union, they have had eight children, seven now living-Emma, Martha, Alonzo, Harrison, Florence, Trustin and Nettie. Farming has been Mr. Morris' business through life. He settled upon the place where now lives when he was married, and here has since resided. This place he purchased of Rachel A. McFadden ; it consists of 113 acres of fine land, with good buildings and improvements, and constitutes a pleasant home and residence. He also belongs to the Society of Friends, and is one of the good and substantial farmers of Wayne Township.

MASON C. PAGE, farmer, P. O. Reesville, Clinton County, Ohio, April 30, 1835, is a son of Wesley and Matilda Page, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wesley Page grew to manhood in his native State, and married Matilda Crispin, and, about 1834, emigrated to Ohio and remained in Highland County till the Spring of 1835, when they settled in Clinton County, where they resided till his death in October, 1843. His wife survived him till June, 1877, aged seventy years. They had six children-Mason C., Silas and Thomas (twins), Lucinda and William (twins) and Wesley. Lucinda married John West, who died in the army in the war of the rebellion. She subse. quently married a Mr. Troutman, and now resides in Illinois. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of his father's family, was but eight years of age when his father died and was raised by his mother, who managed to keep her family together till they grew to maturity. On January 15, 1856, Mr. Page was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Lavina Rhonemus, he a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. He came to Ohio with his parents when young, and located at Centerville, where he grew to manhood and married Lavina Hansel, by whom he has had six children, five now living-Christian, Elizabeth, Andrew, Susanna (married John Butter-

1 i

Trưa

1159

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

field) and John. Mr. Rhonemus started out in life a poor man, and in that early day worked many a day for twenty-five cents per day. By earnest and continued efforts he succeeded in obtaining sufficient education to teach school, for which services he was paid $12 per month. These were times that "tried men's souls." But energy, industry and economy carried them through. Subsequently Mr. Rhonemus entered upon a peddling and huckstering business, which he followed thirteen years, by which he sup- plied the settlers with groceries and articles they needed for immediate consumption, and in payment took their butter, eggs, etc., and these he would haul to Cincinnati over the then terrible mud roads, and sell them in that market. Thence he entered upon the mercantile trade in Centerville, where he continued business about twenty years. During this time he was carefully investing all his means as he accumulated it in land, as he well understood the safety of such investments and the sure rise and inercase in value of farms in this then new country. Mr. Rhonemus was also quite a trading man, buying and selling land as he saw an opportunity to make a profit. Thus he has continued to the present time, and by the help of his family he has carried on farming extensively, and merchandising and trading as his energy and good judgment would direct, till he is now possessed of a large competency. He now owns nearly one thousand acres of land and a good property in Reesville, where he now resides. He has served his community in several of the public offices ; was Justice of the Peace for many years, and Treasurer of the township twelve to fifteen years. He is truly a self- made man, arising from a poor boy to a man of wealth, and commanding the respect, esteem and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Page and wife have had ten children -Christian L., Elvina (wife of P. Cline, Jr.), John W., William A., Marion, Martha Ann, Sophronia, Henry, Elizabeth and Charles. Mr. Page has made farming his occu- pation through life. He first located in Greene Township, and resided there thirteen years, thence located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. Mr. Page is one of the reliable and prominent farmers of Wayne Township and has been Trustee of the township several years. - He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly esteemed and respected citizens.

JOSEPH K. PARKER, druggist, Centerville, born in Highland County, Ohio, ; May 10, 1855, is a son of Samuel and Mary Parker; he, it is believed, was born in Virginia, and she in Highland County, Ohio. The grandfather, Jonathan Parker, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio with his family about 1817, and located in Highland County, where he lived till his death. He came through from Virginia on foot, with his wife and children on horseback. He was one the founders and a con- stituent member of the Fall Creek German Baptist Church, and purchased and gave ' the lot upon which the church was erected, and remained an active and devoted mem- ber of the same till his death. They were truly pioneers, and Mrs. Parker was a woman for the times ; she was an expert with the sickle, and was accustomed to work in the harvest field, and could lead all the men in reaping. Samuel, the father of our sub- ject, was a child of four years when the family came to Ohio, and here grew to man- hood, and married Mary Kinzer, and settled on the old Some place of his father. where he remained through life engaged in farming. He was also a member of the German Baptist Church, and a Deacon of the same, a very upright man, of undoubted integ- rity, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen, and in business a prosperous farmer. Mrs. Parker died in January, 1862, and Mr. Parker in August, 1863. They had seven children-William H., Adam B., Martha (wife of Andrew J. Pennington), John M., Rebecca Ellen (wife of Jonathan Cowgill), Charlotte (wife of J. F. Barkley), and Joseph K., our subject, who was left an orphan by the death of his parents when eight' years of age, and was then taken by his uncle, Joseph L. Parker, who in 1865 re- moved to Preble County, Ohio ; with him he lived till his death in 1871, Thence our subject returned to Highland County, and lived with his brother, Adam B., till 1873 ; thence he went to New Vienna, and was with his brother, John M., till 1875, when he went West to Iowa. In 1877, he returned to New Vienna, and engaged in the livery business. In March, 1880, he entered as Clerk in the drug store of Hussey & Lindley, in whose employ he has continued to the present time. In April, 1881, Messrs. Hus-

1160

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

sey & Lindley established a branch store in Centerville, and placed Mr. Parker in charge of the same, which he has since conducted with good success. Mr. Parker is a young man of temperate habits, energetic and of undoubted character, and has the con- fidence of his employers and the people of his community.

WILLIAM PAVEY, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Sabina, born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 4, 1833, is a son of William and Anna (Johnson) Pavey, he a native of Highland County, and she of Fayette County, Ohio. The grandfather, Isaac Pavey, was a native of the State of Delaware, but became an early settler of Kentucky ; thence he made an effort to settle in Ohio, but the Indians were so troublesome and dangerous that he returned to Kentucky and remained there three years longer; thence he brought his family to Highland County, Ohio, where he permanently settled, and re- sided till his death, which was caused by being thrown from a horse. He was one of the truc pioneers of Highland County, and experienced the real hardships of those early times. William, the father of our subject, was born in 1803, and grew to man- hood inured to the hardships of log cabin life ; thence he came to Fayette County, where he married and settled. He was twice married, and was the father of fourteen children, thirteen now survive-Isaac, William, Mary, George, John, Sophia, Henry, James E., Eliza, Charles, Thomas, Kittora and Gilbert A. After the death of Mrs. Anna Pavey, Mr. Pavey married Jordena Kirby, with whom he lived till his death in June, 1862, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Pavey was a man of great energy and perse- verance. kind-hearted and accommodating to' his neighbors, even to his own injury, as he failed in business twice by going surety for others ; still by his great energy and in- dustry, at the time of his death he had again accumulated a good competency. He was a Methodist in faith and doctrine, and was one of the best of neighbors, and a usc- ful and worthy citizen. Our subject grew to manhood and married in Fayette County ; has been twice married ; first, December 17, 1857, to Serilda Conner, by whom he had one child (deceased). His wife died in August, 1858. In August, 1859, he married Mary A., daughter of William and Jordena Kirby, by whom he had twelve children, ten now living-Gilbert A., Anna Olive, Jennie, Frederick, William, Louetta, Minnie, Mary, Lovida and Lida. Agricultural pursuits and dealing in stock have been Mr. Pavey's business through life, by which he has been very successful; he bought and located where he now lives in September, 1863; here he has 700 acres of excellent land, all in one body, with fine buildings and improvements. As a farmer and a busi. ness man, he is truly a model in his community. He attends strictly to his business affairs ; desires no office or public notoriety, but in character and integrity is one of Clinton County's best and most worthy 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 Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2, Part 103

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1410

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410