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 64
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WILLIAM PYLE, farmer, P. O. Ogden, was born July 16, 1822, in Clinton County ; is the son of Jehu and Esther Pyle. Jehu was born December 25, 1794, in North Carolina ; his parents first emigrated to Indiana, where they remained a few years, when they removed to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1818, and settled on Lytle's Creek, near where the village of Sligo is at present located ; he was married, February 24, 1820, to Miss Esther Stratton, daughter of Joseph and Dosia Stratton. This union has been blessed with eleven children, four of whom are still living. Mr. Pyle, in his younger days, endured some of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and died January 19, 1859. William Pyle, the subject of our sketch, was reared to man's estate on a farm ; received but a limited education ; he was married, July 23, 1845, to Miss Re- becca Garner, daughter of William and Ann Garner. To them have been born six children, viz., Jehu E., Lindley D., John W., Joseph L., Mary, and ( Esther A., deceased). In 1874, he bought the farm on which he is at present located, about one and a quarter miles southwest from Sligo Village ; he is a member of the Friends' Society, a Republi- can, and the owner of eighty acres of land.
. WILLIAM W. SHEPPARD, physician, Ogden. Among the worthy citizens of
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Clinton County we find but few who are more worthy of representation in the history of our county than the subject of our present sketch. William W. Sheppard was born March 20, 1821, in Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio. His parents were Levi and Sarah Sheppard. Levi Sheppard was born May 18, 1791, near Winchester, Va. He was the son of Jeffrey and Hannah Sheppard. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and received but a limited education. On April 4, 1816, he married Miss Sarah Wil- kin, daughter of John and Rache! Wilkin. He emigrated from . Virginia to Clinton County, Ohio, about the year 18 ;; he first settled in the eastern end of Wilmington, which was but a small village in that day. In his youth, he learned the trade of a mason, and subsequently carried on the building business in Wilmington for more than fifty years. In the construction of the third jail in Wilmington for Clinton County, the contract for building the same was allotted to Levi Sheppard for $508. To Mr. Sheppard was also awarded the contract for building a structure to be occupied by the county offices in 1824. He was the father of three children, viz., William W., Lydia, married to Hiram Finley, of Wilmington, and Mary, deceased. Mrs. Sheppard died May 5, 1847. In 1854, he married Miss Lucinda Pavy, of Lexington, Ohio. In 1866, he moved to Mount Vernon, Ill., where he lived a retired life until his death. which occurred October 20, 1870, in. the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and died as he lived-a Christian. William W. Sheppard, the subject of our present sketch, was reared to manhood in Wilming- ton. He attended the first high school established in Wilmington, in which institution he completed a course of higher English education. When twenty-
four years of age he began to read medicine with Dr. A. Jones of Wilmington, and in the fall of 1846 he attended the Ohio Medical University at Cincinnati. Ou December 23, 1847, he married Miss Elizabeth Biddel, born September. 10, 1828, and daughter of Humphrey and Rachel Biddel. To them have been born three children, viz., Shotwell A., Levi H. and Rachel E. (deceased). In 1848, the Doctor removed to Sligo and began the practice of medicine. He practiced there about eighteen or twenty years, at the end of which time he removed to Mercer County, Ill., and located in the town of Millersburg, where he practiced about eighteen months. He then again removed to Sligo, Clinton Co., Ohio, where he first began to practice, and in which village he at present resides. Dr. Sheppard is one of the gentlemen who framed the petition in favor of having the territory now comprising Adams Township formed into said township. In 1880, he was elected President of the Clinton County Medical Association. Dr. and Mrs. Sheppard are members of the Friends' Society.
JOSEPH W. SLACK, farmer, P. O. Ogden, was born May 23, 1824, in Bucks County, Penn., son of Jacob and Susan Slack. Jacob Slack was born November 6, 1798, son of Joseph and Mary Slack. He was reared on a farm, in his early years. At the age . of sixteen he was apprenticed to his uncle Jacob Van Hart to learn the trade of boot and shoe making, remaining with him about five years. He afterwards carried on the business of boot and shoe making in connection with his farming, in Lower Wakefield Township, Penn. He was married to Miss Susan White, who bore unto him eight children-Joseph W., Heuston T. (married Miss May J. Brown), Sarah, (married to Daniel Wertz, of Northampton County, Penn. ), Mary (married to Jacob Vanartsdalem), Caroline (married to James Slack) and three deceased. He was successful in bus- iness during life, and died May 4, 1837. His wife survived him some seventeen years, she having departed this life September 4, 1854. Joseph W. Slack, the subject of our sketch, was reared on a farm, and received but a limited education. When but sixteen years of age he began the trade of wagon-making, with his uncle Israel Roberts, of' Bucks County, Penn .; worked for him about one year. He then was employed by Mr. James Fell, with whom he remained about five years, during which time he had man- aged to save about $60 in cash, and after quitting his employer he emigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1846. He first came to the village of Sligo, where he was engaged in the wagon and carriage business for the fifteen years following. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Camp Dennison. The Seventy-ninth was attached to the Army of the Cumberland un-
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der Gen. Rosecrans, afterwards re-organized and termed the Army of the Tennessee, un- der command of Gen. Sherman. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, the fighting about Atlanta, the fighting in front of Sa- vannah, Averysboro and Jonesboro. Shortly after the battle of Jonesboro, Rich- mond surrendered, whereupon the Seventy-ninth marched to Raleigh, which city they made their headquarters, until orders were received to proceed to Washington, D. C., where he was mustered out of the service, which occurred in June, 1865. He then returned to his home, and has followed farming and stock-raising up to the present time. In 1856, he bought, near Sligo, a farm of thirty acres, and by subsequent purchases has acquired a fine estate of 240 acres of land. He was elected Treasurer for Adams Township in 1870, and has served until the present time; has served as Township Trustee. He was elected County Commissioner in 1880, and is still officiating in that capacity. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 52, Wilmington, Ohio.
JESSE THATCHER, famer, P. O. Ogden, was born January 8, 1815, in Wil- mington, Clinton Co., Ohio, and is to-day the oldest man living in Clinton County who was born in Wilmington. He was the son of Thomas and Susannah Thatcher. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and received but a limited education. His father died when he was but seven years of age, after which time he went to live with his grand- father, Joseph Stratton, on Lytle's creek, on the farm where Caleb Wood at present re- sides. He lived with his grandfather about seven years, at the end of which time he again went to live with his mother, who had married Mr. William Hadley. He lived with her until he was twenty years of age, at which time he married Miss Martha Reynard, daughter of Adam and Catherine Reynard. This event occurred April 3, 1835. Martha Reynard was born February 23, 1817. This union has been blessed with thirteen children-Thomas, by profession a. lawyer, at present in Colorado, and at one time Judge of Probate for Warren County, .with head-quarters at Lebanon ; Milton, Jesse, Ruth, Lydia E., Martha E., Dosia E. and six who are deceased. After living in different parts of the County for about fifteen years, Mr. Thatcher final- ly removed to the farm at present occupied by him, on Todd's Fork, Adams Township. He is a member of the Friends. His wife also is a member of the Friends' Society, and is esteemed as an earnest, consistent Christian lady.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
JOHN ANDERSON, deceased, was born in Virginia, in 1811. His parents were William and Nancy Anderson. In his youth, he was trained to the pursuits of farming, and received but a limited education .* In March, 1837, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Philip and Mary Murphy. To them were born six children- Franklin J., Virginia, Philip, John W., and two descased. They emigrated from Vir- ginia to Greene County, Ohio, about the year 1837, where they lived several years. They then removed to Clinton County, where the family at present reside. Mr. Anderson was a Democrat in politics. He departed this life September 3, 1855. His widow still survives him, and resides in Chester Township, about one and one-half miles south of New Burlington.
WILSON BAILEY, farmer, Oakland, was born January 25, 1849, Clinton County, Chester Township, Ohio. His parents were William H. and Rachel Bailey. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received an ordinary district school edu- cation. On the 29th of August, 1874, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Ida T. Lemar, daughter of Samuel Lemar, of whom we have made mention in this work. To them have been born three children-James M., Frank R. and Samuel K. He is a Republican, and the owner of about eighty acres of land.
DANIEL COLLETT, JR., deceased, was born October 1, 1795, in Jefferson County, Va. In the year 1814, his parents, Daniel, Sr., and Mary Collett, settled in what is now known as Chester Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, and where they settled there
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was not a stick amiss. They endured all the hardships and privations usually endured by the pioneers of that carly day. Daniel, Sr., was the father of seven children, a member of the Church of England, and departed this life in June, 1835. His wife died in September, 1826. Daniel Collett, Jr., was reared on a farm, and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. In March, 1826, he married " Miss Virginia Mckay, daughter of Moses and Abigail Mckay. To them were born one child-Daniel. Mrs. McKay died January, 1827. In August, 1831, he married Miss Charity Hackney, daughter of Aaron and Hannah Hackney, by whom he had five children. ' He was a member of the Baptist Church, in which church he officiated as Deacon. Politically he was a Republican. He departed this life in -September, 1862. IIis wife died in September, 1881. _ Daniel, one of the sons of Daniel Collett, Jr, was born in January, 1827. When an infant his mother died. He was then taken care of by Mrs. Jonathan Collett, with whom he remained until he was about eight years of age. HIe then went again to live with his own people on the old homestead, where he at present resides. He has served as Township. Trustee for about twelve years, and has in his possession about 500 acres of land. Jonathan Collett, Sr., brother of Daniel Collett, Jr., was born April, 1787, in Jefferson County, Va. In May, 1822, lie married Sarah Mckay, daughter of Moses and Abigail Mckay, and sister of Mrs. Daniel Collett, Jr. They had nine children, of whom six are still living. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in October, 1865. His wife died in 1852. He was a man of sterling integrity and worth.
DANIEL H. COLLETT, deceased, was born March 11, 1806, in Lebanon, War- ren Co., Ohio. He was the son of Moses and Rebecca Collett, who settled in Warren County about 1806. Daniel H. was reared on a farm, and received a fair English edu- cation. He was married, November 4, 1830, to Miss Maria A. Mckay, sister of Fran- cis Mckay, whose sketch appears in this work. To them have been born eight chi !- dren, viz. : Thamasin, Moses, Abigail, Elizabeth, Sarah A., Francis, Horace, and Rebecca (deceased). In the year 1831, he settled on 360 acres of land in Chester Township, Clinton County, about three miles southeast of where New Burlington is located. He was industrious, persevering and energetic in his business matters. During the latter years of his life, he was troubled with heart disease, from the effects of which he died very suddenly, January 11, 1871. He was a kind and loving father, and an affection- ate husband. In his death, Clinton County lost one of her most worthy and honorable citizens. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Jonah's Run, in which church he officiated as Deacon. Clinton County has had but few men more worthy of repre- sentation in the annals of her history than the subject of our sketch.
NATHAN H. COLLETT, farmer, P. O. Harveysburg, was born November 27, 1810, in Greene County, where he remained until he was about thirty-three years of age. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received a fair English education in a district school. On October 12, 1836, he married Miss Mary S. Hackney, born March 2, 1812, in Frederick County, Va., and daughter of Aaron and Hannah Hackney. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are still living, viz. : Eleanor, Hannah, Rebecca, Louisa and Hugh S. In 1845, Mr. Collett removed from Greene to Clinton County, and settled in the southern portion of Chester Township, where he still resides. He has served as Trustee for Chester Township. Politically, he is a Republican ; is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of 190 acres of land.
JESSE COMPTON, farmer, P. O. New Burlington. Samuel Compton, father of the subject of our sketch, was born in South Carolina, August 16, 1796. His par- ents were Amos and Rebecca Compton. When about ten years of age, his parents cmi- grated from South Carolina to Greene County, Ohio, about the year 1806, and settled on the banks of Cæsar's Creek, near where New Burlington is at present located. Amos lived here until his death, which occurred September 14, 1824. His wife after- ward married John Furnas, Sr. She departed this life October 5, 1814. Samuel was reared on a farm, and in 1823, married Miss Alice Ally. Shortly after his marriage, be settled in the woods, about one mile west of his father's farm, in Greene County, and
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began to clear off his land, in which he endured a great many hardships. He was the father of eight children, five of whom grew to man and womanhood, viz. : Jesse, Rebecca, Nancy, Amos and Lydia. He departed this life March 12, 1861. His widow still survives him, she being now in her seventy-eighth year. Samuel was a member of the Society of Friends, and was at one time the owner of about seven hundred acres of land. Jesse Compton, the subject of our present sketch, and eldest child of Samuel Compton, was born January 12, 1825, in Greene County ; was reared to manhood on a farm. Hc received the rudiments of an English education, in a district school. He was married October 12, 1848, to Miss Esther Spray, born in July, 1831, and daughter- of Jesse, Sr., and Mary Spray. They are the parents of six children, viz. : Uriah, Martha, John S., Mary A., Lydia J. and Elizabeth A. In 1848, he removed from Greene County to Chester Township, Clinton County, and located about one-half of a mile cast of New Burlington. He is an ardent member of the Society of Friends, and the owner of about 151 acres of land.
JOHN P. DENNY, deceased, was born July 4, 1823, in Warren County, near Lebanon. His parents were John and Hannah Denny. When he was about seven years of, age his parents removed to Clinton County, where they remained until their death. In his youthful days he was trained to farming, which occupation he ever after followed. On January, 1862, he married Miss Martha Collett, born in February, 1831, by whom he has had two children, viz .: Anne and George. He was a man of sterling integrity and reliable character, a kind and loving father and indulgent husband. In politics he was a Republican. He departed this life August 10, 1881. His widow still survives him, and has in her possession about 428 acres of land.
BENJAMIN FARQUHAR, physician, New Burlington. Jonah Farquhar, father of the subject of our sketch and seventh son of Allan and Phebe Farquhar, was born in Frederick County, Md., on March 13, 1778. As to the manner in which his youthful days were spent, we can give but a brief account, except that he received the rudiments of an English education in a district school of that carly day. When a young man, he learned the trade of tanning at his father's tanyard, which he followed for many years. When quite young he lost his parents, and consequently he was thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world the best he could. At the death of his father he received several hundred dollars, with which, increased by his own caru- ings, he started, in the spring of 1806, on horseback, accompanied by his brother Mahlon, for the State of Ohio. After having arrived in Ohio, they spent some time in view- ing the country in Greene, Clinton, Warren and some of the adjoining counties. They being quite fond of adventures, sold their horses, and with the proceeds thereof, bought flour at a mill, probably three miles below where Waynesville at present is located, on the Little Miami River. After constructing a rude raft or boat, which they loaded with the flour and such provisions as they were obliged to have in order to sustain life, they started down the river in search of a market for their (then ) precious cargo. While on the route down the river their raft was damaged, having been stoved against the bank. This accident occasioned a delay of some three of four days, which time was occu- pied by them in making such repairs as was deemed necessary. "They again started on their way and after some time arrived at Cincinnati (then called Fort Washington). Not finding the market there as they anticipated, they procured a larger raft or boat, upon which they loaded their flour and provisions. They then started on a voyage down the Ohio River to New Orleans, where they found a satisfactory market for their flour. They here sold their boat and took passage on a schooner bound for Baltimore. This voyage carried them by way of the Gulf, the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, and which finally brought them near their own home again, where they arrived about the beginning of the following winter. Jonah lived at home until the following sum- mer, when he again started on horseback for Ohio. He was this time accompanied by his brother Mahlon and several others. Jonah and his brother finally concluded they would settle in the northern part of Greene County, where they bought land and began to appreciate the realities of their new Western home. During Jonah's first stay in Ohio, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Beal, daughter of Jacob and Sarah
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Beal. She was born in Fayette County, Penn., her father having settled in Greene County about 1803. This acquaintance (after a time) ripened into an attachment, and on the 19th of July, 1808, they celebrated their nuptials. Mahlon remained with them for about two years after their marriage, when his failing health warned him to seek some other climate. He accordingly went to the eastern part of the State (Jefferson County), where, with his sister he lived but a few months; consumption had seized his frame and slowly but surely, he succumbed to its dreadful grasp. Jonah and wife lived in Greene County until the fall of 1811, when he was taken ill with entero-gastritis, a discase at that time prevalent about the neighborhood in which they resided. He was attended to by medical aid, and for several weeks there seemed no hope for his recovery. He, however, slowly recovered, and after a time, concluded to spend some little time in visiting his relatives, by this means hoping still more to improve his health. Ac- cordingly he started on horseback, taking with him his wife and son (Mahlon), about eighteen months old, with the intention of visiting his relatives in Jefferson County. After remaining in Jefferson a short time, they proceeded to' visit his wife's relatives, who were at that time-living in Pennsylvania. They there spent a few weeks, when they started on a journey to Frederick County, Md. After remaining a short time in Maryland, his health had recovered sufficiently to allow him to return to his Western home. But owing to the disturbed condition of the country-our Governinent at that time being engaged in a war with Great Britain-he concluded to wait until peace be- tween the two countries was established. He accordingly rented in New Market, a dwelling-house, and secured an interest in a tannery, where he was busily engaged until the autumn of 1814, when he again began to think of returning to his Western home. At some time previous to Mahlon's death, he and Jonah had bought a tract of land situated on Turkey Run Creek, Clinton County, on which place Mrs. Farquhar wished to settle, owing to the malarious condition of the climate in Greene County. After making the necessary preparations, they started on their journey for their new home in Clinton County with a wagon, to which were attached three horses. Their family at this time consisted of three children, one being an infant about two months old. They met with no serious accidents until they began crossing the Blue Ridge. They were here exposed to the rain and the inclemency of the weather, from the effects of which the infant contracted a cold, which finally brought on the dreaded croup and caused its death in a few hours. After laying away the cold form of the child in the barren mountains they resumed their journey. After a long and tedious journey they arrived in Clinton County, about the tenth of November, 1814. They accordingly went to live in their new home. The house in which they were to dwell stood on the brow of a hill, and was built of round logs, the chimneys of which were very rude, nevertheless it served as a very comfortable home. After becoming settled he began preparations to establish a tanyard, and as his business began to increase he was obliged to enlarge his tanning capacities to enable him to meet the demands of his customers. In 1817, they moved from the log cabin into a new and better house built by them, which was more suited to their demands. They remained in this dwelling about thirty years, when an event occurred which brought sorrow to the different members of the family. After suffering for some time of paralysis, Mrs. Farquhar died. This occurred August 18, 1847. In 1837, his health failing him somewhat he concluded to give up the business of tanning, which he accordingly did. He subsequently spent a great deal of time in reading, having been especially interested in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. In the autumn of 1856, he was taken with a severe cold, which terminated in a fever, from the effects of which he was prostrated. He was confined to his room the greater part of the following winter. The following vernal season had once more arrived, which found him slowly but surely passing away, until on April 10, 1857, he quietly breathed his last-being then in his eightieth year. Benjamin, the subject of our present sketch, and one of the twelve children of Jonah Farquhar, of whom nine grew to manhood and womanhood, was born February 15, 1822, in what is now known as Chester Township, Clinton County. In his youth, he was reared to the pursuits of farming. He received the rudiments of education in a district school, and at the age of
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twenty he began to attend the Waynesville Academy, where he remained a short time. In 1845-46, he attended the Winchester Academy. He subsequently taught school for several years. In 1867, he attended the Physico-Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from whenee he received his diploma in 1868. On April 4, 1850, he married Miss Ann Jay, daughter of David and Rebceca Jay, by 'whom he had six children, three of whom are still living. In 1869, he began the practice of medicine, with head- quarters at New Burlington, Clinton County, in which profession he is at present successfully engaged. He is a member of the Friends' Society, and well worthy of representation in the history of our county.
PHILIP FARQUHAR, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born February 15, 1828, in Chester Township, Clinton Co., Ohio. He was the son of Jonah and Elizabeth Farquhar. His youthful days were passed on a farm. He received a fair English education, and subsequently taught school for about three years. He was married in May, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Craig, born 1840, and daughter of James and Jane Craig, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are still living-James A., Salathiel, Viola M. and Mary J. HIe is a member of the Friends' Society. In 1866, he was elected Township Clerk, and served for ten years in succession. In 1879, he was elected Township Trustee, in which capacity he still officiates. In his political views he is a Republican ; and the owner of about fifty-three acres of land. He may well be classed among the worthy citizens of Clinton County.
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