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 66
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20, 1847. In March, 1851, he married Miss Sarah Lester, born October 10, 1831, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are still living. He served as Trustce for Chester Township several years. In polities he is a Republican. He is a member of the Friends' Society, and the owner of 103 acres of land.
JONATHAN McMILLAN, farmer, P. O. Gurneyville. David McMillan, father of the subject of our sketch, was born March 2, 1772, in Pennsylvania ; his parents were William and Deborah McMillan ; he was reared to manhood on a farm, and received the rudiments of education in a district school ; his wife was Miss Hannah Huzzey ; they were the parents of ten children, five of whom were born in Pennsyl- vania, and five in Ohio, two of whom are still living-Thomas and Jonathan. In 1805, David emigrated, with his family, to Clinton County, Ohio, and settled on the waters of Turkey Run Creek, in what is now known as Chester Township ; he bought about 300 acres of land without a stiek amiss ; he first erected a log cabin, after which he began the work of clearing up, in which he endured many hardships and privations ; he was endowed with considerable mechanical skill, having been able to make all sorts of farming implements and furniture for his own use, thereby saving considerable expense ; he was a member of the Friends' Society, and departed this life December 20, 1844; his wife died September 18, 1846. Jonathan McMillan, the subject of our sketch, was born June 27, 1812, and, like his father, was reared on a farm; he received a fair English education, which enabled him to teach school for several years. On November 23, 1837, he married Miss Susannah H. Wickersham, by whom he had four children, three of whom are still living. While returning home from Granville, Ind., where they had been visiting for a short time with some friends, a dead hickory tree fell on the covered wagon in which they were traveling, and killed Mrs. McMillan instantly, and ·broke one of Mr. McMillan's legs. This occurred August 19, 1846. His broken limb obliged him to remain in Indiana some nine weeks longer, at the end of which time he was able to be brought home. On October 26, 1848, he married Miss Re- becca Frazier, born October 13, 1822, daughter of Moses and Lydia Frazier. To them have born born six children, five of whom are still living. He is a member of the Friends' Society, and the owner of 180 acres of land. Notwithstanding the many tri- als and hardships they have been obliged to endure, Mr. and Mrs. McMillan still con- sider they have been bountifully blessed by the Creator of all things, and that He will continue to do all things as to Him seemeth best.
PETER MONEMAR, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born November 16, 1836, in Hampshire County, Va. His parents were Felix and Elizabeth McNemar. In his youth he was trained to the pursuits of farming, in which he is at present engaged. He received but a limited English education, and in 1862 he emigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, coming to Wilmington, where he remained a few months. On Sep- tember 3, 1863, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah A. Malick, born March 23, 1838, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Malick, by whom he had two children-Etta B. M., born July 10, 1864, and Cora I., born January 15, 1879. After leaving Wilmington, he removed to Chester Township, where he still resides. In 1865, he bought a farm of about sixty-five acres in the western portion of the town- ship, near the township house. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sharon, where he officiates as class-leader. His political views are with the Republican party, and he is the owner of sixty-seven acres of land.
HUGH M. NUNION, farmer, P. O. Harveysburg, was born May 20, 1850, in Warren County, Ohio; was the son of Tippoo and Jemima Nunion. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and received but a limited education. He was married .in De- cember, 1876, to Miss Martha Gray, daughter of Andrew J. and Agnes Gray. She died January 28, 1877. In 1881, April 4, he married Miss Martha Stewart, born in August, 1861, and daughter of Robert and Mary Stewart. To them has been born one child-Bessie A. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His po- litical views are Republican, and he is the owner of sixty acres of tillable land.
JACOB PETERSON, JR. (deceased). Jacob Peterson, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born in Hardy County, West Virginia., on the 28th day of Jan-
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uary, 1785. He was raised to manhood on a farm on Mill Creek, a tributary of the South Branch of the Potomac River. His education was such as the condition of the country at that time afforded. The principal part of his carly education was in the German language. His English schooling was limited. yet by close application he became proficient in the common branches of the English language. He gathered much useful information by reading, in which he employed much of his leisure time. Our knowledge of his ancestry dates back to his grandfather, Hans Jacob Peterson, who was born in the year 1706, in Barenville, County of Langdenburg, Switzerland. He was married to Sarah Mohlerin on the 13th day of February, 1728. He had nine children, the oldest four having been born in Switzerland. In the year 1730, he emigrated after having procured the necessary passport, which read as follows :
" The Burgomaster and Council of the City of Basle testify herewith that in our city, and this region of country, there is no contagious disease raging, but by the grace of God we enjoy a pure air free from all infections, and we therefore manfully request that our former citizen, Hans Jacob Peterson, who together with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, intend to travel, first, by water to Rotterdam, and then per ship to the Island of Pennsylvania, be permitted to pass and repass at all places safely and without hindrance. Such favors we are ready promptly to return according to our Government custom.
" Given under the printed smaller seal of our city the 23d day of April, 1736."
He with his family arrived at Philadelphia. After living in Pennsylvania for some years, he went with his family to Augusta County, Va., and finally settled in Hardy County, Va., that being a frontier settlement where the settlers were much exposed to In- dian raids, which were frequent. His second son, Martin (with others), was taken prisoner by the Indians, and was six months with them west of the Ohio River, in the Muskin- gum, Scioto and Miami Valleys. After many hardships, he succeeded in making his escape. At another time, three of his daughters were taken prisoners ... Two of them never returned. Anna, the other daughter, after being kept fourteen years, was ex- changed at Upper Sandusky and returned home. After passing through the trials and hardships of a frontier life, he died at an advanced age at his home in Hardy County, Va. Jacob, his eldest son, was born November 6, 1729, in Switzerland, and was mar- ried to Eve Elizabeth Harper, on the 14th of April, 1766. She, previous to this time, had been prisoner with the Indians six years. He was a farmer by occupation and lived on Mill Creek, Hardy County, Va. Being of foreign birth, he considered it his duty to become an American citizen, and applied for and received naturalization papers in the following form :
"And Jacob Peterson having settled and inhabited for some time in the County of Augusta, in this Colony, and now made application to me for the benefit of naturalization, and before the Court of Augusta County, taken the oath prescribed by law, and subscribed the test, I do hereby, pursuant to the said authority, declare the said Jacob Peterson to be to all intents and purposes fully and completely naturalized.' And to have and to enjoy, to him and his heirs the same immunities and rights, of and unto the law, all privileges of this Colony and Domin- ions, as fully and amply as any of His Majesty's natural boru subjects, have and enjoy within the same, as if he had been born within any of Ilis Majesty's Realms and Dominions, accord- ing to the aforesaid acts, saving always in such matters and things which by the laws of England concerning the Plantation, he is disabled.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony at Williamsburg, this 20th day of Novem- ber, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King George the Third, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain. FRANCIS FAUQUIRE, Esq.,
His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony and Domin- ions of Virginia.
He was the father of seven children, two sons and five daughters. He died in October, 1814, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His wife died December 2, 1816. They had lived together as husband and wife forty-eight years seven months and three days. This brings us to Jacob Peterson, Jr., second son of the above union, and subject of this sketch. He was married to Elizabeth King, March 6, 1805, and on the 12th day of March, 1806, she died. IIe was married again on the 12th of March, 1809, to Hannah Stucky. He was a man of spirit and energy, and desirous of making life a success. He found that the institution of slavery was detrimental to his
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CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
business interests as a farmer. He was opposed to using slave labor. As free labor could not successfully compete with slave labor, he resolved to cmigrate to Ohio. Con- sequently, in the year 1817, he, with his brother-in-law, Leonard Hegler, and their families, emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, carrying their goods in two wagons, each drawn by five horses. He drove his own team, while his wife rode horseback, carrying one child in her arms, and another one, of three years, behind her. They brought with them seventeen head of cattle, of a superior grade of stock to the Ohio cattle. They were driven by Benjamin Stueky and Jonathan Ketteman. Mr. Ketteman is still liv- ing in Xenia, at the time of this writing. They accomplished the journey, 350 miles. in twenty-one days. They spent the first winter on Cesar Creek, Greene County, and on the 12th day of March, 1818, he moved with his family to his farm on Anderson's Fork. Chester Township, Clinton County. His farm, which comprised 350 acres, was purchased of Jesse Mckay, it being part of Pollard's survey. He paid at the rate of $6 per acre. His farm at that time had about thirty aeres cleared, and two log cabins on it. Into one of these he moved his family. 'Here he had abundant opportunity to try his strength of mind, as well as musele. He seemed to be equal to the emergency, and in a few years greeted good buildings, improved his farm by elearing and fencing, and soon had it in a good state of cultivation, and well stocked. It yielded abundant crops. Owing to the lack of good markets, the produce of the farm brought but little ready cash. Corn would bring from 6 to 123 cents, and wheat from 40 to 50 cents per bushel. He would drive his hogs to Cincinnati, sell them for $1.50 per hundred, and then walk home. Under such circumstances, it was necessary that the principal part of the cloth- ing for the family should be home-made. Here we introduce another member of the family, of whom we have merely made mention, and that is his wife and companion in hardships. His labors and duties were arduous on the farm ; hers were none the less so in the house. Besides the ordinary household duties, it was hers to see to manu- facturing goods, such as linens, flannels and cloth for the proper clothing for the family. These had to be prepared from the raw material, by the labor of woman's hand. While it was right and necessary that Jacob Peterson and his wife should perform all this toil and labor, which they did nobly, to better their condition in life, they had a higher and more exalted calling to fulfill in their lives, in social, moral, political and religious duties. Society, like many other things in this world, is changeable; society of to-day is not as it was in the first settling of this country. Then it had no false colors ; a friend then was a friend indeed. According to the nature of things, society was nearer on an equal- ity ; no one could suceced without the co-operation of his neighbor. Hence, it was a mutual pleasure to be interested in the happiness and prosperity of all. He was of a very social nature, and of pure and elevated character. In private, as well as in public life, at home and abroad, he maintained a chaste and dignified intercourse with those with whom he came in contaet. His hospitality was unbounded, and by those who once enjoyed it, it was gratefully remembered. Strictly moral and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, he won the esteem and respect of all who knew him. Politically, he acted with the Whig party. He voted for John Quincy Adams for President, and for every succeeding Whig candidate. He was a great admirer of Daniel Webster. Henry Clay and Thomas Corwin. He was opposed to the extension of slavery, and voted with the Republican party from its first organization. Was a decided Union man during the great rebellion, and lived to see universal liberty established all over our fair land. In religion, he was a zealous supporter of Christianity. At the age of nineteen years, he united with the German Reformed Church, and stood in that connection until he came to Ohio. There was no organization of that church near enough to unite with, until the organization of a Reformed congregation on Beaver Creek, in Greene County, about the year 1830, with David Winters as Pastor. He stood in connection with this congregation until the organization of the Reformed Church at Xenia, in the year 1833, and served as Elder in that congregation until the organization of the Reformed Church at Caesar's Creek, in the year 1843, when he was again elected to the office of Elder, which office he held nearly twenty years, when he asked to be relieved, on account of the infirmities of age. Having been a man of energy and perseverance, he succeeded in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
accumulating a valuable property, consisting of 600 acres of land. He lived happily with his wife forty-eight years nine months and six days. She died of pneumonia, the 16th day of December, 1857. In his declining years, he suffered with bodily afflictions. having been thrown from a horse, he received injuries from which he never entirely recovered. He also lost the sight of one of his eyes. Notwithstanding these afflictions; he remained cheerful, and enjoyed the society of his children and friends. In the win- ter of 1866-67, he made a visit to his daughter, living in Logan County ; while return. ing, he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in pneumonia. Arriving at Xenia, he stopped at his son Abel's, where he rapidly grew worse, and died on the 3d day of Janu. ary, 1867. He was the father of ten children, nine of whom survive him. Elizabeth Ann, the eldest, married John Nash ; Abel, the eldest son, married Alivia A. Weaver; Jesse, married Eleanor A. Weaver; Aaron, married Jane B. Wickersham ; Amy, mar- ried John Bush ; Archibald, married Mary C. MeNair; Abraham, married Naomi Middleton ; after her death, he married Mary W. Sleeper ; Hannah J., married George HI. Moore; Jacob S., married Sarah C. Ellis, daughter of Henry Ellis, and grand-daugh- ter of Abraham Ellis.
JACOB S. PETERSON, New Burlington, son of Jacob Peterson, Jr., was born March 19, 1824, in the township of Chester, Clinton Co., Ohio, being one of a large family of children. His boyhood days were happily spent at home. He early attended school in the characteristic log schoolhouse of the day, receiving tuition from teachers in excellent keeping with the buildings in which they taught. Such an education as he could acquire in this manner he subsequently improved greatly by close and profitable reading. He also cultivated a talent for music, in which he became proficient. From his position as a farmer's lad he became physically well developed, and his social quali- ties have made for him many fast friends in the course of his life. Having been un- der the influence of Christian training by his parents, he held a high estimation of good morals, and at the age of eighteen, on the 16th day of April, 1842, he united with the German Reformed Church, at Xenia, and was confirmed by Rev. David Winters, then pastor. In 1843, he became a member of the Reformed organization at Caesar's Creek, where he remained until 1874, when he united with the Mount Pisgan congregation formed in that year. November 23, 1848, he married Sarah Catherine Ellis, Rev. Henry Williard performing the ceremony. The lady was the daughter of Abraham Ellis, of Liberty Township. January 23, 1849, Mr. Peterson and his wife began housekeeping on a portion of his father's farm, where they lived ten years. In the meantime he purchased land adjoining, upon which he moved with his family April 23, 1859, making it his residence since that time. The farm consists of 200 acres, well- improved, and its owner devotes his time principally to raising grain and stock. His first ballot for President was cast far Zachary Taylor, in 1848 ; he voted with the Whig party until the Republican party was organized, since which time he has voted in the interest of that political body. His influence has been always exerted; for the good of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of the following children- Emma Clare, born December 22, 1849, married James W. Middleton, October 4, 1871; Ada Irene, born July 23, 1852, married George A. Mckay, September 25, 1873; Or- ville Ellis, born November 21, 1854, married Luella B. Oglesbee, August 22, 1877; Alice Maria, born August 16, 1860; Jacob Elmer, born September 20, 1862; Eva Grace, born February 4, 1869.
ARCHIBALD PETERSON, farmer, P. O. New Burlington, was born Decem- ber 2, 1819, in Clinton County, Ohio, in what is now known as Chester Township. His parents were Jacob and Hannah Peterson, of whom we have made mention in this work. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received but a limited English education. In February, 1851, he married Miss Eveline Hains, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Hains. She died October 26, 1856. He was again married, May 25, 1858, to Miss Mary C. McNair, born April 12, 1835, and daughter of Ward and Catherine McNair. They are the parents of ten children-William A., Amanda C., Edwin E., Ida J., Lizzie H., Florence I., Darius A., Della M., Myrtie V. and one who died in in- fancy. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, a Republican, and the owner of about three hundred and twenty acres of land, in Greene and Clinton Counties.
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CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
CLAYTON ROCKHILL, deceased, was born July 2, 1800, in New Jersey ; his parents were John and Elizabeth Rockhill, who settled in what is now known as Ches- ter Township, at an early day ; he was reared on a farm and received but a limited edu- «.tion. His first wife was Esther Drisbrow, by whom he had five children, three of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. She died June 29, 1834. On November 11, 1-36, he married Miss Ann Kirby, by whom he had three children, one of whom is still living. She died in October, 1843; he was again married, June 28, 1845, to Cathe- riue Wilkerson, by whom he had four children, viz., Sarah, John W., Edward and Laura ; he was a member of the Baptist Church, and departed this life June 30, 1854 ; his widow still survives him, in the seventieth year of her age, and has in her possession about sixty-four acres of land, situated about two miles northwest of Oakland Village.
BENJAMIN ROCKIHILL, deceased, was born in April, 1805, in New Jersey ; he was the son of John and Elizabeth Rockhill, who settled in Clinton County at quite an early day. In his youth, Benjamin was trained to the pursuits of farming, to which he ever after devoted his attention; he received but the rudiments of an English educa- tion, which was the common lot of the young men of his day. On January 29, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Haines, born May 1, 1816, daughter of JJoseph and Sarah Haines. This union was blessed with five children, viz., Jonathan, Arthur, Cyrenus (now residing in Nebraska), Clayton (at present practicing law in Minneapo- lis, Minn.), and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. Rockhill was a kind and loving father, and an affectionate husband. In his religious belief, he was a Baptist, and in politics, he took his stand with the Republican party ; he departed this life in April, 1862; his widow still survives him, and resides on the old homestead, located in the center of Chester Township.
LEVI D. SHAMBAUGH, farmer, P. O. New Burlington, was born November 8. 1821, in Frederick County, Va .; his parents were Joseph and Anne Shambaugh ; Joseph Shambaugh was born in 1786, in Virginia ; he was reared on a farm. In 1816, December 19, he married Miss Anne Duffy, daughter of Levi Duffy. In 1822, Joseph emigrated from Virginia to Clinton County, Ohio, and settled on Turkey Run, in what is now known as Chester Township; he remained here but a short time, when he removed to Greene County and settled in the southwest corner of what is now known as Caesar's Creek Township ; he here " took up " about 209 acres of land partially cleared, and for the twenty years following, he was busily engaged in clearing the remainder of the land, in which he en- dured a great many hardships and privations ; he was the father of eleven children, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood; he was a member of the Baptist Church, a very useful man in his day, and died November 29, 1841. Shortly after the death of his first wife Joseph married Eleanor McDonald, who survives him. Levi D. was reared on a farm ; received but a limited education. He married, July 18, 1847, Miss Rachel A. Mitchener, daughter of Joseph and Betsy Mitchener. She died November 12, 1853; he was again married, in November, 1855, to. Miss Abigail J. Mckay, daughter of George and Mary McKay. To them have been born six children, viz., Oscar M., born September 13, 1856; Amanda, born January 5, 1859 ; William, born May 30, 1862; Lawson, born May 29, 1865; Laura, born May 29, 1865; Joseph, born December 23, 1867. In 1847, Mr. Shambaugh settled on a farm in Chester Township, located about two and a half miles east of New Burlington, on which place hc at present resides ; he is a member of the Baptist Church, a stanch Republican, id the owner of 390 acres of land.
ANDREW R. SHIDAKER, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in Chester Town- ship, Clinton Co., Ohio, August 11, 1849. He is one of the sons of Mitchell W. and Elizabeth Shidaker, of Harveysburg, Warren Co. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and received a fair English education: On September S, 1870, he married Mary Slack, born July 11, 1850, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Slack of Adams Township, whose sketch appears in this work. To them have been born one child, Mattie E. Mr. Shidaker is a member of the' F. &. A. M. Lodge, No. 312, at Harveysburg. Po- litically, he is a Republican, and the owner of sixty acres of land, located near Clarks- ville. Mitchell W. and Elizabeth Shidaker, parents of our subject, were residents of
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Clinton County, Chester Township, many years. In 1880, they moved to Harveys- burg, Warren County, where they still resido. They are the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living -- Andrew R., James H., Mary and Eliza J. Mitchell W. served as Clerk for Chester Township several years. He has also for many years taught school. His political views are Republican, and he is the owner of 200 acres of land.
HENRY SMART, farmer, P. O. Harveysburg, was born October 27, 1824, in Gloucestershire, England. His parents were Robert and Prudence Smart. When about fourteen years old, he left his home and proceeded to London, where he remained about seven years. He then returned home again, where he remained until 1849, in which year he emigrated to America. He spent about two years as a farm hand in Ulster County, New York State, and in 1851, came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived about two years. He then removed to Clinton County, Ohio. Finally, after living in different parts of the county, he settled in the southwestern portion of Chester Township, where he still resides. On June 14, 1851, he married Miss Louisa Birch. She died March 16, 1857. On October 9, 1858, he married Miss Mary Thomas, by whom he had nine children-Henry T., Joseph, Elizabeth, Robert, Emily, Charles, Mary, Frank and Daniel (deceased). She died in May, 1879. He again married, July 24, 1880, Miss Sophia Thomas, who is sharing mutually with him his joys and sor- rowA. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Republican, and the owner of 230 acres of land.
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JOHN Q. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in November, 1824, in Warren County, Wayne Township, Ohio. His parents were Thomas and Mary Smith. In his youth, he was trained to the pursuits of farming, and received a good English education. In July, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia E. Evans. To them have been born six children, five of whom are still living. He remained in War- ren County for about two years after his marriage, when he removed to Clinton County, in the southern portion of Chester Township, where his son Horace still resides. In 1859, he was elected by the Republican party as a member of the Ohio State Senate, in which he served for two years. In 1861, he was elected to the Ohio House of Repre- sentatives, and served two years. In 1870, he was elected as a member of the Ohio Stato Board of Equalization. He was again elected State Senator in 1871. In 1872, he was elected to Congress, and served two years. In 1874, he was renominated for Congress, but defeated by John Savage. In 1875, he was appointed by President Grant Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which duties he performed nearly two years. In 1877, he was appointed United States Consul General to Canada, with headquarters at Montreal, the duties of which office are still attended to by him. He is at present residing in Montreal. A great deal more might be said about this worthy gentleman's public career ; but, suffice it to say, his has been an honorable one, of which the citizens of Clinton County may well feel proud.
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