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 79

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 79

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ISAAC THORNBURG (deceased) was born in Guilford County, N. C., August 19, 1792; was a son of Joseph and Rachel Thornburg, he a native of Guilford County · and she of Randolph County, N. C. The grandparents were Joseph and Nancy Thorn- burg, who were among the early settlers of that State, their parents being of German birth, cmigrating in an early day to Ireland ; thence to America, and settled in Penn- sylvania. Joseph and Nancy Thornburg lived and died in North Carolina. - Joseph and Rachel Thornburg emigrated from North Carolina to Ohio and settled near Lex- ington, Highland County; thence removed to Indiana, where they died. Isaac, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of seven children, and at the time of his father's removal to Ohio was attending school to acquire his education ; hence, he remained in , North Carolina till through his studies. Mr. Thornburg visited Ohio two or three times in an onrly day, and returned to North Carolina to settle up some business matters. Ho became a permanent settler at Lexington in 1826. Ho first engaged in teaching school to gain his start in life, as when he landed in Ohio he had but 50 cents left. Subse- quently, he entered upon the mercantile trade at Lexington, and thence at New Vi- enna, being one of the first merchants of the latter town, and was one of the leading inen of that day. Ile was Postmaster of New Vienna for several years, also a Justice of the Peace, and held most of the important offices of his township. In 1844, he was elected Probate Judge of the Court of Clinton County, which office he filled with credit till 1850. He purchased 180 acres of land just west of New Vienna, where his widow still resides. He also dealt quite extensively in town lots in New Vienna, and we may be justified in saying that in the growth and prosperity, and in the general public in- , terests of this community, he was one of the leading, active men of those days. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, and as a man of high moral character and integrity was, perhaps, surpassed by few, if any, in this community. On Novem- ber 3, 1853, he was married to Elizabeth Hiatt, who was born in Guilford County, N. C., February 3, 1817, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah Hiatt, natives of North Carolina, whose ancestors came from England. They remained in North Carolina till their death. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters, three daughters now survive-Elizabeth, Mary A. and Letitia, who married William W. Patterson; the last two reside in North Carolina. Mr. Thornburg and wife had two children-Christo- pher H., born September 24, 1854, and Sarah Jane Letitia, born June 14, 1859. Mr. Thornbury died July 6, 1866, aged seventy-four years.

JOHN TRENARY, farmer, P. O. New Vienna, born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 15, 1818; is a son of Thomas and Susannah Trenary, natives of Virginia. Thomas came to Ohio and to Clinton County when about sixteen years of age, which was about 1811, being one of the early settlers of Clinton County ; here he was married and resided till his death in 1855. This country was then nearly all in the woods, with here and there a cabin, where persons like himself had settled to make a home and a farm, and here they endured the many hardships of those pioneer days. They had nine children, five now survive-John, Richard, William, Samuel and Hannah, the latter now the wife of Drummond Smithson. Mrs. Trenary still survives, and resides with our subject, now at the advanced ago of eighty-four years. The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life in this county from his birth. Was married June 28,. 1840, to Isabel Coshatt, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 14, 1818, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Coshott. He was a native of North Carolina, but came to Ohio when young, and here married and became the father of nine chil- dren, of whom eight are supposed to be living, and settled in various States from Ohio to California, of whom but little is now known. Mr. Coshatt and wife finally removed to Iowa, and died in that State. Mr. Trenary and wife have had seven children, four

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now living-Thomas B., born November 7, 1841 ; Martha Ann, May 3, 1843 ; Nancy Jane, February 18, 1846 ; and John A., October 5, 1861. Mr. Tronary has followed farming through life. He located on the . place where he now lives in the winter of 1854-55, which is the old homestead place of his father, and where he died, and here Mr. Trenary has since resided.

RODNEY T. TRIMBLE, M. D., physician, Now Vienna. The history of the Trimble family of Ohio is known for a period of time reaching back prior to the Rev. olution, and is traced to the colonial days of Virginin under Spotwood and Dunmore. Capt. James Trimble came as a pioneer to Kentucky in 1783; thence to Ohio, in 1804; was a native of Augusta County, Va., born near Staunton, in 1756. At the age of ten or twelve years, his father, John Trimble, was killed by a band of Shawnee Indians, and his only son, James, and half-sister, Mrs. Edmonson, a young married lady, made prisoners. Tho Indians were pursued over tho Laurel Mountains more than one hundred miles, and the captives recovered by Capt. Moffett's company of twelve men, and the Indians defeated, with the loss of several of the marauders. At. the age of eighteen, young Trimble was with the Virginians under Gen. Lewis at the celebrated battle of the Point, the most sanguinary in the annals of Indian warfare. Cornstalk, the famous chief of his tribe, and 1,200 warriors, were defeated and driven back to their homo on the Scioto, pursued by Gov. Dunmore's regulars, and a treaty of peace made at Fort Charlotte, near the present site of Circleville. Young Trimble be- ing with this expedition, was thus familiar with the Northwest Territory thirty years before Ohio becamo a State. At the opening of tho Revolution, he was a young and ardent patriot, and participated in the seven-years conflict, having under Washington the important command of a company of rangers and picket guards against the North- west Indians. At the close of the war, he married Jane Allen, of Augusta County, Va., whose father, James Allen, and two brothers, John and Hugh, were active and energetic defenders of the civil, religious and political liberty as pronounced by the patriotic citizens of Virginia. Lieut. John Allen, in Washington's command, was killed in 1754, at Braddock's defeat. His brother Hugh, a Lieutenant under Col. Charles Lewis, fell at the battle of the Point, October, 1774. Thus, from the ances- tors on both sides was Capt. Trimble imbued with a spirit of energy and patriotism which was in tho war of 1812 fully illustrated in the character and conduct of his sons old enough to participate in that struggle. In 1783, Capt. Trimble, with his wife and two children removed to Woodford County, Ky., then the dark and bloody ground of Indian conflicts with the pioneers Logan and Boone for the supremacy of that charming and lovely country, now the Blue Grass Region of Fayette, Woodford and Jessamine Counties. The Indians had laid siego to Bryant's Station (now Lexington), and were retreating when the company of Virginia emigrants of 300 men, women and children, under tho guidanco and protection of Captains Trimble, Allen and Moffett, were approaching thoir future homes, fighting their way from the Cumborland. In the following year, wo find these colonists with Boone, Logan and Steelo at the san . guinary battle of the Blue Licks, where a brother of Daniel Boone was killed or captured. This was the last raid of tho Indians, and Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers and troaty at Greenville restored peace to the borders until the war of 1812. Kentucky was now rapidly advancing in wealth, population and social refinement, under the auspices of her distinguished statesmen, when Capt. Trimble's scruples and convictions as to the policy and benefits of slavery induoed him to seek a new home for his grow- ing family in the wilds of the Northwest Territory. With this view, in company with his eldest son, Allen, he crossed the Ohio River, and explored the highlands and the rich valleys of Paint and Scioto as early as 1801. Ho selected large tracts of land in Highland, Ross, Adams and Scioto Counties, returned to Kentucky, and sold his prop erty preparatory to removal. In 1804, with his son James H. and " Tom," a colored lad of same age, he started on horseback for Ohio with a selection of fruit trees for an orchard, which was, perhaps, the first planted in Highland County. They spent the summer and fall in clearing up the forest, erecting a large hewed-log double cabin, planting a crop of corn. , Leaving the premises in charge of his nearest neighbor and

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friend, Judge Joseph Swearingen, they returned to Kentucky. The fatigue and ex- posure brought on an attack of malarial fever, and the hardy and energetic pioneer was thus prematurely cut off, at the age of fifty-five years, from the accomplishment of his hopes. The home thus prepared for his family was on Clear Creek, three miles east of Hillsboro. Allen Trimble, being the eldest son, became administrator of the estate, and, with characteristie energy and devotion to the wishes of his father, took the responsibility of conducting the disconsolate widow and a portion of the family to their new home in the wilds of Ohio. Three brothers, William A., James A. and Cary H., were left at school and college in Kentucky, and a young sister, Mary Lewis, at Mrs. Beek's Seminary at Lexington. Margaret C., the eldest sister, and the younger brothers, Cyrus W. and John H., accompanied and shared with their devoted mother the toils, hardships and exposures incident to a life in the forests. That heroic and accomplished woman possessed all social, moral and religious virtues which fitted her as a guide, counselor and guardian for the trust, and a long and eventful life attested her rare worth and refinement. Allen Trimble married Margaret McDowell, of Kentucky, daughter of Gen. McDowell, of North Carolina, and soon took an active part in the organization of Highland County, for further account of whom see history of the Governors of Ohio. William A. Trimble, a student at Transylvania University at Lexington, went to Paris, Ky., and became a law student with his relative Judge Rob- ert Trimble. His brothers James and Cary followed the family to Ohio in 1807, and William in 1808, bringing his young sister Margaret with him. The family were then united in this rustic home on Clear Creek, in 1808. In the summer of 1810, William decided to visit the law school at Litehfield, Conn., to complete his studies, and took with him over the mountains his brothers Cary and John to a seleet school near Phila- delphia, at the Falls of the Schuylkill. The outfit was a one-horse gig, and they had a tedious journey of two weeks. William graduated in 1811, and returned to Ohio to enter upon his profession, when he was appointed Major of Col. McArthur's regiment of volunteers, and marched with that ill-fated army under Hull to the surrender at Detroit, in the war of 1812. He then received the appointment of Major of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of the United States, and procured the appointment of his brother Cary A. as Lieutenant of the same regiment. They served with great eredit, and William distinguished himself for his gallanty at Fort Erie, Buffalo, and at the " sortie " under Gen. Brown, was severely wounded, and promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment August 17, 1814. He was retained in the service with same rank in the United States Infantry, and served with Gen. Jackson in his Semi- nole and Pensaeola campaign, in 1817. He resigned his commission in 1818, and was eleeted to the United States Senate, serving until Deeember, 1821, when he died at Washington City from the effects of his old wound, aged thirty-six. He was a soldier, citizen and seholar of rare and excellent worth, and his early and premature death was a publie loss and a social calamity. His favorite brother, Capt. Cary A. Trimble, died at Hillsboro the same year, aged twenty-six. Cyrus W. Trimble, the fifth son, was educated at Dickenson College, Penn .; studied medieine, and took his diploma from the Pennsylvania Medical College of Philadelphia in 1819. He practiced one year in Cineinnati. In 1822, he removed to Chillieothe, where he won a very successful prac- . tice and early fame as a surgeon. He was soon a victim of the malaria of that locality, and died at the age of twenty-four years. John A. Trimble. the youngest son of the family, is the only survivor. He engaged early in life in mercantile pursuits with his brothers Allen, James and Cary. Upon the death of the latter, in 1821, he took his position in the store ; served as Postmaster at Hillsboro eighteen years. He was an active, enterprising and successful produce and shipping merchant to New Orleans for many years. He married early in life Lavinia V., daughter of Dr. William Boys, of Staunton, Va. Of a family of eight children, two only survive, a son and a daughter. Jane St. Clair, Cyrus Boys, Mary, Ella, Rosa Augusta and John Alexander died. young. The eldest son, Cyrus Boys, was a bright and brilliant youth, highly educated at the Hillsboro Academy under Prof. Sands, and a graduate of Center College, Ky.' After leaving college, he studied law with his relative, Judge Boys, of Hillsboro, and

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was assistant to his father as Clerk of Highland County. He was admitted to the bar at an early age, and formed a partnership with R. A. Harrison, of London, Ohio, and was entering upon his profession when he was cut down by typhoid fever. The prom- ise of a brilliant career, sustained' by learning and a high-toned moral and manly deportment, was thus withered in the bloom and buoyancy of early manhood-a social calamity and a public loss. The next brother, John Alexander, lost his health while a student at Hillsboro. He visited Virginia for his recovery, and was among relatives and friends there at the opening of the war. He espoused the cause of Virginia, and Gen. Imboden offered him a position on his staff as a cavalry officer. He served the lost cause to the close, and was known as the " active, vigilant and intelligent soldier boy of the brigade." He only survived to get home and be at rest with those he loved. Rodney Telfair and Alice M. are the surviving ones. The former the fourth son and the subject of this sketch, was born at Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, October 13, 1846. He received his early education at the high school of Hillsboro, and, at an early age, entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. W. W. Shepherd, of Hills- boro. In the fall of 1866, he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincin- nati. In fall of 1867, he entered the Medical Department of University of Pennsyl- vania at Philadelphia; also while there, took a course in the Philadelphia School of Anatomy. He graduated from the University March 13, 1868. Thence, he entered upon the practice of his profession at Hillsboro. In July, 1871, he located at New Vienna, Clinton County, where, with carnest work and devoted zeal in the profession, and amid strong competition with old and established physicians, he was secured a large and steadily increasing practice. He is an earnest and active worker in the cause of medical science, a free, fearless and eloquent debater and defender of " the faith," a fluent speaker and popular lecturer on all questions touching the general weal of the public. In June, 1881, he became a member of the Ohio State Medical Society. If health and longevity be exended to the Doctor, he will doubtless ascend high up the hill of fame and usefulness.

WILLIAM V. UTTER, farmer, P. O. New Antioch, born in Hamilton County. Ohio, January 3, 1815, is a son of Robert and Susan (Van Winkle) Utter, natives of New Jersey. The grandparents, Benjamin and Rachel Utter, were also natives of New Jersey, their ancestors being from Holland. Benjamin Utter dicd in New Jersey, and his wife subsequently married James Watkins, who in 1800 emigrated to Ohio and set- tled near Cincinnati, where they died at a ripc old age. The maternal grandparents were William and Mary Van Winkle; his father also came from Holland. William and Mary Van Winkle were married in New Jersey, where they resided a few years; thence they started for the West, but his wife, whose health was very delicate, died on the way in Pennsylvania. Afterward he and family came to Ohio and also settled near Cincinnati, and was married three times while living in Ohio, being very unfortunate in the death of his wives. He spent the balance of his life in Hamilton and Highland Counties, and died in the latter at a very old age. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution while a young man residing in New Jersey. Robert Utter was but a child when they come to Ohio in 1800, and at that time there was but one brick house in Cincinnati. Mr. Watkins engaged in the manufacture of augers and nails ; was said to be the first manufacturer of ' cut nails " west of the Alleghany Mountains. Here Robert grew to manhood, brought up to his father's trade, and when a boy would pack the nails to town on horseback, in saddle bags, and sell them at 25 cents a pound, they being then all made by hand. Our subject now has in his possession some of the nails which were made about 1804. Robert then engaged in farming in Hamilton Coul- ty. After a few years he moved to Kentucky, thence to Jefferson County, Ind. Finally in his old age he sold out and retired from active labor and he and wife lived the balance of their lives with their children. They died in Clinton County at the residence of our subject. Mrs. Utter died December 26, 1864, aged seventy-six years ; Mr. Utter died November 16, 1866, aged seventy-two years. They had three children, two now living-William V. and Araminta, wife of Dr. S. A. Butterfield, of Indian- apolis, Ind. Mr. Utter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was under Hull at his

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surrender at Detroit. Mr. Utter was a member and active worker in the Christian Church for many years. William, our subject, was raised to farm labor ; was married, August 6, 1840, to Alvira Rogers, who was born in Kentucky, September 16, 1816, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Rogers, hc a native of Virginia, and she of Ken- tucky. They removed to Ohio, but finally returned to Kentucky, where they died. Mr. Utter and wife have had ten children, seven now survive-Araminta and Sophronia (twins), born March 14, 1842, the latter deccased; David Newton, March 21, 1844 ; Robert B., March 18, 1849 ; Samuel R., January 20, 1851 ; Mary Evaline, December 27, 1853 ; William Seymour, September 2, 1856, and James W., December 28, 1859. Mr. Utter first located in Jefferson County, Ind. In September. 1853, he removed to Clinton County, Ohio, and located where he now lives and has since resided. He commenced life poor, but by his own industry, assisted by a frugal wifc, has obtained a good competency. Ile now owns 280 acres of good land, 200 of which are in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, and is one of the prominent and substantial farmers of Greene Township, and sustains an unblemished character for honor and integrity. He and wife are worthy members of the Christian Church to which they have belonged since 1840.

NICHOLAS W. VANDERVORT, farmer, P. O. New Antioch, born near New Antioch, this county, May 31, 1835, is a son of Nicholas and Nancy Vandervort (see sketches of Paul H. Vandervort and Jonah S. Vandervort). The subject of whom we now write was brought up to farm labor, receiving a good common school education, with some advantages of the High School at New Vienna. At eighteen years of age, he commenced teaching school. In the fall of 1855, he went to Illinois, near Bloom- ington, where he taught till the summer of 1857 ; then returned to Ohio. In 1858, he attended a select school in New Vienna, to qualify himself in some of the higher branches. 'Thence, he continued his work of teaching till 1878, having, during this time, been employed in the schools of Wilmington, Sabina and New Antioch, embracing the long period of twenty-five years, during which time he was devoted to the arduous yet im- portant work of teaching. Since above date (1878), Mr. Vandervort has given his attention to farming. On December 31, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Rate Winpiglar, an accomplished lady, who was also a teacher for many years. She was born at Martinsville, Clinton Co., Ohio, August 13, 1845, a daughter of Isaac and Myra (Hanly) Winpiglar, he a native of Virginia, and she of Clermont County, Ohio. He became an early settler in Ohio, married and located at Martinsville, where he died

in 1848. He was the father of five children-two now survive-Helen, wife of G. W. Robinctt, and Rate. Mrs. Winpiglar subsequently married, for her sceond husband, John Hyatt, by whom she had three children-Louis H., Barnctt B. and Clara E., now Widow Hodgson. Mr. Hyatt died in October, 1876. Mrs. Hyatt still survives, now aged sixty-three years. Mr. Vandervort has served the county long and faith- fully in its educational interests, having been a leading and prominent teacher in her schools for so many years ; has also been a member of the Board of Examiners several years. He is a member and earnest worker in the Christian Church at New Antioch, to which he has belonged for many years, and is one of Clinton County's most esteemed and useful citizens.

PAUL H. VANDERVORT, retired farmer, P. O. New Antioch, born near Star- buck Town, Clinton County, Ohio, January 1, 1815; is a son of Jonah and Jane Van- dervort. The grandparents, Nicholas and Martha Vandervort, natives of New York State, became residents of Virginia ; thence they emigrated from Virginia about 1800, the objective point being on Green River, Ky., and on their way down the Ohio River, arriving at Columbia, near Cincinnati, they anchored their flat boat for the night, dur- ing which a large limb from a tree overhanging the boat broke and fell, injuring the boat so badly that it was unfit to proceed farther with safety. After some investiga- tion of the surrounding country, they became so well pleased with it that they con- cluded to settle there, and, it is believed, the grandparents of our subject dicd there. The maternal grandparents were John and Mary Tibbs, natives of Ireland. The latter, when a girl, was kidnaped and taken on board a vessel and brought to America, and

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here grew to womanhood, was married and they became residents of Virginia ; thence emigrated to Columbia, Ohio, where she died. He subsequently moved to Starbuck Town, in Clinton County, where he died. Jonah and Jane Vandervort resided at Co !- umbia till 1809, when they removed to Clinton County and located on Todd's Fork. where they lived six years ; thence removed to near New Antioch, where they resided the balance of their lives. Here they were among the earliest settlers, and in the or- ganizing and establishing of the Christian Church at Antioch they were leading, active members financially, and, with their moral and Christian influence, became the great

strength of the church. He was a very upright, industrious man, of sound judgment. and was one of the first jurymen of Clinton County, a man highly esteemed and re- spected and deserves to be handed down on the pages of history to posterity as one of the honored pioneers of Clinton County. They had six sons and five daughters, o: whom Paul H., our subjeet, is the only surviving one. Mr. Vandervort died in Jan- uary, 1842 ; his wife died in 1845. The subject of this sketch was two months old when his parents moved to near New Antioch, where he was raised and grew to man- hood and spent his entire life till, in August, 1879, he retired from the farm and located in New Antioch. Mr. Vandervort has now lived sixty-seven years right here in sight of New Antioch. In his younger years, he experienced his full share of pioneer work, and has witnessed the great changes that have taken place around him, in the trans- formation of the vast forests into fine cultivated fields, and the rude log cabins replaced by good frame and brick houses, and instead of the hardships and searcity of those early days, comfort and plenty now cheer the hearts of her citizens. Mr. Vandervort has been one of the prominent and useful citizens of this community ; has been Commissioner of the county twelve years; was one of the managers of Clinton County Agricultural Society thirteen years, and President of the same for several years, and has held many other minor offices. He has been a leading member and active supporter of the Christian Church. At the death of his father, he was elected to fill his place as a Dearon - in the church, which office he filled twenty-five years; then he was made an Elder, which office he has since held. As a neighbor, a citizen and a Christian, Mr. Van- dervort is held in high esteem and respect throughout the community. He has been twice married ; first, October 19, 1836, to Matilda MeKenzie, daughter of John and Isabel MeKenzie, natives of Kentucky, who became residents of Ohio, and died in Clinton County, and were interred in the cemetery at New Antioch. By this unios they had four children-Mary Emily, wife of E. W. Marble; Alpheus, who served three years in the war of the rebellion, enlisting in Company B, Fortieth Ohio Vol unteer Infantry, in December, 1861, and engaged in the battles of Chickamauga Lookout Mountain and others, and was under Gen. Garfield in his celebrated con quest on the Big Sandy and through Eastern Kentucky ; Samantha, wife of Dr W. W. Canny, of Camden, Preble Co., Ohio ; and John W. Mrs. Vandervort died June 20, 1876. On August 26, 1879, Mr. Vandevort married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Ann Mitchell, a daughter of James and Mary Fleming, natives of Peun. sylvania, but who settled in Clinton County in July, 1828; he died in 1836; hi- widow still survives and resides near Wilmington, aged eighty years. Few men have lived a long and active life with a greater degree of integrity, moral and Christian character than Mr. Vandervort, who was never sued in law, neither has he ever sued any man, and is truly an example of one who " lives at peace with all men " as far as is possible.

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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 79

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