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 94
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GEORGE JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Winchester, Frederick
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County, Va., in the year 1812, and is a son of George Johnson, Sr., a native of the same State, who settled in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1837, and close to where our subject now resides. Here they made a permanent home. Mr. Johnson, Sr., died in Clinton County in 1874, when in the ninety-sixth year of his age: His wife died in 1850. Our subject has lived principally in Clinton County since 1852. He has served as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, and has held the offices of Trustee and School Direc- tor. In 1845, he was married to Miss Agnes J. Doggett, of this county, by whom he has had thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz., George R., Susan J., Daniel C., Zennetta A., Reuben T., David, Levi R., Mary E. and Edson T. The deceased were James W., Ellen R., John W. and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Disciples' Church of Sabina, to which they have belonged for a number of years. His farm numbers 130 acres of excellent land. George and Elizabeth Doggett, parents of Mrs. Johnson, were natives of Virginia, who located in Wayne Township, where they lived and died. He departed this life in 1865, aged seventy years seven months and seven days ; she died June 3, 1868, aged eighty years. Mrs. Johnson was born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1825.
H. C. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Wilson Township in 1844, and is a son of Stephen Johnson, who settled in the county in an early day. He lived in Wilson Township till 1849, when he came to Richland, in which he died in 1862. He was a member and Elder in the Christian Church. He was married to Jemima Hoover, of New Jersey, who bore him nine children, three of whom are living in this county, viz., Alfred, Jemima and Henry C. Mrs. Johnson died in 1876. Our subject enlisted in 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards ; served 100 days in active service ; was discharged in September of 1864. His brothers Lewis and Amos enlisted in 1862, in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Both saw active service under Gen. Sherman. Lewis was killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864, and was buried on the field where he fell. Amos went through uninjured, and was discharged at close of the war. His brother George enlisted in 1864 in Company K, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he was wounded before Petersburg, Va., in 1865, from the effects of which he died in Philadelphia, Penn., April 12, 1865 ; was buried in the Government Cemetery at the above place. A. H. States, brother-in-law to our subject, served 100 days in Company G, One Hun- dred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards; he now lives in Illinois. Our subject was married in 1875 to Amanda McGuire, of this township, who his borne him two children, viz., Eva and Ora. Mr. Johnson owns seventy-eight acres, which are well- improved.
WILLIAM M. KNOX, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Virginia, between the two ranges of the Alleghany Mountains, in 1818, and is a son of James and Hannah (Mccutcheon) Knox, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Clinton County in 1832, and settled on the extreme east side of Union Township. He purchased seventy-five acres of land, on which he lived till 1842, when he removed to Missouri, where he lived for some years ; then went to Fremont County, Iowa, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1867, at the age of eighty-seven or eighty-eight years ; his wife died previous to his death, at the age of seventy-two years. To them were born ten children, three of whom are living, and our subject, the only one in this county ; James and. Austin reside in Iowa. Mr. Knox was but thirteen years old when his parents settled here, consequently has seen much of the country surrounding him cleared up. When his parents removed, he leased land, which he was to have the use : of for five years. When able to buy, he purchased land adjoining his present home. At present (1882), he owns 320 acres of well-improved land, which he keeps in a high state of cultivation. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Pro- testant Church, and are zealous workers in the cause. In 1841, he was married to Mary, the daughter of John A. and Ellen (Knox) Holly, by whom he has had seven , children, two of whom are living, viz., Ellen and Frances. The deceased were John M., Elizabeth A., and three who died in infancy. John Holly and family came from West Virginia to this county in 1831, and settled adjoining the Knoxes. He pur-
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chased about 1,300 acres of wild land, on which they lived till 1839, when they returned to their old Virginia home; he died in 1859, aged sixty-five years. She departed this life in 1867. To them were born seven children, of whom Mrs. Knox alone resides in this county. Mr. Knox has been scccessful during life and has accomplished the great object, made a good home in which he and his good wife are royally enjoying the good things of life. She was born in Virginia in 1818.
E. A. LEWIS, Cashier Sabina Bank, Sabina. The enterprising and successful business gentleman we present as the subject of this memoir, was born in Greene Town- ship, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Mary J. Lewis, old and prominent settlers in this county. The boyhood days of our subject were passed on the farm, and in the common schools he received a good practical education, sufficient for the transaction of all business. After attaining his majority, he engaged in farming in his native township, which he successfully carried on until 1874, when he became connect- ed with a bank in New Vienna, Ohio, in which he remained one year. In 1875, he removed to Sabina, when was founded the Sabina Bank, in which he has an interest, and is its Cashier. August 15, he was married to Emma H., daughter of Samuel and Ruth Hadley, of this county. Their children are two in number, viz., Mary and Flora. He and his wife are members of the Friends Church, in which they were reared, and 'possess birthrights in the same. As a financier and thoroughgoing business man, Mr. Lewis has no superior in Sabina, and he has qualifications eminently fitting him for his position.
S. B. LIGHTNER, physician and surgeon, Sabina. The subject of this sketeh was born in Greene County, Penn., in the year 1839, and is a son of George Lightner (deceased), and a native of Indiana. The Doctor's boyhood was passed on the farm until his fourteenth year, in his native State, and received the rudiments of his educa- tion in the common schools. At the age of fourteen, he entered the Waynesburg Col- lege, in Pennsylvania, in which four years of study completed his literary education. He then began the study of medicine under a learned physician in Nineveh, Penn., who was his preceptor until he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, which institution conferred on him its diploma of graduation in 1863. He began prac- tising in Nineveh, and at the expiration of one year was commissioned Surgeon of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, a position he meritoriously held throughout the war; after which, he began the practice at Guysville, Athens Co., Ohio, and in 1866 was married to Adda H. Cornell, of the same place, and the following winter removed to New Vienna, in which he remained until 1868, when he went to Cincinnati, and after remaining one year returned to New Vienna, and in 1871 located in Sabina, where he has since given his attention to the demands of a large and increasing practice. He belongs to the F. & A. M. Lodge of Sabina, No. 324, Wilmington Chapter, No. 63, and to the Commandery at Washington C. H., No. 28. He and his estimable wife are members of the Friends' Church, to which they have been connected for some years.
SAMUEL LOVE, P. O. Sabina, Ohio, was born in Richland Township, Clinton County, Ohio, December 25, 1821. His father, Andrew Love, was the first settler, first Postmaster and first tavern keeper of Sabina. Was born in Mercer County, Penn., and married Mrs. Nancy (Riley) McGuire, of Trumbull County, Ohio, adjoining Merecer County on the west. Mrs. McGuire was the widow of Robert McGuire, of Mercer County, by whom she had three children-Agnes A., Catharine and Robert, and with whom she settled in Trumbull County, where he died. In 1816, she married Mr. Love, and in 1821, they located in Clinton County, Ohio, where Mrs. Love died in 1850, leaving four children-Jane, Thomas, Samuel and John, of whom Jane and Samuel are the only survivors. Of her children, by her first marriage, none survive. Mr. Love died in Richland Township in 1858. Our subject lived with his father on the farm until February 26, 1851, when he married Julia A. Plymire, who died in August, 1875, having had three children-Alvina J., Hannah B. and Este A., all now deceased. In March, 1878, Mr. Love married Mrs. Phoebe M. (Pike) McGuire, the widow of his half-brother, Robert McGuire, who was born in Mercer County, Penn., in 1812, and came to Clinton County, Ohio, with his step-father, and in 1845 married Miss Martha
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Adair, of Fayette County, Ohio, by whom he had five children, four of them now liv- ing; all married. Mrs. (Adair) McGuire died in September, 1856, and on July 9, 1860, Mr. McGuire married Phobe M. Pike, by whom he had seven children ; six now living, one being married, and the others making their home with our subject, their step-father. Our subject's marriage to his half brother's widow, has been without issue.
R. LYTLE, physician and surgeon, P. O. Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Manchester, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of James and Mary Lytle, natives of Penn. The boyhood of our subject was mostly passed in his. native place, in the schools of which place he received his literary education. After attaining his majority, he began the study of medicine, reading under the directions of physicians for about six years. Being a poor boy, he could not, because of pecuniary disadvantages, prosecute his study in a regular and systematic way. To add to his cares, the ill health of his father, threw the maintenance of the family, largely on his hands, and he was thereby obliged by the stern demands of parental love to redouble his efforts. Persistency finally won, and he eventually succeeded to the practice, hav- ing in the latter part of his course of study the advantage of a learned preceptor. After a practice of four years, he took a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic School of Medicine and Surgery, and again resumed the practice. In 1871, he finished his full course of lectures, and the above institution conferred on him its diploma of graduation the same year. The Doctor began practicing in Highland County, Ohio, and afterward removed to Ross County, Ohio, in which he practiced successfully for a number of years. He next located at Washington Court House; once was physician to the County Infirmary for three years. In 1881, he came to Sabina, where he has since given his attention to the demands of an increasing practice. He is a member of the Fayette Lodge, F. and A. M., and also holds membership in the Royal Arcanum, sub- ordinate Council of Washington Court House. He was married, December 23, 1852, to Catharine, a daughter of Henry and Cassandra Sidwell, of Brown County, Ohio. Five is the number of their children, three of whom are living, viz .: Emma, Thomas and Effie. The deceased-Anna and John F. The Doctor and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they have been connected since living in the village.
JOHN MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Wayne Township, in 1843, and is a son of Stephen Martin. Our subject was reared on the farm, and resided on the old homestead with his parents till twenty-four years of age. In 1872, he was married to Anna, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Cadwell, of Ross County, Ohio. After the event of his marriage, he located where he now resides, where he has since lived, with the exception of three years. He and his wife are members of the Friends Church of Sabina, to which they have belonged several years, and are exemplary Christian people; four children have been born to them, three of whom are living, viz .: Minnie, Elijah and Elizabeth ; Frank, deceased. Mr. Martin is a Republican in politics.
JAMES M. MORTON, attorney, Sabina, was born in Greene Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Richard Morton, of whom mention is made in this work. The boyhood days of James M. were passed on the farm, and in the com- mon schools received the rudiments of his education. This he largely developed by his own efforts in study after night. Thus fitting himself to teach, a profession he successfully followed in the schools of Clinton County for four years. At the age of eleven years, he was thrown upon his own resources, and had his own living and way to make in the world; by persistent efforts and indefatigable industry, he not only lived, but occupied his mind with a study of useful and practical knowledge, which is of great utility to him in his profession of the law. In 1873, he began reading law and had for his preceptor R. E. Doan, of Wilmington. April 18, 1878, he was ad- mitted to the bar, after an examination before the District Court. Since then he has successfully practiced in the Courts of Clinton and adjoining counties, and is building
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up a fine legal reputation. He acted two years as Justice of the Peace, and on account of his growing practice which demanded his whole attention and time, was forced to resign the office. He was married in 1871 to Miss Maria McDonald, of Clinton County, who has borne him four children, viz .: Calvin W., Claudie B., Everett P. and Ishmael E.
W. R. MATHEW, merchant, Reesville, was born in Wayne Township, Clin- ton County, in the year 1839, and is a son of Jesse and Louisa Mathew, old settlers in this county. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, with only the advantages of district schools for an education. At the age of twenty-three years, he abandoned the farm, so far as his own personal labor was concerned, and in March, 1864, opened a store of general merchandise in Recsville, which contains at all times a full stock of the most seasonable goods. In connection with the store, he carries on his farm of 220 acres, which is situated in the township. In 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah C., the daughter of Lewis Harris, by whom he has had one child, viz., Rosa E. .
DANIEL H. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born near Sabina, in the old Mills homestead, in 1835, and is a son of Abner C. and Huldah (Hall) Mills. Abner Mills was a son of Burwell Mills, who settled in Fayette County, Ohio, in an early day. He (Abner C.), was married January 22, 1832, and soon after settled in this township, in which he lived till his death, with the exception, of a short time he spent in Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Mills died October 6, 1861. To them were born nine children, viz .: Richard II., Eliza A., Daniel H., Burwell B., Angeline, Rebecca J., Brazilla B., Worden and Frank B. Mr. Mills served as Justice of the Peace eight years, and numerous terms as Treasurer and Trustee. His second marriage was celebrated with Mrs. Sarah A. Adams, nee Turner, in 1864. Mr. Mills died June 9, 1875. Three of his sons, Richard H., Burwell B. and Daniel H., were soldiers during the late war. Richard died in the Danville Hospital, and Burwell died in a hospital in Indiana. De- cember 21, 1848, our subject was married to Jemima M., the daughter of Elias Roberds, whose sketch appears in this book. For eleven years after his marriage, he lived oppo- site to the well known citizen, Thompson Douglass, after which he came to where he now resides. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living, viz., Charles M. and Edwin C. The deceased were Emma C. and Frank A. Mr. M. served four months in Company B, of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, having enlisted in 1864. He and his amiable wife are connected with church organiz- ations-he with the Christian Church, and she with the Methodist Protestant.
A. H. MILLS, of the firm of Mills & Burris, hardware, Sabina, was born in Wilson Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, October 25, 1852, and is a son of Jonathan and Rhoda (Peele) Mills, old settlers, now of Washington Township. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and in the country schools, by studiously applying his time, obtained sufficient education to enable him to teach. After attaining his majority, he taught very successfully for four years in this and Fayette County, Ohio, and won a good reputation as an instructor. In 1878, he came to Sabina, and entered the employ of the well-known dry goods firm of Savage & Cline, and labored as a salesman in their house until the spring of 1882. His courteous and unassuming manners won him many friends, and his correct and popular business habits in the discharge of duty, won the unbounded confidence of his employers. Upon leaving the employ of Savage & Cline, he entered into a copartnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Burris, and purchased the hardware store of W. H. Custis. They carry a large and excellent stock of goods, con. sisting of everything in the hardware line and farming implements. Their stock of groceries is always new and fresh, and of the best quality. They are young men of sterling worth, whose business qualifications are second to none, and are richly desery. ing a liberal share of the patronage of the people who trade in Sabina. Mr. Mills was married in 1879 to Miss Anna, daughter of James L. Burris, of Wilson Township, by whom he has had one child, viz., Pearlie B. He and his amiable wife are members of the Friends' Church, in which he has a birthright.
W. R. MORTON, physician and surgeon, Reesville. The above gentleman was born in Greene Township, this county, in 1840, and is a son of Richard and
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Lucinda (Ruble) Morton. He (Richard) was born in the same township and was a son of Joab Morton, of Kentucky, who settled in this county about 1813. Richard Mor- ton was married to Lucinda, the daughter of William Ruble, an old settler in the county. To Richard Morton and wife ten children were born, eight of whom are living, viz., W. R., Sarah J., Cynthia A., John H., James M., Richard, Elizabeth and Mary B .; Lueretia and Isaiah deceascd. Mrs. Morton died in 1861. The boyhood of our sub- jeet was passed on the farm, and in the district schools received his literary education. At the age of twenty-eight years, he began the study of medicine under a learned physi- cian, who was his preceptor until he entered the Cincinnati School of Medicine and Surgery during the term of '69 and '70, from which institution he graduated and imme- diately entered upon his profession at Centerville, Ohio, for four years, when he removed to Reesville, where he has since attended to the demands of his practice. The Doctor is a member of the Clinton County Medical Association, to which he has belonged almost from its organization. He is a worthy member of the Centerville subordinate Lodge
In 1862, of I. O. O. F., No. 531, and also of the Sabina Encampment, No. 182. while in Henry County, Iowa, the Doctor volunteered in Company B, of the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He saw active service the whole time, and passed through about thirty engagements. He was honorably discharged in 1865. January 9, 1867, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Isaac Johnson, of Clinton County, Ohio, who has borne him five children-four living, viz., Catherine L., Oliver P., Angie and Leslie; Richard, deceased. The Doctor and his estimable wife are worthy members of the Christian Church of Recsville.
HENRY PECHMANN, merchant tailor, Sabina, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1826 ; his trade was learned in his native land, and in 1849 came to America, landing in New York, in which he lived for awhile, then went to Florida. He has followed his trade in Charleston, S. C., also in New Orleans. Coming North, he located in Iowa City, when it was the capital of Iowa. His work has been that of a "cutter," and his travels from place to place have been extensive. In 1879, he came to Sabina, in which he has since been engaged in doing custom work. He is a No. 1 tailor and thoroughly understands every branch of his work. He was married in 1851, to Dorothy Weaver, by whom he had one child, viz., Ferdinand. Mrs. Pech- mann dicd in 1855, aged about twenty-seven years.
JOHN PLYMIRE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Washington County, Penn., in the year 1821, and is a son of Martin and Susan ( Brunner) Plymire, who were born in Pennsylvania, and their parents in Germany. In 1836, Martin Plymiro, his wife and six children, viz., Andrew, Margaret, Barnett, Samuel, Henry and John, came to this county. Martin, the oldest, came several years later. Mr. Plymirc purchased 274 aeres of land, where he lived until he died ; he was a prosperous man and succceded well in business. He died in 1853, aged about sixty-two or sixty-three years. His wife departed this life several years afterward. Our subject was sixteen years old at the timc his parents came to Ohio, and on the home farm he lived till he purchased the one where he now lives. He was married in 1843, to Miss Margaret, the daughter of Joshua Wilson, who has borne him ten children, viz., William H., Mary E., Susanna, Samucl, Philip W., Martin, Joshua, John, David and Amanda. William H. served three months in the Forty-eighth Ohio National .Guards. Mr. Plymire owns three hundred and twenty-five aeres in his home farm, fifty aeres in Fayette County and fifty aercs ncar Centerville. His efforts have all been erowned with success and his labors have resulted in making him one of the solid men of the township. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist Protestant Church at Sabina, to which they have been connected for a number of years.
GEORGE M. PLYMIRE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in this township in 1846, and is a son of James and Elma (Mills) Plymire, old settlers in the county. The subject of this notice was reared to farm pursuits, receiving only the advantage of a common school education, remaining at home until twenty-eight years of age, when, in 1874, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles P. Gallaher, by whom he has had one child, viz., Edith May, born August 24, 1875. He and his amiable wife are ex-
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emplary members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which they have been con- nected for a number of years. Charles P. Gallaher, father of Mrs. Plymire, was born in what is now Warren County, Ohio, in the 1800, and is a son of James and Leah (Porter) Gallaher. He (James) was born in New Jersey in 1764, and was a son of Bryant Gallaher, whose wife's name was Williams. He (Bryant ) was born in Ireland, and at the age of fifteen years came to America, and settled in New Jersey, where he died. James Gallaher when a young man removed to Pennsylvania, where he was married. In 1796, he in company with his brothers, William and Samuel, with their families descended the Ohio River in flat-boats. James and Samuel purchased land near the present site of Lebanon, in Warren County, Ohio, on which they settled, and assisted in building the first house in Lebanon. William left the boat at Maysville. Ky., and afterward settled in Brown County, Ohio, where he joined the "Shakers," and then removed to Warren County, Ohio, and soon after to another colony on the " Wabash," where he became a leading spirit among them. He died in Warren County in 1811. In 1814, James Gallaher left Warren County, and settled in Clinton, near Sabina, where he purchased 300 acres of land, on which he died in 1825, aged sixty. one years. To him were born eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Rachel, Charles P., Nancy, Lucinda, Leah, Catherine and James L. His wife died in 1831, aged sixty-four years. Mr. G. was a successful business man, and held many prominent offices. Charles P., son of James Gallaher, was married in 1825 to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary (Tay. lor) Douglass, by whom he had ten children, viz., Mary, James, Leah, Martha, Editha, Nancy, Thompson, Charles L., Elizabeth and Milo. Mr. G. lived on the old home farm until February 9, 1865, at which time a decision was reached with the McAr- thur heirs, who contested the right of ownership for the land on which he lived, which difficulty was then compromised. His wife died June 30, 1861, aged sixty years. Mr. G. has been elected to offices of the township, holding that of Justice of the Peace seven terms ; County Clerk, Trustee and School Director, he has served numer- ous terms. He was admitted to the bar in 1853, but only practiced in the Justice Courts, and has settled more estates than any other man in the county. In 1865, was elected Mayor of Sabina, and served two years. In 1867, he abandoned all business, and since lived a retired life.
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