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 98

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 98

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lowed his trade of weaver. In 1804, he bought 500 acres of land on Todd's Fork, three miles northwest of Wilmington, where he located with his family. He was a man of sterling worth and a member of the Friends' Society.

Nathan Linton, the second son of Samuel, was born on the banks of the Delaware River, in Bucks County, Penn., January 17, 1778. When the territory now compris- ing Clinton County was organized as a county, he was appointed County Surveyor, which office he held for about twenty years. He surveyed the townships of Clinton and Fayette Counties, and surveyed and laid out the village of Wilmington, and was a standard authority during his lifetime pertaining to the boundaries and divisions of lands. The legal titles to their lands which the citizens of this county enjoy to- day are owing in a great degree to the care used in making and keeping a correct record of the surveys made by him. He was enterprising and progressive in all things pertaining to the public welfare, as is noted in other places in this volume. He was among the first to introduce and encourage the growing of fine wool, and the propagating of fine fruit. This was the nucleus from which Clinton County gained its prominence to-day for wool and fruit. He was a strict member of the Quaker Church, upright in his dealings and temperate in his habits. It was cus- tomary in carly times to supply harvest hands with liquor; this he firmly set his face against, although the hands threatened to leave or furnish it at their own ex- pense, but he would not permit them to bring it into the field on any terms: Ile carried the day, and they found they could work without the aid of whisky. In erecting schoolhouses and assisting the cause of education, he was always foremost. In the opening of the highways of his neighborhood and the construction of turn- pikes, he took an active part, and he assisted liberally in the construction of one rail- road. Had all the citizens been equally liberal, there would have been no occasion for the expensive mode of taxation for such purposes. He died February 11, 1858,- honored and respected by all worthy people. Among his descendants is the Hon. Ben. jamin Butterworth, Member of Congress, a son of his daughter Elizabeth ; another grandson, Nathan Linton, is a member of the Ohio Legislature. Nathan Linton and his wife Rachel (Smith) Linton had a family of twelve children-Elizabeth, Abi, Samuel, Seth, David, James, Mary, Nathan, Benjamin, Cyrus, Ruth and Jane.

James Linton, whose name heads this sketch, was the sixth child of Nathan and Rachel Linton. He was born January 17, 1817, on the old homestead, three miles north of Wilmington ; here he passed his youth. He was sent by his parents to Ox. ford College, Ohio, where he was educated. He was married, September 21, 1843, to Miss Ann M., daughter of John and Ruth (Hale) Hadley, at Clarksville, where his wife was born November 4, 1822. Their children are Mary Emily, Alfred A., John H., William C., R. Ida, James E. and Charles C. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Lin- ton moved to Clarksville, and assisted his father-in-law, John Hadley, in the pork-pack. ing business, in which they were engaged a number of years. Probably no man in Clinton County was more. largely identified with its business interests than was James Linton during his lifetime. For business energy, tact and financial ability and integrity, he had few equals He at one time operated one store at Sligo and one at Clarksville, dealing quite extensively in wool for shipment to Boston, and attending to large farm- ing interests. Although having so many and varied enterprises on hand at the same time, they were all managed with success. He owned what was known as the " Yeasel farm," two miles east of Clarksville, on the Goshen pike; on this he erected a fine brick house and a saw-mill. He exchanged this for the farm where his widow and faut- ily now live, in Clarksville. He took a great interest in all enterprises for the promo- tion of education. He took the contract for and built the Clarksville Graded School Building. This was in 1868. He was a Director and member of the Board of Edu- cation for twenty years in Clarksville. He was identified with nearly every public interest and improvement in this part of the county. Among the marks of his handi- work is the bridge across Cowan's Creek, near the village, the abutments built in 1867 to the bridge across Todd's Fork, in the edge of the village; he also acted as Superin- tendent in the construction of several other bridges. He also engineered several of the

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pikes in this and Warren Counties. In company with his father-in-law, John Hadley, they took the contract for and graded eight miles of what was then known as the Cin- einnati, Circleville & Zanesville Railroad, commonly known as the Muskingum Val- ley Railroad, which they pursued until the death of Mr. Linton, which occurred July . 28, 1881. Thus passed away one honored by all. The poor knew of his unostentatious charity ; the youth around him enjoyed better education because of his care ; the farm- ers availed themselves of his intelligent improvements, and society around him was calmed and strengthened by his teaching and example. He was of those who exalt the character of the American people, and who make free institutions possible. He was a worthy descendant of old John Linton, whose first important act was one of self-abnega- tion, which common men would denounce as a wrong and despise as a folly, but in the simple and most expressive phrase of the Friends, his descendants have continued to " mind the light " and " walk in the truth;" have increased in numbers, and abounded in all those things that make life really worth living.

ALFRED A. LINTON, merchant, Clarksville, son of James and Ann M. (Had- ley) Linton, was born in this township May 15, 1848. He was reared on a farm till eighteen years of age, when he became a clerk for his father, who had a general store in Clarksville. After clerking several years, he was admitted as a partner in the firm known as J. & A. A. Linton. They continued together three years, when James, the senior member, retired, giving his son, John H., his interest in the business ; the firm was then known as Linton Brothers three years, when Alfred bought his brother's interest February 1, 1877, and has continued alone sinee. Ile has a fine brick store, corner of Main and Second streets, two stories, 80x22 feet, slate roof, which is the fin- est building in the village, where he carries a well-selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, notions, etc., valued at $8,000. He was married in Richmond, Ind., April 23, 1873, to Henrietta, daughter of Allen and Ann Hazard. They have three children-James C., Leroy and Benjamin B. Mr. Linton has a fine brick residence on Second street. Himself and wife are members of the Friends' Church .. JOHN H. LINTON, merchant, Clarksville, son of James and Anna M. (Hadley) Linton, was born in this township, near Clarksville, April 22, 1852. When quite small, his parents moved into the village, where his father was engaged in the mercan- tile business a number of years. John H. attended school in the village till twenty years of age, and at the age of twenty-two he received an interest in his father's gen- eral store, where he remained three years, and then engaged in farming five years. . January 17, 1882, he bought a stock of groceries corner Pike and Second streets. and March 1 he removed to his father's old stand nearly opposite, where he carries a $2,000 stock of staple and faney groceries, produce, Queensware, glassware, etc., and is already doing a good, flourishing business. He was married near Clarksville, October 28, 1875, to Carrie M., daughter of John L. and Elizabeth A. Davis, born on the farm where her parents now live, one-half mile south of Clarksville. Mr. Linton is a member of the Friends' Church.

JAMES A. LOSH, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of John and Mary (Highlands) Losh, was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1817. He was reared on a farm. When seventeen months old, his mother died. His father took a trip down the Mississippi River and has never since been heard of, so James was reared by his grandfather, who lived in Hamilton County, Ohio, till seventeen years of age, when he began life for himself. He was married in Columbia Township, Hamilton County, at the age of twenty-six years, to Martha Kennedy. They had one child, Frank K., at present a grain dealer in Blanchester. Nine months after their marriage his wife died, and he again married, in Hamilton County, to Eliza Bradburn. They have six children- Mary, wife of Courtland Drake, a teacher in Columbia Township, Hamilton County ; James, a farmer in Marion Township, this county ; Charles, a teacher in Marion Town- ship ; Alice, wife of James Irvin, of Blanchester; Samuel, a teacher in Vernon Town- ship ; and Arthur W., who still remains at home. In January, 1865, Mr. Losh came here to this township, and purchased 213 acres of land where he now resides, 145 of which are under cultivation. His second wife died in 1863, and he again married in

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this township, October 22, 1865, to Jane, daughter of Ephraim and Rebecca (Dalby) Smith, born in this township December 31, 1826. Her parents were among the early settlers of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Losh are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

BENJAMIN F. McCARTNEY, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Heath) McCartney, was born in Wayne Township, Fayette Co., Ohio, Octo- ber 1, 1831. He was reared on a farm. When eighteen, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked fifteen years. He was married at Greenfield, Highland County, December 29, 1853, to Ellen, daughter of James and Elizabeth Stuckey Mc- Coy, born in Union Township, Fayette Co., Ohio, in 1829. They have five children- Jackson H., Elizabeth A., Olive, Laura B. and Charles F. Mr. McCartney purchased eighty acres of land in Wayne Township, where he built a residence, barns, and made a number of improvements. In March, 1880, he exchanged for his present farm, known as the Thomas Townsend farin, of 110} acres, 80 acres under cultivation. His eldest son was married here October 15, 1880, to Clara, daughter of Warren and Wealtha (Cartwright) Taylor. They have one son-James W. Mr. McCartney is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

THOMAS' MOMULLEN, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Hugh and Nancy (Frazer) McMullen, was born in Alleghany County, Md., January 1, 1822. He was reared on a farm. When about eleven or twelve years old, his parents moved to Mis- souri, where they remained one year, then moved to Hamilton Township, Warren County, where they purchased a farm. Thomas was married June 5, 1843, to Martlia, daughter of John and Elizabeth Drake, born in Warren County January 25, 1824. They have seven children-Richard A., Hattie, Nancy E., William O., John H., Ceci- lia J. and Joseph L. In March, 1859, Mr. Mc Mullen came to this township, where he now owns 145 acres of land, over 100 under cultivation. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHRISTOPHER C. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Cuba, was born in Greene Town- ship, this county, in 1837. His parents and grandparents were among the first settlers of Clark Township, this county, his parents both being born near Snow Hill, this county. When two years old, his parents moved to Stephenson County, Ill., where they bought a farm of 240 acres of land, and remained twelve years, when they returned to Greene Township, and resided till 1855 ; then moved to Washington Town- ship, where they bought a farm of 267 acres. Christopher was married there, in 1858, to Miss Electra A., daughter of Ephraim and Nancy Kibby, both now deceased. They have nine children-Everett T., Loren N., Paul V., Cora, Nancy, Grace, Ephraim K., Birdie and Isaac. In 1858, Mr. Miller came to this township, and bought his present farm of 150 acres, 125 under cultivation, where he has erected a nice house and barns, and made considerable improvements. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Miller enlisted during the late rebellion at Camp Chase, February 23, 1865, in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Josephus Cunningham ; served nearly eight months, and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn.

JAMES M. MILLER. farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Levi and Maria ( Penn- ington) Miller, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1840. In 1847, his . parents came to Ohio and settled near Cincinnati, where they remained four years and then came to Clermont County, and bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, where James resided till 1866, when he came to New Vienna, this county, and farmed till 1875, when he came to the farm of two hundred acres, where he resides a: present, owned by M. P. Marshall, of Washington, Ky. He also rents two other farms in this county, containing three hundred and seventy acres. He raises a great deal of corn and grain. Has this year one hundred and eighty-five acres of corn and one hundred and sixty-five of wheat and barley. He was married in New Vienna in 1868, to Lizzie, daughter of William H. and Rebecca West, born near Martinsville, this county. They have one son-Claude, born September 24, 1869, in New Vienna. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Friends' Church.

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DAVID A. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Joseph H. and Rebecca A. (Austin) Miller, was born in this township, on the farm where he now lives, Janu- ary 18, 1843. He was reared on the farm, and always lived on the homestead. His father came from Virginia, and was married in this township to Rebecca A., daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Austin, born in this township, near where they at present live. His father died when he was about three years of age, leaving a wife and four children, besides David, the subject of this sketch ; three are now living-Mary, Ann E. and David A. They still keep the old homestead, which contains two hundred and sixty-one acres, one hundred and fifty of which are under cultivation. David A. was married in Clarksville, in 1868, to Sarah E., daughter of Jonathan and Mary A. Law- rence, born in Indiana. They have three children-Bertha C., Mary R. and Nellie A. Mr. Miller enlisted in Clarksville, in the spring of 1864, in the one hundred days' service, Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio National Guards ; served four months.

MRS. ELEANOR NICHOLS, P. O. Clarksville, daughter of Joseph B. and Abigail Gorham, was born in Fairfield County, Conn., in 1803. When quite small, her parents moved to Dutchess Obunty, and when sixteen they came west to Oakland, Clinton County, where they bought a small tract of timber land, and erected a log cabin and commenced pioneer life. Her father died April 9, 1832, at the age of sixty-one years ; her mother died February 24, 1834, age sixty-nine years. She was married in Oakland December 27, 1821, to William H. Haynes. They had two children-Mary J. and Marsha E. They removed to Wilmington, where they remained one year, and then came to Clarksville and opened a grocery store, corner Main and Pike streets. Mr. Haynes died November 1, 1828, and she again married to Thornton G. Nichols, a native of Virginia, May 22, 1830. They had five children, all living-Eliza A., Mar- garet E., James F., Harriet M. and Frances L. Mrs. Nichols has kept the store ever since the death of her husband, with the aid of her youngest daughter. They carry a stock of groceries, flour, feed, notions etc., valued at $700. Mrs. Nicholas owns her residence and place of business, also four acres of land adjoining the village.

JOHN B. PATTERSON, deceased. Mr. Patterson was the son of Dr. Alexander and Sarah (Bleakley) Patterson, was born at Rockhill, County Down, Ireland, Decem- ber 27, 1804. He was married September 22, 1824, to Margaret, 'daughter of Samuel and Margaret Cumming, born in Keady, County Armagh, Ireland, in 1790. They had eight children, seven living, Sarah, Margaret B., Alexander, Mary B., James C., Samuel C., John B .; the deceased was named Lizzie G. Mr. Patterson's wife died July 12, 1843, in County Antrim, Ireland. IIe came to the United States in March, 1849, and settled on Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, where they remained two years; then moved to Clinton Furnace, Greenup Co., Ky., where he clerked some time, and was then made manager; remained two years, thence to Belmont Furnace, Bullitt County, as bookkeeper two years ; thence to Nelson Furnace, as manager till. September, 1863, when he moved to Clarksville, and opened a general store, corner Main and Pike streets, May 29, 1877. He died and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. His daughters are his successors in business. They carry a well-selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, notions, millinery goods, etc., valued at $3,000. They are doing quite a flourishing business.

JOSEPH W. REEDER, wagon-maker, Clarksville, son of John and Elizabeth Thompson, was born in Vernon Township, near this village, in 1813. His parents came here in 1812. He was reared on a farm till eighteen years of age, when he be- gan an apprenticeship of three years. He afterward opened a shop, corner Main and Second streets, where the Austin House now stands. He soon moved to the southern part of the village and remained one year. In the spring of 1836, he bought eighteen acres of land, northeast of Clarksville, on the Cuba pike, where he lived sixteen years, and then sold and moved to the southern part of this township near Kansas Mills, where he bought 101 acres of land, and lived three years, and then sold and bought 103 acres on Cuba pike, adjoining the farm he previously owned, and remained three years, sold and returned to this village and opened a wagon-shop. In the spring of 1881, he opened his present shop where he makes wood work for wagons, and does

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general repairing. He was married in this village in 1833, to Ann, daughter of James and Elizabeth Higgins, a native of New Jersey. They have had ten children, eight living-William, Isaiah, Miles, Alice, Harrison, Clara, David and Lucinda ; James C. and Elizabeth, deceased. Mr. Reeder owns his shop and lot on Pike street, also residence and two acres of land on samne street.

BENJAMIN F. SETTLES, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of William and Annie (Grooms) Settles, was born in this township April 16, 1847. He was reared on a farm. When fifteen years of age, he ran away from home and acted as Captain's boy to Capt. West, Thirty-fourth Ohio Zouaves, one year. He then enlisted in Wes' Virginia, in Company F, under the same Captain. He was in the battle of Gettysburg and a number of skirmishes ; was with that Company three years and then re-enlisted in Company C, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, and served till the close of the war and was dis- charged at Nashville, Tenn., and returned to this township and to farming. He way married in 1868, to Nancy E., daughter of Thomas and Martha (Drake) McMullen. They have five children-Joseph C., Effie L., Thomas W., Minnie C. HI. and Hiram F. In March, 1881, himself and brother-in-law, W. O. McMullen, rented the farms where they now reside, of two hundred and ninety-seven acres in the northeastern part of the township. They have about one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation

SARAH SEVER, P. O. Clarksville, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Conover) Smith, was born in New Jersey September 3, 1801. Her parents were natives of New Jersey also. Her father was a carriage and wagon maker, also a carpenter, and came to Cincinnati when Sarah was in her sixth year, where he worked at his trade till about 1811, when he removed to Clermont County, Ohio, and bought a farm near Goshen ; there Sarah was married, at the age of eighteen, to Elijah Mount, a native of New Jer. sey. They had oue son-Jesse, now deceased, left two sons-David and Albert. Mr. Mount died April 14, 1821. She again married, Augus: 29, 1822, to Job Sever. They had eight children ; four living -Joseph (farmer in Illinois), Harriet, Mary J. (wife of Theodore Fulton), and George L. (now living on the homestead with his mother). He was married to Massa Cole, daughter of Gregory and Elizabeth Cole. They have one child-Edwin. In March, 1848, they came to this township and bought eighty-two acres of land, where Mrs. Sever now lives. The family also own another farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Sever died June 29, 1856. He was a member of the Methodist . Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Sever has also been a member a number of years. Her son George L. served three years in the late war.

JOHN SEWELL, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Ezra and Sarah (Bailey) Sewell, was born in this township, July 9, 1824. He was married, in 1845, to Abigail E., daughter of William B. and Susan (Trumble) Fordyce, born near Lebanon, War- ren Co., Ohio. They have eight children-Sarah J., William J., Ezra M., Susan M., Jacob G., Alice, Silas G. and Luella. Mr. Sewell received one hundred acres of land at his father's death, which occurred in January, 1872, he now has one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and twenty-five under cultivation. He is a member of the Odd Fellows society. Mr. Sewell has two sons and two daughters teaching in this county. His eldest son, William J., was graduated from Wilmington College and has taught several years. His daughter, Alice, is a teacher in the home district. Hi. : youngest son, Silas G., has taught ten terms, mostly in this township. His youngest · daughter, Luella. is teaching in Adams Township, this county.

WILLIAM SMITH, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of John R. and Matilda (Henry) Smith, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1825. When three years of age, his parents came to Warren County, Ohio, and settled near Pleasant Grove, where they remained about two years and then removed to near Hicks Station, and remained about five years ; they then came to this township and bought one hundred and fifty acres of land, of which William now owns eleven acres, the remainder belonging to his brother Joseph. He owns eighty two acres, sixty of which are under cultivation. Ile was married in Marion Township, to Sarah E., widow of J. C. Reeder and daughter of George and Miriam Marshall, born in this township. They have one son-Harley M., born February 15, 1877.

good a

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JOSEPH SMITH, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of John R. and Matilda (Henry) Smith, was born in Salem Township, Warren Co., Ohio, in 1832. When about three years of age his parents moved to Marion Township, this county. Five years later, they moved to the farm, where Joseph now lives, where they bought 150 acres of land. At the death of his father, which occurred in 1868, Joseph bought the other heirs' interests in the homestead, and now owns 120 acres of it. He was married in this township November 1, 1854, to Margaret E., daughter of Thornton G. and Elea- nor Nichols, born in Clarksville. They have had four children, one son now living, Francis T. The deceased were Eva, Joella and Gussie. Mr. Smith and family are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN STANFIELD, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of Samuel and Massey Stan- field, was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1820. He was reared on a farm and re- sided at home with his parents till April 6, 1843, the date of his marriage with Mary, daughter of Adam and Euphemia Hoover, born in Wayne Township, Warren Co., Ohio. They have seven children, born in the order which they are named-Charity, wife of James A. Craig, farmer in Adams Township, this county ; James A., Adam H., Eunice, wife of Jefferson Puckett, farmer at Reesville, this county ; Maria E., John W. and Eddie F. After his marriage Mr. Stanfield rented land of his father till the death of the latter, which occurred in 1854. John received thirty-five acres of the homestead as his share. He also bought fifty-one acres. He cleared twenty-five acres, erected a house and barn, planted an orchard and made other improvements. In March, 1876, he sold and came to this township and bought 100 acres, forty-one of which lies in Adams Township, ninety under cultivation. Himself and wife are members of the German Reformed Church.

JOSEPH K. TRINDALE, farmer, P. O. Clarksville, son of John and Nancy Trin- dale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1839. When four years old, his mother died and his father bound him out to a farmer near Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, where he remained till fifteen years of age, when he left, and after working at farming two years he came to Clarksville and engaged as a tanner till the spring of 1861, with the exception of one year, when he was engaged as a currier in Cincinnati. In the spring of 1861, he en- gaged in the three months' volunteers, but being too light he was rejected. The fol- lowing spring he enlisted in Company E, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Leiter ; served three years and two months. He was in a number of heavy engage- ments, among others Gettysburg, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mount- ain and Knoxville, besides a number of skirmishes. He was on detached duty one year, conducting prisoners away and substitutes to the ranks. He was discharged at Columbus and returned to Clarksville, where he was married January 10, 1862, to Julia A., daughter of William and Hannah Smith, born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. They have four children-John, Maude, Clinton and Parker. Mr. Trindale rented his brother-in-law's farm nine years. In December, 1876, he rented the farm of 152 acres where he now lives, owned by Mrs. Zilefrow ; also forty acres adjoining. He raises a number of sheep and hogs annually. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; him- self and wife of the M. E. Church.

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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 98

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