The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 123

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 123

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DANIEL CROSLEY was born November 25, 1818, in Warren County, Ohio, and was married to Lydia Hatfield, November 21, 1839, is a farmer and mechanic by occu- ation. He has served in all the different township offices with only one or two excep- ions in the township of Washington, county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, aving represented his township as Justice of the Peace, and Clerk for several years ach, and also has been one of the Trustees of the original surveyed township of School Section No. 16 for the last twenty years. In the fall of 1877, he was elected to he Legislature of Ohio, serving two sessions in the Lower House of Representatives, nd has been a resident of said county for the last forty-five years, and by frugality, industry and economy has accumulated a sufficiency of property to make him live com- ortable the balance of his days. His father, William Crosley, was born in the State of Maryland, his grandfather, Moses Crosley, being of Welsh nationality. His father, Villiam, with his family, emigrated to the State of Kentucky, Bracken County, in its arly settlement as a State, and was there married to Mary Kelsey, and, in 1810, cmi- rated to Warren County, Ohio, locating on a tract of land partly in Warren and partly Montgomery, being one of the early settlers of this portion of Ohio. He made gun- owder in the old fashioned way, by sweep and mortar, and as powder was in great emand in those days, hunters would come a long distance to buy the article. By his idustry and economy, in the course of time, accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. He was a farmer by occupation, and served his fellow-citizens in nearly all the ifferent offices of his township, and acted as Justice of the Peace for eighteen years in iccession. He removed from Warren County to Montgomery about the year 1834, ad soon thereafter was one of the Commissioners of the Dayton & Lebanon Turnpike, ad after said pike was finished in 1840, was elected President and Treasurer of the mpany, and served for twelve years in that capacity. In addition to what has already een stated in the history of Daniel Crosley, we can say that when he was elected to ne Legislature in 1877 from Montgomery County, it was by an overwhelming ma- rity as a candidate on the Democratic ticket, many Republicans voting for him. He as appointed by the Speaker on one of the most important committees, the Committee 1 Retrenchment and Reform, thus showing that he was a man worthy of trust as a rvant of the people, he having introduced several bills which became the general laws the State relative to the improvements of the public highways, and for the better "otection of the unprotected public burying-grounds of the State. He introduced a Il to emancipate the toll pikes of Montgomery County, by a tax levied on the grand aplicate of the county for the payment of the same. He was an ardent and strong !vocate of the school laws of Ohio, embodying the free education of the youth of the ate, both white and black, but separately, and was always found when a vote was to cast for the protection of the public works of the State, to favor the same against y clique or railroad corporation. He also favored the reduction of the salaries of unty officers, it being a plank in the Democratic platform, and the people, as a mass, ongly advocating the same. As the House journal records will clearly show that 3 votes on bills were in the interests of the people, and the tax-payers of his county d State. He was also a soldier in the late war, being a member of the Ohio National lards-under the call of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. In

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1864, his company belonged to the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment of Ohio National Guards, commanded by Col. John G. Lowe, and was stationed at Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md. Hc occupied two important positions in his company, being Orderly Sergeant and Company Clerk. He has acquitted himself honorably in all the different positions he has filled, both in military as well as in public life. His son, William J. Crosley, enlisted in the regular army in the winter of 1864, and was in some of those hard-fought battles in the Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia, under Gen, Sheridan, and incurred a pulmonary disease of the lungs while in the service of his country, and was discharged from the service in consequence thereof the last of Septem- ber, 1864, and died of said disease in March, 1865, at home.

WILLIAM H. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Centerville, son of Benjamin and Rhoda Davis, was born in Centerville, Montgomery County, Washington Township, Ohio, March 24, 1840, and has always resided therein. His father being a farmer, William was also trained to that profession, and has followed it so far through life; has had the advan- tage of pretty fair schools ; the result is that his neighbors have frequently conferred on him different township offices, and that of School Director. He was one of the Board of Trustees under whose directions the present township hall was built in Centerville in 1880. He was married, September 12, 1861, to Miss Martha M. Watkins. From this union there have been five children, all boys, four of whom are living. William, though not strictly a pioneer, but by his marriage he goes into a pioneer family, the Watkins coming here about the same time the Allens did, 1803. His father, Benja- min Davis, was born in Salem County, N. J .. and when a mere boy was bound to a farmer, with whom he lived until he was twenty-one years of age, and then came to Warren County, Ohio, landing there with only $5.50. With $5.00 he bought material for clothing, and the 50 cents paid on the making. The first year he worked for Jacob Eulass, on the farm for $120. At the close of the year he found that he had lost only three days, and had saved $110 of his wages. He next went to work for Abner Kel- sey, at customary wages, and continued with him until he married, and then rented the farm on which he now resides, paying one-half the proceeds of the farm, less his living, for five years. He then purchased it on ten years' time, and at the expiration the farm was paid for. Since then he has purchased 316} acres of first quality land, paying as high as $140 per acre for one tract containing 100 acres. This shows what a bound boy can make for himself by practicing industry and economy. He still makes a full hand on the farm.

SUSANNAH HARRIS, farming, P. O. Centerville. William Watkins, a native of Wales, came to America early in the last century. He was married about 1760, but afl what place or the name of the lady is not known. She was a native of Ireland and came to America about the same time her husband did. From this union were thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. Joshua Watkins, one of above sons, was born in Kentucky, and married about 1801, to Miss Nancy Colvin, a resident of Kentucky. but a native of Virginia. From this union were two sons, Caleb and Henry, and seven daughters, Susannah, Rachael, Jane, Calinda, Nancy, Permelia Ann and Lucinda, Susannah, Calinda and Permelia Ann are all that are now living. Joshua Watkins with his wife and two children ( the subject of this sketch one of them), emigrated from Kentucky to Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, about the year 1806 moving into a log cabin situated on the land set off to him by his father, who had pre- viously entered about onc section, dividing the same among his children that came with him to Ohio, a portion of them remaining in Kentucky. Jonathan Watking brother of Joshua, afterward became the owner of above tract. David settled on the farm now owned by George Sears, and George on the farm now owned by John Kirby The subject of this sketch, Susannah Watkins, was raised on a farm; received a limit ed education, or as good as was then given to pioneer children ; joined the Methodis Episcopal Church in early life under the preaching of the Rev. Robert Burns, at the old Hopewell log church, situated on Sugar Creek, and on the farm now owred b. George Sears. At the age of about twenty years she was united in marriage to Abne. Harris by Elder Joshua Carman. After paying the minister his marriage fees, the groom'

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worldly goods consisted in cash 25 cents, and one dog. The bride's father presented to her as an outfit the choice one of seven good cows, four sheep, one sow and four shotes ; also, one good feather bed and bedding. They commenced housekeeping in a very small log cabin, scarcely large enough to have stabled four horses. Mrs. Harris says the cabin was on the farm of her father-in-law. Mrs. Harris here assisted her husband with his farming to the utmost of her physical strength, which was no small amount. She relates the following incident: One hay harvest assisting in hauling, she was as- signed the duty of loading, her husband doing the pitching up, and while doing so the team became frightened and made a fearful runaway with the wagon partly loaded, with Mrs. Harris on it, and no chance for escape, until the team made a short turn in the field and became entangled in the harness, when they were caught by her husband. When quieted down the loading was resumed and finished up without any further mishap. Remaining here a few years and accumulating some means, a purchase of 50 acres of land was made a few miles south west of Centerville, upon which they resided a few years, then sold and made another purchase of a farm two miles north of Center- ville, remaining on this purchase less than one year, when a profitable sale was made, and immediately another purchase, containing 100 acres, now enlarged to 165 acres, upon which they have resided for the last forty-five years. Mrs. Harris continued her early habits of industry up to about eight years ago, when she received a paralytic stroke, disabling her from further household work. Her eyesight also impaired, she is deprived from reading as much as she would be pleased to do, hence her principal en- joyment now is in the reception of friends and in having frec converse with them. From the extensive number of relatives she once claimed, she cannot count, outside of her immediate family, but three cousins now living. Since her affliction, she has not had the pleasure of attending church, but has many social calls from her ministers. No children from this union.

OWEN HATFIELD, deceased. Owen Hatfield, son of Thomas and Sarah (Allen) Hatfield, was born in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, Sep- tember 12, 1807; received a liberal education ; was a farmer by occupation ; married July 31, 1834, to Miss Phebe Stephens (daughter of Richard and Betsey Stephens). From this union were five sons and five daughters. Two sons and one daughter are deceased. Mr. Hatfield joined the New-School Baptist Church in Centerville, May 7, 1848, and died a member of the same January 4, 1881. He was buried in the old cemetery, one-half mile north of Centerville; funeral sermon was preached by Elder Joseph H. Wilson. His every-day life was in accord with his religious profession, in which, as in his political views, he was very candid. In his death his family lost a worthy coun- selor, the church a valued member, and the community at large an estimable citizen. His father was a native of Delaware and his mother of Virginia. Both in early life moved to Kentucky, where they were married and emigrated to this township in 1802. Mrs. Hatfield's parents were natives of Redstone, Penn .; were married in Kentucky, and emigrated to what is now Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, about the year 1800. Mrs. Hatfield and husband were members of the same church. Among the living ones she has the oldest membership to-day. This sketch was con- tributed by his son, Richard Hatfield.

The following is the funeral sermon of Owen Hatfield, by his pastor, J. H. Wilson, from the text-John, vi, 34 and 35, " The Bread of Life :"

The discourses from our Savior were always plain and practical. He often selected some of the most common things of every-day life with which to illustrate and enforce the most sublime truths. He came to this earth as the Savior of lost, perishing souls. He delighted to save sinners. To illustrate His mission and work on earth He compares himself in one place to a hen gathering her brood under her wings. In another place jo a road leading to heaven-" I am the way." In another to a door-" I am the loor, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." Again to a shepherd-" I am he good shepherd ; the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep." In our text le compares himself to bread-" I am the bread of life." This is peculiarly fitting and orcible because of its universal use. Bread is the staff of life. It is used everywhere

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and by all classes. Hence whenever a family sit down to their daily meal, whether in mansion or cottage there is before them this emblem of the Savior of the world. We have first in our text a confession on man's part of the soul's deep hunger, " Lord, ever- more give us this bread." Some one has said, " This world of ours is a rude picture of heaven." Whether that be true or not, these bodies of ours in which our spirits dwell, are coarse copies of the mind. To almost every experience of the body there is a cor- responding experience of the soul. As there is bodily weariness, so there is soul weari- ness. As there is bodily hunger, so there is soul hunger. One does not need to live in this world long to learn the meaning of soul hunger. Every true heart yearns for human love and sympathy. You may be surrounded with a multitude of strangers, and yet have a feeling of loneliness, a longing for some intimate friend with whom to converse and share your love and sympathy. Could the heart experiences of the human race be written before us, there would be revealed the fact that this unsatisfied hunger of the heart for human love and sympathy has fallen like a withering blight upon many a life, and has buried many a lovely flower in an early tomb. With growing intelli- genee and virtue there is a growing hunger of the soul. In eivilized lands there is more real soul-suffering than in uneivilized lands. Ruth leaves the hills of Moab and follows Naomi to Judea. The little ehild finds a companion in almost every one ; but as he grows in years the number with whom he associates freely grow gradually less. When we reach a Moses, an Isaiah or an Elijah, they are almost alone. They can find but few who can sympathize with them deeply. When we reach the perfect man Christ Jesus, He stands alone. He finds companionship only with God. There is a hunger of the soul for something higher than human love and sympathy. You may be surrounded with all that companionship ean give you, and yet your soul remains un- satisfied. Human love, however, pure and ardent, fails to meet the deep long- ings of the soul. This will sometimes be the means of awakening a deeper desire for something higher and nobler and even divine. Could human love satisfy us the objeet of that love may soon fall pale and pulseless into the tomb. We have second in our text the fact that an abundance of soul food has been provided and that food is Jesus Christ. " I am the bread of life ; he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." Just as Jesus fed the five thousand in the desert place, with five barley loaves and two fishes, and had twelve baskets of fragments remaining, so now He comes to every hungry care-worn soul saying, " I am the bread of life." Men have died of starvation, unable to proeure that which would sustair physical life. But no soul need ever perish eternally for laek of immortal food. Nothing short of a personal living, loving Savior can satisfy or save the soul. The soul ealls for more than a mere philosophy, more than a liturgy, more than a historic Savior. I. requires a personal friend upon whose loving bosom it ean lean as did the beloved dis ciple of old. That personal, loving friend and Savior is found in Jesus Christ, “ Whe is the same yesterday, to-day and forever." He is the friend above all other friends " That sticketh closer than a brother." Let us be careful how we treat these hungr! hearts of ours. Let us not neglect nor refuse them the food without which they will forever die. How foolish to reject this soul-food because you cannot understand it. I is not necessary for you to make any analysis of food before eating it, when you ser hundreds whose bodies are sustained by the use of the same food. So it is not neces sary for you to understand Christ to perfection when you know he saves others wh trust him. Just as you feed your bodies daily with suitable food so you need Chris with you continually that your souls may be constantly satisfied with food. As th body grows weaker with age, and the appetite for material food becomes poorer, th spirit seems to grow stronger, and the desire for spiritual food is inereased more an more until at last when the aged pilgrim nears the spirit land, the hunger for the thing of that land is so deep that death itself is not un welcome, but seems only the messenge that opens the door of heaven. Thus did death come to this departed husband, father brother and friend. During his lingering illness, he gave abundant evidence of feedin his soul upon Christ. No place did the pastor receive a more cordial weleome than at th house of the deceased. No one seemed to more highly appreciate a word about Jesus or

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prayer. He often expressed his joy and gratitude for the recent conversion of three of his grandchildren. His greatest desire seemed to be that all of his own dear children might receive Christ, the bread of life. In conclusion let me say to these mourning ones, weep not for this departed one. He is asleep in Jesus. See that your own souls are fed with this same immortal food. " Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life."

THOMAS HATFIELD, farmer, was born October 1, 1821, in a log cabin which stood near the site of his present homc. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Hatfield, was a native of Delaware, of Welsh descent, served as a drummer boy in the Revolu- tionary war, and ever afterward was a stanch hater of the English flag and govern- ment, which he believed was symbolical of tyranny and oppression. His brothers, John and Samuel, were killed in that struggle for liberty, one at the battle of the Cow- pens and the other at Greenbrier C. H. Thomas married Sarah Allen, a native of Culpeper County, Va., but a resident of Kentucky at the time of her marriage. After the Revolutionary war closed with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Thomas traveled through Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Tennesee and into Kentucky, where he was married and lived until 1801, when he and family came to Montgomery County, Ohio, and entered the land now owned by his grandson, Thomas. By his union with Sarah Allen our subject's grandfather became the father of nine children, of whom John, the father of Thomas, Jr., the second child, was born in Mason County, Ky., in November, 1793. When John was eighteen years of age, he was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, but having imbibed his father's spirit of liberty and freedom he could not brook the idea of going into his country's service as a drafted man, and therefore enlisted in Capt. Perry's Rangers. His father, fired with that spirit of hatred against the same old foe he had helped to humiliate in 1776, enlisted in the same company and did excellent service as scout and guide, and being of a fearless nature was ever the first man to ford any stream that lay in their pathway. After serving one year, he and his son were honorably discharged at Vincennes, Ind. John was married about 1817 to Nancy Hatfield, a distant relative, who bore him six children, viz. : Ann L. (the wife of William Dodds), Lydia C. (the wife of Daniel Crosley), Thomas, Allen, Ambrose B. (deceased ) and Maria (the wife of John C. Martin). John Hatfield was a stone-mason by trade, but after the war of 1812 turned his attention chiefly to farming. He died May 11, 1829, and his wife survived him until August, 1852. They were members of the Baptist Church and highly respected by all who knew them, he being a hard-working, generous and kind-hearted man, who was always careful to be right before acting. Our subject has never lived away from his birthplace, and was married August 15, 1845, to Mary Elizabeth Stansell, daughter of William and Sarah (Myover) Stansell, her parents having come from Kentucky to this county about the year 1801. Mrs. Hatfield was born in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, August 12, 1827, and has had the following children : Louisa J. (deceased), Albert P. (deceased), Laura F. (deceased), Mason W. and Alice S. Mr. Hatfield and wife have been members of the Baptist Church since 1859, and he is looked upon as an honorable, upright and worthy citizen.

THOMAS B. HOLMES, farmer, P. O. Bellbrook, Greenc Co .; was born in Greene County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1827. His parents were John and Hannah (Bigger) Holmes, natives, the father of Newville, Cumberland County, Penn., born September 17, 1792, and the mother of the State of Kentucky, born November 12, 1797. Mr. Holmes came to Ohio with his parents prior to the war of 1812, and settled in Greene County. He was a soldier in that war and for service rendered therein drew a pension from the United States Government. His death occurred October 31, 1878, and the mother's August 23, 1869. They were married in ,Montgomery County on the 24th of Septem- ber; 1818, and soon thereafter purchased land in Section 14 of that county. Their children were Hugh, Mary, Martha, John, Rebecca, Hannah J., Thomas B. and Martha Ann. Our subject was reared on a farm, which occupation he has ever since followed. He now resides on the homestead and is in comfortable circumstances. He is a kind neighbor, good citizen, and has the esteem of his many acquaintances ..

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JOHN S. KINDLE, blacksmith, Centerville. John S. Kindle, son of Joseph and Margaret Kindle, was born in Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 10, 1845. Commeneed going to school at about the age of five years, and continued up to the age of twelve, receiving a pretty fair district school education. Then went to work in the shop with his father, occasionally assisting the neighboring farmers when they were in a pineh for labor, up to August, 1862, when he volunteered in the army, Ninety-third Regiment, Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment. was gotten up and commanded by Col. Charles Anderson and Lieut. Col. Hiram Strong ; first engagement was on the Kentucky River, between Lexington and Rielimond, during Nelson's retreat to Louisville. Was also at the battle of Stone River, and there taken prisoner by the Texan Rangers, but recaptured by the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Then followed numerous skirmishes, in which he participated. Next in order came the battle of Chickamauga, in which be was severely wounded by a musket ball in the leg; the ball was extraeted, and is now in his possession, being kept as a relie. He is crippled for life. Was placed in the hospital, staying there about four months; then eame home on furlough, and remained thirteen months ; then returned to the army, and remained there three or four months, when he was given a final discharge May 30, 1865. He married, February 8, 1877, Miss Elizabeth Simpson. From this union are three children, all boys, two of whom are now living. Has some politieal aspirations ; has been elected Township Clerk and Constable, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace. He was eleeted in 1876. When not officially employed, he works at his trade. His father was born in Burlington County, N. J., and eame to Ohio in 1833. His mother was born in Half-Moon Valley, Center County, Penn.

CORNELIA A. (MESLER) KELSEY, farmer, P. O. Waynesville, Warren Co .; born in New Jersey Nov. 24, 1813, and came to Ohio in 1832. She married Mr. John S. Kelsey, November 2, 1837. From this union were seven children, six of whom are living. Names and birth of the children as follows: Hester E., born August 17, 1838; George Washington, born August 14, 1840 ; Wilhelmina, born February 19, 1842; Eliza Melissa, born December 14, 1843; John Albert, born January 10, 1846 ; Jonathan Meeker, born January 14, 1848; Charles Edward, born November 5, 1851; George Washington, died September 18. 1846 ; John S., died October 22, 1875. John S., son of Jessey and Hettie ( Marsh) Kelsey, was born January 13, 1816. His mother was a native of New Jersey, and his father of Pennsylvania. Emigrated to Kentucky, thenee to Ohio, in an early day. He married at the early age of twenty-eight; his wife at twenty. Previous to his marriage, he followed sehool teaching in a log house

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 123

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214