The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 127

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 127

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM C. EMERICK, retired merchant, Sunsbury, one of the pioneers of Montgomery County, emigrated to Ohio, coming with his parents, Christopher and Catharine (Kern) Emeriek, natives of Pennsylvania, from that State in 1804. The parents died, the father in 1837, and mother in 1836 ; was born in Berks County, Penn., June 29, 1794. In 1820, Mr. Emerick was united in marriage with Sarah, laughter of Daniel and Catharine (Shuey) Gunekle, who were also pioneers of this vicinity, emigrating from Pennsylvania in the year 1811. Both were natives of Dau- phin County, Penn. The mother died in 1832, and the father in 1837. Sarah, the vife of our subject, was born July 1, 1801, and became the mother of eleven children -Israel (born May 24, 1821), Catharine (born December 3, 1822), William D. (born

284

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

February 23, 1826), Levi (born May 1, 1828), Elizabeth (born September 25, 1830), Jacob (born October 17, 1832), David (born November 15, 1834), Harrison (born May 7, 1837), Daniel (born February 26, 1840), Mariah (born March 17, 1842), and Henry, born August 23, 1844; of whom six sons and one daughter are living, and all arc married except one son. This pioneer couple are the grandparents of twenty- eight, and great-grandparents of sixteen children. Mr. Emerick has followed a variety of vocations in life, having learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it some twenty years, then butchered a number of years, when he became a merchant, continuing in that line twenty years, from which he retired after a long period of active business life. In 1835, he was chosen a Justice of the Pcacc, in which capacity he aeted for fifteen years. He also filled various other township offices, among which were School Director, Clerk and Trustee. Mr. Emerick has been a life-long member of the Lutheran Church, his wife adhering to the United Brethren denomination.

CHRISTIAN ESHELMAN, farmer, P. O. Germantown, was born in Lancas- ter County, Penn., December 18, 1802, and is a son of John Eshelman, who died when our subject was a small boy. Christian grew to manhood in his native State, and, in 1831, was married to Catharine Ebby, daughter of Christian Ebby, both natives of Pennsylvania. Of this union, two children were born, one of whom, John C., sur- vives. In 1835, Mr. Eshelman came to Ohio, and, being a blacksmith by trade, fol- lowed that calling for about twenty-five years. His wife died, and, October 13, 1874, he married Mrs. Sarah Denner, widow of George Denner, and daughter of Christopher and Catharine (Kern) Emerick, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of German Township. Her father was born January 23, 1771, and died in January, 1837. Her mother was born January 30, 1772; married Christopher Emerick January 16, 1793, and died in February, 1836. Mrs. Eshelman was born in German Township January 12, 1811, and her entire life has been passed in this vicinity. His son, John C., was married to Ellen Stump, who has borne him two children; one now living ; he resides close to his father's farm, whose homestead is about two and a half miles south of Ger- mantown, and the family belong to the Lutheran Church.

ADAM FRANK, attorney at law and Mayor of Germantown, was born in Ger- mantown, Montgomery County, Ohio, July 2, 1831, and is a son of Matthew and. Barbara (Loy) Frank. His father was a native of New York, who, in his boyhood days, learned the shoemaking trade, subsequently emigrating to Ohio and settling at Germantown in an early day, where he continued working at his trade. A few years after coming to Ohio, he was married to Miss Barbara Loy, who bore him six children, four of whom are now living. Matthew died in 1867, and his wife in 1877, both dying, as they had lived, faithful members of the U. B. Church, and respected by all who knew them. Our subject received a good education, and graduated from the Ger- mantown Academy. He learned the trade of a boot and shoemaker, and by industry and careful saving accumulated sufficient means to purchase a property which consti- tutes a comfortable home. He was married March 7, 1853, to Miss Nancy A. Lucas, a native of this county, born in 1830, of which union one daughter, Mary C., was the issue. Mrs. Frank, after a few brief years of married life, was borne to the grave. Mr. Frank was again married, in 1874, to Mrs. Vanda L. Stirewalt, widow of the Rev. Julius L. Stirewalt, who is a sincere member of the Lutheran Church, and who endeavors to set a good example to all with whom she comes in contact. Politically, Mr. Frank is a Republican, and, in 1865, was elected as a Justice of the Peace for German Township, having been elected in 1864 Mayor of Germantown, which position he now occupies. Subsequently, was chosen Township Clerk, and a member of the Board of Education, in all of which he was noted for efficiency and integrity. About this time, his duties as a public servant and his ambition to understand more thoroughly the laws of the land induced him to abandon his trade and turn his whole attention to reading law; was finally admitted to the bar in 1870, and has since practiced his profes- sion. Mr. Frank has long been a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and has been Permanent Secretary of the I. O. O. F. in Germantown for twenty-four years. He is a man of shrewd business tact and sound judgment, and the fact of his being intrusted

285

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

with so many official positions demonstrates that his community have confidence in his ability and integrity.

JAMES HANKINSON, farmer and miller. The parents of this enterprising farmer were James and Sarah (Cheesman) Hankinson, natives of Monmouth County, N. J., born, respectively, November 14, 1787, and March 9, 1796, were there united in marriage, and subsequently came west, locating in Warren County, Ohio, and raised a family of seven children, the mother dying October 1, 1867, and the father April 5, 1879. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren County, Ohio, two miles south- east of Germantown, in 1828, was raised a farmer, and September 30, 1855, was mar- ried to Rachel B. Vandaveer, born near Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, January 23, 1835, and daughter of John and Hannah B. (Bound) Vandaveer, natives of Mon- mouth County, N. J., the former born in 1795, and his wife the following year. Mrs. Hankinson's parents were married in their native county, and had thirteen children, only two of whom are living. The father died February 5, 1873, and the mother July 25, 1876. Mr. Hankinson has a family of four children-John H., Sarah M. (the wife of John Wolf ), James V. and George W. His early education was limited, but contact with the world has given him a knowledge of men and affairs that well fits him for his sphere in life. Beside farming, he was also engaged in operating a saw-mill and manufacturing broom handles, moving to his present location in 1868, where he continues the mill business in connection with the breeding of Poland-China hogs and fine poultry, in which lines he has won many premiums at the fairs during the past five years, and is the owner of a thoroughbred two-year-old colt, coming three, which he claims is one of the finest in Ohio. Mr. Hankinson has made the Devonshire breed of cattle a specialty, believing thoroughly in progress and improvement in all things.

BENJAMIN B. HARLAN, teacher, Germantown, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 23, 1845, and is a son of David M. and Margaret Harlan, he a native of Kentucky and she of North Carolina, the former born in 1809, and the latter in 1815. The family are of Irish and Scotch extraction, and our subject's parents are residing in Lafayette County, Mo. Benjamin B. was educated at Lebanon, Ohio, and followed farming until twenty-two years of age, since which time he has been engaged in teaching ; has taught in Germantown six years, two of which he has been Superintendent of the school. In 1874, he married Margaret H. Bond, daughter of John E. and Elizabeth (Custis) Bond, all natives of Ohio ; her paternal grandfather, George Bond, was from Maryland, and Thomas Custis, the maternal grandfather, was a native of the " Old Dominion." Mrs. Harlan has had two children-George B. and Mary. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and I. O. O. F., and as an educator has given gen- eral satisfaction.

MICHAEL HETZLER, retired farmer, P. O. Germantown. His grandfather, George Hetzler, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, where was born George, the father of our subject, who there grew up and married Catherine Reem. Of this union, Michael was born July 2, 1802, and, in 1824, married Elizabeth Blinn, who bore him three children, and died in 1838. The following year, he married Margaret Ann Ellis, a native of Virginia, who had ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living, and all married, excepting one son. Mr. Hetzler owns 165 acres of land in German Township, joining Abraham's mill, but retired from farm- ing in April, 1879, his wife having died May 16, 1877. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an honest Christian gentleman.

ISAAC HETZLER, farmer, P. O. Germantown. This gentleman's parents were Abraham and Salome (Crouse) Hetzler, natives of Pennsylvania, from whence they emigrated in 1811. Our subject was born in Montgomery County March 20, 1828, and was married to Mary Ann Geeting August 15, 1852. The wife's parents were Adam and Elizabeth (Leeser) Geeting. Father Geeting died in 1859, and the mother in 1864. Isaac Hetzler and wife have had born to them Salome C., Adam W., Lizzie, Eliza, Ella, Simon and Abraham L. Mr. Hetzler, since 1852 has resided on his farm of 115 acres, situated on the Germantown and Jacksonburg road.

ELIAS HOHN, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, is a native of Miami Township, Mont-

-1

286

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

gomery County, Ohio, born February 10, 1838, and son of Daniel and Maria (Geb- hart) Hohn, he a native of Maryland, born in 1801, and his wife of Pennsylvania, born in 1806, and daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Gebhart. Mr. Hohn's mother died in 1868, and his father in 1871. He was married in 1869, March 18, to Julia Ann Hibble, of Miami Township, whose parents reside in Miamisburg. Our subject has one brother, Lewis, who is living in Shelby County, Ohio, and one sister, Loretta, who resides in Miami Township, both being married and all respected people. He resides on the Carlisle and Germantown pike, about midway between those points.

L. H. HUBER, tanner, Germantown, is a native of Cambria County, Penn., born at Johnstown October 31, 1813, and removed to Ohio with his parents at the age of six years, settling at Miamisburg. The parents were David and Susan Fluck, the latter dying at Van Wert, Ohio, when our subject was about ten years of age. He was one of eight children, all of whom are dead but two. December 2, 1838, he was united in marriage to Catharine Coler, born in England of parents Henry and Margaret Coler, and to them have been born the following children : John, David, Charles F., D. W., George W., Caroline, Margaret and Rachel. Mr. Huber has been occupied as a tanner since fourteen years of age, and he and family belong to the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM INGRAM, farmer, P. O. Germantown, was born March 10, 1817. Is a son of Archibald and Margery (Odan) Ingram, he a native of Ireland, and she of Scotland. Mr. Ingram came to Ohio in 1838, and in 1840 married Martha Kindig. daughter of Henry and Magdalena Kindig, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ingram was born October 22, 1818, and has had six children, two boys and four girls, viz .: John, Rebecca Ann, Michael H., F. H., Mary J. and Sarah C. Mr. Ingram is engaged in raising tobacco and working on a farm ; resides on the Farmersville road, and the fam- ily adhere to the Lutheran Church.

JOHN F. KERN, banker, Germantown. His father, Frederick Kern, a native of Maryland, died when cur subject was quite young, and his mother married Jacob Beard, and soon after the family came to Ohio. John F. was born in Frederick City, Md., October 2, 1805, and grew to maturity working on his stepfather's farm, but upon reaching his twenty-first year, he inherited a farm and saw-mill property located near Franklin, Ohio, on the Big Miami River. Here he remained two years, when, his health failing, and thinking the locality did not agree with him, he disposed of his prop. erty, and entered the dry goods store of Winter & Fisher, at Germantown. After learning the business, he concluded to start for himself, and in 1835 he made a trip to Cincinnati on horseback, purchased a stock of dry goods, and, returning to German- town, began business, which he continued for thirty-three years. In 1859, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, served the people faithfully, and was again tendered the office, but declined. He has been chosen several times to represent his township in che county conventions. During his mercantile career, he disposed of his business twice. finally retiring from merchandising about 1867. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Germantown, of which he has been President nineteen con- secutive years. Mr. Kern served as President of the Germantown Board of Education eleven years, and since his majority has been a member of the Reformed Church, hold- ing official position for many years in that body, and during his entire membership his contributions have been constant and generous. Politically, he believes in principles rather than partyism, and in all the affairs of life he has been always desirous of doing good and of benefiting the community in which he has been so long a leading citizen.

SAMUEL LINDEMUTH, farmer and tobacco raiser, P. O. Germantown, was born October 30, 1833, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is the son of Thomas and Maria (Tobias) Lindemuth, natives of the Keystone State, Berks County. The father was born in 1791, and came to Ohio in 1824, dying January 13, 1870. Our subject was united in marriage with Maria Stiver, daughter of John and Christina (Emerick) Stiver, natives of Berks County, Penn., September 3, 1857. Mrs. Christina Stiver is still living, being in her eighty-seventh year. Mr. Lindemuth, our subject, is residing on a farm of forty-odd acres, lying about one mile west of Germantown.

HENRY C. MOSES, farmer, P. O. Germantown, was born in this county Sep-

.287

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

tember 25, 1824, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Crist) Moses, natives of the "Old Dominion," where his father was born in 1800 and his mother in 1802, coming to Montgomery County in 1823, where they spent their lives, Robert dying in January, 1875, and his wife in April, 1881. Our subject was married. August 19, 1847, to Mary Ann MeKean, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Marsh) MeKean, who bore him four children, one now living, viz., Charles R. Mrs. Moses died about 1855, and in 1857 he married Graee Rowe, who was born in 1822, to whom have been born five children; three now survive-Elizabeth, Grace and John. Mr. Moses is the owner of two hundred and sixty-seven acres of land, one hundred and seven in the home traet, one-half mile north of Germantown; is a practical farmer, who displays good taste around his homestead, as well as being respeeted as a kind neighbor and worthy eitizen.

REV. PETER C. PRUGH, minister, Germantown. Among the early settlers of Montgomery County was John Prugh, a native of Carroll County, Md., born near the town of Westminster in 1795; there grew to manhood and married Catherine Haynes, who was born in 1791, of which union ten children were the issue, six of whom are now living, viz. : Jesse, Gideon G., Jacob H., Peter C., Thomas L. and Mrs. Samuel Fauver, of Dayton. In 1818, Mr. Prugh and family eame to Ohio, loeating on one hundred and sixty aeres of land five miles south of Dayton, in the present township of Van Buren, upon which he and wife spent their lives, she dying in 1876 and he iu 1879, being faithful members of the Reformed Church. Peter C. was born on the old homestead, September 13, 1822, and after receiving a knowledge of the common branches in the distriet school, he attended the Dayton Academy, where he prepared 1

himself for a collegiate course. In 1844, he entered Marshall College, located at Mer- cersburg, Penn., and in due time graduated and received his diploma; then entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, under the Professorship of Rev. J. W. Nevin, D. D., and Rev. Philip Sehaff, D. D., where he completed his studies. He re- ceived a eall from the Reformed Church of Xenia, Ohio, took charge of that and the Beaver Creek congregation, and remained there for twenty-five years. He was married, April 2, 1852, to Miss Charlotte Hassler, of Mercersburg, Penn., born April 11, 1828, and daughter of Jacob Hassler, who was a musician in the war of 1812. They have had eleven children, seven now living, viz. : Edwin N., John H., Daniel K., William S., Etta K., Mary A. and Franees Grace. During his sojourn in Xenia, our subjeet was instrumental in having the Soldiers' Orphans' Home located at that point and was appointed Chairman of the local committee to confer with the Committee of the Grand Army of the Republic at their first meeting, and $25,000 were raised in Greene County toward building the Home. When it was completed he be- came Chaplain and remained there two years, and in 1874 accepted a call from the Church of the Cross, located on the corner of Finley and Baymiller streets, Cineinnati, Ohio, where he remained three years; then came to Germantown, and now has charge of the Reformed Church at that point. Mr. Prugh resides on a farm of seventy aeres one-half mile west of the town and is a man of upright Christian eharaeter, who is honored and respeeted by a large cirele of Montgomery County's most worthy eitizens. His son, John H., is Pastor of Grace Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Penn .; is recog- nized as a man of superior ability, a scholar, a theologian and an orator, who, since taking charge of that church, has secured one of the largest Reformed congregations in that city.

SAMUEL REED, retired farmer, Germantowu, was born in Berks, now Schuylkill County, Penn., on the 20th of September, 1796, and was married on his birth-day, in 1828, to Sarah Leinbach, who departed this life on the 10th of June, 1877. They were the parents of four children, one only of whom eame to the years of maturity, an honored son, John Henry, who on the 6th of September, 1860, married Mattie Zeller, whose parents were natives of this county. They were the parents of four children- Mary Magdalene, Albert Eugene (deceased), Sarah Lulu and Charles S. John Henry vas a natural musician, and had considerable taste as an artist. He was, for a term or pore, Township Assessor and Clerk, and was for a number of years a dry goods merehant n Germantown. He died June 7, 1874, in the forty-fifth year of his age, leaving an

288

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

interesting family to mourn his death. The subject of our sketch, Samuel Reed, came to Ohio in 1825, in company with William Hunsinger, on horseback, for the purpose of purchasing a homestead for his mother, in lieu of her dower in the old homestead in Pennsylvania. During this visit, he remembers seeing Gen. Lafayette in Cincinnati. He has two brothers yet living-Jeremiah, aged eighty-one, and Martin D., aged sev- enty-seven. Mr. Reed's father, John Reed, died in 1804, when Samuel was but eight years old. His mother, Mary M. Reed, subsequently married Abram Snyder, and died on the day Gen. Harrison was inaugurated President. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1833, coming in wagons, and consuming four weeks in the journey. They landed near Dayton in the month of June, and the following September came to German Town- ship, where they have since lived. Prior to leaving Pennsylvania, Mr. Reed was entrusted to the settling up of various estates, and did some of the same kind of busi- ness in this country, amounting in the aggregate to several thousand dollars. He is the owner of 170 aeres of land, and while too infirm to perform manual labor, yet at the advanced age of eighty-six years he superintends his farm with mueh of the agility of his younger years. He also superintends another farm of 150 acres. He learned the trade of paper-maker when a boy, and followed it for sixteen years; when he was appren- tieed to his employer, he was discharged and sent home with instructions to put him to some other trade, but this his mother would not agree to, and he was sent to another man for three years, for the sum of $30 and six months' sehooling. He has lived in German Township for more than forty-seven years, and is now enjoying the latter years of his life with his widowed daughter-in law, Mrs. J. H. Reed, and is very happily situated on the corner of Plum and Center streets. He has served as School Director for twenty-five years, and is elosing up a long and useful life, and his memory will be cherished long after death by those of his church (German Reformed) and others who knew his worth the best.

ELIZABETH ROHRER, widow, P. O. Germantown, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Schultz, of Baltimore, Md., was born in that city January 25, 1806. She was the sixth child of a family of nine children, and was educated at St. Joseph's Nun nery, at Emmetsburg, and at Rooker's school in Baltimore, where she received a thor ough education, accompanied with high accomplishments. She descended from a lind of military men, her grandfather being a Colonel in the Revolutionary war, having been promoted from a private for gallantry ; and her father, a native of France, par tieipated in the war of 1812, serving as an artilleryman. Much of her early life wa passed in Washington City, and during the administration of Monroe and Adams, sh was a welcome guest in the families of these illustrious men. During the war of 1812 Mrs. Rohrer witnessed the light arising from the burning of Washington. She cam West in company with her parents in 1825, on a visit, and was present at Middletow when Gov. Clinton, of New York, raised the first shovelful of earth in the digging ( the Miami Canal. Our subject was united in marriage to Samuel Rohrer, March 30 1826, and that year removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he embarked in the mercantil business. To this eouple were born six ehildren, four of whom are now living, namely Columbus, Charles S., Josephine and Ada V. Mrs. Rohrer is a member of the Re formed Church, and her husband was an Elder in the same. She is a elose Bible stu dent, and has ever walked in the line of holy men and women, having been a teacher in th Colored Sabbath School of Baltimore, and organized the first Sunday school in Ge mantown. She was also the first lady member of the American Bible Society in Mon gomery County. Her husband was born at Hagerstown, Md., in October, 1786, at in 1817 accompanied Gen. Harper and Dr. Dideer to Europe, where he spent tw years in traveling, and then returned to his native State. As was said above, he can to Dayton the same year of his marriage, and the following year moved to Germantow and there built a brewery and operated a distillery. The father of Mr. Rohrer was a mt of means, and in consequence, Samuel received a thorough education and became a ma of culture and refinement. He served as a Lieutenant under Capt. Bare, in the w of 1812. This couple were widely known for their hospitality, and their home w considered by the elite of the day as the center of refinement and high-bred cultur

289

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

At their residence have been entertained many distinguished persons, among whom were Gen. Harrison, when a candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Rohrer was a man of many virtues, was successful in business, and highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He died July 12, 1856.

CHRISTIAN ROHRER, retired distiller, Germantown. This well-known and prominent citizen was born in Lancaster County, Penn., December 2, 1804, and is a son of Christian and Anna Maria ( Forrer) Rohrer, natives of the Keystone State, who were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Eliza- beth (now Mrs. Krider, of Pennsylvania), Catherine (now Mrs. Barr, of the same State), Christian, Samuel and Jacob. The father was a farmer, but soon after the war of 1812 began the manufacture of cotton goods. He was a man much respected, and died June 16, 1824, his widow surviving him until 1850. Our subject grew to manhood in his native State, receiving a good education, and upon attaining his majority inherited from his father's estate a farm and saw-mill property. Hearing of the many good bus- iness openings in the West, he made a trip to Ohio and Indiana. Returning to Penn- sylvania, he disposed of his property, and in 1831 came to Montgomery County, pur- chased a flouring-mill from Andrew Hinkle, located one mile west of Germantown, which he operated until 1847, when he sold it to Gross & Brubaker. He then bought the John Risinger mill property. including 75 acres of land, rebuilt the distillery which was on the farm, and embarked in the manufacture of highiwines and liquors, making the first Bourbon whisky distilled in Montgomery County. Mr. Rohrer was married November 29, 1832, to Miss Margaret Emerick, born in this county March 8, 1813, and daughter of Christopher Emerick, one of Montgomery County's pioncers. Of this union five children were born, viz .: Anna M. (now Mrs. Grubbs, of German- own), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Kaucher, of Yankton, D. T.), Josephine (now Mrs. Byers, f Shelbyville, Ind.), David and John. Mr. Rohrer is yet residing upon his farm, which he purchased thirty-five years ago, although retired from active business. He las been one of the most successful business men in the Miami Valley, and his success s a fitting illustration of what constant application and rigid industry can accomplish when coupled with sound business judgment. He is one of the charter members of the First National Bank of Germantown, has always been recognized as a useful member of society, ever taking a deep interest in all worthy public enterprises, as well as the prog- ess, growth and development of the Miami Valley.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 127

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