The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 128

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 128

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DAVID ROHRER, distiller, Germantown, is a son of Christian and Margaret Rohrer, and was born in German Township November 10, 1835, receiving his educa- ion in the school of his district until seventeen years old, when he entered his father's istillery, where he worked faithfully until twenty-two years of age, at which time his ather gave him an interest in this business. This partnership continued several years, hen it was dissolved by mutual consent, his father retiring and David remaining in ne business, renting the distillery from his father. Here our subject continued to do successful business, but, being a man of enterprise, he resolved to prosccute his call- og on a larger scale, so purchasing thirty-one acres of land one and a half miles west of Ger- lantown, he erected thereon a large distillery with a capacity of manufacturing thirty arrels of choice Bourbon whisky per day, which brands have acquired an enviable putation from the Atlantic to the Pacific, having a market in many of the leading ties of the Union. He was married February 1, 1865, to Miss Ada V. Rohrer, daugh- r of Samuel and Elizabeth Rohrer, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. he was born in German Township April 18, 1840, and has had five children, four of hom are living-Josie, Ada V., Eugene and Albert. Mr. Rohrer is the owner of 400 Pres of land, besides his distillery, is a public-spirited, enterprising man, whose success is been marked by upright dealing in all the affairs of life, and who has won and tained the friendship of a large circle of Montgomery County's leading citizens.

JOSEPH W. SHANK, President of the First National Bank, Germantown, is a n of Adam Shank, who was born in Maryland in the year 1778. When at suitable je, he engaged in the blacksmith trade. This vocation commanded his attention in redericktown for some time, but afterward he purchased a farm, and for a few years

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in his native State was a tiller of the soil. In 1836, he removed to Montgomery County Ohio, locating in Madison Township, where he purchased 240 acres of land. His ma riage was celebrated in his, as well as his wife's native State, prior to his removal t Ohio, her maiden name being Catherine Doup. The issue of their union was seve children, two daughters and five sons. By the time Adam had his farm in Montgomer County under good cultivation, time had bent his once strong and rugged frame, an death followed about 1856 in Germantown, where he located about 1850, both be an wife leaving the record of an upright, practical, useful and Christianlike life for imita tion. Joseph W., whose name heads this sketch, was born October 8, 1816, in th same State as his father. His education was obtained at subscription schools, and through his own exertions, laboring on his father's farm until 1838, when he, of hi own natural adaptability, commenced the coopering trade, which he conducted one year thence embarked for St. Louis, via Cincinnati, locating in St. Clair County, Ili. where he thought great advantages were offered to young men; there engaged as a inexperienced hand at the carpenter trade. Subsequently, became the owner of a horse which he rode to Hagerstown, Ind., and traded for town property. This he held thirty nine years, depreciating in value 25 per cent. About 1840, he engaged to the con tractor to assist in erecting the Third street river bridge across the Great Miami a Dayton. Soon after the completion of the bridge, he formed a partnership with his brother Samuel, who was a contractor and builder; while thus engaged, on March 16 18-43, he married Mariah Bruner, who was then nineteen years of age, and a native o Montgomery County, Ohio. To this union were given ten children. Mr. Shank fol lowed carpentering until 1847, when he resumed the vocation of farming on his father' farm; subsequently became the owner of a fine farm, from where he removed to Ger mantown. He has been for years one of the Directors of the First National Bank o that place, of which he is now President. Mr. and Mrs. Shank have been for twenty-fv years valuable members of the U. B. Church.

GEORGE M. SMOCK, farmer, P. O. Germantown, was born January 20 1812, and is a son of John G. and Polly (Vanmulander) Smock, natives of New Jer sey, the former of whom dicd March 18, 1854. Our subject was married, January 28 1843, to Christina Crist, daughter of Michael and Mary (Loy) Crist, he a native c Maryland and she of this county, the former dying, aged eighty-four, and his wil aged sixty-eight years. Mrs. Smock's paternal grandparents were Henry and Christin. (Cassel) Crist, natives of Maryland, who came to Ohio in 1805; and her materna grandparents, George P. and Nancy (Foster) Loy, were also early settlers of this State Her father, Michael Crist, was a blacksmith in Germantown, and he and his wife wer members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Smock is now residing in Germantown, is good citizen, kind neighbor and courteous gentleman.

DANIEL B. STAVER, farmer, P. O. Germantown, was born in Jefferso Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1814, where he resided until his marriage Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Bickle (both of Pennsylvania), when he removed to Ge man Township, of which he is still a resident. To them were born the following children: Christina, Daniel, Rebecca and William. The parents of our subject we Frederick and Elizabeth (Nowel) Staver. Daniel and wife are members of the Re formed Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is in comfortable circumstance possessing property in Germantown and a farm of eighty-four acres three miles nort west of that town.

SAMUEL STIVER, farmer, P. O. Germantown. Among the most worthy al prominent farmers of German Township Samuel Stiver holds a leading place. In 180 his parents, John and Margaret (Wolf ) Stiver, natives respectively of Lancaster al. Toffin Counties, Penn., left their native State and came to Montgomery County, Ohi settling in German Township, in the southwest part of the county. John was of Ho land Dutch descent, his ancestors having come to the colonies before the Revolutiona war. He and wife lived and died in this county. The subject of this sketch was bo in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 21, 1816, here grew to maturity, inured the trials that fell to the lot of every pioneer family, and March 4, 1841, was marri

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to Catherine Emerick, daughter of George and Mary (Good) Emerick, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Mrs. Stiver was born in this county October 7, 1819, and has had six children, as follows : Benjamin M., Will- iam C., Samuel, Mary E., John A. and Sarah C., all of whom are married and have families, excepting John A., who resides at home with his parents. Mr. Stiver owns over five hundred acres of land, three hundred and forty-six in German and one hundred and sixty-four in Jackson Township; has always been recognized as a good, successful farmer, who looks carefully after his business and seldom makes mistakes in his investments. He is conservative and close in his views, a good neighbor, kind yet economical in his family, and can be safely classcd as one of the representative farmers lof the township.

J. M. SWARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Carlisle Station, was born in German Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, September 19, 1822. On the 2d of May, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Replogle, born May 10, 1835. This union was blessed with the following children : John, Emma, Charles, Mary, William, Frank, Edward, Oliver, Andrew, Peter and one who died in infancy. Mr. Swartzel is a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Crist) Swartzel, natives of the State of Maryland, whence they emigrated in 1804. The father died in 1850, and the mother in 1870. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Matthias Swartzel, and that of his wife was Henry Crist. Louisa Replogle is the daughter of Danicl F. and Mary (Lewis) Replogle, now resi- lents of Defiance County, Ohio. Mr. Swartzel resides on his farm of one hundred and iwo acres of land located about two miles northwest of Carlisle Station, Warren County.

FREDERICK THOMAS, farmer, Germantown P. O., is a native of Maryland, Jorn in Washington County October 21, 1802, and son of Gabriel and Christina (Wolf) Thomas, of that State, the former born in 1769 and dying in 1857. The family came to Ohio in 1804, and here our subject grew up and received his schooling. In 1846, he parried Dinah Hetzler, born May 18, 1807, and in 1850 moved upon his present farm, f 102 acres, two and a half miles south of Germantown. He has been a member of the Jnited Brethren Church since a young man.

MICHAEL TROUT, physician, Germantown, is the only survivor of a family of leven children, and is the son of George and Margaret (Zigler) Trout, both natives of Pennsylvania. George, in his minor days, learned the potter trade, and afterward cated in business on the Monongahela River, where he remained until about 1812, hen he removed to Perry County, Ohio, and continued his occupation (potter) in the own of Somerset. At the close of the Indian war of 1812, he organized a militia ompany, and served as its Captain until age plainly told on his wrinkled brow and osted hair, disabling him for parade. He was a practical and useful man in his county, ad was chosen as Associate Judge. During life he accumulated some property, and enerally was a constant and generous contributor to all worthy enterprises. He and ife trod the path of a united life until old age bent both their frames, when they were illed hence. Michael, whose name heads this biography, was born June 21, 1809, Williamsport, Washington Co., Penn., and was brought to Perry County, Ohio, by is parents, in childhood. They being located in the town of Somerset, his educa- onal privileges were not so much limited as many others of that early age. In 1827, came to Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he taught one term of school, id has since continuously resided, except five years in Wayne County, Ind., subse- iently obtained a situation as a dry goods clerk, and during spare moments applied mself to the reading of medicine ; finally, acquired a fair knowledge of the science. b this end he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and improved his vaca- on, under the directions of Dr. Espich, who was a reliable practitioner and safe unselor. After the completion of Dr. Trout's collegiate or lecture courses, he be- me associated as partner with his (former) preceptor. After one year's existence of is firm, by mutual consent, it dissolved, and Dr. Trout continued by himself. He one among the oldest practicing physicians of Montgomery County, has withstood the hrms of over half a century's practice. He has been for many years a member of and ustee in the Lutheran Church, also a valuable member of the Order of I. O. O. F., -

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having taken nearly all the degrecs. His marriage was solemnized February 21, 1832, with Amelia Schwartz, who was born Mareh 4, 1813, in Baltimore, Md., and an ex- emplary member of the Lutheran Church. Of their eleven ehildren three survive- Isadora L., Henry S. and Theodore.

WILLIAM WETZ, retired tanner, P. O. Germantown, was born in Germany February 15, 1824, and is a son of Henry and Christina (Druck ) Wetz, natives of that country, and parents of six children, five of whom are living. In 1838, William be- gan to learn the tanner's trade, which he completed, and in 1848 emigrated to Ohio, locating at Miamisburg, where he worked at his trade four years, thence removed to Germantown, where he followed his trade until six years ago. His father died in Germany and his mother in Ohio. Mr. Wetz was married, December 11, 1856, to Eva Muller, born December 16, 1822, and daughter of Frank and Margaret Muller, who were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living. Mr. Wetz is the father of two children, William H. and Margaret, the latter of whom died in infancy. He is now re- tired from active business in the enjoyment of what his early industry and economical habits husbanded through the passing years from youth to aged manhood. He and his wife belong to the Evangelieal Association.

CLINTON H. YOUNG, horse dealer, Germantown, was born near Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, November 12, 1856. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Tell) Young, the former a native of Preble County, and by oeeupation a farmer ; the father served the people of his township as Trustee and Clerk. The parents are members of the German Baptist Church. Our subjeet is one of ten children, viz. : Sarah A., Mary J., Maria, Levina, Martha, Jemima, Ella, Clinton H., Lurten E. and Edward. At the age of cighteen years, after having had the benefit of a common school educa- tion, he rented a portion of his father's farm, and was united in marriage with Laura E., daughter of Paul Marker, July 21, 1878. Miss Marker was born in Montgomery County March 16, 1858. Mr. Marker was a member of the Lutheran Church, and died March 11, 1880. This young couple left the farm August 6, 1880, moving to Germantown, where Mr. Young engaged in the livery stable business, on Market street, but he is now engaged in trading and buying horses. They are the parents of one child, Lawrenee O., born August 27, 1879.

LEVI ZEARING, farmer, P. O. Germantown. The parents of this gentleman were Peter Zearing and Elizabeth Boombrake, who were married in 1816. The former was born in Lebanon County, Penn., in 1790, and in 1818 came to Ohio, and in two years later settled in Section 6, German Township of this county, where he died August 8, 1858, in his sixty-fifth year, the mother having lived until April 29, 1862, when she died at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject was born on the home- stead June 15, 1819, where he has sinee resided and been occupied as a farmer. He was united in marriage with Ann Maria, daughter of Barnet and Elizabeth Zearing, February 5, 1846. She was born in Warren County, November 13, 1824. To this couple was born one son, Amos, who married Mary Hildreth, and is the father of four children by name, Osear, Eva May, Willie A. and Levi E. Our subject possesses two well-improved farms ; the homestead contains 162 aeres, valued at $125 per acre. Everything thereon is kept in perfect order ; the barn is large and commodious, and on the land is an extensive sugar camp of about 800 or 1,000 trees ; the other farm con- tains 155 acres, situated ahont three miles south of Germantown. The homestead is reasonably well stocked, and supplied with all modern farming implements."

JOHN ZEHRING, merehant, Germantown. In the year 1725, Ludwig Zehring and family emigrated from Baden, Germany, to the American eolonies, and prior to 1732 located in what afterward became Lebanon County, Penn., purchasing 130 acres from the Indians, for which he paid £20, 10s 11d, and with a few others of his faith, erected near his farm the Swataa Reformed Church, located two miles east of Jones- town, which building has long since been replaced by a more modern and commodious house of worship. Here in this county was born William Zehring, in October, 1792, grew up under the parental roof, and in 1818 married Miss Elizabeth Garst, who was born in the same county in 1794, of which union were born five ehildren, viz. : John,

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William, Christian, Lydia, now Mrs. Binkerd of Dayton, and Barbara, now Mrs. Mil- tenbarger, of Warren County, Ohio. The farm upon which Ludwig Zehring settled is yet owned by his descendants, and from this point, in the spring of 1819, William and wife started for Ohio, locating in Butler County, near Blue Ball, where he purchased fifty acres of land, upon which he lived nine years, when he sold it at a sacrifice of $300 and bought a quarter section on Louis Run in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. Here he passed many years, raised his family, and embraced the faith of tue German Baptist Church, of which he ever tried to be a worthy member until his death in 1870, his latter days having been spent at his son William's residence, in Miami County, Ind. His widow still survives him; is in her eighty-eighth year ; makes her home with her daughter; in Warren County, and has also been a life-long member of the German Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, January 25, 1820, receiving his education in the well-known log schoolhouse of the pioneer days, and so perseveringly did he prosecute his studies, that upon leaving school, he was competent of teaching, which he followed in the winter months, the summer being devoted to farming. Mr. Zehring was married, November 25, 1841, to Miss Nancy Snavely, a native of Lebanon County, Penn., who came to Ohio with her parents, John and Rebecca Snavely, in 1831. Of this union have been born eleven children, ten of whom are now living, and two of the sons were soldiers in the Union army, viz. : S. Perry, who enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, at the age of sixteen, participating in all the battles of his regiment, Perry- ville, Ky., Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Sherman's march to Atlanta, Ga., being the most important. He served three years, and during this time, was never absent or lost a day's service, and was mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., but soon after reaching home, he again concluded to enter the service of his country, and raised Company H, One Hun- dred and Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was chosen Captain, but the war ending six months subsequently, with the surrender of Lee, the regiment was mustered out of service. D. Washington Zehring enlisted in 1864, in the Signal Service, and at the close of the war, was honorably discharged. Our subject continued to teach school and farm until 1847, when, having saved a small amount of money he, in partnership with his brother William, opened a store at Farmersville, where they did a successful business until 1853, when the partnership was dissolved, and John removed to Germantown and bought the dry goods house of Stump & Gunckel, where he yet continues to do business. During his mercantile career in Germantown, he has had as partners, H. Elliott, the present Common Pleas Judge of this district, and J. S. Binkerd, of Dayton, and is, at present, associated with his son, S. Perry, under the firm name of John Zehring & Co. Politically, Mr. Zehiring was a Democrat until 1852, when he severed his connection with the Democracy, and with others of his polit- ical faith, assisted in organizing what has since been known as the Republican party, which principles he has since advocated. He was at one time nominated for the State Senate, to represent the counties of Montgomery and Preble, which district had previ- ously given about 800 Democratic majority, but Mr. Zehring was defeated by only seventy votes. In 1865, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position of trust and confidence he has filled continuously up to the present. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. Has always been a man of strong, yet liberal religious convictions, and an earnest worker in establishing and perpetuating Sabbath schools. He has lived a very temperate life, not even using tobacco ; retains much of his youthful vigor, has always taken an active part in all public enterprises, and is widely respected by all.

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RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP.

HENRY BECKER, miller; P. O., Union. Mr. Becker is a native of Ohio; born in Montgomery County, May 13, 1816; is a son of John and Rebecca Becker. The father emigrated to this State with his parents in June, 1815, being a native of Lancaster Co., Pa. The grandfather of our subject was a miller by occupation, and erected one of the early saw mills on West Branch. John Becker was also a miller, and continued the business of his father, which has been handed down to him whose sketch we pen. The mother's maiden name was Hart; she died in November, 1856. The father served in the township as Trustee for a number of years, and died in December, 1857. Our subject is one of five children, four of whom are now living, viz .: Annie, Rebecca, David and Henry. The latter was united in marriage with Sarah Shilt, in 1840, and to them were born six children, and of them Thomas, John, Isaac and Catharine are now living.

JACOB E. BECKER, Prop. National Hotel; P. O., Iamton. The subject of this sketch is the son of Henry Becker, a native of Lancaster Co., Pa. He was by occupation a farmer and shoemaker. He was united in mar- riage with Susan Snader, and as a result of this union had ten children, of whom eight are living, viz .: Susan, Solomon, Samuel. Henry, Jacob, George, Christopher and John. In 1832 Mr. Becker moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and purchased a farm containing 160 acres in this county near the town of Liberty. Mr. Becker departed this life a worthy and esteemed member of the Lutheran Church, in 1851. Jacob E., the subject of this memoir, was born in Lancaster County, November 13, 1833, and by being studious in his habits managed to obtain a fair knowledge of all the common branches. He was employed by the neighboring farmers until the death of his father, when he returned home and took charge of the farm, remaining three years. At the age of 23 years he went to Indiana, and remained one year, and returned to Ohio and married Nancy- E. Cox, May 27, 1857. She is the daughter of John Cox, a native of this State, and was born March 10, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are the parents of four children : Charles E., Clara and Enna are now living. After his marriage Mr. Becker followed various pursuits until he accumulated enough capital to start a restaurant at Trotwood Station, Madison Township, where he remained two years and purchased a piece of land near Miamisburgh and turned his attention to tobacco raising, which he continued cultivating for several seasons and then disposed of it and his farm and purchased 28 acres near Alexanderville, where he remained until 1872, when he made another sale and moved to Liberty and purchased a hotel, which he managed two years, and sold out and purchased a saw mill at Carrolton, and engaged in the lumber business. He soon disposed of this business and purchased the National House in Harrisburg, where he now resides.

HENRY V. BERK, farmer; P. O., Iamton, is the son of Henry Berk, Sr., a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and followed the manufacturing of Imen. He married Miss Margaret Abt, a native of Prussia. They were the parents of three children. Lewis and Henry V. are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Berk both departed this life at the age of 39 years. Both were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Henry V., Jr., the subject of this biography, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, in 1816, and was educated in English and German. He served an apprenticeship of three years, learning the cabinet trade, paying his instructor, as was the custom of that country. He worked journey work in various parts of Europe until 1836, the time of his immigrating to America. After his arrival in the United States he located in Baltimore and engaged at his trade, remaining several months, and then came to Frederickstown, and subsequently to Vienna

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Cross roads, Clark Co., Ohio, and afterward to Dayton, Ohio, where he followed his trade. By economy and industry he was enabled, in 1857, to purchase a small farm of 28 acres, which he has, by untiring industry and temperate habits, increased to 400 acres. In 1840 he celebrated his marriage with Anna M. Glass, born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Dec. 22, 1817. As a result of this umion had eight children, viz .: Mary, Ameha, Anna, Enna, Ellen, Henry, Lewis, Theodore. Mr. and Mrs. Berk have been identified with the Lutheran Church for a number of years.

DR. ALONZO BOONE, physician and surgeon; P. O., Iamton. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and obtained his primary education in the common schools and attended the high school at Dayton. During the months of vacation he took a business course in the Miami Commercial College and a course in literature and elocution under Prof. Smith. After receiv- ing his diploma he entered the office of Dr. Crook, of Dayton, to prepare himself for the medical profession. He attended the lectures of the Ohio and Miami Medical Colleges of Cincinnati. He obtained his diploma and placed himself under Dr. Crum to prepare himself for the field of practice. Mr. Boone has connected himself with the Montgomery County and Ohio State Medical Societies and represented the interests of the Montgomery County Medical Society in the American Medical Association of New York city, and is at present devoting his time and attention in advancing himself in the knowledge of his profession, and has obtained a good share of the practice in the territory surrounding the village of Harrisburgh, where he resides.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 128

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