The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 129

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 129

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BENJAMIN BOWMAN, farmer; P. O., Dayton. His father, John Bowman, was one of the pioneers of Ohio, immigrating from Bedford Co., Pa., at an early date. He was the father of seven children, two of whom survive, viz .: John and Benjamin. The subject of this biography was born in Madison Township, Mont- gomery Co., Ohio, in 1812. His advantages for obtaining an education were limited to two months in the year, which were spent in the rude log schoolhouse of that day, his father requiring his services on the farm; whom he assisted until he arrived at the age of 24 years. In 1836 he was united in marriage with Balinda Higher, born in Montgomery County, Oct. 22, 1816. As a result of this union had ten children, of whom six are living, viz .: John, Sarah, Joseph, Abraham, Anna, Benjamin. After his marriage he rented his father's farm, which he culti- vated on shares until the death of his parents and then became its owner. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have been earnest laborers in the German Baptist Church since 1843, and have won the respect and esteem of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

WILLIAM H. CARL, undertaker; P. O. Clayton, The subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 20, 1849. His father, Jacob, was united in mar- riage with Anna Thurman. They were the parents of twelve children, five daughters and seven sons, viz .: Mariah, Sarah A., Elizabeth, Mary E., Rebecca, Peter, Gabriel, Isaac, John W., and William, our subject. Mr. Carl emigrated to Ohio in 1865. William assisted his father with the duties of the farm during the days of vacation until he was at the age of 14 years, after which he worked on the neighboring farms until he was 21 years of age. In 1870 he commenced to learn the cabinet trade, which he continued in until he finished. He worked journey work in Dayton until he located in Salem, engaging in business for himself. In 1876 Mr. Carl took for wife Ehzabeth Tobias, whom he lived with two years, she being summoned by the angel of death to that world whence no traveler returneth.

BENJAMIN M. ENGLE, miller; P. O., Dayton. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is one of the staunch, energetic men that has made Montgomery County what it is to-day. His father, Jacob, was a native of Lancas- ter Co., Pa., and possessed a common school education and was brought up to farm labor. He was united in marriage with Anna Moyer, daughter

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of Benjamin Moyer. They were the parents of eight children, viz .: Benjamin M., Tobias, Abraham M., Jacob M., Elizabeth, Anna, Laah, Martha. Mr. Engle moved to Illinois and located in Stephenson County near Freeport, remaining two years, and on account of having bad health, returned to Ohio and settled near Little York, Butler Township, this county, where he remained until his death in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Engle were both members of the River Brethren Church. Benjamin, the subject of this biography, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., March 3, 1827. He assisted his father until he was 20 years of age, and commenced battling with the world for himself, first engaging in the cultivation of tobacco. He was united in marriage with Catherine Winger, in 1851. Catherine was the daughter of Rev. Christian Winger, a native of Lebanon Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Engle liad eleven children, of whom nine are now living, viz .: Elizabeth, Anna, Catharine, Jennie, Effie, John H., Daniel W., Benjamin, Rolla M. He moved to Illinois with his father and engaged in farming. He accompanied his father back to Ohio and again rented of him until he associated himself with John Turner, and engaged in the manufacturing of flour, with remarkable success, soon being able to purchase the interest of Mr. Turner. Mr. Engle started in the world without anything, and by being temperate and industrious in his habits, has accumulated a large amount of property, both personal and real estate, and is now enjoying many of the comforts and luxuries of life which he has earned by the hard toil of the past years of his life.

JAMES M. EWING, farmer; P. O., Union. James Ewing, the father of our subject, was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and emigrated to Kentucky, probably in 1800. From there he came to Ohio, locating in Montgomery County about the year 1806, when it was yet traversed by numerous tribes of Indians, who in their travels through his section of the country, often called and shared his kind hospitality. Mr. Ewing opened up a subscription school in a rude log cabin and taught the few children whose parents had dared to settle in that wild and unbroken country. Mr. Ewing was married to Martha Mcclintock, a native of Lancaster, Pa. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom three are now living, viz .: Margaret, Martha and James M., the subject of this biography. He was born in Montgomery County, April 3, 1819. He assisted his father in tilling the soil, receiving his education by taking advantage of the evening hours. He chose as a partner for life Mary J. Akins, and was the father of two sons, viz .: John E. and Joshua. At the death of his father he came by the home farm, and has since added a considerable amount to it. Mr. Ewing has been a worthy and consistent member of the M. E. Church for the past twenty years.

HENRY FULKERTH, farmer; P. O., Union, is the son of Samuel Fulkertlı, one of the old pioneers of Montgomery County. Samuel was a carpenter by trade, and moved from Maryland to Pennslyvania with his parents. He was united in marriage with Susan Warner, and as a result of this union had six children, of whom four are now living, viz .: Catharine, Samuel, John, Henry. In 1809 Mr. Fulkerth moved to Ohio and settled in Montgomery County, where the whoop of the red man rang through the forest, carrying terror to the homes of the men that dared the frontier. The county abounded in every species of game, from the fish to the otter, from the squirrel to the couger and bear. The scream of the "panther" and the squall of the wild cat mingled with the sweet song of the thrush, and the howl of the wolf drowned the melodious notes of the mocking bird, while stolid Bruin roamed the woods with no ear for music except the squeal- ing of the pioneer hog.

The rifle was an inmate of every household, in the use of which Mr. Fulkerth became very familiar and was very solicitous in keeping it in perfect working condition, as the meats which graced his pine table were the inhabitants of the forest that fell under his unerring aim, and his first crop of corn was cultivated with the rifle close at hand. Henry, the subject of this biography, was born

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in Pennsylvania, July 5, 1809, and came to Ohio with his parents in his infancy. He assisted his father until he was 24 years of age, spending his nights by the home fireside pursuing his studies. He labored on the neighboring farms until his father presented him with 160 acres of land in Darke Co., Ohio. He immediately went to work with an indomitable will to clear it up and put it under cultivation. In 1830 he celebrated his marriage with Catharine Sebard, and as a result of this union had eleven children, of whom four survive, viz : Nancy A., Susan, Jane, William. Mr. Fulkerth added many valuable improvements to the farm, and at the death of his father he disposed of it and purchased the home farm, and has since added many material improvements. In 1876 Mrs. Fulkerth departed quietly into the next world, esteemed by all with whom she came in contact.

ANDREW GILLIAM, farmer; P. O., Clayton. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is a son of William Gilliam, who was a native of Rockingham Co., Va. He emigrated to Ohio in 1834 and settled in Montgomery County. He was united in marriage with Anna Rife, and as a result of this union had ten children, of whom six are now living, viz .: Mary, Francis, Amanda, Sidney E., Jonathan and Andrew, our subject. Andrew was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 20, 1840. He secured a common school education and at the age of 20 years took for wife Elizabeth Nicely, and celebrated their marriage Feb. 19, 1860. Mrs. Gilliam was the daughter of Jacob Nicely, one of the old pioneers of Montgomery County. He was born in Dauphin Co., Pa., in 1802 and was married to Charlotte Longinecker in 1823. They were the parents of two children, of whom Mrs. Gilliam is the survivor. Mr. Nicely came by part of his father's farm, which he sold in 1832 and came to Ohio and purchased 220 acres near Salem, Randolph Township. Mr. Nicely is a worthy member of the German Baptist Church, and by his exemplary habits has won the respect and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Gilliam, the subject of this sketch, is the father of five children. Anna is the only one living. Mr. Gilliam rented his father-in- law's farm and gave his attention to its cultivation, and stock raising. He has since, by hard labor and industry, become proprietor of it. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliam are both consistent members of the German Baptist Church, and have taken deep interest in the cause of religion.

SAMUEL HAWKINS, physician; P. O., Union. His father, John, was a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and came to Ohio and located at Spring Valley, Green Co., Ohio, where he continued the honorable occupation of tilling the soil. He celebrated his marriage with Mary Penyweigh, in 1818. Six children were the result of this union. Samuel, the subject of this memoir, is the only one who survives. He was born in Green Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1819, and received his primary education in the common schools and assisted his father until he was 23 years of age, the time of his commencing preparation for entering the medical profession. He placed himself under Dr. Cable, of Bellbrook, until 1842, when he took a course of lectures and was able to enter the field of practice in 1843. He opened up an office in Union, Randolph Township, this county, and has continued practicing with remarkably good success until the present, a term comprising a period of thirty-seven years. Mr. Hawkins took for wife Mary A. Andrews, and as a result of this union had eight children, of whom six are now living, viz. : Jennie, Permelia, Celia, Georgia, Addie, John A. Dr. H. is now past sixty years of age, and of course the most active part of his life is spent, but he furnishes a good example for the future generation to follow.

CHRISTIAN HERR, farmer; P. O. Iamton. Samuel Herr, the father of our subject, was a native of - , Cumberland Co., Pa., and possessed a common school education, and in early manhood learned the tanning trade, which he fol- lowed successfully until he purchased 80 acres of land, and then turned his atten- tion to his farm. He was married to Miss Frances Long, daughter of Abraham Long, a native of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living, viz: Mary, Sarah, Eliza, Samuel, John and Christopher.

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In 1830 Mr. Herr disposed of his farm and came to Ohio, and settled temporarily in Chambersburgh, Butler Township, Montgomery Co. He purchased a farm near Harrisburglı, Randolph Township, where he remained until his death, in 1868. Christian, the subject of this sketch, was born Feb. 12, 1830, in'Lebanon Co., Pa. He obtained a common school education, and assisted his father until he was 21 years of age, when be commenced life for himself by renting land of his father on shares, and had remarkable success, soon being able to purchase 133 acres of his father. In 1857 he took for wife Caroline Sheets, daughter of Henry Sheets, Mrs. Herr living only 15 months after her marriage. Mr. Herr married for his second wife Julia Huffer. They were the parents of four children, viz: Susan, Mary E., Charles E., and John C. Mr. Herr is a member of the Brethren in Christ, and Mrs. Herr is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church, and both are taking a deep interest in the cause of religion.

MRS. MARY HERR, widow of Samuel N. Herr; P. O., Union; farmer. Samuel N. Herr was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Jan. 27, 1805; was the possessor of a limited education, and during the early part of his manhood days worked at the carpenter trade; wishing to change his occupation, turned his attention to farm- ing. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bowman. By their union there were born unto them three children; but two are now living, one son, Henry, born July 30, 1837, and one daughter, Susannah, born March 29, 1836. Mr. Herr emi- grated to Ohio in the year 1850, and located in Montgomery County, purchased a. farm of Mr. Henry Baughraboy, improving his farm by erecting several valuable buildings. The hand of affliction was laid on Mr. Herr, the typhoid fever being in tercepted by other diseases. After a short illness he departed this life in the spring of 1875, beloved by all who knew him. The subject of this sketch was born in Lan. caster Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1803, and most of her girlhood days were spent spinning flax, that linen in those days were made of, and wool into yarn for stockings. attending to the numerous other domestic duties connected with the life of a farmer's daughter, until she arrived at the age of 29 years. Then was united in mar- riage and commenced anew in life in her own house. Emigrating to Ohio with her husband, providing her with another home, until Time, with his sickle, entered the peaceful dwelling of Mrs. Herr, and took from her the companion of her bosom. The farm being divided, the son, Henry, fell heir to the one-half, and Susannah, now Mrs. Krug, the other half. Mrs. Herr at this writing is in her 78th year, and is able to attend to a great many of her household duties. Her son Henry is trying to add to the comforts of his widowed mother, being now in his 43d year; has never united in marriage; being educated at the common district schools; is a farmer by occupation. His farm yielding him 20 bushels of wheat and 50 bushels of corn to the acre, and other products in proportion. He takes great pride in raising Poland China breed of hogs, success crowning his labors as a stock-raiser.

DR. GEORGE W. HOUS, P. O., Clayton; physician, was born in Mont- gomery Co., July 5, 1849. His father, Andrew, was born in Preble Co., Ohio, in 1820, and was united in marriage with Mary Richard, daughter of Joseph Richard. They were the parents of four children, viz: Joseph, George W., Elizabeth and Sarah. George W., our subject, received his primary education in the common schools, and took a scientific course in the Ohio Normal School, and graduated in a medical course in the Ohio Medical College in 1877, and entered the field of practice in Pyrmont, remaining until 1878, when he moved to Salem, where he has been practicing with good success until the present.

JOHN HYRE, farmer, P. O., Little York, is the son of Daniel Hyre, and was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, August 15, 1832. Daniel, his father, was a native of North Carolina, and at the age of six years came to Ohio with his parents, and settled in this county. By occupation was a carpenter, and by hard labor and industry accumulated enough means to purchase 120 acres of land. Mr. Hyre and Miss Sarah Stouder were united in marriage and had nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz: Sarah, Lavina, Ellen, Barbara, John, Henry C. and Alfred.

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Mr. and Mrs. Hyre are both worthy members of the German Baptist Church, and have taken a deep interest in the cause of religion for upwards of forty years. Our subject, John, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of 21 years went to Indiana and rented 40 acres of land of his uncle, paying two-thirds of the crop as rent. He remained in Indiana one year and came back to Ohio, and rented of his father three years, and again went West and remained six months. In 1856 he celebrated his marriage with Miss Martha Davis. She was born Dec. 31, 1835. They are the parents of five children, viz: Edgar D., George, Arthur, Clara and Hattie. Mr. Hyre continued farming; rented land until 1867, when he purchased a farm of his father, which he continued farming until the present, and has added many valuable improvements.

JACOB IAMS, manufacturer, P. O., Iamton, was born April 27, 1830. His. father, Ely, was a native of Green Co., Pa., and emigrated to Ohio in 1820, and purchased a farm near the present site of Trotwood, Madison Township. He celebrated his marriage with Phobe Heckathorn, and as a result of this union had eleven children, seven of whom are living at present. Mr. Iams being a gentleman of very exemplary habits, was elected Justice of the Peace of his town- ship. The responsibilities of this office were discharged by its holder to the satis- faction of all concerned for several successive terms. The educational advantages of Jacob, our subject, were limited, his school days being included in a very few months, but by applying his leisure time at nights to his books, managed to obtain a good knowledge of all the common branches. At the age of 20 years he engaged in teaching school, and accumulated enough money to start himself in the business of manufacturing spokes, hubs and felloes, which he continued in until he failed, during the panic of 1872 and 1873, after which he engaged in teaching school and running a saw and planing mill that he had previously purchased in the village of Harrisburgh, Montgomery Co., Ohio. As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held in the community where he lived, was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and discharged the duties of that office with credit to himself until the expiration of a term, comprising a period of twelve years. In 1871 he took for wife Charlotte Sanders, daughter of Richard Sanders. This union was blessed with three children, viz: Elsie V., Mary B. and Alvin.

REV. SAMUEL KINSEY, Minister and Nurseryman, Kinsey Station, The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, is a son of Joel and Elizabeth Kinsey. His father was a native of Virginia, and came to this State. when quite young, with his parents, who located in Montgomery County. He received such education as was at that early day available, and, after working the farm with his father until he became of age, he united himself in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brumbaugh, by whom he had three children, viz., Samuel, our subject, Noah and Lydia. He then moved to Williams County, Ohio, where he remained but a short time, when he again moved to Miami County. Here he was taken sick, and after a short illness, entered that last long sleep which knows no waking in this life forever. His grief-stricken widow disposed of the property, and, with the children, returned to the home of her childhood, Her son, Samuel, the subject hereof, who was born May 26, 1832, went to live with his uncle, Levi Kinsey. When sixteen years old, his uncle moved to Indiana, and he commenced learning the carpenter trade with Emanuel Flory, continuing this one year, at which time he was able with some financial assistance from his friends, to go to Indiana, and there ply his trade in his own behalf. Success here crowned his efforts, and he was soon enabled to pay back the money advanced by his friends, and shortly afterward to buy three acres of land. Ou this he erected a building, and, in partnership with one Jacob Spitler, purchased a full stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., with which he opened a general store. Shortly afterward, he had a post office established in the town of his adoption, Bloom- field, but not being sufficiently remunerated by the profits of his store, he continued at his trade. cabinet-making, contracting and building. In April 23, 1852, he came to Ohio, and was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Nead, who was born in 1832, and

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daughter of Rev. Peter Nead. By this union he was blessed with the following chil- dren, to wit: Almira, born April 7, 1853 ; Mary, born August 2, 1854; Cynthia, born September 9, 1856; Clarinda, born January 19, 1858 ; William N., born July 17, 1859 ; Lydia, born Deceniber 23, 1860 ; Sarah, born October 24, 1862; Ellen, born Novem- ber 3, 1863 ; Charles P., boru February 28, 1870; Jessie E., born June 14, 1873; Allen V., born February 26, 1875, and two others, who are dead. In the year 1870, he, with the assistance of his father-in-law, established a monthly paper ealled the Tindicator, which is published in the interest of the Old German Baptist faith. After his marriage, he, with his wife, returned to Indiana, but in two years, or in 1854, he disposed of his property and purchased forty acres of improved land, in Whitley County, in the same State, which he rented to tenants, while he plied his trade. He remained here one year, and then, at the request of his wife's father, he returned to Ohio and took charge of Mr. Nead's farm, which he farmed on shares, receiving one-third of the proceeds for his labor. Having abandoned the idea of returning to Indiana, he sold his farm in that State and bought fifty acres adjoining his fatherinlaw's of a Mr. Basores. To this he added more from time to time, until 1879, when he found that economy, industry and frugality, had gained for him a farm of 200 acres. Being interested in horticulture, he commeneed the propagation of fine fruit trees, vines and plants, on a small scale, doing his own grafting, budding and trimming. His trees began to have a reputation for quality throughout the neighborhood, then the State, and now he is shipping them to all parts of the Union, selling large quantities annually. He has met with some competition in his new business, but has always hield his own, and to-day he knows no such thing as opposition. In 1866, having sixty acres of fruit trees demanding his attention, he took in Mr. Gaines as a partner, but this combination was discontinued, and his son William, with Mr. George Yount and Benjamin J. Miller, sons-in-law, attend to this part of his business. During the building of the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railway, Mr. Kinsey had a station located near his nurseries. It was named after him, and is now a ship- ping point of no mean dimensions. In addition to his nurseries here, Mr. K. is con- nected as partner in a large nursery of seventy-seven acres, under the management of Mr. Zubrum, of Whitley County, Ind. (near Columbia City ), from which thousands of trees are shipped to the West, North and South. In order to supply the demands for their apple trees, they are obliged to plant from fifteen to twenty-five bushels of seeds each season. Mr. K. and his estimable wife arc both carnest and consistent members of the Old German Baptist Church, of which he is now a minister, having been chosen to fill that important office by the members of his congregation. He is also the editor of the Tindicator, which has before been referred to. The life of this man surely indi- cates the great ends that may be attained by honesty, industry and economy.

FRANKLIN KLEPINGER, farmer; P. O., Little York. The subject of this biography is the son of Jolin Klepinger, who came to Ohio with his parents and located in Montgomery County. After serving an apprenticeship at the carpenters trade, he accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he remained one year, and returned to Ohio and celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth Boyer. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters, viz: Franklin, Newton, Samuel, Harvey, John, Oliver, Matilda and Harriet. Soon after his marriage he purchased 50 acres of land and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. By hard labor he accumulated quite a large amount of property, both personal and real. Mr. Klepinger departed this life Dec. 7, 1880. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, and his exemplary habits won the esteem of a large circle of friends. The subject of this sketch was born in this county, Randolph Township, Ang. 23, 1832. He obtained an ordinary education and served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he was 30 years af age, and then purchased 62 acres of land. May 25, 1862, he took for wife Anna Hisey, and as a result of this union had three children; David is now living. Mrs. Klepinger departed this life in the spring of 1866. After the death of his wife, Mr. Klepinger

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rented his farm, and put his children under the care of his mother, and returned to his trade, which he followed until 1868, at which date he married his second wife, Miss Anna D. Syler. This union was blessed with five children; one daughter and three sons are now living, viz: Aaron W., John A. and Warren T. After his marriage he returned to his farm, which he has increased to 225 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Klepinger are both members of the German Baptist Church, and their children are co-workers with their parents in the cause of religion.

JEREMIAH KOPP, farmer; P. O., Iamton. Among the gentlemen that we are pleased to mention in the pages of this work is Jeremiah Kopp, born in Lebanon Co., Pa., April 9, 1823. His father, John, was a native of the same county, and followed the occupation of blacksmith. He was united in marriage with Mary Bender, and as a result of this union had eight children, of whom four daughters and two sons survive, viz: Lavina, Elizabeth, Catharine, Margaret, John and Jeremiah. Mr. Kopp emigrated to Ohio and located in Randolph Township, this county, in 1825. He purchased a farm containing 96 acres, covered with a dense growth of timber, which he rented, and engaged at his trade, which he followed until he had to give it up on account of the effect that the heat had on his eyes. He turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death, in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Kopp were both members of the Lutheran Church, and departed this life the same year. Jeremiah, the subject of this sketch, obtained an ordinary education, and at the age of eighteen years engaged in the vocation of tanning, which he continued following as a journeyman at various places, until 1844, when he commenced business for himself, on the Dayton and Union Pike, remaining until 1847, and moved to Indiana and located at New Columbus, Mad- ison Co., where his family was all taken down with chills and fever, which he battled with until 1850, when he came to Ohio, and turned his attention to farm- ing, renting land of his father. He continued farming some years, when he moved to Phillipsburgh, where he was engaged in the hotel business until 1867, and came to Harrisburgh, Randolph Township, and run the National House until 1873, when he purchased a farm one-half mile south of Harrisburgh, and erected a dwelling, in which he has resided until the present. Mr Kopp was married to Hannah G. Boder, born April 9, 1826. They were the parents of two children, viz: Margaret A., born May 5, 1845, and Franklin P., August 22, 1855.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 129

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