The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 131

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 131

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WALTER J. THOMPSON, physician and surgeon; P. O., Union. The father of our subject was a native of Ohio, born Sept. 8, 1819. His father died when he was quite young, and he was left to battle with the world unaided. He possessed a common school education and at 20 years of age commenced working at the cabinetmakers' trade in Cincinnati. After fully mastering his trade he returned to Troy, the town of his nativity, where he engaged in the business of undertaker and furniture dealer, at which he still continues. Walter J., our subject, was born in Miami County, Sept. 8, 1852, where he attended the high school, located at Troy, until he was 18 years old, at which time he graduated. He then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Green, a prominent physician of Troy. After five years of diligent study, he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in due time. After reading another year with Dr. Green, he went to New York City, where he entered the Belleview Hospital and Medical College. From this he also graduated, and after availing himself of special courses of instruction on the eye and ear, he returned to Ohio and entered into a partner- ship with his first preceptor, Dr. Green. He soon dissolved this connection ard located in Union, and commenced the practice of his profession with Dr. Hawkins of that place. He married Miss Addie Hawkins, the daughter of Samuel Hawkins, Oct. 14, 1879, by whom he had one son, Samuel, born to him. The doctor is connected with the following medical societies in the State: The Ohio State, Miami and Montgomery and the district societies of Darke, Shelby and Miami Counties.

AMOS B. TOBIAS, farmer; P. O., Clayton, was born in Berks Co., Pa., in 1824. His father, Michael, was a native of the same county, and was united in marriage witli a Miss Booher. As a result of this union had thirteen children,

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viz. : Christian, Michael, sohn, Paul, Jacob, Daniel, Elias, Amos, Mollie, Cathia- rine, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and was brought up to farm labor. He came to Ohio with his father, and settled in Montgomery County, assisting him until he was 25 years of age. He celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth Leisure in 1819, and had three children; Horace and Lee Edgar are now living. Soon after his marriage lie rented a farm and followed the honorable vocation of cultivating the soil, and was very successful, soon being able to purchase it. He remained on it but a short time, when he disposed of it and purchased his father-in-law's, which he cultivated until 1866, when he disposed of it and moved to Salem, and engaged in the general merchandise business, which he continued in up to 1871; returned to the farm, and has since engaged in various pursuits up to the time he moved on his present place.

HAMILTON M. TURNER, farmer; P. O., Clayton, was born in Pennsylva- nia, Sept. 18, 1815. His father, John, emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1820, and settled in Montgomery County. Mr. Turner was by occupation a farmer and distiller. He was united in marriage with Margaret Wagoner. They were the parents of eight children, viz: Nancy, Mary, James. H., John W., William, Oliver P., Joseph M. and Hamilton M. Mr. Turner, by his exemplary habits, soon commamled the respect of all who knew him. As an example, to show the esteem in which he was held, he was elected representative of his county to the Legislature in 1827 and 1829, and in 1830 was elected Associate Judge in the court of common pleas. Hamilton M., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools of the county, and assisted his father with the farm duties, until he was 22 years of age. He was married to Hannah Harburgh, daughter of David Harburgh, one of the early pioneers of this county. Mr. Turner raised a very exemplary family of ten children, of whom five survive, viz: Margaret, Maria, Phoebe, Harriet and Anna. In 1839 he engaged in the milling and distilling bus- iness, associating himself with his brother John, until 1842, when he drew out his interest and moved to Indiana, but failing to find a satisfactory opening, soon returned to this county, and again connected himself with his brother, who had previously taken in Jacob Heck as a partner, the firm being known as Turner, Heck & Co. They continued in business until 1848, when our subject then with- drew and formed a partnership with his brothers, John and Joseph, and built a ' large brick distillery on the banks of Wolf Creek, in Salem, and run it in connec- tion with the dry goods and grocery business until 1851, when our subject drew out and purchased what was then known as the Engle mill, on the banks of the Still- water, near where he now resides. Mr. Turner, desiring to build up a more extensive business, again entered into partnership with his brothers, and erected a large flouring mill at Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, which they soon converted into a distillery, at a cost of $30,000. In the summer of 1844 they had the misfortune to lose the mill at Salem, it being destroyed by a stroke of lightning, which burnt it and 20,000 bushels of grain; the loss being estimated at $15,000. They imme- diately began the work of replacing it, which was done in ninety days. In the fall of 1856, they again dissolved partnership, our subject retaining the property at Salem, and in 1861 he disposed of his dry goods business, and gave his exclusive attention to the distillery. Having some surplus capital on hand, he purchased an interest in the firm of Walker & Moses, which he drew out at the expiration of three years, not having time to give it the proper attention; also in a short time closed out his distillery as the advance in revenue and the declining price of spirits was such, as to render it useless to continue longer. He is at present operating a saw and flouring-mill in connection with his farm. Mr. Turner is now 67 years of age, and of course the most active part of his life is spent, but he has, by untiring labor and industry, accumulated enough of this world's goods to keep him and his good and industrious wife the balance of their days.

E. F. WARNER, P. O., Clayton, was born in Randolph Township, Montgom-

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ery Co., Ohio, on the 28th day of Feb., 1828. Is a school teacher by profession, but has retired from teaching. Was married twice ; his first wife's name was Catharine Caufman, died Dec. 11, 1862. In 1865 was married to Rachel A. Lasure, and have six children from second union. Minnie May, Catharine Elizabeth, Sylvia Lode- mia, John Elliot, Arthur Livingstone and Edith Irene, are the names of his children. John J. Warner, the father of E. F., was born in Bedford Co., Pa., in 1803; came with his father, Jacob Warner, to Randolph Township in 1812. In 1811 Henry Warner, the great-grandfather of this subject, came with all his children down the Ohio river, in flat-bottom boats from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. The son's names were Jacob, John, Henry, Andrew, David and Daniel. The girls were Catharine and Elizabeth. They all engaged in agricultural pursuits. Each one opened a farm in said township, but all have long since "gone the way of all the earth." They founded a large settlement, known as the "Warner Settlement," far and near. There are but two of the name living in the township, E. F. Warner and Enos Warner. The present generation has migrated, and some of them are living in every western State, from Ohio to the Pacific slope, and most of them are still engaged in tilling the soil. Henry Warner, the great grandfather of the present generation, came from Wittenburg, Gemany, over a century ago, and settled in Frederick Co., Md. At the close of the revolutionary war, settled in Bedford Co., Pa., and from there migrated to Ohio in 1811.

HENRY C. WEAVER, merchant; P. O., Iamton. The father of our sub- ject, Henry Weaver, Sr., was born in Adams Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1815. He had the advantage of a common school education, and his early years were passed upon a farm. He emigrated to this county, settling near Little York, where he was engaged in huckstering, exchanging dry goods and groceries for produce, which he disposed of in Cincinnati. The mother was the daughter of Richard Sandhan, who was one of the early proprietors of a large and flourishing mill and woolen factory in the neighborhood of Little York, and who was also a prominent mason. As a result of this union ten children were born, seven of whom are living. Eliz- abeth, Mary, Annie, Jane, Wealthy, Emma and our subject, who was born in Montgomery County, March 21, 1849. After receiving instruction in the common branches, he learned the trade of a cooper, but desiring a change in occupation, two years later found him in a flouring mill. He had a taste for mercantile pur- suits, and as soon as he had accumulated sufficient means, he purchased a stock of goods, and at Little York opened a dry goods store. Here he remained eight years, during which period, through habits of industry and economy, combined with business tact, had become a successful and prosperous business man, having made and saved several thousand dollars; but not content with the size of his bus- iness and location, in the spring of 1880 he built at Harrisburgh a large and commodious store-room, stocking it with a choice selection of dry goods, groceries, and, in fact, everything found in a general store. Mr. Weaver is a good citizen and an active and enterprising business man, and has filled several minor offices of honor and trust tendered him by the citizens of the community in which he resides. He was united in marriage with Catharine Mast, March 2, 1869, and the union was blessed with eight children, six of whom are now living, by names Sarah, Maud, Dixon, Harry, Wesley and William H.

WILLIAM A. WEST, carriage manufacturer; P. O., Union. William A. West is the son of William West, Sr., who was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio with his father, in the year 1810, and settled in Green County, making the journey all the way in a wagon. Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812, he enlis.ed as a corporal, and for gallantry was promoted to the position of recruiting officer for Gen. Hull's army. After the surrender of Gen. Hull, was taken with the prisoners of war to Canada, where they received their parole. Mr. West joined a party of seven, and set out for their respective homes in Ohio, and during their journey, were attacked several times by the roving bands of Indians, who were at war against the settlements along the border, and became separated. Mr.

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West being a man that possessed wonderful powers of endurance, and was very fleet of foot, arrived home in safety, his companions never being heard from. It was supposed that they fell victims to the scalping knife. Mr. West chose Elizabeth as a partner for life, she being a native of Virginia. They were the parents of four children, viz: Margaret, David, John and William W. The subject of our biography was born in Green Co., Ohio, April 3, 1817, and was thrown out on the cold charities of the world by the death of his parents when quite young; conse- quently his opportunity for obtaining an education was very limited. But by being very economical he managed to pay three months tuition in a subscrip- tion school, which, with the time he devoted to his studies during his leisure hours, obtained a fair knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic. About 1839 he engaged with a gentleman in Union to learn the wagon-makers' trade, remain- ing one year, after which he was employed at various other places, until 1842, when he located in Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, and engaged in business for himself, which he carried on with marked success until he unfortunately lost his capital by endorsing a note for a friend, which closed up his business. Mr. West, with energy and untiring industry, was soon enabled to commence business, the second time locating in Union, this (Montgomery) county, where he carried on business until 1859, when he went to Missouri, and settled near Union, in Franklin County, where he followed agricultural pursuits until the close of the war. He returned to Union, this county, in 1865, and engaged in the manufacturing of car- riages, which he has continued in until the present, with good success. Mr. West has never been an aspirant for office, but served the township in the capacity of Justice of the Peace for several years. Mr. West took for wife Rhoda Martin, a native of Kentucky. Thirteen children were born to bless this union, five of whom are now living, viz: John, George, Frank, Alice and Rachel.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS L. ASKINS, farmer, P. O., Ellerton, was born in Frederick Co., Md., June 7th, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Nancy A. Askins, of that State, who came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1831. Daniel was in limited circumstances upon reaching Ohio, but by hard, constant labor, he and wife managed to provide themselves with a comfortable home before old age came upon them. They had seven children-four sons and three daughters-five of whom are now living. Mrs. Nancy A. Askins was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty-four years, and died March 25, 1877; her husband followed her to his last earthly home Aug. 7, 1880, having been a member of the Union Baptist Church nearly all of his life. Thomas L. grew up a farmer, and as such has passed his days thus far. He Was married Dec. 11, 1853, to Sarah A. Getter, daughter of George and Mary Getter, who was born Sept. 25, 1835, of which union eleven children are the fruits, ten now living, as follows :- William H., James B., George W., Maria E., Peter T., Mary A., Jacob D., Thomas L. (dec.), Sarah C., Perry G., and Lottie.

Our subject owns a nice farm of 40 acres, well improved, which constitutes a comfortable home. Although his advantages for an education were limited, he in- hierited good business talents, and good common sense, which have fitted him for life's duties. He has been a trustee of his township eight years, and a Justice of the Peace six, thus demonstrating that he is a man well respected by the community in which he lives. His wife died March 27, 1881, in full fellowship with the Lutheran Church, and respected by all who knew her.

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE W. BECKER, farmer, P. O., Ellerton, was born in this township, March 25, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Susanna Becker, natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., who settled in Jefferson Township, about 1816, commencing life in a log cabin in the dense forest. They had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, Henry dying in 1851, aged 63 years, a sincere adherent of the Lutheran Church. His wife was born Jan. 13, 1799; is still living and a member of the Reformed Church. George W. hved with his parents until his majority, and was married Jan. 8, 1860, to Sarah Kelsey, daughter of David and Margaret Kelsey, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this township at an early day. Mrs. Becker was here born Feb. 4, 1840, and has bore Mr. Becker six sons and one daughter, as follows: Rosa B., Valerius, William H., David E., Francis M., Seabury, and Jesse L. Mr. Becker is a member of the Lutheran and his wife of the United Brethren church. Franklin A. Stupp, who married their daughter Rosa B., was born May 13, 1859, and is a son of Isaac, and Leah Stupp, natives of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife of the Reformed denomination. Mr. Becker and family are among the worthy, law-abiding people of their community.

NOAH COLER, farmer, P. O., Liberty, was born in Maryland in 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Coler, natives of the same State and of German English extraction (name formerly spelled Koller). Mr. Coler has one brother, C. A., and two sisters, Mrs. Susanna Collett (dec.), and Mrs. Jane C. Cotterman. They came to Jackson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1833, where Joseph remained until his death, his widow yet surviving him. Noah grew to manhood on a farm, receiving liis education in the neighborhood schools, and followed the voca- tion of school teaching for a time. He was married in Preble Co., Ohio, March 7, 1852, to Eliza A. Gregg, daughter of Silas and Susan Gregg, the former a native of Georgia, the latter of Preble Co., Ohio, of which union ten children have been born, viz., Ehjah J., Aaron, Jehu, Ezra E., Ira, Perry, (dec.) Emma, (dec.) Ida M., Etta, (dec.) and Christian, (dec). Mr. Coler has filled many minor offices of trust, and being a man of more than ordinary abilities, is recognized as one of the best repre- sentative farmers of Jefferson Township, as he is one of the most successful in the county. He is the owner of a fine farm of 320 acres in a high state of cultivation, and makes the breeding of thoroughbred stock a specialty, having now some fine specimens of Short Horn cattle and Poland China hogs on his farm. Mr. Coler is a progressive, enterprising citizen, who readily supports every measure that he believes will be a benefit to the county which has been his home for forty-eight years.

ELIJAH J. COLER, manufacturer, P. O., Liberty, was born in Jefferson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, July 16, 1853, and is the eldest son of Noah Coler, one of the leading farmers of this township, whose sketch appears in this work. He grew up on the homestead, remaining with his parents until of age, during which time he partially learned the art of working in wood, his mind ever leaning towards mechanical construction. In the fall of 1876 he invented a patent gate, receiving his patent in Jan. 1877, upon which he has since improved, until to-day it is recognized as one of the best, if not the best gate in the market. He manu- factured this gate first at New Lebanon, but in 1880 removed to Liberty, where in the fall of 1881, he erected a commodious shop where all classes of general jobbing is done, besides the manufacture of his gate, two sorts of which he is making, viz. : "Coler's Automatic" and "Coler's Duplex," the latter being the one most in demand, as it always opens from the horses and never freezes fast in cold weather, advan- tages that can be thoroughly appreciated by all who may have used a patent gate. He has manufactured hundreds of these gates, sending them throughout Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, also to the East, and everywhere they have given good satisfaction. Mr. Coler was married Feb. 3, 1881, to Laura E. Gifford, of Preble Co., Ohio, whose father is dead, but her mother is yet residing in that county. Mr. Coler's success is the result of his own efforts, having personally in- troduced his gate throughout those States mentioned, and his future may be justly udged from the past.

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JOHN H. ECK, farmer, P. O., Ellerton, is the son of Elias and Rachel (Weaver) Eck, he a native of Maryland, she of this county. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, viz., Amanda (dec.) Sarah A., John H., Horace, Charles O., Willis A., George W., Rachel E. The subject of this sketch was born in this county, June 7, 1851, and lived at home until his majority, work- ing upon the farm and attending school during the winter. For three years after his majority, he worked at the carpenter trade. Aug. 26, 1875, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Getter, born Sept 1, 1854, the only child of George W. and Catharine (Marker) Getter, of this township. By this union they have been blessed with one son, Walter I., born Dec. 31, 1878. Mr. Eck has a very pleasant home on section 28, where he now resides.

JOHN W. FITZGERALD, Minister, P. O., Liberty. The subject of this sketch was born in Scott County, Kentucky, A. D. 1839. His grand-father, Jesse Fitzgerald, was a nephew of Lord Fitzgerald, of Ireland, and two great uncles of John W. Fitzgerald bore a conspicuous part in the early struggles of American in- dependence. They were with Washington and Lafayette at the surrender of Cornwallis. John M. Fitzgerald, son of Jesse Fitzgerald, was born in Fayette Co., Ky., and at the age of 25 he was united in marriage to Mary S. Smallwood, grand-daughter of Dr. Thomas E. Bond, medical purveyor in the Con- tinental Army. The result of this union was twelve children, of which John W. Fitzgerald was the second. John received his early training in the State of Ken- tucky. In the year 1853 his father migrated to the State of Virginia. Having a large family, he was unable to give proper attention to the education of his children, but John, through his own energy and perseverance, was able to take one course at the Buchanan Normal School, at the close of which the civil war broke out, and as everything in that part of the State was thrown into confusion, it being the line of military operations, John was unable to pursue his studies any further. During this second great struggle for liberty, John was not idle, but took part in the great panorama of the day, and was a greater part of the time on special detail caring for and gathering up the wounded of both armies. At the close of the war he returned home. Was united in marriage to Missouri A. Bond, November 23, 1865,

and they connected themselves with the German Baptists, in the year 1867. He was called to the ministry in June, 1869, was advanced to the second degree of the ministry in the State of West Virginia on the 6th day of October 1870, and con- tinued to labor with success in that State until the year 1875, when he moved his family to Franklin Co., Ky., in which State he labored as a missionary until the year 1877. In March of that year he settled in Darke Co., Ohio, and labored with the brethren of Darke County until the 25th of March, 1880, when he located in Jefferson Township, Montgomery County, and is at present preaching in what is known as the Bear Creek Church.

GEORGE GETTER, deceased, was the son of John and Mary M. (Lambert) Getter, natives of Lancaster Co. Pa., who about 1818 came to this township, from the Keystone State, where they lived and died. They were the parents of eight children, viz., John, George, Jacob, Polly, Anna, all of whom are dead, and Louisa, Sallie and William are living. Our subject was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1805, and lived at home until his marriage with Mary E. Wertz, March 14, 1828. She was the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Weimer) Wertz, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Aug. 25, 1808. Her parents had a family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom raised families, and one son died unmarried. The names are as follows: Anthony, Catherine, Nancy, Sarah, John, Jacob, all dec. and Daniel, Jerome, Caroline, Elizabeth, Harriet, Rachel, Lavina and Mary E., who are living. To George and Mary E. Getter were born thirteen children, viz., John G., Daniel (dec.) George W., (dec.) William W., Sarah, Jacob, Joseph L., Peter T., (dec.) Mary E., Samnel, Perry P., (dec.) Henry B., and Albert T., all of whom lived to be married and have families. Mr. Getter began lite in very limited cir- cumstances, not having a table, chair or even a knife, fork or spoon in their little

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log cabin, all of which they borrowed until able to buy the same from their scanty earnings, but by constant toil and rigid savings they finally secured a comfortable home ere his death, July 5, 1875, owning 160 acres of good land in Section 22. Mr. Getter was Township Treasurer for twelve years, Infirmary Director for six years, and held many minor positions, all of which he filled withi credit and satis- faction. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church for about 57 years, to which his widow has also belonged for more than half a century. Mrs. Getter lives in the old homestead, enjoying the blessings of this life, with a bright hope in the one to come, and has the consolation of seeing her children, grand-children and great-grand-children settled around her and respected members of society.

JOHN N. GETTER, farmer, P. O., Liberty. This gentleman is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Jefferson Township, and here first saw the light Sept. 14, 1836. He is a son of John and Eve Getter, natives of the Keystone State, and lived with his parents until his marriage, May 8, 1856, to Phobe A. Schenck, daughter of Ward and Anna Schenck, of Clear Creek Township, Warren Co., Ohio. Soon after this event he bought the farm of 80 acres upon which he has since made his home. This marriage was blest by eleven children, five of whom died in infancy and six yet surviving, viz., Clement L., Florence, V., Arthur R., Emma A., Ida B., and John C. Mr. and Mrs. Getter are members of the Lutheran Churchi, and respected, worthy citizens.

ISAAC HAINES, P. O., Dayton, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 19, 1827, and is a son of Allen and Nancy (Lemmon) Haines, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Ireland, who came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1828, where both resided until death. Our subject grew up on the farm, receiving his education in the district schools. He was married Aug. 17, 1848, to Barbara A. Teeter, a native of Ohio, born Dec. 17, 1829, and daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dunston) Teeter, natives of Virginia, who settled in this county in 1832, where her mother died, her father yet residing here. To Isaac and Barbara A. Haines seven children have been born, as follows: Elizabeth A., Daniel W., (dec.) Sarah C., Birdie, (dec.) Walter, Emma, (dec.) and Clarence E. Mr. Haines followed farming all his life, and in Jan., 1879, he was appointed by the Directors, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, which official position of trust and confidence he is still holding. Politically he is a staunch Democrat, believing firmly in the rock-ribbed principles of Jeffersonian democracy. He was trustee of Madison Township six years. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F. Mr. Haines is an intelligent, well read farmer, and is thoroughly competent of filling the position he now holds, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the directors and citizens of Montgomery County.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 131

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