The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 140

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 140

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REV. S. S. HOLDEN, minister, P. O. West Milton, Miami County, Ohio. Among the many men of Ohio who have devoted their lives to the ministry, our sub- ject occupies a leading place. He was born in Harrison County, W. Va., September 6, 1832, and remained with his father until he attained his twenty-third year, removing with his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1835, thence to Kalida, Putnam County, where he received his education. Receiving his theological training from his father, he, in 1854, entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church, and in 1856 joined the Auglaize Conference, preaching in different portions of Ohio and Indiana for thirteen years. In 1869, he was called to the Miami Conference, his first work being on the Beavertown Circuit, ninety members being received during the first three years. He next went to Germantown, fifty-eight members being received there, and after filling various other pulpits he was finally called to Beavertown Circuit, where we now find him. During his twenty-three years of ministerial services, he has been in- strumental in building nine churches, one of them being called " Holden Chapel" in honor of the founder, and it is one of the finest church buildings in the county, costing $5,000, its graceful spire standing as a monument to his untiring energy. To illus- trate his efficiency as a man of deeds we refer to a few of the many things accom- plished by him during his labors in the Lord's vineyard. During his two years work at Springboro, on the Utica Mission Circuit, although he found no church organiz a- tion there, one was soon effected; " Centennial Chapel," built at a cost of $5,000, and seventy-six members received. He has collected for missionary and other purposes $25,727.40, and has received into the church 1,610 members ; he has never missed an appointment on account of ill health, and in an carly day he rode on a circuit in Jay, Blackford and Wells Counties, Ind., 150 miles every three weeks, filling seventeen ap- pointments ; surely his has been a grand work. He was married September 30, 1856, to Sarah A. Buxton, second daughter of Singleton Buxton, of Mercer County, Ohio, of which union five children have been born, three of whom are living-Pierson B., William S. and Ella. To every appearance, Mr. Holden is only in the prime of life, and imbued as he is with a spirit of Christian energy, and a love of doing good, his work is sure to be crowned with the diadem of success in this life and the eternal crown of happiness in the next.

ISOM JOHNSON, farmer, P.O. Vandalia, was born, raised and received his educa- tion in Montgomery County. Born December 25, 1827, and remained at home on the farm with his parents until seventeen years of age. He then engaged with John Shoup to learn the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed for twelve years. His first purchase in real estate was 160 acres of land in Shelby County; selling this to advantage, he then bought the place where he now resides, 133 acres, all in a fine state of cultivation. The improvements are of the very best. The farm is located one mile north, and one half mile east of Vandalia. In addition to this, he owns 182 acres, the total valuation being about $40,000. When he first commenced business for himself a two-year-old

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colt was his sole preperty. Here is an example of energy and economy well worthy of imitation by the rising generation of the county. He married Miss Massey, fourth daughter of Isaac Miller, June 5, 1853; three children are the result of this union- John H., William A. and Amanda E., the latter now Mrs. William Shoup, all are living near the old homes. Mr. Johnson is looked up to as a man of sound judgment and good business qualifications, is a courteous gentleman and a good citizen.

JOSEPH D. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Vandalia, was born in Butler Town- ship March 30, 1830, and has lived here all his life; remained at home with his father until he attained his majority ; then entered into a contraet to work a farm on the shares with his brothers, John, Alexander, Morton and Isom. At the expiration of one year, he bought the farm where he now resides. Owns fifty-nine acres, all under good cultiva- tion, on which stands a good, comfortable house, the whole valued at $5,000. On every hand one can see the evidenees of thrift, prosperity and comfort. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Retten, of Bethel Township, Miami County, September 3, 1854. One child was born to them, who died in infancy. Has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for twenty-one years. Has held the office of Supervisor two years, and that of School Director six years, both of which he has filled to the satisfaction of all coneerned.

ALEXANDER V. JORDAN, general country store, Vandalia; is one of the leading merchants of that village ; was born at Edenton, Clermont County, Ohio, May 21, 1839, and remained at home with his father until twenty-eight years of age, receiv- ing his education in the public schools. His first purchase was forty-seven acres of land at a eost of $1,700 ; at the expiration of two years, selling to good advantage, he removed to where we now find him, and engaged in the mercantile trade in March, 1868, associating himself with R. L. Coffman; the store invoiced $2,400. This part- nership continued for twelve years, when Mr. Coffman retired, leaving the subject of this sketch sole proprietor. Enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio National Guard for one hundred days, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment ; partieipated in the battles of North River and Green Spring Run, Va., the federal forces losing in killed and wounded twenty per cent of the entire command. His youngest brother, Charles, was captured in the first mentioned engagement, and after passing through all the horrors of Andersonville, he died of starvation Oct. 16, 1864, aged twenty years. Mr. Jordan has held the offices of City Treasurer six years, City Clerk two years, and Treasurer of the school fund three years ; has been a con- sistent member of the United Brethren Church for eleven years. He married Laura A., second daughter of David Coffman, of West Alexandria, Ohio, December 24, 1867, four children have been born to them, three of whom are living-Charles, Louie M. and Carrie E. We regard Mr. Jordan as a man of good business qualifications, and a courteous gentleman, who commands the respect of his friends and neighbors.

JOHN R. LIMBERT, farmer, P. O. Chambersburg, one of the carly pioneers of this county, was born December 5, 1811, in Perry County, Penn. His father, Henry, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., about 1786, and was united in marriage with Catharine, daughter of Adam Wagoner; were the parents of thirteen ehildren -- John R., Barbara (deceased), Lewis, Henry (deceased ), Mary, George, Levi, Adam, Susanna, Elizabeth, Sarah, Peter (deceased), Catharine (deceased). The subject of this memoir received a fair education in the common sehools, and learned the wagon- maker's trade with John Garlig, where he served two years, and worked as journey- man four years, when he engaged in business for himself and pursued it successfully for eleven years, when he purchased a saw-mill and ran it in connection with his business for seven years, and then exchanged it for the farm he now resides on, of fifty-one acres, in 1843. It is under a good state of cultivation and well improved. He celebrated his marriage with Regana, daughter of George and Elizabeth Slenker, May 24, 1836, and had one ehild who died in infaney. Mrs. Limbert departed this life September 2, 1880. She was a good and noble woman, esteemed by her many friends, and all with whom she associated. Mr. Limbert has never been an aspirant for office, but has been Justiec of the Peace and Trustee of the township, thus showing the prominence and

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confidence he holds in the community in which he lives. He is now sixty-nine years of age, and the most active part of his life is spent. He has left a record and history of success and confidence that future generations would do well to imitate.

MICHAEL C. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Vandalia, was born at Linglestown, Dauphin County, Penn., March 28, 1829, and removed with his father to Montgomery County, in 1834. In 1847, the family again removed to Preble County, Ohio. He remained on the farm with his parents until 1858, then rented a farm near Germantown ; here he remained five years, and during this time by industry and economy he saved $2,000. With this capital he purchased a farm of eighty-six acres, near New Madison, Darke County. Here he remained another five years. Having an opportunity to sell to good advantage, he disposed of all his possessions and removed to where we now find him. He owns twenty acres in a high state of cultivation, and a fine two-story frame resi- dence graces the grounds. Although Mr. Miller is not an old resident of the county he is one of its prosperous men. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Hetzler, of Ger- mantown, Ohio, January 14, 1858. He has been a consistent member of the United Brethren Church for eighteen years.

REV. JOHN C. MILLER, minister, Vandalia, born in Union Deposit, Dauphin County, Penn., August 15, 1831. Removed with his father to Montgomery County, November, 1833. After a lapse of fourteen years the family again removed to Preble County, Ohio. Mr. Miller had only the advantages of a common school education, but by hard study, at the age of twenty-nine years, he received an appointment in the ministerial service of the United Brethren Church, to which profession he still ad- heres, and is now laboring on the Salem Circuit, filling four different appointments, viz .: Salem, Phillipsburg, Brookville and South Arlington. He owns a comfortable resi- dence within the corporate limits of Vandalia. He married Miss Helen Coffman, of Enterprise, Preble County, August 17, 1854. Nine children are the result of his union, seven of whom are living. Lawrence C., the eldest son, is now undergoing a classical course at Otterbein University, preparatory to entering the ministry. Ulysses G., thirteen years of age, is deaf, having lost his hearing by brain fever when only one year old. He is now being educated at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at Columbus, Ohio.

JOSEPH MILLER, farmer, P. O. Tadmor, born April 11, 1844. Remained at home with his parents until twenty-two years of age. His first move was to Miami County, where he rented land and remained one year, and this one year is the total time that he has lived outside of the county where he was born. In 1868, he removed to where we now find him. His first purchase was thirty acres, at a cost of $1,200, which he still owns. He started with literally nothing and to-day, through his own exertions and that of his good wife, he is worth about $4,000. He married Matilda, second daughter of S. S. Wells, February 16, 1868. Two children have been born to them-Laura M. and Harvey C .- both promising children. The biography of both his father and grandfather will be found in this volume, in connection with the life sketch of Isaac Miller.

ISAAC MILLER, farmer, P. O. Tadmor. The man of whom we now write traces his lineage back to the pioneer stock of the State. His father emigrated to Ohio in an early day and settled in this county on 165 acres of Government land, on which he remained until his death, the date of which is unfortunately lost. His remains are buried in the city of Dayton, near where the court house now stands. The subject of this sketch was born on the farm where he now resides, March 7, 1828, and has spent his entire life here. It becomes our duty to chronicle a very remarkable fact, that the father and son lived on the same farm for near three-quarters of a century. He bor- rowed the money to make his first purchase, thirty acres for $840, and through his own exertions is to-day in fair circumstances. He enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, October 21, 1861, then under command of Col. Granville Moodie, and served until the close of the war. Was engaged in the battle of Stone River and many others. For meritorious services was promoted from the ranks to a First Lieu- tenant and assigned to the command of Company G, and was honorably discharged July

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17. 1865. He married Miss Martha, second daughter of Henry Westerman, January 29, 1851. Three children have been born to them, two of whom are living-Ellen and Lizzie. Henry died June 22, 1867, and lies in Sunderland's Cemetery. The first mentioned is now Mrs. Jacob Ryder, of Preble County, the latter Mrs. John C. Miller, of Harrisburg. He has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for sixteen years, is a gentleman and a good citizen.

JOHN P. NINE, Principal of the Vandalia School, Vandalia, born in Miami County, April 12, 1847 ; remained at home with his parents until the year 1865 ; received his education at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., commenced teach- ing in Union Township in 1865, which occupation he followed until June, 1868, when he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the direction of Elder Bennett on Feesburg Circuit. At the expiration of one year the Quarterly Conference granted him a leave of absence, for the purpose of taking a theological course. In 1875, he was admitted into the Cincinnati Conference, and labored one year at Sears street and Ebenezer Churches, Dayton. The following year, he received an appointment to Ger- mantown and Winchester Circuit, but failing health forced him to abandon the calling of his choice. He next engaged to teach in District No. 1, this township; after filling this position three years, he was next chosen Principal of the High School at Vandalia. He married Emma A., youngest daughter of David North, of Vandalia, December 24, 1871 ; four children have been born to them, two of whom are living. Is a member of Vandalia Lodge 657, I. O. O. F.

M. V. PATTON, physician and surgeon, Vandalia, was born in the city of Spring- field August 31, 1843 ; lost his father when only four years of age, and was taken by Henry Bates, of Wayne Township, to raise and educate. He entered school at Dayton in the year 1861. After completing his studies he removed to Vandalia and com- menced the study of medicine under the instructions of J. D. Kemp, M. D., and finished his medical education under J. J. McIlhenny, of Dayton. Commenced the practice of medicine at Harrisburg, Ohio, 1875, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which time he established himself where we now find him. He married Annie E., youngest daughter of Jacob Richmond of Dayton, April 28, 1870 ; one child is the result of this union-Gertrude C. The Doctor has a large and increasing practice, and is recognized as a good physician.

JAMES PATTY, retired farmer, P. O. Little York, is one of the old pioneers and prominent farmers of this township ; he was born March 9, 1812. His father, Charles, was a native of South Carolina, born about the year 1788, in what was then called the Columbia District. He was united in marriage with Phoebe, daughter of Enoch and Phoebe Pierson. They came to Ohio and located in Miami County in 1807, and were the parents of nine children, viz. : Mary, Rebecca, Enoch, John, Mark, Wi !!- iam, Phoebe, Ann and James. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the common schools, and assisted with the farm duties until he married Mary, daughter of James and Margaret Beck, in 1833. He moved to Shelby County in 1835, and re- mained there until 1839, after which he moved to this township and settled on the place where he now resides. It contained 160 acres, but he has since added thirty- eight acres, situated near the banks of the Stillwater River, making in all 198 acres, of which 150 are under a good state of cultivation. They are the parents of ten children, viz. : Charles, Nancy, Phoebe, John, George, Martha, Anna, Margaret, Mark and Mary, four of whom are dead.

PERRY N. RANKIN, merchant and Postmaster, Little York, was born near Johnsville, March 14, 1856. He remained at home on the farm until twenty-two years of age, and received his education in the public schools. His first venture in life was in the above-named business at Frederick, Miami County, where he remained eight months, at the expiration of which time he removed this store to where we now find him ; was appointed Postmaster last April; amount of stock carried $2,000, his fall purchase will amount to $2,000, and the spring purchase to $1,000. He commenced in mercantile life with $500; his yearly sales aggregate about $8,000. He married Miss Anna N., eldest daughter of Frederick Smith, January 1, 1879 ; one child has

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been born to them-Stella. Mr. Rankin is yet a young man, and his business places him in a position to become one of the leading business men of Montgomery County.

DAVID RYDER, retired farmer, P. O. Vandalia, was born November 2, 1812. His father, Jacob Ryder, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was united in marriage with Mary Wortce; she departed this life in 1819. They were the parents of uine children ; five of whom are living, viz. : Catharine, Elizabeth, John, Susanna and David. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the common schools, and was brought up to farm labor. He came to Ohio with his father, locating in this county, Jefferson Township, in 1828. He married Catharinc, daughter of John and Mary Keener, in 1834; rented his father's farm the following year, after which he purchased his present place, containing 133 acres, nearly all under a good state of culti- vation. Mr. Ryder commenced in life a poor boy, but by hard labor, together with temperate and correct business habits, he has accumulated considerable property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife, and they are now reaping the reward of their labor. They have been members of the New-School Lutheran Church for upwards of forty years, having a large circle of friends and are highly esteemed by all who know them, being hospitable and kind to all. Mr. Ryder has been School Director for several years. They are the parents of nine children ; of whom seven are living, viz. : Mary, Michael, David, Jacob, John, Henry and Ema- line, while two, Nancy and Anna, are dead.

RICHARD SUNDERLAND, farmer, P. O. Vandalia. The man of whom we write comes of the pioneer stock of this county born in Butler Township, June 28, 1818 ; he has lived within one-half mile of his birth-place all his life. Educational advantages in his boyhood days were very meager. The schoolhouse in which he received his education was built of round poles, the windows consisted of holes ten inches wide and six to eight feet long, covered with oiled paper, the desks and seats were composed of slabs, and the floor was rough hewn slabs, laid loose on the ground. School was kept not to exceed four months in the year, and was supported by subscrip- tion, no school fund then being in existence. Mr. Sunderland remained on the farm where he was born until he became of age, then rented eighty acres on which he re- mained until 1866, when he bought thirty acres at a cost of $1,000, and has kept adding thereto year after year, until, at this datc, we find him possessed of 300 acres, all under good state of cultivation. In 1879, he erected a large and commodious brick dwelling at a cost of $3,000. He was married to Miss Elanor Reed, March 25, 1839 ; three children were born to them, two of whom are still living, the oldest daughter, now being Mrs. Elwood Furnace, of Story County, Iowa. Mrs. Sunderland de- parted this life in 1855, when he was again married to Miss Nancy Wells, of Mont- gomery County, March 13, 1856 ; eight children bless this union ; six are living, the two oldest being twin girls. Mr. Sunderland is still vigorous and apparently only in his prime. Has held the office of Township Trustec fifteen years ; has been a consist- ent member of the United Brethren Church for twenty years, and is now serving a ten years' term as Land Appraiser. His judgment and business qualifications are very good, and as a man and neighbor he ranks with any in his township.

JAMES SUNDERLAND, farmer, P. O. Vandalia. Among the many enter- terprising farmers of this county the name of James Sunderland occupies a prominent place. He is descended from pioneer stock of the county and traces his lineage back to the days of " ye olden time." Was born on the farm where we now find him, August 31, 1823, and it is a remarkable fact that Mr. S. has spent his entire life ou this farm. At the age of twenty-one years he began life by working this (his father's) farm on the shares, which he continued to follow until the year 1866. By industry and economy he was by this time enabled to purchase thirty acres, for which he paid $1,000. Fortune smiled upon him, and as year after year passed by, acre after acre was added to the first purchase, until now 518 acres constitute the homestead. In 1877, Mr. Sunderland erected a finc residence, which is in keeping with the rapid ad- vancement of the county. This is one of the model farms of the county, and is valued at $26,000. His educational advantages were the same as those of his brother Richard,

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whose biography will be found in this volume. This gentleman, we look upon as a very fair sample of the self-made men of our times. He was married to Miss Mary Wells, April 18, 1844; eight children have been born to them, two of whom are still living, Matilda J. and Della A .; both are married and live on the home farm. Mr. Sunder- land has never sought any offiee whatever, but has lived a quiet, retired life, and the historian deems it but just to spread his sketeh upon the pages of history as one of the worthy men of Montgomery County.

PETER TENNEY deceased, a native of New Jersey, born September 12, 1808 ; he emigrated to Ohio with his parents in 1811, and settled in this county ; his mother died the same year the family arrived in Ohio, and Peter was taken to be edueated by a widow lady, Mrs. Lowery. With this lady he remained fifteen years, when he returned to his father, who, in the meantime, had removed to Clark County; hc remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He married Miss Nancy, third daughter of George Drummond, May 27, 1830. Twelve children have been born to them, eleven of whom are living. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, died February 9, 1870 ; the remains lie in what is now known as the Fenner Cemetery. Mr. Tenny was one of the pioneers of this county, and was well known all over Northern and Central Olio. He departed this life June 9, 1880. His remains are buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. His widow still lives on the farm two and a half miles north of Vandalia, on the Springfield and Union gravel road. She is very vigorous for one of her age, and to judge from appearanees only in the prime of life. She was born near Fairfield, Clark County, August 9, 1810, and has been a consistent member of the Christian Church for eighteen years. By request of Mrs. Tenney, we locate all the children as follows : George Tenney, Peabody, Kansas, grain and coal dealer ; John C. Tenney, Sheridan, Neb., farmer; Franklin Tenney, Sheridan, Neb., agricultural implement dealer ; Mrs. Sarah Saunders, Casstown, Ohio ; Mrs. Margaret Addleman, Athens, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Townsley, Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Rosanna O'Neil, Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Nancy Ketcham, Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Calista Oaks, Butler Township ; William Tenney, Milton, Ohio ; Mrs. Esther Kerr, Tippecanoe City, Ohio. Twenty-six grandchildren are living, and the aggregate age of this family is over 800 years.

HARRISON WAYMIRE, farmer, P. O. Vandalia. Daniel Waymire, the great grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina; eame to Ohio and settled in the southern part of this township at an early date. He was united in marriage with Sophia, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Plummer about 1796. They were the par- ents of thirteen children ; those living are Davis, Daniel, John, Catharine, Elizabeth, Henry, Sarah, Rosanna, Isabel. Davis, the grandfather, was born February 8, 1802. He was brought up to farm labor, and assisted his father until his marriage with Many, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Pierson in 1831, and moved to the place where i.e now resides, which he had bought two years before his marriage. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1832, which position he filled with eredit and honor for over forty years. They are the parents of three children-John C., George C. and Austin. He was the owner at one time of over 400 acres of land, and as his children arrived at their majority he gave them each a farm, reserving 103 acres to k cep himself comfortably in his declining years. John C., the father of our subject, was born November 9, 1832 ; married Mary, daughter of John S. and Margaret Anderson, June 1, 1850. John C. united with the Christian Church in 1855, and was an earnest laborer and consistent Christian, as well as a kind and indulgent father and husband until his decease in 1875, which threw all the responsibilities of the farm on Harrison. He received a common school education, and assisted with the farm labor until his father's death. He celebrated his marriage March 11, 1875, with Bell, daughter of Henry and Mary Kline. They are the parents of two children-Alta May and Lena Grace. He has 103 acres, nearly all in a high state of eultivation and handsomely improved. Mr. Waymire is a good financier, long headed, and a man of untiring industry, religiously honest, conscientious and just. He has as large and commodious a farm house as any one in the township.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 140

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