The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 147

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 147

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

JACOB FLORY, farmer, P. O. Center, Ohio ; was born in Clay Township, Mont- gomery Co., Ohio (on the farm now owned by John Sayler), September 7, 1828. He is a son of the late Jacob Flory, Sr., who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1805 or 1806, and settled in Montgomery County, near Liberty. Jacob, Sr., was united in marriage to Miss Mary Overholzer. He settled in Clay Township in 1817-18. At

401

CLAY TOWNSHIP.

the time of his death in 1867, he owned the John Sayler farm in Clay Township; at the time of his death he was seventy years old; he had eight children living at the time of his death. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and has since engaged in the calling of his youth. He was married to Miss Frances Peffly, a daughter of Jacob Peffly, of Clay Township, January 20, 1856. By this union there have been born to them seven children, all of whom are now living, viz .: Wilson, born September 3, 1853 ; Lydia Ann, born January 3, 1855 ; Jacob, born April 5, 1856 ; Simon, born October 10, 1857; Benjamin, born August 28, 1859 ; Emma, born Jan- uary 22, 1863 ; and Levi, born October 9, 1866. Mr. Flory and wife are members of the " Brethren in Christ " Church. Mr. Flory is the owner of a farm of eighty acres in Clay Township, where he resides. His farm is well improved with a very cheerful residence, substantial barn and other outbuildings.

GEORGE GANGER, farmer, P. O. Bachman. The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, September 5, 1810. His father, John Ganger, was a native of New Jersey. He was born in the year 1766, and emigrated to Maryland. In 1796, he was married to Miss Barbara Redman, of Maryland. By this union there were born to them eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Joseph, of Shelby County, Ohio ; Samuel, of Elkhart County, Ind .; John, of Elkhart County, Ind .; George, the subject of this sketch, and Jacob, of Elkhart County, Ind. The youngest child (Jacob) is now iu his sixty-eighth year. John Ganger emigrated to Ohio from Maryland, and settled in Perry Township, Montgomery County, about the year 1809. He died in Clay Township in 1853, in his eighty-seventh year. His wife, Barbara, died in 1847 in Perry Township ; she was born in the year 1769. George lived at home with his parents engaged in farming until he was married. He was united in marriage, June 12, 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Reichard, of Preble County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph Reichard. He was born in Center County, Penn., in the year 1793. He was married to Miss May Heiney, of Pennsylvania; he emigrated to Ohio in the year 1819, and settled in Montgomery County. By the marriage of George and Elizabeth there have been born to them eight children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Mary Ann, born November 22, 1835, now the wife of John Myers, of Clay Town- ship ; George W., February 20, 1848; William, May 4, 1853; Elizabeth, May 29, 1857, now the wife of Ezra Whip, of Dayton, Ohio; and Levi B., November 1, 1861. In 1843, George Ganger moved with his family to Clay Township, and settled on the farm upon which he now lives. Mrs. Ganger is a member of the United Brethren Church at South Arlington. Mr. Ganger is the owner of a farm of 129} acres, near Bachman. Their son William was united in marriage May 12, 1878, to Miss Eliza Eck, a daughter of James Eck, of Clay Township. William is engaged in farming the home place.

CHRISTOPHER GISH, physician and surgeon, Brookville. Mathias Gish was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1789, and was married to Frances Hammaker in Cumberland County, Penn., about the year 1811, and removed to Franklin County, and from thence to what was then Mifflin County, now Juniata County. While in Franklin County, he learned the trade of miller. He removed to Ohio in 1836, and settled in Shelby County, but soon came to Montgomery County, where he lived the rest of his life, dying at the advanced age of cighty-six years. They were the parents of six children, four boys and two girls-John, Abram, Eliza, Mathias, Fannie and Christopher. The subject of our sketch was born in Franklin County, Penn., on March 20, 1815, and came to Ohio in 1834, having left his home two years prior to that time, and joined himself to a millwright, with whom he worked for two years at a compensation of $4 per month, from which he had to clothe himself. This scanty allowance formed in him habits of economy which formed the basis of his present fortune. In his native State he received a common-school education, and an academic education at the Dayton Academy. Read medicine with the late Dr. Bosler, of Day- ton, going to the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati in 1840-41, and also in 1852- 53, when he graduated. Since 1841, he has been constantly in the practice, and has been very prominent in the medical profession in Montgomery County ever since. He

402

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

married Mary Feit December 27, 1842. She was the daughter of Charles Feit, a native of Prussia, and came to America in 1808. His father was left behind to attend to some business, and died soon after; his mother died during the voyage. Thus, landing at Philadelphia an orphan, he was sold to a Chester County farmer to defray his passage, with whom he stayed until he was twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Gish was born in Chester County July 24, 1819. Dr. Gish has been earn- est and devoted in his work for education and the elevation and advancement of human- ity. He is a man of broad views, and well-developed knowledge in the affairs of life.

SOLOMON GOOD, minister, Backman, is the son of Jacob Good, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., December 17, 1814, and emigrated to Ohio in 1816, with his father, and located in Fairfield County. He was united in marriage with Anna Busy, daughter of Abraham and Anna Busy, in 1840. These worthy individuals labored dil- igently for the support of an increasing family, nor in the midst of harassing struggles did they neglect the mental improvements of their progeny under the most depressing circumstances. They raised a very exemplary family of nine children. Mary (Bery) Solomon, Daniel Ely (Sarah McKinsey), Elizabeth Balinda are now living. In 1840, Mr. Good journeyed farther out to the frontier, and purchased a farm in Adams County, Ind., and has continued pursuing the occupation of tilling the soil until the present. Solomon was born September 22, 1845, and was educated in the common school, and assisted his father in clearing and cultivating the farm. He married his wife on February 26, 1867. She was the daughter of the Rev. John Winger, one of the pioneer members of the Brethren in Christ Church, and has done much toward enlight- ening the people and advancing the interests of that denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Good are the parents of two children, viz., John and David J. Mr. Good continued farm- ing until 1877, when he moved to Ohio and located in this township, where he now re- sides, and is engaged in the merchandise trade. Believing in the refining and elevating tendencies of religion, he joined the Brethren in Christ Church. In 1875, he felt himself called of the Holy Ghost to preach, and, as he stated, though feeling unworthy and incapable, yet he felt in duty bound to obey the call, and was regularly ordained as minister, and worked actively for the advancement of the cause. Six months later he had organized a congregation, and erected a church at Winger Town, in the village where he now resides. For the past three years he has been sowing seed here and there, preaching Christ, seeking after the welfare of the church with a fatherly care, rarely omitting to administer good advice to those with whom he conversed.

ALBERT GRUENIG, bakery and confectionery, Brookville, Ohio, was born in Rhine, Bavaria, Germany, January 3, 1841 ; his father, Jacob, was born in Rhine, Ba- varia, Germany, in the year 1796; he was a miller and baker. The subject of this sketch learned his trade with his father. His father died in 1871, in Germany, in his seventy-six year. His mother was born in the same place as her husband; she was born in the year 1813; she died in 1845. Albert, the subject of this sketch, had one sister and one brother. His sister, Mary, is dead ; his brother, Phillip, lives in Paris, France. The subject of this sketch came to America and landed at New York City on the 19th day of August, 1865. He first came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged in baking for a year and a half, when he went to Germantown, Ohio, aud followed his trade until 1867, when he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1868, when he returned to Germantown, where he carried on a bakery until 1872, then he moved to Brookville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he now resides. He was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Jane Wright, of Germantown, on the sixth day of June, 1872. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Isaac B. Reiter, of the German Reformed Church, of Miamisburg, Ohio. They have had four children born to them, three of whom are dead, viz., John Albert, Anna E. and Ed- ward. They have one daughter living, viz., Dora Louisa, who was born November 9, 1876. Mr. G. has been engaged in business in Brookville since 1872; he is the lead- ing baker in the town and has accumulated considerable town property in Brook- ville through his own industry.

403

CLAY TOWNSHIP.

RICHARD M. HART, farmer, P. O. West Baltimore, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 25, 1823. His father, George W. Hart, was born in New Jersey, in the year 1789. He emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Butler County in a very early day. He was united in marriage, in 1817, to Miss Rachel Pierson, of Butler County. Rachel was born in New Jersey in 1793; George W. Hart died in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1840. His wife, Rachel, died in April, 1867. Richard began life at the bottom rung of the ladder, working by the day at any honorable work he could get, assisting his widowed mother to support the family. George W. and family moved from Butler Connty to Montgomery in 1830, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1836, they moved to Lockland, Hamilton County, where he died. Robert M. was united in marriage, December 24, 1846, to Miss Harriet McGrew. who was born September 11, 1823, a daughter of James McGrew, of Preble County, Ohio. He was a native of Pennsylvania. By this union there have been boru to them four children, all of whom are now living, viz. : Asbury E., born April 23, 1848 ; James L., born Octo- ber 19, 1851; George W., born September 5, 1854, and Hattie M., born December 11, 1866. Asbury E. married to Miss Ella Sullivan, of Arcanum, Darke Co., Ohio. George W. married to Miss Susan Doner, of Randolph Township, Montgomery County. In the year 1840, the subject of this sketch and his mother returned to Mont- gomery County and settled in Clay Township, where he has since lived, with the excep- tion of one year (1847). Robert lived in Butler County. Mr. Hart and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gordon Darke County. Mr. Hart has been a member of the School Board in Clay Township for six years. He was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Ohio National Guards, under Col. J. G. Lowe, of Dayton. He is the owner of a farm of thirty-nine acres in Clay Town- ship, where he resides.

JOHN JOHN, retired farmer, P. O. Center, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 14, 1812. His father, David John, was born in Botetourt County, Va., March 29, 1788. He and his family emigrated to Ohio in 1809, aud settled in Stark County, when it was a vast wilderness. They had but one neighbor anywhere near; their fre- quent visitors were bears, wolves, wild cats and Indians. They had to fell trees in order to build their cabin. In 1829, David John and his family moved to Montgomery County, and settled in Clay Township, one mile south of Phillipsburg, where he resided until 1839, when he moved to Wayne County, Ind., and settled near Hagerstown, where he died November 4, 1872, in his eighty-fifth year. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in York County, Penn, September 22, 1792. She was married to David March 26, 1811. Her maiden name was Mishler. She died in Wayne County, Ind., August 21, 1843. David John and wife were baptized iu Stark County, Ohio, in 1817, by Daniel Garver, at David Graybills, at the Ycarly Meeting of the German Baptist Church, and died in the triumph of that faith. The subject of this sketch lived at home with his parents until he was twenty years old, workiug by the day for a start in life. In his twenty-first year, he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, and continued to work at it for ten years. He learned his trade with Philip Studebaker, of Phillipsburg. In 1838, he purchased eighty-five acres of land in Clay Township, being a part of the farm upon which he now resides ; he has added to it until he has now a farm of 162 acres; near the town of Phillipsburg. He was united in marriage, May 14, 1833, to Miss Nancy Warner, a daughter of Jacob Warner, of Clay Town- ship. This union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, seven of whom are now living, viz. : Elizabeth (now the wife of Aaron Miller, of Clay Township), Lydia, Mary (now the wife of Esq. Smith, of Brookville), Lewis W., Samuel, Hetta Ann (now the wife of William Binkley, who is engaged in farming his father-in-law's farm) and Susanna. Mr. John and wife were baptized in the German Baptist Church in 1841, at Michael Miller's, by Isaac Karn, in Randolph Township. Mr. John quit farming eight years ago, and is now taking his ease in his declining days, the result of his in- dustry and economy.

ABRAHAM B. LANDIS, farmer and teacher, P. O. West Baltimore, was born in Monroe Township, Darke Co., Ohio, July 11, 1845. He is a son of Daniel Landis,

404

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of Miami City, Montgomery County. Daniel was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1818. Abraham Landis, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved to Montgomery County and settled in Madison Township in 1825. Daniel Landis was united in mar- riage, in 1841, to Miss Susanna Basore, of Miami County, Ohio. She was born in Laneaster County, Penn., in 1820; by this union five children were born to them, all of whom are now living. Daniel and Susanna are members of the German Baptist Church. Abraham, the subject of this sketch, attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1865. He taught school for seven years in Montgomery, Darke and Miami Counties. Mr. Landis was united in marriage August 18, 1870, to Miss Laura E. Smock, who was born January 12, 1851. She is a daughter of George Smoek, of Warren County, Ohio ; he is a native of New Jersey. Catherine, the mother of Laura, was a Schenck, one of the prominent families of Warren County. By this union there have been born to them three children, now living, viz .: Ceeilia A., born October 8, 1871; Lilly M., born February 20, 1872, and Walter V., born September 22, 1874. These children are unusually bright and intelligent. Mr. Landis is a member of the A., F. & A. M., at Ithaca, Darke Co., Ohio. Mr. Landis has been a member of the School Board of Clay Township for five years. Mr. Landis is the owner of a farm of sixty- seven aeres of land in Clay Township, where he resides. He has been for eight years dealing quite extensively in buying tobacco.

HENRY MUNDHENK, retired, Brookville, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., April 17, 1816, and is a son of David and Anna Maria Mundhenk, whose history is fully given in Perry Township. Our subjeet came with his parents to this county, and here grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the sehools of his township. He was married May 22, 1851, to Mary Ann Read, who was born in Cineinnati, Ohio, January 18, 1829, and a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Read, natives of New Jer- sey. Her father was born in 1801, and eame to this eounty about 1826, where he lived many years, and was universally respected. He finally moved to Iowa, where he pur- ehased a large tract of land, with the intention of settling all his children upon it, and there died several years ago. To Henry and Mary Ann Mundhenk have been born three children, viz .: Josephine, the wife of William Beardsheare, who is President of the Western College, Iowa; Sarah A., deceased; and Charlie L., who is a student at the Western College. Mr. Mundhenk has followed milling nearly all his life, and has been one of the sueeessful men of Perry Township, but is now retired from aetive busi- ness, living in Brookville, on the fruits of his early industry. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. They are modest, unassuming people, and benevolent, kind neighbors, who are ever ready to assist the poor and needy, as well as to give their means in helping along every worthy enterprise. Intelligent, well read, and eourteous, they are respeeted by all who know them.

SAMUEL NISWONGER, farmer, P. O. Baltimore, is one of the staneh, ener- getie men of Montgomery County. His father, Samuel, was born in Virginia in 1788, and was united in marriage with Ellen Dillon. Ten children were born to bless this union, eight of whom are living at the time of writing, viz .: James, Levi, John D., Elizabeth, Catharine, Sarah, Prudia and Samuel. He eame to Ohio, and located near the present site of Salem, in this township, and entered 160 aeres, all in timber. Mr. Niswonger was a worthy member of the River Brethren faith, and was summoned out of this world in 1869. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and brought up to farm labor. He was united in marriage with Raehel Studebaker, and five children have been born to bless this union, of whom two are living, viz .: Andrew and Rachel. Mrs. Niswonger passed from this world in 1857. Mr. Niswonger's prin- cipal oeeupation has been farming; he eultivated his father's farm until 1855, when he purchased the farm where he now resides, containing eighty aeres. He married his second wife, Lydia Cupp, in 1862.

MRS. SUSANNA NISWONGER, farmer, P. O. Clayton. The subject of this bio- graphical sketeh was born in Darke County, Ohio, February 6, 1842, a daughter of Jacob Hinsey. She was married to George Niswonger November 17, 1870. He departed this life July 6, 1879. He was a son of John Niswonger, deceased, of Clay Township.

405

CLAY TOWNSHIP.

Mrs. Niswonger is the owner of seventeen acres, where she resides, in Clay Township. She has a beautiful home, surrounded with everything to make her life cheerful and pleasant.

JESSE P. OLINGER, dry goods and groceries, Brookville. John Olinger, grand- father of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Penn. ; his grandmother, Mary, was born in the same State ; four children were born to bless this union. Judge George Olinger, the youngest, was born in Bedford County, Penn., the 18th day of February, 1793, and reared on the farm, and was possessed of an active, physical constitution. He never wholly forsook his first honorable calling. His early advantages, especially in educational matters, were limited, but by being of an inquiring disposition he sought for and gathered a mass of information which could only be acquired by profound reading and continued reflection. October 21, 1813, he was joined in the holy banns of matrimony to Margaret Hardman, of Kentucky; ten children was the result of this union, viz. : Israel H., Catharine, Jesse P., Susan, Margaret, Sarah, Mary, Mariah, Agnes, Eliza A .; all are living, excepting Susan, Catharine, Margaret and Mary. Mrs. Olinger was a member of the German Baptist Church ; she died May 14, 1863, leaving a large family to mourn her loss. Judge Olinger was one of the carly pioneers of this county and oeeupied a prominent position in its history. In the year 1827, he was elected Justice of the Peace for his township, and continued in office for twelve years, when he deelined further honors in that direction. About the year 1835, Mr. Olinger was elected an Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court, a position of honor which he held with credit to himself for a term of about six years. In the year 1829, Judge Olinger was elected one of the Commissioners of the county, and continued in that office for six or seven years, and so popular was his administration of the affairs of the county that his friends desired him to keep on running; he declined, however, and at- tempted to retire to private life. But it was insisted that he must do something in a public capacity, and he was put into the position of Land Appraiser for a number of years. Judge Olinger was a gentleman of the " old school," but belonged to that pro- gressive class of old men that recognized the fact that the world moves. In politics, he was always a firm and consistent supporter of the Democratie party. James Monroe was the first President for whom he voted. The Judge, although not in favor of total abstinence, was, however an advocate for moderation and temperanee in all things. The common-school interest found in him a faithful friend. His life was spent mainly in a continued round of mental and physical activity, and he passed quietly out of this world in 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The family lost in him a kind parent and the community a good eitizen. Jesse, our subject, was educated in the common schools and was brought up to the honorable oeeupation of tilling the soil, which he continued following until 1861. He married Mary A. Stouffer in 1848; by this union there were born to them four children, viz .: Elizabeth, deceased, George H., David H. and Charles W. Mrs. Olinger died in 1859. In 1861, he disposed of his farm and moved to Brookville, and purchased a stock of drugs and groceries, which he has managed successfully until the present. As an evidence of the popularity and esteem with which he was held in the community where he lives he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1855, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He married his second wife, Amy C. Dilts, in 1868. They are both worthy members of the Lutheran Church, and have taken an active interest in the cause of religion.

MRS. RICKEY ORTMAN, farmer, P. O. Center, Ohio, the subject of this sketch, is the widow of Henry Ortman, of Clay Township. She was born in Deapols, Germany, Dceember, 17, 1825, and was united in marriage with Henry Ortman, in 1846, in Germany. In 1848, they emigrated to America, and settled in Miamis- burg, Montgomery County, Ohio. In April, 1861. Henry Ortman moved to Clay Township, and settled on the farm where he died, November 19, 1875. There were born to Henry and Riekey twelve children, eight of whom are now living, viz., Bern- hart, born August, 1847 ; Mary, born March 31, 1857 ; John, born January 25, 1859 ; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1860; Frederiek, born Mareh 25, 1862; Minnic, born

406

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

November 24, 1865; Henry, born September 2, 1865, and Rickey, May 9, 1867. The following children have died, Frederick, Lucinda, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Ortman and six of her children are now living on the old homestead. They own 130 acres of land in Clay Township, well improved with a fine dwelling, substantial barn and other buildings. Mrs. Ortman and family are members of the Lutheran Church at Phillipsburg, Ohio.

FREDERICK PANSING, farmer, P. O. Center, is a native of Hanover, Germany, born October 25, 1839. His father, John F. Pansing, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1797. He was married in 1826 to Miss Caroline Ratga. They emigrated to America, and landed at New Orleans, La., December 1, 1847, and from there came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to Miamisburg, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where they lived until 1860, when they purchased the farm upon which they now reside, in Clay Township. There have been born to John F. and Caroline, six children, three of whom are now living, viz., Sophia, now the widow of F. Nidert, of Harrison Township, Rickey, wife of George Machenhmer, of Miamisburg, Ohio, and Frederick, the subject of this sketch. John F. is still living with his son Frederick, in his cighty- fifth year, and Caroline, in her seventy-seventh year. Frederick was united in marriage, December 24, 1863, to Miss Susanna Spitler, a daughter of John Spitler, of Union Township, Miami Co., Ohio, she was born April 17, 1845. By this union there have been born to them ten children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: Emma, born Sep- tember 10, 1864; Matilda, born May 6, 1266; William, born February 10, 1868 ; Nora, born March 19, 1870; Caroline, born May 22, 1872; Ellen, born August 30, 1873; Effa, born November 29, 1877; Halley, born December 21, 1880. Mr. Pan- sing is a member of the Lutheran Church at Phillipsburg, Ohio, Mrs. Pansing is a member of the United Brethren Church at the same point. Mr. Pansing has been elected Infirmary Director two terms in Montgomery County. He has been elected Town- ship Trustee for seven years, and has been a member of the School Board for six years, in Clay Township. This shows the estimation in which Mr. Pansing is regarded by the citizens of the county and his neighbors in the township. Mr. Pansing is the owner of a farm of cighty-six and a half acres in Clay Township.

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

The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 147

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