50 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
of James and Sarah (Bosier) Holman were born five children, of whom James B., our subject, is the eldest. The others follow : Mary Ellen, died in infancy ; H. P., of near Creston, Iowa, is a farmer and stockman ; William, resides with James B., and Sarah, who died in infancy.
James B. Holman was reared and has resided for the most of his life thus far, in Sterling township. During his boyhood and youth he attended the common schools of Brown county, and after his education was completed, in 1866, entered upon the profession of a teacher, which he followed for a period of eight years, teaching six months in each year. For two years following this time, Mr. Holman was in the employ of the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, as traveling salesman. Tiring of this occupation, he returned to his native county and receiving a portion of his father's farm, he became engaged as a farmer and as the years have passed he has added to until he has his present holdings. This farm has been his residence since the latter part of 1873, and having been trained along the lines of practical farming as he grew to manhood
on the parental farm, he has displayed excellent business ability and executive force in the management of his extensive agricultural interests.
When he had reached mature years, Mr. James B. Holman chose for the companion of his future years, Miss Sarah Louella Ireton, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, April 17, 1856, a daughter of John and Sarah (Brasier) Ireton.
John Ireton was born in New Jersey and was brought to Clermont county when an infant by his parents, Obediah and Mary Ireton, the latter a step-mother. They located two and one-half miles northeast of Williamsburg, where Mr. Ireton engaged successfully in farming. He passed from this life in 1890, in the eighty-fifth year of his life. His wife, Sarah (Brasier) Ireton, was born near Lebanon, Ohio, and departed this life in 1807, aged seventy-nine years. She was an earnest
member of the Methodist church for many years, but in later life she became a member of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of the following named children : Samuel, Aleck, John, Obe, Mary (Holman), and Hattie (Johnson). Those who are deceased are : Lorenzo, a miner, was killed by a snow-slide in the West; Nancy and Deborah died in early childhood.
Into the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Holman have come two children to brighten and gladden the home, namely :
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 51
James M., born April 3, 1874, is in the Quartermaster's Department of the Lakes, stationed at Chicago. He married Mary Clarke, and they have two children, Malcolm C. and Virginia E. James M. Holman graduated from the Williamsburg High School, after which he took a three-years course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio. He then entered the law office of Ingersoll & Peyton, of Knoxville, Tenn., and later became stenographer for Colonel Lee, at Chickamauga, during the Spanish-American war. Since the close of the war, he has had charge of the supplies in the quartermaster's department.
Charles E., born in 1876, died at the age of two years and four months.
Mr. Holman has filled many responsible positions of public trust during his long and useful active life. In the fall of 1894, he was elected county commissioner of Brown county and served six years, from September, 1805. In 1894, Governor McKinley appointed him delegate to the Farmer's Congress, held in North Carolina. In 1912 he was appointed by Governor Harman as a delegate to New Orleans, but did not attend. He has also served in the various minor local offices.
Mr. Holman was one of the organizers of the Williamsburg Home Telephone Company, in 1898, and has been the business manager of that company since its organization.
Socially, Mr. Holman has membership in the Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is also past master.
Mr. Holman is a member of the Presbyterian church and believes in Christianity without creed, recognizing that the true spirit of religion is in Biblical teaching and not by its interpretation by men.
Mr. James B. Holman is well known in the community where he has spent so many years, because of his charitable and kindly deeds. His thoughtful spirit, genial disposition and honorable principles have greatly endeared him to those with whom he has been associated.
In 1901, Mr. Holman was nominated on the Democratic ticket for member of the State Board of Public Works. He helped organize the first farmer's institute in Southern Ohio, and has taken an active interest in farmers' affairs, being now president of the Williamsburg Farmer's Institute ; he has addressed many institutes and is a recognized authority on
52 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
matters along this line. He has for the past forty years been recognized as among the foremost of live stock auctioneers, having cried sales far and wide in Clermont and Brown counties.
GEORGE G. BAMBACH.
While George G. Bambach is not a native of Clermont county, having accepted the cashiership of the First National Bank of Bethel in 1904. he was born and reared in the neighboring county, the son of one of the most prominent Brown county families, who, by their progressiveness and enterprise, have made a substantial impress upon the counties in which they have lived.
George G. Bambach was born December 9, 1865, near Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, the son of Judge G. and Margaret (Hanstein) Bambach. The father was born in Germany in 1840, and at the age of nine years came with his parents to America, settling in Levanna, Brown county, Ohio. The mother was also born in Germany, coming to this country at the age of fourteen years. Judge Bambach's sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
George G. Bambach received his early education in, and was graduated from, the Ripley High School. In 1887 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School, and practiced law in Brown and Montgomery counties until 1903. At that time he decided to take up a business career rather than a professional one, and for one and one-half years was cashier of the Ripley National Bank, and in 1904 removed to Bethel, where he was tendered the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Bethel, which position he still holds.
In 1894, Mr. Bambach was united in marriage to Miss Lina Ruckhaber, of Dayton, Ohio, born in Cincinnati, in 1865, daughter of Karl and Adelheide (Heinebach) Ruckhaber, both born in Germany, locating in Ohio at an early date and passing to another world years ago, leaving four children, three of whom are now living:
Julia, wife of W. H. Kimmel, lives in Dayton, Ohio.
Clara, widow of J. B. Heiss, of Dayton, Ohio.
Lina, wife of the subject of this sketch.
To George G. Bambach and wife four children have been born :
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 53
Clara A., born in Ripley, Ohio, in 1895.
Margaret A., born in Ripley in 1898.
Josephine Julia, born in Ripley in 1900.
Karl G., born in Bethel in 1908.
Mr. Bambach has never been an active politician, but casts his vote with the Republican party, and when living in Ripley was honored by his fellow townsmen by being elected mayor of that city. He also holds membership with the fraternal order of Odd Fellows.
When the call came for our citizens to respond to the call for the defense of our Nation in the time of war, George Barnbach was not found wanting, but served as a captain in Company H, Third Ohio volunteer infantry, in the Spanish-American war ; also has served eight years in the National Guard, and six months in the United States volunteer service in the Third Ohio volunteers. His father and also an uncle of Mr. Bambach's, George Hanstein, served their country during the Civil war.
Mr. Bambach is a very courteous, intellectual man, of a modest retiring nature, which he certainly inherits from his father, one who does not push himself forward to positions of
honor, but who can always be depended upon in times of need, and who is progressive in all ways of good for his community or his family. While he has lived in Clermont county only eight years, he has made his name stand for all that is good in business and social life.
He comes from the best type of German families, whose sturdy, enterprising stock has been one of the greatest factors in the upbuilding of our Nation, and his pretty home on Main street is one of the most popular in the city of Bethel.
W. E. THOMPSON, M. D.
Worldly goods and an influential position have been won by this gentleman, who is a native-born son of Clermont county, Ohio. Dr. W. E. Thompson, who has achieved not a little distinction by his skill as physician and surgeon, was born in Bethel, in July, 1835, the oldest of the six children of Dr. William and Sarah (Hill) Thompson. The father, Dr. William Thompson, was born in Danville, Ky., in 1796, and died in 1840, his burial being in Bethel. The mother, Sarah Hill,
54 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, in 1797, and lived to the advanced age of
ninety-four years, her death occurring in 1891 at Bethel. The father settled in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1808, where he was known as one of the leading physicians until his death. Only three of the six children of Dr. and Mrs. William Thompson are now living:
Dr. W. E., the subject of this sketch.
D. W., also a physician, living in Sardinia, Ohio.
Sarah R., widow of Oran V. Sargent, of Windsor, Ill.
Dr. W. E. Thompson received his early education in Bethel and later attended the Cincinnati Medical College, where he fitted himself for the active practice of medicine, and in 1860 he first opened up an office in Bethel, on Plane street, where for fifty-two years he has lived and worked and built up for himself the enviable reputation of the foremost physician and surgeon of his city.
In 1841, on the 5th day of June, Dr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Elrod, also a native of Clermont county, her parents being Thomas and Cynthia (Frazee) Elrod, of Tate township, near Bethel. Mr. and Mrs. Elrod were both natives of Kentucky, and were the parents of nine children, but parents and all the children, with the exception of Mrs. Thompson, have all passed away.
Dr. and Mrs. Thompson have one son and one daughter :
William A., a graduate in dentistry, but now farming in Tate township, who married Susan Armour.
Winifred, wife of Charles F. Davis, a hardware merchant in Bethel, has one daughter, Bertha.
One fact of especial interest in chronicling the history of the Thompson family is that in the immediate family there have been thirteen practicing physicians, four paternal uncles of the subject of this sketch, one brother and ten cousins.
Dr. W. E. Thompson has taken an active part in the progress of his community, and has given plentifully of his time and talent to further the interests of all organizations for good. He has been a member of both the school and town boards, and has served the government as medical examiner for pensions. He and his family have taken great interest in the fraternal organizations of the city, he being affiliated in both the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders, and is past grand of the latter order. Both Mrs. Thompson and her daughter have been honored as noble grand of the Daughters of Rebecca, of Bethel, and the daughter is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and of the Pythian Sisters.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 55
Dr. Thompson is interested in the politics of his time, but has had no aspirations for public office, but casts his vote with the Republican party. Dr. Thompson had nine cousins in the Civil war, part in the Union army, Colonel Reed, Capt. Wil- liam Thompson, and Capt. James Hill, and part in the Confederate, among whom was Colonel Thompson. Edward Elrod, a brother of Mrs. Thompson, served during the entire war from Ohio.
erate, those gaining the greatest honors being General Reed and Colonel Thompson, of the Confederate, and Captain Thompson of the Union forces. Edward Elrod, a brother of Mrs. Thompson, served during the entire war from Ohio.
Dr. Thompson is the oldest physician in Bethel, not only in the years he has lived, but also in the number of years he has practiced his profession, and in his fifty-two years of residence on Plane street, he has seen the town grow from its pioneer and infancy days to its present prosperous and pleas- ant condition. The family is one of the most highly honored of the community, and their interest in the fraternal and social life has done much to make Bethel a pleasant city in which to live. Mrs. Thompson is affiliated with the Baptist church of Bethel, and is greatly interested in the prosperity of that organization. Dr. Thompson is one of the substantial men of Bethel, and by his droll and pleasant disposition has won the friendship and respect of all who have been fortunate enough to call him friend.
WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS.
Mr. William A. Williams, cashier of the Amelia State Bank, of Amelia, Ohio, since January to, 191o, though not long a resident of Clermont county, is numbered among the foremost of the younger successful business men. He is a Kentuckian by birth, having been born in Germantown, Bracken county, on the 9th of September, 1884. His parents are Anderson and Lucy (Boyd) Williams, both representatives of Kentucky families.
Mr. Anderson Williams was born in Germantown, Ky., December 6, 1846, and after an active and useful life, is now living in retirement in the town of his birth, enjoying the fruits and comforts of a well spent life. He was a successful tobacco merchant in the years of his activity, and his reliability and
56 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
integrity won for him a measure of this world's goods and the high regard of his fellow townsmen.
Lucy (Boyd) Williams was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, and to her union with Anderson Williams were born seven children :
Eva, died at the age of five years.
John E. W., is a resident of Walton, Ky.
Benjamin B., is a resident of Germantown, Ky.
Lena W., married Joe Arnold, and now lives in Newport, Ky.
Mary A., wife of Madison Worthington, resides in Brooksville, Ky.
Neppie D., is the wife of Walter Pollock, of Germantown, Ky.
William A., is our subject.
William A. Williams was afforded the advantages of the schools of Germantown, graduating from the high school in 1901, after which he became a student of the Georgetown College and graduating from this institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1906. For a period of two years following his graduation from Georgetown, he was engaged as a teacher in the high school of Germantown. At the expiration of this time, he entered upon the banking business in his native town, and for one year continued there. Since that time he has been in his present responsible position.
The great event in the life of Mr. W. A. Williams occurred on October 17, 1908, when he became united in marriage to Miss Bessie .Keene, who was born in Germantown, Ky., July 27, 1890, a daughter of Leslie and Lucy (Woodward) Keene, the latter of whom was born in 1868 and died when Mrs. Williams was a small child. To this union were born two children:
Bessie L., who is Mrs. W. A. Williams.
Lucy Alma, the wife of Clarence Galbraith, of Germantown.
To Mr. and Mrs. Williams was born one child, Donald Keene Williams, whose birth occurred January 11, 1913.
Leslie Keene was born in Augusta, Ky., in 1868, and has been a resident of Augusta and Germantown. He is a farmer and has met with success in this occupation. He married a
second time, to Miss Ida Ormes, and to them have been born one child, Thelma.
Mr. Williams has voted for men and measures of the Demo-
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 57
cratic party since he reached his majority, advocating all progressive issues. He does not care for official life as he prefers to devote his time and energies to his business.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Williams are with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of America, and of the last named order he has filled the office of clerk. He is well and favorably known in these organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are consistent members of the Methodist church, and he is a member of the official board of the church and is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He is active in all that is beneficial to those around him, giving liberally to the support of all worthy charities.
Mr. Williams has a splendid future before him and he is exceptionally well qualified for the position he holds. His pleasing, courteous manner together with his genuine worth and his fidelity to honorable principles have won for him the respect of all with whom he is associated and the warm friendship of many.
AARON B. CLEVELAND.
In the prosperity of every community may be traced the controlling influence of a limited number of its citizens, who, by reason of peculiar business qualifications, and high personal characteristics, become unmistakably identified with its public and private life. Amelia has had such citizens and perhaps few are better known than the late Aaron B. Cleveland.
The birth of Mr. Cleveland took place in Batavia township, Clermont county, Ohio, February 28, 1825, and was a son of Jeremiah C. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Cleveland. The father was born in New York State and came to Clermont county at a very early date, settling in Batavia township, where he died at the age of thirty-three years. The mother was born in Martinsburg, Bartly county, Virginia, July 10, 1798, and died April 23, 1865. They were the parents of three children:
Frank Cleveland, of Augusta, Ky.
Asenath, the wife of Wesley Apple, who spent her entire life at Olive Branch, where she passed away.
Aaron, the subject of this mention.
The details which have reached us concerning the boyhood and early youth of Mr. Cleveland indicate that he was favored with good educational advantages, and that he was reared in
58 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
a home where frugality was encouraged and moral virtues extolled. After his preliminary education was completed, he learned the carpenter's trade with his uncle, John Robinson, who was a carpenter and cabinet maker.
Mr. Cleveland was engaged in the mercantile business, at Amelia, for a period before the Civil war. For a time before and during the war, he had a contract to carry mail from Williamsburg to Cincinnati, and from Cincinnati to Bethel. On one trip, Mr. Cleveland was overtaken by the Morgan Raiders, who took his horses from his bus, together with about everything he had with him. He was employed for four years as a gauger in the United States government service in Cincinnati, although he continued to live in Amelia. Believing that a varied occupation in life is a liberal education, and being of an industrious and enterprising disposition, Mr. Cleveland engaged in numerous enterprises, which included a chair factory and a fruit evaporating business. He followed his trade of carpentering and building at various periods and contracted for the building of many of the homes and business houses in and around the thriving village of Amelia.
Mr. Cleveland was twice married, the first union being with Clara B. Pease, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 4, 1828, and died November 29, 1861, and to them were born six children :
Semarimis, who became the wife of Frank Rodarmor, of Ironton, Ohio.
Josephine, the wife of John L. Cochnower, of the noted Cochnower family, of Cincinnati.
Laura, who married Lewis Baldwin, a son of the present Mrs. Cleveland, by a former marriage.
They resided at St. Louis for a time, where Mr. Baldwin passed away. She married a second time to Wilbur F. Dial, who was reared in Clermont county. He has been deceased for six years, and she now lives at the old Cleveland home in Pierce township.
Alice Eloise, became the wife of James Young, of St. Louis, and passed away some years since.
On January 30, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Aaron Cleveland to Mrs. Sarah Jane (Van Pelt) Baldwin, who was the widow of John A. Baldwin, of Cincinnati. She was born October 16, 1824, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Van Pelt.
Mr. Cleveland was a Republican in politics, although he very naturally voted for his cousin, Grover Cleveland, in his
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 59
campaign for President. Ile was a man well known in the county, where he spent his entire life from the cradle to the grave, and his whole life was an open book to the people of his community, who respected and honored him for his sterling qualities. He was broad and liberal in all his views, always having the interest of the village at heart. He passed to his eternal reward on June 26, 1908, and is buried in the Amelia Methodist cemetery.
Mrs. Cleveland was always very fond of her step-children, who in return gave to her the greatest of affection. In this way she was indeed a great help-meet for her husband. She is now eighty-eight years of age, and is the wonder of the entire community, because of her great activity. She does a great deal of all kinds of needle work, and is a splendid conversationalist. Her home is one of great beauty and refinement, and reflects the characteristics of the owner.
THE ROUDEBUSH FAMILY.
The history of Clermont county will not be complete without the mention of the Roudebush family, who have figured so prominently in every social, moral, financial and educational movement for the general uplift of the people.
The Roudebushes are a race of teachers and farmers and of Dutch descent. In 1660 two brothers and a sister from near the German border in Holland, came to the island of Manhattan, now New York. From there one brother migrated to Frederick county, Maryland. Daniel Roudebush, Sr., the only one of the four brothers who settled in Ohio, was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1749. In 1774 he married Christina Snively, born in 1759, a niece of Dr. Snively, a noted physician of southern Pennsylvania. By this union there were five sons and one daughter, all of whom were born in Maryland, except John, who was born at Bryan's Station, Kentucky. In 1796 Daniel Roudebush, Sr., wife and children, David, Jacob, George, Daniel and Catherine, migrated to Bryan's Station, and in 1799 to Clermont county Ohio, locating near what is now the town of Goshen, on a farm of 500 acres in Stark's Survey. He died October 3, 1804, from the effects of exposure when lost in the woods the previous November. His wife died June 1o, 1833. All of his children died in Clermont county except George, who went to Indiana in 1838, and there gave to what is Goshen its name. He died February 12, 1852.
60 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Jacob, the paternal grandfather of George Milton, W. Franklin and Jacob Lowell, mentioned elsewhere in these pages, was born September 15, 1778. In 1807 he purchased 159 acres of land in Stonelick township of Richard Talaferro, a soldier of the Revolution, who served under George Rodgers Clark in his famous campaign against Vincennes. On the 8th day of April, 1808, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hartman, daughter of Christopher Hartman, a soldier of the Revolution, and Mary (Hutchinson) Hartman, who was born near Hightstown, N. J., then in Middlesex county, now Mercer, on the 22d day of May, 1783. She had brothers, William, Isaac, Samuel; sisters, Rebecca, Fannie, died in infancy, Catherine and Rachel. The children of this union were William, father of William Franklin and George Milton, born February 2, 1809; Daniel, June 21, 1810; Mary Ann, Feb. 11, 1812; Rebecca, Sept. 29, 1813 ; John, Feb. 9, 1815 ; Paulina, Sept. 28, 1816; Sarah Jane, May 5, 1818; James M., Nov. 24, 1820; Ambrose, father of
Jacob Lowell, April 7, 1823, and Francis J., July 5, 1826; all of whom are now deceased. William married Elizabeth C. Clark; Daniel, Elizabeth Rapp ; Mary Ann, Michael Cowen ; Rebecca, John Rapp ; Paulina, James Rapp ; James M., Paulina Midaris; Ambrose, Sarah Ellen Patchell, and Francis J., Sarah J. Hill. John, the scholar and scientist, and Sarah Jane, died unmarried. Jacob Roudebush died May 25, 1835. He was a man of high character, the best farmer of his community, and a great friend of education. Elizabeth (Hartman) Roudebush died July 5, 1869. She was a woman of great intellectuality, with a religious trend of mind. Left a widow with ten children, she lived to rear them all to man and womanhood and left the impress such as a saintly
mother of her Christian talents might be expected to do. It must not be understood that only those Roudebushes of whom special mention has been made on these pages were the prominent members of the family. Others not specifically mentioned have added to its fair name. George S., a son of Daniel Roudebush, now living at the age of eighty-five, is a noted educator and Presbyterian divine of the Southland, where he went in 1856 from Clermont county. His daughter, Ruth S., was a teacher in the Girls' Industrial School of Mississippi, located at Columbus in that State for twenty-seven years. She has traveled extensively in the Occident and Orient. Of the many others space will not permit special mention.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 61
COL. WILLIAM ROUDEBUSH.
Col. William Roudebush, son of Jacob Roudebush and father of William Franklin and George Milton, was born February 2, 1809, about two miles northwest of the village of Boston, the second year after the first log cabin was erected on it, and when it was all surrounded by woods. His father had no means of supporting his family only by his labor of clearing away the forest and raising corn and wheat on the land he cleared. He cut his wheat with a sickle and threshed it with a flail and blew out the chaff with a sheet by the aid of his wife, who spun, wove and made all the clothing worn by the family from the flax raised on the place and from the sheep kept, which for many years had to be penned up every night on account of the wolves, which were at that time infesting the country.
When about five years of age, William Roudebush was sent to school to a widow lady, who had settled a short distance from his father's home, for there were no school houses in that neighborhood in those days. When he was not in school the boy helped his father in clearing out the brush and the woods. At the age of nine years, several of the settlers, including his father, erected a school house of rough logs, puncheon floor, stick-and-mud chimney, paper windows and benches split out of logs. William Roudebush attended this school for a few weeks in winter, when there was a subscription school of three months, and aided his father on the farm until his sixteenth year, when he became a student of the school of Samuel McClellan, for five months. The next winter he studied "Kirkham's Grammar," walking a distance of three miles to school, and the following season took up geography in addition. The next winter he attended school at Goshen and there studied algebra. At the close of this period, William Roudebush taught school in what is called Rapp's school house, working in summer and fall on the canal lock near Chillicothe as a stone cutter. He taught school in winter and worked on his father's farm in the summer for several years. Later he was deputy assessor and assessed three townships. By this time he had saved some money and in December, 1835, purchased a farm of two hundred and twelve acres on Moore's fork of Stonelick Creek, for eight hundred and fifty dollars, all of which was then in woods.
On December 11, 1849, William Roudebush married Eliza-
62 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
beth Clark, a daughter of Orson and Nancy (Corbly) Clark, and to their union were born two sons, William Franklin Roudebush and George Milton Roudebush. Mr. Roudebush died September 20, 1889, and his wife passed from this life November 27, 1894.
During his active life Colonel William Roudebush was prominent in politics and served in various offices of public trust, both in the county and the state. In his two years in the Legislature he took high rank as a debater and his speeches were published all through the Democratic press. He took the keenest interest in educational matters and freyuently served on the Board of Education.
The Roudebush family are of heroic ancestry, among the first in this county to blaze the paths to civilization, and the stern integrity, patriotism, charity and pure, unsullied character of its members have never been yuestioned, and he was one of many others who helped make it so.
GEORGE MILTON ROUDEBUSH.
Mr. George Milton Roudebush, one of the most extensive agriculturists, large stock raisers and prominent citizens of Clermont county, Ohio, owns and operates his splendidly improved farm, consisting of one thousand acres of land in Wayne and Stonelick townships. He has given much attention to the breeding of short horn cattle since 1884, and is probably one of the first in this section of the state to make a specialty of this breed of stock. He has been eminently successful and is numbered among the substantial representatives of an old established family.
George Milton Roudebush was born at the home farm one mile north of Newtonville, Clermont county, July 26, 1856, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Clark) Roudebush, both members of prominent pioneer families of Clermont, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in these volumes.
Mr. G. M. Roudebush enjoyed the educational privileges of the common schools of the district in which he lived and grew up well acquainted with the practical duties of a farmer's life. He entered Ohio National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and there took a scientific course, graduating in 1877 with great credit.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 63
The year following his graduation, in 1878, he was elected deputy county treasurer, under his brother, W. F. Roudebush, who resides at Batavia, Ohio, and in the years that have passed, he has filled various local offices of trust. For the past twenty years, he has been a member of the Agricultural Society of Clermont county and is a prominent stock breeder and noted judge of stock, not only locally, but in the State and nation as well. He attends the stock exhibits everywhere and has been sent as a delegate to the National Congress of Farmers, attending at New Orleans, Lincoln and Columbus.
Mr. Roudebush has made practically all of the fine improvements in the farm where he has made his home since 1881. In September, 1881, he was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock
with Miss Rosalinde Patchell.
Mrs. Roudebush was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 6, 1858, and is a daughter of James and Belinda (McClelland) Patchell, the former an uncle of Edward Patchell, sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in the volumes. Mrs. Roudebush is a graduate of the National Normal of Lebanon, Ohio.
The family of Mr. G. M. Roudebush consists of six children, whose names follow :
Earl Patchell—Born March 26, 1883 ; married June 27, 1903, Bettie Tarvin Lyons, of Dayton, Kentucky, who died December 16, 1912, leaving three children, Elizabeth and Howard, living, and Rosalind, who died in infancy. Earl P. Roudebush is an engineer by profession and is occupied as manager of the Newtonville Canning Company. He was formerly with the Bell Telephone Company of Cincinnati.
Clara Elizabeth—Born April II, 1886, is a graduate of the high school at Batavia, Ohio, and later took a course in classics at the Denison University of Granville, Ohio. Since her graduation she has been employed in the occupation of teaching in the Milford and Batavia schools.
Dale Clark—Born October 22, 1888, and is a farmer, associated with his father in operating the large farm. He married Miss Veda Maham on October 24, 1912.
Ada Belinda—Born September 6, 1891, and is a graduate of the Milford High School and later of Denison University, where she took a course in art. She is at present attending the Eden Park Art School of Cincinnati.
George Milton, Jr.—Born January 25, 1894, is a graduate of the Milford High School and is now a Sophomore at the Denison University.
64 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
James Franklin—Born October 15, 1806, is attending the Milford High School.
In politics, Mr. Roudebush is Democratic and is ever active in all affairs of general interest.
Socially, Mr. Roudebush is a member of the Grangers and the son, Earl, is a member of the Odd Fellows.
Religiously, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Roudebush embrace the faith of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Baptist State Convention Board and of the Ohio State Baptist Missionary Society.
Mr. Roudebush is an officer and large stockholder of the First National Bank of Batavia, and also of the Milford National Bank. He is very public spirited and can always be counted on to promote healthy movements which promise real benefit to those around him. He is one of the most popular and valued citizens of Clermont county.
DR. J. D. ABBOTT.
Dr. J. D. Abbott, of Bethel, Ohio, is one of the best known and most successful of local practitioners of Clermont county. He is a man of great force of character, integrity and energy and has established a large practice by reason of his tender sympathy to those in sickness and distress. He has offices in his home on the corner of Union and Plane streets.
Dr. Abbott is a native of Clermont county; his birth having occurred in Moscow, February 21, 1845, and is a son of H. N. and Harriet (Smith) Abbott. The father was born at Norwalk, Conn., March 31, 18o5, and Came to Ohio with his parents in 1811 ; for many years he conducted a general blacksmith shop at Felicity, Ohio. The mother was born at Twelve Mile, near New Richmond, in Clermont county, May 19, 1808. Of the nine children who were born to this couple, Dr. Abbott is the only one now living.
The education of Dr. Abbott was begun in the schools of Felicity, continued at the Miami College of Medicine and completed in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated in 1875. Immediately following his graduation he began his career as a physician and surgeon, at Bethel, where he has since carried on a general practice. He was associated with Dr. Daniel McLain, formerly of South
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 65
Carolina, until the death of the latter, March 31, 1881. He has distinguished himself in his profession and has an extensive practice.
On September 17, 1877, Dr. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Pemberton, who was also a native of Clermont county, her birth having taken place near Bethel, January I, 1855. Her father, Levi W. Pemberton, is a Clermont county farmer, and was born in 1829. He is still living and is hale and hearty. Mrs. Abbott's mother, Elizabeth (McMurchy) Pemberton, was born near Bethel, Ohio, March 2, 1833, and passed away March 7, 1912. There were five children born to this union, three of whom are now living:
Elizabeth, who is Mrs. J. D. Abbott.
Ellen, who married Lisbon Simcox, of Shelbyville, Ind.
Carrie, who is the wife of Charles Porter, the principal of one of the Cincinnati schools.
Mrs. Abbott's father and several of his brothers were soldiers in the Civil war, enlisting from Ohio. They were all staunch Republicans.
Dr. and Mrs. Abbott have been blessed with two children, both born in Clermont county :
Harriet Louise, who is a Latin professor in Antioch College, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, from which she graduated in 191o, taking the chair as soon as she was graduated. She was born April 21, 1880. She is the author of a valuable history of Bethel, Ohio, which was published in the county papers a few years ago. It was greatly enjoyed and is in the possession of many in the county.
Willard Pemberton, who was born March 28, 1886, is a graduate of the State University of Ohio of the class of 1909, and is a civil engineer for the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Company. He is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Abbott is a Republican, although he has never been persuaded to accept any office. In fraternal circles, he is well known, being affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Pythian Sisters and also a member of all the church clubs and societies of the Methodist church, in which she and her family hold membership.
Although of very methodical habits, Dr. Abbott is of a most generous and kind disposition and the impress of his character is felt, not only by his family but by all in the community in which he lives. He is ever ready to help those who
66 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
are in trouble, endearing himself in the hearts of all with whom he is associated. He is justly proud of his two children, who have both made the most of the opportunities that are in trouble, endearing himself in the hearts of all with were given to them, although never boastful of their achievements.
MAJOR JULIUS A. PENN.
1818-1882.
Many of the older residents of Clermont county have pleasant recollections of Major Julius A. Penn, for many years an able and highly esteemed member of the Clermont bar. He was an upright and conscientious citizen, a brave and patriotic soldier, a loyal friend, a generous host, and a faithful member of the church. Although not intrusive or aggressive, he possessed unflinching courage and boundless energy, and was known for his noble perseverance, and expressive decision of character.
Major Penn's ancestors came from England and they were among the early settlers of Maryland. His grandfather, Benjamin Penn, was born in 174o, in Frederick county, Maryland. In 1774 Benjamin Penn married Mary Sargent, daughter of James Sargent, who came from Snow Hill, England, in 1745. On August 26, 1776, Benjamin Penn was enrolled as a private for the Revolutionary war, under Henry Ridgely, Jr., by J. Carvil Hall. In 1808, in company with James and Snowden Sargent, John Prather, Mathew Pigman, William Phillips, and others, Benjamin Penn and Mary Sargent Penn came to Clermont county, with their children. Benjamin Penn died August 13. 1834, aged ninety-five years. His three sons were, Joseph, Benjamin, and Elijah Taylor, and his nine daughters married respectively, Richard Tucker, George Richards, William Molen, R. C. Lanham, Benjamin Thrasher, John Richards, Joshua Ridgeley Pigman, Nathaniel Hines, and James Prather.
Elijah Taylor Penn was born in Frederick county, Maryland, December 27, 1792, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1808. On January 12, 1815, he married Philenia Walriven, and they became the parents of eight sons and three daughters : Julius Augustus, subject of this sketch, Benjamin F., Joseph Warren, Samuel Milton, John D., William W., Elijah G., and George W. Anna married John D. Holter, Sarah W. married Judge Thomas Q. Ashburn, and Mary.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 67
Julius A. Penn was born at Neville, Clermont county, Ohio, May 13, 1818, brought up on a farm, and engaged in farming with his father until 1839. He taught school in Felicity, Ohio, and later studied law with Hanson L. Penn, at Georgetown, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. Moving to Batavia, Ohio, in 1842, he practiced his profession there until his death,
forty years later, June 6, 1882.
At the outbreak of the war with Mexico he volunteered for active service, but was rejected on account of disability. In 1861 Julius A. Penn organized the first military company furnished by Clermont county to assist in suppressing the rebellion, Company E, Twenty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer militia, and as captain of this company, and later as major of the regiment, he saw active service in West Virginia. The original muster roll signed at the first meeting of citizens of Batavia in answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, is a treasured possession of Major Penn's family. Three of Major Penn's brother, Benjamin F., Elijah G. and George W., also served as officers in the War of the Rebellion. Politically, Major Penn was a Republican. He cast his first vote for General Harrison for President. He was widely known as a zealous worker in the temperance cause, and in 1873 canvassed Clermont county as a temperance advocate. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Major Penn married, first, Eliza C. Minor, and second, Mary J. Brock, to whom were born two children, Julius Augustus, now of the United States Army, a sketch of whom appears in
this work, and Jennie, now residing in the old home in Batavia. All who know Major Penn hold his memory in high regard and respect. He was a worthy representative of the sturdy race of soldiers and pioneers who made homes for themselves and their descendants in what was then the forest wilderness of Clermont county.
MAJOR JULIUS AUGUSTUS PENN,
United States Army.
Major Julius A. Penn was born in Mattoon, Coles county, Illinois, February 19, 1865, the son of the late Major Julius A. Penn of the Twenty-second Ohio volunteers, and Mary Brock Penn. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this his-
68 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
tory. The mother, Mary Brock Penn, was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., removing with her parents first to Paris, Ill., and in 1834 to Chicago, where she resided until 1850, when she removed to Batavia, Ohio, and continued to reside there until her death, December 11, 1910.
Her father, Thomas Brock, was born in North Carolina, of Scotch parentage, and was of the sterling type of pioneer, settling first in Ohio, later in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1862 he removed overland across the plains to Stockton, California, where he resided until his death, in 1877. Her mother, Nancy Moore Brock, a native of New Jersey, died in 1840. At an early age Mary Brock Penn became a faithful and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her life was devoted to the unselfish care of others, and was truly one of Christian service and corresponding happiness. Her long and useful life so full of good and kindly deeds and her cheerful nature endeared her to all who knew her.
In April, 1865, Julius A. Penn returned with his parents to their home in Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio. He attended the public schools there and graduated in 1881 from the high school, in the first class to be formally graduated from that school. In May, 1882, upon the recommendation of his neighbor and friend, Judge James B. Swing, he was appointed by the Hon. H. L. Morey, member of Congress, a cadet at the United States Military Academy, at West Point, N. Y. Passing the entrance examination successfully, in June, 1882, he served as a cadet from July 1, 1882, until he graduated, July 1, 1886, and was appointed a second lieutenant in the Thirteenth infantry, United States Army. His first duties with his regiment were in New Mexico, 1886-1888. Then in the Indian Territory and Oklahoma, 1888-1889 and 1891-1892. He took part in several expeditions after runaway Mescalero, Apaches, and Jicarilla Apache Indians in New Mexico; and later in Oklahoma participated in the formal opening of lands for settlement, in 1889, 1891, and 1892.
From 1889 to 1891 he attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, and was valedictorian of his class. His thesis on "Mounted Infantry" was published on the recommendation of the faculty, in the journal of the Military Service Institution. He served on ordnance duty and instruction at Frankfort Arsenal, in Pennsylvania, October 1, 1892, to October 1, 1893.
Promoted to first lieutenant, Second infantry, on July 29,
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 69
1893, he joined his company at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, in No- vember, 1893, and in June, 1896, was appointed regimental quartermaster, and in the following year was appointed regi- mental adjutant. In addition to his regular duties with his regiment, he served as instructor of tactics at the Omaha High School, from March, 1894, to June, 1896.
He served with his regiment on strike duty at Butte, Mont., in 1894, and was chief commissary of the troops in. the field; and assistant quartermaster in the Bannock Indian expedition in Wyoming and Idaho, July to November, 1895. He served in Montana in 1896-1898, and in Chickamauga and Tampa in 1898. He was captain and assistant quartermaster of United States volunteers, from May 12 to November 3o, 1898 ; quartermaster of the First division, Seventh Army Corps, quartermaster First Brigade, Provisional division, Fifth Army Corps ; and quartermaster division, Third Army Corps, at Tampa, May to July, 1898 ; quartermaster at Port Tampa. July, 1898. Assistant instructor and senior instructor of infantry tactics, United States Military Academy, October, 1898, to July, 1899. He was promoted to rank of captain and as- signed to the Seventh infantry, March 2, 1899. He was major Thirty-fourth United States infantry volunteers, July 5, 1899, to April 17, 1901. Major Penn commanded the first battalion of the United States volunteers, raised in 1899, to arrive in the Philippines, October 11, 1899 ; took part in General Lawton's northern expedition, in October and November, 1899; was with General McArthur's advance on Dagupan, from Bautista to Dagupan, November, 1899; participated in General Young's expedition in Northern Luzon, in November and December, 1899, rescuing over 2,000 Spanish officers and soldiers, and Lieutenant Gilmore of the United States Navy, and twenty- five Americans from the insurgents. He took part in actions at Tagnadin Mountain, December 4th and 5th ; at Bandi, December 8th ; at Banna Canon, December 9th ; at Gaset, December 16th ; and in the rescue of Lieutenant J. C. Gilmore, December 18, 1899.
He was active in events connected with the outbreak in the Province of Illicos Norte, Philippine Islands, in April, 1900. He served as inspector general of the Fifth district, Department of Northern Luzon, September, 1900, to February, 1901. Served on muster out duty in California, April to July, 1901. Served in the Philippines from January to June, 1902. Participated in the Samar, Philippine Islands, campaign in March
70 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
of that year. Served as adjutant general of the Sixth separate brigade, Division of the Philippines, in April and May, 1902, and served with his regiment at San Francisco, Cal., from September, 1902, to October, 1903, then in Manila, Philippine Islands, from November, 1903, to November 17, 1904.
He was adjutant of the Seventh infantry, from August, 1903, to August, 1904. Captain and aide-de-camp to Major General H. C. Corbin, November 17, 1904, to April 24, 1906. Lieutenant colonel and military secretary to Lieutenant General H. C. Corbin, April 24, 1906, to September 15, 1906. Inspector small arms practice, Philippine division, January, 1904, to February 1, 1906. Major Penn served in the Philippines until February 1, 1906, and was at headquarters of Northern division at St. Louis, Mo., from March to September, 1906.
He served as captain general staff corps from September 15, 1906, to August 1o, 1900, and was assistant instructor Army War College, Washington, D. C., 1906, graduating from this institution with the class of 1907.
He was chief of staff to General T. J. taint, at base of operations, Newport News, Va., in October, 1906. Was inspector of military schools and colleges, in April and May of 1907, 1908, and 1900. He was promoted to the rank of major and joined the Twelfth infantry, August 10, 1909. He served as acting adjutant general, Department of Luzon, in April and May, 1910, and as acting adjutant general, Fort William McKinley, Philippines, May and June, 1910. He was inspector and instructor of State militia for Nebraska in 1911, and part of 1912, and was assigned as major of the First infantry in 1912. He is now, January, 1913, stationed with his regiment at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii.
WILLIAM H. GUYNN.
William H. Guynn, retired nurseryman living at Mt. Carmel, Clermont county, Ohio, by his activity and energy in former years accumulated the capital that now enables him to rest in well earned ease from further labors, and to enjoy life and all its pleasures. He is a representative of one of the oldest of pioneer families in the county.
The grandparents of our subject were Joseph arid Margaret (Camery) Guynn, the father of the latter settling in the county
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 71
in the very early days, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Joseph Guynn was a shingle maker by trade, and for six or eight years was assessor of Washington township, Clermont county ; also served several years as justice of the peace. Samuel, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Camery) Guynn, was born in Washington township, Clermont county, October 12, 1810, and resided in the township of his birth until a few years before his death, October 26, 1912, at the advanced age of ninety-three yearS. He was a well-to-do farmer of the county and married Miss Elizabeth Dixon, who was born at Big Indian Creek, Washington township, 1820, and died there in June, 1911. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom were born in Clermont county. Those living are :
William H., the subject of this review.
Milton, a resident of Ivor, Ky.
Samuel, living on the old home farm.
Elizabeth, is Mrs. Frank Philips, of Ivor, Ky.
William H. Guynn was born at Ray's Run, Washington township, June '0, 1843, and was reared on the farm of his father and pursued his education in the schools of Moscow, graduating from the high school. He engaged in farming for a few months, and in 1863 enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, serving his country until 1865. He was engaged in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, and others.
Returning from the war, Mr. Guynn was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Mottier, who was born at Bex, Switzerland, October 11, 1847, and the youngest of seven children born to Abraham and Julia (Pitchard) Mottier, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, the former was born in 1814, and died in 1891, and the latter was born in 1815 and passed away in 1877. They crossed the Atlantic from the land of their nativity to America in 1850, and settled in Green township, Hamilton county, Ohio. They were farmers and grape raisers, and sold Catawba wine by the wholesale, also took many prizes at the wine shows.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Guynn, they located on the old Irwin farm, northwest of Moscow, where they carried on general farming and fruit raising in connection with the
nursery business for twenty years, developing about seventy acres. Mr. and Mrs. Guynn have had one son to bless their union:
Ellis L., who was born in Moscow, Washington township,
72 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Clermont county, Ohio, May 6, 1866. He is a graduate of the same school which his parents attended, and married Alice Musser, a daughter of Jacob Musser and wife, both of whom are deceased. She is the youngest of six children. Ellis Guynn is the father of seven children, all born in Clermont county. They are : Alvah, was born in 1890; Irwin, born in 1892, married Tillie Bushman and they have one daughter, Lenora M., born November 28, 1912 ; Clarence, born in 1893 ; Edna, born in 1897; Russell, born in 1900; William, born in 1903, and Thelma, born in 1908.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Guynn had relatives in the Civil war, the former having three uncles, William, Hensen and Thomas Guynn, who enlisted in the Twelfth and Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry. He also had two cousins, William and Joseph, of the Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry. All of these men have passed away. Favor Mattier and Edward Grenat, cousins of Mrs. Guynn, were on the Sultana when that boat was blown up.
Mr. and Mrs. Guynn are active members of the Christian church, she being secretary of the Christian Endeavor for a number of years. Mr. Guynn is a Republican, and is well posted on all yuestions of the day. In fraternal matters, he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Workman, Junior Order American Mechanics, and the Grand Army of the Republic.
Recently Mr. Guynn sold his farm and nursery and now has a pleasant home in Mt. Carmel. He and his estimable wife were schoolmates and have trod the path of life together, she being a genuine helpmate to him in business as well as in the home. He is a genial, broad-minded gentleman, and is active in all worthy enterprises.
EDWARD S. RUSH
Among the citizens of Clermont county who, by their sterling yualities and energetic efforts, have won honor and prosperity in their native locality, is numbered Edward S. Rush, who was born in Batavia, Ohio, June 3, 1868, son of Randolph and Priscilla (Pollard) Rush, both of whom were born and reared in Clermont county. Randolph Rush was born in Monroe township, in 1838, and is now a resident of Cincinnati, and Priscilla Pollard was born in Laurel, Monroe town-
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 73
ship, in 1840, and died in 1900. Randolph Rush enlisted and served his term in the One Hundred Day service, in an Ohio regiment, in 1864, and gave honorable service in the cause of the Union. He is a Republican in politics, and served a number of years as marshal of Batavia. He and his wife became the parents of five children, viz.: Turpin D., resides in Georgetown, Ohio ; Nannie E., married Augustus Hayes, and they live in Cincinnati ; W. P. is a resident of Batavia ; Edward S. is the subject of this review ; one child died in infancy. All were born in Clermont county.
Edward S. Rush received his education in the public schools of Batavia, and subsequently entered the printing office of the "Clermont County Sun," where he remained three years. In 1885 he joined forces with the "Courier," and this connection has been continued for a period of twenty-seven years. He is all expert typesetter and it is said he is able to perform this work more rapidly than any other man in the county. He is acquainted with the printing business in all its branches, and there is nothing in this line which he has not thoroughly mastered. For the past three years has held the position of editor and manager, for which he is well fitted by natural ability and
training.
On January 27, 1898, occurred the marriage of Edward S. Rush and Miss Bertha Elizabeth Holmes, daughter of Hon. E. B. and Catherine (Burke) Holmes, whose sketch appears in this work. She was born August 18, 1872, at Williamsburg, Clermont county, and graduated from Williamsburg High School. The Rush family own a beautiful home on Spring street, where they enjoy an ideal life of peace and harmony.
One child has been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rush, a daughter, Helen Holmes Rush, born at Batavia, November 6, 1903. She is a daughter of whom they are justly proud, and gives promise of beautiful young womanhood. She has won considerable attention for her elocutionary gifts, and participates in many entertainments. At the fiftieth anniversary of the Seventh Ohio cavalry, of which her grandfather, Hon. E. B. Holmes, was a member, and which was held for surviving members of the regiment, September 25, 26 and 27, 1912, at Ripley, Ohio, she was a prominent participant at each session. This celebration lasted three days, and little Miss Rush favored the audience with many select recitations, winning unstinted praise on one particular evening by her rendering of "I Wish I Were a Soldier," and the following day, at the morning ses-
74 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
sion, held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, by the unanimous vote of the sixty-seven members of the regiment, she was made the "Daughter of the Regiment," the only little girl to be given this honor, which was very pleasing to herself and her many friends and admirers. Capt. C. D. Mitchell, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who was one of the speakers, and who was one of the two men who suggested giving the little girl this token of appreciation for the part she had taken in this celebration, sent Miss Rush the following letter :
"October second, Ninteen twelve.
"Miss Helen Holmes Rush, Batavia, Ohio.
"My dear Girl :—I want to acknowledge our debt to you for your presence and recitations during our splendid reunion at Ripley. In fact, I don't see how we have gotten along so many years without you. But you are now one of us—`Our Daughter.'
"My little girl, let me say that this is a distinguished honor conferred by the 'Rear Guard' of a noble regiment of fighting men-men who fought for the Right, for Freedom, and for the preservation of our Country. We want you to live worthy such knightly men and their cause, and we are sure you will.
"It may be—most likely will be—that the time will come when you are the sole and only bearer of our colors. May God preserve you and prepare you for your life work, is the wish and hope of Very sincerely yours,
"(Signed) C. D. Mitchell.
"P. S. I am sending you by this mail, under separate cover, a little souvenir and keepsake from Chattanooga, that will remind you of my address when you come South."
The souvenir accompanying the letter was a teaspoon. Miss Rush also received a letter from Major D. S. Brown, the other member of the regiment, who requested she be given the title of "Daughter of the Regiment," reading as follows :
“Peoria, Ill., October 14, 1912.
"My dear Helen :-
"Just had a nice long letter from Captain Mitchell, enclosing copy of letter he had sent to you.
"Good ! Now, we are started on the good road to your long successful career as 'Reader' and 'Rostrum-Elocutionist.'
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 75
"Mitchell and Yours Truly, along with your faithful parents, will hold up your hands—sustain
your pride, spirit and ambition.
"In this same mail I send you a souvenir—an exact facsimile of the first saber I ever carried. It may now be christened the 'Sword of Peace,' and your mamma will procure for you a gold lace belt, and then when you recite, wear it as the sure enough 'Daughter of the Regiment.'
"Very best wishes to your parents—and may the Good Father in Heaven keep you for His very own !"
Mr. Rush is a zealous Republican and held the office of township and corporation treasurer for eight years, during which time he handled more money than has ever been handled before in the same period of time. He is a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star and for the past two years has served as worthy matron of the chapter at Batavia. She also belongs to the Order of Rebekah, and has filled all the offices in the lodge, of which she is a member. She also belongs to the Mothers' Club and the Woman's Club. Mr. and Mrs. Rush are consistent members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Rush is what is termed a "self-made man," having reached the prosperity he now enjoys entirely through his own efforts, aided by his faithful wife. His success is the result of faithful and conscientious attention to the details of his chosen life work. He and his wife are delightful people to meet, by reason of their kindly manner and courteous bearing.
Mr. Rush's maternal uncle, William Pollard, and also his paternal uncle, David Rush, were soldiers in the Civil war. His grandfather, William Pollard, was a pioneer settler of Monroe
township, Clermont county, where the family took a prominent part in early history.
CHARLES H. WOODMANSEE.
Clermont county is proud to number among her representative citizens, Mr. Charles H. Woodmansee, a man of broad and liberal culture, whose versatility has made him widely and favorably known in the professional, commercial, political and social circles of this section of the State. He is at present engaged as cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Felicity, Ohio, in
76 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
connection with which he practices law. Mr. C. H. Woodmansee is a member of one of the oldest and best families of Clermont county, he being a son of Lot and Jane (Manning) Woodmansee. His birth occurred in Franklin township, Clermont county, Ohio, October 18, 1865.
Lot Woodmansee was born in Franklin township, Clermont county, Ohio, June 7, 1837, and after a life of active usefulness passed to his eternal reward on November 28, 1933. During the entire time of his activity, Mr. Lot Woodmansee followed the occupation of farming and operated the home farm in Franklin township, which was originally a grant of land to his maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Bonser, for services rendered during the Revolutionary war. Mr. Woodmansee was a man of upright and honorable life, and his persistency of purpose and unfaltering diligence were strong elements in the success that made him one of the leading farmers of his day. He was in favor of the principles of the Democratic party, and his religious views were in accordance with the tenets of the Christian church.
Jane (Manning) Woodmansee was born near Point Isabel, Washington township, Clermont county, Ohio, October 7, 1842, and is residing at Felicity, Ohio. Her father was John Manning, whose birth occurred in Franklin township, Clermont county, in 1800, and whose death occurred in September, 1889. He was a fine old gentleman, and was considered one of the substantial and reliable citizens of this part of the country. He was a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. The Mannings were among the first settlers of Clermont, landing at the mouth of the Bullskin creek in 1790. Daniel Manning was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and Mr. Woodmansee has one of a string of fourteen buttons which he wore during the war. To the union of Lot and Jane (Manning) Woodmansee were born nine children, and with the exception of two sons who died in infancy, all grew to maturity. They are as follows :
Charles H., who is the subject of this mention.
Stella, who became the wife of D. E. Davis, of Mt. Olive, Ohio
George A. resides on the home farm, one mile above Rural, Ohio.
Lorena, who married Albert Mannen, resides on Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.
Emma is Mrs. J. L. Marksberry, of Hamilton, Ohio.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 77
James G., a motorman, is a resident of Felicity, Ohio.
Howard P. lives on a farm adjoining the old home farm, a part of which he also owns.
The education of Charles H. Woodmansee was acquired in the schools of the county and later at Ada and Lebanon, after which he taught in the schools of Clermont county for a period of twelve years, Mr. Byron Williams being his first examiner.
On October 7, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Charles H. Woodmansee to Miss Mary A. Hendrixson, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, February 19, 1867, a daughter of Enoch and Melissa (Hutchinson) Hendrixson, the former of whom was born in Brown county, Ohio, October 21, 1825, and passed away September 19, 1907. He was a farmer by occupation and was a resident of Clermont and Brown counties most of his life. He was very active in church work for many years, being a member of the Methodist church for over forty years. He filled the offices of steward, class leader and Sunday school superintendent and took great delight in all of these services. Mrs. Hendrixson was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, and passed from this life in April, 1888. Nine children blessed this union, seven of whom are living, and nearly all were born in Clermont county. They are as follows :
F. E. is in the mercantile business at Hamersville, Ohio.
Martha is the wife of Augustus Bartlett, of Franklin township, Clermont county.
George E. resides at Chilo, Ohio.
Emery E. is a resident of Fremont, Ohio.
Finley S., who was a dealer in musical instruments and salesman for over twenty years, passed away November 5, 1911, at Fremont, Ohio.
Mary A., who is Mrs. Woodmansee.
Alva E. is a resident of Felicity, Ohio, where he is occupied in the insurance business, and is also a dealer in vehicles.
William Hendrixson, an uncle of Mrs. Woodmansee, served three years in the Civil war, enlisting from Brown county.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee have become the parents of two children, both natives of Felicity, Ohio.
Ralph H., who was born June 29, 1894, is a graduate of the Felicity High School, and is now a student of the Delaware College.
Nelson P., who was born February 2, 1899, is a student of the Felicity High School.
Mr. Woodmansee studied law at home after his marriage,
78 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
and was admitted to the bar in October, 1896. He has met with desired success in his profession and since 1906 has been employed as cashier in the Citizens' Bank of Felicity.
In politics, Mr. Woodmansee affiliates with the Democratic party, which he has served in various local offices. For three years he filled the office of township clerk, and from July 1, 1912, is serving in the capacity of mayor of Felicity, by appointment.
In fraternal circles, Mr. Woodmansee holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organization he is the treasurer. Mrs. Woodmansee is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and both Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee are devoted members of the Methodist church.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee, which was erected in 1911, is strictly modern in every way and is a property which adds greatly to the appearance of the town.
JAMES W. McMURCHY.
Mr. James W. McMurchy, active in the banking circles of Felicity, Ohio, is the assistant cashier of the Citizens' Bank and also holds the responsible position of postmaster of Felicity. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, has attained a high degree of success, and stands high among the foremost of the substantial men of Clermont county. Mr. McMurchy is a representative of one of the oldest families of the county and was born in Franklin township, October 7, 1859, his parents being William and Margaret (Wells) McMurchy.
William McMurchy was born in Scotland in 1800 and came to America in 1819, at the age of nineteen years, settling first in Pennsylvania. He came on to Clermont county in the pioneer days, and became one of the resident farmers of Franklin township. He was a Republican in politics, and served as township trustee for many years. He passed away in 1894, having reached a ripe old age. He was one of the influential men of the community in which he lived, and had a host of friends, who still miss him from their midst.
Margaret (Wells) McMurchy was born in Brown county, in 1814, and died in 1864. Her parents were from Maryland,
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 79
and settled in Brown county many years ago. Her death took her from the family in the prime of life, and her loss is still felt by all who knew her. She became the mother of six children, all of whom were born in Clermont county. They are :
Jennie, who became the wife of Thomas Clark, is deceased.
Mary, the wife of Abraham Hauser, is also deceased.
Lucy died at the age of two years.
Anna is Mrs. J. W. Miller, of Moscow, Ohio.
John, is a resident of Felicity.
James W., our subject.
James W. McMurchy attended the schools of Felicity, after which he was a student in Cincinnati for a short period. He assisted his father on the home farm until he was of age, and then contracted for the county commissioners for several years.
In 1902, Mr. McMurchy received an appointment by the Republican party, to the position of postmaster of Felicity, and has served in this capacity continuously since. In May, 1909, he was elected assistant cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Felicity.
The marriage of Mr. McMurchy took place on November 11, 1885, to Miss Kate F. Moore, who was born in Felicity in 1860, and is a daughter of William and Sarah C. (Fee) Moore, the latter a native of Clermont county, who died some years ago. The former was born in Brown county, Ohio, and became a physician and surgeon. He was killed in the battle of Gettysburg, was in service in the Sixty-first Ohio volunteer infantry. Beside Mrs. McMurchy, they had one other child, W. E. Moore, a resident of Felicity.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McMurchy have been born two children :
Margaret M. is a graduate of the Felicity High School.
Clifford died at the age of fifteen months.
Mrs. McMurchy is the assistant postmaster, and with the assistance of her daughter attends to the duties of the post-office, while Mr. McMurchy is engaged at the bank, to the entire satisfaction of all in the community.
In political views Mr. McMurchy is in favor of the principles of the Republican party, and always has the interest of his party at heart. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and both he and Mrs. McMurchy are members of the chapter of the Eastern Star. In religious matters, Mr. McMurchy is a member and an elder of the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Mc-
80 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Murchy is a member of the Methodist church and is active in all affairs of her denomination.
Mr. McMurchy is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres in Franklin township. No family in this part of the county stands higher in the esteem of their associates than does the family of Mr. McMurchy. They are modest and retiring and live in great harmony and for each other. The life record of Mr. McMurchy is one that is above reproach and that he was given two important positions in his home village is a mark of their regard and respect.
EZEKIEL J. HUTCHINSON.
Mr. Ezekiel J. Hutchinson, owner of several hundred acres of land in Jackson township, on which are five sets of improvements, including his home, which is one of the finest country homes in Clermont county, was born on this farm October 31, 1838, and is a son of Col. Aaron and Deidanna (Smith) Hutchinson, born respectively in 1798 and 1804 in New Jersey. The father, who died in August, 1881, was a colonel of the Ohio militia and willed his sword to his son, E. J. Hutchinson, who prizes it highly. He and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church, the latter died in 1872. Aaron was a son of Rev. Ezekiel Hutchinson, who came to Clermont county in 1806, settling in Jackson township, where he secured land and successfully followed farming until his death, in 1845, aged seventy-five years. He was a most staunch supporter of the Methodist church and entertained the ministers in the early days, his home being noted for its hospitality. He donated the ground for the Hutchinson cemetery, to Jackson township, and the deceased members of the family are buried there.
To Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Hutchinson were born seven children, all natives of Clermont county, as follows : William, deceased ; Mary Ann, died in childhood ; Henry Clay died at the age of two years ; Benjamin F., deceased, served in the Civil war in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry ; J. G., deceased, was a resident of Jackson township ; Ezekiel J., our subject, and Caroline, widow of A. P. Middleton, now of Greenfield, Ohio.
Ezekiel J. Hutchinson was educated in the township schools
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 81
and at the Batavia High School, beginning teaching at the age of nineteen years in his home school. Later, he taught the New Boston, Ashton, Harbaugh, Cover and other schools, devoting some five years to the profession. He made his home with his father until his marriage, in 1867, to Miss M. L. Robb, who was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, October 31, 1840, and is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Houston) Robb, natives respectively of Clermont county, Ohio, and of Bracken county, Kentucky. The father was born in 1817 and passed away in 1893; the mother was born in 1813 and died in 1905. The former was a lawyer by profession but followed agricultural pursuits mainly. Both are buried at Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio. Of their children, four were born in Highland county, Ohio, one in Clermont county and one in Kentucky, their names being as follows : Mrs. E. J. Hutchinson ; Georgia, widow of William E. Brackmann, of California ; Elizabeth J., deceased, was the wife of Benami Selph, of Hillsboro, Ohio ; Dollie M., the wife of William White, residing on Price Hill, Cincinnati; Caleb, deceased ; and Dr. Isaac Robb, of Tacoma, Wash.
Mrs. Hutchinson is a niece of the late Charles Robb, the well known and kindly remembered poet of Clermont county, mentioned on other pages.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have resided on the farm in Jackson township since their marriage, building the present splendid ten-room home which was ready for occupancy September I, 1898. It is one of the largest in the county, modern in every respect, an elegant location with a beautiful pond near, situated on the site of the parental home. Conveniently located is the fifteen-acre orchard, pears, apples, plums, chestnuts, set out partly by our subject's father, but largely by himself.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson are the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Clermont county, Ohio. They are as follows:
Zoe, who was born June 22, 1868, died at the age of two years.
Robb, who was born July 10, 1870, died at the age of twenty-three years.
Wade, who was born February 24, 1873, is at home.
Nellie, who was born July 20, 1875, is the wife of J. 0. Ridings, located on a farm near Lerado, in Jackson township.
Maud, who was born August 25, 1878, married Clarence Moore, who is deceased, leaving two children ; Lucile, who
82 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
was born February 16, 1905, and Walter Wade, born June 7, 1906. Mrs. Moore is now the wife of C. F. Ridings, now located near the Hutchinson home. They have one child, Mary Elizabeth, born April 25, 1913.
Gail H., who was born January 3o, 1882, is the wife of Harry J. Holden, D. D. S., of Williamsburg, and the mother of one son, James, born May 25, 1907. She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star.
An infant, deceased, born August 30, 1880, died September 8, 1880.
Mr. Hutchinson enlisted in 1864 in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, belonging to the State Guards, serving some four months. He had several relatives who also served in the Civil war—his brother-in-law, A. P. Middleton, Frank Hutchinson, Dr. Ashton, also Felix, Frank and Sanford Ashton, all brothers and cousins of his, two of whom were killed in action ; W. E. Brackmann, brother-in-law of Mrs. Hutchinson, besides Capt. Harry McArthur, a grandson of Governor McArthur, and Clay and John Osborn ; also Rev. Randolph Smith, Eras Smith, both wounded in action, cousins of Mr. Hutchinson.
Mr. Hutchinson is a Mason and in politics is a staunch Republican, having served two terms, 1905-1909, as county commissioner. He is a modest man, unassuming in manner or dress, but one well read and keenly alert on all subjects and progressive as evidenced by the highly satisfactory conduct of his office as commissioner. In addition to his farming interests he is director of the Farmer's National Bank of Williamsburg, Ohio.
Mrs. Hutchinson attended the Female College at Hillsboro, Ohio, and Miss Girard's school at the same place.
CHAMBERS BAIRD.
One of the prominent citizens of Ripley, Ohio, and members of the bar of Brown county is Mr. Chambers Baird. He was born in Ripley in 186o, in the family home in which he now resides. He is the only son of Major Chambers Baird, who was born in Adams county in 1811 and located in Ripley in 1834, where he died in 1887, and who during his lifetime was a leading lawyer and prominently identified with the banking and business interests of the town and county.
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 83
Mr. Baird is a graduate of the Ripley High School, 1876, of Harvard College, 1882, and of the Cincinnati Law School, 1902-1906, 1884. He served as mayor of Ripley two terms, and was also United States Referee in Bankruptcy for four years, 1898-1902. He is an able lawyer d of business, who has taken an active part in public affairs and has been connected with various financial interests and wide and enterprises. He is a man of fine character, good ability and wide scholarship who has found pleasure in books and literary work and has written much for publication in papers and magazines. He has also delivered many addresses on literary, historical and political subjects.
In politics he is a Progressive Republican and has been active in party work and councils.
Mr. Baird is a member of the Masonic order and of other societies and clubs.
Mr. Baird married Miss Jeanette Gilliland in 1M8 Baird enjoy's a large general practice, and the confidence of all who know him.
GEORGE C. LONGWORTH.
Business activity and energy have been the salient features in the life record of Mr. George C. Longworth, who is hi now engaged in conducting a general store at Felicity, Ohio. He has a well appointed establishment and is doing a fine business, his annual sales reaching a gratifying figure. Mr. Longworth is a Clermont county man, his birth having occurred at Felicity, Ohio, his parents being Joseph Morris and Georgianna (Clark) Longworth.
Joseph Morris Longworth was born at Cincinnati, just east of Broadway, where the Park now is, in 1836, and died in February, 1912. He was a versatile man, being a farmer, banker and capitalist of Hamilton county, Ohio, and in later life engaged in the tobacco business and conducted a general store at Felicity, Ohio. He served three and one-half years in the Civil war, enlisting from Ohio in the One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. In politics, Mr. Joseph M. Longworth was a Republican, although he always voted for the best man and twos best measures
Georgianna (Clark) Longworth was born at Rural, Clermont county, Ohio, in 1848, and passed away in 1910. She
84 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
became the mother of six children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are :
George C., of this mention.
Apphia L. is the wife of Dr. C. H. Mason, of Felicity, Ohio.
Dr. Thomas, of Felicity, Ohio.
George C. Longworth obtained his education in the schools of Hamilton county, Ohio, and entered the business world in the insurance business, as adjuster of claims. In this capacity he continued for a period of two years, after which he was employed as clerk. In 1892, he opened his general store at Felicity, and it is the largest in the village. Mr. Longworth owns the store on Main and Union streets, also the store building on Main and Market streets. He is the owner of two nice farms in Washington township, and his success in the past gives promise of greater success in the future.
In politics, Mr. Longworth votes for the best man for all offices, and has served for one term as town treasurer, with great satisfaction to all.
Mr. Longworth is a member of the Masonic lodge, and of the Eastern Star, and is prominent in both organizations.
Mr. Longworth is well known in Felicity as a reliable business man, well qualified to conduct his large interests, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.
THE KAIN FAMILY.
Much pleasant mention has been made of James Kain and his children as the first family to make a home in the East Fork part of the Little Miami river. James Kain, of Scotch-Irish origin, was born February 13, 1749, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The maiden name of his wife, Catherine, seems lost. Their eldest child, Daniel, was born May 7, 1773. John was born September I, 1776; Mary, June 5, 1783, and Sarah, November 5, 1787. This family left Lancaster county, and, like others westward bound at that time, stopped, because of Indian troubles, at Old Fort Red Stone, where they raised a crop. They boated down the Ohio the next spring to Columbia, where their youngest son, Thomas, was born, July 2, 1790. After 1792 they moved out to Mercersburg, or Newtown. In 1795 James Kain contracted with General Lytle to clear the "Big Field" as told in our general history. In
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 85
1796 the family moved out to Williamsburg and built their cabins on Lot No. 43, by the "Surveyor's Camp," and there began Kain's Tavern, the most noted stopping place in pioneer times between Cincinnati and Chillicothe. Through all the migration from Lancaster they brought a tall clock, now owned by Mrs. Estelle Norris Ochiltree, of Connersville, Ind., and a set of stone for a horse mill, now probably owned by Enoch W. Smith, in Williamsburg. These articles suggest a more than usual pioneer outfit. James Kain was appointed by the Hamilton county court as supervisor of the road to Chillicothe, and he probably acted under that authority in cutting the "Dug Way" as told on other pages. He was elected coroner of Old Clermont. There is good tradition that he brought his parents, also named James and Catherine, to Williamsburg. But there is no doubt about the large, strong, resolute, energetic, useful, big-hearted man who founded a lasting family. No dates can be given for his rather small, dark-eyed and active wife, of German descent. He died April to, 1815, and is buried in Williamsburg cemetery, near all his children, except Thomas and the younger daughter, Elizabeth, who married Sergeant Daniel Campbell, killed in the battle of Brownstown in 1812. She then married Samuel Cade and went farther
west. Mary, called Polly, married James Perrine, on July 4, 1804, and their daughter, Catherine, married John Jamieson, whence that family in Batavia mentioned on other pages. Sarah Rain married Stephen Smith, captain of the second company from Williamsburg in the War of 1812. Captain Smith, born October 20, 1781, was one of the nine children of Israel Smith, born December 15, 1745, and Catherine Smith (not akin), born June 12, 1756, who brought their children, born at Elizabethtown, N. J., and first settled at Point Pleasant. Among the children of Captain and Sarah Rain Smith, who also had nine, were : Sarah, wife of Adam Snell Walker, the parents of Oliver E. Walker, the father of Spencer Walker ; Mary, the wife of William Walker, parents of L. G. Walker, the father of Mrs. John C. Fuhr ; and Eliza, the wife of Philip Chatterton, all three elsewhere sketched in this work.
Daniel, eldest son of James Kain, married Mary Hutchinson, who died leaving Mary, James and Joseph. Mary married Israel Foster and was the mother of Bishop R. S. Foster, as told in our history. Joseph, born September to, 1802, became the driver of one of the tri-weekly stages to and from Chillicothe to Cincinnati. As he came down the road within a few
86 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
miles of Williamsburg, the four horses all took fright at a huge buzzard tied to swing and flap across the road. In the sudden struggle for control, Joseph was thrown from his place early on Thursday morning, August 28, 1828, and instantly killed.
On December 1, 1805, Daniel Kain, for second wife, married Elenor, a sister of his future son-in-law, Israel, children of Thomas and Nancy Trigg Foster, mentioned in the account of the Old Stone Jail. Nancy Trigg was a part in the ancestry of scores of people named in this publication, yet, living nearly a century, she died as recently as July 2, 1855. The children of Daniel and Elenor Kain were William L. married to Mary West, Henry C. married to Rebecca Homan, Thomas, Catherine married to Samuel Ellis, Sarah married to Dr. William Gage, Eliza married to Rev. John Miller, Paulina married to George Davison, and Manora married to Samuel G. Peterson. Thomas, badly crippled, was still a very useful pioneer teacher. Samuel and Catherine Ellis were the parents of Thomas Kain Ellis, elsewhere sketched. Elenor Kain was born March 14, 1782, and died July 25, 1842.
Daniel Kain was a soldier in Wayne's victorious army ; was commissioned a captain in 1801, by Governor St. Clair ; was a major in active service in the War of 1812; and then a colonel of militia, but was called "major," the rank in actual war. He was sheriff of the county, a justice of the peace for twenty-four years and postmaster from 1839 till his death, March 11, 1843. He was a zealous Methodist, a faithful Mason and vice-president of the first temperance convention held in Brown and Clermont. In personal appearance he was tall, dark, and fine looking, with a martial air. He was held in a high respect, still surviving.
John, the second son of James Kain, was married on May 4, 1797, to Elizabeth Raper, who was born April 6, 1783, and died March 17, 1839. She was the oldest daughter of Leonard Raper, the British Revolutionary soldier, sketched in our history. Leonard Raper was born in England, March 19, 1750, and well educated in London. His wife, Temperance Holly, was born in Wales, November 22, 1764, and died November 28, 1841. The sons of Leonard and Temperance Raper were Samuel, Joseph, Holly and William H., and the daughters were Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah and Mary. Margaret married John Randall, Mary married James Kain, Jr., and Sarah married Lieutenant Thomas Foster. William H. was the
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 87
noted Methodist minister. After serving as a sergeant in Samuel in Captain Boersttler's company, in which brother, Samuel Raper, was first corporal, in the War of 1812, Holly served four terms as sheriff of Clermont county. Joseph raised family and died on the home farm. Samuel married Mary ones, of a New Jersey family, and died on his farm a mile and a half south of Bethel, leaving the reputation of a strong minded man worthy of his ancestry. His daughter, Sarah, who was born January 20, 1822, and died November 22, 1896, was married April 25, 1839, to Robert Blair, who was born July 22, 1816, and died September 8, 1879. Robert was the son of John Blair, who married Antis, a daughter of David and Nancy Vaughan White, elsewhere sketched. The children of Robert and Sarah Raper Blair are Augustus C., Judith, Elizabeth, and Katherine. Of these Elizabeth married Albion T. Kain, elsewhere sketched.
The children of John and Elizabeth Raper Kain were Margaret, Thomas, Sarah, Samuel H., James, Daniel, Elizabeth, John Wesley, Caroline and George W. Of these Elizabeth, who was born March 12, 1816, and died November 5, 1889, was married October 15, 1835, to Lewis Ellis, who are mentioned in the sketch of Mrs. Estelle N. Ochiltree. John Wesley Kain was born November 7, 1819, and on August 27, 1840, was married to Almira Hull, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Wilson Hull, who came from Pennsylvania, where he had been a soldier in the War of 1812. The children of John Wesley and Almira Kain are Luther, Lorisa and Albion T. Lorisa is the wife of Charles P. Chatterton, sketched on other pages.
John Kain was a soldier with his brother, Daniel, in Wayne's army. He was on much duty for the county of Old Clermont, and was county treasurer seven years. He was also a colonel of the militia. After his father's death he built the tavern at the northwest corner of Main and Third streets, in Williamsburg, which was popular till his death, February 6, 1846, and continued so under the management of his youngest son, John Wesley Kain, until his death, April 4, 1888. The house was the scene of much historic action, of which the most dramatic was its occupation as the headquarters of General John Morgan, on July 14 and 15, 1863, in his famous Northern raid. In person John Kain was a dark-eyed, swarthy, broad-shoudered and stern visaged man, who tolerated no loitering about his inn. Yet he was sternly kind, and rarely devoted to friends.
Masonry was his chief ideal. From his initiation in the old
86 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
jury room, April 19, 1819, to his last attendance, April 18, 1845, just twenty-six years, Clermont Social Lodge held 415 meetings, at which he was present 383 times. Besides other offices, he was elected treasurer for sixteen successive years. During the thirteen years of anti-Masonic excitement, he was present at all but eleven of the 185 meetings of his lodge, and the records of committee work show that his example of punctual, efficient, resolute and prudent ways was as a corner stone for the work of the craft.
Thomas, the youngest son of James Kain, on March 1, 1812, was married to Mary Herbert, who was born in Trenton, N. J., April 9, 1794, and died November 5, 1864. She was a daughter of James Herbert, who as the keeper, was then residing in the stone jail. Some four weeks after his marriage Thomas Kain answered the first call for the War of 1812 as first lieutenant of Captain Boersttler's Rifle Company. After the captain was killed at the battle of Brownstown, Lieutenant Kain was promoted to be captain. When Batavia was fixed as the new county seat, in 1824, Captain Kain, who had come to be colonel of militia, moved, and became a noted innkeeper and was highly esteemed in Methodist, Masonic and social relations until his death, on August 17, 1856. The children of Colonel Thomas and Mary Herbert Kain were, as named and married, as follows : James Herbert Kain to Margaret B. Ellis. John Washington Kain to Mary Lukens, and then to Caroline Moore. Daniel D. Kain to Jane Tate. Caroline Kain. William Milton Kain to Eliza J. Gerard, and then to Eliza Robinson. Almira Kain to David J. Clossin. Matilda Caroline Kain to William Baum. Sarah Catherine Kain to Jesse Ellis. George Forman Kain. Charles Henry Kain to Laura Perrine Jamieson. Mary Herbert, the mother of these eleven children, was a daughter of James Herbert, who was born June 6, 1765, and died March 19, 1822, and was married July 14, 1793, to Sarah Hendickson, who was born February 9, 1772,
and died July 22, 1828.
MILLARD FILLMORE McNUTT.
Because of both civil and religious trouble in Scotland, the McNutt family, of Presbyterian faith, went to Northern Ireland probably in Cromwell's time. Of these James McNutt, Sr., married Catherine Foster, and they had Elizabeth and
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 89
James. This family immigrated about 1790 to Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where Elizabeth married William Allen, who left her a widow with one son, George. James McNutt, Jr., born July 29, 1776, was married on February 18, 1810, to Mary Donaldson, who was born in Huntingdon county, December 25, 1791, eleven weeks after the arrival of her father, Alexander Donaldson, and his wife, Rebecca Simpson, who was the sister of the father of Bishop Matthew Simpson, of the Methodist church. Alexander and Rebecca Donaldson lived for a while at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and then at Petersburg, where their children, as far as known, were John, James, Alexander, Mary, Lydia, Rebecca and Nancy. One daughter, four years old, died in the voyage, and was buried in the sea. Rebecca married Dr. Collar, then David Homan, and then Eli Homan, and, after a long life there, died in Williamsburg. Sometime before 1814, James McNutt, Sr., came west with a stock of goods, of which he eventually traded a part for three hundred acres of land, at the rate of one dollar per acre, situated on the waters of Clover creek, and being a part of Hawkin's Survey, No. 295o. He returned to Petersburg and died soon after. In settling his estate, one-half of the Clover tract went to his grandson, George Allen, and the other to his son, James, Jr., to whom John McNutt was born April 4, 1812, and Rebecca Simpson on February 14, 1814. In the meanwhile Mary Donaldson, who, like all the rest of these people, had been strictly Presbyterian, was converted in her seventeenth year to the Methodist faith, which so embittered
her family that she lived from home till her marriage.
In 1814 all the living of the family of James McNutt, Sr., came to their land on Clover creek, where they became members of the Clover Methodist church that had been organized
ten years before. The other children of James and Mary Donaldson McNutt, and born in Ohio, were : Alexander, April 21, 1816 ; William Foster, May 13, 1817 ; Catherine, January I 1, 1820; James Donaldson, June 11, 1822 ; Mary Ann, September veteran in the Fifty-ninth Ohio, in the war for the Union. His 5, 1825 ; Elizabeth, March 4, 1828 ; George Allen, September 4, , 1831; and Robert Simpson, March 13, 1834. James McNutt daughter, Mary Ann, married John Harvey Wright, mentioned in the sketch of Thomas K. Ellis. The pioneer, James Mc- Nutt, Jr., took his land when a wilderness and from it made it a hospitable place, known as a "Preacher's Home." He died was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his youngest son was a
90 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
December 28, 1857, aged eighty-three years—a Methodist to the end and is buried near his mother, Catherine Foster McNutt, who came with him to the West and died February 25, 1833, in her seventy-sixth year. His widow, Mary, though latterly overwhelmed with blindness, lived happily in Christian resignation to be eighty-one years old, and on December 28, 1873, went to rest with her husband in Clover cemetery.
In 1852, when not yet of age, George Allen McNutt left the quiet of his father's home, and made the overland trip to Sacramento, Cal., where he spent four successful years in gold mining. On his return he and his brother, James, became partners in wagon making. On May 7, 1857, he married Mary Melissa Sims, who was born near Bethel, January 29, 1833. Her parents were Samuel Sims and Sarah Crane, both of Scotch descent, and lived in the vicinity of General Grant's home, where Melissa became acquainted with the general and intimately acquainted with his younger sisters. Her later girlhood was spent in Williamsburg, in her sister's home, where she was married. George McNutt bought a furnished house opposite his place of business, that was his lifelong home. Their children were Millard Fillmore, Stella, Alice Burket and Anna Pearl. In 1857, George McNutt joined the Methodist church, in which he was a faithful member of the official board and a class leader. He was fifty-four years a Mason, after taking the degrees in California in 1854. He shared the trials and remarkable success of that order as is shown in the History of Clermont Social Lodge. He died January 20, 1908.
Millard Fillmore McNutt completed the course of study in the Williamsburg public school at seventeen, after which he was engaged one year in the flour mill, where his father owned an interest. Desiring ow e ge of the drygoods business he spent one year and a half in his uncle's store at London. In 1878 he formed a partnership for a drygoods business in Williamsburg. On October 5, 1881, he married Ella May Sharp, as sketched with the Sharp family, and lived in her parent's home. In 1884, after clerking two and one-half years for Mr. McNutt, Charles McNutt became his partner, and they remained together until 1892.
On March 2, 1894, Mrs. McNutt died, leaving her husband with one child, Louise Katharine. Mr. McNutt then sold his store and spent a yuiet year with his daughter in the home, after which he entered his father's business in farming implements and vehicles, under the name of G. A. McNutt and
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 91
son, which is borne to the present day. On September 16, 1896, he married Lillie May Davis, who was a daughter of Azariah Davis and Ruth Patten, who were married November 26, 1843. Azariah Davis was born July 23, 1817, near Mt. Washington, Hamilton county. His ancestry is clearly traced through a long line of the Welch Davis family, which, in 1780, crosses the American connections of the Dutch consul and historian, Emmanuel Van Meteren, that first appeared, in New Amsterdam, September 12, 1662 ; See Genealogy Duke —Shepherd—Van Metere Family, by Samuel Gordon Smyth, pages 67, 72 and 80. Ruth Patten was born March 3, 1823, in Warren county, near Mason. Her father's parents came from England, and her mother's, whose name was Davis, though from Scotland, were related to her husband. Azariah Davis was a prosperous farmer, living near Batavia, on the Davis Pike, which he built and controlled. He was also a successful dealer in live stock. He and his wife were members of the Union Chapel Methodist Church. They were given to much hospitality and were friends indeed to those in need. The children of Azariah and Ruth Davis are : Rev. Lucian M., John W., deceased, Alonza A., deceased, Dr. William 0., deceased, Emma E., Dr. George W., Dr. Charles W., Edward C., Lillie M. and Albert L., who lives in and owns the old Davis home near Batavia, where his father, Azariah Davis, died, June 13, 1859. Mrs. Davis being left with four small children and heavy business cares, though freyuently aided by the able and kind advice of her older sons, was the legal head of the family and its countless responsibilities in a manner and with results most remarkable and gratifying. She was of a cheerful disposition, charitable, well informed, of sound religious convictions—a noble woman. She died November 1, 1901. Lillie May Davis, after graduating from the Batavia High School, attended the Lebanon Normal University at its best. After two years' teaching, she spent much time with her mother in the home, and was active in church work, and loved to study and travel. Thus she spent her girlhood until her marriage, when her amiable talents, and usefulness were transferred to her new home. The children of Millard and Lillie McNutt are : Frances Emma, Ines Mae and Ruth Davis. Mr. McNutt and his family are members of the Methodist church. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1904 he became interested in what is now a successful enterprise, the Williamsburg Canning Company, which
92 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
with his other occupation, and the overseeing of his farming land, makes a busy life. As a diversion, he delights in hunting and fishing; he is a master of the checker board ; is fond of dogs and horses and enjoys reading. He and his family reside in the home . of the late Dr. E. C. Sharp, Jr., where he is a strong advocate of the "simple life," which accords well with the characteristics of his ancestors.
THE SHARP FAMILY.
Harvey Sharp, born December 27, 1773, and Sarah Coats, born November 28, 1777, in Connecticut, near Pomfret, Windham county, were married September 26, 1708, and moved to Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York. The family lived in Buffalo, N. Y., when that place was raided by the Indians in the War of 1812.
In 1816 they moved near Cincinnati, in 1835 to Marion county, Indiana, near Indianapolis ; in or about 1840 to St. Louis, Bartholomew county, Indiana ; and in 1851 back to Marion county. Their children were : Oran, Gaylord, Erastus Coats, Alva, Elisa, Mary A., Abby Jane, Sarah Mariah, George W. and William. Harvey Sharp died January 24, 1861; Mrs. Sharp died June 22, 1856.
After 1816, while near Cincinnati, Erastus Coats Sharp, born April 25, 1804, studied, taught school, and read medicine, which he began to practice in 1825 in Williamsburg, where, July 25, 1827, he married Mary Ann Lytle, born December 10, 1805, who was the only daughter of the six children of John Lytle, born August 8, 1766, near Carlisle, Pa., and Dorcas Waring, born June 20, 1787, who were married in 1804 in Williamsburg. John Lytle was the elder brother and efficient aid of the noted Gen. William Lytle in his extensive arduous and often dangerous operations that included the surveying, mapping, founding and settlement of Clermont county and a very considerable part of the region between the Miami and Scioto rivers. In the adjustments of the Lytle properties, the principal house built opposite the old stone court house, in 1815-17, was taken by John Lytle and eventually fell to his daughter. For more than sixty years, it was the home of Dr. Sharp's family. Dr. Sharp was notable for his skill and kindly manner. His fort-one years' practice, more laborious then
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 93
than now, was rounded with success. On October 16, 1867, with the words, "I put all my trust in my Savior," he passed into the realization of his faith. Mrs. Sharp died October 3o, 1873. The children of Dr. E. C. and Mary Lytle Sharp were John Harvey, Erastus Coats, Jr., Mariah Asenath, who died young, Sarah Dorcas, Adelia Samantha, who died young, and Mary Ellen.
John Harvey Sharp, born May 13, 1828, was educated in Williamsburg, where he married Margaret Sinks, born in Bethel, September 2, 1830, whose parents were Edward Sinks and Sarah Calvin Salt. Edward Sinks was a son of Nicholas Sinks, Sr., who married Margaret Pence and came from Virginia to Newtown in 1707, and then to Williamsburg in 1801. He owned a tan yard, and the Thomas Morris tavern after 1804, managing both successfully. He was the third postmaster of Williamsburg, and county treasurer for seventeen years, and otherwise prominent in public affairs. He died April 0, 1825. Sarah Calvin Salt was the daughter of Edward Salt and Priscilla Conrey. Edward Salt was the oldest son of Edward Salt, Sr., who was born in Birkshire, England, and came with his Irish wife to Berkeley county, Virginia, where their five children were born. He died in 1812. Priscilla was a daughter of John Conrey, a Revolutionary soldier in the battle of Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. John Harvey Sharp resided in Williamsburg, where he was a merchant. Katie is the survivor of their three children, the other two dying early. After living some time in New Richmond and Hillsboro, Mrs. Sharp and her daughter have located permanently in Williamsburg, where they are filling out their life with much worth and fine intelligence that accords well with the traditions of their historic families.
Sarah Dorcas Sharp, born September 2, 1838, lived in the ancestral home with her sister until married to Erasmus D. Boyd, who served in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio infantry. She was an earnest member of the Woman's Relief Corps. After a well spent life, she died, April 3, 1910. Mary Ellen Sharp, born May 20, 1844, at an early age, married William Offutt, who died shortly after. She then married F. J. Boyd, living in her old home. She was a charter member of
the Woman's Relief Corps. Though an invalid for years she was cheerful to the end, which came August 14, 1880.
Erastus Coats Sharp, Jr., was born June 6, 1830. With fine mentality he was a student, esteemed by his teachers, and
94 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIEs
classmates among whom were the eminent financier, Washington Ellis. Another was the distinguished divine, David Swing, who long after in speaking of those days, said, "Coats
was the friend of all, he was a stranger to enmities of any degree." After reading medicine with his father, he entered the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and was an earnest student, graduating in March, 1856, with high honors. He served as an interne in the Cincinnati Hospital, where he met Dorothea Wuist, a head nurse, whom he married in 1858, at Alexandersville, Montgomery county. His father gave him a beautiful building site, where he built his home, standing today.
His office in his home, his companion a physician, and their daughter formed a congenial, ideal home. "Young Dr. Sharp" gained a fine reputation as a physician and citizen. His similarity to the "old doctor," and his winning characteristics made a pleasing personality. The needy had his help for mercy's sake alone. He was public-spirited and a sound adviser. His useful life closed December 10, 1884. Dorothea Sharp was born in Sarsheim, Kingdom of Wurttemburg, Germany, October 18, 1830. In 1835 her parents, who were strict Lutherans, immigrated to America and located in Warren county. After a carefully planned education, she entered the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, in 1854, graduating in 1858. With a strong intellect, rare conversational powers, refined tastes, deep religious convictions, and a kind unselfish nature, she was a woman of unusual ability. She died February 10, 1801; Ella May Sharp, the daughter of Drs. Erastus Coats and Dorothea Sharp, was born November 23, 1850. Her temperament and nature were thoroughly understood by her parents, who carefully guarded her health, planned her education and guided her inclinations. She was instructed at home except the last two years in the Williamsburg school. Receiving the best musical instructions her parents could afford she developed that divine talent to a remarkable degree of execution and expression. Possessing a beautiful voice with her exquisite touch, she was a general favorite. Some lessons in art led to the pleasure and satisfaction of many beautiful paintings, now treasured by her family. On October 5, 1881, she married Millard Fillmore McNutt, eslewhere sketched, and they lived with her parents. She was an understanding, ideal mother to their child, a capable woman in society, and in her church. Failing in health soon after her mother's death, the loving care of husband, daughter, and the faithful friend, Miss
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 95
Minta Johnson, who lived with them twelve years, and many friends were to her a comfort and delight. She died March 2, 1894. All these people were Presbyterians.
Louise Katharine McNutt, daughter of Millard Fillmore and Ella May McNutt, received her first instructions from her mother, after whose death she entered school. Graduating from the Williamsburg High School, she attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and then Oscar Ehrgott's School of Music in Cincinnati. She married Earl Hampton Davis, the only child of Dr. William 0. and Zuella Nash Davis. Dr. William O. Davis was an older brother of Mrs. Lillie Davis McNutt, mentioned in the sketch of Millard Fillmore McNutt. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hampton Davis are members of the Methodist church, and live in Williamsburg.
RIPLEY CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
The Ripley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is the organized in Brown county, and was organized October 17, 1912. the anniversary of Burgoyne 's surrender, by Mrs. Judith Field (Leggett) Tyler, with the following officers chosen :
Regent—Mrs. Judith Field (Leggett) Tyler. (Mrs. George P.)
First Vice-Regent—Mrs. Mary Venetia (Dixon) Williams. (Mrs, L. V.)
Second Vice-Regent—Miss Elizabeth Field Leggett.
Secretary--Mrs. Clara Tate (Brooks) Newcomb. (Mrs. J. B.)
Treasurer—Mrs. Grace (Ridgeway) White. (Mrs. S. J.)
Historian—Mrs. Maude Wylie.
Registrar-Miss Florella Wylie.
Chaplain-Mrs. Margaret (Thompson) McPherson. (Mrs. Frank.)
Other members include the members of the following committees:
Program Committee—Miss Elizabeth Field Leggett, Mrs. Jeanette Gilliland Baird, Miss St. Clair Ross Hickman, Miss Edith Vernon Wylie.
Entertainment Committee—Mrs. Belle Tyler Stivers, Mrs.
96 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Jessie Tyler Shotwell, Miss Sallie Gay Kelley, Miss .Marie Adkins, Miss Jeannette Baird Stivers and Mrs. Clara Tate Brooks Newcomb.
Historical Committee-Mrs. Inez Thompson Bambach, Mrs. Judith Ann Leggett Baird, Mrs. Florence Adkins Nelcamp, Miss Mary Criswell and Miss Esther Rae Beasley.
It is remarkable that in the village of Ripley and vicinity there are upwards of fifty or more who are eligible for membership of the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution, and the outlook is bright for a large membership of this organization. There were more Revolutionary pensioners in Brown county than any other county in Ohio.
THOMAS W. HILL.
The Hill family was one among the earliest in Clermont county, and has been prominently identified with its history since 1808. Its members have been public-spirited citizens and have always stood for progress and advancement along all lines. Several members of the family have been soldiers and have given valuable service to their country. They have been active in helping to establish churches and schools and the name stands for good citizenship. Thomas W. Hill was born on the farm where he now lives, January 11, 1840, son of John R. and Charity (Conrad) Hill. John R. Hill was born near Mt. Zion Church, Stone Lick township, Clermont county, December 24, 1811, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rudisill) Hill, the former a native of Maryland, who had removed to North Carolina from his native State. Thomas Hill was a son of John and Rachel (Butner) Hill, and came to Clermont county from Salisburg, N. C., in 1808, settling permanently in Stone Lick township. There he became the owner of a piece of land which is now the property of a Mr. Yeager, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a skilled mechanic and manufactured spinning wheels. Near him his son, Thomas, located and there spent the rest of his life. On the latter farm John R. Hill was born, but this place is now the property of Bert Motsinger. John R. Hill bought one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, where the subject of this sketch now lives, in 1835, at a price of $2.25 per acre, as it was then considered almost worthless, and known as
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 97
Maple Swamp. At the present time, however, there is not a better farm in Stone Lick township.
John R. Hill lived to a good old age, passing away July 30, 1890. In early life he was a Whig, as were most of the Hills, and later became a Republican, and he voted for John C. Fremont for President. His grandfather's brother, Judge Samuel Hill, who had settled on the south side of Stone Lick, had left several descendants, who inherited the judge's Democratic principles and politics, and for many years it was known whether a member of the Hill family was a Democrat or Republican by considering which side of Stone Lick was his home. John R. Hill was an active and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being instrumental in having the church at Belfast built and securing subscriptions therefor. He sold out soon afterwards arrd removed to. Westmoreland, Kan., so that he did not see the church building for many years after it was erected, when he came back for a visit. He died while on a visit to his eldest son, at Lizton, Ind., and was buried at North Salem, nearby. His wife had died in 1874 and was buried at Westmoreland, Kan.
Thomas W. Hill grew to manhood on the home farm and received a common school education. He was one of the earliest from the neighborhood to enlist for service in the Union army, the date being 1861, when he became a private in Company C, Second Ohio volunteer infantry, being later transferred to Company E, of the same regiment. He proceeded to Camp Dennison. After going to the front to the quartermaster's department and later to an ammunition train, having quite a thrilling experience at the battle of Chickamauga. Afterwards he was transferred to General Thomas's headquarters, where he was serving at the time he was mustered out, at which time the regiment was commanded by General Anson G. McCook, now of New York City. He gave faithful service for more than three years, and during this time was never in the hospital, captured or wounded, although he saw much active fighting.
At the close of his term of enlistment, Mr. Hill returned home, and on January 18, 1861, was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Smysor, to whom he had been engaged before he joined the army. He bought a part of his father's former farm, and about one year after his marriage erected a log house, in which the family lived until 1879, when he erected a brick dwelling on the site of the log house, which is as good a house as is to be found in the whole county. He has now re-
98 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIEs
tired from active life, having brought his land to a high state of cultivation and made all possible improvements. His home is in the northeastern part of Stone Lick township, near Milford and Woodville pike, but his postoffice is Cozaddale, Warren county. He lives near Belfast, Clermont county, where he and his son own nearly three hundred acres of fine farm land.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, the elder of whom died in infancy. The other, Lyman Lee Hill, was born December 16, 1869, graduated from Milford High School, under Prof. Byron Williams, and spent a year at Delaware, Ohio, and then taught school a few, years. On December 24, 1890, he married Carrie E. Durah, of Belfast, and they had one child, born October 3o, 1897, Lida Beth, now attending school at Milford. Mrs. Hill died when this child was an infant and Lyman L. Hill married (second), September 3o, 1901, Miss Effie J. Myers, by whom five children were born : Twins, who died in infancy ; Thomas Sumner, born November 3, 1901 ; Stanley Eugene, born September 9, 1908, and Mary Dorothy, born October 16, 1912.
Thomas W. Hill is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. He voted for Governor Brough while on the field at Chattanooga, Tenn., as Ohio had passed a law authorizing her soldiers to vote wherever they were stationed. He is in no sense an office seeker, although he takes an active interest in all public affairs. He served from 1892 until 1891 as a director of the infirmary, and rendered very satisfactory service. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of ten years and his wife was also reared in this faith, joining the church at the age of sixteen. He is a member of Kilpatrick Post, No. 189, Grand Army of the Republic, at Goshen, and has served as its commander. He has attended many National reunions and he and his wife attended the one held at San Francisco in 1903. He is one of the best known men in the county, where his entire life has been spent, and has a host of sincere friends.
MRS ESTELLE NORRIS OCHILTREE.
Elizabeth Caroline Stockton was born in Williamsburg, Ohio, June 28, 1840. She is the daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth Kain Ellis, daughter of John and Elizabeth Raper Kain,
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 99
elsewhere mentioned in this book. On June 29, 1818, Elizabeth C. Ellis was married to John Jasper Norris, a dentist and druggist of Felicity, Ohio. They resided in Felicity until the death of Dr. Norris, which occurred March 2, 1860. Dr. Norris had a fine dental practice, which extended from Ripley, Ohio, to Petersburg, Ky. He was a Mason of some prominence, and was devoted to his lodge, holding his membership at Bethel, Ohio. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Norris returned to her father's home in Williamsburg. On April 27, when her husband would have been twenty-seven years of age, had he lived, Mrs. Norris gave birth to a daughter, Estelle May Norris, who is now Mrs. William E. Ochiltree, of Connersville, Ind.
On May 11, 1864, Mrs. Norris became the second wife of B. N. Stockton, a prominent merchant of Williamsburg. Mr. Stockton's family at that time consisted of two daughters, Clara and Florence, and two sons, George and Charles. Mr. Stockton was the son of Job Stockton, and learned the mercantile business from his father. For forty-two years he followed the business, occupying one building for over thirty years. He was known far and wide as a man of good business judgment and integrity. Mrs. Stockton was again made a widow February 21, 1893, by the death of Mr. Stockton.
A few years later, her daughter having married, she began to travel, and perhaps no woman in Clermont county has seen more of the United States than has Mrs. Stockton. Being able to describe clearly the scenes of her travels, she brought back to her friends much valuable information, and has given them many hours of entertainment. Mrs. Stockton comes from a line of sturdy ancestors, several of whom were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The father, Lewis Ellis, was a son of Jacob, Jr., and Margaret Joel Ellis, of Berkeley county, Virginia.
The Ellis family has handed from generation to generation a romantic little story dating back to the year 1721, when an Austrian Princess, Maria Louisa, of the House of Hapsburg, married a man beneath her rank, her tutor, whose name was George Nogelle. On account of opposition to their marriage (the nobility being Catholic and Nogelle a German Lutheran), they came to America on the ship "William and Sarah," William Hill master, from Rotterdam, September 21, 1727, and settled in Philadelphia. Two daughters were born to them,