470 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

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FAIRFIELD.

As stated elsewhere, the Court of Quarter Sessions, at their meeting, on Tuesday, May 10, 1803, established Fairfield as one of the original townships. It lies wholly within Symmes's purchase, and is bounded on the north and west by the Miami River; on the east by Liberty and Union Townships ; and on the south by Hamilton County. All the boundary-lines of Fairfield are 'irregular, except the eastern.

The history of Fairfield Township is very intimately connected with the city of Hamilton, which place, until a few years ago, was a part of the township proper. All the first settlers naturally made Hamilton a trading-point for small supplies, and when provisions or dry-goods were needed in larger quantities, Cincinnati was visited. A load of whisky, corn, wheat, or any other commodity, was always sure to bring a good price in the Queen City.

TOPOGRAPHY.

The north-western corner, or that portion of the township lying along the Miami, is somewhat elevated in places. For a distance of two miles and a half from Pinney's mill, going north-east, the hills follow the river, so as to leave very narrow bottoms. From near Graham's mill the face of the country is level, extending in wide, spreading bottoms, and affording excellent farming facili-

ties. These bottoms, in early times, turned of large crops of corn and wheat.

The north-eastern portion of the township is somewhat broken, but when tilled properly produces good crops. The soil is a loam of from six inches to three feet in depth. From the neighborhood of Flenner's Corner southward the surface is gently undulating. Fine buildings are very noticeable, which are indications of a prosperous community. The country round about Jones's Station, Schenck's Station, and Symmes's Corner is well adapted to all kinds of agricultural pursuits. Barley, corn, and wheat is grown in large quantities, and the acreage is steadily increasing. In the region of the "Big Ponta a deep, black, heavy soil, almost inexhaustible, extends for three miles east and west, and very nearly the same distance from north to south. This, now the richest portion of the township, was once thought the poorest, but has been drained and cultivated, until it now brings a very high price.

ROADS.

Bridle-paths, in the early history of Fairfield Township, took the place of roads. After some clearing was done, and settlers had become more numerous, county and State roads were laid out. The first road of any

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importance led from Hamilton to Cincinnati via Springdale. The Symmes's Corner road was also of considerable consequence at an early day. The River road, as it was called, follows down the Miami on the east side, from Hamilton to the Colerain pike, with which it unites near the Venice bridge. The Miami Canal, treated in detail elsewhere, is the most important thoroughfare in the township excepting the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad. It passes through a fertile tract of country.

No creeks of any considerable size flow through Fairfield, yet it is well drained by natural streams, artificial ditches, and tiling. The lack of large creeks prevented any mills in the interior of the township from running regularly by water power, though along the Miami excellent mill sites were thund and utilized. Above Pinney's mill, at the mouth of Bank Lick Creek, a stream which takes its rise in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, and which is very rapid in its current, an " old stone mill" was built as early as 1810. Joel Williams, a Yankee mill-wright from the East, acted as the builder. This stream takes its name from the fact that in the early settlement of the country deer frequented it to drink the peculiar water which in some places flows from its banks. The mill was a stone building about thirty by thirty-five feet, one story high. The grinding machinery was propelled by an undershot or breast wheel ; a race carried the water from some distance above. The walls were about twelve feet high and eighteen inches thick ; the stone were taken from the bed of the stream. For years this mill called together many of the people in the township. It finally ceased to be a profitable establishment, and for years thereafter stood idle. Some. fifteen years ago the building was torn away and now the mill site can hardly be found.

In 1833 Thomas Alston owned and operated a fulling- mill of considerable importance, also a carding-machine, about one-half mile below Graham's grist-mill on the Miami, or rather on a race from the Miami, in Section 15. Pike Alston, his grandfather, had, in 1836, a gristmill, what in subsequent history was called Graham's mill, on the same race. At the death of Thomas Alston, in 1837 or 1838, the fulling-mill ceased to go on, except in cases of extreme necessity. All traces of the establishment have disappeared.

Graham's mill was built in 1810, or thereabouts, by Jeptha Garrigus. It was subsequently known as Jackson's mill, and then in 1834 or 1835 became generally known as Graham's mill or mills. Mr. Graham at about the same date erected a large paper-mill on the race, which he carried on successfully for a number of years. In 1856 or 1857, Major John M. Millikin bought the mill seat and buildings at sheriff's sale, and one year thereafter sold to M. P. Alston. The grist-mill continued to run up to 1870: The Alston fulling-mill and carding-machine, the Graham paper and grist-mill, were all on the same race. The latter ceased to exist about the same time. They stood almost opposite the old country residence of Isaac Anderson.

John and Henry Traber built about 1818 a two-story frame grist-mill one mile below Hamilton, on the Miami, which continued to run up to 1835. Both of the Trabers were mill-wrights and men of large acquaintance. Peregrine Orndorff had a grist-mill in St. Clair Township, opposite Traber's mill, which, in 1836, belonged also to the Traber brothers. The same dam answered for both establishments, though the St. Clair mill was fed by a race, and was in partial operation in 1855. Both of these mills were built about the same time.

Bigham's mill was built about seventy years ago by some unknown mill-Wright, though the father of Thomas McCullough, now of Oxford, was perhaps the original owner. For many years it was the only mill of considerable importance in the north-east corner of Fairfield. Settlers came a distance of ten and fifteen miles frequently to have their corn ground at this pioneer mill ; and many of them relate how the half bushel of corn was put in one end of a sack and a large stone in the other, to make it balance. Many customers remained over night at McCullough's (or Bigham's) mill in order to be on time in the morning, or to save a ride through the woods of half a dozen or more miles before sunrise. This establishment stood in the north-west corner of Section 26.

Moody Davis owned a grist and saw mill on the Big Miami in 1815, where the water enters the hydraulic, but the mill-wright is unknown. This mill continued to run up to the time the hydraulic was built. The present is a part of the original dam.

Below Bigham's grist-mill a short distance a saw-mill was in operation at one time, about 1835. It was built by the Bighams, but lasted for only a few years. In 1812 or 1815, John Allen built a grist-mill on the Big Miami, in the south-west corner of the township. This mill continued to run up to about 1840. Moody Davis and William Dye were among the millers, though not owners. Mr. Allen sold the property to Peter Springer, who partly rebuilt it, and did a good business for about fifteen years. There are a few remnants of the old mill left.

There were no mills in Butler County before 1804 of which there is any accurate knowledge. When it was necessary to have corn ground the hand-mill was resorted to, which in most cases 'answered the purpose very well. The mortar and pestle were common implements among many of the pioneers, especially those who came from the South. The grater was also found in many a household.. It was made by perforating a piece of semicircular tin from the concave side, and nailing its edges to a block of wood. The soft corn was rubbed against the rough edges of the holes, while the meal fell through them on a slanting board and down into a bowl or cloth placed there for its reception. The hand-mill was never used a

472 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

great deal by the early citizens of Fairfield. But it was better than the mortar and pestle.

Some of the water-mills were of that description denominated tub-mills. They consisted of a perpendicular shaft, to the lower end of which a horizontal wheel of about four or five feet was attached. The upper end passed through the bed stone and carried the runner after the manner of a trundle-head.

Still-houses were numerous in early times. In 1817 Thomas Hunter owned one of these establishments a quarter of a mile east of Symmes's Corner, which he carried on four or five years. The capacity of this still-house was one barrel per day, or one hundred and twenty-five bushels of corn for the same length of time. Hunter's meal was ground at Alston's mill; the whisky was hauled to Cincinnati by ox-teams, four or six to a wagon. On Major Millikin's farm, sixty rods from the north-west corner of his place, the Sheeleys built a still-house about 1810, near a spring, which they carried on successfully for eight or ten years. Daniel Millikin had another on the island above Hamilton (which he bought in 1816 or 1817, of the St. Clair heirs), which he opened in 1817 and continued to run up to 1825. The house was a frame building.

There was a similar establishment in 1825 near the former residence of A. P. Miller. This building was a log-house.

STREAMS.

Bank Lick is the largest creek, in volume, in the township. It flows through the south-west corner to about the distance of three-quarters of a mile. Pleasant Run is a stream of some size. It takes its head partly in Hamilton County; its current is tortuous and winding; its principal tributary, 'Pond Run. Symmes's Run enters the Miami just below Hamilton. Two-Mile Run unites with the Miami at the old site of Bigham's mill. The waters in the region of the " Big Pond" flow southward into Mill Creek and empty into the Ohio. On the head branch of Mill Creek, Isaac K. Davis had a saw-mill exactly on the line dividing Fairfield and Liberty Townships, in 1836. There were also two saw-mills in Section 32, one owned by George Kline, the other by William Hall, both in 1836. At the same time there was a steam-mill on the canal where it crosses the line dividing Sections Nos. 35 and 36, owned by M. Brennan. Many Indian murders were committed on these creeks.

SCHOOLS.

Probably the first educational institution in the northeast corner of the township was a subscription school, about 1820. It was known as the Buckeye schoolhouse, as buckeye logs had something to do with the building. Every thing was patterned after the houses of those days—greased brown paper for window-glass, and clapboard roof, held down by weight-poles. This house stood a quarter of a mile east of Major Millikin's present residence. Samuel Wick, son of a Presbyterian clergyman of Pennsylvania, was among the teachers.

In 1807, a log dwelling-house, which stood a quarter of a mile east of Alston's mill, was converted into a school building. The fire-place extended entirely across one end of the house, and accommodated a back-log eighteen feet in length. Nearly all the back-sticks were burned off in the middle, and then pushed towards the center of the fire-place for the finishing process. This house disappeared many years ago. Mr. Fag was among the first teachers. He had a way of punishing the scholars by splitting a stick and then placing the. culprit's ear in the middle to have it pinched. The scholars took delight in fastening the teacher out in those days. This building was supplemented by a frame, which occupied a site a little south-east of the log-house, erected in 1819 or 1820. This house was used until the present brick took its place, some ten years ago.

Two hundred yards south-east of the Auburn Methodist Episcopal Church, a log school-house was erected in 1820, or thereabouts. It was consumed by fire in 1825. Joseph Work was an early teacher ; also Mr. Aikens. There have been two houses at this place. The first stood near the second, and was erected about five years before it.

CHURCHES.

The Auburn Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1835 or 1836. For the leading members there were Solomon and Rudolph Flenner, brothers ; Alexander McDaniel, David Randolph, and their wives. At the time of its organization it belonged to the Westchester circuit. Before the house was built there were two regular preaching places in the neighborhood. One was at the residence of Solomon Flenner, the other at Mr. Bullion's, who lived on the Randolph farm, one-fourth of a mile north-west of Flenner's Corner. The Rev. John Baughman, a man who figured largely in Methodism in Butler County, was the first regular. preacher. The house, with many changes, is yet standing. It is a brick building, and will comfortably seat three hundred people. The mason was Ezekiel Squires. The land was given for this purpose by John Rudolph and Solomon Flenner, men who are among the best of all the early settlers. The Sunday-school was organized as many as forty year's ago. This Church has now a membership of about forty, although it suspended for some time. It is in a flourishing condition.

The Fairfield Baptist Church was in operation in 1800, being the earliest church in the township, and the next to the earliest in the county. It was a hewed log-house, capable of seating about two hundred persons, and was placed in the south-west corner of the yard. The land on which the church stood was taken from Moses Lyons's farm and comprised about two acres. Mr. Lyons and James Clawson were among the members half a century ago. The former has been dead these many years.

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At one time a division took place in the Church, in common with nearly all other Baptist congregations, which resulted in a New School Baptist Church. This new organization held their services for a good while in the house where John Flenner now lives, but they never built a regular place of worship. After some losses in membership by deaths and removals, another house, a frame, was built on James Clawson's farm. This resulted in the abandonment of the old hewed log-house except for funeral purposes. Mr. Childers, Wilson Thompson, and Mr. Mott were among the early preachers.

FLENNER'S CORNER.

Flenner's Corner took its name from John Flenner, who, about 1850, opened a store at this point, began to deal in grain, and in other ways increase the importance of the place. The firm soon became known by the name of Flenner & Hughes. They were succeeded by Mr. Gardner, who is now at McGonigle's, having left some ten years ago, but who bought the store of Mr. Hughes, Flenner having previously sold out to his partner.

Eli Stickle was the first blacksmith in the village, and was here in 1836. He was followed by George Weaver, David Thompson, Wm. Miller, the latter being in business during the late war. The house in which these men carried on their trade now belongs to the founder of the village.

Among the first landholders in this neighborhood were Moses Line, who, in 1836, owned one hundred and ninety acres in the western half of Section No. 15, upon part of which the Fairfield Baptist Church stood ; Henry Line fifty acres in the southern part of the same section. Sarah Randolph, James Davis, and Benjamin F. Randolph each owned over one hundred acres in Section 15, in 1836. Fractional Section No. 15 was owned by John Allen, Benjamin F. Randolph, Vincent Davis, and Nathan Woodruff. These men altogether owned a little over two hundred and nine acres.

Section 10, in Liberty Township, was settled by David Flenner, who owned two hundred and sixty acres ; Leonard Swingler, who owned eighty acres ; Vincent Davis, who owned eighty, and John Smalley, who owned one hundred and sixty acres. These latter three owned the eastern half of the section. Where the Hamilton and Middletown road crosses the township line, Thomas Clayton ̊wad forty acres, north-west corner of Section 9 ; east of him was Henry Herr, with one hundred acres, and Sarah Cummings, with one hundred acres. The middle portion of the same section was owned by William Dye, one hundred and fifty acres ; Absalom Cummings, fifty acres, and Nathan M. Miller, fifty acres. William Dye, John Line, Levi Moore, Sen., and Levi Moore, Jr., owned the remaining portion of Section 9. These men made up the settlers in the neighborhood of Flenner's Corner in 1836, The Corner is on the county 1836 were Michael Hageman, John Hart, Prudence road dividing Fairfield from Liberty Township, which follows the line from Allen's old mill on the Miami, with the exception of about a third of a mile, to Davis's steam saw-mill on the head branch of Mill Creek.

Section 29, of Fairfield Township, was set aside as the ministerial section. It was owned in 1836 as follows : M. Brennan, forty acres ; John Woods, forty acres ; O. Moudy, eighty acres ; John Derrough, one hundred and sixty—all the western half. The eastern half of the section was owned by M. Brennan, eighty ; John Gilmore, eighty; Aaron L. Schenck, one hundred and sixty acres. The Miami Canal passes through Section No. 29 from west to east.

FAIR PLAY

A village was laid out about 1850, at Alston's mill, on the north of the road that leads directly west from Symmes's Corner to the ferry on the Miami, near Isaac Anderson's old residence across the river, in Ross Township. It was knov3n as Fair Play. There are no traces of the village left. There were thirteen lots. At the time Graham's paper-mill was in operation at this point, a store, containing all the knickknacks peculiar to a pioneer people, was carried on successfully. The business was considerable, but when the mills ceased to run the store failed to prosper.

About the time the paper-mills were in full operation a Methodist Episcopal Church was organized near the proposed village. The exact date of its organization is not precisely known, but the best evidence places the time at 1843. There were only a few male members, Joseph Lashorn being the most prominent. It was a branch of the Methodist Church in Hamilton. Five or six years after the society was established, Lashorn removed to Hamilton, from which time the Church began to lose its influence. David Brant was also an early male member. Both he and Lashorn are dead. The house, a handsome brick, was built by the members and by the contributions of the neighbors. John Hageman gave about one acre of laud for the church site and burial purposes. In 1876 Rev. F. G. Grigsby, a United Brethren clergyman of the Mt. Pleasant circuit, began to preach at this point. A Church was organized, and the building, which was becoming very much dilapidated, was repaired. The Methodist society has ceased to exist.

Immediately after the Methodists organized a Church at Fair Play, or Black Bottom, a Sunday-school was opened up under the management of Alexander Hunter, who was at that time not a member of the Church. His wife, Nancy, also rendered much valuable assistance. She was a Methodist. Her husband subsequently became one, however. There is a good Sabbath-school carried on at this point at present, and Church services are held with considerable regularity.

Among the owners of land near Black Bottom in 1836 were Michael Hageman, John Hart, Prudence Cook, William Maxwell, Mary Ann Maxwell, Cornelius

474 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Swim, Jane Piatt, James Cornelius, John Spear, the latter three owning the land between the bayou and the river; Thomas Cooper, David Brant, Philip H. Howard, Joseph Grooms, Robert Cooper, and Benjamin Alston.

JONES'S STATION.

Jones's Station, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, was so called because the land on which the station originally stood was owned by John D. Jones, a large dry-goods merchant of Cincinnati. Immediately after the railroad was built, Thomas Kirk opened and carried on a country store here. He was also the first station-master. On account of some difficulty, in 1861 he removed across the street, where Louis Huber's saloon now is. He continued the store-keeping business at this place for about five years, selling out to Joel House. He was succeeded by his brother, Jacob House, but the store by this time had become more of a saloon than any thing else. Mr. Bernhardt is the present store-keeper.

For the first school-house, Jones's Station had an old-fashioned frame building, which occupied a site on the ground used at the present time for school purposes. It was there more than fifty years ago. Joseph Walker gave one-fourth of an acre for the school. The house was about twenty-two by thirty feet. It has since been removed, and is now the property of Enoch Chambers, but is occupied as a tenant house.

The second school building was a brick, erected in 1850, or thereabouts, and occupied the same site as the old frame. This house was very nearly the same size as the frame. About nine years ago this building was divided into two rooms, in order to have two teachers, and more thoroughly to advance the village education. It was soon found necessary, however, to build a new house. The present building was therefore erected in 1875, at a cost of $4,500. The accommodations are excellent, and the instruction as good as any in the county.

Mr. Long, a man who was much beloved by the pupils, was, perhaps, the most noted teacher in the old frame. William Mack, a distinguished lawyer and politician of Terre Haute, Indiana, was, in his youth, a scholar in the same building. Many a prosperous farmer and business man and their wives, now of the county, obtained their early education here.

The Valley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church at Jones's Station was begun about 1840 by ministers of different denominations holding meetings in the old schoolhouse. These meetings continued without any decided improvement until in February, 1866, when a protracted effort was made by the Rev. Daniel Griffis, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then assigned to what is now called Port Union circuit. Twenty members were added to the Church at this meeting. These, with others, at once made an effort to erect a church building, which was attended with such success that in September following a house was dedicated which cost $1,750.

Two years before this time, under the inspiration of Miss Jennie Cooper (now Mrs. Joseph Mach), a Sunday- school, which proved very prosperous, had been organized.

The large contributors in the building-fund were Enoch Chambers, Thomas Slade, William and Thomas Wall, Jacob Shafer, and others with equ'ally benevolent hearts. The original trustees were Enoch Chambers, S. D. Spellman, William Whitlock, Thomas Slade, and William Wall.

The ministers who have been assigned to this circuit (Port Union) have been as follows: 1. Levi White, in 1859, for two years, at a salary of $450, assisted by Mr. Keck, for one year and by Daniel Griffis for one year; 2. G. W. Fee, for two years, at a salary of $470, assisted by William Hartley for one year and D. J. Starr for one year; 3. A. Murphy, for two years, at a salary of $470 per annum; 4. J. P. Waterhouse, one year, at a salary of $400 ; 5. A. Bowers, for two years ; 6. Rev. r. Pierce, R. M. Thompson, H. Lawton, W. B. Jackson, three years, at a salary of $700. Rev. W. H. Black served for three years, at a salary of $800 ; J. S. Wetherby served for one year, at a salary of $800; J. Pierson, for one year, and the same pay. E. Burdsall met the wants of the Church for three years, at $800 per year.

Doctor R. C. S. Reed says : " The teachers in our common schools who have been most appreciated in the busy long-ago were a Mr. Lake, here in about 1840 for four years ; D. B. Coates, who continued for about the same length of time ; George Winder, for about five years; S. Land, for about four years. Those here for short terms were E. Chase, S. Chase, D. Rogers, and P. Winder."

The Pleasant View United Brethren Church was organized in 1850 Isaac and Joseph Morris and others were among the organizers. The house, a brick, was erected in 1857. This society takes its name from the fact that the church occupies one of the handsomest sites in the county. Revs. Eli Huffman and Wm. Nicholas were the first preachers. Among the early members were Joseph K. Morris and wife, Isaac K. Morris and wife, Aaron Lewis and wife, John Nixon and wife, Mary Byers, Thomas Woods, and Daniel Coleman. There are at present standing over forty members. The Sunday-school was organized in 1852, and has since been a means of much good in the community.

The first school-house was built of logs, about 1835. The second house was built in 1851. The third was built in 1870, and stands just across the road from where the others were.

The greater part of Section 15, upon which Jones's Station stands, in 1836 was owned by a few persons. John F. Carmichael owned two hundred and twenty- nine acres, extending through the central portion of the section from east to west ; Sarah Walker owned one hundred acres on the south ; Jesse Hunt owned two hundred and twenty-nine acres in the north-western corner ; the

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north-western corner was divided among Margaret Vannatta, Mary Tolbert, Elisha Carr, and Aaron Vannatta. There were two large springs on this section at the time of the above ownership.

SYMMES'S CORNERS.

This village lies four miles south of Hamilton, on the pike leading to Cincinnati via Mt. Pleasant and College Hill, in Hamilton County. Its population in 1855 was one hundred and fifteen, but it now numbers about one hundred and fifty. Celadon Symmes, a nephew of the Judge, purchased the land now known as Section No. 34 of his uncle, in 1795, and made his settlement here in the Fall of the same year. There is probably no better farming land in the county than this section.

The land on which Symmes's Corners now stands was owned in 1836 by Celadon Symmes, James Galbreath, and James L. Beaty. The Corners is situated in Sections 3, 4, 33, and 34. Beaty's land was in Sections 3 and 4; Galbreath's in 33, and Symmes's in 34. William Hunter owned the north-west corner of Section 33 in 1855, and Lucinda Pottenger the north-east corner of Section 3. Section 4 was divided among the Syrnmeses, or that portion of it which is now a part of the village.

The first house in the town was made of logs. It was built by the contractors of the turnpike for the accommodation of their hands. It stood in the south-western corner of the town, on the Widow Pottenger's farm.

Abram Birch built the second house in the Corners, which was a frame, and stood on the north-west corner of Section 33.

Joseph R. Symmes was the first village store-keeper. His house stood on the site where Benjamin Symmes now lives. This store building was destroyed by fire. Benjamin Spumes erected the brick which he now occupies, and opened the first tavern, or rather house of private entertainment.

Creyton Wilcox was the second man who began to entertain the public, in a frame house in the south-west corner of the village. At that time there was an immense travel passing this way toward Cincinnati. Hog-drivers, whisky teams, four and six horse loads of flour and other merchandise, passed constantly from the neighborhood of Richmond, Eaton, Oxford, and all the interior country beyond.

Daniel Rosebone was a blacksmith where the village now is in 1831. John Hughes was here in 1832. These were the first two mechanics in this vicinity.

The Old School Presbyterian Church, which now stands immediately south of the line which divides Sections Nos. 32 and 26, and in Hamilton County, was organized in Symmes's Corners about forty-five years ago, with Benjamin Symmes, Abram Huston, and John Mesler as leaders in the organization. Rev. Mr. Patterson, who preached here four or five years after the Church was organized, and Celadon Symmes were also active in placing the Church upon a firm foundation. This Church was the outgrowth of the Venice, Springdale, and Hamilton Presbyterian Churches, and was built at the Corners to accommodate a sprinkling of all these societies. The old or first house is now standing. It cost one thousand one hundred and eighty dollars, and was built shortly after the organization of the society. Benjamin Symmes gave the land--one acre—in the village for church purposes. In its best days this Church had some eighty odd members.

In the fifties the church in Hamilton County was built, in order more thoroughly to meet the wants of a majority of the members who lived in this vicinity. It is now used with regularity.

The Sunday-school in the first house was organized by William N.–Hunter, now dead, who was the first superintendent. Freeman G. Cary was also an active man in the same cause and office.

Joseph Walker, an early settler on Section 5, two miles and a half south of Hamilton, on the River road, gave the first land for burial purposes at this point. There was about half an acre in the lot. This ground was opened as early as 1805, a child of Mr. Walker's having died and being the first interment. At present there are some forty graves; the yard is seldom used, and is overgrown with briars and bushes.

In 1797 Celadon Symmes and Judge Burnett, of Cincinnati, gave half an acre of land each for burial purposes, half a mile east of the Corners. An infant child of Mr. Symmes was the first interment here. About twelve years ago an addition of three-fourths of an acre was made. There are about one hundred and twenty-five burials in the ground at this time ; the yard is not much used now.

Matthew Hueston was the first tavern-keeper in the southern side of Fairfield Township. He purchased the land on which he lived of Judge Symmes. Hueston's tavern was half a mile below Schenck's Station. Obadiah Schenck was in the same business at the same place in 1818, on the Springdale turnpike. In 1825 John G. Redsaker opened, and for a good many years carried on, the tavern-keeping business a mile below Schenck's, on the same road, in a frame house.

Benjamin Moore shot the last black bear in the southern side of the township in 1833 or 1834. The animal had been chased from the east side of the county for a distance of about ten miles, and, having escaped from its pursuers, thought itself safe. It was seen, however, by some one, and the alarm was immediately given, whereupon the entire neighborhood turned out. Bruin took to a tree and was shot there by Mr. Moore, assisted by Wilkinson Beaty.

Two of the oldest dwelling-houses in the neighborhood of Symmes's Corners are the John Walker house and the Joseph Walker house. They were built in 1801. They are now weather-boarded and have the appearance of

476 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

frame buildings. The former of these stands in Hamilton County, on the farm of William Hill ; the latter in Fairfield, on the property of John Garver.

The Walker brothers were originally from Virginia, and when they came to Ohio were three in number. At their first settlement in the Miami Valley, near the mouth of the river, one of them was killed by the Indians. The perpetrators of the crime were not discovered until some years afterwards. It happened at a barn- raising near North Bend, in Hamilton County. The Indians were at this time on terms of comparative friendship with the whites. At this gathering of the people of the neighborhood, the Indians made it convenient to be present. In the drunken orgies which followed, they unsuspectingly told what a face Walker made and how he acted when he was killed. He was, they said, shot and then tomahawked. John and Joseph, after hearing the story, immediately left the raising for home. They secured their guns, and, while the Indians were leaving the country, dispatched two of them with balls from their rifles. It was said that these men avenged the death of their brother near the spot where he fell.

The killing of the Indians caused some measures to be taken for the arrest of the Walkers. In order to escape, they came to the neighborhood of Symmes's Corners, changed their name to Wilson instead of Walker, and after a few months erected the houses we have described as now standing. Joseph Walker's house is tolerably well preserved. These brothers had a fine hunting dog which they called Walker. They were great hunters and took delight in the chase. After remaining in this neighborhood for a few years they returned again to their old name, by which they were known up to the time of their death. Their descendants are now no longer in this section.

Another village which has existed here for years is Furmandale, more commonly known by the name of Snaptown. It was formerly the seat of a large boarding- school, carried on by Mr. Furman, and at one time there was a distillery here. There is a union Sunday-school, presided over by Thomas Slade.

The swampy region which lies south and east of Hamilton was for a long time a great injury to the surrounding country. This formed the head source of Mill Creek. Many years ago, however, under the direction of John W. Erwin, ditches were dug, and the country drained, enhancing its value tenfold. Many ice-ponds are located in this neighborhood, and the cutting and sale of ice has caused the investment of much money.

The postmasters have been :

Symmes's Corners.—Thomas R. Waterson, April 10, 1843 ; Benjamin R. Symmes, April 29, 1844. The name was changed to Union Corners May 31, 1861, and restored to Symmes's Corners January 28, 1864. Robert H. Cook, January 28, 1864 ; Samuel Krider, January 8, 1866 ; John H. Mesler, January 11, 1869 ; John J. Linn, January 28, 1876 ; John Brinkman, December 11, 1876 ; Henry. Kehun, Aug 19, 1878.

Union Corners.—Robert H. Cook, May 31, 1861. Winton.—Reuben T. Butler, March 14, 1850. Discontinued November 12, 1856.

Furmandale.—Nathaniel Furman, December 12, 1857. Discontinued October 1, 1858.

The justices of the peace in Fairfield Township have been Celadon Symmes, Jacob Lewis, Isaac Stanley, Joseph Hunter, John Vinnedge, Matthew Hueston, John Cassiday, Joseph Gaston, James Heaton, William Patton, Joseph Latta, Samuel Kennedy, Obadiah Schenck, Ezekiel McConnell, Dennis Ball, James O'Connor, John Burk, Jonathan Pierson, Thomas Mitchell, William Hunter, Stephen Millikin, Richard Easton, Moore Vinnedge, John Hunter, Benjamin R. Symmes, William Sheeley, Jacob Piatt, M. P. Alston, Milton Cooper.

JOSEPH EWING McDONALD.

Joseph E. McDonald, late Senator from Indiana, was born in Fairfield Township, on the 29th of August, 1819. His father, John McDonald, was of Scotch extraction, a native of Pennsylvania, and by occupation a farmer. He was a, man of sterling worth, determined, industrious, and self-sacrificing. He died when his son was still in infancy. His mother, Eleanor (Piatt) McDonald, was a Pennsylvanian. Her ancestors were French Huguenots, who located first in New Jersey, and afterwards settled permanently in Ohio. She was a woman of a superior order of intellect. She was a woman of refined tastes, a pleasant writer, and, for the amusement and advancement of her children, wrote many sketches and scraps of song. She and her husband were both earnest members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Several years after the death of John McDonald she was married to John Kerr, of Fairfield Township. Mr. Kerr was a native of Ireland, a frugal, industrious farmer always out of debt, a just and courteous neighbor, a firm but kind parent, and the father of seven children, four sons and three daughters. He moved with his family to Montgomery County, Indiana, in the Fall of 1826, entered land and opened a farm. He was a member of the Old School Pfesbyterian Church. He died in 1856.

Joseph was seven years of age when, in 1826, his parents located in Montgomery County, then an almost unbroken forest. He remained on the place until the age of twelve, excepting two years spent at Crawfordsville attending school. Such spare time as he could command from his labors, on the farm was occupied in pursuing a course of study which aided much in laying the foundation for the eventful future in store for him. At an early age he conceived a strong love for the law, and when ten years old he had determined upon making that profession his life work, at the cost of any personal hardship or sacrifice. In his twelfth year the ambitious aspirant for future honors at the bar became an apprentice at the

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saddler's trade at Lafayette, Indiana. In that capacity he served five years and nine months, except three months spent in attending school. For fidelity to their interests his employers released him from the last three months of his apprenticeship; which time he spent in prosecuting his studies.

Following the resolution made before going to learn a trade, he pursued his studies with vigor at such times as he could snatch from work or rest. He had already become quite proficient in the English branches and rudiments of learning. His favorite study was history, in which he became well versed. During his apprenticeship he had access to the extensive and well selected library of Doctor Israel T. Canby, who was then receiver of the public moneys of the land office at Crawfordsville, Indiana. This opportunity was well improved, and he was prepared when leaving there, in 1838, to enter upon advanced fields of knowledge.

At the age of eighteen he entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, and began the study of the higher branches of learning with success, supporting himself mainly by plying his trade at such times as it was possible to do so. He continued his studies at college till the Spring of 1840, except for a short period in the Spring of 1839, when he acted with the engineer corps of the State of Indiana, who were then surveying the bed for the Wabash and Erie Canal. In 1840 he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and remained six months, returning to Crawfordsville, where he was the rest of the year, and taught school one term. In the Spring of 1841, he went to Williamsport, Indiana, taking a position as clerk in the store of James McDonald, his brother, being there one year.

In the Spring of 1842 he began the study of law at Lafayette, Indiana, with Zebulon Beard, one of the first lawyers In the State, as his preceptor. He advanced with rapid strides, his quick and firm grasp of its principles being remarkable. He was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Indiana, consisting of Judges Blackford, Dewey, and Sullivan, in the Spring of 1843. He was nominated for the office of prosecuting attorney before he received his license to practice, and was elected to that position at the August election following, over Robert Jones, a Whig, and a prominent member of the Lafayette bar. This was the first election of that class of officers by the people, they having formerly been chosen by the Legislature.

On the 25th of December, 1844, he was married to Nancy Ruth Buell, at Williamsport, Indiana. She was the daughter of Doctor Buell, a practicing physician and surgeon. The issue of this union was Ezekiel M., Malcolm A., Frank B., and Annie M. McDonald, afterwards Mrs. Caldwell, who died June 2, 1877.

He was re-elected prosecuting attorney over Robert Evans, a prominent lawyer and politician, in August, 1845, serving in all a period of four years. In the Fall of 1847 he moved to Crawfordsville and entered on the practice of the law, where he lived until 1859. He was elected to the Thirty-first Ceingress from the old Eighth District in August, 1849, and served one term. In 1856 he was elected attorney-general of Indiana, being the first chosen to this office by the people, and was re-elected in 1858, serving in all four years. He was not a candidate for a third term.

In the Spring of 1859 he removed to Indianapolis, forming a partnership with Addison L. Roach, ex judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana. In 1864 McDonald was nominated for Governor of Indiana by the Democratic State Convention, and made a joint canvas with Oliver P. Morton, the Republican nominee. At the election he received six thousand more votes for Governor than the Democratic State ticket did in 1862, when the entire Democratic State ticket, together with a majority in both branches of the General Assembly, was elected. Mr. Morton was elected, however, by nearly twenty thousand votes.

In 1868 E. M. McDonald becaMe the law partner of his father, and the next year Addison L. Roach retired from the firm. E. M. McDonald died January 1, 1873. Frank B. McDonald, his youngest son, has since become the law partner of Mr. McDonald.

Senator McDonald's wife died on September 7, 1872. On the 15th of September, 1874, he married Araminta W. Vance, of Crawfordsville, who died February 2, 1875. He has lately been married for a third time.

Throughout his entire life he has strictly adhered to his resolution to fellow the law and make a success of his profession. He has been engaged in some of the most important cases that have been tried in the State since his admission to the bar. He was of counsel for the defendants in the celebrated case of the United States vs. Bowles, Milligan, and Horsey, tried for conspiracy and treason by a military commission at Indianapolis, and sentenced to be hung. The case was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, where several important constitutional questions arose as to the relation of the general government to the States, the war power of the government, and the rights of the citizen. The defendants were released by the Supreme Court. He was of counsel for defendants in the noted case of Bebee vs. The State, in which the Supreme Court decided that the enactment which was known as the Maine liquor law was unconstitutional. He was one of the attorneys for the parties who assailed the constitutionality of what was known as the Baxter liquor law. In the Supreme Court of the State and the federal court he has taken an active part in many important cases, one of the most important being the case of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis Railroad Company vs. The Columbus, Chicago, and Indiana Central Railway Company, in which was involved a network of railroad interests and large sums of money, depending upon the validity and construction of a ninety-

478 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

nine years' lease. He made the principal argument for the objectors in the count of the electoral vote of Louisiana before the Electoral Commission appointed to determine the result of the Presidential election of 1876. Mr. McDonald thinks that the creation of this commission was the exercise of a doubtfuLpower in a case of apparent necessity.

Joseph Ewing McDonald was elected to the United States Senate for six years, to succeed Daniel D. Pratt, and took his seat March 5, 1875. He was chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, and the second member of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, and ranked as one of the best lawyers of that body. He is, and has always been, a firm, consistent Democrat, of the Jefferson school, as personified in the political life of Andrew Jackson. He was a member of the Senate committee which visited New Orleans to investigate the count of the vote of Louisiana in the contest of 1876. He was also on the Teller-Wallace committee to investigate frauds in elections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He was chairman of the Democratic State Convention in 1868, and of the Democratic State Central Committee during the campaigns of 1868 1874.

As an orator, both at the bar and on the hustings, he is cool, logical, and forcible; as a citizen, he has the confidence and respect of all who know him, regardless of political creeds. He has traveled extensively in his own country, and is thoroughly acquainted with its institutions and people. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is regarded by all parties as a statesman of acknowledged merit. His views are broad and comprehensive on all questions of public interest ; not a man of expedients, but stating his views clearly and boldly, leaving the result to the candid judgment of the people. The opinions of his most bitter opponents are never treated with disdain. Few men have enjoyed the uniform confidence of their fellow-citizens to the extent that he has.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Elbert Armstrong, M. D., was born August 22, 1849, in Franklin County, Indiana. He studied medicine in Cincinnati under his brother, Clinton L. Armstrong, police surgeon, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1875, practicing in Sandborn, Knox County, Indiana, for one year. In 1876 he came to Butler County, settling at Symmes's Corners, where he still remains. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Henry Case, and his two brothers, were soldiers in the Revolution, Henry being wounded in the thigh. He died in Springdale, Hamilton County, years afterwards. John Armstrong, his grandfather on his father's side, was in the War of 1812. His brother, Clinton L., was in the war of the Rebellion, in the Eighty-second Indiana Regiment, Company D, and was wounded in the thigh at the assault on Vicksburg, while placing the ladders for the scaling.

James Beard, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. He was married in 1798, and had four children : John Beard, born December 21, 1810; Jane Sample, born October 9, 1806; Jacob Beard, December 14, 1802; Perry Beard, July 11, 1821. He moved to this county in 1807. His wife's name was Peggy, and she was a native of Virginia. John, Jacob, and Perry live on the same farm that their father originally entered, and have been fortunate in life. W. L. Beard was in the military service, both in the Mexican War and during the Rebellion.

James Blackburn, first sheriff of the county, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1757, and was married to Sarah Lytle, born in the same State, in 1784. They came out to this country in 1800. Mrs. Blackburn's father was Sanderson Lytle, and her mother Margaret. Mr. Blackburn had five children. Alexander lives in Fairfield ; Margaret is the wife of James Buchanan, and lives in Indianapolis ; Sarah lives in Fairfield ; Mary Ann Hamilton lives in Fairfield, as does Rachel, the widow of Israel Lake. Mr. Blackburn was one of the leading members of the community. He held the office of sheriff and served on the school-board. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, being for seven years in the transport service. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. By occupation he was a farmer, owning three hundred and twenty acres of land in this county. He died in 1842, and his wife died in 1856.

Hector Basson was born in France in 1817, settling in this county in 1865. His wife, to whom he was married in Hamburg, Germany, in 1844, is a native of Hanover, where she was born in 1817. Her maiden name was Caroline Luike, and her parents were William and Louisa (Ludeike) Luike. They have had six children. Charles is married and lives in Liberty Township ; Joseph lives in Richmond, Indiana ; Hector is in Moline, Illinois ; Antoinette is the wife of Aaron Symmes, of Fairfield Township, and Caroline and Hortense are at home. Mr. Basson has held the office of township trustee in Cumminsville, and also in Fairfield. He was elected Captain in a company of Texas Rangers during the Mexican War, but owing to sickness was prevented from going out. His parents were Frederic Christophe and Antoinette (nee Lepaux) Basson. When he first came to the United States he settled in Galveston, Texas, and remained four years, coming in 1848 to Ohio, and settling in Mount Pleasant, Hamilton County, where he began business as general store-keeper. In 1865 he moved to Symmes's Corners, where he kept a store, and in 1876 moved to his present residence in Furmandale, following the same business. Frederic Christophe Basson, his father, was the oldest officer in the British army at the time of his decease, being a major of infantry, commanding a battalion of French legitimists at the battle of Waterloo. He was also a colonel of cavalry during the Peninsular War. His father was a French Protestant,

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and emigrated from France to Westphalia, in Germany, where his son was born.

James Clawson was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1795, and was married for the first time in 1816. His wife was Rebecca, Vail, born in Pennsylvania in 1798, and dying in Butler County in 1869. He had twelve children, eight of whom reached maturity and married, and four of whom are still living. Stephen V. is married and lives in Liberty Township. He was born December 26, 1819. Jephthah is married and lives in Fairfield Township. He was born June 3, 1823. Wilson T. is married and lives in Liberty Township. He was born November 21, 1829. Frederick D. is married and lives in Hamilton. He was born in 1841. Mary, wife of James Hancock, lives in Hamilton, and was born in 1843. Henderson is married and lives in Hamilton. He was born in 1846. John is single and lives at home. He was born in 1852. Jennie, widow of Frank Hair, was born August 17, 1855, and lives at home. Deziah, wife of Salem Pocock, was born April 13, 1857, and lives in Hanover Township. Mr. Clawson was married a second time in 1869. His wife was Eliza Weaver, born in Butler County, in 1812, and dying in 1870. He was married the third time in 1871 to Mary A. Devon, widow of George W. Louthan, born in Hamilton September 17, 1819. She is still living. Mr. Clawson came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1802, and settled in Lemon Township with his father. He is a self-made man, having nothing when he began but a horse. He rented for the first three years, and bought a lot in Middletown, which he built on, and afterwards traded for twenty-five acres in Liberty Township, which was his first farm. He has steadily added to this till now he owns six hundred and fifteen acres in Butler County, besides other property to a large amount. He has also, assisted his children much. He is a member of the Baptist Church, having been so since the year 1812.

Freeman Grant Cary was born in Cincinnati April 7, 1810. His father, William Cary, emigrated to the Northwest Territory in 1803, and settled on a farm he had purchased at the head of Main Street, Cincinnati, where he resided until 1814, when he removed to College Hill His thirty-two acres in Cincinnati were sold, and he bought Section 30, in Mill Creek Township, now College Hill, where he resided until his death, March 25, 1862.

In this place Freeman G. Cary, with his two brothers, William Woodward and Samuel Fenton, received his early education. He afterwards attended college at Miami University, and graduated with honor in the class of 1831. This was more than fifty years ago, and since that time Mr: Cary has left a marked impress of his character for good, which, in the history of the times, is unerasable. He has devoted more than thirty years of his life to teaching. He established Cary's Academy and originated Farmers' College, into which the academy was merged ; also originated for females what afterwards became the Ohio Female College. These institutions were eminently successful until after he resigned the presidency, the Farmers' College at that time numbering three hundred students. The Female College was likewise successful.

Mr. Cary's strong point was in government, and he was also a successful teacher. During his presidency he associated with him men of ability in the various departments of his institution. In the first period of its existence under him, he educated, to a greater or less extent, some three thousand young men, many of them occupying distinguished positions North and South, in the ministry, the bar, or as physicians or 'business men. Mr. Cary's character is marked by a combination of striking traits ; being possessed of a strong constitution, temperate habits, and good health, giving him physical ability to accomplish successfully whatever he attempts.

He has made his own place in society, and is known to be persistent and energetic in all he undertakes. He has filled all the duties that have fallen to his charge with ability and tact. He is thoroughly conversant with all the branches of natural science, especially those appertaining to agriculture and horticulture, of which he has acquired both a practical and theoretical knowledge.

He has connected with his residence an admirably arranged conservatory and greenhouse, on his own plan, in which he spends much of his time in experimenting for his own gratification. He established and edited an agricultural periodical, the Cincinnatus, which for five years had a wide circulation, and only ceased by reason of the Rebellion. He was one of the distinguished early leaders and supporters of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society,. being several times its honored president. Mr. Cary is not only an adept in the natural sciences, but is also a good classical and mathematical scholar, his education and ability eminently fitting him for marked prominence. He was selected as one of two to represent the great State of Ohio, under Buchanan's administration, in a congress of the States for the promotion of agriculture, with Marshall P. Wilder at its head. After over a quarter of a century's labors in the schools originated and constructed by him he retired to a farm in. Butler County, where, with his wonted zeal and industry, he devoted himself to rural pursuits, leading a quiet and retired life. His residence, planned by himself, is a model of taste and fine architecture, combining as many conveniences as any structure in the world. .His place is set with the choicest fruits grown in the climate, and his house is completely encircled by evergreens and deciduous trees, all being in keeping with the intelligence of the man. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for over forty years, and its active, zealous supporter.

His first wife was Malvina McCan. He was married to her on the 4th of April, 1833. She was a native of Chillicothe, and the daughter of an old pioneer, who was

480 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

a man of fine education and was an extensive surveyor. She died in the month of January, 1872. By her he had eight children, five of whom survive. His second wife was the widow of Dr. James Richardson, and daughter of Clark Bates, one of the earliest pioneers of the West. He was married to her March 6, 1873. His mother, Mrs. William Cary, now ninety-one years of age, intelligent and still active, lives with him. Notwithstanding her advanced years she enjoys all her faculties of mind. William Woodward, named after William Woodward, the founder of Woodward College, died in 1847. He was a farmer, a man of sound judgment and mathematical education. General S. F. Cary, of world-wide renown as a lecturer and popular author, is the youngest of the three brothers. The Cary sisters, the celebrated, writers, were his cousins, and were greatly aided in their first efforts by the subject of this sketch. Few men, in an independent and unaided life, and on their own resources, have exerted a more extended influence than F. G. Cary.

Thomas Cooper was born in Liverpool, England, about 1785, and died in Fairfield, in 1858. He married in England and had seven children, one only surviving- Robert, born in 1812 in England. Mr. Cooper came to the United States about 1815, and settled in the South, near Natchez, but in 1820 moved to Ohio. In 1823 he moved to Fairfield, in this county, where he resided till his death. He was educated fora surveyor, and followed it for a few years. He taught in a high school in Cincinnati before he settled in Butler County. His son, Robert, married Eliza Jane Howard, born in Hamilton County in 1821. They had eleven children, eight of them being living. Mary Belle is the wife of Calvin Bur- ridge ; William is married ; Electa is the wife of Richard Applegate, M. D. ; George ; Jennie, wife of George Vandergriff; Anne Eliza, wife of Isaac B. Rice; Benton, and Jessie. Mr. Cooper is a farmer, and one of the representative men of Butler County, owning over eleven hundred acres of land, all of which he made himself, commencing life with nothing.

Enoch Chambers, who lives near Jones's Station, was born in Maryland, on the 21st of July, 1805. His parents were Henry and Perslia Chambers, who came to this county in 1812. He was married March 16, 1839, to Mary Aran Moore. They lived together until 1864, when Mrs. Chambers died. They had seven children. Francis Marion was born November 10, 1839; Harriet Moore, November 26, 1840; Orpha Trender, April 28, 1843; Emma Rebecca Duson, May 30, 1845; Lydia Ann Mills, December 5, 1847; Sarah Jane Miller, May 17, 1850 ; and Laura Cornelia Sweet, April 17, 1850. The two last named live in Kansas, and Lydia is dead. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Chambers has remained on the farm with his daughter, who is assiduous in his care. He has a fine farm of one hundred acres, with every thing convenient. His first vote for President was cast for Andrew Jackson, remaining with the Democratic party until the Kansas imbroglio, since when he has voted the Republican ticket. When he bought the place he now lives on, only thirty acres were cleared. Mrs. Chambers was the daughter of William and Ruth

Moore, who came out here in 1830.

Vincent Davis, son of Joshua, was born in New Jersey, about 1785, and died in 1872. He married Anna Smalley, born in New Jersey in 1788, who died in 1875.. They had twelve children, six of whom are still living. Mary, the widow of Mark Moore, lives in Indiana. Joshua, born June 7, 1808, is married, and lives in Fairfield ; Jemima, wife of William Sleith, is in Indiana ; Amy and Emma Jane are single, and live in Fairfield Township. Francis is married and lives in Missouri. He came to Ohio in 1805 with his father, and settled in Middletown, where he worked in the Middletown grist-mill,, owned by his father. He married about 1806, and settled in Monroe, where he recommenced farming. He purchased land, and about 1813 moved to Liberty Township, where his father-in-law gave him sixty acres in the woods, which he cleared and lived on till his death. He was drafted in the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His son Francis was captain of a cavalry company during the late war. His son Joshua was born January 7, 1808, and was married the first time in 1839, to Mary Cummins, born iu Butler County in 1800. She died in 1873, leaving no family. He was married the second time in 1875, to Emma Bell- chambers, born in Sussex, England, September 28, 1847. They have one child, Joshua Dunham, born February 19, 1881. He has been township trustee for one term, director of the school board, and lieutenant of the Butler County Light Horse.

William S. Gilmore was born on Long Island, in the State of New York, January 8, 1808, and was married the first time about 1833. His wife was Jane Brogden, born in Springdale, Ohio, about 1818, and dying in September, 1870. By her he had six children, five of whom are living. One died in infancy. John is married and lives in Hanover Township ; Margaret, widow of Elva Spellman, lives in Hamilton ; Jeremiah is married and lives in Fairfield Township ; Mary is the wife of Jacob Bonnell, and lives in Columbus, Pennsylvania; and Laura is the wife of Ross Lockwood, and lives in Frank- - lin, Ohio. Mr. Gilmore came to Cincinnati with his parents about 1824, where his father started in business as an auctioneer, the first in Cincinnati He removed to Pittsburg after three years, remaining there four years. About 1830 he returned to Cincinnati, where his father and uncle Gordon had established a banking business, and he acted as clerk in their office. About 1833 he was married, and went on a farm, now part of the corporation of Cincinnati, which his father and uncle had purchased. He remained there until 1840, when he moved to Butler County, where he settled in Union

FAIRFIELD - 481

Township, on land which had previously been purchased by his father. He received at his father's death four hundred and fifty acres, and on this ground he has spent the best part of his life. He was married again on the 22d of December, 1871. His wife was Elizabeth Boyd, widow of Charles Moore, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, September 15, 1815. He is a stockholder and director of the Sharon pike, owning one-half of it, and has always been one of the prominent citizens of Butler County.

Gottlieb Gressle, now deceased, was born in France. Coming to this country he was married June 13, 1856, in Hamilton, to Mary F. Custer, daughter of Frederick Custer and Maria Bolter. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1838. They had four children. Edward was born December 22, 1862 ; Esther E. was born January 24, 1865 ; Eugene, August 13, 1867, and Bertha M., May 5, 1871. Esther E. died March 17, 1866, and Mr. Gressle March 24, 1881.

John Garber was born in Lorraine, on the borders of France and Germany, about 1799. He was married the first time to Barbara Springer, born in Lorraine in 1797, and dying December 13, 1867. By her he had three children, of whom two are living. John was born April, 1838 ; Magdalen in 1835, dying in 1859, and the other child was Christopher. Mr. Garber emigrated to America about 1825, settling in this county. He was first at Trenton, working for Christian Augspurger, and then rented a farm near that place, afterwards going to Fairfield Township, and renting the Wurmzer farm. About 1836 he bought sixty-six acres of land in that township, the same now owned by his son John, for which he paid thirty dollars an acre. He came to this country with sixty dollars, and by dint of his own industry and perseverance accumulated a large property, becoming one of the wealthiest men in Butler County. He owned, at the time of his death, twelve hundred acres in this county, and six hundred and forty in Missouri. He was married a second time in 1868, to Barbara Engel, a native of Lorraine, and had two children, both deceased. Mr. Garber died in 1875. His property was divided among his children at his death. They live in Fairfield Township. John was married to Rake Garber, born in Champagne, in France, in 1843. They have two children, Mary and Amy. He owns four hundred and fifty acres in Butler County, and six hundred and forty in Missouri.

Robert Gray was born in Ireland in 1744, and died in 1843 in Fayette County, Indiana. He came to the American colonies in 1763. He joined the American army in the war of the Revolution, having taken the oath of allegiance, and was in several engagements. He served under General Putnam, first in the militia, and afterwards in the regulars at Sandy Hook. He also served under General Watts in Captain Jonathan Robinson's company, and received his discharge from General Putnam. After his discharge he settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Agnes Gray, born in Pennsylvania in 1753, who died in 1851, in Fairfield Township, in this county. He had eleven children. James, who died in infancy, was born March 13, 1776 ; James, the second, was born March 1, 1777 ; William, July 20, 1778 ; Richard, October 29, 1780 ; Robert, April 17, 1783 ; Mary, April 10, 1785 ; James, the third, May 7, 1787 ; John G., August, 1789 ; Hugh, May, 1792 ; Jonathan, January 14, 1794 ; Martin, November 4, 1796. Mr. Gray came to this State about 1814, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairfield Township, where he lived till the time of his death. He taught school for. some years, his sons carrying on the farm. Of his children, Jonathan was the only one who remained in Butler County. He was born in Pennsylvania, January 14, 1794, and was married in 1825 to Mary Woods, born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1803. They had six children, of whom four are living. Alexander and Marina are dead ; William is married and lives in Chicago ; Mary H. is the wife of Andrew Ritchie and lives in Cincinnati ; Johanna lives in Fairfield ; and John is married, living in Fairfield. Jonathan Gray was a member of the Presbyterian Church at the time of his death, and had been a member of the Associate Reformed Church previous to joining the other. He died in 1870, in Fairfield, and his wife died in 1880.

Manning Hathaway was born in New Jersey on the 6th of April, 1788, and .died in Butler County, March 29, 1861. He married, December 7, 1812, Sarah Beach, born in New Jersey, August 26, 1793, who died June 9, 1868. They had seven children, of whom two are living. John, born April 23, 1814, died May 2, 1844 Eliza, September 25, 1815, died September 22, 1819 ; Catherine, widow of James Graham, October 2, 1817, lives in St. Louis, Mo.; Calvin, born January 10, 1819, died October 27, 1819; Alpheus, July 24, 1821, died June 6, 1822 ; Amanda, April 12, 1824, died December 16, 1850 ; and Silas, February 8, 1832, lives single in Fairfield. Manning Hathaway moved to Ohio about 1812, and settled in Fairfield Township. He was a millwright, and followed this vocation as long as he was able. He began with nothing, but saved enough to buy sixty-eight acres, which was divided among his children, and which is now owned by his son Silas. The latter is a member of the Butler County Grange, and has held the office of secretary to the Grange for three years.

Ezekiel C. Hamilton was born in Portland, Maine, in 1812. He came out here in 1842, and settled in Fairfield Township, being married in 1848 to Mary A. Blackburn, born in 1821, and daughter of James Blackburn and Sarah Lytle. They had nine children. Sarah Augusta is the wife of Albert Huston, who lives in Hamilton County ; Charles is married, and lives in Fairfield Township ; Arthur is dead, and the others are Albert, Ettie, Ida, Kate, James, and Lillie. Mr. Hamilton was justice of the peace, real estate assessor, personal prop-

482 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

erty assessor, township trustee, and school director. He died in 1880.

Johnson B. Haythorne was born in Hamilton County, December 17, 1842, and was married in 1867 to Rachel A. Divley, a native of this State, where she was born December 30, 1845. They had four children, of whom three are living. Lulu S. was born October 30, 1868 ; Clifford P., May 11, 1873 ; Melvin and Milton, twins, January 2, 1875. The latter is dead. Mr. Haythorne came to Butler County in 1876, and leased the farm of William Beatty, one hundred and twelve acres. Previous to this he lived in Newton, Hamilton County. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is the superintendent of the Sunday-school at Furmandale, of which he was one of the founders. The school was organized in April, 1881, and at present averages about seventy attendants. During his residence in Hamilton County he was secretary of the Sabbath-school for several years. His wife is also a member of the Baptist Church.

Cornelius House was born on the 22d of October, 1798, in Virginia. He is the son of Jacob and Susan House. He was married in 1823 to Rachel Cregor, who was born in West Jersey, on the 3d of February, 1803, and has borne him eleven children. William was born June 23, 1823; Susan Bill, August 18, 1828; Elizabeth Ayers, August 19,41830 ; Jacob, October 5, 1832; George, February 10, 1835; Isaac, April`10, 1837; Joel, August 17, 1839 ; Alexander, June 30, 1842; and Albert, July 13, 1845. Alexander House was killed in the last battle of the war, at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 15, 1865. He was aged twenty-two years, eight months, and thirteen days. He was brought home on the 28th of December and was buried on the 31st, at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the children, Cregor, died at eight years of age; but with this exception all his children have lived to maturity. He and his wife have lived together for sixty years. She was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Gregor, who came to this county in 1808. Mr. Cregor served in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. House have lived on the farm they now occupy for the last forty-six years, and own a fine farm on the Springdale pike, consisting of one hundred acres. It is near Jones's Station.

David B. Huston was born in Fairfield Township, January 7, 1840, and married in 1864 Clara Stout, born in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, August 6, 1839. They have had seven children, six of whom are living : Grace, Lily, Edgar, Ethel, Mabel, Ralph, and a baby not named Ethel is dead. He is a member of the Hamilton Grange, holding the office of master ; is a member of the school board, and clerk of the district, and collector. He is a member of the Republican Central Committee.

Robert Kennedy belonged to one of the oldest and largest families of the Ohio Valley. His immediate ancestors came from the vicinity of Chambersburg, Penn sylvania, and were among the first settlers of Covington, Kentucky. The grandfather of Robert, Mr. Thomas Kennedy, when he came West, purchased and owned for a number of years the entire tract of land upon which Covington, Kentucky, now stands. At an early day he removed to this place and erected a dwelling and other buildings upon it, among them what is now known as the " Old Stone House," which is still standing in Covington, on the bluff overlooking the Ohio and Licking Rivers, and is the oldest house in that city, having been built in 1790. Mr. Thomas Kennedy, who maybe considered the head of the Kennedy family in the West, brought with him his family, consisting of four sons and one daughter. They were Joseph, born January 13, 1768; Samuel, born May 19, 1770; Thomas, Jr., born August 21, 1775; Robert, born May 4, 1777, and Hannah, born April 15, 1773. Mr. Samuel Kennedy was married to Miss Jane Richardson, February 10, 1796, and these were the parents of twelve children, among them Robert Kennedy, the subject of this sketch. They were Dinah and Betsy, born January 15, 1797 ; Hannah, born February 1, 1799; Rebecca, born October 26, 1801; Robert, born January 18, 1804; Edmund and Thomas, born July, 1806; Eliza, born October 5, 1808; Nancy, born February 11, 1811; Samuel, born October 16, 1813; Porter, born August 18, 1816; and Jane, born November, 1819.

Mr. Samuel Kennedy, the father of Robert, in the year 1796 purchased from Jonathan Dayton, an associate of John Cleves Symmes, a tract of two hundred and sixteen acres in Section 21, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, and soon after settled upon it. At that time the entire tract was covered with heavy timber, and is now part of the homestead farm owned by the Kennedy family. Upon this farm, in 1804, when but few white settlers had established themselves in this section, and the Indians were yet occasionally seen, at the very beginning of the county, Robert Kennedy began life, and amid scenes of hardship incident to pioneer life grew to manhood.

While a young man Robert removed with his father to Covington, Kentucky, and dwelt in the " Old Stone House" for about three years, and then returned to the farm in Butler County, and remained there until after his father's death, which occurred in 1834 ; after which Robert purchased the old homestead and lived upon it until 1849, when by changes in his family he was required to move to Covington, and take charge of the Cincinnati and Covington Ferry, which had been in their hands for two generations. Mr. Kennedy, during his fourteen years' management of the ferry, a time of great activity and growth in business and population in Cincinnati and Covington, and prior to the building of any bridges, so conducted that interest as to accommodate the public and make but few enemies. Especially did he manage the ferry with great discretion during

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fthe trying times of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1863, and when he left it to return to his farm in 1863 it was with the sincere regret of both employes and the public.

Mr. Kennedy was a man of sterling qualities in all the relations of life. As a businesinan he was prompt, honest, and fair in his dealings. He was twice married, first to Miss Harriet Adams, February 8, 1826, by whom he had one daughter, who died while quite young. His wife died March 24, 1829. On December 6, 1832, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Joan Minor Millikin, daughter of Doctor Daniel Millikin, one of the oldest and most respectable physicians of Butler County. Of the second marriage there were seven children, four of whom are living-three sons, Joseph M., Daniel M., Samuel Porter, and a daughter, Joan M.,-while Mary M., Robert M., and Jane K. are deceased.

Mr. Kennedy united with the Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Ohio, in early life, and always maintained the character of a consistent and faithful Christian, amid all the pressure and perplexities of business, not a little trying on Christian patience and principle. He was always in his place when not absolutely required to be absent ; was liberal with his means in advancing every good work, and endeavored to carry the influence and power of his religion down into every-day business.

His membership, with that of his excellent wife, was transferred to the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, Kentucky, in 1851, and in January, 1861, lie was elected a ruling elder in that Church. Accepting the office with great distrust of his fitness and ability, and only at the earnest solicitation of those who knew him best, it is the testimony of all who served with him during those troublesome years of war and excitement that he did his work faithfully and well, and tried to meet every obligation laid upon him.

Mr. Kennedy had long been sick, and approached death by slow and measured steps. In all his sickness he was sustained by that grace he so constantly sought, and when death came he was ready.

He died at " Oakland Farm," the name given the Kennedy homestead, near Hamilton, February 9, 1877, being a few days over seventy-three years of age. His funeral was attended in the Presbyterian Church at Hamilton by the pastors of the two Churches where his life had been spent, and his memory honored and departure mourned by a very large concourse of the oldest citizens from every part of the county. His remains rest in Greenwood Cemetery, and his memory is cherished among many who loved him long and well on earth.

Benjamin Line came to Butler County in 1797. He was born in Pennsylvania, and was there married. He brought his family with him, consisting of a wife and nine children, all of whom are deceased. He died in 1815. Of his children, Moses was born in Pennsylvania, Washington County, in 1790, and was married in 1811 to Elizabeth McClellan, born in Kentucky in 1795. They had nine children. James, born in 1817, is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Mary Jane, the wife of Samuel Stevenson, born in 1819, lives in Hamilton. Robert, born in 1831, is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Moses Line came to this county when seven years old, and after his father's death purchased the family estate of the heirs. It consisted of one hundred and eighty-one acres, and during his lifetime was cultivated by him. His son James now owns it. He was a soldier of 1812, for which he received a land warrant. He died in 1853, and his wife in 1876. James was born August 18, 1817, and was married in 1870 to Elizabeth Brewer, widow of John Niggis. They have one child, James C., who was born February 24, 1875. James Line has held several offices. He was infirmary director for seven years, justice of the peace six years, county 'commissioner from 1870 to 1875, and a member of the school board. Robert Line was born in Fairfield Township, on the old farm, March 9, 1830, and was married September 5, 1867, to Nancy Agnes Slipher, born in St. Clair Township, June 27, 1843. He had four children. Carrie E. was born August 7, 1869; Charles R. was born November 11, 1870; Laura B., April 22, 1874, and Lula Jane, July 11, 1877. Mr. Line and his brother purchased the place on the death of the former, being in partnership till 1865, when he bought the place where he now lives, of eighty-five acres. He was drafted twice in the late war, and paid six hundred dollars for substitutes. He owns at present one hundred and twenty-two acres in Fairfield Township, and ninety-five in Clinton County, Indiana.

Isaac K. Morris was born in Sussex County, Delaware, November 21, 1819. His parents were Joseph and Zipporah Morris, both now dead. They came here in 1838. Mr. Morris has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Hinkle, daughter of Benjamin and Barbara Hinkle, to whom he was married December 26, 1844. His second wife was Mary Thomas, daughter of Benjamin and Anna Thomas. He was married to her January 3, 1861. By these he had eleven children. Mary Angelina was born December 12, 1845; Oliver Perry, April 22, 1848; Sarah Jane, December 26, 1849; Margaret Isabel, September 4, 1852; Joseph Anthony, December 12, 1856; Benjamin Lewis, November 16, 1862; Clara Edith, February 12, 1865; Christina May, May 17, 1867; ,Zipporah, June 2, 1869; Jessie Gray, June 24, 1872; and Mary, November 12, 1880. When 'Squire Morris came to this county, besides his parents, there were four brothers and three sisters, himself being the oldest of his father's family. Mr. Morris, Sen., died in 1846, and the mother in 1852. The two youngest sisters died in 1845, and his brother, L. D. Morris, in 1862. One sister and three brothers are now living. The sister is in Lee County, Iowa, the eldest brother in Fayette County, Indiana, and the other two in this

484 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

county. Mr. Morris was a justiC of the peace from 1853 till 1859, infirmary director from 1860 to 1864, and justice of the peace from 1872 till 1878. He is a strong temperance man. His father was in the War of 1812.

John P. McCormick was born in New York City in 1800. He married first Deborah Griffin, born in Westchester County, New York, about 1802, and died about 1843 in Butler County. She had six children, of whom two are now living. Alexander was born July 13, 1824, and is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Ann Mary, widow of Thomas Cooper, was bOrn in 1826,. and lives in Fairfield. Mr. McCormick married the second time about 1846, Mary Smith, widow of Mr. Fry, who was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1798. They had no children. Mr. McCormick moved to Ohio about 1830, and stayed in Cincinnati and Dayton for a few months, and in 1831 or thereabouts he moved to Butler County, and settled in Fairfield Township. He was a paper-maker by trade, and worked at Graham's paper-mill in that township for ten years, off and on. He then rented a small farm of twenty acres, and commenced to raise broom-corn., He was a member of the Methodist Chprch, and died in 1871. His wife's father, Mr. Griffin, was in the Revolutionary War.. Two of his sons, Benjamin and James McCormick, were in the late war. Benjamin was in the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F. He enlisted in 1862, and was killed in 1864, at Laurel Hill. James was in Guthrie's Grays. Alexander McCormick was born July 13, 1824, in Westchester County, New York, and married December 25, 1852, Ann Eliza Emerson, born in Fairfield Township in this county, September 4, 1831. They had six children, three of whom are living. Edwin was born February 7, 1859; John P., October 8, 1862 ; and Algernon S. B., January 26, 1866. He rented a small farm of twenty acres, when he was twenty years old, and commenced raising broom-corn, having since made that a principal part of his business. He has also learned broom-making.

Richard Magie was born in Butler County, and was married early in life, to Jane M. Flemming, by whom he had two 'children. Henry Franklin was born February 14, 1847, and was married in 1868 to Laura Gorsuch, born in Monroe Township, in 1846. She died May 5, 1872, leaving two children, Anna and Lulu. He was again married in 1873,- to Hannah Catherine Spumes, widow of George W. Vinnedge, born November 2, 1848. -She has one child, Henry W. Vinnedge. Mr. Magic owns and farms one hundred and fifty-seven acres. He is a member of the Masonic order, being master of Washington Lodge, No. 17, of Hamilton, and is a director of the school board. In politics he is a Republican.

Daniel Rogers was born in New Jersey, September 7, 1805, and married March 8, 1837, Lydia Parker, born in New Jersey, October 28, 1812. He had six children. William was born March 12, 1838 ; Mary, born March 16, 1839, died June 29, 1839; Isaac, born May 31, 1840, is married, and lives in Hamilton, where he is deputy sheriff; John Henry, born November 14, 1841, is married, and lives in Fairfield Township; Elizabeth was born August 1, 1843, and is the wife of Henry Moser, living in Hamilton; James P. was born January 31, 1845. Mr. Rogers came to Butler County in 1836, and settled in Liberty Township. He was in the hardware business in Warren County, and was captain of a canal-boat for many years. He was a blacksmith by trade, but never carried it on in this county, but followed farming until his death, which occurred September 24, 1845. He was a very well-known member of the Methodist Church. His mother came to this county with him. His father was a soldier, who lost his life while defending the Jersey shore from invading English. Mrs. Rogers came to Butler County, with her mother in 1835. Their son, William, was out in the late war, enlisting in the Spring of 1862, in the Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving as a private till the close of the war, in 1865. He was discharged in Galveston, Texas. The family have an interest in ice-houses in Liberty Township, operated under the name of Frederick Kauffman Si Rogers.

Jacob Rupp was the first member of the Rupp family that came to Ohio. He was born in Prussia in 1804, and died in 1874. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in that country in 1804. He had eleven children, nine of whom are living. John is married and lives in Fairfield. He was born in 1825. Peter was married and lives in Kansas. Mr. Rupp was one of the first Germans that came to Butler County: He emigrated to America in 1830, and settled in Hamilton. He brought about two hundred dollars with him, with which be bought a lot and log- house, which he repaired. It was the oldest house in Hamilton, being of two stories, and had formerly been the court-house. It was the building described in the last paragraph of page 35. He worked at day's work, and about 1842 moved to Fairfield Township, where he purchased a farm of L. Davis of sixty-two acres. About three years -after he bought fifty-three acres more of A. P. Miller, farming the two tracts until his death. He also owned several houses and lots in Hamilton. He was very industrious. He was a member of the German Protestant Church. His son, John, was born in Prussia, January 1, 1825, and was married in 1852 to Catherine Bridge, born in Prussia, March 5, 1829. They had six children; five of whom are living. John was born April 25, 1854 ; Jacob, January 4, 1857; Erasmus, January 7, 1859 ; George, September 10, 1861; Katy, October 26, 1864 ; and Peter, July 1, 1860. The latter died July 25, 1860. John, the eldest, is married. Mr. Rupp is a member Of St. John's German Protestant Church. He has a large quarry, the largest in the county, turning out an excellent quality of limestone. It was opened

FAIRFIELD - 485

first in 1844 by John Woods for Hamilton Hydraulic, and in 1851 Mr. Rupp bought the farm of fifty-one acres and the quarry, having owned it ever since. The quarry contains about fifteen acres, and over $2,000 worth were taken out last year.

Henry G. Ross, superintendent of the county infirmary, was born in Milford Township on the 28th of July, 1845. He was married December 24, 1864, to Kate Williams, who was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, December 31, 1841. They have had two children. William Henry was born October 19, 1865, and Harry Olby, July 28, 1876.

Christopher Ruoff was born October 4, 1813, in Wittenburg, Swabia, and married in 1841 Margaret Deincer, born October 17, 1818. She came to Ohio with her father, George Deincer, in 1837. By her he had two children. Christina, the wife of Charles Damm, was born February 7, 1842, and lives in Fairfield Township; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Niederman, born February 3, 1850, lives in Hamilton, and came to Butler County in 1852. He settled ?n the pork-packing business in Hamilton, and accumulated considerable wealth. He purchased two hundred and forty-eight acres in Fairfield Township, which he farmed, becoming one of the wealthiest citizens of the township. He died December 6, 1866. He was also a partner of Peter Murphy for two years in the distillery at Hamilton. He was a strong Democrat.

Benjamin Randolph Symmes is the son of Celadon Symmes, an early magistrate of this county, son of Timothy Symmes, and nephew of John Cleves Symmes, the patentee of the lands, lying between the Little Miami and Great Miami. His mother was Phebe Randolph. Benjamin R. Symmes was born in Fairfield Township, on the 6th of September, 1802. He was married on the 30th of March, 1826, to Eliza Gaston, daughter of Joseph and Martha Gaston, who was born February 16, 1807. She bore him one son, Peyton Randolph Symmes, who was born March 10, 1833. On her death in that year he again married, this time to Jane Paulley, daughter of James and Margaret Paulley, who was born October 12, 1804. By her he -had three children, one of whom survives. Celadon Hutton Symmes was born October 27, 1836 ; James Rigdon Symmes was born January 8, 1841, and Joseph Erskine Symmes was born June 12, 1845. Peyton. R. Symmes was in the military service from 1861 to 1865. Benjamin R. Symmes was for six years' a justice of the peace, treasurer of the min isterial section for twenty years, and postmaster for twenty-two years and six months.

Franklin Raleigh Vinnedge was born March 18, 1834, in Fairfield Towr ship, Butler County, and was married March 24, 1858, to Martha Ann Van Cleaf, born in Liberty Township, April 7, 1840. He had five children, four of whom are living. lacy Ann was born April 10, 1860; Thomas Dunmore, February 14, 1862; Clara

Irene, May, 1864, now dead ; Lillie Maud, April 10, 1868; and Raleigh Van Cleaf, September 2, 1872. Mr. Vinnedge is essentially a self-made man, receiving no assistance from his relatives. He began business for himself when twenty-five years old by renting a small farm of forty acres. He rented until about 1864, when he entered into partnership with W. V. Clark, in the Mason farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres in Fairfield Township, which he sold in 1866, and in 1867 moved to Port Union, where he went to store-keeping under the firm name of F. R. Vinnedge, and in the purchase of grain and produce, under the name of Beatty, Vinnedge & Lippelmann, in which he remained until 1869, when he gave up the store and dissolved partnership, buying grain and produce for himself and renting the farm of Hiram Smith, in Union Township. In 1873 he purchased the farm where he now resides, of two hundred and sixty-seven acres. He is at present engaged in farming for himself, and purchasing grain and produce with J. V. Spellman & Son, of Port Union, under the name of Spellman, Vinnedge & Co., and with J. C. Symmes in Hamilton, under the name of Vinnedge & Symmes. In the Lake Erie Ice. Company he owns one-fburth of the stock in connection with S. D. Fitton and others, in Union, and also in Fairfield, under the name of Vinnedge, Schlosser & Clark. Mr. Vinnedge has held the office of township justice for four terms, and township treasurer for two years. The latter position he now holds. He is one of Butler County's best citizens, owning considerable property in the shape of town lots in Hamilton and Lockland In 1864 he cleaned out the Union Township's portion of the Butler County ditch, and has also been largely instrumental in grading and building roads. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, joining them in 1867. He has taken all the degrees and has held all the different offices. He was also trustee of Union Township two years, and is a member of the United Workmen Society.

Thomas Van Cleaf was born in Butler County in the year 1809, on the 9th of January. He is the son of Benjamin Van Cleaf, who was born in New York, September 5, 1765, and died March 5, 1830. His mother was Melia Vanderveer. She was born November 16, 1771, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and died March 1, 1851. They were married in New Jersey, and came to Ohio in 1805, settling in Franklin. The present Mr. Van Cleaf was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, and was married, March 17, 1836, by the Rev. Mr. McFarlan, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Kyle and Martha Long. She was born August 26, 1815. They have had four children. Alice Seward was born March 7, 1838, and died May 22, 1874; Martha A. Vinnedge was born April 7, 1840 ; Sarah J. Van Cleaf was born July 8, 1844; and Hannah M. Van Cleaf was born June 19, 1850. Mr. Van Cleaf's grandfather, Tennis Van Cleaf, was in the Revolutionary War.

486 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

David Urmston, Jr., was born in this county in 1810. His parents were David Urmston and Mary Enyard, the former being from New Jersey. David was married in 1839 to Nancy Stone, born in 1817, daughter of Thomas Stone, a native of Ireland, and Elizabeth Martin. They had seven children. Mary Ann was born in 1842 ; Nancy Jane, in 1847 ; B. E., in 1849, and Emma Frances in 1855. Three children are dead. Mr. Urmston has served three terms as infirmary director. Thomas Stone, his father-in-law, was out in the War of 1812, and Thomas Stone, Jr., was in the Mexican War as captain.

Edmund Kennedy Urmston was born in Springfield Township, Hamilton County, June 25, 1840. He'is the son of Benjamin Urmston and Rebecca Kennedy, who live in Hamilton County, but were formerly of Butler County, coming here about 1801. He was married in 1869 to Margaret Butterfield, daughter of Elijah Butterfield and Mary Jones. Jeremiah and Mary Butterfield, the first .of the name who settled in Hamilton County, were the parents of Elijah Butterfield, who was born there in 1815. With his wife, Mary, Elijah settled on Paddy's Run, near Nqw London, in the Spring of 1842, and remained there until the Spring of 1870. He was elected justice of the peace in Ross Township in the Spring of 1850, serving eighteen years in succession, and during that time never had a transcript taken from his docket excepting in criminal cases, which were to be decided in a higher court, and in one railroad case. All suits were settled by him, or referred to arbitrators, whose decision was always concurred in. Hverved as school director in the same district for thirty years in succession, and was a successful farmer. To Margaret Urmston, his daughter, were born four children. Benjamin Kennedy was born February 17, 1872 ; Rebecca, August 15, 1874; Willie B., August 8, 1876; Mary May, June 25, 1879. Mr. Urmston has held the office of township assessor in Hamilton County, and has been a member of the school board in Butler County for six years.

Thomas Wall was born in Bristol, England, in 1800. His father, John Wall, and his mother, Phehe Wall, were natives of that country. Thomas came to America in 1832, and was married in Hamilton, in 1844, to Hannah Waller, born in this county, in June, 1810, daughter of Levi and Rhoda,Waller, who arrived in Butler County about the beginning of the century. He was in the War of 1812, and Asahel Waller, the grandfather, was in the Revolution. They had nine children: William, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Edward, Perry, Salmon, and Louis. Mr. Wall followed the occupations of farmer and brass-founder. He went across the ocean thirteen times after first coming to this country, dying October 19, 1880, and leaving considerable property.