ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 825 He mentioned the difficulty to Mr. Robinson, and the latter, after a few months' hunting, definitely located the landmark. Mr. Robinson was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and was one of the first Sabbath school teachers in the O. S. & Home. He was a man of simple, childlike faith, of a happy, jovial disposition, generous to a fault, and would give the last he had to one in need. Meeting with disappointments and lasses, he was accustomed. to say : "It will all come cut right; God knows best." He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Jennie Currie, who died July 8, 1873. Four of her children are still living. His second wife was Miss Mary Kyle. To then were born three children, all of whom, are living. It has been intimated that Mr. Robinson was a quiet man in a quiet neighborhood, but he will be remembered after the names of many who have made more noise and bluster have passed into oblivion. His hist0ry. is an enduring monument. It will rest in the relic room of the new courthouse, which the commissioners have, at his earnest solicitation, set apart for the preservation of matters of historic interest ; and thither the generations to come will visit, to read the story that the patient writer told after having rescued the materials and the facts from the dust of the century. ANDREW JACKSON TOBIAS. With the agricultural interests of Beav ercreek township this gentleman has long been actively identified, and has materially aided in its upbuilding and development. He was born near Zimmerman, in that township, in 1832, a son of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Tobias, who were both natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. There the father passed his boyhood and youth and. attended school, his education, however, be ing in the German language and very limited. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed after coming to Ohio. In 1820 he took up his residence in Beavercreek township, this county,. and there he continued to make his home-throughout the remainder of his life.. He-had seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely : Peter, John and Daniel, all now deceased; Andrew J., of this. review ; Betsy and Catherine, both deceased and Susan, a resident of St. Mary's, Ohio.. Andrew J. Tobias acquired his early education in the schools of Auglaize county,. where the family removed when he was only three years old, and where the father entered eighty acres of land. Our subject pursued his studies in the subscription schools taught in old log cabins so common at that day. On leaving school at the age, of sixteen years he returned to Greene coun- ty, where he worked as a laborer for sometime and then followed the carpenter's trade for twenty-two years, erecting many houses and barns in the locality where he now lives. He subsequently turned his attention to farming and in 1884 purchased the fine farm of two hundred acres in Beavercreek township, where he now resides, and to its cultivation and improvement he has since devoted his energies, having retired frorm carpentering. He raises a good grade of stock, making a specialty of Jersey cattle, and in his herd are several registered animals. He also raises considerable corn, wheat and oats, and is meet- 826 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. ing with most excellent success in his farming operations. In 1863 Mr. Tobias was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Harshman, who was also born in Beavercreek township and reared on a farm adjoining that on which she now lives. She is a sister of J. F. Harshman whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have two children, one son and one daughter, namely : Samuel E. who resides on his father's farm, is carrying on a gun shop and is one of the finest workmen in line in the state. He married Jennie Bates, and the children born to them are Blanche L., Elmer Fay, Elsie May, Congress, Winifred and an infant daughter. E. Nora, daughter of our subject, is the wife of Lewis Coy, a grocer of Dayton, and they have two children : Ethel May and Herbert. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have been members of the Reformed church of Beaver Creek and are people of the highest respectability, whose circle of friends and acquaintances is extensive. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, but at local elections votes for the man best qualified for office regardless of party lines. He has never cared for political honors, though he takes a deep interest in public affairs as every true American citizen should. HUGH HARVEY McMILLAN. A retired farther now living in Cedarville, Hugh Harvey McMillan is a native of South Carolina, his birth having occurred in Chester county, that state, February 20, 1831. As the name indicates the family is of Scotch lineage. Hugh McMillan, the great-grandfather of our subject, was among those who fled from Scotland at the time of the religious persecution. He was connected with John McMillan, who organized the societies known as the Peoples Society. Hugh McMillan, Sr., removed to County Antrim, Ireland, where the grandfather, who bore the name of Hugh, was born in 1750. He married Jane Harvey and their first son, Daniel, was born in 1776. Owing to the requirement of the government which compelled people of all denominations to pay for the support of the established church of England—the Episcopalian—he left Ireland for America 'in company with Alexander Kell, the father of Rev. John Kell, William Rock and one or two others, in 1797, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina, after a three months voyage. They made their way to Camden, Kershaw district, and remained there for some months. Learning that there were a few families of Covenanters located on Rocky creek, in Chester district, about thirty miles distant, all went there and located. During that year they sent for their respective families, whom they were to meet at Charleston. All arrived safely after a voyage of nine weeks. Daniel McMillan was then about ten years of age. Mary, John, David and Gavin were the other children of Hugh McMillan who crossed the atlantic from Ireland, while James and Hugh were afterward born on the farm which the grandfather first bought and on which lie lived and died, four miles west of the old brick church, near which he was buried. He passed away in 1818. John McMillan, the father of our subject, was born on the Emerald Isle and when five years of age was brought to America, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 829 the family settling in Chester county, South Carolina. He came to Ohio in 1832 and remained in Cedarville township; upon the old home farm, which he purchased, until his death. He bought three hundred acres, nearly all of which was wild land, but this Ile improved, erecting good buildings and cultivating his fields, so that the tract soon became productive. This farm is still known as the McMillan property and is n0w owned by our subject. John McMillan married Martha Chestnut, a daughter of James Chestnut, -who was an officer of the Revolutionary war. He had two brothers, Alexander and William, and their mother bore the maiden name of Jannette Brown. When the colonies attempted to throw off the. yoke of British oppression James Chestnut joined the Colonial army, and during the war he was captured and sentenced to be hung by the Tories, the place and time of the execution were fixed upon, but before the deed was done a company of General Washington's soldiers came along and succeeded in capturing a number of his captors. After the war he married Esther Stormont, of Little Rocky Creek, and settled about eight miles north of Rocky Creek, where he spent his remaining days. He was a member of the Reformed Associate church, and his wife belonged to the Reformed Presbyterian church. They had four children, one son and three daughters, but James died in early life. The three daughters became members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Jannette married Daniel McMillan about 1807, and Martha became the wife of John McMillan, February 15, 1809. Esther remained single and after her father's death went to live with her sister Martha. Unto John and Martha McMillan were born nine children, of whom two died in infancy, while our subject and his sister Martha Ann are the only ones now living.. She is Mrs. J. D. Williamson, of Cedarville, her husband being a prominent retired farmer. The parents were consistent members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and when called to their final rest were interred in Massie's creek cemetery. The former was a Whig in his political affiliations. and throughout his business career he carried on general farming and stock-raising.. He died upon the old homestead in Cedarville township in 1881, and his wife passed away January 3, 1860, at the age of sixty-eight years. Reared under the parental roof and early-becoming familiar with the work of the farm, Hugh H. McMillan assisted in the-labors of field and meadow when his attention was not given to acquiring his education. He was a student in the district. schools for some years and spent one winter as a student in the. Xenia high school. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and was thus engaged upon the old homestead place until his retirement from business life. By purchase he added to his. property, which he greatly improved by the erection of a new residence and other improvements of a substantial nature. In 1887 he put aside the plow and took up his abode. in Cedarville, where he has since rested from. his labors in a very pleasant home. Mr. McMillan was married December 24, 1851, to Abigail J. Winter, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Winter, who were early settlers of this county and here lived and died, the father following the occupation of farming. Mrs. McMillan departed this life on the old. farmstead in 1881. She was 830 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. the mother of five children : Anna L., the wife of Rev. Smiley, of Sparta, Illinois; John C., who died in 1890; a daughter who died in infancy ; James C., who is in the tele, phone and furniture business in South Charleston, Ohio; and Gavin R., who married Minnie Alexander, of Clifton, and resides at home, his attention being given to the farm work. He has three children, Ethel, Harvey Alexander and Wilbur. On the 4th of March, 1884, Mr. McMillan was .again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah M. Jackson, a daughter of John Hammond, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1808, living in Harrison county. Both he and his wife died there at an advanced age. For many years Mr. McMillan has been a member and elder of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He is also the treasurer of the Cedarville College. He is now serving as a member of the building committee under whose direction a new house of worship is being erected, and he gives a great deal of time and attention to the church work and is a liberal contributor to its support. In his political views he is a Prohibitionist. He is an honorable and upright man, who has lived at peace with his fellow men. He has never had a law suit or been sued, but has paid his debts promptly, met all obligations fully, and by genuine worth has commanded the respect and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. THE ST. JOHN FAMILY. John and Noah St. John, two brothers, who were of French parentage, came from England to America probably about the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in Dutchess county, New York. In 1770 John St. John married Anna Lockwood in Dutchess county. A few years later when the country became involved in war with England in an attempt to sever all allegiance to the British crown, he joined the army and aided in winning American independence. Some time between 1788 and 1798 he and his wife came to Ohio, settling first in Hamilton county,. and in 1803 removed to Warren county, this state, locating on a farm near Fort Ancient. Unto them were born ten children : Job, who died in childhood ; Ann Bethiah, who married a Mr. Huron and removed to Hendricks county, Indiana; John, who spent his life near Lebanon, Ohio; Mary, who became the wife of Samuel Thomas and lived near South Charlestown, in Clark county, Ohio; Sarah ; James, who settled near Morrow, Warren county, Ohio, and some of his descendants are yet living, including ex-Governor St. John, 0f Kansas ; Seth ; Nathaniel; and Joseph, who spent his life 0n the old home farm near Fort Ancient, Ohio, where his father first located. He had six children, of whom three are now living. John St. John, the fourth member of the family, whose record has just been given above, was born November 28, 1778, and married Rhoda Wood. They became the parents of nine children. Daniel, the eldest, married Eliza Bone and removed to Greene county, Ohio, in 1828. He located in Caesarscreek township, where his descendants are still living. He had eleven children : Cyrus, Joseph, John, William, Morgan, Ann, Charles, Jeniah, Jane, Wilson and Raper. Of this family Cyrus married Dorothy Hickman and lived in Jay county, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 831 Indiana, where he reared a family of nine children: Milt0n, Wesley, Kate, Loranso, Josephine, Raper, Morton, Lillian and Frank. Joseph, the second member of the family, married Julia McNair and they had four children : Ward, Daniel, Kate and Pearl. John, the third member of the family of Daniel St. John, married Phoebe Hiney and they had eleven children: Thomas, Martha, Morgan, Lavina, Frank, Emma, William, Grant, Alva, Lavona (who died in infancy) and Oscar. William, the fourth son of Daniel St. John, married Elizabeth Smith, and their children were Eva, Alfred and Maggie. Morgan, the fifth member of the family of Daniel St. John, married Eliza Beam and they had ten children : Anna, who died after becoming the wife of David Ford; Alvah; Lodema; William, who died in childhood; Ada ; Ella; Arthur ; Dora; Everette and Bertha. Ann became the wife of James McNair and lived at Dunkirk, Indiana, and they had three children : Martha, Emma and Anna. Charles, the seventh member of the family, married Martha Peterson and they had eight children : Estella, who died in infancy; Belle; Otis ; Pliney; Lillie, who died in childhood; Elmer; Daisy, who died after reaching young womanhood; and Jennie. Jeniah married Mary Hook and they had nine children : Clarence; Lewis; Walter; Mina; Amy; Robert, who died in infancy; James; Maude and Clara. Jane, the youngest daughter of Daniel St. John, became the wife of Frank Peterson and lives near Coffeyville, Kansas, and their children are Effie; Ann; Orie, who died after becoming the wife of Frank Day ; Carrie; Wilson and Edward. Wilson, the tenth member of the family of Daniel St. John, married Corilla Hook and lived at Dunkirk, Indiana; their children were Olive; Mary; and Oscar, who died in infancy; Burnice, who died in girlhood ; Solon; Eunice; Homer, who died in boyhood; and Howard. Raper, the youngest of the family, married Alice Smith, and unto them one daughter was born, Myrtle. Of the family of Daniel St. John there are now living one hundred and fifty-two descendants, including nine children, fifty-nine grandchildren, seventy-five great-grandchildren,, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Jeniah F. St. John, to whom we are indebted for the history of the family, was the eighth child of Daniel W. and Eliza (Bone) St. John, and was born June 27, 1842, upon the farm which he now owns. He was educated in this county and has always resided here with the exception of the time which he spent in the army. In October, 1861, lie enlisted at Xenia as a private of Company A, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Nealey's Bend, Nashville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and also present at the time of the surrender of Johnston. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Dennison, in July, 1865, as first sergeant and then returned to his home. Mr. St. John resumed farming upon the old family homestead, here he has since carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married August 23, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Hook, a native of. Greene county, and a daughter of Louis and Minerva (Lloyd), 832 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Hook, both of whom died during the early girlhood of their daughter. In their family were five children : Mrs. Mira Stowe; Thomas, who joined the Union army as a private of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry and came out as sergeant major, and died in 1900 ; Mrs. St. John ; John, who 'is living in Indiana ; and Martha, who died in 1901. She was the wife of Wilson St. John, who served in Company A, of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war. Mr. St. John is a Republican in his political views and for six years served as trustee of his township. He is an honored member of Lewis Post, G. A. R., of Xenia, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now one of the stewards. Unto Jeniah St. John and his wife have been born nine children : Clarence S., a contractor and builder of Dayton, Ohio, who married Daisy Heaton, of that place; Lewis E., an attorney at law at Piqua, who married Nora Wilkinson ; Walter C., a resident of Silvercreek township, Greene county, who married Cora Sutton and has two children, Edith and Elbert ; Mary E. and Amy, who are residents of Xenia ; Robert, who died in infancy ; James, a resident of Caesarscreek township, who married Ona Milburn ; Maude and Clara, at home. The farm comprises one hundred and three acres of good land, on which Mr. St. John is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. The house and barn upon the place he has erected himself, the former in 1897 and the latter in 1892. There are excellent improvements and equipments upon this place, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner. GEORGE J. SINZ. George J. Sinz, who is now deceased, lived an honorable and upright life and won that untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He was one of four children of Bernhardt V. and Kresenzia (Immler) Sinz. His father was born in Kinnelbach, Germany, on the 14th of February, 1830, and on crossing the Atlantic to the United Stales located in Greene county, Ohio, where he took up his abode in the fall of 1853. Here he was engaged in farming.. He had previously learned the baker's trade, and after carrying on agricultural pursuits for some time he removed to Xenia, where he purchased a home and established a bakery. In the conduct of that enterprise he met with success, carrying on business there for a number of years. He thus accumulated considerable wealth and was accounted one of the enterprising merchants of the place. He died on the 31st of January, 1885, leaving a widow and four children, who yet survive him. Mr. Sinz, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia in the year 1862, and acquired an excellent education, which he pursued in the common and high schools of this. city, while later he pursued a commercial course in the Dayton Business College. Immediately thereafter he entered upon his business career, accepting a clerkship in a grocery store, where he remained for several years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of that branch of business. In 1885 he established a grocery on his own account and became a model merchant. His store was neat and attractive in appearance, his business methods were- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 835 straight forward and above suspicion, and owing to his honorable dealing and earnest desire to please his customers he secured a large patronage. Successfully. did he carry on business until 1889, when on account of ill health he disposed of his stock and retired to private life. Mr. Sinz was united in marriage on the 6th of October, 1885; to Miss Ida Savilla Lutz, a daughter of John and S ilia( Woolford) Lutz. The father, John Lutz, is one of the honored pioneers of Greene county, and has long been connected with industrial interests of Xenia. In 1855 he began business here as a wagon and carriage-maker and conducted his shop for many years. Both he and his wife were of German lineage. Her grandfather, however, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, near Millersburg, in 1802. In the Spring of 1826 he married Frances Moudy, a native of Williamsport, Maryland, and at an early .epoch in the development of Greene county, Ohio, they became residents of this portion of the state. Mrs. Sinz was one of a family of six children. In 1895 she was called upon to mourn the loss of her husband, who: departed this life on the 15th of March, his remains being interred in the Woodland cemetery. Many friends were left to,mourn his loss, for during the years of his business career in Xenia he had formed a wide acquaintance and gained the high regard of all with. whom he had been brought in contact. His worth Was widely acknowledged, and his life record contains many elements that are worthy of emulation. Since the death of her> husband Mrs. Sinz has engaged in the millinery, business, embarking in this line of activity on the 17th of March, 1897. Her store is located in the Steele building on the site formerly occupied by her husband's grocery prior to the erection of the present building. By her perseverance, good taste. and well selected stock she has secured an excellent trade and is without doubt recognized as the leading milliner of Xenia. Her home is at No. 333 West Market street. In the management of her store she displays excellent business and executive force as well as excellent taste, and her labors are being crowned with a richly merited success. REV. WILLIAM S. McCLURE. For five years the Rev. William S. McClure has been pastor of the Third United Presbyterian church of Xenia. This denomination is a particularly strong one in this portion of Ohio and its influence is being constantly extended through the zealous efforts of capable preachers of the. word, such as Rev. McClure. Broad intellectually, a ready sympathy and consecrated effort have made his labors a potent force in promoting the growth of the church and the moral 'development of the community and throughout Xenia his labors are appreciated by all. who have regard for, truth and right. Rev. McClure is a representative of an old and prominent family of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, 'Dr. Robert McClure, of Washington, that state, was of Quaker extraction, and a practitioner of medicine. His skill and ability won him confidence and his practice extended throughout the western counties. of Pennsylvania and through eastern Virginia and Ohio. He made long trips on horse back, often traveling as much as fifty miles in a single night. 836 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Robert B. McClure, the father of. our subject, was the eldest son of Dr. McClure and was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1818... 'There he acquired his early 'education and later completed a course in the Washington. and Jefferson. College. He was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of West Middletown, Pennsylvania, and for thirty-five years he held the office of justice of the peace and also held other official positions. As a public official he' made it his aim to keep all cases out of the courts if the differences could possibly be settled otherwise. He had the distinction of building the first threshing. and cleaning machine inanufac tured in the United States, the work . being executed in West Middletown, where he for one-half a century manufactured his machine on account of which, he was widely known. His activity in commercial and political circles made him a leading and valued resident of that portion of the state. For years before his death he had held membership in. the United Presbyterian church of West Middletown. He married Letitia Templeton and they became the parents of eleven children, of whOrn nine are living. Mrs. McClure died October 3o, 1873, and Mr. McClure on the loth of April, 1899. Rev. McClure of this review was born in West 'Middletown, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1853, and acquired his literary education in Westminster College of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1880. he was grad-natal from the Allegheny Theological Seminary, and later took a post graduate course at the Theological Seminary of Xenia, Ohio: He was licensed to preach in April, 1880, and on the 4th of January, 1881, was Ordained and installed as pastor of the Sugar Creek. congregation, Xenia Presbytery, where he remained until April, 1893, his work there being very successful. He then accepted the pastorate of the United Presbyterian' church at Greeley, Colorado, where the following four years were passed. At the end of that time he returned to Xenia as pastor of the Third United Presbyterian church, and has now been in charge of the work of that congregation since 1897., During this period the church has grown along many lines and he hai the confidence and love of his own people and the high esteem of those of other denominations. He is now financial secretary of the board of managers of the Xenia Theological Seminary. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon Mr. McClure by Monmouth College . of Monmouth, Illinois, at a recent meeting of the senate. On the 14th of August, 1883, Rev. McClure was united in marriage to Miss Nannie I. Imbrie, a daughter of De Lorme Imbrie, a prominent attorney of Beaver, Pennsylvania, and two children, Margaret Carman and Mary Letitia have come to bless their home. JOHN H. KOOGLER. This well known farmer of Greene county and honored veteran of the Civil war was born in 'Beavercreek township on the 16th of July, 1842, and there has 'spent almost his entire life, his time and attention being principally deVoted to agricultural pursuits. His father, Sol- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 837 omon K. Koogler, was also born in Beavercreek township, February 18, 1813, near Byron, and as the schools in the. locality were very few and poor during his boyhood his educational advantages were necessarily limited. At an early age he worked three months for Henry Jacoby, of Xenia township, and subsequently worked off and on at the carpenter's trade with his brother for a time, but later gave up that trade entirely and turned his attention exclusively to farming. He received fifty acres of land from his father's estate, it being the place now occupied by our subject, and he gradually added to it until he had one hundred and forty acres. He gave' his attention principally to the raising of cereals, and for a few years was also interested in stock-raising; keeping cattle, hogs and a large number of sheep. On the 3d of September, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Jones, a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four sons, namely : John H., of this review ; George W., deceased, who married Martha Vancleff, of Beavercreek township ; Thomas j.; who married Sarah Westfall and lives not far from our subject's home ; and Jacob N., who died October 10, 1888. John H. Koogler acquired his early education in the district school located one mile east of where he now lives, and there he pursued his studies for three months during the winter until he reached the age of twenty years. During the remainder of the time he gave his father the benefit of his labors in operating the home farm until his marriage. In the meantime the Civil war broke out, and in 1862 Mr. Koogler enlisted in Company F, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer In fantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and with which he participated in many important. engagements, including the battle of Chattanooga ; Perryville, October 8, 1862; and Stone River, which was fought on the last day of the year, the rebels leaving there on New Years day. The next engagement in which our subject took part was at Hoover's Gap, Tennessee, in the spring of .1863 ; the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863; Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain above the clouds and Missionary Ridge. He was with Sherman at Dalton, Georgia, and on the famous march to the sea, and participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., at the close of the war, being mustered out of service in that city in 1865. Mr. Koogler was married June 1, 1871, to Miss Christina Warner, a native of Bath township, this county, where her parents, Henry and Harriet (Casad) Warner, were also born. She is the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being as follows : George and Fairfield, both residents of Greene county ; Paul P., who lives at the old home about two miles north of where- our subject now resides; Henry Grove, a resident of Beavercreek township; Sophia C.,. wife of Samuel Dellinger, who lives hear Fairfield ; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth Jane, wife of Benjamin Nichols, of Darken county, Ohio ; Ann, wife of John Welsh, of. Bath township; and Aaron and John, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Koogler have no children.  After his marriage Mr. Koogler rented a farm of one' hundred and twenty-eight acres and successfully engaged in farming on his own account, operating that place six years. He then removed Dayton, but soon returned to the old neighborhood, 838 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. where he remained three years, and in 1883 located upon his present farm. After renting the place for four or five years his father gave him seventy acres, and to the improvement and cultivation of that tract he has since devoted his energies with marked success. He has remodeled the house, built a barn and made many other useful improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. He is a thorough and systematic farmer and a man highly respected, and esteemed by all who know him. At national elections he votes the Democratic ticket, but is not bound by party ties at local elections where no issue is involved, but supports the men whom he believes best qualified for office. RICHARD J. FOWLER. Richard J. Fowler, one of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of Cedarville township, was born in Union county, South Carolina, on the 14th of March, 1842, and is a son of Edward Fowler, his parents having lived' and died in that state. Our subject was left an orphan when a small boy, and was then bound out, remaining in his native state until he was twenty-one years of age. He began learning the millwright's trade, but did not follow it to any great extent, for he found agricultural pursuits more congenial. On attaining his majority Richard J. Fowler came to Ohio, settling in Cedarville township, Greene county, where he: was employed as a common laborer until the year 1867, when, desiring to engage in business on his own account that his labors might redound to his own prosperity, he rented a. small farm in the same township and began. agricultural pursuits for himself. For seven. years he remained upon that property and then purchased land at sixty dollars per acre He is still living- upon his original purchase.. The first tract that he owned comprised .only' five acres, but as his financial resources in creased he has added to this from time to time until he now owns seventy-eight acres. in the home farm. He remodeled the house, which is now a large stone residence neatly furnished, making a very comfortable residence. Upon the place are commodious barns and. good outbuildings, and Mr. Fowler is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In addition to the home property he owns a farm of seventy-six acres on the Columbus pike, known as the John B. Squires farm. This has also a good set of buildings upon it and the land' is all tinder cultivation. He has Continuously carried on his farm work since coming to this county with the exception of the period of his service in the Civil war. He was a. member of the Ohio militia in 1863 and was called out with his company at the time of the Morgan raid in this state. The command was encamped at Camp Chase for ten days, but did not take. an active part in. any warfare, for Morgan did not continue his Plan to invade this section, of Ohio. Mr. Fowler then returned to his home, resuming the work of the farm. In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Martha Ellen Silva, a native of Greene county., Ohio, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Jeffreys) Silva, both of whom are now deceased and were laid to rest in Cedarville township. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 839 followed farming during much of his active life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been born ten children, all of whom are yet living : Mary Elizabeth, at home; Robert McMillan, who married Regenia Spencer, of Buffalo, New York, and is in the employ of a railroad company, living in Buffalo; Laura Ellen, at home ;/Annie M., who is secretary of the mission school conducted by the Presbyterian church in Augusta, Georgia ; Jennie Ethel, who is a teacher in the graded .schools of Columbia, Missouri; William Leonard, who is now attending college; Clarence Edward ; Carrie, Helen and Howard Sprowl, who are all attending school ; and Edith Irene, at home. All of the children were born in Cedarville township, and have enjoyed the advantages afforded by the public schools. Mr. Fowler is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, with which he has been identified for thirty-five years, and is now chairman of the board of trustees. In his political views he is a Republican, and, while he strongly endorses the principles of the party, he has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his entire attention to his business affairs in which he has prospered as the years have gone by. WILBUR F. TRADER. Wilbur F. Trader, who for several years has been engaged in the practice of law in Xenia, was born in that city on the 27th of December, 1847, and he is one of a family of nine children, whose parents were Alfred and Lucinda (Robinson) Trader. Of this number seven grew to maturity, while five are yet living. The parents were numbered among the representative citizens of Greene county, and the former was born in Ross township, the latter in Sugarcreek township, She was a granddaughter of the Rev. Joshua Carman, one of the first Baptist ministers of this portion of the state, while the grandfather of our subject on the paternal side Was one of the first representatives of the Methodist ministry to preach in southern Ohio. Moses Trader, the grandfather, was born in Virginia in 1787, and came to Greene county prior to 1800. In connection with his ministerial work he carried on mercantile business in Xenia and also engaged in farming until 1838.. Two .years later he removed to Missouri, where his death occurred. His son, the father of our subject, acquired his early education in the public schools, and in his younger years engaged in farming. He afterward embarked in merchandising in Xenia, where, he carried on business until 1838. In 1840 he was elected county treasurer and filled that position for twelve consecutive years, a fact which indicates that the trust reposed in him was never betrayed. Immediately after his retirement from office he was made cashier of the Xenia Branch Bank and for two decades filled that position, the success of the institution being attributable in no small degree to his efforts. He at length resigned his position in the hank and lived retired until his .death, which occurred in March, 1883. His wife survived him a short time, passing away January 27, 1887. Wilbur F. Trader, the subject of this review, acquired his education in the schools of Xenia, and took up the study of law under the direction of Judge Munger, being 840 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. admitted to the bar in 1877, since which time he has engaged in active practice. He has also been an active factor in public affairs. In 1880 he was elected mayor of Xenia; four years later was again chosen to that office; and was once more elected in 1886. Ih 1888 he was elected prosecuting attorney and filled that position for two terms. Mr. Trader was united in marriage to Miss Katharine E. Short, a daughter of A. A. Short, a physician of Franklin county. Ohio. They have one daughter, Olive. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church and in his political views Mr. Trader has always been a Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the party. HENRY CONKLIN. One of Greene county's. most prosperous farmers and highly respected citizens was Henry Conklin, who was a resident of this locality for thirty-five years and was prominently identified with its agricultural development. A native of New York, he was born in Rensselaer county, on the l0th of January, 1817, and is a son. of Abraham. and Huldah (Carmichael) Conklin, the former of Holland and the latter of Scotch descent. The father was also born in the Empire state and spent his entire life within two miles of the Hudson river. By trade he was a ship. carpenter and assisted Robert Fulton in building the first steamboat that was ever constructed, but his later years were devoted tc farming. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years, while his wife, who passed away some years previous, died at the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth.. Four of the number are still living. John C. Conklin, the oldest son, was a member of an Illinois Cavalry regiment during the Civil war and was killed in an engagement in Virginia. Edward B., another son, now living a retired life on a fruit farm in California, followed school teaching in early manhood, and later engaged in banking. He also took quite a prominent part in public affairs and was at one time a member df the California senate. Volney B. Conklin, another son of Abraham, is a Baptist minister residing with his family in Minnesota. Until twenty-six years of age Henry Conklin of this review remained in eastern New York, and was indebted to the common schools of that state for his educational advantages. He assisted in the operation of the home farm until seventeen years of age, and then commenced learning the trade of a wagon maker, which he followed during the succeeding nine years in New York. Coming to Ohio in 1843, he first settled in Lumberton, Clinton county, where he. worked at his trade for five or six years, and then turned his attention to farming. Thirty-five years ago he .removed to Greene county and purchased a farm in Xenia township, which is a valuable place of five hundred and thirty-three acres on the Columbus pike. When it came into his possession, however, it was only partially improved, but he made it one of the most desirable farms in the county,. placing the land under excellent cultivation and erected thereon good and substantial buildings and remodeled the residence. Here he carried on general farming and stock-raising, and met with most gratifying success in his undertakings. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 841 In 1847 in Greene county was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Conklin and Miss Mary Davis, a daughter of William Davis, who was an early settler of this region, having come from Pennsylvania when this county was almost an unbroken wilderness: Here he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-two years :at his home in Xenia, where he was then living a retired life. Unto Mr. `and Mrs. Conklin were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, as follows : (1) Mary Elizabeth married Mathew H. Corry, now deceased, who was a farmer of Xenia: township, and she died at the age of thirty-six years. (2) Volney, a farmer of Jefferson township, this county, married Elora Johrison of Bowersville, a daughter of Robert Johnson. (3) James A., born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1852, aids in the operation of the home farm, where his entiire life has been passed with exception of ten years spent in Nebraska. (4) Edward L. married Flora Haughey and is now living in Illinois. He is also an agriculturist." (5) Ella married Howard Corry, of Jefferson township, this county, and died leaving two children, Herman C. and Ernest E. (6) Sarah I. is the widow of J. E. Lowry, of Cedarville, Greene county, and has one child, Hazel Virginia, living with her mother on the farm. (7) Roscoe resides with his mother on the farm. (8) Ar thur, a farmer and stock-raiser living on the Columbus pike, married Nancy Filson, and has one son, Earl Henry. (9) Eva Estella is the wife of Harry Steele, who lives on a farm near the old homestead. Although a public-spirited and progressive citizen, Mr. Conklin never cared for political office but took an active interest in all that tended to advance the welfare or improve the community in which he lived. His life was ever such as to command the confidence and respect of all with whom he was brought in contact, and he had a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout his adopted county. In , his death, which occurred July 14, 1902, the community realized that it had lost one of its best and most valued citizens. THE XENIA REPUBLICAN. The Xenia Republican was founded in 1879 by Warren Anderson, Esq., formerly mayor of Xenia, and subsequently superintendent of the Miami Telephone Company. In 1880 Mr. J. M. Milburn became associated with Mr. Marshall in the publication of the Republican, and in the following year Mr. John A. Beveridge, who had just disposed of his interest in the old Xenia. Torchlight, succeeded Mr. Milburn. From that time until the death of Mr. Beveridge, in May, 1900, a period of nineteen years, the business was continued under the firm name of Marshall & Beveridge. A few months afterwards the interest of the deceased was sold to the surviving partner, and the establishment has since been conducted under the name of the Marshall & Beveridge Company. The Xenia Republican is published every Tuesday afternoon. It is a nine-column folio, and, as the name imports, is devoted to the principles of the Republican party, without, at the same time, subordinating an independent expression of views upon . all subjects that do not jeopardize party unity, which, to be right, must proceed from the largest latitude of discussion. In Connection with the newspaper office is a complete 842 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. and efficient job printing plant, supplied with all modern equipments and the latest designs in type, which enables it to guarantee service in that line which can not be excelled by any office located in cities of proportionate size. The Women's Missionary Magazine of the United Presbyterian church is also. published in connection with this office, and has a circulation in nearly every state in the Union. HUGH A. ALEXANDER. Upon the farm where his birth occurred on the l0th of March, 1827, Hugh A. Alexander still resides. His parents were Jacob and Margaret (Alexander) Alexander, and both were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Kentucky at an early day. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Hugh Alexander, who about 1811 purchased one thousand acres of land in Greene county, Ohio, a portion of which is now the beautiful homestead of Hugh A. Alexander. About 1817 the father of our subject came to this county and located on the land which his father had previously bought. He here. erected a log cabin and made for himself a good home in Miami township. It was here that he met the lady whom he afterward married, and upon this place, in the first cabin which was erected by Jacob Alexander, the subject of this review was born. The farm at this time consisted of about two hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which Mr. Alexander partially improved, but he died at a comparatively early age, passing away in 1838. He was a Democrat in politics and a man of genuine worth. His widow survived him until and died upon one portion of the original old home place at the age of over seventy years. She was the mother of ten children, of whom our subject is the sole survivor: Hugh A. Alexander was reared upon the home farm and here has spent his entire life.. He is indebted to the public schools of the county for the limited educational privileges he enjoyed, the parents of the scholars having to pay a portion of the tuition in money, while each had to furnish a proportionate amount of the stove wood. Since taking charge of the farm he has made many improvements, including the erection of a large and substantial building: In his fields are seen good crops and in his pastures' stock of high grades. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful supervision of a progressive owner. In 1860 Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Caroline Stahl, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when.- a small child with her parents. They resided ih Dayton, Ohio, where the father died, but the mother is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have been born eleven children, of whom ten are still living. John, an insurance agent residing in Topeka, Kansas, is married and has five children. Cynthia is the wife of Jacob Johnson, of Yellow Springs. Margaret is at home. Jacob, now a farmer of Oklahoma, wedded Miss Merrell and they have two children, Emmet and Wiley. Hugh, who operates the home farm, married Flora Raney and they have one child, Eleanor. Minnie is the wife of Riley McMillan and they have three children, Ethel, Harvey and Wilber. Anna is at home. Abbie is the wife of S. A. Rahn, a merchant of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 845 they have one child, Ralph. William is a merchant of Yellow Springs. Arthur is still under the parental roof. Walter died at the age of eleven years. All of the children were born upon the home farm and all in one house. Mr. Alexander has witnessed nearly all of the improvements made in Greene county and has done his share in making the county what it is to-day. He is now living a retired life, having through many years been identified with agricultural pursuits whereby he has gained a comfortable competence that enables him to put aside all labor. WILLIAM C. WILLIAMSON. William C. Williamson is a well known farmer of Sugarcreek township, intelligent, enterprising and progressive. His birth occurred in this township January 20, 1857, his parents' being Joseph C. and Mary Eleanor (Cramer) Williamson. The father was born in Washington township, Greene county, August 22, 1827, and was a son of Eleazer and Susannah (McNutt) Williamson, who were among the early settlers of the Buckeye state, the grandmother being the first white woman to cross the Ohio, river at Cincinnati. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life Joseph Williamson was reared, and after arriving at years of maturity he was married in Greene county by the Rev. Stewart, on the 1st of January, 1856, to Miss Mary E. Cramer, who was born June 24, 1829. He followed farming in Sugarcreek township, Greene county, and in Montgomery county, his farm lying on both sides of the division line. He had about two hundred and thirty acres of land and was a representative agriculturist of the community: He passed the psalmist span of three scare years and ten, passing away January 10, 1898, while his wife died on the 29th of November of the same year. Our subject was the eldest of their family, the others being Robert E., of Montgomery county, who married Mary Allen and has two children : Joseph A., of the same county, who wedded May Elliott and has one child; Maggie E., who became the wife of Howard Woods and died in Greene county, leaving one son, Herman; Charles E. of Greene county, who married Nellie Fulkerson and has one child; and Thomas A. of Montgomery county, who married Jennie Bradford and has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson held membership in the United Presbyterian church and politically he was a Republican but was never an office seeker. Upon the home farm William: C. Williamson spent his boyhood days, working in the fields and meadows from the time of early. spring planting until after the crops were harvested in the autumn. During the winter months he pursued his education in the public schools. He remained with his father until twenty years of age when he began farming on his own account on his father's land; and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he sought Miss, Lucy Morris, their wedding being celebrated in Sugarcreek township, December 24, 1885. The lady was born in this township, a daughter of William S. and Mary (Pence) Morris, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have been born son, Calvin Morris, whose birth occurred October 19, 1899. Mr. Williamson fully realizes the duties and obligations of citizenship and rightly believes that every man should give an earnest 846 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. support to the political party which embodies, in his opinion, the best forms of government. Since casting his first vote for Garfield in 1880 he has been .a Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and his wife to the Christian or Disciples' church, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school and also a leader of the music of the Sunday-school in the Christian church in Sugarcreek township. Both take an active interest in church work and their efforts have been effective in its advancement. Mr. Williamson belongs to the Grange at Waynesville. In his farming operations he is persevering,,, diligent and honorable and well does he merit the success which has come to him. WILLIAM S. MORRIS. William Spinning Morris was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, February 17, 1811, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Spinning) Morris. The Morris family came originally from England. Isaac Morris, the grandfather of our subject, lived in Morristown, New Jersey, prior to and during. the Revolutionary war, and during that contest he served as a private with the minute men of the Morris county, New Jersey, militia. He married Rebecca Hathaway and they became the parents of five sons, and two 'daughters, of whom Benjamin, born February 202 1774, was the second child. At the close of the Revolutionary war the family removed to the Northwest Territory, as Ohio was then called. The route chosen was by way of Pennsylvania, and several weeks were required in making the overland journey, through the wilderness and over the mountains to Redstone, near Pittsburg. After tarrying there for a few months they embarked on a flatboat with all their possessions and floated down the Ohio river, landing at Columbia., near Cincinnati, in the year 1790. This site was afterward abandoned because of the frequent overflow of the river, and they went north ten or twelve miles to a place called Round Bottom, on the Little Miami river. In order to, protect themselves against the Indians they at once began the erection of a fort. Benjamin Morris, then sixteen years of age, assisted in its construction. A small patch of ground was cleared and such grain as they: had brought with them was planted. While' at 'work, whether sowing or reaping, two men were kept on duty as sentinels, yet the settlement suffered from. occasional attacks by the Indians until after General Wayne's, successful campaign in 1795. To add to their hardships smallpox broke out among them and carried off several of their number, including the young wife and infant child of Benjamin Morris. He had married a Miss Tichener. Jacob, the eldest son of Isaac Morris, joined St. Clair's forces against the Indians: and was among the victims of that awful defeat. When General Wayne was organizing his army Benjamin Morris removed: from the fort and enlisted as a pack-horse man, thus taking part in the campaign. After peace had been established Isaac and Benjamin Morris removed from the fort. The former purchased a tract, of land about four miles west of Lebanon, Warren county. He died in' his eighty-eighth year. He was a man of small stature and somewhat original in his religious views. Benjamin Morris bought a farm. a short distance north of that purchased by his father and occupied it throughout his remain- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 847 ing days. He wedded; for his second wife, Mary Spinning, a daughter of Matthias and Hannah (Haines.) Spinning, who lived about two miles west of Lebanon. The Spinning& trace their ancestry to Humphrey Spinning, who came to America in 1639 with the Puritans. He was one of the founders of Elizabeth, New Jersey, in the year 1665. He was married. October 14, 1657, to Abigail, daughter of George and Mary Hubbard, and :his death occurred in 1689. He was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters, including Edward, the father of Matthias Spinning. The last named was born in thee year 1750 and died in 1830. He had three brothers .and two sisters, including Judge Isaac Spinning, of Montgomery county, Ohio. Matthias. Spinning was a quiet and peaceable man of sterling worth. He served in the Revolutionary war as a private minute man of the Essex county, New Jersey, militia, and suffered much for the cause of American liberty. He and his .brother Isaac were captured and carried to New York, where they were confined for several months Within the loathsome walls of what was called the Sugar House, famous as a place of confinement for the American prisoners of war. The children of Benjamin and Mary (Spinning) Morris were ten in number five sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of this review was the eighth in order, of birth. The father died in 1861 at the home of this son, near Bellbrook, Greene county, whither he had come on a visit. After the death of his wife, Mary Spinning, he had married again, the third union being with Sarah Weaver, of White county, Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm, where his boyhood days were also spent. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools. The first schoolhouse in which he was a. student was a log structure with slab seats. Sections of the logs were cut out and the apertures covered with greased paper, which served as windows. Writing desks were made of slabs laid on pins driven into the wall. Only quill pens were used. His early education was afterward supplemented by study in the schools of Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Morris was a good student in all branches, but showed particular aptness in mathematics and geography. He began teaching school at the age of twenty years and followed. that profession for eleven years, mostly Warren and Butler counties, Ohio, with a short period in Richmond, Indiana. During that time he :also studied civil engineering and land surveying, and in the former capacity was employed on the Warren county canal for about three years. About 1838, in connection with. others, he surveyed the road from Lebanon to Dayton, also from. Dayton to Springfield. On the 1st of December, 1844, Mr. Morris was united in marriage with Mary Pence, a daughter of and Martha (Hunt) Pence. He then gave all of his attention to farming and land surveying. In 1858, he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Bellbrook,. Greene county,. to which place he and his family removed the same year and on which he spent his remaining days. Politically he was first a Whig and then a Republican. In early life he became a member of the Church of Christ, or Disciples' church, as did his wife,. and throughout the years of his .Christian life hie was deeply interested in church work. and much devoted to the denomination of his Choice. In his home life and personal 848 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. deportment he was gentle and good; and also showed firmness and resolution. He was the father of twelve children, of whom two sons, William: Hay den and Benjamin Franklin, died in infancy, while one daughter, Lucy Elvira, died in early childhood ..and two others, Clara and Abbie, died in .young womanhood. Two sons and five daughters grew to maturity. For these he made every necessary sacrifice to educate and make useful men and women of them. In all this he was ably seconded by his wife, who was ever ready to surrender her own personal comfort that her children might equip themselves as thoroughly as possible for the battle of life. Through his declining years Mr. Morris spent much of his time in reading. At eighty-seven: his mental faculties remained unimpaired and he was interested not only in things pertaining to the welfare of his 'own neighborhood but shared with intelligent appreciation in the larger interests of the country and humanity. He died April 3, 1898, and his wife died October 19, 1886. Their surviving children. were: Olive and Wickliffe Campbell, who reside on the old home place, and the latter has two daughters, Bertha Lucile and Frances; Martha, who became the wife of Samuel E. Raper, -of Dayton, Ohio, and died June 7, 1899, leaving one son, William Morris Raper ; Mary Alice, who became the wife of J. Wilbur Fulkerson, of Spring Valley, 'Ohio., and .died October 13, 1901, leaving an infant son, Morris A. Fulkerson ; Lucy, the wife of W. Calvin Williamson:, who resides near Bellbrook, and by whom she has a son, Calvin Morris; Clara Jerusha, the wife of Frank C. Thomas, who resides near Spring Valley, and by whom she had four children—Olive, now deceased, Homer Morris, George Huber and Margaret; William Spencer, of Dayton, who married Luella A. Scarff and has two sons, William Stanley and Howard Laverne. JOHN B. ALLEN. Honored and respected by all for many years, John B. Allen occupied a most enviable position in the business world of Greene county, becoming one of its wealthy citizens, yet commanding respect not alone because of his success, but also because of the straightforward, honorable policy he ever followed. Although the history of his public career is largely known to residents of Ohio, it is but just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that his business record was ever one that any man might be proud to possess. He advanced steadily step by step until he occupied a position of prominence and trust reached by very few men. Through his entire business career he was ever looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he did not fulfill and standing as an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. But it was not his success alone that made him one of the leading citizens of Greene county. He was honored and respected for his sterling- qualities of manhood which in every land and every clime command respect. He was kindly, generous and upright, freely assisted those who needed aid, was quick to encourage merit and at all