754 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - ROSS TOWNSHIP
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Levi Atkinson, farmer, Selma, is a native of this county ; was born December 5, 1818. July 27, 1848, he was married to Mary B. Phillips, by whom he has had six children: John O., Ann M., Laura, Charles F., Seth M., and Gwenn, all of whom are living, save Charles T., who died May 11, 1861, aged five years. Mr. Atkinson has been farming since 1848. Twelve years preceding that date, he was engaged in buying cattle in the western states, and
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driving them to Pennsylvania. There being no railroads from the place of purchase to the market, he was compelled to drive the stock through. He has a farm of six hundred and seventy-two acres. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are members of the Friends Church.
John O. Atkinson, farmer and minister, was born in Madison County, Ohio, April 21, 1849. At the age of four years he came to this county with his parents, and has resided within its bounds ever since. On the 24th of April, 1870, he was married to Alice Wise. They are the parents of one child, May Wise, born September 21, 1871. Mr. Atkinson has a farm of two hundred acres, on which he lives. he farms to both grain and stock, and deals largely in sheep. In 1879 he sheared one thousand four hundred and seventy sheep, the wool of which weighed 9,828 pounds. During his feeding seasons, he feeds about. nine hundred bushels of corn per mouth. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was raised by Quaker parents, but feeling that he was unconverted, he sought forgiveness of his sins; found peace at a Methodist camp-meeting, held at Gravel Chapel, near Selma, and united with the church at that place, under the labors of Revs. J. Verity and A. W. Tibbitts. This conversion took place January 1, 1870. He immediately began work in the church, by holding prayer-meeting s at school and farm houses. Mr. Atkinson is now preaching in the school-district where he held his first. prayer-meeting. He received his first license to preach, July 20, 1872, and has been expounding the gospel ever since. By invitation of two non-professors of religion, he went to South Solon to preach; the result of which was the organization of a church of eighty-one members, which is still flourishing. Rev. Atkinson has never received a dollar for his ministerial labors. He has been offered money repeatedly for his work, but declined accepting it, saying: "It is the cause of Christ that I ant laboring for, and not for money."
James Ballard, farmer, Grape Grove, is a native of this county, where he was educated; was born May 21, 1836; married, January 12, 1861, to Deborah Gordon, who was born March 10, 1838, and four children are the result of their union, Anna May, Ella, Flora, and Paul H. Our subject has a farm of sixty-four acres, on which he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are members of the Christian Church of Grape Grove, he uniting with that church May 10, 1858, and Mrs. Ballard seven years previous. The school house in which
756 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Mr. Ballard first went to school was made of logs; the seats were made of elm poles, split in the middle, and pins put in for legs. The windows were made the full length of the house, and were twenty inches wide, under which the desks were placed, which were made of slabs, laid on pins. Mr. Ballard's parents, Josiah and Isabella (Miller) Ballard, were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ballard died October 10, 1845, and Mrs. Ballard April 10, 1862.
Jackson Ballard, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of Adams County, Ohio; was born October 25, 1822; came, with his parents, to this county when he was about four years of age, and has been a resident of this county since that time. Married Maggie Taylor, of this county, in May, 1851. Four children are the result of this union: Isaac T., Fannie, Rosa, and Minnie, three of whom survive. Isaac T. was called to eternity at the early age of seventeen years. Mr. Ballard has a farm of three hundred and thirty-five acres, well improved, and farms to both grain and stock. He is one of the most industrious and enterprising men of this county, as is evidenced by his fine farm and excellent stock. he remembers distinctly when this part of the country had no pikes, and when there were no grain reapers except the sickle. He was old enough to work in the harvest field when he saw the first grain cradle that was in this part of the county. The pleasure vehicles were common road wagons and sleds. Turkeys and squirrels were very numerous when he was a boy. There were wild deer in the neighborhood when he was quite a large boy. The school house in which he obtained the early part of his education was a log structure, with slab seats, and with writing-desks made of slabs, laid on pins driven into the wall.
J. H. Brotherton, farmer, Cedarville, is a native of Berkeley County, Virginia; was born May 14, 1825; came to this county, with his parents, October 18, 1835, and has been a resident ever since that time. Married Electa Jane Lawrence September 26, 1850, who bore him seven children, John W., Amelia Josephine, Eugene, Wilbur, Orville, Charles F., and Burt Earl, five of whom are living, John W. and Orville having been called from earth. Amelia J. is married, the others remain unmarried. John Brotherton, father of our subject, died in Delaware County, Indiana, in 1863, and his mother died in the same county, in May, 1879. They were natives of England, and came to America in 1818, locating in Berkeley County, Virginia; left there for Ohio, October 1, 1835;
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arrived at their destination on the 18th of the same month, and remained in this county until 1849, when they went to Indiana. Our subject has a farm of two hundred and seventeen acres, well improved, and farms chiefly to grain at present, previously to stock. Was elected county commissioner in 1865, and held the office until 1871. The new infirmary, and many other county improvements, were made during his administration. He taught school in one of the old school houses, which has long ago given place to the new. He has been a member of the board of education for twenty years, and has been clerk of his school district for the same length of time.
Frederick W. Carper, farmer, Grape Grove, was born in Virginia, November 10, 1815, where he was reared. Married Miss Mariam Ritenour March 15, 1841, who bore hint eleven children Joseph It., Louisa, Scott, Taylor, Hall, Anna B., James M., Mariam, Mercella, Ella, and Lolie; eight living. Joseph died at Washington, D. C., June 2, 1865, of a disease contracted by compulsory exposure, while in the service of his perishing country. Volunteered in 1862; served in Company A, Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Anna and Mariam are also deceased. Mrs. Carper died February 2,. 1871, aged fifty-two years. She was an exemplary member of the Disciple Church, in which faith she died triumphantly. The surviving children, save James, Ella, and Lola, are married, which leaves a small though pleasant family to cheer the father in his declining years. He farmed from early manhood till 1879, when he removed to Grape Grove, where he now lives.
George W. Conner, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of Fayette County. He was born August 24, 1830, and reared and educated in that county. Came to this county in 1856, and was married February 20, 1862, to Mary A. Atkinson, four children being the result of the union : James R. M., Charles E., Lyle Rose, and Paris F., who died June 4, 1871, aged eleven months. Mrs. Conner died October 26, 1872. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church at the time of her death-was formerly a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. She united with that church when about the age of twelve years, at which time she was soundly converted. She died of consumption. Regardless of her suffering she clung to her Christianity, and died triumphantly. Mr. Conner married Mary C. McMorrow May 6, 1873, who bore hint three children, George F., Clara B., and Cordelia C. Of these, two survive.
758 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
George F. died August 4, 1875, aged two months. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. Conner united with the church when about twelve years of age his wife was about thirteen years of age when she joined. Although they were young, they have never regretted having taken that step in Christian life.
James K. Conner, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of Fayette County, and was born January 30, 1822, living in that county till 1847. Was married May 10, 1846, to Rebecca (Mercer) Conner, who bore him five children ; John W., Sarah E., James B., Orange M., and Eli R.; all living. She is a native of Frederick County, Virginia, but was reared in Ohio. Mr. Conner is a farmer, and has also given some attention to horticulture and bees. he has a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, on which he now lives, and it is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Methodist Church, he uniting with the society in 1842, she about 1838. Mr. Conner's conversion was one of permanency and great comfort to him. He has seen times of spiritual darkness, yet he is pressing on to the end of the race, where he feels there is a crown of everlasting life for him. Mrs. Conner is journeying with him, hand in band.
Thomas H. Harper, farmer, Selma, Clarke County, Ohio, is a native of this county ; born March 17, 1834, and has been a resident of this county all his life. Was married to Rilla (Herriman) Harper, January 16, 1865. They have three children living; two deceased; Idella, Ottis, and Henry, survive. Mary and William died at the early age of two years. Their children are all unmarried, and are at home with their parents. Mr. Harper has a farm of six hundred and fifty-six acres well improved; farms chiefly to stock. Mrs. Harper is a member of the Methodist Church. Thomas' father, was a native of Maryland, and came to this county about the year 1804; was married May 17, 1818, to Mary (Sirlott) Harper; and lived in this county the remainder of his life; died January 13, 1878. Mrs. Harper died April 6, 1873. Mr. Harper was a farmer, owning a farm of nine hundred and ninety-five acres. He had five children, William Harrison, Minerva Ann, George W., Thomas H., and Mary L., all of whom are living.
Walker G. Hill, farmer, a native of Virginia, was born January 4, 1842, was partly raised in that state, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1851, locating in the county and township where he now
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lives. He was married, February 18, 1868, to A. M. McFarland, who has borne him seven children : Minnie, Jessie, Edward, Anna, William, Minerva, and Charles; all of whom are living, save Jessie and Anna, who died at quite early ages. Mr. Hill's parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Hill died in that state, in 1873. Mrs. Hill died in this county, April 13, 1875; she was visiting her son, Walker, when she was laid on her death bed and died at his house. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. His parents were members of the Baptist Church.
John Hough, farmer, is a native of this county, where he was reared and educated; was born April 1828, and was married April, 1853, to Evaline (Mercer) Hough, of the same county ; no children. Mr. Hough has a farm of seventy-four acres where he lives; he raises grain and stock. Mrs. Hough is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. Our subject's parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Hough died in that state; Mrs. Hough in Fayette County, Ohio, in the year 1855.
John Hutslar, farmer and cooper, Grape Grove, is a native of Frederick County, Virginia, and was born April 2, 1830. Was twice married; first to Mary A. Gibbins, four children being born to hint, James W., Emily, Mary F., and John Ollie, two of whom survive. John Ollie and Emily have been called to their eternal home. . Mrs. Hutslar also died in 1862. Mr. Hutslar married Ruth M. Evans in 1864. Twelve children were born to them, all of whom are living except one, who died in his early infancy. Mr. Hutslar has a farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which he lives. Tie works at his trade a part of. each winter. He and Mrs. Hutslar are members of the Christian Church. Six of the children are also members of the same denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Hutslar were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Virginia.
Givens Lackey, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia, and was born in June, 1826. He came to this county iii 1829, and he has been a permanent resident since that tune. Was married to Margaret Ann Turnbull, February 7, 1855. They have four children living: James Harvey, Cyrus C., William Hunter, Joseph Clarke; one died in his infancy. Mr. Lackey has a farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres, where he lives, and one of one hundred acres on the Charleston road, two miles from Jamestown. Farms to both grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Lackey
760 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
are members of the United Presbyterian Church-Mr. Lackey uniting in the spring of 1855, Mrs. Lackey some time before. Mr. Lackey's parents were natives of Virginia, and died in this county. Isaac, Givens' father, died September 30, 1850. Mrs. Lackey died November 30, 1872. Mr. Lackey remembers when the wooden plows were in use, and when the mode of threshing grain was with the flail, or tramping it with horses. Tie also remembers seeing wild deer and turkey on the farm where he now lives.
O. Maurice Larkin, farmer, South Charleston, was boro, reared and partly educated in this county; was principally -educated in the Xenia, and Richmond, Indiana, colleges. Was married to Laura Atkinson, March 8, 1874, two children being born to him, Paul Penn and Mary Frances, both living. Mr. Larkin farms to both grain and stock; has a farm of two hundred acres where he lives, and one hundred and twenty acres in Lyon County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Larkin removed to Kansas shortly after they were married, remained there until March, 1879, and then returned to Ohio, where they have since lived. Mr. Larkin spent two years in Alabama before he was married. He and his father took mules to the south for sale.
Jehu McDorman, farmer, Grape Grove, is a native of this county, and was born March 25, 1832. Was married June 6,1861, to Mary E. Rogers, of Fayette County, who was born June 22, 1836, and by whom he had three children, Joseph F., Della, and Maud Belle, all of whom are living. Mr. McDorman has a well improved farm of one hundred and forty-four acres, where he lives, and one of five hundred acres on the county line of Greene and Fayette counties. He remembers when this locality was a dense forest, and when the best school house of this vicinity was a log structure, formerly occupied by a negro family. His father, James McDorman, is a native of North Carolina; was born September 25, 1800. Came to Ohio, and located in Fayette County, where Jeffersonville now stands. There were no white people nearer than thirty miles of that place then, except his father's family, and the families of Thomas and Abner. Mr. McDorman removed to Greene County in 1834, where he lived until 1875, when he went to Clarke County, where he now lives. John, James' father, died in Fayette County. When James came to this county, there were a great many Indians located near where Oldtown now stands. They would often pass his house in going to Chillicothe. He was married in 1828 to
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Susan Cooper. They have reared a family of eight children, all of whom are living, save Harrietta, who died June, 1877. Mr. McDorman's first school house was made of round logs, had no floor, and windows made of greased paper.
Jesse N. McFarland, farmer, Cedarville, was born November 10, 1819, and has been a resident of this county all his life. Was married to Mary A. Harper, September 8, 1842. Seven children are the result of this union: Louisa, Virginia, Anstace, George R.., Alexander II., Charles 0., and Laura A.; Louisa and Virginia deceased. The children are all married but Charles. Mr. McFarland has a farm of three hundred and eighty-five acres, on which he lives. He rents most of his land, and does but little farming. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown. They feel that when they are called from earth, they will reach the home of the redeemed on high.
Hugh McKillip, farmer, Jamestown, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, December 25, 1820, and was reared in that county. Has been twice married ; first, to Margaret Mills, April 10, 1846, and had three children by this union-Esther, Elizabeth, and John W., two of whom are living, Esther being called from earth at the early age of thirteen. Her mother departed this life in July, 1851. Mr. McKillip was married to Mary Kiser, of Clarke County, April 12, 1865. Six children were the result of this marriage : Margaret, Harlow, Lucy May, Jacob, Rachel H., and Effa, three of whom are living; Margaret, Harlow, and Rachel H. deceased. Our subject has a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres, well improved, on which he lives, it being one of the desirable localities of the township, and farms chiefly to grain, though handling some stock. Mrs. McKillip is a member of the Baptist Church society, near Selma.
William Mercer, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of this county, and was born September 22, 1835. Was married, April 4, 1860, to Nancy A. Sheen, of Highland County, who died March 23, 1878, leaving a family of three children, James A., Hattie B., and Emma. Mrs. Mercer was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, in which she lived an exemplary life, having been thoroughly and soundly converted, and died in the triumphs of a living faith. James . is a member of the church in which his mother lived and died. Mr. Mercer has a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, on which he lives, farming chiefly to grain. His children are all at home with him, and are a comfort to hint in the lonely hours of deprivation of his loving wife's society.
762 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Uriah Paullin, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of this county; was born October 14, 1842, and reared and educated in this county; was married to Avy Evens, June 11, 1868, and has two children, Frank W. and Fannie E., both of whom are living. Mr. Paullin has a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres, well improved, on which he lives, farming chiefly to grain. His wife and himself are charter members of the New Light (or Christian) Church of Jamestown. Mr. Paullin had been a student of the Bible some years; and believing the Bible required it, he united with the church. He has been a reader of the Christian Herald for years, which paper was a weekly visitor at his father's house for years, and still continues in his own family.
Ruth V. Paullin, Jamestown, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, December 5,1827, and was married, September 10,1848, to William Paullin, who was killed, June 17, 1864, in the battle of Richmond. He volunteered to fight in defense of his beloved country, and sacrificed his life for the perishing government. Six children are the result of 'their marriage, Florence D., Emma, Josephine, Edgar A., Estella, and Louis, five of whom are living; Florence died February 26,1876. Mrs. Paullin has a farm of eighty-six acres, well improved, on which she lives. Her father, William Vickers, was a. native of Maryland, her mother of West Virginia. Mrs. Paullin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her son Florence was a volunteer in the late war, and was discharged June 5, 1865.
Thomas J. Paullin, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of this county; was born December 23, 1827, and in June, 1855, was married to Sarah E. Gundy, by whom he had four children: Adam Gundy, Flora, David E., and Willis J., two of. whom are living. Mr. Paullin owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, well improved, on which he lives, and once had three hundred and twentytwo acres of land where he now lives, but lost all but one hundred and twenty-four acres by securing friends in business transactions. He farms chiefly to grain at present., formerly to stock. Mr. and Mrs. Paullin are members of the New Light (or Christian) Church of Jamestown. Mr. Paullin's parents (David and Susan) were also natives of this county, and members of the same church.
Charles B. Pennington, farmer, Selma, Clarke County, was born May 12, 1843, and reared in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Came to Ohio in 1865, and located in Champaign County, remaining until 1878, when he came to this county. Was married, to Ann Atkin-
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son, October 3, 1877. They have one child, Mary Laura, aged nineteen months. Mr. Pennington farms chiefly to grain, and has a farm of one hundred and sixty-four and a half acres, well improved, on which he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are members of the Friends' Church. Mr. Pennington was educated in that church in Pennsylvania, and was then a member of the "Hicksites." After he came to Ohio, he became converted to the faith of orthodox Friends, and united with them. He is a strictly temperate man; never chewed or smoked tobacco, or tasted intoxicating liquors, and never took the name of God in vain. His Christian life has been one of great satisfaction to him. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Pennington, Charles' parents, were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Pennington died, February 14, 1877, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Pennington is living in Champaign County.
Isaac Taylor, farmer, Jamestown, was born. on the Atlantic Ocean, near New York. His parents were natives of Ireland, and were on their way to America when Isaac was born. They located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, where Mr. Taylor, sell., died, about forty-seven years after his arrival at that place. Our subject. was married in Rockbridge County, to Frances Gilmore, of that county, whose father and grandmother were captured by Indians in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and brought to where Oldtown, Greene County, Ohio, now stands, and were kept there several years, when they were rescued by some white men, and taken back to Virginia, where she lived the remainder of her life. The marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Gilmore resulted in the birth of nine, and the rearing of five children, four having died in early life. Magdalena, William G., John F., Daniel, and Isaac still survive. Mr. Taylor came to Ohio in 1827, and located in Preble County, remaining there two years, and then came to this county, residing here ever since. He has seen this country changed from the wooden, wet country, as it was when he came here, to a pleasant; fertile state, as it is now. Mr. Taylor has a farm of two hundred and three acres, on. which he now lives, and has given his children four hundred and ninety-seven acres.
John Towell, farmer, Grape Grove, was born in this county, May 13, 1818, and has been a resident of the county all his life. Was married to Catharine Routh, June 9, 1839, by whom he bad eight children : Evestes F., Mary E., Sarah J., Eliza M., Martha J., John C., Miranda, and Catharine M., five of whom survive. Of these,
764 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
all are married except Catharine M., who is still at home with her parents. Mr. Towell was elected justice of the peace in 1872, and has held the office since that time, and has held all the offices of the township. John Towell, sen., father of John, jun., came to this county in 1810; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1821. His wife died in April, 1880. They were both natives of Virginia. This county was almost an unbroken forest when they came here, and they-took an active part in the labor of making this township as productive and pleasant as it now is.
James Turnbull, farmer, is a native of Davidson County, Tennessee; came to Montgomery County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1809; removed to this county in 1815, and has been a resident ever since. Was married, December 22, 1831, to Susan Bull, by whom he has had ten children, six of whom are living. Mr. Turnbull is a member of the United Presbyterian Church; as was also Mrs. Turnbull, who died April 10, 1879. William, James' father, died in Warren County, Illinois, May 17, 1834; his wife in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 27, 1811. About eighty years after William Turnbull was married, his descendants numbered two hundred and five-one hUndred and two males, and one hundred and three females. Of these there were at that time sixty-nine males and seventy-one females living. William reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom there are but two living. James has a farm of one hundred and fifty three acres, on which he lives. Has two sons and one daughter at home, two. daughters married, and one son (James, jr.) in Kansas, preaching.