786 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP
BIOGRAPHICAL.
John Adams, retired blacksmith, Jamestown, is a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia; was born September 2, 1811; reared and remained in that place till twenty-six years of age, when. he came to Jamestown, and has since resided in this place. He married Miss Harriet Dawson, a native of Berkeley County, Virginia, September 8, 1840; she is a sister of Dr. W. W. Dawson, of Cincinnati, Dr. Dawson, of Columbus, and Dr. Dawson, of Bellbrook. Mr. Adams is a descendant of President Adams. Has spent a portion of his life while here, blacksmithing, and was successful in accumulating a sufficient amount of means to live his declining years retired from active labor-has at least fifteen thousand dollars.
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Came to Jamestown in 1838, and has witnessed many of the changes made in this county since that time. There were no railroads, no pikes, and but little business compared to the present. Two children, Sarah A. and Mary A., were born to our subject, both living. Mary A. was married to John C. Stewart, June 5, 1869; they have one child, John D. Mr. and Mrs. Adams and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Jamestown. He is a member of Lodge No. 181, I. O. O. F. He joined the fraternity in October, 1854.
John Q. Adams, merchant and carpenter, Jamestown, is a son of Zina B. and Eliza (Sharp) Adams; was born in Jamestown-where he now lives, and has a good store-room and a handsome residence -March 8, 1837. Was reared and educated here, and married, October 25, 1866, to Miss Laura' R. Spark, a daughter of Gideon and Phoebe Spark, by Revs. Black and Baker. Mr. Adams was in the mercantile business from 1860 to 1876, when he sold to his brother, M. O. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father died in Jamestown, May 22, 1844. Mrs. Adams then married Mr. James McDowney, March 20, 1849, who died September 2,1878. Mrs. McDowney's first husband kept hotel in this place about twelve years before his death. She continued in the business for some time after her marriage with McDowney, making in all about forty years. Our subject's brother, Thomas H., served three years in the rebellion in Company A, Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Moody commander. Enlisted October 9,1861. Came home without a wound.
Morgan O. Adams, merchant, Jamestown, is a son of Zina B. and Eliza B. (Sharp) Adams, who were married December 26,1830, four children being the result of the union : Morgan 0., Samuel, John Q., and Thomas H., three living; Samuel died February 8, 1854. Mr. Adams, sr.'s, father, Reuben, was born August 7,1775, in Massachusetts. he married Miss Mary Bosworth, of Delaware County, New York. They died in Clinton County, Ohio. Came here about 1814. There were nine children of this family : Allen, Catherine, John R., Garra V., Zina B., Royal B., Caroline, Jane, and Arabel. Caroline married Chas Hathaway, Arabel, Solomon Sharp, Jane, Thomas Demoss, Catherine, Mr. Black. There is but one of this family living-Royal, residing in Missouri. Mr. Adams' mother is a daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Cook) Sharp. He was born September 22, 1780, and married in 1805, in Pennsylvania. There
788 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
were eight children by this marriage: Morgan, Eliza, Thomas, Liddie, Henry, Susanna, Samuel, and Melissa. Liddie married Thomas Demos-, after the death of his first wife, Jane Adams, Susan to Reuben Moorman, and Melissa to Nelson Powers. Our subject was born in Brown County, April 15, 1863, and came with his parents to Jamestown the following fall, where he was reared and twice married, first to Miss Amanda M. Johnson, daughter of J. C. and Jane (Greenwood) Johnson, November 1, 1852. One child, James Harvey, who is in the dry goods business in this place, is the result of this union. He was born August 28, 1855. Mrs. Adams died March 6,1863; Mr. Adams then married Mrs. Flora (Boyer) Armstrong, August 27, 1869. She had one child, Thomas James, by her first marriage; he is in business with Mr. Adams. Harvey was born November 21, 1860. There is one child by the last marriage, Mary E., who was born November 29, 1871. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown. Is a good business man, and a prominent citizen.
Misses Rhoda and Keziah Beason, Jamestown, daughters of William and Catharine Beason. Mr. Beasoni was a native of South Carolina, and went to Tennessee with his parents at quite an early age. Came to this county when a lad, and lived the remainder of his life here. Married the mother of our subjects, Miss Catharine Hite, about 1826. They were parents of six children: Pollie, Margaret, Rhoda, an infant son, Keziah, and Catharine; three are living, Rhoda, Keziah, and Catharine. Mr. Beason was previously married to Miss Mary Standberry, by whom he had eight children ; six lived to maturity. He served six months in the war of 1812. His first wife and himself were members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, in which faith they died. The subjects of this sketch have a farm of fifty acres, which is the old home farm, situated three miles southwest of Jamestown, on which they live.
Rebecca Binegar, Jamestown, is a daughter of James and Rebecca (Resse) Simmons. He was born November 28,1802, and she January 9, 1804. They were parents of twelve children: Thomas W., born October 10, 1823; Jane E., born April 28, 1825, died October 19, 1841 ; Josiah W., born in 1832; Rebecca, born December 12, 1828; Jane P., born November 16, 1830, died November 11, 1844; Alfred R., born November 27,1832; Matilda, born March 18, 1838, died in 1877; Julia E., born December 12, 1840; John,
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born July 27,1843; Jacob, born in August, 1845, died July 9,1871. Our subject was married to James Binegar in 1848. Seven children were the result of this union. The first died in infancy. John D., born August 29, 1844; Simmons, born September 19, 1850; John W., born July 13, 1855; Ella A., born September 24, 1857; Mary Ellen, born October 18,1859; Amanda, born April 20, 1845. Mrs. Binegar is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Binegar was also a member of that church. The widow has a farm of sixty-seven acres, which her sons cultivate, and on which they live. Her parents were members of the Friends' Church, and her husband's parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal. This is a family of reputable children, of whom the mother is proud. She, though widowed, is cared for and guarded by her dutiful sons.
Martha (Lockhart) Botler, merchant, was born in Adams County, Ohio, June, 1823, and came with her parents to this township, in 1824, where she was reared, and where she married Mr. Edward Botler, a native of Maryland, May, 1845. There were five children born unto them; Arthur, Flora, Amelia, Kate, and Mattie; all of whom are living, save Amelia, who died at the very early age of two years and six months. Arthur and Flora are married. He is engaged with his mother in the mercantile business in Jamestown, where they live, and where his father died, October 29, 1877, aged sixty-five years and twenty-two days. He had been engaged in merchandise, in the room where the mother and sort now do business, for many years before his death. Mrs. Botler has a good home on Limestone Street, on which the store room is situated. She and three daughters, are members of the Disciple Church. Mr. Botler was a member of the Odd-fellows, and a highly respected citizen.
John G. Clemens, retired farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John and Susanna (Slag al) Clemens, who were natives of Augusta County, Virginia, where they were reared and married. There were ten children of this family-Catharine, George, John G., Nancy, Gasper, Christopher, Mary, Rachel, Susan, and Emily-six of whom survive; Nancy, Gasper, Christopher, and Mary, deceased. The surviving ones, save Catharine, live in this county, where the parents died; the father, January 21, 1866, aged eighty-one years, and the mother, March 7, 1871, in the seventy-fifth year of her age. The father served four years and eleven months in the war of 1812.
790 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Came to Ohio about 1815, and located in or near Springfield, Clarke County, where he remained two years, and then went to Xenia, remaining there a short time, removing from there to Shawanoes Creek, and remained four years. From there he went to what is now Jasper Township, and located about four miles west of Jamestown, near where he died. Our subject was born near Xenia, January 21, 1820, and was married, February 1, 1844, to Miss Margaret Long, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Hagler) Long. Three children are the result of this marriage Mary L., Margaret L., and Gertrude M., two of whom are deceased-Mary, October 10, 1865, aged twenty years and six months ; Margaret, June 1, 1869, aged twenty-one years and nine mouths. Gertrude, who is living, was born September 12, 1865, and is a bright, intelligent girl. Mr. Clemens has a farm of one hundred and ninety-one acres in Jasper Township, about four miles west of Jamestown; a farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres in Madison County, Indiana; about twenty-five acres of the Jamestown fair-ground, and a fine, large brick residence, well furnished, in Jamestown, where he lives, retired from active business. The wealth he has is the result of good management and industry. He was elected justice of the peace in 1854, and served twenty-seven years, and was elected county commissioner in 1862, and served one term. Himself and family are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He joined this church in 1842, and his deceased daughters died. triumphantly in the same faith. Mr. Clemens has been steward of the church about forty years.
William P. Conry, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of Jonathan Conry, a native of Kentucky, and Elsie (Whalon) Conry, a native of New Jersey. They were married near Cincinnati, where they live. They had a family of eleven children, of whom William is the tenth. Six children are living. William was born near Cincinnati, November 12, 1836, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Margaret A. Peeler, daughter of David and Eliza Peeler, February 2, 1858. Ten* children are the result of this union: Arlina, Emma L., Luella, Edna, Albert S., Gertrude M., Charlie, Frank H., Rosa C., and an infant, the first-born, who died unnamed. Luella also is deceased. Mr. Conry came to this county in 1866, and has since resided here. He has a home consisting of fourteen acres, situated one mile and a half west of Jamestown. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He served five years as a
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 791
military man, and was in the state service a great portion of the time; served several months during the rebellion, in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in the battles at Richmond, Virginia, and came home without a wound. He has in his possession letters of thanks for duties performed while on "special duty," from Abraham Lincoln, John Brough, and Edwin M. Stanton.
Captain J. R. Crane, was born in Clarke County, this state, and is the son of Joseph. M. and Dulcina Ann Crane. His father was born in Ohio, in the year 1807, and his mother is a native of the State of Kentucky. She moved to Clarke County with her parents at an early age. Her maiden name was Donovan. His father moved from Clarke to Wood County, in the year 1860; remained there until 1868, and then moved to Pulaski County, Illinois, and remained there until his death, which occurred in October, 1878. His mother died in 1853. Thus passes away our pioneers. To them were born nine children: Elizabeth R., William R., Eliza J., Lewis F., James H., Marian M., Semlida Jane, Amina M., and our subject, the eldest. Six of this family still live, all grown to manhood and womanhood. The boyhood of the captain was spent on the farm with his father, six miles west of Springfield; attended the schools of the period, where the rudiments of his education were obtained, and afterward attended school at the Springfield Academy. Embarked in the saddlery and harness business at Cedarville, this county, in 1854, and remained in the same, doing a successful business, until the breaking out of the war, when be enlisted as a private in Company D, Forty-Fourth Ohio Volunteers. The regiment marched to West Virginia; was there some fourteen months; was honorably discharged in October, 1862, on account of ill-health; re-enlisted, December 28, 1862, in the Tenth Ohio Battery, as a private, with a conditional commission if he mustered in so many men, which he did, and received a second lieutenant's commission; was promoted to captain, November 14, 1863, and remained in service until the close of the war. He had command of the battery from the time of his arrival, in May, on account of the balance of the officers being under arrest. After the close of the war he again resumed business in Cedarville, and remained there eight years, doing a fair business. He then removed to Jamestown, and commenced the saddlery and harness business, in which he still continues, having a fine trade, and enjoying the confidence of his
792 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
customers, which is a source of pleasure as well as profit. In April, 1880, he was elected to the office of mayor, and is at present filling the office to the satisfaction of his constituency. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth (Degroot) Davis, retired, Jamestown, was born in Canada, November 22, 1808. Came. with her parents to Ohio, in April, 1822, where they lived till the mother, Phoebe (Boyce) Davis, died April, 1824; after which the father, Cornelius, went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and died September, 1830, aged fifty-four years. Our subject was married to John J. Davis, July 24, 1828. Eight children are the result of this marriage: Adelia, David, James, Mary J., Andrew J., Elizabeth, John, and Amanda; Amanda, James and Andrew are deceased. Mr. Davis died November 22, 1877. He was born April 13, 1809. Mrs. Davis has lived in this township since 1822, when there were but four frame houses in what is now Jamestown, whose buildings are largely brick. Then there was no church here, the religious services being held in private houses. There were but few school houses in the township, and they were log. Mr. and Mrs. Davis joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1831, in which church he died triumphantly-and she is living a consistent life. He held the church offices of steward and trustee. Their lives have proved a financial as well as Christian success. When first married they bad but little money; by industry and good management, however, they accumulated a handsome fortune. They gave each child four thousand dollars, and she has a competency for life. Her son, David has a farm in military survey No. 1,084, this township, of one hundred and seventy-two acres, one hundred acres having been bought by his grandfather, David, in 1812. The writer saw the deed for this land to David, sr., bearing date August 4, 1812.
Bridget Dwyer, Jamestown, is a native of Leinster, Ireland, and was born in December, 1834. Lived there until sixteen years of age, when she, with her parents, Thomas and Mary (Bryan) Kavanaugh, came to the United States, and landed in Bowersville, this county, in 1850. Of this family there were seven children: Mary, Bridget, John, Simon, Andy, Ann, and William, all living save Andy, who died in 1863, aged twenty-two years. Our subject was married to Timothy Dwyer, November 10, 1852, nine children being the result of this union: John, Thomas, Dennis, William, Timothy, James, Andy, and Margaret; two have died, William and
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Margaret. Mr. Dwyer died May 13, 1875, aged about sixty-one years. Mrs. Dwyer has a farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, on which she and her family reside. This family are members of the Catholic Church, and well respected citizens.
Samuel F. Evans, grocer, Jamestown, is a son of William H. and Rebecca (Fosbett) Evans, who were natives of Rockbridge County, Virginia, and married in Jamestown. There were three children of the family, Samuel, Milton, and Elizabeth V., all living. The sons are both married ; Elizabeth is living with our subject, who married Miss Elizabeth Ballard, a daughter of William, who is a son of Simon, October 17, 1878. He has been engaged in the grocery business about six years-does a business amounting to at least twenty thousand dollars a year. He was born in this township, where he has since resided, except six years of his childhood, when he lived in Marshaltown, Iowa. He is a respected citizen, and a good business mail. His mother was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church; taught her children to do right, and to follow her footsteps in Christian life. The father was in the rebellion -a member of the Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry;and took a company of men to Nebraska to fight the Indians; he started as captain, but his major being killed shortly after, he was promoted to a majorship. He went into the service in 1863, and remained until after the close of the war. Our subject was elected city treasurer of Jamestown in the spring of 1880, which office he still holds.
James A. Fields, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John and Mary (Hite) Fields. They were born in Virginia, and married in Ohio. There are ten children: Andrew, Margaret, Alfred, Jane, Lucinda, John, Sarah, James A., William, and an infant; five living, Margaret, John, Sarah, James A., and William. All were born in this county; James May 14, 1832. Was married January 4, 1855, to Miss Pollie Lawrence, of this county. Five children attest their union: Milon L., William S., Mary E., Lucinda S., and an infant, deceased. Mary E. was married, August 19, 1880, to James H. King, of this county. The others are unmarried, and' at home with their parents. Mr. Fields has a farm of thirty-eight acres; farms chiefly to grain. He has lived in this county all his life, except about nine years that he lived in Clinton County. .
John H. Fields, farmer, a native of this county, born March 15, 1827. His father was married and came to this county, in 1815;
794 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
located on the farm of seventy-five acres where our subject now lives, and lived the remainder of his life. Mr. Fields has a farm of fifty-one acres, well improved, three miles southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives, and on which he was reared. He also has a farm of fifty acres, two and one-half miles southwest of Jamestown. He was twice married; first to Miss Mary Turner, a daughter of Henry, who died January 7, 1873, aged forty-seven years. he then married his present wife, Miss Sarah C. Bell, December 24, 1874.
Albert Garinger, farmer, native of Fayette County, Ohio, born March, 1834, and is a son of David and Serene (Yeoman) Garinger. He is a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio when about fifteen years of age; located in Fayette on the bank of Paint Creek, where he and Mrs. G., were married, and where he lived the remainder of his life. He was born in 1803; she in New York, in 1806. They were married about 1828. They had a family of nine children, all of whom are living, and are healthy, hale people. They never had a doctor to see any of the children while at home. Mr. Garinger died October, 1874. She is still living. Our subject, the fourth child, was born March, 1834. He was married October 31, 1858, to Miss Angeline Little, daughter of Adam and Mary (Blue) Little; ten children are the result of this union: Simon M., William F., Laura M., Oliver O., Albert B., Sophrona A., David A., Ida F., Stephen E., and James W.; all of whom are living save Sophrona, who died at the age of three years and nice months. Mr. Garinger has a farm of eight hundred acres, well improved, situated three and one-half miles east of Jamestown. When he was married, his father gave hint two hundred and fifty acres of land in the woods and swamps, which cost five thousand five hundred dollars. Since then, he has made, and invested in land, at least thirty-five thousand dollars. The first piece he bought, was fiftyeight and a quarter acres, in 1871. When at twenty years of age, he went west; took passage on steamboat at Cincinnati, went down to the Mississippi, thence to St. Joe, thence to Salt Lake, where he saw Brigham Young and his wives marching in a procession; thence to San Francisco, where he took a steam ship to New York, then came home, and has since been content to live a quiet life. He is a natural genius; can make almost anything with tools.
James H. Glass, blacksmith, is a son of Powhatan and Harriet (Wright) Glass, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio
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about the year 1823, and located in Highland County, where they remained a few years, and then removed to Madison County. Returned- to Highland, perhaps in same year, where James was born, February 11, 1828; came to this county, about 1835, where they remained, perhaps, four years; then returned to Highland County, where Mr. Glass died in 1839. Mrs. Glass is still living. There were six children of this family, of whom three are living. Mrs. Glass married a Mr. William Bragg after Mr. Glass's death, by which marriage she had one child, with whom she is living. James has been a resident of this county since 1839; except, one winter spent in Iowa. He learned his trade in this county, beginning as an apprentice in 1850. Has since been engaged in the business except four years, which time he was engaged in the confectionery business in Jamestown, where he has a residence, blacksmith shop, and business room. He is a good workman, and enjoys a large patronage. He was married July 11, 1849, to Miss Hannah Turner, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Cruizen) Turner, seven children being the result of this union: Pauline A., Hannah A., William P., Vinson A., Martha M., Harriet E., and Catherine V.; four of whom are living. William, Vinson, and Harriet are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are members of the Christian Church of Jamestown.
Gideon Harness, farmer, son of Peter and Susannah (Shook) Harness, who were married in this county, in 1810. He died March 21, 1873, aged seventy-one years. She is still living, and was born in Virginia, June 10, 1804; came with her parents to this county, in 1810, where she and Mr. Harness were married, April 19, 1827. They had eight children; seven of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Harness were members of the Methodist Church. He had been a member of this church for thirty years, and died in the faith in which he had lived. When they came to this county it was quite new and wild. They have witnessed and helped to make many changes. Gideon was born December 10, 1827, in this county, where he was reared, educated, and where he married Miss Eliza J. Smith, daughter of Charles, April 7, 1853. Two children was the result of this union: Marion and Rosa, both living. Mr. Harness has a farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres, on which he lives, situated three miles southwest of Jamestown. He is a member of the Methodist Church of New Jasper, also a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown. Marion is a member of the Baptist Church of Caesar's Creek society.
796 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Orange S. Hatch, farmer, son of Ebenezer and Cynthia (Green) Hatch, is a native of New York where he was married. She was a native of Connecticut. They were parents of ten children, of whom six are living. Mr. Hatch came to this county, in 1822, and located about two miles south of Jamestown, where he lived the remainder of his life. He bought forty acres of land for one hundred and sixty-two dollars and seventy-five cents, for which he could not pay at the time of purchase; but by good management and industry, he finally paid for it, and added to it, until be had a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres well improved-on which he died, January 2, 1874, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Hatch, also died there, January 11, 1845, aged sixty-two years. When they came west, they located at Elizabethtown, Indiana, where they remained perhaps three years, then came to this county. Our subject was born August 18, 1826, on the farm where he was reared and where he now lives. He has a farm of two hundred and one acres, well improved. He was married October 22, 1856, to Miss Clarissa Thomas of Carroll County, Ohio. She is a native of Jefferson County, slaughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (McDowell) Thomas. Four children are the result of this union : Emma O., John T., Minnie B., and Charlie G.; all of whom are living, save John, who died September 24, 1863, was born January 28, 1859. Emma was married to Allen T. Sutton, January 7, 1875. They have one child, John E. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch, and Emma, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown.
Jonathan Jenkins, merchant, Jamestown, was born in Jefferson County, October 9, 1808, where he was reared. In his twentysecond year, he came to Clarke County via. McConnelsville, to which place he walked; thence to Marietta, and to Cincinnati by boat ; thence to South Charleston via. Xenia, arriving April 26, 1830. He was engaged as clerk in a dry goods and grocery store six months, then he bought an interest in the business of his employer, Charles Paist, and remained with him until 1833. He then came to Jamestown, where he has since lived. Was twice married, first to Miss Ann Dawson, a sister of Drs. Dawson, of Cincinnati and Columbus, May, 1834. Seven children are the result of this union, Charles P., Elizabeth, George, Mary, Harriet, William, and Samuel. George is the only surviving one. Mrs. Jenkins died November 4, 1844. He then married Lutitia Paullin, September
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19, 1847. He had seven children by this marriage: Minerva A., David, Edwin, Charlie, Lillie, Pollie A., and Lucy. Minerva and David are deceased. The mother died September 16, 1873. Mr. Jenkins was elected justice, of the peace about 1856, and served about three years, but preferring to live a more quiet life, refused to accept any other office. He is a respected citizen of this place, where he has built a reputation as a business man, and has made many friends. His first wife was a member of the Campbellite Church ; the second wife of the New Light Church. George served three years in Company E, Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was first lieutenant of United States Volunteer Infantry ; served two years, and then resigned the office. David was killed at Richmond, Indiana, by a railroad train, October 13, 1873. William served three years in the rebellion in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was killed it Arizona by the Indians, October 14, 1877.
Smith Jenks, farmer and stock dealer, Jamestown, is a native of this county; was born January 1, 1845, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Sanders) Jenks, residents of Fayette County, where they were married in 1822. They had a family of eight children-our subject being the third-seven still living. Our subject was mar Tied in Fayette County, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Enos and Eunice (Ross) Harper, October, 1845. Two children, Alice J. and Levi E., both living, are the result of this union. Mr. Jenks has a farm of fifty acres, well improved, situated three miles east of Jamestown, where he lives. He is one of Silver Creek Township's prominent stock dealers-trades in all kinds of stock. He served three months in the rebellion in Company C, Fifth Ohio Cavalry. Was in several heavy battles, and came borne without a wound.
Edwin O. Johnson, farmer, Jamestown, was born in Highland County, on the fourth day of November, 1811, and is a son of Pleasant and Nancy Johnson. His parents are both natives of Virginia; they were married there, and moved to Ohio in an early day, settling in Highland County, ten miles southeast of Hillsborough, and lived there twenty years; they then moved to this county, settled near Jamestown, and lived upon that place for twenty years; then they moved upon the farm our subject now owns and lives upon, two and one-half miles east of Jamestown. His parents are both deceased ; his mother was a member of the Friends' Church. Our subject's boyhood was spent upon the farm with his father; his education was received in a log school house, and his advantages
798 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
were meagre. The school house had but one window, and it was a poor excuse, being a small hole cut in the side of the house and a greased "paper placed over it to admit the light. he was married in December, 1833, to Hannah Watson. Nine children have been born to them: Pascal L., Theodore F., W. W., Louisa J., Enos L., Pleasant 0., Mary, Jacob, and John W., all living, save the two last named. Some of them are married and doing well, and the others are with the old folks upon the farm. Mr. Johnson owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, under a high state of cultivation.
David D. Johnson, Baptist minister, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, October 21, 1816, and is the son of James and Hannah Johnson. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father came to Ohio more than eighty years ago, when the state was a vast wilderness, and settled on Short Creek, in Belmont County, where he remained but a short time, as he was a Methodist minister, and was moved from place to place, wherever his conference saw- fit to send him. Nine children were the fruits of this union, of whom two sons and three daughters are still living. Our subject, David, is next to the youngest. Mrs. Johnson died some forty years ago; her husband surviving her some thirty years, and dying in February, 1869. Thus passed away one of the early ministers, whose life was not one of ease, but hard and constant labor. Our subject passed his boyhood days with his father, and was raised to hard work. The rudiments of his education were obtained at the schools of the period. Was married in 1836, to Mahala Wolf, of Richland County, whose .parents, both deceased, were very wealthy. Our subject was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation for some years. In 1850, he was ordained by a Baptist council, in Richland County. In the fall of that year he moved into the bounds of the Auglaize Association, and received his first charge in Wiltshire, Van Wert County. In about six months he moved from there to the Mad River Association, and from there to this county, where he has labored for twenty years, under the auspices of the Clinton Association. These associations have received all his regular services. By his marriage he has raised ten children to manhood and womanhood, eight of whom are now living. Two sons were in the army, where one sacrificed his life. William Johnson, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of Ashley and
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Elizabeth (Shields) Johnson, and was born in Clinton County, this state, April 9, 1821. Came to this county in 1846, and located on the farm where he now lives, which consists of one hundred and twelve acres. He had two hundred and twenty-seven acres before he divided among his children. He was married in this township, to Miss Abigail Shack, a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (McFarland) Shack, February 14, 1844. Four children are the result of this union: James A., Francis M., Charlie M., and Cyrus H., all of whom are living, and all are married but Cyrus, who is at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are worthy members of the Baptist Church, he uniting in 1849, and she about 1840, and are good citizens. Their parents were also members of that denomination.
Elizabeth (Chalmers) Lackey, retired, Jamestown, is a daughter of John and Isabella. (Turnbull) Chalmers; was born in Miami Township, this county, March 23, 1830; removed with her parents to Ross Township, when three years of age, where she was reared, and where she married N. G. Lackey, October 29, 1846. There were eight children born to them: Isaac N., Isabella, Margaret A., Johanna, John G., Nannie M., Rosa B., and Frank E. C., five living; Isaac, Johanna, and John, deceased, dying of diphtheria in November, 1860. That year was one of sadness to this family. Mrs. Lackey's step-mother, who had been a mother to her, died in March; Mr. Lackey was thrown from a horse in June, receiving internal injuries, which resulted in his death, September 29, 1872. Mrs. Lackey's mother died in November, 1844. When Mr. and Mrs. Lackey were married, they had no money; but by their industry and good management accumulated quite a fortune. The estate, after Mr. Lackey's death, was worth $2,000 in cash, and one hundred and sixty acres of land, where they lived. Mrs. Lackey would, with the butter and eggs, keep the table provided, and also the general wants of the house. The education that the children received, aside from common schools, Mrs. Lackey paid the expenses of out of her own earnings, doing it from choice. Maggie attended school in Xenia, and Nannie is there at this writing. Mrs. Lackey has a good residence in Jamestown, where she lives, and one hundred and sixty acres of land (the home farm) in Ross Township. Mrs. Lackey and the children are all members of the Methodist Protestant Church, as was also her husband.
Eliab Lathen, farmer, son of Bela and Mary A. Lathen, was
800 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 17, 1835, and was reared and educated at that place. Came to this county in 1863, where, on the 24th of March, 1859, he had married Miss Virginia Hargrave, a daughter of Herbert H. and Millie Hargrave. In 1868 he moved to Fayette County, where he remained until 1874, and then returned to this county, where he has since remained. They have had eight children, five of whom are living: Bela F.. Charles, W. A., Margaret J., and Delia M.; Levi L., Ida E., and Delia, deceased. They died at the respective ages of two months, three weeks, and ten months. Mr. Lathen has a farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres, well improved, where he lives, and two hundred and nine acres in Jefferson Township. This latter property is the result of his wife's industry and economy.
Andrew H. Long, retired farmer, is a son of James and Alice (Boggs) Long, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, where they were married, November, 1804. There were nine children in this family, of whom our subject was the fourth; eight of them yet survive. Mr. Long died November 22, 1852; Mrs. Long died March 8, 1871, in this township. Andrew was born in this township, May 1, 1831, and here he was reared and educated. February 18, 1863, he was married to Miss Mattie B. Bell, a native of this county. She is a daughter of William and Rebecca Bell, who died in Shelby County, this state : the former, January 1, 1846; the latter, March 29, 1862. There were eleven children in this family, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Long is the eighth child. Mr. Long has been engaged in farming since his marriage, until three years ago, when he sold his farm and retired to his homestead, a large brick residence on west Main Street, Jamestown. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church, which he joined some thirty years since; his wife having been a member thirty-seven years. Politically his affiliations are with the Republican party.
Thomas C. Moorman, the son of Micajah, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Thomas Moorman, who carrie from Ireland about the year 1690. His wife came from England, and they settled in North Carolina, and had four sons, Thomas, Chiles, Andrew and Achilles; and thus the Moorman family was divided into four branches. Thomas Moorman, the subject of this sketch, was a descendent of the fourth generation, and of the Thomas branch. He was born in Bedford County, Virginia, December 17,
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 801
1755, and his wife Alphracia Hope, in Carolina County, Virginia, August 24, 1752. Our subject and his wife, daughter of John and Mary Hope, were married, December 22, 1775, and settled in Campbell County, near Lynchburg. They had eight children: Reuben, Micajah C., John H., Chiles, Thomas P., James, Charles T., and Nancy. The first three named married in Virginia, about the year 1806. Thomas C. Moorman, sr., bought one thousand acres of land in Silver Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio, of Colonel John Watts, of Lynchburg, Virginia. Having secured a home in the dense forest of the northwest, Thomas C. Moorman, sr., with all his family, except Reuben and John, started on the 25th day of June 1807, to move to Ohio. After a long and tedious journey, they arrived in Highland County, in the fall. About six miles southeast of Leesburg, they moved into a small log cabin in the woods, cleared three acres of ground, put it in wheat, and one acre for turnips. During the winter and spring, Micajah C. and James built a log house on the late purchase in Silver Creek Township, about one mile and a half east of Jamestown, on the south bank of Silver Creek, for Micajah C. They boarded themselves and slept at Noah Strong's. In the mean time, the other boys cleared fifteen acres in Highland County, for corn. During the summer, James and Thomas built a log house for their father, one mile east of Jamestown. The only persons living in the neighborhood at that time were, Noah Strong, Martin Mendenhall, Thomas Browder, Abraham Townsend, Harkles Turner, Allen Ray, and Christopher Hussey, who lived near Bowersville, on the Indian trail that ran from some point on the Ohio River through Highland County, passing by the way of Lexington, Reeceville, Bowersville, and Jamestown, along which the Moormans moved in the spring of 1809. Here upon the north bank of Silver Creek, our subject and his family settled as one of the first pioneers of this section of Greene County. The Indian trail served as a guide, but it was not a road along which a man might drive a wagon and team. They had to clear a road, and when they left the trail, they were guided by blazes. About four miles east there were two prairies, named by Thomas Moorman, sr., Elkhorn and Baldwin's; in one he had found a part of an elk's horn, from which circumstance it was named, and in the edge of the other a man by the name of Baldwin built a small log cabin, where he lived a few years, which fact gave rise to the name of that prairie. These prairies afforded
802 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
coarse grass, Which was made into hay by the first settlers, until they could make meadows of their own lands. The workmen had to look out for the black rattlesnake, which infested these prairies. Interspersed and on the outer edge were thickets of underbrush, briers, vines, and long prairie grass, intertwined so as to form an almost impenetrable barrier to man and beast. One of these thickets, larger than any of the others, was known by the name of the Big Thicket, and served as a covert for wild beasts, such as deer, bear, wild-cats, wild-hogs, foxes, wolves, etc.
Thomas C. Moorman, sr., was a great hunter. On one occasion he took his son Chiles with him, and coming upon the track of a bear, the dogs followed it until they came up to Bruin, attacking and keeping him at bay until the arrival of the hunters, whereupon Chiles ran up to knock the bear in the head, and by some means missed his aim, and the bear caught hold of one of his legs. He could neither defend nor extricate himself until his father liberated him by aiming between the boy's legs and shooting the bear in the head.
Micajah C. was a blacksmith, and did all of that kind of work required in the neighborhood. Thomas P. was a surveyor, and did nearly all of that kind of work in this part of the county; he was occasionally called to settle the disputes between parties caused by the inacuracies of the surveyor. Chiles and James were the first members of the family that attended any religious meeting after moving to Greene County, which was held at David, Falkner's, who lived near where Paintersville now is. The first religious meeting of Friends in the neighborhood, was held at Thomas C. Moorman, sr.'s, house, and continued there until about the year 1816. Friends then built a house on the southwest corner of Samuel Johnson's land, of logs, twenty feet square, divided into two apartments, by a plank partition running through the center, made in sections, so as to slide up and down; thus the two rooms could be converted into one. There was a door in each room, the men passing through one to their apartment, the women through the other to theirs. In time of business meeting, the partition was closed; thus constituting two meetings of business, the men and women each having a clerk, and if any thing came up in either meeting requiring joint action, there was a messenger appointed to inform the other.
The first school house was built on the hill a few rods southwest of where James Heath now lives, and Zephaniah Leonard taught
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 803
the first school. The next house was built a few years later, on James Moorman's land, not far from the southwest corner; Thomas P. Moorman taught the first school here. These schools were all supported by subscription; text books-Webster's spelling book, English reader, New Testament scriptures, Pike's arthmetic, Murrey's grammar, and writing. There were no copy-plates or printed instructions, the scholar depending entirely upon the instruction of the master, who would set copies, and show the pupil how to hold the pen, as well as to make and mend the same. They were all made of quills.
Thomas C. Moorman, sr., like a shock of wheat fully ripe, was ready for the harvest December 26, 1845, aged eighty-nine years. His estimable wife survived hint six years, and was gathered to her everlasting home on August 18, 1851, aged ninety-nine years, lacking one day. Her's was a long and eventful life. Having the principal care of the moral training of a large family, together with the hardships incident to pioneer life, these conspired to make it a hard one, yet patiently and perseveringly she endured to the end. She was christened in the Established Church of England, but at about the age of eighteen, she was converted to Christianity, and joined the Society of Friends, and was a faithful and exemplary member during life, beloved and esteemed for her deeds of charity by all who knew her.
Reuben, oldest son of Thomas, married Lydia Johnson; had six children: Edwin 0., Reuben, John T., Paulina, Charlotte,. and Nancy. Micajah C. married Susanna Johnson, his first, and Ann Thomas, his second wife. By his first wife he had eight children Thomas C., Christopher, Reuben, Apharacia, Mildred, Elizabeth, Polly, and Nancy. John H. married Elizabeth Johnson, and had seven children: Lodawic, James M., John, Lucy, Beteann, Virginia, and Missouri. Chiles married Elizabeth Watson, and had nine children: Thomas T., Watson, John, David, Matilda, Nancy, Leah, Malinda, and Elonar. Thomas P. married Dosha Paxon, and bad thirteen children : John, Thomas C., James, Paxon, William N., Nancy, Melissa, Susanna, Apharacia, Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Martha. James married Elizabeth Johnson, his first, and Mary Sexton, his second wife. By his first wife he had nine children Manson H., Henry T., James, Reuben, Emily, Mary, Mildred, and Elizabeth. Charles T. Moorman married Matilda Watson. They had thirteen children: John M., Micajah F., Marshall, Jesse, Mat-
804 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
thew, Charles T., Paschal L., Eli W., Elizabeth Ann, Maria W., Malinda, Matilda, and Margaret.
Nancy, their only daughter, married Pleasant Johnson, and had nine children: Thomas, William, Edwin O., Virgil, Jarvis L., Eli P., Apharacia, Patina, and Nancy.
Thomas C. Moorman, sr's, children are all (lead. except James, who lives near Oldtown, three and one-half miles north of Xenia, and is in good health, being about ninety years old. Micajah F. Moorman, second son of Charles T. Moorman, sr., was born on the 8th of February, 1824; commenced the practice of medicine in Jamestown, in the spring of 1858; and was married to Julia A. Thompson, September 19, 1866. She was born October 22, 1832, in Guilford County, North Carolina.
David Moorman, farmer, is a son of Chiles and Elizabeth (Watson) Moorman, who were natives of Virginia, where they were reared. He came to Ohio, in 1807, located in Highland County, where he remained until 1809, when he came to this county, where he was married and lived the remainder of his life. Mr. Moorman came to this county, about 1810. They were parents of nine children, of whom six are living. He was born in this township, September 29, 1829, where he was reared, and where he was married, January 4, 1856, to Miss Kate McAdams, a daughter of Francis; of which union there were five children; William C., Harry L., Anna M., and Estella C., are living; Ida May, who died at the age of six years. Mr. and Mrs. Moorman, are members of the Friends Church, which they joined in 1870. His father had been a member of this church for years, and was among the pioneers of this township, and owned about three hundred acres of land, of which David has fifty acres situated about one and one-half miles east of Jamestown.
John C. Patterson, farmer, is a member of a pioneer family. His parents, John C., and Elizabeth (McFarland) Patterson, having come to Ohio, in 1815, located in Warren County, where they remained about twenty years, when they came to this county. They were natives of Greene County, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. When they came to this county, they located on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, then in Caesar's Creek, now in Jasper Township, where they remained twelve years. Here they cleared seventy acres of land, then went into the woods again and cleared another farm, in the same survey, where they died.
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There were ten children of this family, who helped to clear and farm the lands of the then new country. Our subject was born in Warren County, February 22, 1818, and was married July 21, 1842, to Miss Rosanna Bargdill, daughter of Joel and Phoebe (Strong) Bargdill, who came to Ohio, in 1815, with her parents, and located temporarily near Jamestown, then removed to the farm now owned by our subject, where the father died. Mr. and Mrs. Bargdill were married in 1832. Mr. Patterson has a family of four children, Jacob M., William H., Joel F., and Phoebe, all of whom are living. Jacob and Joel are married. He has a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres, well improved, on which he lives, situated two and one-half miles southwest of Jamestown, also has one-third interest in seventy-one acres joining him on the south. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church of Caesar's Creek society; he has been a member of the church thirty-eight years; she perhaps, forty years. They are members of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is a well known and respected citizen, and has a respected family.
Jacob M. Patterson, farmer, son of John C., jr., whose biography appears in this work. Our subject was born July 7,1843, and married September 2, 1869, to Miss Sarah J. Sanders, daughter of Moses, whose biography also appears in this work., They have three children, Harry E., Luella E., and Harvey C., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Baptist Church. He has been a member of the church twenty years; she perhaps, fifteen years. He is a highly respected citizen, and lives in the neighborhood where he was reared.
James F. Robinson, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, on the 16th day of April, 1838, and is a son of Singleton and Anna Robinson, who are both natives of the State of South Carolina, and with their parents emigrated to Ohio, in an early day, where they afterwards married, and settled upon a farm in Fayette County, where they have always lived. The fruits of this union where seven children ; four boys and three girls, all living save one. Our subject's father was a great hunter : while it was a source of great pleasure to him, he also made it profitable, furnishing all the meat the family consumed. They lived almost entirely on wild meats ; such a thing as putting up meat for winter use was not thought of. Our subject's mother died some twenty-eight years ago. His father still lives upon the old place in Fayette County; they were
806 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
both members of the Christian Church. Our subject's grandfather settled in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton many years ago, when the now flourishing city was a small village. He hauled the rock for the first stone foundation built in the village. He after wards moved to Fayette County, where be lived until three years ago, when he departed this life at the age of ninety-four years. Our subject's boyhood days were spent upon the farm with his father. His education was received at the district schools of the period. He was a second lieutenant in the hundred day service, he served four months, and was honorably discharged. He was married in November, 1861, to Anna E. Moorman ; to them have been born seven children, three boys and four girls : Frank 0., Dela May, Charles A., Reuben R., Bertha, Blanche, and Anna Louise. He and his amiable wife are both members of the Friends Church. Mr. Robinson has lived in this county some years, and has a farm of two hundred and six acres of land, most of it under a high state of cultivation. He has been trustee of Silver Creek Township for the past three years, and has filled the office acceptably to his constituency.
Moses Sanders, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of William and Elizabeth (Lynders) Sanders, who were born and married in North Carolina. They came to Ohio about 1801, and located some twelve miles south of Xenia, where they remained about two years, when Ebenezer Thomas offered to trade a farm of sixty acres, situated in sight of the present village of Jamestown, for a horse. The exchange was made, and in 1803 he removed to the said farm, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying July 3, 1861, aged eighty-five years. Mrs. Sanders died March 30, 1879, aged about seventy-nine years. There were twelve children of this family, all of whom lived to maturity, and all married, except William, who died at the age of twenty-three years. Seven are living at this writing, Moses being the youngest of the family. Mr. Sanders owned about two hundred and eighty-five acres of land at his death; had sold a part of what he bad formerly owned. Our subject was born December 5, 1820; was married, January, 20, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Harness, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Peterson) Harness. She is a descendant of John Jacob Peterson, who was born in Germany, January 7, 1706. They have four children, John W., Sarah J., James H., and Asa C.; two of whom are married. He has a farm of three hundred acres, well improved, situated one mile southwest of James-
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 807
town, on which he lives, also a farm of one hundred acres, two miles east of the same village. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Their parents were members of the same church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; also a member of the Masonic Beneficial Association and is well and favorably known. They are both exemplary Christians.
Samuel E. Sanders, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of James and Temperance (Morrow) Sanders. The father is a native of this county, born April 14, 1806, and married in December, 1846. Mrs. Sanders died triumphantly in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sanders is, perhaps, the oldest pioneer of this township. Samuel was born in this township, September 18, 1845, where he was reared and educated, and where he was married, November 27,1879, to Minnie E., daughter of Philip Bakman. One child, George, is the result of this union, who was born August 28, 1880. Mr. Sanders is a farmer and stock dealer, and lives one a mile and half southwest of Jamestown. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that place, having united about 1875. His wife's parents are residents of Cincinnati.
Theadrick L. Sheley, farmer, is a son of Michael and Lois (Strong) Sheley, who were married in this county about 1807. He was a native of Virginia; born in 1772, .and died in this county, in 1853. His father, John, served seven years in the revolutionary war, and died at the age of ninety-seven years. The parents of our subject came to this county in 1806, where they *remained until death. Mrs. Sheley was born in 1775, in Connecticut, and died in 1824. They were married in 1807, and seven children were born to them, our subject being the youngest son; four survive. The first death was that of Martha, in June, 1864, aged forty-three years. Our subject was born in this county, in July, 1818, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Sarah Phillips, in November, 1847, and where he has since lived. There were eight children of this family, James, William, John, Caroline, Sylvester, Charlie, Lois, and Louisa, all of whom are living but Lois, who died January 31, 1862, aged seven months. Mrs. Sheley, daughter, and one son, are members of the Christian Church of Jamestown. Mr. Sheley has a farm of sixty-two acres, well improved, on which he lives, and also has a farm of about four hundred and four acres, three miles east of Jamestown, in Silver' Creek and Ross townships, Greene and Clinton counties. He united with the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown, in 1862, and is still a member.
808 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
George Smith, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John C. and Maria (Keiter) Smith, natives of Virginia, and born in 1806, be June 18, she May 21. They were married there, December 11, 1834. Nine children were born to them: George, Susan, Isaac, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, John F., and Margaret C.; Susan and Ann deceased. They came to Ohio in 1863, locating near Paintersville, this county; here they remained some months, and then came to the farm on which our subject now lives, situated two and one-half miles southeast of Jamestown, and where the father died, February 12, 1880. He and his sons, George and Isaac, had a farm of two hundred and fifty-two acres; the deed remains as before his death-to the three, jointly. George was married, May 27, 1874, to Miss Mary J. Smith, Mary to Justice Baker, Margaret to Robert January. The mother is still living, and in her declining years enjoys the realization of having a highly respected family of . dutiful children.
Samuel Smith, minister and farmer, Jamestown, a native of Viiginia, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Smith. They came to this county in the fall of 1838, where he has since lived. His mother died in Auglaize County, July 22, 1865; the father, about two years later. Our subject was born November 15,1817, and has been twice married; first to Miss Nancy Sanders, October 16,1841, who was born November 15,1814. There were six children by this marriage: Mary E., John W., Albert N., Samuel M., George W., and James L., the two last named deceased. Mrs. Smith died July 17, 1858. He then married Miss Jane A. Patterson, January 9, 1859. One child is the result of this union, Charles L. Mr. Smith and both wives and children were members of the Baptist Church, he having been reared and educated in that church, his mother being a member when, she was married ; she taught her children lessons of Christianity. Mr. Smith, sr., joined the church when at about the age of sixty years, and was soundly converted. They both died triumphantly in the faith. He was very honest, suspecting evil of no man. Our subject is the oldest child of the family. He joined the church at the age of twenty-two years, and has been actively engaged in religious service; has been in the ministry fifteen years. Was baptized into the Caesar's Creek Baptist Church by Elder William Sutton, and has been deacon of this church fifteen years. His son, James is .,n eminent minister, preaching at Greenfield. The father and family are exemplary members of the
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 809
church, and good citizens. He has a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, about two miles east of Jamestown, on the Washington pike, where he lives, and one of one hundred and sixty acres south of Jamestown about three miles. He had at one time about six hundred acres of land in this county, the result of industry and good management, having only twelve cents when he came to the county. He possessed an iron constitution, and is a robust man yet.
C. H. Spahr, the son of Gideon and Phoebe Spahr, who immigrated from Hardy County, Virginia, about the year 1816, and settled on the head waters of the Shawnee, east of Xenia, was born January 30, 1826. He with his parents, in the fall of 1832, moved to a farm two miles west of Jamestown, and remained until the fall of 1846, assisting at farm labor, and attending such schools, common and select, as the county afforded. In the fall of 1846, he entered the office of Dr. E. Owen, of Champaign County, as a student of medicine. After remaining in the offices of Drs. Owen and A. B. Newkirk for three years, and going through the curriculum of the Starling Medical College and doing some practice, he settled in Jamestown, on-February 2, 1854, into regular practice, and has continued therein until the present time, with the exception of the winters of 1864-5, during which time he served as the representative of Greene County in the legislature, having been elected to that office in October, 1863, by the largest majority ever given prior to that time to any candidate for the same office in the county. In politics he is a Republican, endorsing the leading acts of the party from 1855 to the present. Has long been closely identified with the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the I. O. O. F., in each of which he holds a membership. Lives in comfortable circumstances. He was married, March 11, 1858, to Mary A., daughter of John Peters, of Ironton. To them has been born six children: Phoebe R., Fannie S., and George R. are living; three died in infancy. The family of Gideon and Phoebe Sphar consisted of four sons and five daughters. Dr. B. E. Spahr died in the spring of 1861, and Raper A. Spahr fell at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, in 1863, bravely defending the Union. The Rev. B. N., of the Ohio conference, and Dr. C. H., of Jamestown, survive. The daughters are all living: Mrs. Iliff, of Randolph County, Indiana; Mrs. McMillan, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Mrs. Zartman, of Trinidad, Colorado ; Mrs. Bargdill and Mrs. Adams, of Jamestown. The father, Gideon, died June, 1856, and the mother, Phoebe, died July, 1867.
810 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
James Snodgrass, farmer, was born in Virginia, in 1795, came to Ohio in 1808, and with his parents located in what was then Champaign County, now Clarke. He knew Springfield when there was but one dry goods store, owned by a Mr. Amler, a tavern owned by Griffith Foos, and the residence of a Mr. Walker, in the now populous city, which were made of logs. Mr. Snodgrass volunteered in the service of the war of 1812, served five years, was discharged at Green Bay, January 13, 1819. Before he enlisted, he was hauling a load of goods from Dayton to Springfield for Mr. Amler, when he met Joseph Vance, (quartermaster of General Hull's corps), who, on account of the scarcity of teams, told him that he would have to press his team into service to haul provisions for General Hull. While they were talking, his father came up and hired the team to him, acting as driver, and at his return enlisted in the war. He bad previously served six months with a band of scouts against the Indians, under Captain Kiser. "Thus I got to see the elephant's tail, and wanted to see his horns" said the gentleman. He was in the third regiment under Colonel Miller. Was on the battlefield of the Thames. At the time of his discharge, he started to walk from Green Bay home, accompanied by three friends; they thought they could reach Chicago in two days, but .were delayed by snow and cold weather; he froze one foot very badly and stopped with Mr. LaSales to stay over night. Mr. LaSales told him that he could get a doctor who would cure the frozen foot so that he could proceed on his journey the next day, and accordingly called on an Indian doctor, who put something resembling pounded bark and salt on the foot. This was to remain until morning, and was very painful. He put in the night very restlessly, would sing, whistle, and swear at intervals. The remedy proved a good one, and they proceeded on their journey. They traveled eight days with only about a gill of biscuit crumbs to eat. Upon arriving at Chicago, they found nothing but a log tavern and the garrison of the army. Mr. Battey living across the Chicago River from the garrison, who owned the land where the city now stands, told them he would give them an acre of land for each house they would build there. Mr. Snodgrass was accompanied by James Collins, James Steelman, and John B. Ennis. Mr. Snodgrass came to this county, whither his parents had moved during his absence, in 1819. Came through Lafayette, Indiana, then a village, through the Miami Valley, near the present site of Troy,
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 811
which then was represented by a log tavern, which stood near where the west corporation line of the city now is. There were not more than twenty people in Xenia then. Was married, Thursday, September 18, 1825, to Abigail Mendenhall. After his return went to Halifax, North Carolina, with some hogs for a Mr. Hunt. On the way they remained over night with a Mr. Strong, who by some misunderstanding, thought they had stolen one of his hogs and had them arrested for it. They were put in a log jail to await trial, but effected a compromise by giving Strong one hundred dollars. With this exception, he was never in jail or under arrest. Mr. Snodgrass is a man of unusual activity for a man of his age.
James Spencer, retired farmer, Jamestown, was born in South Carolina, August 13, 1810, and is a son of Thomas and Susanna (Bingham) Spencer, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of South Carolina. Thomas was born about .1799, and died in 1861; his wife was born in 1790, and died in 1835. They moved to this county in 1829, and were the parents of nine children, James the oldest. He was married, April 4, 1834. The result of this union was twelve children : Thomas, William, Armina, Mary, Susan, J., Frank, Kesiah, Nannie, and Isabel, living; Maria, and two who died in infancy. The family are all members of the Methodist Protestant Church. William and Francis are in the ministry. The former is located in Gibson County, Indiana, and the latter is superintendent of Muskingum College, and an eminent minister. Mr. Spencer, sr., has been an exemplary member of the church for fifty years, and his wife for fifty-five years. They have -a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, just north of Jamestown, where they live, retired from active life. They also have a large residence on the finest street in that city.
Lisbon Syfers, banker, Jamestown, is a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, where he was born, May 11, 1815. Here he was reared, and at the age of fifteen came with his parents (Jacob and Elizabeth) to Wheeling, Virginia, where he remained until 1833, and then moved to Jamestown, where he has since lived. Until 1847 he was engaged in cabinet making, after which he followed other mercantile pursuits. In 1870 he engaged in his present business. Was married, January 19, 1837, to Miss Mary P. Dawson, by whom he had two children : Rufus K., and Eliza J., who died in 1844, aged two years and six months. Rufus is in Indianapolis,
812 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
engaged in the wholesale grocery business. Mrs. Syfers died June 7, 1845, in the twenty-eighth year of her age. Mr. Syfers then married Miss Miranda Hodges, on the 4th of October, 1847. Two children are the fruits of this union: Luella and Lizzie; the latter died in her third year. Mr. Syfers struggled with poverty in his youth, but by industry and good management succeeded in accumulating a competency. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His father was born in Virginia in 1790, and died at the age of eighty-six; his mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and died in 1873.
John W. Thomas, farmer, is a son of Arthur and Mary (McConnell) Thomas; the former born in Pennsylvania, July 5, 1805, and the latter in this county, November 11, 1809, and were married in this county, November 16, 1829. There were ten children of this family-James, Leah, Henry, Tunis, Olive, Elizabeth, John W., Amanda J., Martha, and Frances M., the two latter deceased. Our subject was born in this county, October 20, 1843, where he was reared, and married Miss Keziah McCleary. One child, James, was born to' them, who is living. Mrs. Thomas' parents, James and Lucy A. (Bangham) McCleary, were married in 1833. There were five children of this family-Josephine, Ophelia, Charles, Keziah, and Sherman, the first named deceased. Mr. Thomas has a farm of eighty acres, on which he lives, farming chiefly to grain. His wife is a member of the Mount Carmel Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joshua B. Thomas, farmer, was born in this county, January 22, 1827, where he was married, May 19, 1859. Ten children are the result of this marriage : Jacob A., Mary E., Nancy M., Sarah E., Anna L., Hannah L., Benjamin F., Joshua S., Hattie J., and John L., all of whom are living but Jacob A. and Hannah L. They are all unmarried, and at home with their parents. Mr. Thomas was born and reared on the farm where he now lives, which was bought by his father about 1810, and where he lived till his death. His father was born in the year 1800. There were eight children of his family, five of whom are living, Joshua being the third child, and only son living. There were many wild animals in this locality when our subject was a boy, such as deer, raccoons, and wild-cats. He now owns the home farm, of one hundred and twenty acres, and sixty-seven acres in Jasper and Caesar's Creek townships, and farms to both grain and stock, handling horses and hogs more extensively than any other stock. He and his wife are members of
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Mount Carmel Methodist Protestant Church: His parents were members of the same church.
Andrew Turner, farmer, is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cruzen) Turner, who were married in this county, May 28, 1819. He was born near Cincinnati, October 23, 1792, where he was reared, and from where he went to the war of 1812, in which he served as a teamster four mouths. Our subject's mother was born in Virginia, October 27, 1802, and died in this county, in 1871. There were nine children of this family, Andrew being the youngest one living. He was born March 11, 1843, and was married to Susanna Glass, of this county. Four children are the result of this unionMary E., Cora E., Carda and William G., all living. He has a farm of seventy-five acres, on which he lives, and farms chiefly to grain. His wife is a member of the Oak Knoll Christian Church.
Hiram Turner, farmer, is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Beason) Turner. His father was born near Cincinnati, May 11, 1795. At that tine there were but three houses in the place. Mrs. Turner was born June 6, 1795. They were married in this county, August 10, 1819. There were nine children of this family, our subject being the sixth child. Of these, five are living. Mr. Turner served six months in the war of 1812, and came to this county in 1815, where he died, April 30, 1870. Mrs. Turner died July 16, 1845. Our subject was born in this township, June 19, 1830, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Margaret J. Shrack, a daughter of Samuel and Abagail (McFarland) Shrack, April 11, 1855. Four children are the result of this marriage : Lorena J., who died February 18, 1857, in her first year, Abbie S., Francis M., and Henry C. Mr. Turner has a farm of fifty acres, well improved, situated two miles southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives. His grandfather, Harkless, settled on what is now known as the Ireland farm, situated one mile south of Jamestown, when it was an unbroken forest, and when the Indians were numerous. Mrs. Turner and children are members of the Baptist Church, with which she united at the age of fourteen. Mr. Turner's father helped to dig the well at what is now the Galt House, at Cincinnati.
William Turner, farmer, is a son of Levi and Mary (Sanders) Turner, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. They were married in this county, May 11, 1820. There were five children from this marriage, three of whom are living, William being the oldest. Mr. Turner, sen., was born August 31, 1797, and died
814 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
December 15, 1870. Mrs. Turner was born October 30, 1802, and is still living. Our subject was born in this township, July 3,1821, where he was reared, educated, and married Miss Elizabeth P. Shrack, May 3,1855, who bore him nine children : M. Alice, James H., W. Dennison, Elizabeth J., Hulda A., Charles E., Florence E., Flora M., and Oscar, seven of whom are living.. Mrs. Turner died March 30, 1872, in the fortieth year of her age. She was a worthy member of the Baptist Church, with which she had been -connected since the age of sixteen, and died triumphantly, saying, "Jesus, whom she embraced in her childhood, comforted her on her deathbed." Mr. Turner is a well-respected citizen who is known throughout the township. Though not compelled to do so, he hired a substitute to serve in the rebellion. Politically, he is a Republican, and served several years as township clerk; also served one term as trustee of the township. He is an active worker in the church in which his wife died, and is also actively engaged in the educational interests of the community. He has a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, well improved, situated two miles and a quarter southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives.