420 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

I. J. BASSETT, County Commissioner, Dayton, was born in Leicestershire. England, September 10, 1837. He is the son of George W. and Harriett (Knight) Bassett, natives of the above place. The father came to America in 1844, and worked in Maryland until 1850, when he came to Dayton and engaged in the business of horse farrier, in which he is still engaged. The rest of the family, which consisted of the mother, three boys and three girls, emigrated in 1847. Our subject attended the common schools of Maryland until 1857, when he came to Montgomery County, and, after working as a farm hand for two years, commenced farming for himself, in which occupation he still continues. He has been twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Putterbaugh, daughter of George Putterbaugh, of Dayton, who died in 1863, leaving three children, one boy and two girls. He was married, in 1869, to Lydia Connett, daughter of Woodruff Connett, of Athens County, Ohio. by whom he has had two children, only one of whom survives. Mr. Bassett is a man of considerable ability and great popularity, as is evinced by the fact that he has been County Commissioner since 1877, and was a Trustee of Harrison Township, in which he lives, for eight years, previous to his election. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity only.

JOHN BOLINGER, proprietor of sawmill, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1830. e is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Bolinger, natives of Pennsylvania. His father came to Ohio in 1847, and commenced running a sawmill in Green County. He afterward located mills in different parts of the State, and in 1867 died, being followed by his wife three years later. Our subject remained at home until he reached his majority, when he married Miss Amanda Harris, of Miami County, and located at Taylorville, where he started a sawmill. Here he remained five years, and then located on the Little Miami River, where he remained one year, during which time his wife died, leaving two children, viz.: Samuel L. and Mary E., wife of William Limebaugh. He was again married, in 1859, to Miss Catharine Sensenbaugh, of Greene County. Mr. Bolinger is a Republican. Mrs. Bolinger is a member of the Lutheran Church.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP. - 427

DANIEL BRAME. farmer, P. O. Dayton. was born in Adams County, Penn., April 6, 1845. He is the son of Daniel and Mary (Arnold) Brame, old residents of the Keystone State. His father was born in 1802, and his mother in 1812. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Dayton, and for five years worked for Mr. John Ewing. In 1873, he married Mrs. Kitty A. Beck, widow of Holister W. Beck, a conductor on the Dayton & Michigan Railroad, who died with consumption. Mrs. Beck was the daughter of Henry Haller, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. By her marriage to Mr. Beck she had one son, and by Mr. Brame she has two children, now living. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brame located on the place he now occupies, where he has since remained. He is a Republican. and, with his wife, a member of' the First Lutheran Church.

HENRY S. CITONE, gardener, Dayton, was born in Dayton Ohio, January, 1846. His father, Stephen, was born in Italy, in 1811, and came to the United States when sixteen years of age. He landed at New York and went from there to New Orleans, peddling for a living. He came to Dayton in 1830, and in 1832 married Angelina Hess, daughter of a Canadian family who came to the States during the Revolution, took the part of the patriots, and wove cloth with which to cover the soldiers. Her grandfather. John Hess, took such part in the war of 1812, as entitled his widow to a pension after his death. Our subject's parents had seven children, of whom three now survive. In 1848, the mother died, and four years afterward the father married Ellen Dye, to whom seven children were born ; four now living. In 1855, Mr. Citone moved to Troy, Ohio, where he still lives. Henry, the subject hereof, lived with his parents until fifteen years of age. when he went to work for a Mr. Kreitzer, with whom he remained eight years, and then commenced learning the printing trade with Frederick Riser, of Dayton, Ohio. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Houck, and after being out one year was wounded at the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and discharged. In 1869, he married Annie Roth, daughter of William and Mary Roth, German residents of Dayton. By this marriage five children were born, all living. Mr. C. has followed gardening since the war. He lives on the River road, is a member of the old guards, and, with his family. is connected with the Catholic Church.

W. H, CLARK, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Van Buren Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, May 8, 1837. He is the son of John and Margaretta (Ashton) Clark, His father was born in Montgomery County in 1813, and was married in 1833 to Miss Ashton, by whom he had three children. The father died on the home farm at the good old age of sixty-one years, and the mother on the same farm at seventy-one years of age. Within seventeen hours after the death of the mother, her daughter, Mrs. Martha Shawn, died. W. H., our subject, is still an unmarried man, and is living on the old home place. He has received a common-school education, and is in every way capable of conducting the work on the farm to the best advantage.

GEORGE L. CLEMMER, retired farmer, P. O. Dayton. Just across the line which separates Dayton from Harrison Township, quietly watching the progress of our growing county, and settled probably for the remainder of his life, on a half acre of ground, containing a comfortable dwelling-house and large storeroom, we find the subject of our sketch. His father, Andrew, was a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Virginia in an early day, and there married Salome Black. Not liking that State he, in 1814, removed to Ohio, and with his family, located in Perry Township, Montgomery County, where he entered a three-quarter section of land, cleared a part of it, built a mill, and with no neighbor nearer than three miles, commenced his pioneer life. The wild deer, turkeys and wolves were then familiar objects of every day life in that locality. It was there our subject first saw the light of day, on the 14th of June, 1815 ; there he received his limited education in the old slab-seated schoolhouse, and amid these scenes he grew up to man's estate. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he married Susan Drayer, who was born March 30, 1820, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Myers) Drayer, natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage, he took 100 acres of land, cleared it himself', built his own house, made his

428 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

own farming implements and commenced doing his share toward making his county what it is to-day. After remaining in Perry Township fifty-two years he moved to Dayton, having, while in that township, accumulated some 320 acres of land. He has had six children, of whom he has succeeded in raising four, viz.: David. Elizabeth, Lewis D. and Sarah. His other two were John W. and one that died in its infancy. Mr. Clemmer was Trustee of his township five years and School Director nine years. He and his wife are both members of the German Reformed Church. of which he has been an Elder for some time. This couple, though old, are hale and hearty, and are now enjoying the health and comforts due to two whose lives have been so well spent.

CHARLES DIEHL, gardener, Dayton, was born in Prussia February 25, 1817. He is the son of Nicholas and Lizzie (Culman) Diehl of Prussia, where our subject received an education such as was afforded by the schools of his district. He emigrated to America in 1853, and after a short stay in New York came to Dayton, where he worked as a day laborer. In 1855, he married Mary Stark, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1822. In 1856 he purchased his present place, commenced gardening, and has since continued at it. He has had five children, one being dead, In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and has served as School Director for his district.

ADAM EBY, farmer, P. O. Dayton. Among the wealthy farmers of Harrison Township, mention may be made of the above-named gentleman, who was born near Big Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore Co., Md., July 10. 1814. He is the son of Christian and Susan (McDaniels) Eby, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1838, and located near Farmersville, Jackson Township, Montgomery Co. His father and mother died at the advanced ages of eighty-two and eighty-five respectively, leaving thirteen children, of whom nine now survive. Our subject received a common-school education, and remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age, when he married Susan Mullendore, of Virginia, and moved to his present location on the River road. By industry, perseverance and tact he has accumulated a considerable property. consisting of the home place of 427 acres, 150 acres in Jefferson Township, and So acres in Indiana, He has had thirteen children, of whom ten are now living.

JOSEPH L. ENSLEY, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Butler Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 18, 1821. He is the son of James and Susanna ( Lodge) Ensley. His father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1785 came to Ohio in 1818, and located on 160 acres of land in Butler Township. His mother was born in Virginia, in 1789, and went to Pennsylvania, where she married Mr. Ensley. Mr. Ensley was a Justice of the Peace for eighteen or twenty years in Butler Township. where he died. His wife is still living in Parke County, Ohio, with one of her daughters, Mrs. John Eichleman. Our subject's grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject lived with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he came to Harrison Township and commenced farming on his father's farm, where he remained four years, and then married Miss Ann R. Drill, daughter of George and Jemima Drill, of Montgomery County, who were married in 1813. Her father and mother both came from Maryland about 1827. He was born in 1787, and she in 1791. After marriage our subject farmed in the neighborhood until 1865, when he bought his present place, and now owns about 100 acres in all. He has had six children, four girls and two boys, two girls being married and one dead. Mr. Ensley. his wife and four children are members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Ensley was Steward and is Trustee. In polities, he is a Republican.

MAHALA ENSLEY, P. O. Dayton, widow of George W. Ensley, and daughter of William and Susanna (Warrenfeldt) Patton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 4, 1821, and on the 16th of April, 1839, was united in marriage with George W. Ensley, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford County, March 20, 1813, of parents, James and Susanna Ensley, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. Mr. Ensley came to Montgomery County, with his parents, in 1818 and ever afterward remained a resident of the county, until his death. He was a member of the United

HARRISON TOWNSHIP - 429

Brethren Church, a kind neighbor and a good citizen. In politics, a Republican. As a result of this union between our subject and Mr. Ensley, there was born to them one daughter, Laura, who married William G. Turner, and became the mother of two children, Mary V. and Nettie E. The parents of our subject were born, the father in Virginia September 27, 1796, and the mother in Frederick County, Md., December 9, 1797, and were married in the latter State, September 22, 1818 ; that same fall they emigrated to Montgomery County, and in about ten years settled where Mahala Ensley now resides, on which farm he died, May 8, 1864. The mother is still surviving and living on the homestead with her daughter. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Patton was blessed with two daughters, viz., Mahala and Sophia, the latter marrying George Heikes, and died, August 31, 1866, leaving one daughter, Dora--the wife of Cornelus Mumma, to whom were born the following children : Marion V., Blanche E., Ernest L., Norma G. and Edith C. The great-grandfather of our subject, Jacob Warrenfeldt, at the age of fourteen years was sent to America to escape service in the army of his native land, Mrs. Mahala Ensley is a member of the United Brethren Church, and her mother identified with the Lutheran Church.

JOHN EWING, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in New Jersey in May 1817. His parents, Abijah Ewing, who was born in 1792, and Olive (Ayers) Ewing, were old residents of New Jersey, and both died before our subject reached the age of eight years. After their death, John worked for a man named McPherson, and remained in New Jersey until nineteen years old, when he came to Cincinnati, where he married Etna Inman, daughter of old residents of Miami County. After a seven years' residence in Cincinnati, the came to Dayton and located in the city as a drayman, in which occupation he continued fifteen years. He then moved to his present residence on the River road in Harrison Township, and took up the occupation of gardener, in which he has since continued. He has been twice married, his first wife dying and leaving six children, of whom two are now living. In 1866, he married his second wife, Miss Harriet Bostwick, of New York State. Mr. Ewing and his wife are members of the Linden Avenue Baptist Church, in which he has for a long time been an officer, now occupying the office of Treasurer. e was, for a number of years, connected with the old fire department of the city. His political views are in unison with the principles of the Republican party. He is a man of the highest degree of integrity, thoroughly posted in his business, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. His success as a gardener is fully attested by the large number of patrons that flock around his stand on market day.

JOHN W. GAINES, of the Dayton Star Nurseries, Dayton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 9, 1846, and is the son of John N. and Catherine (Crow) Gaines, the former being a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. His mother came to this county in childhood, while his father did not settle here until 1844, shortly after which he was married and settled in Randoph Township, where our subject was born, being the eldest in a family of six children, five of whom are living, as well as his mother, who resides in his native township. John W. grew to maturity, as a farmer's son, attending the district school as much as circumstances would allow, and in 1867 purchased a half-interest in the nursery of Samuel Kinsey, although having no capital, in which he remained until 1871, when Samuel W. Hoover bought Kinsey's half and the firm changed to Hoover & Gaines. Mr. Gaines was married, December 12, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Hoover, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hoover. Mrs. Gaines was born in Miami County, Ohio, and has had one child--Melvin A. In 1879, Hoover & Gaines moved their nurseries to the Wolf Creek pike, on the Northern suburbs of Dayton, where they now operate about 300 acres in the nursery business, wholesaling about $70,000 in their line during the past year. They have one of the largest and most extensive nurseries west of the Alleghanies, and ship their trees to every part of the United States. Their success has been rapid and strongly marked by shrewd business sagacity, upright dealing and strict integrity, which have won for them a name second to none. Politically, Mr. Gaines is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Beginning in life without means, he

430 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

has attained in a few years, a leading position among the business men of his native county, and judging the future by the past, his business career will inevitably Terminate in uncommon success. Mr. Gaines is a man of affable manners and pleasant address, who has won many friends throughout his native county.

MATHIAS GLASER, JR., gardener, Dayton, is of German descent, his father, Mathias, Sr., having been born in Prussia, Germany, in 1808, and his mother, Helen (Weber) Glaser, being born in the same country in 1810. They emigrated to America in 1844, and lived in Buffalo, N. Y., where our subject was born, and where they remained four years, and then came to Montgomery County, Ohio. In about 1850, they located on what was then known as " the old bottom place," and here carried on gardening with the help of our subject as long as he remained at home. In 1864, Mathias, Jr., left home and worked out. In 1865, he enlisted in the Seventy-first Volunteer Infantry, and was afterward transferred to the Fifty-eighth Ohio Veterans. in which he served six months, principally on provost duty at different places. In 1870, he married Mary T. Schneider, by whom he has had four children. They are members of Emanuel's Catholic Church. Though unfortunate, through sickness in his family, Mr. G., with the assistance of his wife, is making rapid strides toward success.

ANDREW GREULICH. butcher, Dayton. was born in Dayton, Ohio, September 14, 1846. His parents were. Balser Greulich, who was born in Baden, February 8, 1810, and Volberg (Abberger) Greulich, who was born in Wurtemberg in 1816. Balser Greulich emigrated to America in 1834. and landed in New York. where he was married in 1836. He worked at his credo of butchering in New York until 1839, when he went to Pittsburgh, where he worked six years. and then, in 1845, came to Dayton, Montgomery County, Harrison Township, where he has since obtained, by dint of hard labor and close economy. about thirty-one acres of land, well improved, and a comfortable brick dwelling. He is the father of nine living children, and has had one child that died in infancy. He is one of the oldest butchers in the city of' Dayton. having commenced attending market when the old Market House was built. Andrew, our subject, is unmarried, and still lives at home. He has taken charge of' his father's business, and can always be found at his stand. No. 41 Market House. He is a member of the Butchers' Society and Catholic Church.

HENRY HALLER, farmer and gardener, P. O. Dayton, is the son of Daniel and Kitty (Bowles) Haller, of Frederick County, Md,, where our subject was born, and there received a good common school education. At twenty-two years of age. he married Elizabeth Barger, who was born in 1809. In 1848 he came to Dayton, and, in 1849, commenced farming for Col. Patterson. with whom he remained three years and then bought the place on which he now resides. He is a Republican in polities. and in religion a member of the United Brethren Church. He has had six children, of whom two are now dead. Mr. Haller has a nice home, and twenty acres of ground. on which he raises vegetables for the city markets.

FRANCIS M. HALLER, farmer, P. O. Dayton. was born on the old homestead, October 18, 1896. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Yost ) Haller. His father was born in Frederick County. Md.. in 1803, came to Ohio in 1827. lived six months in Dayton, and then moved to his farm, where he died April 1, 1881, having been an Elder in the Reformed Church fifty years. He had been married twice ; first to Miss Anna Yost, by whom he had three children, and afterward to her sister Elizabeth subject's mother, by whom he had two children. Our subject has always been at home. He has had a fair education. Be married Miss Nancy Olinger, daughter of William Olinger, by whom he has had six children, four girls and two boys. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed Church.

SAMUEL W. HOOVER, of the Dayton Star Nurseries, P. O. Dayton, was burn in Montgomery County, Ohio. April 16. 1837. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Cripes) Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county prior to 1820, and settled in Jefferson Township, where his father still resides. His mother died in 1864. Samuel W. was the eldest in a family of four children, three of whom are living, and

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, - 431

his boyhood was spent upon the home farm, attending the common district school as much as circumstances permitted. He was married January 26, 1860, to Catherine Basore, daughter of Samuel and Lydia Basore ; he was a native of the " Keystone State," and she of Ohio, they being early settlers of Montgomery County. Mrs. Hoover was born in this county, and has had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Oliver P. and W. I. T. Hoover. In 1869, Mr. Hoover began working in the nursery of Kinsey & Gaines, and in 1871, although having but little capital, he purchased Kinsey's interest, and became a partner, under the firm name of Hoover & Gaines, which has continued to the present time. In 1879 they moved their business to their present location upon the Wolf Creek pike, in the northern suburbs of Dayton, where they operate about three hundred acres in the nursery business, doing a wholesale trade of about $70.000 in the past year, their nursery being one of the most extensive west of the Alleghanies. Mr. Hoover and wife are members of the German Baptist Church. He is a member of the Montgomery County Horticultural Society, also of the Miami Valley Nurserymen's Association, of which he was Secretary several years ; and of the American Nurserymen's National Association, of which he was one of the Executive Committee two years. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Hoover's life has been an active one, and productive of much good ; and besides his well-known successful business qualifications, he has ever taken a deep interest in the elevation of humanity and the development of his native county. Courteous and affable at all times, he is a fitting representative of the successful business man and well-bred Christian gentleman.

JOHN KELLER, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Dayton May 24, 1844. He is the son of Phillip and Elizabeth (Martinthaler) Keller. The father was born in Bavaria, emigrated to America in 1835, and after a short stay in New York went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he, in 1837, met and married subject's mother, by whom he had two children--Rachel, relict of Frank Bethinghamer, deceased, and John, our subject. The children were both made orphans by the death of their parents a few years ago. John lived with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he married Theresa Ries, by whom he had nine children. He and family are members of' the Catholic Church. He is also a member of the Knights of St. George.

JOHN KENNEDY, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 21, 1822. He is the son of Joseph and Nancy (Kerr) Kennedy. His father was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1775, came to Ohio in 1803, and located in Montgomery County where he erected a distillery, which he conducted in connection with his farm work. His wife was a native of Virginia, born in 1797. She was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church and died in 1862. at the ripe old age of sixty-five years. She was the mother of six children, three of them now surviving. Her husband, when he came to Ohio, purchased forty acres of land, but by industrious habits and close attention to his work he succeeded in accumulating 300 acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1856. John, our subject, lived with his parents until 1855, when he married Miss Martha Darst, of Greene County, Ohio. He received a very good education in the common schools of Dayton, and afterward attended Center College at Danville, Ill. After his marriage, he located on the farm of' 160 acres. which he now occupies. He has had five children, all of whom are living. Himself, wife and oldest daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, a good farmer, an indulgent father and a highly esteemed citizen.

JACOB KNECHT, farmer, P. O. Dayton, is a native of the village of Hahafrashen in Bavaria, Germany, where he was born December 23, 1835, of' parents, Jacob and Marion (Gilder) Knecht, both of German birth. By occupation, the father was a farmer. Both parents died when Jacob was but a youth. In the fall of 1853, November 20, he came to America, money for his passage having been sent him by an uncle, Christ Miller, then living in Montgomery County. On landing in New York City, he there passed a few days, going to Philadelphia, thence to Cincinnati, and in a few weeks on up into Montgomery County. Here he was employed some years performing farm labor and working in the nursery of George R. Mumma. On the 15th

432 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of January, he was united in marriage to Magdalena, daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Pollurst) Semon, a native of Germany. and to them have been born the following-named children : John, Charles, Elizabeth, Catharine, Jacob, George, Christ and Juhea, the three last named being dead. Our subject, not differing from the Germans in general, is frugal and industrious, as is evidenced in the fact of his possessing a fine farm of 130 acres in Harrison Township, near Dayton, and has, upon eight acres near by, erected a large and neat brick residence.

JOSEPH KUNZ, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Germany March 2, 184S. His father, Frank, was born in 1817, and his mother, Margaretta, in 1820. During his stay in the old country, his father was in the regular army six years. In 1854, he concluded to emigrate to America, and, bidding the land of his birth farewell, he set sail for the New World. The West attracted his attention, and accordingly he came to Ohio, located in Dayton, and at once commenced gardening. In 1865, he moved to Van Wert, and after spending eight years there, moved again to Allen County, where he and wife still live. He has raised a family of nine children, three of whom are in Montgomery County. Joseph, our subject, remained with his parents until nineteen years of' age, when he commenced work as a gardener, and has followed it successfully ever since. At twenty-two, he married Sarah Armstrong, of near Sandusky, Ohio. and has had by her five children, four now living. They are all members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is Steward.

GEORGE A. KUNZ, gardener, P. O Dayton, is a brother of Joseph Kunz, whose sketch appears in this work. He was born in Germany, September, 1849, and until of age lived with his parents, helping in the garden and going to school. He began life for himself as a gardener, and has since continued in the same employment. In 1874. he married Maggie Bentley, whose parents came from Maryland at an early day, and settled in Harrison Township, where Mrs. Bentley now lives with her eldest daughter, her husband having died twelve years ago. Mr. Kunz's marriage was blest with four children, all of whom with their parents are members of the First Lutheran Church. Mr. Kunz has also been connected with Patterson Chapel Sabbath School from its organization, and since 1875 has been its Treasurer.

MICHAEL KURTZ, nurseryman, P. O. Dayton, was born in Germany December 18, 1842 ; came to this country when young. and for nine years worked for J. B. Mumma, Esq. In 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Martin, now a conductor on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. He served with his company three years, taking part in all the battles in which the Ninety-third engaged. In 1868, he married Margaret Stark, of Montgomery County, who died in 1877, leaving four children, and in 1879 he was married to Elizabeth Diehl, whose parents we have spoken of elsewhere. By her he has one child. Mr. Kurtz located soon after the war on twenty-fire acres of land in Harrison Township, where he still resides and carries on the nursery business. e is a Republican, and a Director of' School District No. 9.

GEORGE KURTZ, nurseryman, P. O. Dayton. was born in Germany June 16, 1846. He is the son of Michael and Theresa Kurtz. who came to the United States in 1854, and located in Dayton, Ohio, where Mr. Kurtz worked at day labor until his death, which occurred in 1874. Our subject was hired to a nurseryman at nine years of age, and worked until 1870, when he married Miss Harriett Stepleton, and commenced growing trees, on shares, for Mr. George Heikes. In 1872, he bought 10 acres of land, built a house, and commenced business for himself, in which he still continues. He is the father of four children, one boy and three girls, all living. His wife's father was a Pennsylvanian, who married a Miss Olinger, and came to Montgomery County in 1821. Mr. K., our subject, when sixteen years of age enlisted in the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after three days his father compelled him to return home. He is doing a good nursery business, and is taking rapid strides toward the goal of success. Politically, he is a Democrat.

REV. PHILLIP J. MILLHOFF, minister, Dayton, son of Phillip and Mary (Merrick) Millhoff, was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 5, 1832. His father

HARRISON TOWNSHIP. - 433

was one of the first settlers of Shelby County, Ohio, but time to Montgomery County in 1840 ; and, after remaining eleven years returned to Shelby County, where he died in 1865, and was followed by his wife six years afterward. Our subject lived with his parents until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. In four months after he entered the service, he was captured by John Morgan, but was discharged by general orders. In 1862, he re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Stone. He was stricken with paralysis and came home in April, 1863. In 1864, he married Catharine Snow. After the war, he went to farming in Shelby County, Ohio, and continued that occupation until entirely disabled. For the last eleven years he has lived in Harrison Township. He does not adhere to any particular church, but has preached the Gospel for thirty years. He has four children, all living at home. He is a member of the Old Guard.

LEWIS NEFF, P. O. Dayton, is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of Montgomery County. His grandfather, John Neff, a native of Virginia, emigrated to what is now Montgomery County in the year 1801, and entered 1,800 acres of land along the Great Miami River. As quite an extended account of this pioneer and his family have been given in the history proper of Harrison Township, we will refer the reader to it, and not repeat the same in this sketch. The immediate parents of our subject were Abraham and Mary (Speece) Neff, the former a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and the mother born near Hagerstown, Md. The mother was a daughter of Lewis and Barbara Speece, who died in the State of Indiana. Abraham and Mary (Speece) Neff died, the former August 23, 1847 in his seventieth year, and the latter April 18, 1879 in her ninety-fourth year, and both were buried in the graveyard at Beardshear Chapel. Our subject was born at the old homestead April 30, 1810. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood and reared a firmer. Mr. Neff has been married three times. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Boyer, to whom he was married July 25, 1833, and to them there were born the following children : Mary, Margaret, Catharine, Caroline and Harriet. Mrs. Neff died June 21, 1850. Next, Mr. Neff was married to Hannah Wise, and the third time to Mary A. Weddel, who is still living. Our subject has for a long period of years been closely identified with the interests of Montgomery County. He was elected a Justice of the Peace of Harrison Township soon after its formation and, if he lives until October, 1882, will have served in that capacity thirty consecutive years. He was for fifteen years Township Assessor, and has for quite a number of years been engaged, chiefly, in settling up estates. " Squire Neff," as he is generally called, is an honest and conscientious man and a good citizen. We omitted to note in its proper place, that early in life Mr. Neff learned the cooper trade, at which he worked for several years and was employed in operating some of the early copper stills.

A. C. NICHOLAS, farmer, P. O. Dayton, is a son of Abram and Mary W. Nicholas ; he was born on the old homestead May 13, 1827, and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he went to West Baltimore, and for nine years engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the spring of 1879, he located in Harrison Township, where he has since farmed. He married Miss Rebecca Rinehart, daughter of Peter Rinehart, an old pioneer of Dayton, and Mary, his wife. Mr. Nicholas' marriage was blessed with four children, all living--Mollie R., Jennie, Hattie and John Wesley. Mr. Nicholas and wife are both members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been a class leader and Sabbath-school Superintendent, and in which he is now Assistant Sabbath School Superintendent.

JOSEPH NYE (deceased), was born in Lancaster County, Penn., January 8, 1808, and, receiving a common-school education, remained with his parents until 1834, when he came to Ohio and located in Miamisburg, Montgomery County, where he worked at his trade of weaving. In 1836, he married Miss Rebecca Weldy, who died three years afterward. In 1842, he was again married to Catharine Oyler, who was born in Jessamine County, Ky., in 1825. They remained in Miamisburg ten years, during which time Mr. Nye commenced farming and market gardening. They next

434 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

moved to Harrison Township, where Mr. Nye died in 1872 with heart-disease, leaving his-wife and seven children. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Nye lives on the old place with one daughter and two sons. . She sent two boys to protect their country's flag when fanatical rebellion threatened it, and was fortunate enough to receive them both back safely. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and teacher in the Sunday school.

JACOB PUTERBAUGH, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 12, 1814 ; he is a son of George and Barbara Puterbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania, and both descendants of German families. They came to Ohio in 1824, and, after one year spent in Darke County, they moved to the old Puterbaugh farm, of 300 acres, on the Eaton & Dayton pike, where the father died in 1867, aged seventy-two years. The mother died in 1825. Our subject remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, helping on the farm and attending school a little. In 1838, he married Christina Arbaugh, daughter of an old resident millwright of Montgomery County. By this marriage they had nine children, five now living. Mr. P. moved onto his present farm in 1843, and has since cultivated a market garden for the supply of the city market. He had one son, George, in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, who received a wound in the war, and has since died, leaving one child.

GEORGE PUTERBAUGH, farmer, P. O. Dayton. was born in Pennsylvania January 18, 1818, and came to Ohio with his parents, with whom he lived until twenty-three years of age, when he commenced raising watermelons in the " Bottoms," in which business he continued four years. In 1846, he married Mary Rhinehart, by whom he has eleven children living. His wife's parents came from Pennsylvania in 1837. They are both dead. They had eleven children, seven of whom are now living. Mr. P., after marriage, bought five acres of land on which he built a cabin, 14x20, of Buckeye logs, in which he lived four years. and then selheng it bought thirty-six acres on the river. This he sold twelve years afterward and moved to the corner of the River road, where he remained six years. and then bought seventeen acres on the Greencastle road, where he now lives. He also owns seven acres on the Eaton pike. e and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a Trustee.

JOHN RECHER, farmer, P. O. Dayton. was born in Frederick County. Md,, February 22. 1840. His father, .John Recker. who was born in 1808. and his mother, Anna (Marken) Recher, born in 1816, are both still living in Maryland. John remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Montgomery County and worked on a farm. In 1867. he married Miss Sarah Nicholas, sister of A. C. Nicholas, and for five years thereafter lived on the Nicholas homestead. At the expiration of this time he moved to his present farm, and has remained here since, He has three children, two boys and one girl. During the war, he was drafted into the service, but did not serve. He and his wife are members of' the United Brethren Church.

HENRY REDDER, farmer and nurseryman, P. O. Dayton, was born in Germany October 13, 1833. He is the son of Henry and Sophia (Shroer) Redder. who never came to this country. Henry. our subject, came to America in 1852. landed in New Orleans, and then came to Cincinnati, where he remained eight months. working in a dairy. From Cincinnati he came to Dayton. where he worked as a day laborer until 1857, when he married Laura Shawen, daughter of David Shawen. After marriage, he rented a farm, which he worked ten years, and then bought the place adjoining his father-in-law, where he still lives. He has two sons living at home. He is a member of' the Christian Church, in which his wife is Sunday-school Superintendent. He is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN D. RIDER, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Germany March 20, 1829, and emigrated to America with his parents, Frederick and Margaret Rider, in 1835. At fourteen years of age, his parents being poor, he was thrown on his own resources, and began life by working for Mr. Adam Eby, at $1 per month. His entire schooling has amounted to about six months' attendance at a country school. In 1857, he married Elizabeth Welsh, daughter of James Welsh, one of the pioneer settlers of Harrisburg,

HARRISON TOWNSHIP. - 435

Ohio, and by her had ten children, nine of whom survive. Mr. Rider is a stanch Democrat ; has been a Supervisor of Roads in his township, and is now a School Director and Township Treasurer. Himself, wife and two daughters are members of Miami Chapel of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Rider has been for some time a Classleader and Sabbath School Superintendent. He is possessor of seventy-one acres of good land on the Germantown pike, valued at $20,000. He is surely a self-made man.

GEORGE RIDER, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Germany in 1832, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1835. He remained at home until his father's death, which occurred in 1853, when he took his mother and sister and move] to the place he now occupies, where he has since been engaged in raising vegetables for market. His mother died January 11, 1876, and he, with his sister, has since carried on the work of the farm. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in which he has long been Steward. He is a brother of John D. Rider, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

JOHN S. SACKSTEDER, gardener, P. O. Dayton. Surrounding the city of Dayton there is a complete network of market gardeners, who supply the city with every kind of produce, and among those who have built up this very necessary industry of the county, and become wealthy and prominent in that line, through their own efforts, the gentleman of whom we write stands at the head of the list. John S. Sacksteder was born in Prussia, Germany, January 20, 1832, and is the son of John P. and Barbara (Muntz) Sacksteder, natives of the above place, who, with their family, emigrated in 1836, to Livingston County, N. Y., removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1844, where they lived ten years. coming to Montgomery County in 1854, Barbara dying here in 1868, her husband still survives. Our subject received a limited education in the common schools of New York and Ohio, and in boyhood learned the painter's trade. Upon coming to Montgomery County, the whole family engaged in market gardening, which our subject has successfully continued. He was married, September 4, 1856, to Mary Ann Citone, daughter of Stephen and Angelina (Hess) Citone ; he a native of Italy, born in 1811, and she of Canada, born in 1813. Her grandfather, John Hess, was a soldier in 1812, fighting on the American side against English tyranny, afterward coming to Dayton, Ohio, where a street has been named in honor of him. Mrs. Sacksteder was born in Dayton, and eight children have blessed her marriage, viz.: Katie (deceased), Frank, Louis, Laura, Willie, Maggie, John (deceased) and Annie. Mr. Sacksteder began in his present location and business upon a capital of $225, from which small beginning he has worked up year after year, until to-day he is worth about $25,000, all the legitimate result of the constant toil and rigid economy of himself and wife. He and family belong to St. Emanuel's Catholic Church, and take a deep and active interest in the growth and propagation of Catholic Christianity, giving liberally of their means toward the support of the Church and her benevolent institutions. His handsome brick residence is located in the southwestern suburbs of Dayton, where he and family are enjoying the fruits of their own industry, as well as the unlimited confidence of all who know them.

PETER SACKSTEDER, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Prussia January 31, 1833. His parents, J. P. and Barbara (Muntz) Sacksteder, came to America in 1836, and settled twenty miles south of Rochester, where they lived eight years and then moved to Cincinnati. After a ten years' residence in the Queen City, they came to Dayton and settled on the place where our subject now lives, and where they remained until the death of the mother in 1868, when the father went to live with his son John, where he still remains. Although seventy-seven years of age, he is still hale, and is enjoying good health for one of his years. Peter remained with his parents until 1857, when he married Barbara Greulich, daughter of Bolser and Volberg Greulich, whose names appear elsewhere in this work. By her Mr. Sacksteder has twelve children. In 1860, he bought the homestead and has since followed market gardening. He, his wife and all his children are members of the Catholic Church.

JOHN SIEBENTHALER, nurseryman, P. O. Dayton, was born in Franklin County, Ind., May 4, 1854. He is the son of George and Margaret Siebenthaler,

436 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1832, and went to Indiana in 1834. In the spring of 1867, they came to Montgomery County, Ohio, where Margaret died in the fall of that year, and where her husband still resides. John was in his fourteenth year when his parents came to this county. He attended school in Indiana and Ohio, and for two months attended the Collegiate Institute of Dayton. He began the nursery business in Harrison Township in 1876, and has since continued in that line quite successfully. He taught school in the winter of 1876-77, and in the spring of the latter year was elected Township Clerk on the Democratic ticket. He has since been re-elected four consecutive years. He was also census enumerator in 1880. He is the seventh in a family of twelve children, nine now living.

CHARLES H. STALEY, gardener, P. O. Dayton, was born in Harrison Township, Montgomery County, May 28, 1840, and is the son of Conrad and Margaret (Smith) Staley. His father and mother were both born in Maryland, he in 1800 and she in 1811. His father followed the carpenter trade, and in 1838 came to Ohio. In 1840, he located on the place now occupied by our subject, and continued' to follow his trade until 1850, when he commenced farming, which he followed until 1867. From this time until his death, which occurred in 1877, he was not engaged in any business. His wife died in 1872, leaving seven children of the nine born to them. Our subject remained with his parents until their death, receiving but a limited education. In 1873, he married Catharine, daughter of Charles Keller, one of the pioneers of Montgomery County. After his marriage Mr. Staley took charge of his father's place and has since conducted it. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is Steward.

PETER STUCK, gardener, P. O. Dayton. was born in Dayton, Ohio. March 29, 1834. He is the son of John and Margaret (Sluser) Stuck. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and his grandfather was a pioneer of Montgomery County. Our subject was a day-laborer and butcher from the time he was eight years old. His education has been most meager on account of his youthfulness when he commenced life. He was married in 1860 to Mary Bolander, daughter of John Bolander, by whom he has had seven children, six now living.

JOHN W. TURNER, retired. P. O. Dayton. Books of history and reminiscences of a busy, well-spent life will be of far greater value to posterity than glittering gold, and in writing of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, we can truly say that few of its citizens are more widely known throughout Montgomery County, and few more deserving or possessing to a greater degree the respect, confidence, and affections of its people. His parents, John and Margaret Turner, natives of the Keystone State, came to Ohio in 1820, and settled at Liberty, Jefferson Township, Montgomery County, and in 1824 his father was elected to a seat in the State Legislature. In 1826, he removed to Union, Randolph Township. and in the fall of 1829 the people again chose him to represent them in the legislative halls of Ohio. His wife died in 1828, a sincere member of the Presbyterian Church. She ever maintained a high Christian character. The Rev. David Winters officiated at her funeral. In 1831, John Turner, Sr., removed to Salem, and while there was appointed one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery County. Judge Turner, as he was generally called, died in 1866, aged seventy-seven years and seven months ; his life was full of honor and usefulness, dying with a strong and abiding faith in a happy future. The subject of this sketch was burn in Mifflin County, Penn., November 29, 1813, and was in his seventh year when his parents came to Ohio, yet he and his brother, James, walked the greater part of the way from Pennsylvania to the Miami Valley. He was reared in the pioneer days when schools were almost unknown in this region, and hard, constant toil a necessity ; thus he early acquired those habits of industry and self-denial which are the stepping stones to prosperity. His memory now takes him back to the days of his boyhood, when he sat beside his dear mother, watching her carding wool, or listening to the music of the old-fashioned spinning-wheel as it went humming upon its busy errand. Such were the days and scenes in which he grew to manhood, receiving, in the meantime, a limited education,

HARRISON TOWNSHIP. - 437

which rough contact with the world soon developed into practical worth. In telling of how he began life's battle, we cannot do better than quote his language verbatim. He says : " At the age of twenty-two, I started out in the world without a dollar, but determined to have a home. It was my greatest desire to have good health, for I was not afraid of hard work. Thus armed, I went forth, using care and economy, always living within my means, keeping a. cash account of my expenses when working by the day or month, and being blessed by reasonable health, I have succeeded beyond my expectations ; so that the longer I live the more I am convinced that economy and invincible determination of purpose are the qualities that win success." In 1836, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Eleanor Turner, who died happily rejoicing in Christ, June 27, 1840, leaving two children, James H. and Samuel, both of whom are dead. He was again married, September 7, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth J. Randall, of West Milton, Miami County, Ohio, who was born at Ellicott's Mills, Md., April 16, 1820, her father coming to Miami County in 1829. Settling at West Milton, eight children have blessed this union, six of' whom are now living, viz.: Joseph, John D., William G., Charles C., Frank M. and Maggie, and it is the greatest desire of the parents to leave them such a Christian examble as will he a lasting benefit for time and eternity. Mr. Turner has followed various kinds of work through life ; he has worked by the day and month, farmed, sold goods, bought and packed pork, operated a flour-mill several years and manufactured highwines. In 1844, he was appointed Postmaster at Salem, Clayton P. O. In 1847-8-9, served as Township Treasurer ; in 1850, he sold out his interest in the firm of Turner & Bros., at Salem, and the following year purchased the mill property of James Ensley's estate on Stillwater River ; moved from Salem to that place the same year, rebuilt the mill and erected a new dam. In 1856, our subject was elected a Commissioner of Montgomery County; in 1866, was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected in 1868; he has served as one of the Trustees of the Children's Home for eight years, an office where all the time required is given gratuitously. As to his faith-fulness as a public servant, he desires to leave it to a generous public to decide. And now retired from active life, he has no aspirations for official positions, preferring to pass the remainder of his days in the peaceful enjoyment of his happy home and the companionship of his faithful wife, who, for more than forty years, has cheered him on life's pathway.

JOHN VANCE, retired farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Jackson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 15, 1832, and is the son of Manuel and Elizabeth (Sayler) Vance, natives of Ohio. His grandfather, Michael Vance, a native of Virginia, was a pioneer of Ohio, and his maternal grandfather, John Sayler, also a native of the Old Dominion, was a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the early settlers of Jackson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio. When the subject of this sketch was an infant his father died, leaving two sons, Samuel and John. Three years after his father's death, his mother married Joseph Heiney, a native of Pennsylvania, who had previously settled in this county, of which union eight children were born, five of whom are now living. Mr. Vance grew up on the home farm, attending a few months of country school, and at the age of eighteen went to learn the carpenter's trade with William McGrew, for whom the worked two and one-half years. He was married, October 23, 1853, to Mary A. Recher, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Anspaugh) Recher (he a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and she of Pennsylvania), and granddaughter of Peter and Elizabeth Recher, natives of Frederick County, Md., who were among the first settlers of Montgomery County. Mrs. Vance was born in Harrison Township November 16, 1835, and has had one son, Joseph E., who is now residing upon the home farm of 167 acres, on the River road. After marriage, our subject farmed for his father-in-law for a short time ; then moved upon a rented farm, which he worked fifteen years; then spent four years in the grocery business in Miami City, during which time he purchased the farm on which he had formerly lived, and moved upon it. On the breaking-out of the rebellion, Mr. Vance was a member of' the National Guard, and at once organized Company G ; was elected Second Lieutenant, and afterward Captain ; was mustered into the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio National Guard, and served

438 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

100 days, doing duty in Baltimore, Md., under Colonel John G. Lowe. of Dayton. Mr. Vance is at present retired from active business, and, with his wife, is residing in a handsome residence on South Broadway, Miami City. Both are members of' the Reformed Church, and are well-known and respected by all good citizens.

MOSES WAMPLER, farmer, P. O. Dayton. The grandparents of this gentleman were Philip and Catharine (Royer) Wampler, who emigrated from Frederick County, Md., in 1825, and settled on a tract of land in Section 5, formerly owned by John Miller, and purchased of' the Miller heirs at. $14 per acre. His immediate parents were David and Sarah (Shaup) Wampler, the former a, native of Maryland, and the latter of Greene County, Ohio, both of whom are now living and residents of Montgomery County. Our subject was born in Greene County, Ohio. November 10, 1855, and was united in marriage to Mary E., daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Miller) Stoner, February 19, 1880. She was born December 2, 1861. Her father, Daniel Stoner, is a native of Carroll County, Md.

SAMUEL WAMPLER, farmer, P. O. Dayton. Among the prosperous and prominent farmers of Montgomery County we find the subject of our sketch. He is the son of Philip and Catharine (Royer) Wampler. His father was born in Maryland in 1790, came to Ohio at an early day, and located in Harrison Township, Montgomery County, where he has a fine farm on which our subject was born in 1836. He (Samuel ) remained at home assisting in the farm work until 1858. when he married Miss Agnes Eby, of Preble County, and daughter of a family that came from Maryland about 1840. By this marriage six children were born, viz.: Vernon E., Jennie, Mary I,, Wilbur C., Susan and Milton E., all living at home. Mr. Wampler is a Republican of the old stamp, and a stanch adherent, to party principles. He has been for twelve years a School Director of District No. 1. He owns a fine large farm of 450 acres which he cultivates with the best of' success. He is spoken of in the highest terms by all who know him and stands in the foremost rank of' this county's prosperous farmers.