VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP - 445

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS BRADFORD, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Washington Township, Montgomery County, January 27, 1819. His father, Robert Bradford, was a native of Ireland, born August 22, 1788. He was raised on a small farm and learned weaving. In 1812, he emigrated to America, starting in March and landing in Philadelphia in April. His mother, four brothers and his sister started to this county in June of the same year, his father having died in Ireland. Of the children who

446 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

accompanied their mother, James died soon after landing at Philadelphia. William and David learned the trade of carder and fuller and followed their trade at Cincinnati. The former died near Terra Haute, Ind., and the latter at Xenia, Ohio. Thomas was a laborer in a foundry in Philadelphia, where he died. Margaret was a teacher ; taught at Cincinnati forty years, thirty-eight years in one school. Her husband, Edward Wing, was also a teacher. Robert was the oldest of the family. He settled at Cincinnati and for three years worked in a flouring mill. In 1817, he settled on a farm in Washington Township, Montgomery County, on which he lived for over sixty years. His marriage with Elizabeth Myers was solemnized in April of 1817. Ten children were the issue, viz.: Nancy, Thomas, Eliza Jane, Martha, Mary. Margaret, Sarah, Ann Maria, John Mitchel and James. The first born died in infancy, the rest are all living and; with one exception, are residents of Ohio. John M. is a physician in Kansas. Mrs. Elizabeth Bradford was a native of Virginia, born in 1797 and died in 1844. Mr. Bradford survived till December 11, 1877. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer, and for the last twenty-nine years has resided in Van Buren Township, where he owns ninety-five acres of land, which is well improved and under good cultivation. He married Abigail Jane Cavender, August 10, 1854. She was born in Greene County October 10, 1838. The fruits of this union are five children--Lizzie, Dellsena, Mary M., Abby Luetta and Thomas Chalmers. Mr. Bradford and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, Lizzie is identified whit the German Reformed Church.

WILLIAM BRADFORD, JR., farmer, P. Dayton, is a grandson of one of the first settlers of Van Buren Township, John Bradford, a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. He married Mary Gillespie July 15, 1782. Twelve children were the fruits of' this union, viz,: Robert, George G., John, Jean Ellenor. James G.. William. Samuel D., Mary, Margaret, David D.. Martha Ellen and Allen. He came to Ohio in 1800, and spent one year near Cincinnati. He then entered 160 acres of land south of Dayton, and in 1801 moved his family to their forest home. The forests then abounded in wild animals, which gradually receded as settlers came in. As the years went by. one after another was added to their number, until the cabins were dotted here and there all through the forest. By dint of hard labor, the mighty oak we laid low. the fields spread abroad. and the rich grain could be seen ripening, to the great satisfaction of these old pioneers. George G. Bradford. the father of our subject, was born in Red Stone. Penn., April 29, 1787. e was reared a farmer. On the 2 9th of March, 1821. was united in marriage with Margaret McAnless, a daughter of James McAnless, born January 11, 1796. To them nine children were born, viz,: James J., Mary A., John, Jane A., William, George G., Margaret. Martha D. and Joseph A. Mr. George G. Bradford, Sr., died June 1, 1840. She survived till September 17, 1872. William, the subject hereof. was born in Van Buren Township. June 12. 1830. His occupation is farming. In 1858, he and his brother John purchased 100 acres of land adjoining the home farm. He finally sold his interest and bought eighty acres of' timber land in 1868. This he has cleared up, and has erected good substantial buildings. His marriage with Louisa Jane Hopkins was celebrated July 11, 1878. She is a native of Bellbrook, Greene Co. June 10, 1847, is the date of her birth. Her parents, Samuel H. and Mary Ann Hopkins, were natives of Warren County. Ohio, he born October 5, 1806, and she August 1. 1814. Their marriage contract was solemnized May 28, 1829. Fourteen children were born to them. viz,: Mary C., James H., Sarah M.. William A., Josephine R., Lydia A., John F., Francis M., Isabel A., Louisa .Jane, Samuel T., Alfretta and Albert (twins), and Clara V. The twins, Lydia A. and James H. are deceased. The latter met his death by the accidental discharge of a gun. Mr. William Bradford and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He has served the same as Deacon for five years.

JOHN BREIDENOUER, dairyman, P. O. Dayton, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, March 1, 1841. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Fishback) Breidenouer, were natives of Germany, where they married and had one child born. They emigrated to America in about 1836, and settled in the above-named county, where they still

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. - 447

reside. Farming is his occupation. Five children have been born to them in this country. The names of all are as follows : Elizabeth, Christina, Maria, John, Margaret (deceased) and Jacob. In 1858, John came to Dayton, and for four years was engaged with Harris & Flutenbarger in the dairy business; he then spent four years at the Asylum, one year as farm laborer and three years as nurse. Again he engaged in the dairy business, and for the last fourteen years, has conducted it for himself. By close attention to the business, habits of economy, and the aid of his good wife, he has advanced step by step, until he owns seventy-two acres of land in Van Buren Township. He served four months in the civil war, a member of the Forty-fourth Regiment, Company H, Ohio National Guards, His marriage with Caroline Stultz was celebrated October 1, 1867. She is a daughter of Isaac Stultz, of Mad River Township, born January 13, 1848. John and Caroline Breidenouer are the parents of four children--Emma E., William E., John H. and Pearly May.

THOMAS BRIDGMAN, farmer, P. O. Dayton. Among the early settlers of Van Buren Township we are pleased to give space to the gentleman whose name appears above. He was born in Jefferson County, Va., April 15, 1803--a son of Francis Bridgman, also a native of Virginia. Francis was of English and French extraction, and married Mary Scott, a lady of Irish descent; thirteen children were born to them, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz,, William, Uriah, Thomas, Mary, Joseph, Nancy, John, Francis, Catharine and Elizabeth. William was a very early settler in Champaign County, and died January 1. 1881. Uriah was drowned in the Potomac River. Nancy is a widow residing in Washington, D. C. John died in Missouri. Francis is a farmer in Logan County, and the rest are supposed to be dead. At the age of twenty-four, Thomas came to Ohio through the persuasion of his uncle, John Bridgman, who had been residing here about two years. He located in what is now Van Buren Township, and for a year or two worked by the month for Asa John, on the farm and in the distillery. On the 25th of May, 1829, he married Sarah, daughter of Asa John. She was born July 8, 1814, and died March 26, 1836, the mother of two children--Benjamin F. and Asa J. Mr. Bridgman consummated his second marriage July 4, 1838. with Esther John, a sister of his first wife. She was born June 12, 1820. Nine children are the fruits of this union--Sarah, Mary Jane, W., H. Harrison, John T.. Perry B., Albert, Laura Ann, Francis Marion and Charles Grant. Since coming to this county. Mr. Bridgman has resided most of the time on the farm where he lives at present. His farm of 151 acres, is a good one, well improved and under good cultivation, For a number of years, he and his father-in-law ran a steam saw mill. which was erected on the farm of Mr. John in 1833. In 1860, they rebuilt on the Beavertown and Indian Riffle pike. Since the death of Asa John, his interest in the mill is owned by his son, John John. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman and two children are members of the United Brethren Church.

JONAH J. BULL, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Greene County, Ohio, February 28, 1812, a son of Thomas and Isabella Bull. His father was of English descent, born in 1763, on Bull's Run, in Virginia. The stream probably derived its name from the family, as they were very early settlers there. Jameson was his mother's maiden name. She was of Irish parentage, born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1784. They emigrated to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Greene County where they resided several years. when they moved to Shelby County, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of their days. He died when about fifty years of age, the father of two sons--Jefferson and Jonah J. His widow afterward married Daniel Valentine, by whom she had five children, viz., Anna, Mary, Rebecca, Esther and Isabella. Mrs. Isabella Valentine survived her second husband some eight or ten years, and died at the age of seventy-two. The subject of this sketch was raised to farm life. From the time he was eight years old, the time when his mother married her second husband. he lived with his grandmother, and, with her aid, managed her affairs till twenty-four years of age. He worked at whatever he could get to do by the day or by the month, when wages were 6 cents per day and $3 per month. On coming to this county, he paid his tax with 95 cents, and had 40 cents remaining. He now owns a fine farm in Van Buren

448 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Township, Montgomery County, besides the lot near the Asylum, where he resides--all the fruits of his own industry, aided by his good wife. Mr. Bull has served his township as Trustee for about twelve years. His marriage was consummated November 17, 1835, with Miss Eliza Jane Braden. She was born in Turtle Creek Township, Warren county, January 8, 1816. To them six children were born; two died in infancy, and one, Alpha J., at the age of twenty-one. The living are Isabella J., Galveston T. and William H. Mrs. Bull and daughter are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

S. A. BUTTERFIELD, retired farmer, P. O. Dayton, is a representative of a very ancient noble family of Scotland, who for about 300 years were the owners of a castle. At the time of the contest of Great Britain with Scotland. when the latter was brought into subjection to the former, an old gentleman and his five sons were banished to the Colonies. They landed at Boston, Mass., and from them the Butterfields of this country originated. One of these sons was the father of Benjamin Butterfield, the father of John Butterfield, of Massachusetts, the father of Jeremiah Butterfield. He was born in Massachusetts, March 4, 1776. Although he was subject to the King for the space of four months, he frequently remarked that he saw no difference between living in a republic and a kingdom. e came to the Northwest Territory in 1787, traveled through what is now Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and on to the Spanish country, where he learned there were great inducements offered by the Spanish Government to persons who would found colonies. He decided not to attempt to found a colony, but accepted a section of land by paying $40, the charges of surveying, recording deed, etc. This was in Missouri, about thirty-five miles above the mouth of the Missouri River. On account of the unhealthy climate and his dislike of the government, after spending about three years, he started on his return trip to New York, across Missouri and Illinois, to Vincennes, Ind., thence to the mouth of Salt River, and wintered at Boonesboro, Ky., where he engaged in chopping wood and clearing land. In the spring, he renewed his journey on foot and reached his destination in August. In 1799. he married Mary Campbell, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1781, He took a second trip to the Northwest in the spring of 1800, accompanied by a brother and brother-in-law, who returned in the fall. He was engaged in surveying, and assisted in establishing the Ludlow line. In the meantime, he made choice of a tract of land on the west of the Great Miami, ten miles below Hamilton. He returned to New York, and in 1802 brought his wife to their new home in the forest, Their first house was erected within the present limits of' Hamilton County. They owned something over a section of land, which they cleared and improved, afterward building in Butler County, making one of the best farms in Ross Township, Butler County, where the residue of life was spent. Few men have endured the hardships that he did and accomplished as much, having traveled thousands of miles on foot and on horseback, wading or swimming streams, and endangered on all sides by wild beasts and Indians. After settling here he dealt largely in hogs, and made frequent trips to New Orleans by means of' flatboats. On arriving at New Orleans, they sometimes found the market glutted, in which case they would take shipping for Havana, Cuba. On one of these trips the ship was wrecked ; but he opened the pens and his hogs swam to the shore, where some were stolen. He also made his way to the shore safe, and afterward returned to his family. His children were eight in number, and were named as follows : Sarah, Sherebiah A., John, Jeremiah, Nathaniel, Elijah, Mary and Elizabeth. Sarah died at the age of twenty-one, and Nathaniel at the age of forty-four. The rest are all living, but reside in different parts of the United States. Jeremiah Butterfield, Sr., departed this life in 1853, his wife having preceded him about seven years. Sherebiah, the eldest son, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, June 2, 1804. He was raised a farmer, and was acquainted with the hardships of frontier life. He used to accompany his father on his trips South with stock; was on another vessel at the eventful time before mentioned. His marriage was celebrated in 1828. His wife, Mary, was born in Kentucky February 10, 1806, and came to Ohio in about 1822. Five children were born to them--Sarah, born March 29, 1829 ; Supplya, September 12, 1832 ; Jennie, February 5, 1834;

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. - 449

Elizabeth, April 11, 1837, and Anna, January --, 1841. Sarah is now the widow of William Willey, and resides in this township. Supply a was killed by a French rough in June of' 1857. He had been practicing medicine in Texas, but left on account of trouble in government affairs. He was on his way to Monterey, and was known to have money or notes about his person. Jennie is now Mrs. William Smith, farmer, of Cynthiana, by. Elizabeth is the wife of George G. Bradford, married April 29, 1861. Mr. Bradford is a representative of a very old family of Van Buren Township, and resides on the old homestead, where he was born April 29, 1833. Elizabeth Bradford is a graduate of College Hill. Anna graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College, and is now Mrs. John Campbell, of Indianapolis, a very prominent lady of the State. She is President of the Woman's Rights Association of Indiana, and made quite a number of Greenback speeches during the campaign of 1880. Mrs. Mary Butterfield departed this life December 20, 1872. He is still living, and makes his home with his daughter Elizabeth. He has in his possession a gun that an uncle carried through the Revolution, and that his father carried on his tour through the Northwest. It now has its third stock, and is highly prized by its owner.

ADAM COBLENTZ, retired farmer, P. O. Dayton. Among the old residents of Van Buren Township, Montgomery County, we are pleased to mention the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His father, Adam Coblentz, was born in Frederick Co., Md., May 19,1762 ; grew to manhood and learned the shoemaker's trade in his native State, where, in the latter part of 1787, or the early part of' 1788, he married Elizabeth Coleman. She was a native of the same place, born July 1, 1769. They were of German descent, and in 1807, came to Ohio and entered a fractional section (190 acres) of land in what. is now Van Buren Township, Montgomery County, and purchased ninety acres besides. on which was a small improvement. The remainder they reduced to a state of cultivation, and made it their home. He departed this life January 28, 1838. His wife survived till May 5, 1862. Both were exemplary members of the German Reformed Church. Their children were nine in number, and were named as follows : Peter, Elizabeth, Jacob, Mary M., Daniel, John and Joseph, born in Maryland ; Mary Ann and Adam, born in this State. Peter served in the war of 1812, under Hull ; was present at the time of the surrender at Detroit. Jacob went out in 1813 with Capt. Brier, but soon returned. Adam, the youngest of' the, family, was born September 26, 1812. He was reared a farmer, and still lives on his farm of 158 acres. He has a sacred relic in the shape of a German Bible, printed in 1776, for which his father subscribed. Mr. Coblentz was united in marriage, January 25, 1876, with Anna Mary Bridenbaugh. She was born in Dayton July 26, 1852. One child, Ann Rebecca, has been the issue of this marriage. They are members of the Reformed Church

C. W. CREAGER, retired farmer, P. O. Dayton, Box 810, was born in Frederick County, Md., November 24, 1812, a son of Casper and Barbara (Smith) Creager. They were of German descent, and natives of' the above-named State. In 1813, they, with three children, came to Ohio and settled in Warren County, near Franklin. His death occurred in May of 1846, aged eighty-five years. as nearly as can be ascertained. His wife survived just one year, and died at the age of sixty-eight. He died at 6 A. M. and she at 6 P. M. They were reared in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and remained in fellowship with the same, and had their children instructed in the doctrines of that church. Adam, Solomon and Christian William, were the children born in Maryland, and Ezra, David, John, Sophia, Daniel and Mary, born in Warren County, Ohio. C. W". was reared a farmer; worked for his father till twenty-one years of age, when he began life for himself ; worked by the month and cropped for about six years. On the 25th of March. 1830, he married Susan Dolan. She was of Irish parentage, born April 14, 1822. They lived on rented land at different places till 1845, when they purchased a farm in the western part of Montgomery County, where he remained twelve years, and then purchased 151 acres in Van Buren Township, of the same county, where they now reside and are comfortably situated for life. They are the parents of eleven children--William Henry, John P., Mary A., Ezra, Susan, Jacob, Eliza Jane, infant daughter deceased, Daniel, George and Emma Florence. The two youngest

450 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

sons and the oldest are deceased. William H. was a member of the Catholic Church, with which his mother is also identified. Mr. Creager is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

WASHINGTON DERN, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 1, 1811, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Dern. They were both natives of Maryland, and were the parents of eight children. Washington, the fourth child and only one to leave his native State, learned the miller's trade. After following his trade a few years in the East, and thinking there were better opportunities in the West for young men to start in life, he decided to emigrate. He came to Ohio in 1837, and for several years lived in different parts of the State. After coming to Montgomery County, for two years he was engaged in Pease's mill, Dayton. He then rented the Umbaugh Mill, four miles north, and operated it for about seven years. In 1858 or 1859, he purchased a farm of ninety acres in Van Buren Township, quit milling, located on his farm and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His marriage was celebrated with Mary Ann Pentzer November 16, 1841. She was born in Maryland July 8, 1816, and came to Ohio in 1837, with her parents, Valentine and Mary Pentzer, who settled in this county. Washington and Mary Ann Dern are the parents of five children--Mary E., Frederic V., Washington P. (deceased), William H. and George E. On the 24th of March, 1879, Frederic V. was united in marriage with Miss Crinda Whipp. Mr. Dern and family are members of the German Reformed Church.

WILLIAM EWRY, wagon-maker, Beavertown. His father, Basil Ewry, was a son of John and Elizabeth Ewry, born November 20, 1812. He was reared a farmer. with fair advantages for obtaining an education. By application and a tenacity of purpose, his intellectual attainments were above mediocrity. On the 8th of November, 1838, he married Magdalene Swigard, by whom he had two children--William and David. Mrs. Ewry departed this life March 18, 1843. The second marriage of Mr. Ewry was with Miss Elizabeth Swigard. The result of this union was ten children, viz.: Henry H., John G., Benjamin F., Albert R., Oliver P., Isaac W., Charles O., two infants and Mary E. Mr. Ewry started in life under adverse circumstances, but became well off. In 1845, he purchased a farm east of Beavertown, on which the residue of his life was spent. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church, having served the same about twenty years as Elder and Deacon. He met his death by a vicious horse; the animal kicked him three times, from the effects of which he died four days later, April 5, 1864. His widow is still living and resides in Beavertown. William, the oldest child, was born July 31, 1839. He assisted in the labors on his father's farm till eighteen years of age, when he commenced to learn the trade of wagon-maker, with Frankhen Bridgman. This has been his occupation ever since, for the last twenty years acting as proprietor ; five years in the West. He was united in marriage with Amelia Harper, November 9, 1866. She was a native of Van Wert County, Ohio, born in 1843. Dora Maude is the only child. On the 12th of September, 1880, death entered this happy little family and claimed the mother for his prey. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, with which her husband is also identified.

JOSEPH B. JOHNS, retired surveyor, P. O. Dayton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1813. His parents, Benjamin and Rhoda Johns, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Welsh and the latter of English extraction. They came to Ohio in 1811, landing at Cincinnati in April. They then set out on horseback for Dayton, and soon after entered land in the vicinity of where Trotwood now is. Here he died in June of 1814, from exposure in the war of 1812, in which he served. e was born May 19, 1786. His wife was born April 18, 1786, and died in 1835. Their children were Mary Ann and Joseph B. Mary Ann was born in Fayette County Penn., December 20, 1810. She became the wife of Leonard Miller. He was also a native of Pennsylvania, born May 6, 1804, and died January 9, 1867, their five children having gone before. The subject of this sketch received a good education, and at the age of nineteen began teaching, which he followed eighteen years. He has been

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. - 451

identified with the principal offices of the township, serving as Assessor, Clerk, Trustee, and was Justice of the Peace nine years, was City Engineer for the city of Dayton twelve years and was County Surveyor for fifteen years. He now resides with his widowed sister, on a farm in Van Buren Township.

JOHN A. KOHL, farmer, P. O. Dayton, is a son of Jacob and Catharine ( Miller) Kohl. They were natives of Hesse, Germany, he born February 2, 1795, and she October 15, 1813. In about 1834, they emigrated to America and spent the first two years in Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio, after which they lived in Dayton two years, and then moved to the country south of the city. In 1846, they purchased a farm of thirty-three acres and engaged in farming. They were industrious, economical people, and afterward added twenty acres to their farm. Two children were born to them--John Augustus and Harriet. The latter died at the age of sixteen. Mr. Jacob Kohl was confirmed in the German Reformed Church ; but, on coming to this country, there being no German services in his church, and his wife being a member of the Evangehecal Lutheran Church, he connected himself with it, and remained in communion with the same till death. He departed this life January 2, 1880. His widow is still living, and resides with her son. He was born in Miamisburg April 12, 1836, and is now an enterprising farmer of Van Buren Township. Besides the home farm, he owns fifty-eight acres, which is under good cultivation and well improved. On the 29th of January. 1860, he was united in marriage with Catharine Ridenour, the only daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Ridenour. They were natives of Maryland, came to Ohio nearly fifty years ago, and were parents of eight children. Catharine was born August 23, 1842. To this union four children have been given--Frances M.. Anna R., Jacob H. and an infant son, Mrs. Kohl and daughter are members of the German Refin•med Church.

WILLIAM KRAMER, proprietor of vineyard and flower garden, P. O. Dayton. The gentleman named above was born in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 25, 1826. and as soon as large enough commenced learning wine-making, the prevailing business in that land, noted for its extensive vineyards and excellent wines. In 1848, he emigrated to America and landed in New York in December of that year, having been forty-four days on the voyage over. He did not tarry long in the East, but came directly to the Miami Valley. and in Mad River Township, this county, started a vineyard, which he successfully operated for a period of three years, after which he located in Van Buren Township near the Insane Asylum. Here he continued for four years, or until 1855, when he bought sixty acres of his present place, which was then in a perfectly wild state, never even having known the sound of the woodman's ax. He has since then put the whole of it under cultivation, and from time to time added more, until now he has ninety-five acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and methodically laid out in orchards, vineyards and flower-gardens. He has deep, cool cellars in which huge casks of 1,600 gallons capacity are placed for the reception of the wine annually pressed from his luscious grapes. He has transformed his large dooryard into a magnificent wine garden, where he dispenses good cheer to the thirsty people who hourly visit him from the city. Each year witnesses some improvement in his beautiful grounds. There are cool wine-houses, delightful summer-houses where the youth can enjoy their tete a-tete undisturbed and deeply-shaded walks between beds filled with the finest blooming plants. In addition to these, he has recently erected a bowling-alley for those that desire more vigorous amusement. On the 3d of' March, 1849, Mr. Kramer was united in marriage to Caroline Agryshe, who was born in Germany in 1823, and came to this country in 1845. By her he has had three children, now living--William (of the firm of Cook & Kramer, carriage-makers, Dayton), Frederica (now Mrs. Christian Lechner), and Adolph (a mechanic in the city of Dayton). The old folks stay at the vineyard and devote the whole of their attention to their many visitors, whose vehicles constantly crowd the beautiful avenue leading to the gardens. In addition to the immense home consumption supplied by Mr. Kramer, he ships to all points of the country, and the increasing demand for his productions indicate the inadequacy of his facilities for supplying the future wants of his customers. No wine is allowed to leave

452 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

his cellars under four years of age, and none of it is drawn from the well, but consists of pure grape juice alone. Mr. Kramer is a live, enterprising citizen, one of the founders of the County Horticultural Society, and an interested actor in any enterprise for the advancement of agriculture in his county. His worth is acknowledged and appreciated by all who know him.

PETER MARSHALL, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born at Kercyth, Sterlingshire, Scotland, November 14, 1825 ; was raised to agricultural pursuits. In 1849. he emigrated to America, leaving his parents, two brothers and four sisters. One brother and one sister having died prior to that time. His mother, Mary Marshall, died in 1861, and his father, Peter Marshall, followed eight years later. Six of the children still survive--William, Mary, Agnes and Jane reside in Scotland ; Peter and John in Montgomery County, Ohio. The first four years of Mr. Marshall's stay in this country were spent in different States ; engaged about half that time in mining coal. In 1858, he came to Montgomery County, Ohio, and for about three years worked by the month at farming. On the 9th of March, 1856, he married, and one year later moved to Missouri, remaining five years, when he returned to Montgomery County, and for the last seventeen years has resided on the farm where his wife Catharine Ann Johnston was born, December 23, 1833. Peter and Catharine Ann Marshall are the parents of eleven children--Mary Jane, John Alexander (deceased), Oliver, Washington Grant. Elvira, Emmeline, Jennetta, Elizabeth, William P., Rosa and Charles Edward. Alexander and Catharine Ann Johnston, the parents of Mrs. Marshall. were both natives of' Frederick County, Md. ; he born October of 1789, and came to Ohio in 1809, She was born November 8, 1793, and came to this State in 1808 with her mother, who settled on the farm which she now owns. Their marriage was consummated in the spring of 1810; twelve children were the issue ; seven of' whom grew to maturity, viz. : James Riley, Ezra T., Benjamin B., Joseph A.. Elvira, Catharine Ann and Sarah M. ; James R., Catharine A. and their mother are the survivors of the family. Alexander Johnston departed this life in 1855.

EDWARD NEWCOM, farmer, Dayton. This gentleman comes of Irish ancestry, his father, Edward, having been born in the "Seagirt Isle" in 1769. He made three trips across the Atlantic, and desiring to live in a land where the hated English flag of oppression could no longer be flaunted in tyranny, he finally concluded to seek an asylum in this land of freemen and settled in Montgomery County, Ohio. Ile was here married about 1810 to Elizabeth Grimes, a native of Rockbridge County, Va,, who came to this county with her family in 1805. and soon after marriage Mr. Newcom purchased 160 acres of land in Van Buren Township from a Mr. Huston, who had previously entered it, and here they toiled, clearing up the farm and making a home for their increasing family. They reared ten children, viz. : George, William, Edward, Charles D., Matthew, Mary Ann, Samuel G.. Robert, Franklin and Eliza Jane, all except one lived to have a family, and five are still living. Edward Newcom, Sr., was a brother of Col. George Newcom. the first Sheriff of' Montgomery County, Ohio, but he never aspired to office, choosing rather to live quietly on his farm free from the cares of public life. He died January 14, 1839, and his wife August 17, 1842. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead in Van Buren Township, April 25, 1814; grew up on the farm, following the duties thereof until his eighteenth year, when he began work in a distillery, which he continued seven years, and during this period never tasted whisky. Upon the death of' his father, he returned to the old home for the purpose of taking charge of the farm and family, his elder brothers having began in life for themselves, and he kept the children together until all grew to maturity finally purchasing the interest of the balance he became sole owner of the old home. He was married June 22, 1846, to Miss Cynthia Irvin, daughter of Moses I. Irvin, who was born August 28, 1821, and who has borne him seven children--George G. (deceased), Irene D.. Caroline, Lucy Bell, Rachel, Luella (deceased), Edward, Franklin and Marietta. Mr. Newcom is the owner of nearly 500 acres of fine land ; is a go-ahead, energetic farmer, and is recognized as a man of enterprise and public spirit, who has been the architect of his own good fortune. He is a man of quiet habits and retir-

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. - 453

ing disposition, who attends closely to his own business, leaving others to follow his ex-ample. In his home he has ever been kind and hospitable to friend or stranger alike. and his family have in him a prudent, kind and provident protector, who has always watched over them with loving care. In his business intercourse with his neighbors, his actions have been characterized by strict integrity and upright dealing, demonstrating that success was reached through the channels of industry, honesty and justice.

[NOTE.]--Since the above was written, Mr. Newcom died, his death occurring suddenly, March 23, 1882.

FLEMING RICE, farmer, P. O. Dayton. His father, James Rice, was a native of Maryland, born October 5, 1786, and raised a farmer. He was united in marriage June 21, 1821, with Rebecca Drill. She was born in the above-named State March 5, 1797. They came to Ohio in 1826, and settled in Ross County, where they remained five or six years and then moved to Montgomery County, north of Dayton. [n about 1838, they moved to Van Buren Township and rented one of the Compton farms on the Cincinnati pike. Here his decease occurred, September 25, 1842, his wife having preceded him about five years. They had both been reared in the Episcopal Church, and remained faithful to the same till death. Six children were born to them. Fleming, James Andrew, Louisa Ann, John W., George K. and Milton. They are all living, but are considerably scattered, Fleming, the eldest was born in Maryland September 26, 1822. He assisted his father in the labors of the farm until the time of his death when he took charge of affairs, kept the children together and provided for them. He remained on the farm about nineteen years. In the fall of 1858, he purchased a farm of 228 acres of land adjoining the one on which he lived. He located on his farm in 1861. and in 1872 sold sixty-eight acres for the Catholic Cemetery, leaving him 160 acres of excellent land which is in a high state of cultivation and well improved. He also owns a farm of 122 acres in Harrison Township, and is extensively engaged in the cultivation of' tobacco, having grown, on the two farms, from twenty to twenty-seven acres annually. He has been Trustee of the township for the last four years. His first marriage was celebrated February 24, 1843, with Catherine Fenstemacher, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1824, and died in January, 1864, having been a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. She was the mother of' four children--Hester Jane (now Mrs. Daniel Peters), John W., Mary (the wife of Jacob Sheets), and Franklin. On the 13th day of November, 1866. Mr. Rice consummated his second marriage with Mary E. Miller. She was born in Pennsylvania April 2, 1834, and when young came to Ohio with her parents, John and Elizabeth Miller, who settled in Montgomery County, They now reside in Darke County. Fleming and Mary E. Rice are the parents of three children--Ann Estella, Charles D. and Olive Leora.

ALEXANDER C. SAYRE, blacksmith, P. O. Dayton, was born at Cleavetown, Hamilton County, Ohio, June 4, 1845, a son of Oliver and Mary (Morgan) Sayre. Our subject was left an orphan at the age of seven. His father died in 1852 and his mother the following year. They were of English descent, but very little of their history can be obtained except, that their ancestors came over in the Mayflower. After the death of his parents, Alexander C. lived with Judge Wade, of Butler County, and received such an education as could be obtained in the common school. In May of 1864, he enlisted in Company K, of One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment Ohio National Guard, served his time, and then enlisted in Company C of One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served till the close of the war, received an honorable discharge and returned to Butler County. In the spring of 1866, he began the blacksmith trade at Venice, in the above-named county, and has since followed that business, He located in Dayton in 1872, and for seven months worked as journeyman at his trade. He then became proprietor of a shop. In June of 1879, he was made Superintendent of' the Oakwood Street Rail Road, which position he still holds, and discharges his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to parties interested. On the 7th of October, 1867, he was united in marriage with Addie Folick, a native of

454 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Butler County, born November 20, 1850. Four children are the fruits of this union --Harvey, Harry, Eva and Mattie.

WILLIAM H. SNYDER, miller, P. O. Dayton, is a son of Peter Snyder, who was born in Maryland June 25, 1805, and came to Ohio in about 1826. He was a distiller by trade, and for several years ran a copper still for John Compton, south of Dayton. In 1831, he built a flouring-mill on the canal at Lock No. 1, and some-time after he erected a distillery, a short distance east of the mill, where he lived. He quit distilling in 1850, but having added a saw-mill to his grist-mill, he continued to operate them, and also established a flour and feed store in Dayton, on Fifth street, between Jefferson and St. Clair. For a number of years, he was an officer of the township, serving as Trustee and Justice of the Peace. His marriage was celebrated October 13, 1831, with Elizabeth Schnepp (sometimes spelled Snapp). She is a native of this county, born May 16, 1812. Nine children were the fruits of this union--Israel, Abraham, Mary, Isaac, Jacob, John P., Maggie J., Peter and William H. Peter Snyder, Sr., departed this life July 3, 1870. He and his family were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church ; he was a Deacon of the same at the time of his death. His widow and seven of the children are still living. Abraham was wounded at the battle of Buzzard's Roost, from the effects of which he died. The subject of this sketch was born March 23, 1852. His early life was spent in the mill and on the farm. After the death of his father, he spent a few years in Dayton, where, for the greater part of the time, he was engaged in a feed and flour store with his brother Peter, whose interest he afterward purchased. In 1877, he took his brother Jacob in as an equal partner in the store, left him in charge and returned home to superintend the mill and farm for his mother. They have a hominy mill attached to their flouring-mill, and are doing an extensive business with both. While in Dayton, in the spring of 1875, he was elected Constable and served about fourteen months. He is still single, and resides with his mother on the old farm.

SAMUEL SWADENER, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 23, 1822, a son of Henry and Ellen Swadener, who emigrated from Maryland and settled in Montgomery County at an early date. They were the parents of nine children--Mary Jane, Daniel, Samuel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Clarinda, Lavina, Charlotte and Henry. The parents, with the oldest and youngest daughters, are deceased. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 100 acres of land in Van Buren Township, Montgomery County, which is well improved and under good cultivation. He was united in marriage, February 11, 1847, with Caroline Routsong, a native of this county, born January 16, 1826. Seven children are the fruits of this union--Michael J,, Francis G., Julia A. (deceased), William H., Ida Belle, Maggie and Samuel C. The two oldest are married and reside in Miami Township. Mr. Swadener and family, except two children, are members of the Reformed Church.

JOHN WOODMAN, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in " Browntown," Dayton, February 15, 1826, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Miller) Woodman, he a native of Frederick County, Md., and she of Schuylkill County, Penn., who came to this county at an early day. Being raised to river life, Samuel followed boating on the Miami River, and teaming. In 1823, he married Mary Miller, and began farming on Col. Patterson's farm, in what is now " Browntown." In 1827, he moved on what is now known as the " Woodman Farm," which contained 225 acres, also owned 177 in Jefferson Township, one-half interest in 118 acres in Wayne Township, and considerable property in Dayton. Samuel's parents died when he was quite young, and therefore his education was very limited, but yet he was a very successful and useful citizen, and held many minor official positions. He was the father of the following children : William, John, Nancy, Margaretta A., Thomas (deceased), Lucy A., Mary A. (deceased), Samuel. Caroline C., Mahala (deceased) and one died in infancy. Samuel died in 1860. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and lived with his parents until thirty-five years old, renting land a portion of the time from his father. In 1860, he was married to Catherine Eversole, who has had two children--Lincoln (deceased), and Genre W. Mr. Woodman owns a nice farm, upon which he resides,

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. - 455

a part of which is the old homestead. Mrs. Woodman is a member of the German Baptist Church, and the family is one of the most intelligent and enterprising in Van Buren Township.

DANIEL YIKE, carpenter, P. O. Dayton, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., December 22, 1822. His parents, Daniel and Catharine Yike, were also natives of the above-named State In about 1834, they, with a family of four children, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Fairfield County, where he followed farming and blacksmithing, and where four more children were born to them. The names of their children are as follows : Daniel, Rebecca, John, Catharine, Henry, Elizabeth, Abraham and Mary. Daniel Yike, Sr., departed this life in 1879, at the age of eighty-two years. His widow is still living, and resides in Fairfield County. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on his father's farm. He started in life for himself at the age of eighteen ; came to Montgomery County and worked at farming several years. He then learned the carpenter trade. which he has since followed. He owns fourteen acres of land in Van Buren Township, which he cultivates. His marriage was celebrated in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 22, 1852, with Ehezabeth Parrish. Three children are the fruits of this union--Rachel, Romanca and Joseph. The oldest and youngest are married, Mrs. Yike and the daughters are members of the German Reformed Church.

MISCELLANEOUS.

JACOB ROHRER, farmer and capitalist, P. O Tippecanoe City, Miami County. Our subject is honored by having resided a number of years in Montgomery county, and feels the importance of being remembered in her history, as many of the name will hereafter wish to know of their ancestry. Although a resident of' Miami County, Mr. Rohrer has a love for the old home that a lapse of years fails to diminish, and we cheerfully accord him a place, to which he is entitled, among those of his relatives who are represented in this work. He was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1815, and his father, Christian. and also his father, Christian, were born on the same farm. This land was deeded by one of William Penn's agents to a member of the earlier Rohrer families, and has been in their possession for more than one and a half centuries, their ownership ending in November, 1878, when the death of the last surviving brother occurred, at the age of eighty-six. The father of' Jacob, Christian Rohrer, was wedded to Maria Farrar; they reared a family of nine children. The parents lived to a ripe old age. Jacob came to Ohio in May, 1835, and located near Dayton, where he remained seven years. June 23, 1837, he purchased a farm, near Tippecanoe City, of Joseph Jones, who had entered the land. December 25, 1838, he married Elizabeth Kendig, of Lancaster County, Penn. One son and two daughters have been the issue of this union. They removed to their Miami County farm March 1, 1842, and he has ever since been one of the most enterprising men of that county. Besides dealing largely in stock, he has helped forward the manufacturing interests of his town more largely, perhaps, than any one man in the neighborhood, not only by his liberal expenditures of capital, but also lending his personal assistance. As a financier, he has been remarkably successful, and is a man renowned every where for his honor and correct dealing with men. Outside of landed estate, he owns a controlling interest in the " Wheel Works " of Tippecanoe; has an interest in the Grape Sugar Co. of the same place ; also of the " Troy Wagon and Wheel Works," and the "Spiker Wagon Works" at Piqua. Formerly an Old-Line Whig, he became identified with the Republican party at its organization, and has ardently supported it since. In 1858, he was elected County Commissioner, and subsequently reelected, serving six years. He has also filled his third term as Land Appraiser of Monroe Township; was a Director in the Troy Bank for fifteen years, and for four or five years was its Vice President. He is a Director in the Firemen's Insurance Co. of Dayton, Ohio, and a Trustee of the " Knoop's Children's Home," of Elizabeth Township, Miami County. All these responsible positions have been filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. He has settled more estates than any other man in Miami County, and has ever shown himself honest and efficient in every business transaction.