RICHLAND TOWNSHIP - 1087

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP


(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)


GEORGE ALLEN, of the firm of Allen & Son, lumber dealers, Sabina. Mr. Allen was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1818, and is a son of George Allen, who was a native of New Jersey, and settled in Ohio in the year 1815 or 1816. Our subject was reared on the farm, which he continued on until 1841, when he went at the carpenter's trade in Ross County, Ohio, which he completed and worked at until his coming to Sabina in 1856, and since then has been engaged in his trade. In 1878, he added his lumber yard to his other business, in which he keeps building material of every description. He is a member of the Town Council, and he and his wife are very exemplary members of the M. E. Church. He has been twice married; first, in 1844, to Amanda Fort, of Ross County, Ohio. Their children were eight in number, as follows: Ethan, William, James, Charles, Emma, John, George and Ella. Mrs. Allen died in 1863. His second marriage was celebrated in 1866 with Phoebe Chance, of Clinton County, Ohio, and to them six children have been born, via.: Ivy, Etta M., Tillie, Lizzie, Anna and Frank.

J. R. AMOS, salesman, Sabina, was born in Washington County, Penn., in the year 1835, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Rompley) Amos, natives of Maryland, in which they were reared and married; afterward they removed to Pennsylvania, and, in 1849, went to Harrison County, Ohio, where they died. They were parents of four children, viz. : John M., Mary A., J. R. and N. D. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received only a common education in the district schools. In 1854, he came to Clinton County and engaged in the store business, and soon after went to Fayette County, Ohio, where he followed farming till 1861, when he came to Sabina and engaged in the grocery business, and since has been actively engaged in different lines of trade-for four years doing a carriage manufacturing business. In 1856, he was married to Sarah Pitzer, of this county, and a daughter of Michael and. Mary Pitzer, by whom he has had two children-George L. and Albert E. He is a worthy member of the Sabina Lodge of I.O.O.F., No. 501, and of the Encampment, No. 182. He and his estimable wife are members of the P. M. Church, to which they have belonged for a quarter of a century. He is of Democratic proclivities, and has long been a member of the School Board and Council here.

A. ARNOLD, of the firm of Arnold & Curtis, grocers, Sabina. Mr. Arnold is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, in which he was born in 1836, and is a son of Elijah Arnold, who settled in the above county with his father, John Arnold, and was born the year 1800. He made a permanent home in Fayette County on a farm, where he died in 1875. Rebecca, his wife, died in 1881, aged eighty. Eleven was the number of their children, viz.: Q. B., Martha J., Mary A., Elizabeth, Jesse, Sarah, Abi A., John, Henry B., Alpheus and our subject, who remained on the farm till of age, when he went into the grocery business in Sabina with G. F. Grubbs, with whom he did business for a while, when he sold out and returned to the farm and finally back to the store business. April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Ohio National Guards, in which he served four months, doing duty at Camp Dennison. Upon his return home, he went into the employ of Jacob Theobald, for whom he worked eighteen months. In September, 1864, he again enlisted; and this time in Company G, One Hundred and


1088 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps under Gen. Schofield. He was in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and number one other smaller engagements. He was discharged at Salisbury, N. C., July 14, 1865. Upon his return home, he went into the saddlery business with G. F. Grubbs, a copartnership that existed until 1867, at which time he went to Wilmington, where he clerked for a firm one winter. Thence to Washington Court House, where he operated in dry goods for a short time. He has been twice married; first to Artie, daughter of Shreve Gaskell, of Fayette County. She died in June, 1868, aged twenty-two years. His second marriage was celebrated with Amanda, a daughter of Anderson Rowe, of Fayette County, in the year 1870, In 1880, he left the farm and came to Sabina, and went into the grocery business with John Rowe, who sold to R. Curtis. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge of Sabina, No. 324, Chapter of Washington, No. 103. Joined the society in 1863, and is a worthy member.

J. H. BARNS, tinware and stoves, Sabina, was born in Winchester, Va., in the year 1839 ; at the age of twelve years, he began work for himself, his father having died when he was quite young. He continued his residence in his native place until 1860, when his mother, Eliza Barns, with her children, came to and located in Wilmington. In 1862, J. H. volunteered in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he followed the fortunes of the regiment in all its numerous marches and counter marches; and was a participant in a number of its engagements. Hard marching and the exposure of army life undermined his health, and he was discharged and returned to his home in Wilmington. After his return to civil life, he came to Sabina and purchased the shop in which he now does business. He was married, in 1865, to Maria E., daughter of Elias and Eliza J. Shewalter, of Indiana, who were formerly of this county. Eight children have been born to them, seven of whom are living, viz., Anna B., Harry D., James H., Elias H., George C., Alice M. and Frederick C. and Arthur, deceased. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sabina, to which he has been connected since 1865, and has been one of the Trustees of the Church as well as one of the Village Council. He also belongs to the I.O.O. F., subordinate and Encampment, Sabina Lodge. His mother is yet living, and resides in Springfield, Ohio; her husband died in 1850 or 1851. With Mrs. Barns came to Ohio the following children, viz., Mary E., John H., Henrietta and Mary J.

A. BLOOM, miller, Reesville. The gentleman whose name heads this memoir was born in Greene Township, this county, in 1832, and is a son of Jacob Bloom, an old settler who resides in Greene Township. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, a business he followed some years after becoming of age. In 1865, he went into the flouring and saw-mill business at New Antioch, where he was engaged two years, at the end. of which time he came to Reesville, where he has since been engaged at milling. In 1864, he enlisted in the Forty-ninth Ohio Regiment, under Capt. Wilson, and served one month longer than his time. In 1855, he was married to Mary A. Murphy, of Clinton County, who has borne him nine children, viz., William, Nancy C., Mary B., Franklin C., Frances, Flora and Lora. Two died in infancy.

R. M. BUTLER, blacksmith,, Sabina. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is the leading smith in the town, and one of the best workmen in the county. He was born in Virginia in the year 1845, and is a son of Daniel Butler, of Virgins. In 1877, H. M. Butler came to Sabina, and for two years thereafter plied his trade in a rented shop, where, in 1879, he built a large brick shop, in which he carries on his different branches of trade, viz., smithing, wagon and carriage-making and repair shop. In the order of Odd Fellowship, he belongs to both the subordinate and Encampment, numbered respectively 501 and 182. In 1877, he was married to Albertine Steeo, of Adams County, Ohio, and daughter of John W. Steen, of the same county.

JOHN J. CLINE, retired, P. O. Sabina, is another of the old and well-known citizens of Clinton County. He was born in Virginia in 1806, and is a son of Philip and Mary Cline, natives of the same State. In 1813, they came to Clinton County and purchased 100 acres of wild land in Richland Township. This land he cleared up and improved, and lived on during his life. They were entirely successful in their new


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1089

home and accumulated a good property. Both ware members of the Christian Church, and were exemplary people. Eight children were born to them, two of whom are living in this county, viz., Philip and John J. George resides in Fayette County, Ohio and a and a daughter, Elizabeth Antrim, in Iowa The deceased are Maria, Anna, Polly and an infant. Mr. C., Sr., died at the advanced age of eighty-four ; his wife at the remarkable age of nearly one hundred years. Our subject was reared on the farm, and 's was married to Ida, the daughter of Ephraim Ditmus, February 9, 1826. She was born in New Jersey in 1806. Eight is the number of their children, all living, viz., William T., Kitty A., George, Harrison, Charles, Mary, Maria and Alex. Mr. C. was 200 acres at this time, and has helped his children to good homes. Both he and is wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, to which they have been connected for many years.

WILLIAM T. CLINE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is a son of John J. Cline, a pioneer whose sketch appears in this work. William T. was born in this township in the year 1826. He remained with his parents on the farm until twenty-four years of age at which time, in 1850, he was married to Julia A., the daughter of John Mathew, an old settler in Clinton County. For a short time after his marriage, he lived in Fayette County, Ohio, and then settled where he now lives. He owns 108 acres of well-improved land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation by a plentiful use of tile in under draining. Mr. C. is one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of the county, and his accumulations have resulted in an excellent and comfortable home. His family has been sorely afflicted with much sickness, which resulted in the death of his beloved wife and three of his children. Mrs. Cline died November 19, 1879, at the age of about forty-two years. Their children were ten in number, viz., Albert, Angeline, John A., Silas F., Mary E., Allen T., Maggie, David H., Harriet E. and Lucy J. Mr. C. is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which he has belonged since 1872. His dec deceased wife was also a member of the same church, and a very exemplary Christian lady, whose death out a gloom of profound sorrow over a happy home, wherein lived an indulgent and affectionate husband and loving children.

ALEXANDER CLINE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is a son of John J. Cline, an old and well-known citizen, whose sketch appears in this work. Our subject was born on the old home farm in this township, in the year 1845. He remained at home with his parents until twenty-three years of age, at which time he began life on his own responsibility. In 1869, he was married to Susan J., the daughter of George Johnson, an esteemed citizen of this township, whose sketch also -appears in this work. For three years after his marriage he lived on the home farm, and in 1872 came to where he now resides. He owns fifty-three acres of good land, which is comfortably improved. He and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church, to which they have be longed fifteen years. To them have been born seven children, six of whom are living, viz., James E., George R., Gilbert T., Mary A., Reuben F. and Thompson Douglass ; Emma A., deceased. Mrs. Cline was born in Clinton County in the year 1848.

P. P. CLINE, of the firm of Savage & Cline, merchants, Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in the year 1850 ; his early life was passed upon the farm, the district schools affording him the advantages of a good practical education. He followed the fortunes of the farm until 1877, at which time he entered into a copartnership with his present partner, Mr. O. B. Savage in their present business. Being young men of good business qualifications and unquestionable integrity, they have aided very materially in making Sabina a trade center. Mr. Cline was united in marriage with Miss Alice Woodmansee, in the year 1872. Mr. O. B. Savage is a native of Highland County, Ohio, born in the year 1845. Unlike Mr. Cline, he was reared to mercantile pursuits ; his long experience makes him familiar with every department of the mercantile business. He carries on a store in New Lexington, Ohio, which, however, has no connection to the house in Sabina, it being under the management of Mr. Cline, while Mr. Savage resides in New Lexington and attends to the business there.


1090 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

R. CURTIS, merchant, Sabina, was born in Wayne Township, this county, in 1826, and is a son of Edward Curtis, who was a son of Edward Curtis, Sr., of Virginia. Edward, Sr., was a son of Job Curtis, who was born in England, but came to and settled in Virginia, where he died. Edward, Sr., came with his family to Tennessee, where Edward, Jr., was born, and in 1805 he came to this State and located in this county. With him he brought wife and eight children, viz., Thomas, Mary, Frances, Rachel, Job, Edward, Martha, John, James, Sarah and an infant; the three latter were born in this county. Of these eleven children, Martha alone survives. Mrs. Curtis, wife of Edward, Sr., died in 1810 ; be survived her until 1843, when he died at. the age of seventy-four years. His settlement here was made in an old Indian camp and among the red men of the woods. Edward, Jr., was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of John Lyon, of this county, after which he settled in what is now Wayne Township, where he lived many years, and in 1838 came to Richland Township, in which he resided till 1851, when he removed to Delaware County, Ind., and where he died in 1860. He was a member of the Christian Church, and was one of the founders of that church in the county. His wife died in 1856. To them were born nine children, two of whom livein this county, viz., Richard and James W.; five are living in other States, to wit : Nancy and Benjamin, in Indiana; Edward, :Martha and Job, in Illinois. The subject of this. sketch labored on the farm until of age, when he began "huckstering," a business be followed four years. In 1851, he began merchandising in Wayne Township, and in 1853 he came to Sabina, and entered into a partnership with Jacob Thiebold, with whom he did business till 1858 in general merchandising. Selling his interest, he entered into a. copartnership with his brother James W., with whom he did business until 1869, at which time he again became connected with Mr. Thiebold, with whom he was associated till 1876, when they closed out and organized a private bank, which they closed up two years later. In 1880, he became half-owner in his present business with Mr; A. Arnold. Was married in 1850, to Miss Lucinda, the daughter of Adam Plymire, by whom he had eight children, three living, viz., Charley W., Milton C. and John J.; the deceased were Francis M., George R., Letitia and two infants. Mr. Curtis has been Treasurer and Trustee of the township ten years; is one of the charter members of Sabina Masonic Lodge, No. 324; owns 265 acres of valuable land, and is one among the substantial and moneyed men of the county. Mrs. Curtis died August 9, 1880, aged fifty years. Both belong to the Methodist Protestant Church.

W. H. CUSTIS, SR., farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in the year 1813, and is a son of Robinson and Mary Custis, natives of Virginia, who settled in Union Township, this county, in either 1821 or 1822. He purchased 100 acres of partly cleared land, which became his permanent home; he succeeded well in, life, and was honored with some of the local offices of his township. Fervent in their devotion to religion, their lives were made brighter and more useful by a lifelong connection to the Methodist Episcopal Church. To them were born fifteen children, two of whom only at this time survive, viz., William H. and Mary Doan, nee Custis. He (Robinson) died in 1848, November 28; he was born in 1770. She was born in 1779, and departed this life November 22, 1848. They were married in 1793. Our subject passed his boyhood upon the farm, receiving only such learning as the country afforded at the time. In 1837, he was married to Mary, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Reed, who settled in this township in 1805. They came from Kentucky, in which they were married, and it is probable they were born in the same State. Upon, settling in this township, he purchased 1,000 acres of land, which he afterward lost through an imperfect title, and had to pay for the same land the second time, on which he ended his days. He and wife were members of the Christian Church, and were of that class that gives tone and solidity to the community in which they lived. Nine children were born to them, of whom Mrs. W. H. Custis alone survives. He was born in 1778, and died in 1854. She was born in 1782, and departed this life in 1863. Our subject after his marriage settled on a small farm, near where he now lives, and in the same vicinity he has since resided, and now owns 194 acres of excellent land. To them have been born five children, all living, viz., Samuel R., Cyrus E., Sarah M.,.


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1091

Elizabeth A. and John J. Mrs. Custis was born on the place where she now lives in 1812.

CYRUS E. CUSTIS, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born on the old home farm in this township in the year 1840, and is a son of William H. Custis, Sr., whose sketch appears above. Our subject remained with his parents on the farm until of age. He had the advantage of one year's course of study at Lebanon Normal School, which furnished him with a good practical education. August 6, 1862, he volunteered and was assigned to duty in Company G, of the Seventy-Ninth Ohio. Volunteer Infantry; was soon after transferred to the front and participated in all the battles of the regiment. He enlisted as private and was promoted to First Duty Sergeant the November following his enlistment; was promoted Orderly, one month after his first promotion. September 24, 1864, was promoted Second Lieutenant, and February 1, 1865, he was commissioned First Lieutenant. All through the Atlanta campaign he was in command of Com pany G, and was a brave and efficient officer. He was honorably discharged from the service at Camp Dennison, in June, 1865. Upon his return to civil life, he resumed farming, but soon after engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for two years, and then returned to the farm. He and his brother, J. J. Custis, own 200 acres of valuable, well-improved land. C. E. has been Trustee of the township three terms; is a member of the Sabina Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Hb was married in 1870 to Letitia, the daughter of Absalom Douglass, by whom he has bad one child viz., Albert R. He and his amiable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. She was born in 1844.

J. J. CUSTIS, farmer, P. O. Reesville, is a son of W. H. Custis, Sr., whose sketch appears above. Our subject was born on the old home place in 1846. In the district schools he received a good common education, and remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated in 1878, with Miss Francenia, the accomplished daughter of Absalom and Mary Douglass, of whom mention is made in this work. After the above event, J. J. settled where he now resides. He and his brother Cyrus own together 200 acres of excellent land, which is nicely improved. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Custis, viz., Walter Vernon. They are exemplary members of the Protestant Methodist Church, to which they have been connected several years. Mrs. Custis was born :n the county in 1851.

DOUGLAS W. CUSTIS, retired, Sabina, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1811, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Savage) Custis. They settled in the above county just previous to the birth of our subject. William Custis was twice married, and by the above lady, his first wife, had five children, viz., Sallie, John (deceased), William (deceased), Harriet (deceased) and Douglas W. His wife, the mother of the above children, died in 1812. By his second marriage he had three children, who came to this county with their mother, viz., Nancy, Margaret and Littleton. He (William) died in Scioto County about 1828. Mrs. Custis, his second wife, died in 1863, aged ninety years. Our subject was married to Pemia, the daughter of Elk' Elkany Dustin, November 19, 1835. After his marriage he settled on land now owned by Charles Vaniman. Since, he has lived in different places, but always in the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Custis were born the following children, to wit., William, Isaiah, Ann M., Hannah J., Levi, Mary M. and Rhoda. Mrs. Custis died September 7, 1881, aged, upward of seventy years. Their son, Isaiah, enlisted in 1862, in Capt. Giffin's company of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After serving a short time he became disabled, and was discharged. Mr. Custis is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, as was his deceased wife. T. L. Huffman, son-in-law of Mr. C's was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1847. and is a son of Thomas and Ruth Huffman, natives of the same county. Mr. Huffman came to Clinton County in 1869. He was married to Mollie M. Custis, the daughter of D. W. Custis, who has borne him three children, viz., Myrtie G. (deceased), Lorena T. and Leo C. Mr. Huffman owns forty acres of land where he lives, which is well improved. Mrs. Huffman was born in Clinton County in 1851.

WILLIAM CUSTIS, dealer in hardware, Sabina. The gentleman whose name


1092 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

precedes this sketch is one of the well-known citizens of this county, in which he was born in 1836. He is a son of Douglas Custis, an old settler. Our subject entered mercantile life in New Antioch, in which he did a dry goody and grocery business for several years, and in 1867 removed to Sabina, where he followed the same line of trade for fifteen years, and was successful. Lately he went out of the dry goods trade, and in its stead he added a large and complete stock of hardware. and is now doing a general and extensive business in each line. In 1857, he was married to Susan, a daughter of Daniel Drake, an old settler of Clinton County, who has borne hint eight children. viz., Charles W., Franklin, Ida B., Anna, James, Levi D., Luna M. and Gracie. Mr. and Mrs. Custis are consistent members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Sabina, and are exemplary Christian people. He is also a member of the order of I.O.O.F., Sabina Lodge, No. 501. Mrs. Custis was born on Staten Island in 1830, and was but six months old when her parents came to Clinton County.

A. CUSTIS, of the firm of Messrs. H. H. Johnson & Co., dealers in furniture, Sabina, was born in Clinton County in 1843, and is a son of the old and well-known Littleton Custis. Our subject remained on the farm until August 2, 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company G, of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He partook of all the dangers of this noted and memorable regiment, and passed through many of the hard-fought battles of the war; was with Gen. Sherman's army to the sea, and was present with his regiment at the grand review at Washington in 1865, soon after which he was discharged. Upon his return to civil life, he located in Sabina, and engaged in the dry goods business, in partnership with the late H. H. Johnson, who afterward sold his interest to William Custis, and later they took in with them and the firm name became W. & A. & L. H. Custis. Afterward A. and L. H. bought out W., and soon after A. bought out the share of L. H., and continued the business until 1876, when he connected with D. M. Adams, who together did business till they sold to H. H. Tharp. when Johnson & Company bought out the furniture store they now operate. Mr. Custis is a member of the Sabina Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 324. January 23, 1870, he was married to Sarah E., the daughter of Joseph Robinson, by whom he has had two children, viz., Effie and Frank. He and his amiable wife belong to the Friends' Church, to which they have been connected six years. He is Treasurer of the Corporation, and was formerly a member of the Town Council.

M. M. DAKIN, grocer, Sabina, was born in Wilson Township, this county, in 1844, and is a eon of O. H. P. Dakin (deceased), of whom mention is made elsewhere. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and in the district schools obtained a practical education, which was developed by a term of study in the Lebanon Normal Institute. He remained on the farm until 1866. In 1868, he went to Iowa, and in 1870 returned to Sabina, where he has since been engaged in the grocery business and prospered. In 1874, he was married to Ella Kelso, by whom he has one child, viz., Willie. Mr. Dakin is an acceptable member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the Sabina Lodge. In politics, is a Republican.

L. C. DAKIN, druggist and grocer, Port William, was born in Richland Township in the year 1847, and is a son of O. H. P. Dakin, of whom mention is made in this work. His early life was passed on the farm, and the common schools afforded him his education. November 10, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he was immediately transferred to the front, and was in all the battles in which the regiment took part (thirteen in all) from Resaca to the close of the war. Was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and was on the grand review at Washington, after which was transferred to Company H, of the Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made First Corporal. He was discharged at Camp Dennison. Upon his return to civil life, he began farming again, from which he went into the drug business in Sabina. In 1882, he removed to Port William, where he established himself in his present business. In 1870, he was married to Susan Beard, who has borne him three children, viz., Florence, Perry E. and Nina F. Mr. and Mrs. Dakin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has been connected since his boyhood.


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1093

B. J. DARBYSHIRE, farmer, P. O. Sabina. Mr. D. is another of the old and well-known citizens of Clinton County. He was born in Fayette County, Penn., November 7, 1823, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Darbyshire, natives of the above county, where they were reared and married. In 1830, they settled near Wilmington, this county, purchasing at the time eighty-three acres, which now is the Poor House Farm. Here they lived for twenty-eight years. Sold out and went to Port William, where he had traded for another farm, on which he made a permanent home. He died in 1872 or 1873 at about the age of seventy-two years. They were members of the M. E. Church, and were moderately successful. Nine was the number of their children, five of whom are living ; B. J., James (in Clinton County), Thomas (resided in Muncie, Ind.), Samuel (in Illinois). and John (in Kansas). By his second marriage he had six children-Maggie E., Morris, Mary A., Letitia, Joshua and Xenophon. Our subject was reared on the farm, and in the district school received but a limited education, which was good considering the advantages and opportunities of that day. He followed teaching during the winter months, and as a teacher was a success. He has been largely engaged in contracting and building, and at one time stood at the head of this enterprise in the county. The schoolhouse and college in Wilmington were built by him. He owns 249 acres of most excellent land, which he cultivates in connection with his other business. He has been engaged in mercantiling in Sabina at intervals since 1875. Has served as Township Clerk five years and as Trustee one year. Belongs to the Sabina Lodge of I.O.O.F., No. 501, and also to the Encampment, 182; of which he is a charter member. He was married, in 1852, to Maria L., the daughter of John Moore, of Fayette County, Penn. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living Alexander, Lydia, Frank, Olive and Ona; Maggie and James E., deceased. He served four months in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards, and was First Sergeant.

JAMES P. DARBYSHIRE, brick-maker and mason, Sabina, was born in Clinton County, Union Township, in the year 1836, and is a son of John Darbyshire, of whom mention is made in B. F. Darbyshire's sketch. Our subject was brought up on the farm and received no more than a common school education. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in Company B of the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was immediately transferred to the front and took a part in the Kentucky campaign, and was under the command of Gen. Garfield, and the regiment under Col. Cranor. He saw active service throughout the war, and participated in a number of the hard-fought battles. He escaped wounds, was never captured, and at the expiration of his time in November, 1864, was honorably discharged. Upon his return to civil life, he settled in Sabina, where he has since been employed in making brick and doing a general building business. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Martha E. Clark, who has borne him six children-Elsie D., Ruth E., Oscar C., Eva M., Evalena and Ernest C. Mr. D. is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge of Sabina, No. 324.

A. J. DARBYSHIRE, manufacturer of tile and brick, P. O. Sabina. The above gentleman is the son of the well known B. J. Darbyshire, an old settler, whose sketch appears above. A. J. was born in Clinton County in 1857, in which he has since lived. In 1881, he founded his present extensive business, and his kiln has a capacity equal to any in the county. Recently he has put in an auger mill, which bores the tile, instead of plunging them. He is prepared to take contracts on all kinds of brick work, and guarantees satisfaction in all particulars. He is a worthy and acceptable member of the subordinate Lodge of the I.O.O.F. of Sabina.

B. E. DAUGHTRY, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Southampton County, Va., in 1808, and is a son of Etheldred and Mary Daughtry. He was a native of Virginia, she of North Carolina. They lived and died in Virginia. Our subject was brought up on the farm. In 1832, be, with a company of others, among whom were the Thorps, came overland to this county, and he returned the same year. In 1847, he was married to Mrs. Harriet (Story) Wilson, the daughter of Jesse and Patsey (Nubit) Story, of North Carolina. In 1854, he returned to Clinton County and purchased land. In 1872, he bought fifty-one acres, where he now lives; which is in good cultivation and


1094 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

well improved. He superintended the construction of some of the pikes in this township, and when living to Wilson Township served as Constable. Two children have been born to them, viz., Thomas D. and James C.



THOMPSON DOUGLASS, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is a son of James and Mary (Taylor) Douglass, and was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 2, 1808. His father and mother were born in York County, Penn., he, October 8, 1769, and she November 28, 1773. His (James) father, William Douglass, was born in Ireland in 1725, of Scotch parentage, and was an only son of William Douglass. The former (William) came to America when a youth and settled in Chester County, Penn., and, June 21, 1753, was married to Elizabeth Matthews, of York; settled there and had ten children, namely, David, Mary, Rachel, Martha, Elizabeth, William, John, James, Mary and Rebecca. Both lived to a good old age, she dying in 1820, over ninety years of age. She was a Scotch woman, small, quick of thought, of wonderful constitution, and plain of speech. James was the eighth child, a farmer of medium education, obtained at the common schools of the day. His father had a good farm of about four hundred acres of land, but a large family, consequently his mind was directed to the West at an early day. October 27, 1795, he married Mary Taylor, daughter of James and Martha (Steel) Taylor, of York County, Penn. He (James Taylor) was born in Chester County, Penn., of Irish parentage, January 5, 1745, and she in Newark, Y. J., of American parentage, and married in Chester County, Penn., February 10, 1773, and removed to York County, and were parents of eleven children, namely, Mary, born November 28, 1773; David, Jane, Elizabeth, James Steel, Reuben, Jemima, Deborah, Enoch, Elijah and John; and died in Columbiana County, Ohio, he at eighty-six and she seventy-nine years of age. James Douglass and family, after the birth of the first child, Levi, together with the Taylor family, removed West to the Ohio River, opposite Wellsville, on the Virginia side, in 1801. There Elizabeth was born, and, in 1802, removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, the year of its organization. There Absalom, Jeptha, Thompson, Steel and Milo A. were born. He then kept a tavern on a leading road from the Ohio River to Lake Erie until 1815, and there Levi died in 1812. He then, in 1815, went down the Ohio by Cincinnati to Warren County, near Union Village, for one year. Seymour A. was born there, and, in April, 1816, moved to Richland Township, Clinton County, Ohio, over sixty-six years ago. Mary, the youngest of nine children, was born there. He bought 334 acres of land of Col. Thomas Hinkson, in Eggleston Survey No. 888, on Anderson's Fork, but, from some defect in the title, he had to buy over from William R. Cole, of Wilmington, and lost the first money-a common event with the first settlers in the Virginia Military District. He was a pioneer in both settlements, experiencing all the hardships and privations incident to new beginners. He had a large family, limited means, and in a strange land. He and wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and James and William Dickey; Samuel Crothers, Burgess Gilliland preached for years in their log cabin. Having bought more land, in all 400 acres. he died in 1835, aged sixty-six years, and his wife in 1854, aged eighty-one years. He never used whisky, tobacco nor belonged to secret societies, and was a Republican. Thompson Douglass, the present subject, was eight years old when his parents settled in Richland Township, and was raised in nature's school, with plenty of hard work and little display. The old subscription school in winter was the only hope, and then from want of clothing, books, and other causes, he went but little. The sugar making, clearing up corn and other causes prevented him from more than reading, writing and arithmetic to the Rule of Three. After the farm was opened, he worked at stone-cutting during a part of the years of 1826, 1827 and 1828, first on the Miami Canal at Franklin, and then Scioto Canal at Circleville. His first wages were 88 per month, and ending at $25 per month. He was an expert workman. In the winter of 1828-29, he taught his first school, on the Galtaher farm, for six months at $12 _per month and boarded himself, in which he succeeded only by the closest study. Then engaged for twelve months at $10 per month and boarded around. as it was called, and learned more of human nature and dispositions of mankind than ever before. He studied close and hard, and,


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1095

with but little aid, completed the common English branches of a fair education. As his practice increased his wages increased to $40, $50 and $60 per mouth, with regular employ at home. He spent three summers in the Western prairies-the summers of 1838-39-40. April 26, 1840, he married Ann Coulter, the daughter of John and Margaret Coulter, an old schoolmate, born March 2'2, 1811, and raised on an adjoining farm, and has lived in Richland Township all her life. Her father and mother were born in Ireland, he in county of Antrim July 18, 1777, and she in Fermanagh County September 22, 1784. After serving in the army a term, he came to America in early life, and the Gibson family having come over to Cincinnati in 1790, he and Margaret Gibson were married at Cincinnati January 11, 1807. John Coulter had five brothers and one sister. All emigrated to America, and James, John, William and Mary settled in Richland Township. Mary married John Watson, of New York. James first married in Ireland, and afterward, Betsey Barton, of New York, and William married Mary Bloomer. All had families, and settled and died in Richland. There were nine in the Gibson family who remained at Cincinnati. John Coulter removed to Clinton County in November, 1809. They were parents of twelve children, namely, James. William, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Jane, Alexander, Alfred, Sarah and George. John and George remain on the old home farm. The father, by industry and economy, acquired a large property, was a reed-maker by trade, but made made most by breeding mules and other stock. He was a warm and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with itinerant preaching at his house for years, and afterward building the Coulter Chapel principally of his own means, was a Democrat. all his life, and an advocate for schools, liberty and equality in its most liberal sense. He died in 1857, nearly eighty years of age, and his wife died in 1876, aged over ninety-one years. T. Douglass and wife are parents of six children. The two eldest, Albert and Sarah Jane, died; the former at the age of ten and one-half years, and the. latter at twenty-two years of age. John James, Florinda Ann, George Thompson and Mary Arminda are living. November 19, 1840, he bought 120 acres of land near Sabina, Ohio, and improved it by teaching in the winter and working on the farm in the summer, and afterward added to it the amount of 300 acres of good land. Office he never sought, but rejected it often, except School Examiner of the township, School Director, Township Clerk and County Commissioner. He has been an Abolitionist from early life, and a conductor on the "underground. railroad" toward the north star, with sable passengers at 'midnight hours. . In temperance, " dyed in the wool," and a strong advocate for "female rights" in education, occupation and position in society. He is President of the Pioneer County Association, and spares all time to gather the history and incidents of the first settlers, and in Sunday schools there are few better workers as Superintendent or teacher. He was a Whig, and is a Republican. He has voted at fourteen Presidential elections, lost six and gained eight. He uses neither whisky nor tobacco, nor is he a friend to secret organizations. He says: "If there is any good in them let the light be manifest, not put under a bushel; not debar the invalid and needy." Believing in a free republican government in both church and State, where the ministerial and lay element should have equal rights and voice in her governmental policy, he and wife chose the Methodist Protestant Church because of her liberal principles and her representative polity, etc. They joined in the year 1860, since when they and family have retained their membership. He has been a delegate to many annual conferences, and all of general conferences and conventions of the church during his membership except, one, namely, General Non-Episcopal Convention in Cincinnati in November, 1862, and in May, 1866, the Genera Conference at Allegheny, Penn. ; also in Cleveland in May, 1867; in Pittsburgh, Penn., in May, 1871; in Princeton, Ill., in May, 1875; in Baltimore, Md., in May, 1877. He has contributed of his means in support of the church in all her departments of college, press, mission, ministerial, education and the home itinerant. His house has been the home of the weary, worn pilgrim for many years.

TIMOTHY DOAN, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Indiana in 1814, and is a son of Joseph Doan, who settled in this township in 1818, on fifty acres of wild land,


1096 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

which he cleared up and lived on till his death, which occurred in 1825. He was the father of seven children, of whom only two are living. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, taking more than ordinary interest in all matters pertaining to religion. Mrs. D. was again married to Elkany Jacks, by whom she had seven children. She died in 1880, aged eighty-six years. Catherine, mother of our subject, was a daughter of Timothy Bennett, who settled in this county when Indians were numerous, and of whom proper mention is made elsewhere. Our subject was married to Mary, the daughter of Robinson Custis, who has borne him twelve children, nine of whom are living. Mr. D. began life a poor boy, and through his long life of earnest toil, in which he has been assisted by his noble wife, has succeeded in accomplishing the great object in life, i. e., made a good home. He came to his present home in 1837, at which time it was densely covered with heavy timber. This, he cleared off, and now (1882) almost the last vestige, as a relic of pioneer days, has been obliterated, and a well-improved farm, with highly cultivated fields, adorns the work of transformation that has been erected by his own hands. Mr. D. has been a consistent and exemplary member of the Primitive Methodist Church of Sabina for a period of forty years, and is ardently attached to the cause of Christ and his preached word.

DAVID EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards & Lewis, dealers in hardware and groceries, Sabina. Mr. Edwards was born in Warren County, Ohio, in the year 1843, and is a son of John D. and Eliza Edwards. John D. was a son of Archibald Edwards; of North Carolina, who settled near Sligo, this county, and afterward removed to Massie Township, Warren Co., Ohio, where he made a permanent home, purchasing there about 1,000 acres of land. He was successful in his undertakings, and, at his death, left his children well off. John D. Edwards was Married to Eliza G. Turner, of Parke County, Ind., who bore him six children, viz., William H., David, Harlan, Edith A., Mary E. and Milton J. Mr. E. died in 1864, aged fifty-five years. Mrs. E. departed this life in 1857, at about the age of thirty-six years. They belonged to the Friends Church, in which both were reared. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and received a good common school and business education. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment wan largely on guard duty at Columbus and Cincinnati. He saw active service during his term of enlistment, and was discharged in July, 1865. Upon his return to civil life, he followed the fortunes of the farm for three years, two of which were on the old homestead, and one year on land he purchased after selling the old home place; after which, he went to Covington, Ky., where he became interested in a Commercial College, and afterward was book-keeper for the firm of Briant & Hasty, of the same place. In 1875, he came to Sabina, where he organized a bank, of which he became Cashier. He went out of the banking business in 1877, and into the grocery, grain and coal trade with J. Pew, and the following year, bought his partner's interest, and continued the business alone until 1879, when B. J. Darbyshire took an interest in the business, and they together, became successors to Fulton & Crane in their hardware trade. In 1881, Mr. D. sold out to Mr. Clark E. Lewis, of Illinois, who is his present partner. Mr. E. was married, in 1864, to Miss Mattie J., daughter of Jabez Turner; of Warren County, Ohio. Two children have been born to them, viz., Nettle and Lydia E. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Sabina Lodge, No. 324. He and his estimable wife belong to the Friends' Church, in which they were reared. He has been a member of the School Board for several years, and entirely successful in business.

G. B. ELY, Sabina. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born to Montgomery County, Ind., in the year 1842, and is a son of John C. Ely, a Virginian by birth, who died when our subject was but a child in years. His early life was passed upon a farm, and the district schools afforded him only advantages for an education. In 1866 , he came to 8abina and accepted the position of railroad agent and telegraph operator, the duties of which he faithfully discharged for eleven years. During the above time he was interested in milling and handling grain, besides being engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. In 1877, he abandoned the railroad office that he might give his private affairs closer attention. In 1878, he disposed of


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1097

his milling and furniture business and went to Washington Court House, where he was engaged in the hardware trade till 1880, when he returned to Sabina and opened a clothing store. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Sabina Lodge, No. 324, and a member of both the Council and School Board. In 1868, he was married to Miss Mary W. Starkey, of Indiana. Their children are six in number, viz.: Imo, Ralph, Clinton, Adds, Estey and Florence.

R. C. FRISTO, manufacturing tile, Reesville, was born in Mason County, Ky., in the year 1844, and is a son of Thompson Fristo, who settled in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1851. R. C. was reared on the farm, an occupation he followed until twenty-six years of age, when he went to manufacturing tile, a business he followed four years, when he disposed of his business and engaged in dealing in walnut lumber. In 1876, he resumed making tile and now (1882) has one of the beat appointed yards in the county and is doing an extensive business. In 1864, he enlisted in Company B of the Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served eight months. In the charge on Fort McAllister, near Savannah, he was wounded in the right groin, the ball severing the main artery; he was discharged in 1865. Thompson Fristo died in 1851, about one week after locating in the county.

A. J. GASKINS, physician and surgeon, P. O. Sabina, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in the year 1843, and is a son of John Gaskins, a native of Ohio, who was a son of Thomas Gaskins, of Virginia. The father of our subject was a physician, having studied medicine under the celebrated Dr. Hubble, of Clermont County, Ohio. He practiced in Brown County, for a number of years, and at present is located in Bentonville, Adams Co., Ohio. The boyhood of the subject of this sketch was passed in the village of Amelia, in his native county, in which place he received the rudiments of his literary education. When twenty years of age, he began reading medicine under his father, who was his preceptor until 1864, at which time he enlisted in the service of the United States, and was assigned to duty in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served till 1865, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability, produced by a fractured limb. Upon his return home he continued his studies, and the following year located in Milledgeville, Fayette Co., Ohio, where he practiced two years, after which he entered the Eclectic School of Medicine and Surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1869. The same year, he located in Sabina, since when he has given his attention to the demands of an increasing practice. The Doctor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Sabina Lodge, No. 501. In 1864, he was married to Miss Celia A., daughter of Rev. P. F. Johnson, by whom he has had three children, via., James F., Lillie M. and Essie Elton. He and his amiable wife enjoy membership in the Friends' Church. .

DAVID GIFFIN, deceased, was born in Virginia October 11, 1819. In his native State he was reared and received the rudiments of an education. In 1833, he settled in Ross County, Ohio, and followed his trade-that of blacksmithing in the village of Bainbridge, until 1851 or 1852, at which time he embarked in merchandising, in which he was engaged till 1858, when he purchased a store in Sabina, which he operated eight years. Next he followed farming in this township for seven years, and at the end of that time returned to Sabina. Was elected Justice of the Peace, a position he held for fifteen years; was also Mayor of the city. He held membership in the Sabina Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and is a charter member of same. In 1862, he enlisted in Company G, of the famous Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and when mustered in was commissioned First Lieutenant; he followed the fortunes of the regiment up to the Atlanta campaign and for meritorious service was promoted to Captain. He was honorably discharged on account of sickness, which incapacitated him from doing duty. He was a modest, unassuming gentleman, and a member of the Universalist Church. May 10, 1842, he was married in Ross County, to Miss Emily Brags, of Virginia, by whom he had ten children, five of whom are living, viz., George W., Edward A., Sarah M., David E. and Anna M. The deceased were John W., Mary E., Samuel K., Richard H. and an infant. George W. enlisted May 9,


1098 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

1864, in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio National Guards and saw active service during his term of service and was an efficient soldier; was discharged in August, 1864. Mr. Giffin died October 5, 1881. Mrs. Giffin was born in the year 1821.

D. S. GINEVAN, butcher, Sabina, was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1835, and is a son of Luther Ginevan, of Virginia. Our subject resided in his native county with his parents until 1860, at which time he came to Ohio, and, in 1861, located in Sabina and for two years thereafter followed farming, after which he engaged in the butcher business, in which he has since been employed. January 1, 1863, he was married to Anna M., the daughter of Jesse Mathew, by whom he has three children, two of whom are living, viz., Blanche and Lucy ; Luther, deceased. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, subordinate lodge, and to Encampment, No. 182 ; in the latter. he is a charter member. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, to which they have belonged since 1866.

ANDREW GLASGOW, retired farmer. P. O. Sabina. This gentleman was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in the year 1800, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Glasgow, who both died when our subject was but eight years old. Being thrown upon the world at this tender age, he was bound out to a farmer till of age, at which time he was bound to a tailor, and for two years labored hard at a trade which he never liked nor finished. He then went back to the farm on which he labored as a band up to his coming here. In 1839, he settled in Richland Township, where he bought a piece of land in the woods, which he cleared up after night, and worked through the day for others, that he might thereby enhance his pecuniary abilities. He has been four times married; first to Sarah Mellinger, August 15, 1824, by whom he had seven children-Anna E., John M., Sarah M., Maria C., Andrew W., Naomi H. and an infant daughter, Phylenda. Mrs. G. died April 4, 1842. April 6, 1843, he was married to Clarissa Tysor, who bore him one child-Thomas T. Mrs. G. died February 2, 1845. His third marriage to Susanna Marks was celebrated February 15, 1855. His fourth and last marriage was consummated with Kitty A. Barlow December 14, 1861, who is living at the present time (1882).His son, Thomas T., enlisted in the regular service, but on account of sickness returned home, and, when recovered, enlisted in the marine service, and was drowned November 4. 1863. His present wife was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1816. She was married to Eli Barlow in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1833, and six children were born to them, viz.: James M., Mary, John J., Elizabeth, Marshall H. and Anna. Mr. Barlow died in Clinton County in 1853. James, his son, volunteered, in 1861, in the Fortieth Ohio Regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Glasgow are members of the Christian Church, to which she has belonged since 1836, and he since 1877. Both are highly respected, and are ending their days in a quiet and contented manner.

W. K. GREELEY, miller, P. O. Sabina, was born near Mainville, Warren Co., Ohio, in 1825, and is a son of Seth Greeley, an old settler in the above county. The subject of this notice was reared on the farm, and after attaining his majority engaged in running a saw mill in addition to farming; in this way he was. employed ten years and derived profit from his labors, after which he operated a flouring mill at Pleasant Plains for a period of ten years, and was again successful. Next he farmed for a few years, and in 1878 purchased the mill he now operates; he also buys and ships all kinds of grain, doing a general shipping business. He was married in 1848 to Miss Margaret J., daughter of James McPhernn, of Warren County, Ohio, by whom he has had nine children, five of whom are living, viz., Nancy M., Allis, Harriet E., Carrie D. and John W., and the deceased were Seth J., Adolphus, Mary A. and Ellen. Mr. Greeley belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Sabina Lodge, No. 501, and also to the Free-Will Baptist Church. Seth and Jane (Boardman) Greeley, the parents of W. K., were natives of the State of Maine, from which they emigrated to Ohio about 1817 or 1818, and located in Warren County, near Mainville, where they lived and died. He was largely interested in educational matters and was a leading spirit in the building of the Mainville Academy. To him were born nine children, six of whom are living. He died in 1850, aged sixty-four years.


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1099

JOB R. HAINES (deceased) was born in North Carolina, September 14, 1809, and was a son of John and Lydia Haines, who settled in this county in 1810. The subject of this sketch was but one year old at the time the family settled here. He received the rudiments of his education in the district schools, which was developed• by a course of study in the McMillen College in Xenia, Ohio, which thoroughly fitted him for the profession of teaching, which he began at age of eighteen, and followed steadily in the county for sixteen years. June 14, 1840, he was married to Rebecca, the daughter of William and Ann Noble, old settlers. For three years after his marriage, he taught school during the winter months and farmed in the summer, after which he located on land in Greene Township, which he purchased, cleared up, improved and lived on for twelve years, when he sold out, and in 1854 purchased 406 acres, where his wife at present time (1882) resides. This land he cleared up and improved, which at his death was one of the best improved farms in the township. He prospered and was a hard-working and successful farmer-shrewd, but never venturesome. His interest in schools and the general advancement of education, was always strong, and he zealously supported every measure that had a tendency to develop the intelligence of the people. He was reared in conformity to the requirements of Quaker faith and discipline, which faith he clung to through life. To him were born six children, all living, viz., Mary J., born in 1841; William N., born in 1843; Stephen P., born in 1845 ; Samuel L., born in 1847; Frank M., born in 1850; Albert M., born in 1855. Mr. Haines departed this life August 26, 1879 ; was a member of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the Vienna Lodge. Mrs. Haines was born in Greene Township, Clinton Co„ Ohio, June 14, 1821.

ISAAC HAINES, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Union Township, this county, in 1813, and is a son of Job and Elizabeth (Doan) Haines. He was born in North Carolina, and when a young man came to Clinton County, and was one of its first settlers. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation. He was married to a daughter of Joseph Doan, of whom mention is made elsewhere. Fifteen children were born to Mr. Haines, Sr., two of whom are now living, viz., Isaac and Jeremiah. The deceased were Joseph, John and Jemima, the balance died in childhood. Jemima was drowned in a tub. For many years Mr. Haines lived in this county, then went to Fayette County, Ohio, in which he died about 1855. Mrs. Haines died in about 1857. He served in the war of 1812. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and when old enough learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed seventeen years, after which he resumed farming on the place where he now lives. He owns 132 acres of excellent land, well improved. In 1835, he was married to Miss Susanna the daughter of James Lundy, of Clinton County, Ohio, who has borne him three children, via., Elizabeth, Mary J. and Joseph; the latter was & ,member of the Seventy-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He and his amiable wife are consistent members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of Sabina, to which they have belonged. for twenty years or more. Politically, Mr. Haines in a Re Republican, having always voted with that party upon all questions at issue.

RICHARD HALL, farmer,, P. O. Sabina. Mr. Hall was born in Harrison County, Ky., in-1822, and is a son of Richard Hall, Sr., who was a native of Kentucky and whose parents were of Virginian birth. Our subject was reared on the farm and received but a limited education in the district school. In 1850, he with his family came to Clinton County, and for three years thereafter operated a saw mill near Sabina. After, he disposed of his mill interest and removed to Jackson County, Mo., in which he resided several months; then returned to this county and purchased ninety-three acres of land, which he cleared up and improved At present he owns one hundred and twenty-one and one-quarter acres of excellent land, all of which was made by his own work and industry. In 1850, he was married to Nancy Lail, of Kentucky, who has borne him eight children-six living, via., Charles, George F., Jeptha, Albert, Rufus and Anna; Mollie and an infant deceased. He and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church of Sabina, to which church he has been connected since sixteen years old. In politics, Mr. Hall is Democratic.

DEAN HALL, of the firm of Hall & Hinkson, druggists, Sabina. The


1100 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:.



gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a native of the county in which he lives, having been born in the year 1852, and is a son of Harvey Hall, an old settler. Dean was reared to farm pursuits, and the district schools afforded him the advantage of a practical education. Tiring of the laborious work of the farm and desiring a more active business life, he came to Sabina in 1880 and engaged in the livery business, which he followed till the following year, when he sold out and purchased an interest in his present store. Mr. Hall is unassuming in his deportment and one of those peculiarly interesting gentlemen, whose acquaintance, if made, is never forgotten. He was married in 1877, to Hattie, the daughter of John Hinkson, of this county, by whom he had two children, one of whom is living, viz., Telfair. Only a few years of married happiness was his to enjoy, when on the 3d day of August, 1881, death visited his home and robbed him of his young and amiable wife, when in the eighteenth year of her age.

WILLIAM HENDERSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is a son of Mathew Henderson, of whom mention will be made at the foot of this sketch. Our subject was born in Washington County, Penn., in the year 1837. His parents removed to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1843, at which time William was but six years old. He remained with his parents until the fall of 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company D, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The following spring the regiment was put into active service in Kentucky, which it maintained during the war. Our subject was in all of the battles in which. the regiment was engaged, except " Red River," when a great number of the regiment was captured. Our subject was wounded at Shiloh in the right hand, and also received other scratches. He veteranized in 1864, and was discharged in July, 1865. Upon return to civil life he went to his old home, where he remained till his marriage, which occurred August 20, 1868, to Miss Mary R., the daughter of Seymour and Elizabeth Douglass, of whom mention is made in this work. After his marriage he located where he now lives, and his farm consists in 103 acres of good land, and he is paying especial attention to fruit growing-having a large assortment of all kinds of fruit. He and his estimable wife are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, to which he has been connected since childhood; three children have been born to them, viz.: Ernest D., Jesse E. and M. E. Ruth. Mrs. H. was born in Wilson Township, this county, in 1843. Mathew Henderson, father of our subject, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1810. His wife, Margaret Laird, was born in the same county, in 1812. They were married in their native county, in which they lived till 1843, the time of their coming to Clinton County. William Henderson was the father of Mathew, and was born in Ireland, as was his (William's) wife Ealy Jeffry; he died in Pennsylvania and she in Clinton County. Samuel and Margaret Laird, the parents of Margaret (Laird) Henderson were weavers by occupation, and died in Pennsylvania. Mathew Henderson purchased partly cleared land in Clinton County when he came, which he improved, and made a permanent home. To them were born the following children, to wit: William, Margaret, James L., Ealy J. (deceased), Mathew H., Joseph W. (deceased) and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has been a Ruling Elder since 1860. He has been a successful and highly respected citizen.

ROBERT HENRY (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania, in 1790, April 2, and was a son of Robert and Ann Henry, who were born in Ireland, both in the year 1740. They emigrated to America and settled in Lancaster County, Penn. To them were born three children, viz.: James, Elizabeth and Robert. The two former died in the above county. Robert, Sr., died in 1824; his wife died in 1797. Robert, the subject of this sketch, was reared a tinner and coppersmith, which he followed for a livelihood till 1831, at which time he came to Clinton County. He was married in Pennsylvania to Margaret, the daughter of Frederick and Catherine Wilburn, in 1816 ; he was born in Pennsylvania, and she in Maryland. In 1831, our subject, with his wife and family of six children, came by team and wagon. He purchased 200 acres of land on the south side of Wilson Township, which is now occupied by Nathan Henry. This land he, with the aid of his sons, cleared up and improved, and on


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1101

which he died, July 20, 1864. He was a successful and unassuming man, always attentive to his own business. To them were born the following children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth, James, George, Sarah, John, Nathan and Cyrus. The deceased were Samuel, Charles, Weaver C., Sarepta, Devoe and David. The following sons served in the late war: Samuel was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards; he enlisted in 1864, and was killed at Monocacy, July 9, 1864. Nathan enlisted in 1862, in the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he saw active service during the war and was wounded in the right arm. Cyrus was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards, enlisted in 1864; was wounded at Monocacy, losing six teeth. Weaver was in an unknown Indiana regiment, and was killed at Shelbyville, Ky. Mrs. H. was born near Leesburg, Va., in the year 1797. At the present time (1882), she is in good health and strength, with memory unimpaired by the weight of eighty-five years.



REV. Z. D. HICMAN, Sabina, is a native of Harrison County, W. Va., in which he was born January 17, 1823, is a son of Z. and Mary (Peck) Hicman, of Virginia; his father was born February 18, 1777, on the present site of Clarksburg. She was born in Berkeley County, Va., May 1, 1780. He died in February, 1854; she departed this life in 1873 ; they were parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to man's estate. The early life of our subject was spent on the farm, which he followed for a livelihood till 1849, when he came to Ohio and entered the ministry, working in different circuits up till 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company;, of the Seventy- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served till February, 1863. In the fall of the same year, he entered the ministry, and in May, 1864, enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards, in which he served his enlisted time. Was captured at Berryville, Va., August 3, 1864; was imprisoned in Lynchburg for a time, and afterward was removed to the Libby Prison, where he was released on parole. Upon returning to civil life, he again entered the ministry, in which he has since devoted his time, an earnest and zealous worker in expounding the preached word, and an untiring and indefatigable laborer in doing good in his master's vineyard, in which he has toiled uncomplainingly for thirty-two years. In 1841, he was married to, Elizabeth A., the daughter of Jackson and Hannah Cattrill, of Virginia, by whom be has had fourteen children, seven of whom are living, viz., Charlotte A:, William P., Lewes, V., John F., Mary F.. Zach F. and Florence I. The deceased are as follows: Jackson McClure, who, in 1861, enlisted in Company H, First Ohio Volunteer Infantry; saw active service until 1863, when he was shot through the heart and instantly killed while leading the advance at Tullahoma, Tenn., aged twenty-one years; Elsie J., Marshall W., James H., Uriah B., Clarion and Sheridan. James Cattrill was born in Virginia in 1798; he died in bis native State October 19, 1841; she was born in 1803, and at present is living with Mrs. Hicman, her only child. He, Mr. H., Sr., by his first wife, Fanny Baylen, had one child, viz., Marshal B. Mrs. Z. D. Hicman was born in Virginia in 1825. Mr. H. is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons.

C. B. HILL, Postmaster, P. O. Sabina, of the firm of Hill & Curtis, dealers in groceries, books and stationery. Mr. Hill was born in Brown County, Ohio, in the year 1841, and is a son of James K. and Eleanor Hill. He is a native of Pennsylvania, she of Kentucky. The boyhood days of C. B. Hill were passed in the rural districts in a manner common with farmer boys, receiving the bulk of his education in the country schools, which was, however, brushed up with one term of study at a Normal school. After attaining his majority, he began life on the farm, in Brown County; Ohio, in which he resided until 1866, when he came to this township and followed the avocation of farming till 1870; he then engaged in the grocery business is Sabina, and after an experience of two years, disposed of his business, and for the two succeeding years found employment as a salesman in Sabina. He was appointed Postmaster of the Sabina Office in 1876, and is the present incumbent. In the fall of 1879, Mr. H. C. Curtis became a partner in his business, and their storeroom is replete with a large and well selected stock, representative of their line of trade. He is a member of the


1102 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Sabina Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 324; also, of the Sabina Lodge I.O.O.F., No. 501. Officially, . Hill has been well represented in honors of a local character, having served the people of the township as Clerk and Constable two years, and as Township Treasurer toe years; Assessor for two years, and Clerk of the Corporation of Sabina six years. He and his wife are members of Evangelical churches, and are of that character which gives tone and solidity to society. He has been twice married, first, to Jennie Hughes, of Brown County, Ohio, in 1868, their marriage being celebrated in Clinton County. Three children were born to them, all deceased, viz.: Mittie J., Harry A. and Archie W. Mrs. Hill departed this life in 1872, at the age of twenty-four years. His second marriage was consummated with Emma Allen, in 1874. Their children are three in number, viz.: Claudie O., Nina L. and Athel G. Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, having voted with that party in every issue.

WILLIAM G. HUTCHINGS, P. O. Sabina, is a son oŁ John and Edith (Horn) Hutchings, and was born in Northampton County, N. C., October 13, 1818, of English ancestry. His father's children, by first wife, were William (died in infancy), John, William G., Celia, Martha, Sarah and Susan; by his second wife, sister of former wife Archibald, Jesse, Emily and Catherine; all the latter are dead. John went to Mississippi, afterward to Central America, during the Mexican war. Celia is in Mississippi, and Sarah in Southampton County, Va. William G.'s mother died nine days after birth; his father lived in same locality till 1848, when he died at seventy-four years of age. He (W. G.) came to Ohio in 1840. First, he went with his uncle, William Horn, to Liverpool, England, and was absent two years. Went again with same uncle, and was absent one year, after which he cruised along the coast, and elsewhere, until coming back to Ohio, as above stated. With Benjamin Barnes, of this county, an acpi, in search of his brother John, who had resided at Raymond, but upon reaching there found he had gone to Texas with a company of soldiers. In 1845, he returned here, and shortly after, went to North Carolina, on business, and, upon his return, was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of Cyrus and Judith Reed, an old and respected family of the county; his marriage was consummated August 23, 1847. Nine children have been born to them, viz., Emma, clam, Carothers, Reed, John, Callie, Rose, William and Neva; Clara, Carothers, Reed and John, are dead. Emma married Samuel Douglass, and Callie married David Wright. Mr. Hatchings is a variety man in the fullest sense of the term-useful in every department of trade and life ; in dry goods store, drug store, tavern, Postmaster, auctioneer, artist, or assistant engineer, or what not he can lend a helping hand. In cases of sickness or misfortune, no kinder person or better nurse can be found. His estimable wife was born in this township, September 30, 1826. She has lived in the township all her life, except one year spent in the "Miami House," at Morrow, Ohio. She is a consistent Christian lady, and holds membership in the Christian Church. Mr. H. belongs to the order of Masonry, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Reed, father of Mrs. H., was born in Va., in 1784; moved with his parents to Kentucky in 1788. His children were Absalom, Samuel, Cyrus, George, Josiah, Daniel, John, Sarah, Dolly, Hannah, Elizabeth and an infant. The two elder sons came to this county in 1801 or 1802, and bought the Lindsey Survey, number of entry, 732. Unfortunately they lost their money, and had to buy over. Their settlement was made in 1806. They dealt largely in stock, and were very respectable citizens. Absalom held the Justiceship about twenty years. Cyrus (third son), served a term in the war of 1812, after which he came to Clinton County, and bought one hundred acres of his brothers. He married Judith Town, of Pickaway County, Ohio, August 12, 1819; they had nine children, viz.: John, James C., Mary, Elizabeth, Christy Ann, William, Josiah and two infants. Cyrus Reed died in May, 1861, aged seventy-seven years. Judith, his wife, died June 2, 1864. The children of Joseph and Mary (Slocum) Town, are as follows: Avis (Davis), Anor (Miller), Martha (Ransey), Giles, Judith (Reed), Mary (Owens), Elizabeth (deceased), William, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Elizabeth (deceased), and two infants-thirteen in all.

GEORGE JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Winchester, Frederick


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1103

County, Va., in the year 1812, and is a son of George Johnson, Sr., a native of the same State, who settled in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1837, and close to where our subject now resides. Here they made a permanent home. Mr. Johnson, Sr., died in Clinton County in 1874, when in the ninety-sixth year of his age. His wife died in 1850. Our subject has lived principally in Clinton County since 1852. He has served as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, and has held the offices of Trustee and School Director. In 1845, he was married to Miss Agnes J. Doggett, of this county, by whom he has had thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz., George R., Susan J., Daniel C., Zennetta A., Reuben T., David, Levi R., Mary E. and Edson T. The deceased were James W., Ellen R., John W. and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Disciples' Church of Sabina, to which they have belonged for a number of years. His farm numbers 130 acres of excellent land. George and Elizabeth Doggett, parents of Mrs. Johnson, were natives of Virginia, who located in Wayne Township, where they lived and died. He departed this life in 1865, aged seventy years seven months and seven days; she died June 3, 1868, aged eighty years. Mrs. Johnson was born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1825.

H. C. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Reeaville, was born in Wilson Township in 1844, and is a son of Stephen Johnson, who settled in the county in an early day. He lived in Wilson Township till 1849, when he came to Richland, in which he died in 1862. He was a member and Elder in the Christian Church. He was married to Jemima Hoover, of New Jersey, who bore him nine children, three of whom are living in this county, viz., Alfred, Jemima and Henry C. Mrs. Johnson died in 1876. Our subject enlisted in 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards; served 100 days in active service; was discharged in September, of 1864. His brothers Lewis and Amos enlisted in 1862, in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Both saw active service under Gen. Sherman. Lewis was killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864, and was buried on the field where he fell. Amos went through uninjured, and was discharged at close of the war. His brother George enlisted in 1864 in Company K, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he was wounded before Petersburg, Va., in 1865, from the effects of which he died in Philadelphia, Penn., April 12, 1865; was buried in the Government Cemetery at the above place. A. H. States, brother-in-law to our subject, served 100 days in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards; be now lives in Illinois. Our subject was married in 1875 to Amanda McGuire, of this township, who his borne him two children, viz., Eva and Ora. Mr. Johnson owns seventy-eight acres, which are well improved.



WILLIAM M. KNOX, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Virginia, between the two ranges of the Alleghany Mountains, in 1818, and is a son of James and Hannah (McCutcheon) Knox, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Clinton County in 1832, and settled on the extreme east side of Union Township. He purchased seventy-five acres of land, on which he lived till 1842, when he removed to Missouri, where he lived for some years; then went to Fremont County, Iowa, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1867, at the age of eighty-seven or eighty-eight years ; his wife died previous to his death, at the age of seventy-two years. To them were born ten children, three of whom are living, and our subject, the only one in this county; James and Austin reside in Iowa. Mr. Knox was but thirteen years old when his parents settled here, consequently has seen much of the country surrounding him cleared up. When his parents removed, he leased land, which he was to have the. use of for five years. When able to buy, he purchased land adjoining his present home. At present (1882), he owns 320 acres of well-improved land, which he keeps in a high state of cultivation. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and are zealous workers in the cause. In 1841, he was married to Mary, the daughter of John A. and Ellen (Knox) Holly, by whom he has had seven children, two of whom are living, viz.,Ellen and Frances. The deceased were John M., Elizabeth A., and three who died in infancy. John Holly and family came from West Virginia to this county in 1831, and settled adjoining the Knoxes. He pur-


1104 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

chased about 1,300 acres of wild land, on which they lived till 1839, when they returned to their old Virginia home; he died in 1859, aged sixty-five years. She departed this life in 1867. To them were born seven children, of whom Mrs. Knox alone resides in this county. Mr. Knox has been successful during life and has accomplished the great object, made a good home in which he and his good wife are royally enjoying the good things of life. She was born in Virginia in 1818.

E. A. LEWIS, Cashier Sabina Bank, Sabina. The enterprising and successful business gentleman we present as the subject of this memoir, was born in Greene Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Mary J. Lewis, old and prominent settlers in this county. The boyhood days of our subject were passed on the farm, and in the common schools he received a good practical education, sufficient for the transaction of all business. After attaining his majority, be engaged in farming in his native township, which he successfully carried on until 1874, when he became connected with a bank in New Vienna, Uhio, in which . he remained one year. In 1875, he removed W Sabina, when was founded the Sabina Bank, in which he has an interest, and in its Cashier. August 15, he was married to Emma H., daughter of Samuel and Ruth Hadley, of this county. Their children are two in number, viz., Mary and Flora. He and his wife are members of the Friends Church, in which they were reared, and posses, birthrights in the same. As a financier and thoroughgoing business man, Mr. Lewis has no superior in Sabina, and he has qualifications eminently fitting him for his* position.

S. B. LIGHTNER, physician and surgeon, Sabina. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene County, Penn., in the year 1839, and is a son of George Lightner (deceased), and a native of Indiana. The Doctor's boyhood was passed on the farm until his fourteenth year, in his native State, and received the rudiments of his education in the common schools, At the age of fourteen, he entered the Waynesburg Colin Pennsylvania, in which four years of study completed his literary education. e then began the study of medicine, under a learned physician in Nineveh, Penn., who was his preceptor until he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, which institution conferred on him its diploma of graduation in 1863. He began practising in Nineveh, and at the expiration of one year was commissioned Surgeon of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, a position he meritoriously held throughout the war ; after which, he began the practise at Guysville, Athena Co., Ohio, and in 1866 was married to Adds H. Cornell, of the same place, and the following winter removed to New Vienna, in which he remained until 1868, when he went to Cincinnati, and after remaining one year returned to New Vienna, and in 1871 located in Sabina, where he has since given his attention to the demands of a large and increasing practice. He belongs to the F. & A. M. Lodge of Sabina, No. 324, Wilmington Chapter, No. 63, and to the Commandery at Washington C. H., No. 28. He and his estimable wife are members of the Friends' Church, to which they have been connected for some years.

SAMUEL LOVE, P. O. Sabina, Ohio, was born in Richland Township, Clinton County, Ohio, December 25, 1821. His father, Andrew Love, was the first settler, first Postmaster and first tavern keeper of Sabina. Was born in Mercer County, Penn., and married Mrs. Nancy (Riley) McGuire, of Trumbull County, Ohio, adjoining Mercer County on the west. Mrs. McGuire was the widow of Robert McGuire, of Mercer County, by whom she had three children-Agues A., Catharine and Robert, and with whom she settled in Trumbull County, where he died. In 1816, she married Mr. Love, and in 1821, they located in Clinton County, Ohio, where Mrs. Love died in 1850, leaving four children-Jane, Thomas, Samuel and John, of whom Jane and Samuel are the only survivors. Of her children, by her first marriage, none survive. Mr. Love died in Richland Township in 1858. Our subject lived with his father on the farm until February 26, 1851, when he married Julia A. Plymire, who died in August, 1875, having had three children-Alvina J., Hannah B. and Ease A., all now deceased. In March, 1878, Mr. Love married Mrs. Phoebe M. (Pike) McGuire, the widow of his half-brother, Robert McGuire, who was born in Mercer County,. Penn., in 1812, and came to Clinton County; Uhio, with his step-father, and in 1845 married Miss Martha


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1105

Adair, of Fayette County, Ohio, by whom he had five children, four of them now living; all married. Mrs. (Adair) McGuire died in September, 1856, and on Jaly 9, 1860, Mr. McGuire married Phoebe M. Pike, by whom he had seven children; six now living, one being married, and the others making their home with our subject, their step-father. Our subject's marriage to his half brother's widow, has been without, issue.

R. LYTLE, physician and surgeon, P. O. Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Manchester, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of James and Mary Lytle, natives of Penn. The boyhood of our subject was mostly passed in his native place, in the schools of which place he received his literary education. After attaining his majority, he began the study of medicine, reading under the directions of physicians for about six years. Being a poor boy, he could not, because of pecuniary disadvantages, prosecute his study in a regular and systematic way. To add to his cares, the ill health of his father, threw the maintenance of the family, largely on his hands, and he was thereby obliged by the stern demands of parental love to redouble bin efforts. Persistency finally won, and he eventually succeeded to the practice, having in the latter part of his course of study the advantage of a learned preceptor. After a practice of four years, he took a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic School of Medicine and Surgery, and again resumed the practice. In 1871, he finished his full course of lectures, and the above institution conferred on him its diploma of graduation the same year. The Doctor began practicing in Highland County, Ohio, and afterward removed to Ross County, Ohio, in which he practiced successfully for a number of years. He next located at Washington Court House; once was physician to the County Infirmary for three years. In 1881, he came to Sabina, where he has since given his attention to the demands of an increasing practice. He is a member of the Fayette Lodge, F. and A. M., and also holds membership iu the Royal Arcanum, subordinate Council of Washington Court House. Hewn married, December 23,1852, to Catharine, a daughter of Henry and Cassandra Sidwell, of Brown County, Ohio. Five is the number of their children, three of whom are living, viz.: Emma, Thomas and Effie The deceased-Anna and John F. The Doctor and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they have been connected since living in the village.

JOHN MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Wayne Township, in 1843, and is a son of Stephen Martin. Our subject was reared on the farm, and resided on the old homestead with his parents till twenty-four years of age. In 1872, he was married to, Anna, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Cadwell, of Ross County, Ohio. After the event of his marriage, he located where he now resides, where he has since lived; with the exception of three years. He and his wife are members of the Friends Church of Sabina, to which they have belonged several years, and are exemplary Christian people; fbur children have been born to them, three of whom are living, viz.: Minnie, Elijah and Elizabeth; Frank, deceased. Mr. Martin is a Republican in polities.

JAMES M. MORTON, attorney, Sabina, was born in Greene Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Richard Morton, of whom mention is made in this work. The boyhood days of James M. were passed on the farm, and in the common schools received the rudiments of his education. This he largely developed by his own efforts in study after night. Thus fitting himself to teach, a profession he successfully followed in the schools of Clinton County for four years. At the age of eleven years, he was thrown upon his own resources, and had his own living and way, to make in the world; by persistent efforts and indefatigable industry, he not only lived, but occupied his mind with a study of useful and practical knowledge, which is of great utility to him in his profession of the law. In 1873, he began reading law and had for his preceptor R. E. Doan, of Wilmington. April 18, 1878, he was admitted to the bar, after an examination before the District Court. Since then he has successfully practiced in the Courts of Clinton and adjoining counties, and is building


1106 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

up a fine legal reputation. He acted two years as Justice of the Peace, and on account of his growing practice which demanded his whole attention and time, was forced to resign the office. He was married in 1871 to Miss Maria McDonald, of Clinton County, who has borne him four children, via.: Calvin W., Claudio B., Everett P. and Ishmael E.

W. R. MATHEW, merchant, Reesville, was born in Wayne Township, Clinton County, in the year 1839, and is a son of Jesse and Louisa Mathew, old settlers in this county. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, with only the advantages of district schools for an education. At the age of twenty-three years, he abandoned the farm, so far as his own personal labor was concerned, and in March, 1864, opened a store of general merchandise in Reesville, which contains at all times a full stock of the most seasonable goods. In connection with the store, he carries on his farm of 220 acres, which is situated in the township. In 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah C., the daughter of Lewis Harris, by whom he has had one child, viz., Roses E.

DANIEL H. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born near Sabina, in the old Mills homestead, in 1835, and is a son of Abner C. and Huldah (Hall) Mills. Abner Mills was a son of Burwell Mills, who settled in Fayette County, Ohio, in an early day. He (Abner C.), was married Jan 22, 1832, and soon after settled in this township, in which he lived till his death, with the exception of a short time he spent in Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Mills died October 6, 1861. To them were born nine children, viz.: Richard H., Eliza A., Daniel H., Burwell B., Angeline, Rebecca J., Brazilla B., Worden and Frank B. Mr. Mills served as Justice of the Peace eight years, and numerous terms as Treasurer and Trustee. His second marriage was celebrated with Mrs. Sarah A. Adams, nee Turner, in 1864. Mr. Mills died June 9, 1875. Three of his sons, Richard H., Burwell B. and Daniel H., were soldiers during the late war. Richard died in the Danville Hospital, and Burwell died in a hospital in Indiana. December 21, 1848. our subject was married to Jemima M., the daughter of Elias Roberds, whose sketch appears in this book. For eleven years after his marriage, he lived opposite to the well known citizen, Thompson Douglass, after which he came to where he now resides. Four children have been. born to them, two of whom are living, viz., Charles M. and Edwin C. The deceased were Emma C. and Frank A. Mr. M. served four months in Company B, of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, having enlisted in 1864. He and his amiable wife are connected with church organizations-he with the Christian Church, and she with the Methodist Protestant.

A. H. MILLS, of the firm of Mills' & Barris, hardware, Sabina, was born in Wilson Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, October 25, 1852, and is a son of Jonathan and Rhoda (Peels) Mills, old settlers, now of Washington Township. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and in the country schools, by studiously applying his time, obtained sufficient education to enable him to teach. After attaining his majority, he taught very successuflly for four years in this and Fayette County, Ohio, and won a good reputation as an instructor. In 1878, he came to Sabina, and entered the employ of the well-known dry goods firm of Savage & Cline, and labored as a salesman in their house until the spring of 1882. His courteous and unassuming manners won him many friends, and his correct and popular business habits in the discharge of duty, won the unbounded confidence of his employers. Upon leaving the employ of Savage & Cline, he entered into a copartnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Burris, and purchased the hardware store of W. H. Custis. They carry a large and excellent stock of goods, consisting of everything in the hardware line and farming implements. Their stock of groceries is always new and fresh, and of the best quality. They are young men of sterling worth, whose business qualifications are second to none, and are richly deserv ing a liberal share of the patronage of the people who trade in Sabina. Mr. Mills was married in 1879 to Miss Anna, daughter of James L. Burris, of Wilson Township, by whom he has had one child, viz., Pearlie B. He and his amiable wife are members of the Friends' Church, in which he has a birthright.

W. R. MORTON, physician and surgeon, Reesville. The above gentleman was born in Greene Township, this county, in 1840, and is a son of Richard and


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1107

Lucinda (Ruble) Morton. He (Richard) was born in the same township and was a son of Joab Morton, of Kentucky, who settled in this county about 1813. Richard Morton was married to Lucinda, the daughter of William Ruble, an old settler in the county. To Richard Morton and wife ten children were born, eight of whom are living, via., W. R., Sarah J., Cynthia A., John H., James M., Richard, Elizabeth and Mary B.; Lucretia and Isaiah deceased. Mrs. Morton died in 1861. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, and in the district schools received his literary education. At the age of twenty-eight years, he began the study of medicine under a learned physician, who was his preceptor until he entered the Cincinnati School of Medicine and Surgery during the term of '69 and '70, from which institution he graduated and immediately entered upon his profession at Centerville, Ohio, for four years, when he removed to Reesvihe, where he has since attended to the demands of his practice. The Doctor is a member of the Clinton County Medical Association, to which he has belonged almost from its organization. He is a worthy member of the Centerville subordinate Lodge of I.O.O.F., No. 531, and also of the Sabina' Encampment, No. 182. In 1862, while in Henry County, Iowa, the Doctor volunteered in Company B, of the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He saw active service the whole time, and passed through about thirty engagements. He was honorably discharged in 1865. January 9, 1867, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Isaae Johnson, of Clinton County, Ohio, who has borne him five children-four living, viz., Catherine L., Oliver P., Angie and Leslie; Richard, deceased. The Doctor and his estimable wife are worthy members of the Christian Church of Reesville.

HENRY PECHMANN, merchant tailor, Sabina, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1826; his trade was learned in his native land, and in 1849 came to America, landing in New York, in which he lived for awhile, then went to Florida. He has followed his trade in Charleston, S. C., also in New Orleans. Coming North, he located in Iowa City; when it was the capital of Iowa. His work has been that of a "cutter," and his travels from place to place have been extensive. In 1879, he came to Sabina, in which he has since been engaged in doing custom work. He is a No. 1 tailor and thoroughly understands every branch of his work. He was married in 1851, to Dorothy Weaver, by whom he had one child, viz., Ferdinand. Mrs. Pechmann died in 1855, aged about twent -seven years.

JOHN PLYMIRE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Washington County, Penn., in the year 1821, and is aeon of Martin and Susan (Brunner) Plymire, who were born in Pennsylvania, and their parents in Germany. In 1836, Martin Plymire, his wife and six children, viz., Andrew, Margaret, Barnett, Samuel, Henry and John, came to this county. Martin, the eldest, came several years later. Mr. Plymire purchased 274 acres of land, where he lived until he died; he was a prosperous man and succeeded well in business. He died in 1853, aged about sixty-two or sixty-three years. His wife departed this life several years afterward. Our subject was sixteen years old at the time his parents came to Ohio, and on the home farm he lived till he purchased the one where he now lives. He was married in 1843, to Miss Margaret, the daughter of Joshua Wilson, who has borne him ten children, viz., William H., E., Susanna, Samuel, Philip W., Martin, Joshua, John, David and Amanda. William H. served three months in the Forty-eighth Ohio National Guards. Mr. Plymire owns three hundred and twenty-five acres in his home farm, fifty acres in Fayette County and fifty acres near Centerville. His efforts have all been crowned with success and his labors have resulted in making him one of the solid men of the township. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist Protestant Church at Sabina, to which they have been connected for a number of years.

GEORGE M. PLYMIRE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in this township in 1846, and is a son of James and Elm& (Mills) Plymire, old settlers in the county. The subject of this notice was reared to farm pursuits, receiving only the advantage of a common school education, remaining at home until twenty-eight years of age, when, in 1874, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles P. Gallaher, by whom he bas had one child, viz., Edith May, born August 24, 1875. He and his amiable wife are ex-


1108 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

emplary members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which they have been connected for a number of years. Charles P. Gallaher, father of Mrs. Plymire, was born in what is now Warren County, Ohio, in the 1800, and is a son of James and Leah (Porter) Gallaher. He (James) was born in New Jersey in 1764, and was a son of the whose wife's name was Williams. He (Bryant) was born in Ireland, Bryant the age of fifteen years came to America, and settled in New Jersey, where he died. James Gallaher when a young man removed to Pennsylvania, where he was married. In 1796, he in company with his brothers, William and Samuel, with their families descended the Ohio River in flat-boats. James and Samuel purchased land near the present site of Lebanon, in Warren County, Ohio, on which they settled, and assisted in building the first house in Lebanon. William left the boat at Maysville, Ky., and afterward settled in Brown County, Ohio, where he joined the "Shakers," and then removed to Warren County, Ohio, and soon after to another colony on the "Wabash," where he became a leading spirit among. them. He died in Warren County in 1811. In 1814, James Gallaher left Warren County, and settled in Clinton, near Sabina, where he purchased 300 acres of land, on which he died in 1825, aged sixty-one years. To him were born eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Rachel, Charles P., Nancy, Lucinda, Leah, Catherine and James L. His wife died in 1831, aged sixty-four years. Mr. G. was a successful business man, and held many prominent offices. Charles P., son of James Gallaher, was married in 1825 to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary (Taylor) Douglass, by whom he had ten children, viz., Mary, James, Leah, Martha, Editha, Nancy, Thompson, Charles L., Elizabeth and Milo. Mr. G. lived on the old home farm until February 9, 1865, at which time a decision was reached with the McArthur heirs, who contested the right of ownership for the land on which he lived, which difficulty was then compromised. His wife died June 30, 1861, aged sixty years. Mr. G. has been elected to offices of the township, holding that of Justice' of the Peace seven terms; County Clerk, Trustee and School Director, he has served numerous terms. He was admitted to the bar in 1853, but only practiced in the Justice Courts, and has settled more estates than any other man in the county. In 1865, was elected Mayor of Sabina, and served two years. In 1867, he abandoned all business, and since lived a retired life.

S. PLYMIRE, of the firm of Plymire & Bro., dealers in lumber. This enterprising and successful young business man is a native of this county, in which he was born, to the year 1850. Is a son of John Plymire, whose sketch appears above. He was reared to farm pursuits, and remained with his parents until of age, at which time he went to Illinois, and while there began working at the carpenter trade. A severe spell of sickness prostrating him, he was obliged to return to his former home; he was engaged in selling sewing machines for one year, after which he resumed the work of his trade, which he has followed ever since, doing a regular contract business. He was married in 1875 to Miss Anna E., the daughter of Levi and Lucy Rice, of Fayette County, Ohio, by whom he has had one child, viz., Lacy F. Mr. P. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the Sabina Lodge, which he joined in 1874. He and his amiable wife enjoy membership and good standing in the Methodist Protestant Church. J. B. Plymire, his brother and partner, was born in the county in 1854. Like his brother Samuel, he was reared upon the farm, which he followed uninterruptedly until going into business with his brother. He was married in 1881 to Miss Josie Magnett.

JOSEPH RAPP (deceased) was born in Baden, Germany, January 31, 1815, and emigrated to America in 1835. He was a clock-maker by trade, and after arriving in this country he located in Cincinnati, where he followed that occupation five years. In 1840, he moved to Wilmington, and in 1844 to Sabina, starting a hotel in the latter place, and remaining there until his death, December 29, 1874. In 1841, he married Catherine Dahl, a daughter of Wiley and Barbara (Bohl) Dahl, by whom he had ten children, viz.: Anthony, Sarah, Mary, Josephine, Autha, George, John, Collie (deceased), Alice, Kate. Mr. Rapp was a man of strict business habits, unquestioned integrity, and great liberality. He kept the hotel, in Sabina (where his


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1109

wife and children continue) for the last thirty years of his life, and was one of the most popular landlords in the State. He was one of the originators and a charter member of Sabina Lodge, No. 324, F. & A. M., which was instituted in his house, and for many years continued to meet there. His death was deeply deplored by all who knew him.

WILLIAM REED, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Wayne Township, in the year 1819, and is a son of David and Hannah Reed. The Reed family came from Kentucky, and located in this county in 1804, purchased at the time 100 acres of land, on which they made permanent homes. Reed, grandfather to our subject, had four children, viz.: Jane, Samuel, James and David, all deceased. David was married to Hannah, the daughter of William Daugherty, an old settler of Irish descent. After this marriage he purchased land in Wayne Township, for which he paid $4 per acre, on which he lived and died. Four children were born to them that grew to maturity; viz.: Alfred, William, James and Elizabeth; William alone survives. Mr. Reed died at his home in 1855, aged about sixty-eight years; his wife died in 1866, at the age of seventy years. Mr. R. was an energetic and successful man, and during his life accumulated a good property. Our subject remained on the farm with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated in 1842 (May 19), with Miss Rachel Carver. After the event of his marriage he purchased 150 acres of land where he now lives, and at present owns 540 acres of the beat improved and drained land in the township. During the years of 1867 and 1868, he erected an elegant brick residence, which is a model house in every respect. To him were born eleven children, six of whom are living, viz.: David, Amos, Hannah J., Wilmer, Loemma and Elmer. The deceased were Levi, Mary E., Eli C., Martha A. and Mary E. Mrs. Reed died April 7, 1881, was born in Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822.

WILLIAM C. REED, farmer, P. O. Reesville, is a son of Samuel P. Reed, who was born in Richland Township in 1815. He (Samuel P.) was a son of Samuel Reed, one of the first settlers in Champaign County. He was brought up on the farm, and in younger days was largely engaged in buying and driving stock in connection with his other brothers. He was married to Nancy Custis, and soon after settled on the old Reed homestead. He was given by his father 150 acres of land, to which he added other land, owning at one time 360 acres. After the event of his marriage, he followed teaching during the winter mouths; was represented in some of the minor offices of the township, yet he was a man devoid of political aspirations. In his business he was successful, and his labors resulted in the accumulation of a large property. The following children were born to them, all living, viz., William C., Elizabeth E., Crispin, Sarah E., Henry B., Mary M., Maria J. Mr. Reed died November 25, 1859. Mrs. Reed departed this life March 16,1875, aged fifty-two years. Their son William C. enlisted in 1862 in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw much active service and passed through twelve of the hard-fought battles of the war, among which we mention Resaca, Altoona Pass, Pine Knob, and all the battles in and around Atlanta, Bentonville, Averysboro, and was with Gen. Sherman in his memorable march to the sea; was discharged in 1865. He (William C.) was born in 1840, was reared on the farm, and upon returning from the war settled in Sabina and became engaged in the drug and clothing business for four years, when he sold out and returned to the farm. In 1871, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Hulse, by whom he had two children. He owns 160 acres of land which is a well kept farm. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Paul and Mary J. (Lyon) Hulse, parents of Mrs. Reed, were born in this county; he in Greene Township in 1826, and was a son of Paul, Sr,, and Elizabeth (Roberts) Hulse. He (Paul, Sr.) was from the "Blue Lick," in Kentucky, and she was from near Washington, D. C. Paul, Jr., lived and died on the farm where he was born. During his life, he had been identified with all the offices of the township, and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died in 1869. To them were born eleven children, ten of whom are living., Sarah, John, Squire, Martha, Oscar, Richard, Lillie, Charles, Jennie and Reed; Elmer, deceased.


1110 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

H. B. REED, farmer and dealer in stock, P. O. Sabina, is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Custis) Reed, and was born in Richland Township January 9, 1846, and is the fourth of seven children. (See sketch William C. Reed) When sixteen years of age, our subject was brought face to face with the realities of life, having at that time lost his father by death. Following. in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in handling stock, he has proved himself one of the most judicious and extensive buyers in the county. He is much interested in the fairs of the county, and four years in the past has been President and Director. In public improvement, he takes an active part; a worker in temperance reform and Sabbath schools, and an acceptable member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

ELIAS ROBERDS, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is the oldest living native-born citizen of Clinton County, Ohio. Was born in Union Township, February 5, 1807, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Randall) Roberds, who settled in the above township in 1804. They were natives of North Carolina, but had lived in Virginia previous to coming to Ohio. Eight children accompanied their parents, viz.: Mary, Martha, William, Nancy, Sallie, Lydia, Joseph and Betsey. He purchased a piece of land, which he afterward lost on account of a defective title. He then came to Richland Township and bought land which he cleared up and lived on until between 1830 and 1835, when he removed to Grant County, Ind., where he lived till his death. He served his (this) county in the capacity two terms as Commissioner of the same, and in the township represented the offices of Justice of the Peace, Tax Collector and Trustee. He was a man generous to a fault, upright in all his dealings, and a zealous worker in the affairs of the church, a conscientious, scrupulous Christian gentleman. Seven children were born in this county, viz.: Phoebe, Elias, Thomas, (one name not given), Phineas, Rachel and Benjamin. Of his children, only Thomas and Elias survive. He died in his Indiana home about 1870, at the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. His wife died previously, aged upward of eighty years. Our subject was reared on a farm, and in manner common with pioneer boys, receiving but a limited education. Remained with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated when he was twenty years old, beginning life for himself on rented land, and purchased a farm at $1.25 per acre on credit. The land he purchased was cleared up by himself, and he has since added to the original purchase, until now he owns 350 acres of well-improved land. As Commissioner of the county, he served three years, but has never had any aspirations for office. Is a Republican in politics, an untiring worker in the party, and a man of great public spirit, never refusing to give support to any charitable and worthy enterprise of merit. In 1836, he was married to Elizabeth Bennett, of this county, by whom he has had ten children, nine of whom are living, viz.: Elijah, James, Calvin, Morgan, Isaac, Emily, Jemima, Laving and Almira; Keziah, deceased. Mrs. R. died in 1845. His second marriage was celebrated with Lavina Plymire in 1846. Mr. Roberds is a man well preserved mentally and physically, for one of his age and bids fair to live for years to come, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors.



ISAAC ROBERDS, merchant, Sabina. The subject of this memoir is a native born citizen of this township in which he lives, and is a son of Elias Roberds, an early settler in Clinton County. Our subject was reared on the farm, and the district schools afforded him his only advantage for an education. At the age of twenty-six, he abandoned the labors of the farm, and came to Sabina, where he obtained employment in a store as salesman. After an experience of two years as such, entered into a copartnership with H. H. Thorp, and together they did business from 1861 to 1866, at which latter date he sold his interest and removed to Ogden, where he operated a store and was railroad agent, express agent and Postmaster, until January, 1874, at which time he returned to his old stand in Sabina, where he is now selling goods. In 1861, he was married to Miss Maggie, a daughter of John Darbyshire. to this union five children have been born, three of whom are living, viz.: Claudie, Nettie and Cliffie; John W. and Walter, deceased.

C. M. ROBINS, tinsmith and City Marshal, Sabina, was born in Ross County Ohio, in the year 1844, and is a son of Jesse Robins, who was born in the above


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1111

county. C. M. was reared to his trade in Greenfield, Ohio, where he labored for some years. In 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was annexed to the Second Brigade, Second Division and Sixteenth Army Corps, and afterward was transferred to the Fifteenth Corps. He saw active service throughout the entire war, and participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war; he veteranized in 1864, and was discharged, in 1865. In June, 1879, he located in Sabina, where he has since plied his trade. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Sabina Lodge, No. 324. In 1880, was elected City Marshal, and is the present incumbent. December 15, 1869, he was married to Mary E., daughter of E. Pratt, of Ross County, Ohio, who has borne him two children, viz., Hattie B. and William E.

P. H. ROBINSON, retired druggist, Sabina. Among the agreeable, refined and courteous gentlemen that represent the business interests of Sabina, none are entitled to a higher rank in the social and generous light, than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is a native-born citizen of the county,.. in which he was born in 1847, and is a son of Joseph Robinson, an old settler. The days of his boyhood were passed upon the farm, the country schools affording him the advantages of a rudimentary education. This he developed by close application of his mind to study for two terms at the Lebanon Normal School, which resulted in making him the possessor of a practical business education. Upon attaining his majority, he went to Lincoln, Neb., and during the years 1869-70, found agreeable employment in the Government Land Office, in the above place. In 1876, he located in Sabina, and in partnership with J. D. Haney, founded the business of the present drug house of Hall & Hinkson. For one year following this, he conducted the affairs of the house as manager, when Mr. H. retired, and he carried on the business individually until be sold to Messrs. Hall & Hinkson. He is a worthy and honorable member of Sabina Lodge, No. 3'34, of Free and Accepted Masons; was married in 1875, to Miss Mina, the accomplished daughter of William Wilson, who has borne him two children, viz., Evaline and Pearl.

JOSEPH ROBUCK, Postmaster and dealer in dry goods and groceries, Reesville, was born in Adams County, Ohio, in 1815, and is a son of Aaron Robuck, a native of Kentucky, who settled in Adams County in a very early day, and previous to the organization of the county. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and in his native county, where he resided till of age. In 1838, he went tr. layette County, Ohio, where he resided until 1865, at which time he came to Clinton County. In 1870, he located in Reesville, and the following January opened a general store, and has since catered to the wants of the buying public. In 1879, he was appointed Postmaster of Reesville, during President Hayes' administration. Since residing in this township, he has served two terms as Justice of the Peace; and during his residence in Fayette County was Justice six years, Trustee five years, and Constable three years. June 5, 1838, he was married to Miss Mary A. Williams, of Fayette County, Ohio. Ten children have been born to them, five of whom are living, viz., James, Martha, Mary, Charley and Callie. The deceased are Magdalene, Elizabeth, Thomas and an infant. His sons James and Thomas were members of Company D, of the Forty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted in 1861. Thomas died from sickness just after the battle of Shiloh, in 1862. James served his country faithfully, and was discharged at the close of the war. Mrs. Robuck departed this life January 15, 1877, at the age of fifty-six years. .

C. RHONEMUS, Jr., capitalist, P. O. Reesville. Among the enterprising, successful and "go-ahead" citizens of Clinton County, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch stands prominently to the front; he was born in Wayne Township, this county, in the year 1835, and is a son of C. Rhquemua, Sr., an old settler in the county. Up to the age of maturity, our subject resided on the farm, at which time he went into business with his father, and together they dealt in land, and did a general mercantile business until 1876. In 1858, he came to Reesville, where he has since resided, and plied his energies in pushing business in almost every avenue of trade. At present, he owns 675 acres of land in the county, and is one of the principal stockholders of the "Sabina Fair " be with Mr. Sellars owning 160 of the 180 shares. In 1857, he was


1112 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

married to Miss Sophronia, the daughter of Stephen Custis, by whom he had seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: Mattie, Lizzie, John, Stephen, Sophronia and Jimmie B.-Ollie, deceased. Mrs. R. died in September, 1880.

W. H. SANDERS, editor Sabina News, Sabina.

ALEXANDER SELLARS, farmer, P. O. Reesville. Mr. Sellars ranks high among the enterprising and successful business men of Clinton County. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1829, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Morton) Sellers, who settled in Greene County in an early day. He was reared on the farm, and in the district schools obtained only a common education. In 1862, he removed from Greene County to Reesville, where he has since resided. He purchased land, and also operated a saw mill in Reesville. He has succeeded admirably in busi. ness, and at present owns 300 acres of land in Clinton County, and 190 more near Xenia. He was married in 1852, to Miss Sarah D., daughter of Edward Spahr, of Greene County, Ohio. He is one of the principal stockholders of the Sabina Fair, an institution that has gained considerable notoriety, and even outranks all neighboring organizations of that character.

J. L. SPENCER, farmer, P. O. Sabina, was born in Richland Township, this county, in the year 1856, and is a son of Lewis C. Spencer, of whom mention is made in this work. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, and in the district schools received a good common education. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Virginia P., the daughter of Levi and Lucy Rice, of Fayette County, Ohio. Margaret A. Worthington, the mother of our subject, was born in this county August 13, 1832, and is a daughter of David and Magdalene Perringer, who were parents of five children, viz., Margaret A., John L., Francis M., Martha J. and Virginia. The eldest was married to Lewis C. Spencer February 14, 1851, by whom she had two children, viz., David J. and John L. Mr. S. died March 5, 1857. November 4, 1859. she was married to Thomas Worthington, by whom she had two children, viz., Joseph B. and Harriet E. In 1870, she settled in this township, where she has since resided. She has been a member of the Methodist Protestant Church since 1868, and is an exemplary Chris tian lady. She possesses a meek and quiet temperament, charitable and obliging, and is highly respected by all who know her. Her father was born in Virginia in 1806, and was married to Magdalene Harvey, of the same State, in 1831. She was born in 1811. They settled in Ohio in 1831.

SAMUEL SPURGEON (deceased) was a son of Ezekiel and Martha J. Spurgeon, natives of Kentucky, who settled in Richland Township, near and east of Reesville, in the year 1808. Ezekiel died where he first settled, May 14, 1838, aged about seventy years. His wife died May 27, 1840, aged sixty-three years. Seven children were born to them, viz., William, Rebecca, Nancy, James, John, Samuel and Jesse. Their children all married here, and James, Samuel and Jesse died here. Ezekiel and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were very worthy people. Samuel, our subject, was married to Ann R., the daughter of James and Catherine Wherry, of Clinton County, June 6; 1803. He located where his son and daughters now reside, where he died January 18, 1880. His wife departed this life November 21, 1876. She was born in November, 1810. To them were born ten children, viz., Susana, Mary A., James E. (deceased), Emily, Alexander (deceased). Evaline, an infant son, Lydia J., Moses F. and Elizabeth A. He (Samuel) was a successful farmer, and a man who was universally respected by all who knew him. His children that are living all reside on the old home farm, and are respected and well-todo citizens.

J. W. SPURGEON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, is the eldest of twelve children born to John and Anna (Ditmers) Spurgeon. He (John) was the fifth son of seven children born to Ezekiel and Martha (Willison) Spurgeon, natives of Pennsylvania, of English parentage. They were married in 1792, and one year after the birth of William, who was born in 1795, they settled in Kentucky. He was a famous hunter, and in an encounter with a bear lost an eye. He was a brave and fearless man, and a terror to the red man. After the birth of his daughter Rebecca, in 1797, he removed to Adams


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1113

County, Ohio, when the following children were born to them, viz.: Nancy A., in 1799 ; James, in 1800; John, in 1802; and Samuel, in 1805. In 1808, he came to this county and bought land, and erected a horse grist-mill, the first in this section. Jesse, the youngest son, was born in 1812. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and preaching was often held in their house. He died May 14, 1838, aged seventy years; she died May 27, 1840, aged sixty-three years. John, the father of the present subject, married Ann Ditmers, February 2, 1825. She was the daughter of Abraham and Gitty (Voorhes) Ditmers, and was born in New Jersey in 1810. To them were born twelve children, viz., James W., Samuel, Matilda, Mary A., Malinda M., Abraham, Martha E., Gitty A., Sarah J., Lucinda, Charles M. and John L.; all were born in this township. He (John) resided here until 1851, when he removed to Iowa, where he died July 22, 1880; his wife died January 9, 1881. James W. Spurgeon was born January 3, 1826, and has always resided in the township, having voted at every important election since becoming of age. When twenty-one years old, he began to learn the smith's trade, which he followed for thirteen years. In January, 1853, he was married to Mary L., the daughter of John Hinkson, by whom he had one child, viz., Jesse A., born September 30, 1853. Mrs. Spurgeon died October 3, 1853. He married, for his second wife, Harriet E., the daughter of John Lyon, February 14, 1856. To them have been born the following children, viz., Mary A., died in infancy; Ella, born October 12, 1858; Minnie, born April 3, 1867 ; John J., born January 1, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon have been connected with the Methodist Protestant Church for eighteen years, and are zealous workers in the vineyard of the Lord.

JAMES L. STEVENSON, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., in 1846, December 3, and is a son of Samuel Stevenson, a native of the same county, where he yet resides, in which the family for two generations have lived, originally coming from Ireland. Our subject was raised on the farm, and resided in his native county till 1876, when he came to this county and purchased eighty-five acres of land in Richland Township, on which he lived till 1881, when he went to Texas, and, not liking the country, returned immediately to Clinton County and purchased one hundred acres, where he now resides, which is well improved and in good cultivation. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Mary E. McBride, of Allegheny, Penn., by whom he has has had five children, viz., Olive B., Samuel W., Alpha M., Mary L. and James E. Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Sabina Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 501.

J. T. SYLVESTER, clothier, Sabina. The subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Indiana in the year 1846, and is a son of John W. Sylvester, a native of Maryland. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native State, when he received a good common school education. After attaining his majority, he began clerking in a clothing store in Centerville, Ind., in which he was employed for some years. He was afterward engaged in Vienna and Circleville, and was clerking all the time, with the exception of a short time he was at the carpenter trade. In 1878, he came to Sabina and opened up a clothing store, which he is now operating, carrying an excellent stock of everything in the gents' furnishing line. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Eliza Johnson, of Highland County, Ohio. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sabina.

H. H. THORP, merchant, Sabina. The above gentleman is one of the native born citizens of Clinton County, and his social and business standing in his town are too well known to need any comments by the writer here. He was born in Wilson Township in 1832, and is a son of Joshua and Nancy Thorp, who came from Virginia to this county in 1832. H. H. Thorp was reared on the farm, receiving the rudiments of his education in the district schools, which was developed by a short course of study in the Delaware College. With these he fitted himself to teach, a profession he very suc cessfully followed for about six years, twenty-one months of which time he labored in the public school of Sabina. In 1857, he abandoned the calling of teaching, and entered the employment of Jabob Theobald as a salesman in a mercantile house, in whose


1114 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

employment he was three years, after which he and his brother, R. T. Thorp, purchased a general store in Jeffersonville, Ohio, in which they together did business for two years, and at the expiration of that time he returned to Sabina, and again entered the employ of Mr. Theobald, for whom he worked another two years, after which. he, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Isaac Roberds, purchased a stock of goods. and after three years of successful trading, purchased Mr. R .'s interest, and for one year conducted the business alone, and then sold to William Custis & Bro. In 1870, he began business at his present stand, where he has since catered to the wants of his numerous customers. He is a charter member of the Order of Odd Fellows, Sabina Lodge, No. 501, and a charter member of the Encampment, No. 182, and also a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge of Sabina, No. 324. Officially, he has had no aspirations for the honors of office, yet was Treasurer of Richland Township for seven years. In 1857, he was married to Emily, daughter of Elias Roberds, and three children are the result of their union, two of whom are living-Gilbert and Winnie. Frank, deceased, aged two years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs. T. holds membership with the Protestant Methodist Church.

JACOB THEOBALD, retired merchant, P. O. Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the oldest living business man in Sabina He was born in the Rhine Province of Bavaria June 24, 1818. His life, up to the age of nineteen years, was spent in his native land upon the farm. In 1837, he took ship at Havre de Grace, from this country, and after a tedious voyage of sixty-eight days landed in New York. After stopping a short time with friends in Buffalo, N. Y., he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at such jobs as he could find for several months, after which he went to Trumbull County, Ohio, doing similar work for a period of six months ; thence to Taylorsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, where he also found employment by the day's work. In 1840, he went to Lancaster County, Ohio, where he drove a team until his removal to Chillicothe, Ohio, in which he stopped but a short time; thence to Washington, Ohio, in which he stopped but a brief time; then came on to Sabina. In May, 1841, he opened a store in the house where he now lives. In all, he has done an active mercantile business in Sabina, reaching over a period of thirty-five years, his experience being a happy one from the fact that success has always crowned his efforts. He was appointed Postmaster during President Polk's administration, and after a number of years of service resigned the position, but was again appointed, and in all served fifteen years. After the completion of the Muskingum Valley Railroad, he was appointed the company's agent in Sabina, a position he held for twelve years, and was the express agent during the same time. In the offices of the town and township he has been quite fully represented, having been elected the first Mayor of Sabina. The duties of each and every trust, whether of a private or public nature, were fearlessly and creditably discharged, and thus ho won the confidence and esteem of the people in his community. The transaction of his individual business, which has been extremely varied, was always conducted on the unquestionable principles of honesty and justice to all men. His popular business habits, charitable purse, unassuming manners and quiet mien justly give him a popularity that is richly deserved. He and his estimable wife enjoy excellent standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, although formerly both belonged to the German Reformed Church. He was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry in Wilmington in 1852, and since has been identified in nearly all the offices of that mystic order. February 4, 1847, he was united in marriage to Louis& Bendel, of Brown County, Ohio, who has borne him three children, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. W. H. Dakin, and Emma L., wife of W. H. Sanders ; Joanna, deceased, died April 5, 1881.

FREDERICK THEOBALD, grocer, P. O. Sabina. This gentleman was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1842, and is a son of Charles Theobald, a native of the same place. Our subject was reared in his native land, and in 1850, with his parents, came to America. His father located in Cincinnati, and Frederick went to live with his uncle, Jacob Theobald, assisting him in the store until 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and soon after, his regi-


RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. - 1115

ment was placed in the front in the Army of the Cumberland, and was with Sherman in that ever memorable march to the sea. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Resaca, Ga., which disabled him from further active service, and, after being treated in different hospitals, was sent to Chicago as a guard over prisoners. He was discharged at the close of the war, having served to within a few days of his enlisted time, and was a Sergeant in his company. After his return home, he entered the employ of his uncle, for whom he clerked eighteen months, and in 1867 began business for himself, in which he has since been engaged, and has prospered. He is a member of the Sabina Lodge, I.O.O F., No. 501, and is also a member of the Encampment, 18'3. He was married, in 1868, to Mary F., daughter of Alexander and Sarah Hill, of Sabina. Their children have been five in number, four of whom are living, viz., Orey L., Frederick C., Leo P. and Lulu. Alexander B. is deceased. Politically, Mr. T. is of Democratic proclivities, having always affiliated with that party.

WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, carpenter, Sabina. This gentleman enlisted in 1861, in Company A, of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to which he was connected but a short time. Soon after being discharged from the above regiment, he re enlisted in Company F, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he saw active service throughout the war. He participated in thirteen of the hard-fought battles of the war, and a host of the smaller engagements that were almost an every-day occurrence. The bursting of a shell in close proximity to his head produced a. concussion so strong as to destroy the sight of one of his eyes. For meritorious service upon the field, he was made Orderly for Gen. Burnside, acting in that capacity from the battle of Cold Harbor until discharged. In 1865, he again enlisted in Company A, First Regiment Ohio National Guards; served four months; was first duty Sergeant. From all enlistments he has been honorably discharged.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Union Township, Clinton County, in the year 1836, and is a son of William and Phoebe (Hoover) Thompson. He (William) was born in Pennsylvania, and came with his father, Josiah Thompson, to Clinton County in an early day. To William Thompson and wife were born eleven children, eight of whom are living, via., Emmeline, Harriet, William, Eli, Phoebe, Joseph, Susan M. and Sarah E. The deceased are Lewis, Hannah J. and Andrew. Mr. T. died in 1878, aged eighty years. Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until after he had attained his majority . In 1858, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Rebecca Slaight, and settled in Wayne Township, in which he lived a little more than one year. May 13, 1860, he lost by death his wife, at the age of twenty-one years. He then returned to his father's, with whom he resided four years. May 1, 1864, he was again married, to Mrs. Nancy J. Reed, nde Clemons, who bore him nine children, viz., Orlando and Amelia (twine), Mary J., John W., Ella, Frank, Ephie, Wilson and Robert A. April 27, 1881, he was called to mourn the death of his second wife, who died at the age of thirty-seven years. Mr. T. owns 305 acres of land, which is in good cultivation and well improved. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which he has belonged for twenty years. His deceased wife, during her life, also enjoyed membership and good standing in the same church.

S. W. TURNER, silversmith and jeweler, Sabina. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1836, and is a son of Calvin and Matilda Turner, natives of Virginia, who settled in Preble County, Ohio, in 1832, in which they lived until 1840, when they removed to Orange County, Ind., where they resided four years, then came to Clinton County and settled near Martinsville, where they made a permanent home. Mr. T. died in October, 1872. Eight children were born to them, of whom two daughters, via., Mrs. Jennie Moon and Mrs. Rachel Holiday, and our subject, reside in Clinton County. Two other daughters, via.: Mrs. Piety Bisher and Mrs. Mary Dimitt, reside in Ohio; the former in Highland County, the latter in Hamilton County. Two of the sons, James S. and George D., reside to Springfield, Ohio, and Joseph F., in Washington Court House. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm, and at the age of sixteen began learning his trade,


1116 - GRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

which he followed at intervals till 1861, at which time, being a resident of Lexington, Ky., he enlisted in Company A, of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry. Soon after he was transferred to the vicinity of Cumberland Gap, and was made Orderly to Gen. George W. Morgan, the regiment served during the war in the department of the Cumberland. He was wounded and captured at La Fayette, Ga., while on a cavalry raid. The wound was a severe one in the right shoulder, terribly shattering the bone. He made his escape the same day, and the manner in which it was effected speaks highly of Mr. T.'s persuasive powers. Two guards were put over him, and these he enticed to desert and return with him to the Federal lines. Afterwards be lay in hospitals until December, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Broken down in health, he went to Minnesota for his health. In 1866, he went to Fort Scott, Kan., in which he kept a restaurant one year. Eleven years were passed in Sumner, Ill., and during the time worked at his trade. In March, 1881; he came to Washington Court House, and in 1882, came to Sabina, where he is now engaged at his trade. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Mollie Schooler, of Lexington, Ky., August 1, 1861 ; two children were born to them, one living, viz., Mattie. Sherman, deceased, aged eleven months, died in 1866. Mrs. Turner died in Westboro, this county, of Cholera, in 1866, aged twenty-eight years. His second marries e was celebrated May 21, 1870, with Gills Campbell, of Blanchester, Ohio. Mr. . is a most reliable and excellent workman, and his success can only rightly be measured by his ability to please. In politics, he is Republican, and thoroughly conversant with the affairs that pertain to the political statue of the country.

ELIAS VANIMAN, farmer, P. O. Reesville, was born in Greene County. Ohio, in the year 1823, and is a son of Benjamin and Sophia (Hussey) Vaniman, natives of Tennessee. The father of our subject was a son of Benjamin, Sr., who settled in Greene County, Ohio, soon after the year 1800. Sophia, mother of our subject, was a daughter of Christopher and Mary Hussey, natives of Tennessee, who settled in the same county before the Vanimans came. Benjamin Vaniman, Sr., died in Illinois in 1827. His wife died in 1838. Benjamin. Jr., settled in Greene County, where, in the main, he lived and prospered. Twelve children were born to him, viz., Mary (deceased) Elise, Stephen (deceased) Julie (deceased) Elizabeth (deceased) Sarelda, Louisa, Nancy (deceased), Calvin, William (deceased), Clare and Lewis (deceased). Mr. V. died in Greene County in 1879, aged eighty-five years. His wife died in 1846, at the age of about forty three years. The family were all members of Methodist Protestant Church, and very consistent and exemplary people. Our subject was married to Eve, the daughter of Solomon and Rebecca (Caseltine) Early, in 1846. The Earlys settled in Liberty Township, this onunty, in 1833, where they made permanent homes. After the event of his marriage, our subject lived in Greene County until 1865, when he purchased 385 acres of land, where he now resides. Since, he purchased 100 acres more, and owns eigbty-five acres of land in this native county. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which he has belonged since twenty years of age; his wife, during her life-time, was a worthy member of the same. She died March 7, 1877, aged fifty years. To them were born three children, viz., Elizabeth, Charles and Rose. Lewis, brother of our subject, was a member of an unknown regiment, in which he enlisted during the latter part of the war. He was wounded before Petersburg, Va., from the effects of which he died.

G. L. WHITE, house and sign painter, Sabina, Ohio. The subject of this short biographical sketch was born in Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio, in the year 1852. His early childhood days were passed in his native town, and, at the age of five years, went with his parents to Xenia, Ohio. Here he received his education, which is practical and quite broad in range. At the age of seventeen years, he began learning his trade, and, as an apprentice, served four years in Xenia, after which, be went to Dayton, Ohio, and found employment for his talents with the well-known firm of Slevin & Hale, contractors, for whom he worked three years. In 1878, Mr. White came to Sabina, and established himself in the business of his trade, and the success he has won is due to his ability to do a first-class job. He is a member of the Sabina Lodge, of I.O.O.F., No. 501, and also of Miami Lodge, K. of P., at Dayton, Ohio.


(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)