830 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Silas Bales, farmer, Paintersville, is a son of John and Sarah (Lucas) Bales. Mr. Bales was born March 6,1789, and died March 11, 1864; she died June 8, 1874. He served a few months in the war of 1812, and then returned to this county, where he was married about 1813, and where he passed the remainder of his life. There were twelve children of this family, four daughters and eight sons, Silas being the eldest. He was born in this county, June 11, 1814, and here he was reared, and afterward married Miss Elizabeth Smith, also of this county, by whom he had two children, Sarah and Martha, both of whom are living. Sarah married a Mr. Marshall, now deceased; she then married Moses McKay, her present husband, and has two children, William S., and Edwin F. Martha married Joseph Hollingsworth, whose biography appears in this work; they have five children. Mr. Bales has a farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres, on which he lives. Himself and wife have been member's of the Methodist Episcopal Church for at least thirty-five years. He was elected trustee of the township in 1859, and re-elected in 1860.
Allan Barber, farmer, Bowersville, son of Stephen and Mary (Vanaman) Barber, was born July 7, 1845, in this county, where he was reared and educated, and where, with the exception of nearly four years spent in the army, he has passed all his life. He enlisted September 19, 1861, and was discharged July 26, 1865. Was in Company I, Thirty-First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in twenty-three engagements, among which were Stone River, Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge ; and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. After his return he engaged in farming. November 4, 1867, he was married to Martha E. Sparks, of this county, by whom he has had four children: Charley E., John E., Lulu J., and Mary M., all of whom are living. Mr. Barber's mother was a daughter of Benjamin Vanaman. Mr. Barber owns and lives on the old homestead, of sixty-five acres, engaged in farming.
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Daniel Bayliff, farmer, Paintersville, is a son of Joshua and Mary (Fry) Bayliff; who were married in Virginia, and who came to Ohio in 1804, locating where Cincinnati now stands. At that time the place contained but few houses, and only one business house, which was a did goods and grocery store combined. Here they remained for about a year, and then moved to this county, locating in Caesar's Creek Township. In 1836 they went to Auglaize County, where he died July 29, 1839. Mrs. Bayliff died in this county, June 8, 1816. When they first came to this county Indians and game abounded, and it was customary to attend church fully armed, in order to resist the attacks of the many enemies. The nearest market was Cincinnati, from whence all supplies had to be transported on horseback. Our subject was born May 22, 1816, within a mile of where he now lives, where he has a firm of one hundred and forty-eight and three-fourth acres, well improved. He was twice married. First, to Miss Eliza Stephens, of Clinton County, by whom he had two children : Joshua, born April 4,1837, and Reece, born July 10, 1854. Reece was married, October 30, 1875, to Miss Mary O'Conner, by which union there are two children, Walter J., born August 30, ,1876, and John, born March 7, 1876. Joshua was married, January 21, 1860, to Mary L. Stephens, by which union there arc four children: William C., born March 31, 1861; Amanda E., born July 7, 1862; Jane, born February 12, 1864, died at the age of two; and Emma, who died in her first year. Joshua died December 12, 1870. Mrs. Eliza Bayliff died December 21, 1866. Our subject then married Mrs. Malissa (Fosset) Smith, October 30, 1867. She had four children by her first marriage, which was celebrated in 1845, with Aaron Smith, who died August 19, 1853. The children are all living and married: Angeline C. to Louis Powers, Phoebe to Albert Burrell, Levi to Miss Sarah J. Arey, and Abigail to James Curry, who died September 21, 1880.
Gilbert T. Bentley, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of William and Sarah (Hite) Bentley ; Mrs. Bentley died in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1852, Mr. Bentley lives in Wilmington, Clinton County, and was born in Highland County in 1808. There were eight children by this marriage, five living: Ann, Jane, Elam V., Gilbert T., and John; Emily, Eliza, and Rhoda, deceased. Gilbert married Miss Lydia A. Hussey, daughter of Christopher, November 19, 1868. Five children are the result of this marriage: Jacqueline, Jennie,
832 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
William, John T., and Huston M., all living. Mr. Bentley has a farm of fifty acres, well improved, on which he lives, a part of the Christopher Hussey land. Is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. of Bowersville Lodge No. 559; united with this order at Wilmington in 1870, and is a charter member.
Thomas D. Bone, farmer, Paintersville, is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Turner) Bone, and a native of Maryland; was born in 1792, and died April, 1876; she of Tennessee, died June, 1865. They were married in this county in 1814. There. were thirteen children of this family: Christina, Isaac, Dinah, Mary, Stephen, Catherine, Elizabeth, Sarah, Thomas, James, and Rhoda; Harrison and Ellen, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born July 27, 1834, in this county, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Eliza J., daughter of David and Mary Devoe, who lived in Paintersville, November 30, 1865. There were five children of this union: Foster L., Flora A., two infants and Etta. Mr. Bone was one of the "brave, noble boys in blue." He volunteered February 24, 1862, being a member of Company A, Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in two heavy battles, Buzzard's Roost and Resacca. Received an honorable discharge at the close of the war.
John Brakefield, farmer, Pearson's Station, is a son of Elias and Mary Brakefield. Elias was born in Berkeley County, Virginia August 31, 1806, and his wife in Ohio, January 27, 1810. They were married in Ohio about 1830. There were five children of this family : Armilda, John, David, Thomas, and Elizabeth S. The parents and all the children are living. The subject of this sketch was born January 26, 1833, in Fayette County, where he was reared and educated. He was married to Miss Rachel Fearnow, of Buckskin Township, Ross County, at Chillicothe, November 12, 1856. Four children are the result of this union, Mary A.. David A., Rebecca E., and Elias L., the latter deceased. The mother was born June 17, 1837, and died on the farm where the family now lives November 18, 1862. Mr. Brakefield married Miss Margaret J. Little, March 20, 1864, who was born July 10, 1845, in Fayette County. There are nine children of this union : Olney O., Armilda H., John A., Hattie, Mattie, Rachel E., Thomas J., William A., and Sophronia. Mary A. was married to William F. Little, of this county, January 1, 1878; one child, Ward B. Mr. Brakefield has a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres, well improved, on which he lives, having about one hundred acres in cultivation.
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He is a good farmer and excellent citizen, and a member of Lodge No. 181, I. O. O. F., of Jamestown. Both his wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William H. Burr, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and Henrietta Burr, who were born in this county, where they were reared and married, and where they died. There were five children of this family : William H., Louisa E., Mary E., Hannah B., and John, all of whom are living, save John, who died at the early age of one year. William H. was born November 20, 1852, and married Miss Flora Hussey, a daughter of Christopher, whose father was the earliest settler in this township. There are are four children of this family, Charlie M., Euphemia, John C. and Frederick E., all living save John C., who died at two years of age. Mr. Burr has a farm of ninety-six acres, on which he lives, and which is a part of the larger tracts of land formerly owned by Christopher Hussey. He and Mrs. Burr are members of the Christian Church of Bowersville. They were also members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and Independent Order of Good Templars of Bowersville.
Nathan Carpenter, farmer, is a son of Nathan and Cynthia (Grigsby) Carpenter, natives of Virginia. They were married in September, 1821, and had seven children : David, James, William, Sarah, Nathan, Susan, and Thomas. Nathan is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died, November 12, 1874, leaving evidences of his victory over sin, and that he is now enjoying the home of the blessed. Though eighty-four years of age, Mrs. Carpenter is a regular attendant of the church services. Our subject was married, August 12, 1856, to Mary J. Davis, a native of this county. Seven children are the result of this union: John N., William, Lizzie C., Mary J., David E., Frank D., and Linnie May, all of whom are living save William, who died at the early age of thirteen months. John was married, October 9, 1879, to Ellie F. Stewart, of this county, a native of Maine. Mr. Carpenter owns a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, on which he lives, and farms to both grain and stock. Himself, wife, and three eldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bowersville. Is a member of the Odd-Fellows lodge of Bowersville; was formerly a member of the Jamestown lodge, removing his membership here at the time of the organization of this lodge. Mrs. Carpenter's parents, John and
834 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Elizabeth (Degroat) Davis, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were eight children of this family-Adelia, David, James D., Mary J., Andrew, Lizzie, John, and Amanda, five of whom are living; Amanda, James, and Andrew, deceased. Mr. Davis died November 22, 1877. Mrs. Davis is still living, and at the age of seventy-three is enjoying good health.
Thomas H. Carpenter, farmer, is a native of Monroe County, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his parents, Thomas and Jane Carpenter, at the age of two years. He was born January 6, 1842, and was reared, educated, and married to Mary C. Smith, in this county, February 20, 1862. , Seven children are the result of their union: Nancy J., Della May, Samuel, Anna M., Altazara, Minnie B., and Guy, all of whom are living, and none married. Mr. Carpenter has a farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres, on which he lives, and farms chiefly to grain. Mrs. Carpenter is a member of the Baptist Church. The father of our subject was reared in Virginia, and lived there until 1844, when he came to this county, remaining here till his death. He was the father of ten childrenNathan H., John, Sarah E., Thomas H., David W., Abner G., Franklin G., Charles 0., and George O. The three eldest are deceased. Mrs. Carpenter's mother is dead; her father, Samuel H. Smith, now about sixty-eight years of age, is still living near Jamestown, this county.
Cargle Chitty, farmer, is a native of Virginia; was born in 1831; came to Ohio in 1844; located in this county; was married on the 10th of February, 1859, to Miss Rebecca A. Osborne, of this county, and ten children are the result of their marriage: Henry, Mary E., Andrew S., Leander M., Rosetta, John H., William F. Luther, Ollie V., and Monroe, all living but Henry, who died January 7, 1861, aged eight months; none married. Our subject has a farm of one hundred and five acres, well improved, and resides on it, farming chiefly to grain. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, believing that it is the party of superiority. His wife is a native of this county, and was born August 28, 1840. Her father, David M. Osborne, is a resident of Fayette County; his father, David, sr., was one of the pioneers of this county. Our subject is a charter member of Bowersville Lodge No. 559, I. O. O. F.
Israel Cline, farmer. Bowersville, is a son of Jacob and Abigail' (Wilson) Cline, who were natives of Virginia, and who died in
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this county. The subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, November 23, 1826, and came with his parents to this county in 1827, where he has since resided. June 5, 1856, he was married to Miss Isabella Kidlow, by whom he had three children : Delphina J., Flora, and Elizabeth, all of whom are living. Delphina was married to Macy Stephens ; the others are at home, unmarried. Mrs. Cline died May 6, 1874. June 1, 1876, Mr. Cline married Miss Mary, daughter of Andrew Stephens, whose biography appears in this work. Mr. Cline has a farm of fifty-three acres, well improved, on which he lives. Farms chiefly to grain. Is a good citizen, worthy the respect of all who know him.
Thomas Donaldson, merchant, Bowersville, is a son of John and Mary Donaldson, both natives of England, where Mr. Donaldson died in 1855, and where she still lives. They were the parents of four children : Thomas, William, Joseph, and Rachel, all are natives of and reside in England, except Thomas, who came to the United States at about the age of fifteen, and located in Ohio. With the exception of three years passed in the army, fighting for the preservation of the country of his adoption, he has since been a constant resident. He was in Company A, Seventy-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. January, 1857, he Married Maria Wilson, of this county. Mr. Donaldson is a charter member of the Bowersville Lodge No. 559, of Odd-fellows; also a member of the Masonic fraternity, of Jamestown, since 1866.
Daniel Earley, farmer, is a son of Daniel and Rachel (Caseldine) Earley, who owned about seven hundred acres of land in Clinton County ; were pioneers of that county and prominent people. ' He died November, 1877, aged seventy nine years. She is still living, is past seventy years of age. Daniel, jr., was born in the same county, February 18, 1830; was married to Miss Louisa Vannanan, a daughter of Benjamin, January 9,1851; she was born September, 1828. There were eight children of this family, five of whom are living: Nancy K., Daniel B., Rosa B. Mary A., and Clara. Calvin, Rachel, and Luella have died. Mr. Early has a farm of three hundred and forty acres, well improved, on which he lives; situated about one mile west of Bowersville, and is one of the best farms of the township. He has in this township, about four hundred acres of land, and is one of the most prominent financial citizens. he is all active business man and a respected citizen. He had about nine hundred acres of land here before he divided with his
836 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
children, Rosa, Mary, and Daniel, who are married. He has held the office of township trustee several terms, has no office at present. When he was drafted to serve in the rebellion, he hired a substitute which cost him a great deal of money. He also contributed liberally to exempt the township from draft, and was active in raising Money for that purpose. During the war, be dealt largely in mules, which proved a financial success. Since then, he has dealt principally in cattle, sheep, and hogs.
Christopher Ellis, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and Rebecca (Richardson) Ellis, both natives of Virginia. He came to this state iii 1809, and died October 23, 1878, on the farm where Christopher now lives, aged eighty-one years. Mrs Ellis came here when eight years old, and remained until her death. They were married about 1821, and had five children : Leroy S., Zachariah, and Christopher, living; and Elizabeth and John S., deceased. Our subject was born January 20, 1832, in Clinton County, where he was reared, and where, September 10, 1857, he married Miss Sarah Starbuck. Eleven children is the result of this union: Uriah T., Rebecca M., Viola, Charles L., and Stella, living, and four infants, deceased. Mr. Ellis has a farm of fifty acres, well improved, on which he lives. He has been a member of the Oddfellows, of Bowersville, Since July 4, 1874. Mrs. Ellis is a "Daughter of Rebecca." She has been a member of the Christian Church for twenty-six years. Mr. Ellis' grandparents came to Ohio in 1809, with twelve children, two of whom survive.
Carroll R. Ellis, farmer, is a native of Fayette County, Ohio; was born December 18,1858; came to this county in March, 1880; has since been a resident here; was married here, March 9 188% to Miss Emma Vanniman, a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca J. (Early) Vanniman, whose biography appears in this work. She is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Bowersville. They have a farm of fifty acres, well improved, on which they live. His parents are natives of Fayette County, and were married about 1856. Eight children are the result of this union: Carroll, Lincoln, Rufus, Minter, Cicero, Icy. The last three are of one birth, and were born July 13, 1875. Icy is the only surviving one of the triplets. The parents, Lindley and Elizabeth (Allen) Ellis, still live on the farm, consisting of one hundred and forty-five acres, where our subject was born and reared, and near which he received his education. He evidently was reared by good parents, as he is a good
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. - 837
citizen, and enjoys the respect of all who know him, and has narks of proper training in childhood.
William Finlay, farmer, is a native of Ireland, where he was reared, and where his parents were born and reared, and where his father died, December 8, 1845. His mother came to the United States in 1857, and William and his sister Catharine came in 1861. He was born July 10, 1842. Since he came here, he has earned and saved enough money to buy a farm of seventeen and a quarter acres, on which he and his mother live. They began housekeeping together, in 1863. When he and his sister arrived at New York, he had only $1.25 with which to buy food on the way to Xenia, and when he arrived there he had only three cents. His parents had three children: William, Catharine, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Finlay was born about 1813. Her heart goes back to old Ireland, the place of her childhood, where she left many beloved kindred and friends. This is a respected family, and good citizens, who came to America to better their condition in life.
Simon L. Gerard, grain and stock dealer, Bowersville, was born August 5, 1832, and is a son of John and Jane Gerard, who are residents of this county, where he was reared, educated and married to Sarah E. Ireland. Three children are the result of this marriage, James, Laura, and Liddie, all living. James was married, May 7, 1878, to Maggie Stanford, and is now living with his parents. Mrs. Gerard, James and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Gerard was elected assessor of this township about 1868, and served five successive terms; was elected township trustee in 1876, to which office he has since been re-elected annually. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, well improved, and two lots in Bowersville, on which he has a good house, where he resides.
Jacob Gerard, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and Jane Gerard, and a native of the township where he now lives, and where he was reared and married Miss Sarah A., daughter of James and Hannah Wilkinson. Was born December 30, 1847, and married June 12, 1865. He lives on a farm owned by his father; is a good farmer, and well respected citizen. Mrs. Gerard's father is a resident of Silver Creek Township,, formerly of this township; had a farm of ninety acres here, sold it, and removed to Silver Creek. Was elected and served as justice of the peace when in this township, and a good and respected citizen.
838 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Millie Hargrave, a native of North Carolina, Jackson County, was born 1813, where she lived until twenty-one years of age, then came to Clinton County, Ohio, where she remained one year, and then came to this county where she has lived since. Was married December 4, 1834, to Herbert H. Hargrave. There were ten children of this marriage, of whom eight are living : Harriet, Rachel, John, William, James, Mary, Catharine, Lucinda, and Anna. Mr. Hargrave was born 1805, died September 8, 1869. He had a farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which after his death was divided among the children and widow. She has one hundred and twenty-five acres, well improved on which she lives. He came to Ohio at the age of twenty-one years, spent several years in traveling, ate dinner with President Jackson in the White House, who took pains to show him through the house, and the national relics. He, tired of traveling, bought the land where Mrs. Hargrave and family now live. Then there were but few houses in this locality. Jamestown had but one store. Xenia had about five hundred inhabitants: The only railroad seen in Mrs. Hargrave's journey from North Carolina, was in West Virginia. The village of Bowersville had but one house, that was owned by a Peter Bowermaster. The nearest church, was a log about four miles south of their home. They have heard the wolves howl around the house, and counted the wild turkeys as they passed. Mr. Hargrave went out one morning to find some strayed hogs, got lost on his own land, then almost an unbroken forest, and wandered through the woods all day but found his way home just at dark. The farming implements consisted of a wooden plow, wood harrow, cradle and sickle. .
John Hargrave, farmer, was born in this county September 16, 1844, where he was reared, and married to Miss Emeline Glass, a native of the same county, March 20, 1872; three children is the result of this marriage, Lucian E., Jasper A., and Charles 0., all of whom are living. Mr. Hargrave is a member of the Christian Church of Bowersville. He has a farm of one hundred and one acres, well improved, on which he lives, and farms chiefly to grain. This farm is a part of the land mentioned in his mother's biography. He is a son of Herbert Hargrave and Millie, whose sketches appear in this work.
James Hargrave, farmer, is a son of Herbert and Millie, whose biographies appear in this work. The subject of this sketch was
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. - 839
born in this county, July 1, 1853, where he was married to Miss Maud J. Thompson, a daughter of Daniel and Tabitha; two children are the result of this marriage, Laumor and Effie, both of whom are living. He has a farm of fifty-three and three-fourth acres, well improved on which he lives, farming to both grain and stock.
Calvin A. Hanghey, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and Patience (Studivan) Hanghey, who came to this township about the year 1810, where they lived the remainder of their lives. They were born, reared, and married in Grayson County, Virginia, being married at the respective ages of twenty-one and eighteen. Parents of twelve children, two deceased, Nancy and an infant; the others are all married, except Calvin, who has a farm of two hundred and forty acres, on which he has a good, large frame house, a good barn, and a large corn-drying house; his farm is in general good repair, and is located three-fourth of a mile south of the village of Bowersville, on the pike leading from Bowersville to Hillsborough. Farms chiefly to grain, and has made a specialty of raising sweet corn for the last few years, which he dries for winter use. Is a member of I. O. O. F. of Bowersville ; united with this order in 1876 ; is also a charter member of the Patrons of Husbandry of Bowersville.
David P. Hanghey, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of J. Q. A. and Louvina (Paullin) Hanghey. David P. is a native of this county, and a brother of Calvin, whose biography appears in this work. Our subject was born in this township, January 19, 1856, where he was reared, and married Miss Rose, a daughter of Daniel Earley, whose biography also appears in this work. She was born October 28, 1859. They were married March 14, 1877; two children being the result of the union, Daniel A. and Lucinda, both living. Mrs. Earley has a farm of one hundred acres, on which they live. This is a part of the large tract of land formerly owned by her father, who gave it to her shortly after her marriage, and is situated on the Jamestown and Port William road, about three miles west of the village of Bowersville.
Andrew D. Hite, farmer, Jamestown, is a native of this county, and was born December 11, 1814, where he was reared and married, November, 1833, to Mary Meyers, a native of Kentucky. Nine children are the result of this marriage : James H., William, George A., Catherine, John, Allen, Cyrus M., Elizabeth D., and
840 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
one who died in infancy; James, George, and Elizabeth have died. Those living are married, save Catherine, who is at home with her parents. Mr. Hite has been a member of the Baptist Church for more than forty years, and was a minister of that denomination for many years, receiving his first license to preach in 1845, which position he occupied until quite recently, when he resigned. He served two successive terms as member of the board of education. Has a farm of ninety-seven acres, well improved, about eighty acres of which are in cultivation the result of his and his wife's industry and good management.
William M. Hite, farmer, is a son of Andrew and Mary Hite, whose biography appears in this work. He was born February 14, 1839, near Xenia, where was reared, and was married, March 19, 1861, to Miss Sarah L. Dalby, of this county, where she was born, in December, 1843. Six children are the result of this marriage Mary E., Alpheus, Charlie, Oscar, Maud, and Mertie, all of whom are living. Our subject is a member of the Odd-Fellows lodge of Bowersville, uniting with the order in November, 1873; was elected township trustee in 1876, and served one term; elected again in 1880, and holds the office at this writing; has been a member of the board of education for several years; has a farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres, on which he lives, having a fine, large brick house, and other buildings necessary to a well improved farm. This property is the result of good management, and is one of the best farms in the township, located about four miles south of Jamestown. Mrs. Hite's father, Jesse Dalby, was born October 3, 1815, and died October 1, 1845, and was married in October. Her mother is still living, having married Mr. James Tuttle, of Illinois, and is now living in Logan County, that state.
Joseph P. Hollingsworth, farmer, is a native of this county, and was born May 20, 1833; was reared and educated here, and was here married to Miss Martha Bales, in February, 1860. Five children are the result of their marriage-Emma E., Alonzo, Marion, Charlie, and Hattie, all of whom are living. Our subject has a farm of seventy-four acres, on which he lives, farming to grain and stock. Is a brick mason by trade, learning the trade in this county, which he began about 1848, and has worked at that trade a great portion of the time since then. Is a member of Bowersville Lodge No. 559, I. O. O. F., having united with that order in 1864.
Joseph Huffaker, farmer, was born in Illinois, in February, 1835,
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where he was reared and educated, and came to this county in 1861. Left Illinois about 1854, and went to Texas, where he remained about six years; thence to Missouri; thence to Cincinnati; thence to eastern Ohio; thence to this county, where he married Miss Evelyn Hussey, a daughter of Christopher Hussey, the second one of the name, and a son of the first settler of this township, which marriage was consummated in October, 1863. They have five children, all living: Frank, Daisy, Mary, Warren, and Elsie. Our subject has a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres, well improved, on which he lives. To the passer-by, his farm speaks of its owner as a man of ingenuity and enterprise. The fences are in good repair, many of them having living stakes, such as are calculated to save repair on account of decay. The implements are kept in order by his own hands, and many of them are made by him. He makes his own gates in such a convenient way that they are opened without getting out of the wagon. In fact, the farm indicates that an enterprising man is possessor of it. He joined the Masonic fraternity of Jamestown in 1872, and is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry of Bowersville.
Joseph H. Hussey, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of Christopher Hussey, who was the first permanent settler of this township. He came here in 1806, and located on the farm where our subject, with his wife, mother, and sister Catharine, now live, and where the family of twenty children were barn. Mr. Hussey was twice married. First, to Margaret Haughey, by whom he had nine children : Christopher, Stephen, Thomas, John, Elijah, Mary, Joseph, Nancy, and one who died in infancy. Of these children four are living. Christopher, Stephen, Nancy, Joseph, and an infant, deceased. All were married, except Joseph and the infant. After Mrs. Hussey's death, he married Miss Catharine Lockart. Eleven children are the fruits of this union : Narcissa, Henry M., Lydia, Evaline, James W., Albert, Flora, Joseph, and Catherine, living, and Emaline and an infant, deceased. Mr. Hussey was born in Tennessee, June 12, 1794, and died March, 1873. Joseph was born August 31, 1856. Was married to Anna Hall, of Clinton County, Ohio, December 17, 1879. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, on which he lives. This farm is part of the large tract of land formerly owned by his father.
John Hussey, jr., farmer, Bowersville, a son of Christopher Hussey, and the third of the name, was born February 9, 1842, in
842 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
this township, where he was reared and educated. Was married, May 22, 1869, in Miami County, Kansas, to Miss Rosa Beason, a native of Iowa. They have one child, Laura Estella, born April 23, 1879. During the rebellion, Mr. Hussey served about three years, enlisting August 11, 1862, and was discharged June 5, 1865. Was in several heavy battles, among which were Tate's Ferry, Chappel Hill, Stone River, and Chickamauga. After his arrival home, he remained with his father until February, 1866, when he went to Kansas, and engaged in mercantile persuits for about two years and a half, after which he returned to this state, where he has since remained. Has a farm of twenty-seven acres, well improved, upon which he resides.
William Hargrave, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of Herbert H. and Millie Hargrave, whose biography appears in this work, and was born in this county, October 5, 1847, where he was reared and married to Miss Minerva Thompson, of this county. Two children are the result of this union, Leota and Oscar, both living. He has a farm of seventy-nine acres, well improved, on which he lives; farms to both grain and stock. Mrs. Hargrave is a daughter of Daniel and Tabitha, who are natives of Fayette County, but reside in this county at present.
W. H. Johnson, wagon and carriage maker, Bowersville, is a native of Ross County, and came to this county with his parents in 1849, where he has since resided, except five years which he spent in Indiana. William and Margaret (Cox) Johnson, his parents, were married in Ross County; he was a native of Ohio, where he died, she of Indiana, where her parents died. They owned the land where Indianapolis now stands. There were nine children of this family, eight living: Elizabeth, Malinda, Martha, Mary, John, Maria, William H., and Elijah; Melissa died about 1860, aged about thirty-five years. Our subject was married, August 15, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth F. Stevens, of Xenia; one child, Melvin S., who was born May 1, 1879. Mr. Johnson is a good workman, and does a thriving business. The receipts for work done in his shop last year amounted to about $3,000.
Robert Johnson, farmer, Bowersville, is a native of this township, where he was reared, and married Miss Eliza J. Ogan. Ten children were born to them: Fadona, Solomon, Euphemia, Elma, Victoria, Ida May, Alonzo, Lora and Cora; Victoria and Ida, deceased. Mr. Johnson's father, Thomas, was born in Maryland,
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September 5, 1781; his mother, Margaret (Stewart), in West Virginia, in 1790, where they were married. Of this family there were six children : William S., Elizabeth J., Robert, and Mary A., living; Joseph and Margaret, deceased. Mr. Johnson came to this county in 1814; he and his wife died here, and were interred in Bowersville cemetery. Mrs. Johnson jr.'s parents, Evan and Susanna (Wikel) Ogan, were natives of West Virginia; he died in Missouri, she in Illinois. They were parents of eighteen children, all living; the youngest is about thirty years of age. Mrs. Johnson, the oldest, was born April 6, 1825. Our subject has a farm of eighty acres, well improved, on which he lives, situated one and one-half miles northwest of Bowersville. He had, at one time, two hundred and eighty acres here, but lost two hundred acres through the failure of a brother.
Simon L. Kline, farmer, Bowersville, is a native of Virginia, where he was reared and educated. Was born in 1836, and came to Ohio in 1858, locating in Clinton County, where he remained until 1867, when he came to this county, and married Miss Sophia J. Early, April, 1865. Three children are the result of this marriage: Asa C., Orie C., and Minnie A., all living. He has a farm of one hundred and twenty-two and one half acres, on which he lives. His mother is living in Virginia, aged eighty-eight years ; His father died there in February, 1868. There were twelve children of his father's family, of whom eleven are living, one younger than Simon. Mrs. Kline's parents were natives of this county; she is a grand-daughter of Benjamin Vannienam, an early settler in this township. Mr. Kline is a member of Bowersville Lodge No. 559, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Bowersville. He went as a substitute to the rebellion, in Company C, One Hunched and Forty-Ninth Ohio National Guards, being in the service four months.
George Perrill, farmer, a native of Fayette County, Ohio, was born August 11, 1856, is a, son of John and Margaret (Sparks) Perrill, who were married in 1855. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, she of Kentucky. There were eleven children of this family, nine of whom are living, George being the oldest. He is also the oldest of eighty-four great grandchildren. He was married in this county, March 14, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth Vanniman, a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca J. Vanniman, whose biographies appear in this work. One child is the result of this marriage: Edith
844 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
May, who was born November 17, 1879. They have a farm of one hundred and eighty-nine acres well improved, farms chiefly to grain. Mr. Perrill is a member of the Odd-fellows of Bowersville Lodge, No. 559, joining September, 1880. Mrs. Perrill is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Bowersville.
David L. Reaves, farmer, is a son of George and Mary, who were married about 1817. He was a native of Vermont, and went to Tennessee with his parents, Asher and Diana, when at about the age of four years, where he remained until 1811, when they came to Ohio and spent the remainder of their lives. George, David's father, died in 1854, aged fifty-nine years. Mrs. Reaves is still living with her son David, the subject of this sketch. She is eightyone years of age, and enjoying good health. Our subject was born October 1, 1822, in this county, where he has resided all his life, except two years of his youth spent in Madison County, Ohio, and about two years in Clinton County, then went to Illinois and spent about seven months. He was thrice married, first to Mary A., Stewart of this county, in 1843: three children by this marriage, Mary E., James W., and Rachel A., two of whom are living. James died at the early age of about six months. Mrs. Reaves died May 15, 1849. Mr. Reaves married Edna E. Short, of this county, December 1, 1853; no children. She died July 22, 1854. He then married Mary E. Pownall of Highland County, Ohio, December .14, 1858, six children is the result of this marriage: Martha E., Edson C., Morris C., Jonathan P., two died in infancy. Mr. Reaves's second wife, was a member of the Wesley Methodist Church. At present, he owns no land except two lots in Port William, having sold his farm of sixty acres, which is well improved, but is about buying another. Mary E., and Rachel are married; the others are unmarried and at home with their parents. Mr. Reaves was elected assessor, in 1846, served two successive terms, was reelected, in 1853. Was elected treasurer of the township, in 1875, and has served several terms as township trustee. He was elected assessor, in 1863, again in 1867, and in 1877. His father was a Baptist minister and known over a great portion of the state. He was captain of a military company in this county. He was finally elected mayor. His first school house was of logs with paper windows, the fire place was in the end of the house, seats were made of puncheon, etc.
Mathew F. Ross, farmer, is a native of West Virginia, where he
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. - 845
was partly reared, and came to this state with his parents, in 1847, where he has lived since. Was married April 3, 1856, to Miss Mary L. Blane of this county; two children are the result of this union, Oscar M., and Robert E., both of whom are deceased. Oscar was born August 27, 1861, died August 27, 1862. Robert was born September 8, 1863, died July 8, 187 7. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Christian Church of Bowersville. Her father came to Ohio, in 1818, where he married Miss Elizabeth Lockhart, (Mrs. Ross's mother) about the year 1831, and where they lived the remainder of their lives. Mr. Ross has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved, on which he lives, and farms to both grain and stock. Of his stock, he makes rather a specialty of merino sheep. Mrs. Ross has thirty-two acres of land adjoining his on the east.
William R. Ross, farmer, is a native of West Virginia, where he was reared and educated. Came to Ohio with his parents when he was nineteen years of age, and married Miss Rachel Moon, February 25, 1864, and four children are the result of their union: Clement, Susanna J., Mary F., and John Quincy, all living, and none married. Our subject has a farm of two hundred and thirty acres, well improved, resides on it, and farms to grain and stock, making a specialty of sheep raising, keeping frona two hundred and fifty to three hundred all the time, of good stock. Mrs. Ross' father is a native of New York; born February 29, 1844; came to Ohio, and married Jane Turner, Mrs. Ross' mother, who died July 26, 1854. He is yet a resident of this state.
John A. Ross, farmer, is a son of Robert and Susanna (Alexander) Ross, who came from West Virginia in 1847, and died in this state. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was born January 17; 1827, and united with that church at the age of nineteen, and came to Ohio with his parents, where he has a farm of two hundred and forty-two acres, well improved, residing on it, and farms to grain and stock, dealing largely in sheep, keeping from two to three hundred head of good stock all the time, some thoroughbred; also handles hogs, mostly of good stock. Is yet unmarried, lives in a pleasant place, and is, perhaps, as happy as if he had a family.
Elizabeth Osborn Sheely was born in Clermont County, Ohio, October 31, 1816, where she was reared ; came to this county in 1833, and was married to William Sheely, November 14, 1841.
846 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Eight children are the result of this union: Preciosa A., Sallie M., David, Isaac, Moses, and Lydia, all living except Moses, who died at the early age of two weeks. The others are all married except Lydia, who is at home with her mother. Mr. Sheely was born October 24, 1811, and died May 21, 1870. Mrs. Sheely's father was one of the pioneers of this county. Philip Gatch, her grandfather, was a noted minister of Ohio, and a very successful evangelist. He and his friend William Waters attended the first Methodist Conference held in the United States, which was held at Philadelphia, in May, 1774. He was elected associate judge of Clermont County Court in 1808; was president of the board of associate judges. Judge Scott, of the Supreme Court of Ohio, said: "My personal acquaintance with Judge Gatch commenced the 1st of September, A. D. 1802, when he and the late Mr. James Sargent presented their election as delegates from Clermont County to the convention then assembling in the city of Philadelphia, to form a constitution and state government." He was judge twenty-one years. There was a church in Maine, known as the "Gatch Church," which building he erected, and where he organized the society. That building stood until a few years since, when it gave place to a new one. The posts of the altar of the old church were worked into canes, and distributed among the descendants of the builder of the church, which was built in 1772. Mr. Gatch's son George was a minister, doing all the good he could, as did his father.
Thomas Smith, farmer, is a native of this county, where he was reared, educated, and married to Mary Hussey, a native and resident of the same county. Ten children are the result of this union Alexander, Mary, Nancy J., Christopher H., Zenas, Margaret J., William, John, Thomas, and Catharine; Nancy and Catharine deceased. Alexander, Mary, and Zenas are married, and Christopher is in Colorado, on a tour for his health. Our subject has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he lives. Himself, wife, Alexander, Mary, Christopher, Zenas, and Maggie are members of the Christian Church of Bowersville. His father, Jeremiah, was married about the year 1822, to Jane Thornburg, Thomas' mother, a native of Tennessee, and had eleven children by this marriage, five of whom are living. He died in December, 1848, aged fiftysix years, and was a member of the Christian Church, dying in the triumphs of a living faith, and is evidently enjoying the happiness that awaits the "pure in heart." He came to Ohio about the year
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1816, where he resided until his death. His wife is still living; is seventy-seven years of age, and enjoying good health.
Andrew J. Stephens, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and . Eleanor (thanes) Stephens, who were natives of Virginia. His father was born in 1790, and came to this county in 1808, and remained here through life, with the exception of six years spent in Clermont County, this state, and two years in Indiana, where he died. Mrs. Stephens was born about 1786, and died about 1866, aged eighty years. There were nine children of this family, our subject being the fifth one. he was married, May 24, 1840, to Miss Susanna Benson, of this county. Nine children are the result of this union: John T., Mary L., Kesiah J., William C., Phoebe, Edward L., Amasa, Martha E., and Hiram A., all living, and all married, except Hiram, who is at home with his parents. Mr. Stephens lives two miles west of Bowersville, on the Bowersville and Xenia pike. Mrs. Stephen's parents, Thomas and Kesiah (Turner) Beason, were born in Tennessee. He died in 1866; she is living in Jasper Township, this county. Of this family there were fourteen children, seven of whom are living. Our subject is a well respected citizen, of whom his neighbors speak highly.
Benjamin S. Stewart, farmer. Bowersville, is a native of Maine, where his parents, Joseph and Sallie (Snow) Stewart, were born. Tie was reared, educated, and married in *his native state. Was married, to Mary A. Goodwin, of Maine, born November 8, 1824, died January 28, 1865. May 17, 1866, he married Anna. M. Story, of this county. He came to this state in 1865, stayed until the following winter, then returned to Maine, where he remained until April, 1866; returned to Ohio, where he has since resided. Has a farm of ninety-eight acres, on which he lives. Is a charter member of Bowersville Lodge No. 559, of Odd-fellows. Also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bowersville, and are consistent Christians, walking humbly before God and mail. he is a local minister; has been class leader at least twelve years. His first wife was a member of the Christian Church of North Fairfield, Maine, in which she died triumphantly, bidding the messenger of death a glad welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have adopted two children, one of whom is living and is married ; the other, Etta L. Johnson, died February 3, 1877.
Mary J. Vanaman, Bowersville, is a native of this county ; born
848 - HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
October 26, 1845, and reared and educated here. Is a daughter of Iradell and Ann Cheney. Was married to William H. Vanaman September 15, 1864, who was a son of Benjamin and Sophia Vanaman. Three children were the result of this union: Cora L., Sherman H., and Esta J., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Vanaman were members of the Methodist Protestant Church, she uniting with this denomination February 4,1879-was formerly a member of the Christian Church, which she joined when about the age of fifteen years; Mr. Vanaman joined the Methodist Protestant Church when sixteen years of age, at which time he was happily converted to God. For convenience, he moved his membership, and united with the Christian Church soon after their marriage. This society having become extinct, he and wife returned to the Methodist Protestant Church, February 4, 1879, in which church he died triumphantly on June 26, 1880, and is evidently reaping the reward of his earthly labor. Mrs. Vanaman has a farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres, located about one mile west of the village of Bowersville, where her husband died. She has a home consisting of a house and three lots in the village. Mrs. Vanaman was converted at home, where she sought religion, in 1873.
Rebecca J. Vanniman, is a daughter of Solomon and Rebecca Early, and a native of Clinton County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated, and was married to Mr. Stephen Vanniman of this County, October 4,1849; five children is the result of this marriage, Mattie A., Libbie C., Emma C., Nora D., and Eva L., all of whom are living save Mattie, who died at the early age of twenty years. Of the surviving ones, two are married. Libbie married Mr. George Perrill; Emma, a Mr. Carroll Ellis. Mattie was married to a Mr. J. W. Sparks; she died March 11, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Vanniman, and all the children were members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Bowersville. He died December 6, 1871. Mrs. Vanniman has a farm of one hundred and three acres, well improved, where she lives.
Calvin Vanaman, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of Benjamin and Sophia. His father was born in Pennsylvania, September 17,1795 ; his mother in this county, in 1802, and died November, 1846; he died August 9, 1879. They were married in this county in 1817. There were thirteen children or this marriage, of whom five are living'; two died in infancy, and the others lived to be married and
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have families. Mr. Vanaman married Miss Sophia, daughter of Christopher Hussey, whose father was the first settler in this township. The subject of this sketch was born in this township, September, 1831, where he was reared, educated, and married to Mary A. Ellis, of this county. They are members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Bowersville. He has a farm of four hundred and three acres, well improved, on which he lives, and which brings him an annual income of about $2,000. He has never voted any but the Republican ticket when a national question was in view. Benjamin Vanaman owned, at one time, about one thousand two hundred acres of land in this county. He hauled his grain and drove his stock to Cincinnati to market. He would haul oats to Cincinnati and sell them foor fifteen cents per bushel. The nearest mill was at Oldtown, to reach which it would take two days.