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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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Welcome to
Greene County, Ohio
History & Genealogy |
BIOGRAPHIES:
Source:
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
together with
Historic Notes on the Northwest
and
The State of Ohio.
Gleaned From Early Authors, Old Maps and Manuscripts,
Private and Official Correspondence and
all other Authentic Sources, Ohio - Publ. 1881
By R. S. Dills
Illustrated.
Dayton, Ohio
ODell & Mayer, Publishers.
1881
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Jefferson Twp. -
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, Feb. 18, 1830; was married to
Miss Louisa Vannanan, a daughter of Benjamin,
Jan. 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 his township, about four
hundred acres of land, and is one of the most prominent
financial citizens. He had about nine hundred acres of
land here before divided with his 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, he dealt largely in
mules, which proved a financial success. Since then,
he has dealt principally in cattle, sheep, and hogs.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio -
Publ. 1881 - Page 835 |
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Jefferson Twp. -
CARROLL R. ELLIS, farmer, is a native
of Fayette county, Ohio; was born Dec. 18, 1858; came to
this county in March, 1880; has since been a resident here;
was married here, Mar. 9, 1880, to Miss Emma Vanniman,
a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca J. Vanniman, whose
biography appears in this work. She is a member of the
Methodist Protestant Church in 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 citizen, and enjoys the respect of all who know
him, and has marks of proper training in childhood.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio
- Publ. 1881 - Page 837 |
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Jefferson Twp. -
CHRISTOPHER ELLIS, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John
and Rebecca (Richardson) Ellis, both natives of
Virginia. He came to this state in 1809, and died Oct.
23, 1878, on the farm where Christopher now lives,
aged eighty-one yeas. Mr. 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 Jan. 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 improved on which he lives. He has
been a member of the Odd-fellows, 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.
Source: History of Greene County,
Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 837 |
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Beaver Creek Twp. -
JOHN ENGLE, was born in Beaver Creek
Township, in the year 1812, and is a son of Isaac and
Susana (Swigart) Engle. His father was born in
Maryland, and his mother in Pennsylvania, and was a sister
of Michael Swigart, whose history appears in this
work. Isaac Engle came here a young man in
1810, and located in Beaver Creek Township, where he made a
permanent home. He was married in this county to
Susana Swigart, about 1811, by whom he had ten children,
seven living, John, Peter, Henry, Isaac, Susana, Sarah,
and Rebecca. The deceased are Eliza,
Catherine, and Isaac and Jacob, twins.
Mr. Engle was a farmer by occupation, and during the
winter run a still. He was a soldier in the war of
1812, and received from the government a donation of land.
They were members of the German Reformed Church. He
died in 1863, aged eight-one years. She departed this
life in 1859,at the age of sixty-three years. The
subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and received a
limited education in the district schools. He was
married in 1840, to Catherine Brown, by whom he had
two children, Sarah E. and Mary C.
Mr. Engle departed this life in 1847. He was again
married in 1855, to Matilda Ann Leonard, by whom he
has had five children, four living, George W., Justice
A., Eliza E. L., John W. F., Elnora B., deceased.
Mr. Engle has lived in the county all his life.
He and his wire are members of the German Reformed Church,
to which they have been connected for a number of hears.
Mrs. Engle was born in Warren County in 1833.
Politically he is a democratic.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
595 |
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Beaver Creek Twp.
-
WILLIAM H. ENGLE, farmer, and
proprietor of steam saw-mill, Dayton, Ohio, was born in
Frederick County, Maryland, in 1829, and passed his boyhood
days in that state; receiving the rudiments of his education
in the common schools. In 1850, he was married to
Charlotte E. Dartrough, after which he came to Ohio, and
located where he now resides. For the ensuing six yeas
he worked at carpentering, after which he worked as a hand
on the mill he now owns. In 1869 he purchased the
mill, and became sole owner, and since then has given his
entire time and attention to it. The mill is located
on the west side of the township, and is a two-story frame,
30x70 feet. The power is derived from a twenty-four
horse power engine, which gives motion to an old-fashioned
sash-saw, having a cutting capacity of 2,500 feet per day.
The mill is in operation about eight months in the year,
cutting all kinds of lumber, but making a specialty of fine
walnut sawing. Mr. Engle is a gentleman well
versed in his business - understanding fully every
department of the work. Upon his arrival in this state
he was without capital to commence business, but by hard
work and economy succeeded after several years of toil in
placing himself on a sound financial basis. After
purchasing the mill, he became identified with the interests
of the people - his business qualifications became known,
and he has since received a very liberal patronage.
Besides the mill property, he owns seventeen acres of land,
which has been greatly improved, and makes one of the most
desirable homes in the township. To Mr. and Mrs.
Engle six children have been born, four of whom are
living: Orion, William J., Emily I., and Stanley
Q. Two died in infancy. The whole family are
members of the United Brethren Church - the parents having
become such twenty years ago.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
596 |
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Bath Twp. -
MITCHELL J. ENNIS, general store and postmaster,
Byron, was born in Sugar Creek Township, Apr. 30, 1818, and
is a son of Thompson and Sarah (Mitchell) Ennis.
Thompson came to this county prior to 1800, in
company with four of his brothers, John, Jeremiah,
Samuel, and Jesse, and a sister. They
entered lands on Sugar Creek, where they lived and reared
their families. Coming from Pennsylvania, they were
hardy farmers, and gave their attention to coopering, as did
many other early settlers, during the winter season.
According to the custom of that day, by hand distilleries
they manufactured their corn into whisky. Thompson
was the father of nine boys and three girls: Vincent,
John, Sarah, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, Jeremiah, Mitchell J.,
Thompson, Lemuel, William, and an infant, deceased.
Of this large family six are still living, and five are
residents of hits state. Mitchell J., was left
without parents at the early age of ten years, his mother
dying when he was only five years old. After the death
of his father, he lived with a farmer for two years, then
with Dr. William Bell, of Bellbrook, with whom he
stayed three years, and practiced in the rudiments, i. e.,
the art of rolling pills, etc. He then went to the
city of Dayton, where he served an apprenticeship in
employment of Edward M. Burr, saddler, after which he
again returned to Bellbrook, where he worked at Journey
work, and carried on the saddlery business for three years.
Here he cast his first presidential vote for William H.
Harrison. He then removed to Byron with his
business, where he conducted the same for eight years, then
began clerking for Schaner & Wilson; then followed
the goods as they passed from this firm to Folkerth & Son,
and afterwards to Wolf & Son, some ten years in all.
At this time his health failing, he traveled through the
southern part of the state selling fruit-trees, and during
the winter of 1860-61, worked at his trade. In May,
1861, bought the property where he now keeps, restocked the
establishment, and has continued business ever since,
carrying a general line of goods. Mr. Ennis has
been a happy old bachelor these many yeas. He is
attached to the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities,
occupying high positions in both, being a Royal Arch Mason
and a member of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr.
Ennis is a fraternity man not alone in name, but his
daily life shows that he loves the principles of these
organizations.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ.
1881 - Page 724 |
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Cedarville Twp. -
D. S. ERVIN, lime manufacturer and
dealer, Cedarville, was born in Morrow County, Indiana, near
Bloomington, on the 25th day of April, 1836. His
father was born in the County Antrum, Ireland, and his
mother in South Carolina. They were married about the
year 1828, and removed from South Carolina to Indiana about
1829, - to avoid the influences of slavery, - locating on a
farm in Morrow County. Charles Ervin departed
this life in 1869; his wife remaining in Indiana until 1878,
when she removed to Greene County to make a permanent home.
The subject of this sketch passed the early part of his life
at home with his parents. In the year 1865, he removed
to Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana, and embarked in the
lumber business. He remained there a short time and
then came to this. In May, 1877, he married Miss
Belle Murdock. They have two children by this
union: J. B., and Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin
are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are
recognized as good Christian people in the community in
which they live. Mr. Ervin is not only the
largest lime manufacturer in the place, but has an interest
in a large grist-mill, is an extensive grain merchant and
coal dealer, paying out $150.00 per week for common labor.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ.
1881 - Page 563 |
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Cedarville Twp. -
ROBERT ERVIN, milling and grain
dealer, Cedarville, was born in Monroe County, Indiana, near
Bloomington, Sept. 10, 1848, and passed the early part of
his life on a farm, receiving the rudiments of his education
in the common district schools. In the spring of 1877
he removed to this county, and engaged in business for his
brother a period of about ten months. Being favorably
impressed with this county and its people, he returned to
Indiana and sold the greater portion of his property, after
which he settled in this place to make it his permanent
home. He is the son of Charles and Jane (Smith)
Ervin. His father was born in Ireland and his
mother in South Carolina. They emigrated with their
parents to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1830, and married, Dec.
21, 1833. Eight children were born to them, six of
whom are now living: John M., D. S., Nancy, Margaret,
Jennie, and Robert. Our subject is
recognized as one of the leading business men of the town.
Is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and a
strict, conscientious, Christian man.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ.
1881 - Page 563 |
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Caesar's
Creek Twp. -
ALLEN FAULKNER, farmer, was born in
this county, July 29, 1824, where he was reared and
educated. He was married in July, 1847, to
Elizabeth A. Hartsock, also of this county, and eight
children were the result of their marriage: Jonathan R.,
Franklin K., Lydia C., Cordelia J., Louisa E., Thomas H.,
James F., and Cora A., four of whom are living:
Cordelia Louisa, Thomas, and James. Mr.
Faulkner as a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, well
improved, and farms to grain and stock. He and his
wife are members of the Methodist Church, having united with
the same about the year 1844. Cordelia is also
a member of this church. Mr. Faulkner's parents
were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and were married
about the year 1804. They came to this county about
the year 1801, and were parents of eight children, of whom
four are living.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
889 |
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Silver
Creek Twp. -
JAMES A. FIELDS, farmer, Jamestown, is
a son of John and Mary (Hite) Fields. They were
born in Virginia, and married in Ohio. There are ten
children: Andrew, Margaret, Alfred, Jane, Lucinda, John,
Sarah, James A., William, and an infant; five
living, Margaret, John, Sarah, James A. and
William. All were born in this county; James
May 14, 1832. Was married Jan. 4, 1855, to Miss
Pollie Lawrence, of this county. Five children
attest their union: Milon L., William S., Mary E.,
Lucinda S., and an infant, deceased. Mary E.
was married, Aug. 19, 1880, to James H. King of this
county. The others are unmarried, and at home with
their parents. Mr. Fields has a farm of
thirty-eight acres; farms chiefly to grain. He has
lived in this county all his life, except about nine years
that he lived in Clinton County.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
793 |
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Silver
Creek Twp. -
JOHN H. FIELDS, farmer, a native of
this county, born Mar. 15, 1827. His father was
married and came to this county, in 1815; located on the
farm of seventy-five acres where our subject now lives, and
lived the remainder of his life. Mr. Fields ha
a farm of fifty-one acres, well improved, three miles
southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives, and on which he
was reared. He also has a farm of fifty acres, two and
one-half miles southwest of Jamestown. He was twice
married; first to Miss Mary Turner, and daughter of
Henry, who died Jan. 7, 1873, aged forty-seven years.
He then married his present wife, Miss Sarah C. Bell,
Dec. 24, 1874.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
793 |
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Jefferson Twp. -
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, Dec. 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.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio -
Publ. 1881 - Page 837 |
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Bath
Twp.-
JOSEPH M. FOLCK, retired, Osborn, is a
native of this township, and was born July 9, 1824. Is
a son of Daniel and Mary (Muirheide) Folck. Daniel
was a son of John George Folck, who came to this
state from Pennsylvania, about the year 1802 or 1803, in
company with the Wolfs, Wilsons, and Heffleys,
and located near where Byron now stands, each buying a large
tract of land with their surplus means. Here he lived
and reared his family of four boys, George, Abram,
John and Daniel, and died in 1839. He
was a practicing physician during this period, and many
people came from a distance to receive treatment.
After his death the farm was divided, being sufficient to
give each a farm. Abram, however, desired
money, and in the division the old homestead fell to
Daniel. Here he followed the fortunes of the farm
till his death, in 1841, leaving a wife and five children,
George, Joseph, John, Barbara, and Mary Ann,
all of whom survive but George. After the death
of his father, Joseph labored on a farm till he
arrived at maturity, and then lived with his aunt, Mrs.
Susan Folck, and assisted her in preparing medicine,
afterward farming until the last four years, when he left
the farm and removed to Osborn, where he is spending his
declining years in case and luxury. He was joined in
wedlock to Barbara Ann Shigley. The family seem
naturally to turn their attention to the healing art, as
three generations have been practicing physicians - Dr.
John George; his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dr. Susan
Folck, who died leaving no posterity; and Mrs. Dr.
Barbara Folck, wife of Joseph M., who has been
practicing for thirty three years independently, besides
several years in connection with Mrs. Dr. Susan Folck.
During the first few years of her practice she traveled
some, but for several years has given her entire attention
to her extension office practice. Mr. and Mrs.
Folck are active members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, with which they have been connected for many years.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
725 |
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Cedarville Twp. -
JOHN F. FRAZIER, merchant, Cedarville,
was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and is a
son of Andrew and Ann (Adair) Frazier. His
father was born in County Downs, and his mother in County
Antrum, Ireland. In County Downs they were
married, and about 1805 immigrated to America, landing in
Philadelphia during the great plague. The morning
following their arrival, they hurriedly left the city,
leaving their baggage aboard ship, which they never got.
They located in Fayette County, and lived there till 1817,
when they moved to Adams County, Ohio, and three years later
removed to Brown County, where they died; he in 1823, aged
forty-five, and his wife in 1844, aged sixty-six or
sixty-seven years. Nine children were born to them,
five of whom are living; Jane, Eliza, Lavina, Rebecca,
and John F. The deceased were Hugh, William,
James A., and Esther. James A. was a
missionary in the United Presbyterian Church, and was
stationed in Damascus, Syria, where he labored from 1851
till his death, in 1863, with the exception of two or three
years he passed at home. His daughter Mary is a
teacher in the mission schools of the United Presbyterian
Church in Egypt. Mr. Frazier was reared on the
farm till fifteen years old, when he was apprenticed to
learn the tanning and shoe-making business, in the
Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, where he labored for two
years and a half, then worked at various points, at
journeyman's work, and finally purchased a tanyard in
Decatur, Ohio, to which he gave his attention eleven years,
after which he sold out, and in 1847 located in Cedarville,
and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he is yet
engaged. He has been married four times; first, to
Sarah Kelley, in November, 1833, by whom he had three
children, Andrew S., Margaret J., and James K.
Mrs. Frazier died in 1847, aged thirty-two years.
Secondly, to Ann E. McCullough, in February, 1849.
She departed this life, Aug. 1, 1849, aged twenty-seven
years. Thirdly, to Eliza V. Dille, in March,
1851, by whom he had four children, Flora, William S.,
Mary A., and Joanna. Mrs. Frazier died in
the fall of 1861, aged thirty-eight years. His fourth
and last marriage was celebrated in 1866, with Nancy
_____, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had one child, John H.
Mrs. Frazier died in 1869, aged forty-two years.
In politics he is strongly Republican, always voting with
that party upon all questions at issue. Has been
treasurer of the township eleven years, and has been a
member of the United Presbyterian Church since twenty-one
years of age. His first vote, for W. H. Harrison,
was not deposited, yet he held a contrary ballot on the
opposite side. In 1844 he voted for Birney.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ.
1881 - Page 564 |
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Beaver
Creek Twp. -
DAVID A. FRIES, farmer, was born in
Frederick County, Virginia, Nov. 8, 1829. He was a son
of Jacob and Harriet (Babb) Fries, who were born in
the state of Virginia, where they were married , and lived
until the spring of 1830, when they came to Ohio by team and
wagon, and settled in Caesar's Creek Township, temporarily,
and afterwards lived in various parts of the county,
following teaming as a vocation until his death, which
occurred in 1837, at the age of thirty-five year. Was
born in the year 1801. They were parents of seven
children, of whom are living, Susan Adams, Julia
Whittington, Harriet Stull, and David A.
The deceased are Catherine J. James M. and
Clarrissa R. Mrs. Fries was born in 1801, and is
still living at the ripe old age of Seventy-nine years.
The subject of this sketch was reared to farming, and
milling pursuits, which he followed jointly until 1870.
He was for about fourteen years, proprietor of what is known
as the Trussler mills, on the Little Miami, in Sugar Creek
Township. Since 1870, he has given his attention
exclusively to farming. He owns seventy-five acres of
land in the southeastern part of the township. His
land is mostly in cultivation, and well improved. He
came here in early childhood, in his mothers lap, and has a
distinct recollection of the long ago. He has cut
wheat in Xenia, where the Catholic Church now stands, and
has played ball at the Chamber's corners, besides throwing
mud from the race, where J. Thomas Harbine's mill now
stands; all of which was done before the iron rail reached
Xenia. He has married in 1855, to Martha J. Owen,
daughter of George Owen, by whom he has six children,
Malinda H., George H., James W., Winnie, Laura B.,
and Roscoe L. Mrs. Fries was born in Xenia, May
6, 1831. Politically he is a Democrat, having always
voted with that party upon all questions at issue. He
is one of our self-made men, having begun life empty handed,
yet by enterprise, and judicious management, has built up a
good property. He has taken much interest in schools,
giving his children good educations. In 1863, during
the draft, in eight days time, he raised a company in full
lacking six men, advancing money from his own pocket, and
canvassed this school district to aid the cause.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
597 |
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Miami
Twp. -
DANIEL S. FUNDEBURGH, constable, born
in this county, on the 12th day of November, 1818, is a son
of John and Anna Fundeburgh. His father is a
native of Maryland, and his mother of Virginia. They
immigrated to Ohio about the year 1791, with a family of
seven children: five sons and two daughters. Our
subject was married in 1856, to Miss Caroline Koch of
this county. He is constable and marshal of Yellow
Springs, an office he has filled for some thirteen years.
He has always been a staunch Republican in politics, and has
taken an active part in elections. When old uncle
Abe was elected, he was one of the men who fired the
cannon, and, in loading, the gun was accidently
discharged and carried away his hand, a lasting remembrance
of the election. He still holds the office of
constable and marshal, and in all probability will for many
years to come, as he is very faithful and fearless in the
discharge of his duty. He received his education in
this county, where his youth was spent, and in which he
likely will end his days.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page
702 |
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