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BIOGRAPHIES
Transcribed by Sharon Wick
Source:
HISTORY of GREENE COUNTY, OHIO
Embracing the
Organization of the County, Its Division into Townships,
Sketches of Local Interest Gleaned from the Pioneers from
1803 to 1840, together with a
Roster of the Soldiers of the Revolution and the War of 1812,
who were Residing in the County.
Also,
A Roster of Ten Thousand of the Early Settlers from 1803 to 1840.
By George F. Robinson.
- ILLUSTRATED -
Published:
Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company.
1902.
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EDWARD M. SMITH.
Edward M. Smith is one of the most popular and widely
known citizens of Xenia. For many years he stood as a
defender of the rights and liberties of his fellow townsmen,
both as a member of the police fore as as chief of police.
Energetic prompt and notably reliable in the discharge of
his duty, he proved a most capable officer, winning the
commendation of all law abiding citizens.
He is one of Xenia's native sons, his birth having
occurred on the 3d of June, 1859, his parents being Adam
L. and Sarah (Gano) Smith. The father was a native
of Edinburgh, Scotland, and after acquiring his education
there learned the painter's trade. When he had reached
the age of nineteen he determined to try his fortune in
America, and crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in
Clifton, Ohio, where he followed his chosen occupation for a
number of years, after which he removed to Xenia, where he
resided until his death, which occurred in 1890. His
wife passed away in 1901. They were the parents of
nine children.
Under the parental roof the subject of this review
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the common
and high schools pursued his education. He learned the
molder's trade, which he followed for several years, and
then became a member of the police force of the city, acting
in that capacity for fourteen years, when his faithfulness
and ability won him promotion to the rank of chief of
police. At that time he was presented with a handsome
gold star, about the size of a silver dollar and
artistically engraved with the letters "E. M. S." and
"Presented by the citizens of Xenia, May 20, 1898." In
the center of the star is a large beautiful diamond, pure
white, and weighing more than a caret. This was given
to him in recognition of his faithful service as an officer
and was also a tribute to his personal worth and popularity
from friends who had known him long and intimately and
respected him for his sterling worth and rejoiced in his
advancement.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Crumbaugh, a daughter of
Samuel Crumbaugh, and unto them have been born the
following children: Ferol Erma, Leon,
Bernice, Mary and Ruth. Mr.
Smith is a member of the Baptist church, his wife of
the Methodist Episcopal church, and his children all belong
to the Presbyterian church. In his political views
Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican and takes a
deep interest in the growth and success of his party.
He belongs to Xenia Lodge, No. 49, F. & A. M.; Xenia
Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M.; the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and is regarded as a valued representative of these
organizations. His loyalty in citizenship, his
fidelity to public duty, his reliability and his sterling
worth make him one of the esteemed and valued citizens of
Xenia.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 741-742 |
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GEORGE C. SMITH.
One of the well known farmers of Beavercreek township is
George C. Smith, who was born at the place of his
present residence Sept. 11, 1864, his parents being
Benjamin G. and Sarah A. (Yingling) Smith. His
paternal grandfather, Benjamin Smith, was the first
of the family to locate in Ohio, bringing his wife and
children to Cincinnati, where he lived and died. It
was in that city that Benjamin G. Smith, the father
of our subject, acquired an education. Upon coming to
Greene county he settled upon a farm upon the banks of the
Indian Riffle, in the southern part of Beavercreek township,
and there devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits for
many years. Indolence and idleness were utterly
foreign to his nature and his labor brought to him
prosperity as the years passed by. At the time of his
death he owned about two hundred and twenty acres of
valuable land, and also city property in Dayton, Ohio.
He was a self-made man for he started out upon his business
career without a dollar. He realized the value of
industry and persistence in the active affairs of life and
along the lines of legitimate labor he won his success.
He had three children, the eldest being George
Crawford Smith of this review. The second
son, Benjamin Grant, wedded Mary,
Munger, and is now employed in the mail service, his
home being in Dayton. Ohio. John William,
the youngest son, married Flora B. Greenwood. and
they, too, reside at Dayton. After the death of her
first husband the mother married again and is now the widow
of Oliver Moler. and resides in Dayton.
Mr. Smith, the father of our subject,
was a Republican in his political views and was a very
active and influential member of the Presbyterian church at
Bellbrook. He served both as a deacon and elder in the
church and put forth every effort in his power to advance
the cause of Christianity in his community. He passed
away upon the home farm June 5, 1887. and was laid to rest
in Mount Zion Park cemetery. Thus a most useful and
honorable life was ended but his memory is still enshrined
in the hearts of his family and of his many friends.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 889 |
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HORACE L. SMITH,
B. A., LL. B. Horace L. Smith, well
known in connection with the Greene county bar, was born in
Loganville, Logan county, Ohio, on the 28th of August, 1853.
His father, Clinton Smith, was of English ancestry
and was born in Dublin, Franklin county, Ohio.
Preparing for the practice of medicine, he devoted his
entire life to the noble work of alleviating human
suffering. He wedded Mary Davidson, who was of
Irish ancestry and was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
In 1855 the parents removed with their family to
Bloomingburg, Fayette county, Ohio. In their family
were three children: Dr. Homer Smith of Westerville,
Ohio; Dr. Eva Smith, of Middletown, Ohio; and
Horace L., of this review. The father passed away
Nov. 9,1879, but the mother is still living.
Horace Lee Smith began his education in the
common schools and later attended the Bloomingburg Academy.
He next matriculated in the Wooster University of Wooster,
Ohio, where he was graduated in June, 1872, with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts. With a good literary
education to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the
superstructure of professional learning, he took up the
study of law in the University of Michigan, and was
graduated in March, 1875, with the degree of LL. B. In
April of that year he was admitted to practice by the
supreme court of Ohio and established an office in Xenia,
where he was not long in securing a large and growing
clientage. He remained a practitioner at the bar until
February, 1889. In November of the preceding year he
had been elected judge of the court of common pleas of the
third subdivision of the second judicial district of Ohio
and in the succeeding February, took his place upon the
bench to serve for a term of five years. The public
confidence in his ability was manifest by re-election in his
ability was manifest by re-election in November, 1803, and
he remained upon the bench until the 9th of February, 1899,
when after ten years service, he resumed the private
practice of law in Xenia.
The Judge was married in April, 1875, to Miss Mary
A. Jones, of Bloomingburg, Fayette county. She
died in 1885, leaving two sons who are yet living, while two
children, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. In
January, 1887, the Judge was again married, his second union
being with Mrs. May Loughry, a daughter of
John Orr, who for eighteen years was clerk of the
court of common pleas. The Judge belongs to the
Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and
in his political views is a Republican.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 761 |
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JOHN R. SMITH.
A farm of one hundred and fifty acres
situated in Sugarcreek township is the property of John
Riley Smith, a well known agriculturist of Greene
county, who throughout his entire life has engaged in the
tilling of the soil in this portion of the state. His
birth occurred about four miles from Xenia on his father's
farm on the Columbus pike at what is called East Point, in a
stone house which is still occupied as a residence.
His natal day was Nov. 18, 1839, and he
is a son of John G. and Sophronia (McFarland) Smith.
The father was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and when only
two years old was brought by his parents to Ohio, the family
making the journey on horseback and bringing with them their
farming utensils. Mr. Smith was born on
Christmas day in 1810 and the year 1812 witnessed their
emigration westward. The family settled at Cedarville
but at a later date returned to Maryland. When two
years had passed, however, they came once more to Ohio.
The grandfather, Jonathan Smith, owned a small farm
of ten acres on which he made his home until his death,
which occurred about 1845 when our subject was six years of
age. His wife, Mrs. Barbara Smith, lived
to a very advanced age. John G. Smith, the
father of our subject, spent the greater part of his youth
in this county amid its frontier surroundings and scenes and
assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, after
arriving at years of maturity be married Sophronia
McFarland, who was born in this county, her parents
being Arthur and Martha (Claypool) McFarland.
The young couple then began their domestic life upon a farm
which Mr. Smith rented. They became the parents
of nine children, of whom our subject was the third in order
of birth. Four of the number are still living, the
others being Jonathan M., George McHenry and
Howard Scott, all residents of Madison county, Ohio.
The father departed this life when about seventy years of
age.
Only very limited educational privileges did John R.
Smith receive on account of ill health. He
remained at home until about twenty-two years of age and
then began to earn his own livelihood. For two years
he rented land and in 1880 he purchased his present farm,
comprising about one hundred and fifty acres. This he
has improved with modern equipments and accessories and its
neat and thrifty appearance indicates to the passerby the
enterprise and progressiveness of the owner.
On the 1st of February, 1877, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Henrietta Maria
Bonner, who was born in Xenia township, Greene county,
Mar. 1, 1840, a daughter of Stith and Maria (Mercer)
Bonner. Her father was born in Dinwiddie county,
Virginia, in 1791, and the mother in Hamilton county, in
1800. Both had come to Greene county in childhood and
were here married. The paternal grandfather,
Fredrick Bonner arrived here in 1803 before the
admission of the state into the Union. He purchased a
large tract of land just south of Xenia where the Orphans'
Home now stands. One of his grandsons, William F.
Pelham, donated twenty-five acres of this land to the
Soldiers' Home. The maternal grandfather of Mrs.
Smith was Edward Mercer, who built the first
brick house ever erected in Greene county. It stood on
the farm owned by Robert Mendenhall. Mrs.
Smith began her education in a log school-house and
later spent a year an a half as a student in the Xenia
Seminary. By her marriage she has become the mother of
one son, Jesse Clyde who was born on the home farm,
Mar. 9, 1880. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are
members of the Methodist Episcopal congregation at Gladys
Chapel, and since casting his first presidential vote for
Lincoln in 1864 Mr. Smith has been a Republican.
Since 1866 he has been identified with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows at Xenia, and his life exemplified the
beneicent spirit of that fraternity which is based upon
mutual helpfulness.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 469 |
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JOSEPH R. SMITH.
Joseph R. Smith, who is engaged in farming on Bull
Skin pike in Spring Valley township, was born in this
township on the 4th of February, 1850, his parents being
James and Elizabeth (Caine) Smith. The father was
a blacksmith. During his early boyhood Joseph R.
Smith resided with his parents in the village of New
Burlington, but when he was about fourteen years of age
Poague farm near Roxanna, where he leased land for
fifteen years.
Mr. Smith, of this review, remained under the
parental roof until about twenty-two year of age. In
his youth he acquired a good common-school education and was
early trained to habits of industry, economy and integrity,
which have proven valuable factors in his success in later
life. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey
he chose Miss Elizabeth Huffman, of Mt. Holly, Warren
county, Ohio, where she was born, her parents being
Edward and Almira (Loy) Huffman. The marriage was
celebrated on the 4th of January, 1872, and then Mr.
Smith rented a farm and began agricultural pursuits on
his own account. Seven years ago he came to the place
upon which he is now living. The farm belongs to his
brother, J. W. Smith, who is employed as a bookkeeper
in a dry-goods store of Indianapolis, Indiana. Our
subject devotes his attention to the cultivation of the
crops best adapted to the soil and climate, and his efforts
have brought to him a good income.
Unto Mr and Mrs. Smith have been born two
children: Mellie, the wife of Bert Boston
by whom she has three children - Fred, Harry and
Lucille; and Clara, who is employed as a
typewriter and bookkeeper in Xenia. The parents hold
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of New
Burlington, and Mr. Smith has exercised his right of
franchise in support of the men had measures of the
Republican party since casting his first presidential vote
for U S. Grant in 1872.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 673 |
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LEWIS SMITH.
The board of county commissioners in Greene county has been
composed of a number of the leading citizens, men who have
been unselfishly devoted to the welfare and progress of the
community and who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the
best citizens of this portion of the state. Among the
number who have capably served on the board was Lewis
Smith. He came of an old Virginia family, his
paternal grandparents being Jacob and Nancy Smith,
both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion, but at an
early date they emigrated westward and in Greene county
established their home, casting in their lot among the
pioneer settlers. It was upon the old home farm here
that James Smith, the father of our subject,
was born Aug. 4, 1810. He was reared in the usual
manner of lads of that period. The country was wild,
the forest uncut, the streams unbridged and very little of
the land was cleared. He assisted his father in the
development and cultivation of the home farm until he
decided to make some other pursuit his life work and learned
the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years.
He married Elizabeth Cane, who was born Jan.
8, 1816, a daughter of Robert and Sarah Cane.
Mr. Smith died on the 28th of' February, 1876,
and his wife, surviving him for many years, passed away on
the 20th of April. 1895.
Lewis Smith, whose name introduces this
review, was born in New Burlington, Greene county, Ohio, May
5, 1837, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth there,
obtaining his education in the public schools. Like
his father he learned the blacksmith's trade and continued
to work in the smithy until 1897, receiving a good patronage
on account of his excellent workmanship and his honorable
business methods. In the year mentioned he was elected
county commissioner and served continuously in that office
up to the lime of his death, which occurred May 7, 1902.
He was a member of the board that contracted for and built
the new courthouse in Xenia at a cost of more than two
hundred thousand dollars. He was complimented and
commended for the active interest which he took in the
welfare of the citizens of Greene county and his worth was
widely recognized.
On Christmas day of 1860 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Smith and Miss Rachael
Elizabeth Craft, a daughter of Allen Craft,
who was a farmer but is now deceased. Unto our subject
and his wife were born ten children, of whom nine are yet
living, namely: Rena Bell, Minnie E.,
Hattie M., Wesley Allen, William
Francis, Wayne Craft, Walter Le Roy,
Harley Hays and Leslie Leonard.
Socially Mr. Smith was connected with the
Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and the family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal
church of New Burlington. In his political views Mr.
Smith was a stanch Republican, never swerving in his
allegiance to the party whose principles he believed contain
the best elements of good government. His life was
quietly passed in the faithful performance of each day's
duties, and while there were no exciting chapters in his
history it yet contains many lessons that are worthy of
emulation.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 503 |
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DANIEL M. STEWART.
Among the prominent residents of Xenia is numbered D. M.
Stewart, who owes his success not to any fortunate
circumstances which surrounded him in youth but to the
qualities of enterprise, determination and landable
ambition. He is to-day filling the position of vice
president of the Xenia National Bank, to which office he was
elected in January, 1902. Mr. Stewart was born
on the 17ty of March, 1840, upon his father's farm in Greene
county. He is one of the two surviving children born
unto William H. and Esther (McMillen) Stewart, both
of whom were natives of South Carolina. The father,
who was born in February, 1811, became a resident of this
county in 1820, being brought to Ohio by his parents, who
settled two miles from Xenia. In the schools of the
neighborhood he acquired his education and afterward
followed farming for a livelihood. The later years of
his life, however, were spent in retirement form active
labor. He passed away in 1878 and his wife was called
to her final rest on the 15th of June, 1856.
Upon the old home farm in Greene county, Daniel M.
Stewart was reared, and the district schools afforded
him his educational privileges. He had almost attained
his majority when he entered the service of his country as a
defender of the Union in the Civil war, becoming a member of
Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. Immediately after his discharge he returned
to Xenia and again engaged in farming, his attention being
devoted to the tilling of the soil until 1876, when he took
up his abode in this city, where he was engaged in the real
estate and life insurance until 1878, when he became a
representative of the real estate interests of the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company Land Grant. He was
associated with W. R. Linn, with main office at
Springfield, Ohio, they being general agents of the company
and had charge of agencies east of the Mississippi river.
Our subject had supervision of the outside work, which
necessitated a large among of travel. He continued
with the company until the sales were made and business
closed. Mr. Stewart invested in lands and
developed mines in the Joplin district in southwestern
Missouri, where for sixteen years he successfully followed
mining, his methods being such as to make his labors of
profit. He has disposed of his mining interests, but
has two fine farms in this county, which are in a high
degree of cultivation. For five years he has been a
director in the Xenia National Bank and in January, 1902,
was elected vice president, in which position he is now
serving.
In 1877 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to
Miss Hattie Bonner, a daughter of Rev. James Bonner
of Shelby county, Ohio, who was a minister of the United
Presbyterian church. Unto our subject and his wife has
been born a daughter, Belle, who has recently
graduated from the seminary at Washington, Pennsylvania, and
is at home. Mr. Stewart is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic and in his political affiliations
is a pronounced Republican. For twelve consecutive
years he represented his ward in the city council of Xenia,
exercising his official prerogatives in support of all
measures and movements which he believed to be of general
good. His efforts in behalf of the city have been
valuable and far-reaching and his co-operation is never
sought in vain for the advancement of any movements which he
believes will contribute to the general welfare.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 646 |
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JAMES M. STEWART.
The history of a state, as well as that of a nation, is
chiefly the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who
have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The
world judges the character of a community by those of its
representative citizens and yields its tributes of
admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues
of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a
state's prosperity and pride; and it is this record that
offers for our consideration the history of men, who in
their characters for probity and benevolence, and the kindly
virtues, as wel as for integrity in the affairs of life, are
ever affording to the young worthy examples for their regard
and emulation. Therefore it is proper that a just
celebrity should be given to those men who are distinguished
in their day and generation, that the living may enjoy the
approbation of their contemporaries, as well as that of a
grateful posterity.
Judge Stewart is to-day one of the most honored
and respected citizens of Xenia, where he is living a
retired life. He is one of a family of ten children
born unto John T. and Anna (Elder) Stewart. His
father belonged to an old Pennsylvanian family, which
through almost a century has been represented in this part
of Ohio, for in 1805 members of the family established a
home in what was then Greene county. There the father
of our subject followed farming for many years, making his
home three miles east of Clifton on the Miami river, where
he died in 1850. His wife long survived him and passed
away in 1882. The Judge was born in Greene (now Clark)
county on the 30th of March, 1828, and spent his boyhood
days on his father's farm, attending the common schools of
the neighborhood. In the year 1857 he removed to
Yellow Springs, Green county, where he established a general
mercantile store. He was quite successful in his
undertakings and followed that pursuit for ten years.
In 1867 he began farming and was thus engaged until 1884,
when he was appointed deputy probate judge of Greene county
and removed to Xenia in order to enter upon the duties of
the office. He served as deputy for two terms of three
years each, after which he was elected as probate judge in
1890 and took the oath of office in February, 1891. So
acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in
1893, holding the position until 1807, and no more capable
incumbent has ever filled that position. His decisions
were strictly fair and impartial and in the discharge of his
multitudinous delicate duties he showed that he was a man of
well rounded character, finely balance mind and of splendid
intellectual attainments. Since his retirement from
office he has led a quiet life, being identified with no
business pursuit save the management of his property
interests. He is, however, a director in the Citizens'
National Bank, of Xenia.
Judge Stewart was united in marriage to Miss
Rebecca J. Jacoby, a daughter of Henry Jacoby,
one of the leading and influential citizens of Greene
county. The wedding was celebrated Oct. 16, 1854, and
unto them were born four daughters, of whom two are living:
Ida M., the wife of S. B. LeSourd, a
wide-awake business man of Xenia; and Leila, now the
wife of William D. Cooley of Xenia. The Judge
and his wife have a very pleasant home at No. 224 East
Second street. They are devoted and zealous members of
the Presbyterian church, of which he is the ruling elder.
He is identified with the Masonic fraternity. He also
gives his political support to the Republican party and is a
man of distinctive ability and his character is one which is
above a shadow of reproach. He has been faithful to
the high offices in which he has been called to serve, and
is widely known and respected by all who have been at all
familiar with his honorable and useful career.
Source: History of Greene County, Ohio by George F.
Robinson, Publ. 1902 - Page 634-635 |
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