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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.,
1880
MONROE TOWNSHIP
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1880
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Page 423
JOHN
JAY
came to Monroe
Township in 1803, accompanied by his family of seven sons and three
daughters, only one of the sons being married at that time, but the
rest took to themselves wives, and the family in a short time became
so numerous that they formed quite a settlement by themselves, and
were known as the "Jay
set" Upon their arrival here they entered portions of Sections 25, 36
and 31, which they soon cleared and brought under a high degree of
cultivation. Walter D. Jay was the first man who refused to
countenance the use of ardent spirits in the harvest field. He was a
man noted for his integrity, a stanch Abolitionist, and, as far as
was in his power to be. a patron of education.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 423
DAVID
JENKINS,
was born in Newberry
District, S. C, in 1758, from which place he emigrated, in. 1805,
reaching this township the. same year. He was accompanied West by
Elisha Jones. Mr. Jenkins' four sons, viz.,
Amos, Phineas, Eli and
Jesse, came to the township, and settled near their father, between
the years 1805 and 1808. The log cabin used by Mr. J. as a residence
when he first came to the township still stands on Section S, and is,
without doubt, the oldest dwelling in Monroe Township.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 423
DAVID
JENKINS, ESQ.,
commonly
distinguished as "Squire" Jenkins, reached Monroe in 1806, and located
on part of Section 20. He was a prominent man in the community, and
figured conspicuously in all affairs of a public character in his
township. Elected Justice of the Peace in 1818, he was continued in
office till his death, in 1858.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 651
DAVIS T. JESTER
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 655
FURNACE KERR, farmer; P. O. Tippecanoe
City. Furnace Kerr ranks high in the estimation of
our people, and we are pleased to note that his father,
Hamilton Kerr, came to this county in 1806, before any
settlements worthy of mention were made, the wild deer, the
panther and the Indian having full sway in the trackless forest,
which has given way to the march of progress, until our
beautiful land ranks second to none. Furnace is the
youngest child of Hamilton and Rhoda Kerr, and was born
on Sec. 18, Feb. 22, 1836; there were three other sons; the
Pearson and Newell Kerr farms were the first ones
settled upon this township. Furnace was wedded to
Miss Anna, daughter of David and Annie Skiller, of
Shelby Co., Jan. 6, 1870; he was an almost confirmed bachelor,
but now makes a model husband; they are the parents of Enona
and Hamilton, two lovely children. The buildings upon
this farm are the finest in Monroe Township, and are second to
none in the county; the house is luxuriantly furnished, and
everything necessary for pleasure or comfort has been procured;
to say that we feel a just pride in the sons of Miami Co., would
be feeble expression compared to their industry and prosperity;
the Miami Valley against the world for wealth and
productiveness. Mr. Kerr is a Jacksonian Democrat,
an honest man, and a member of Tippecanoe Lodge of A., F. & A.
M.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 655
GEORGE
KERR,
from Virginia, located in
Monroe Township in 1804. Beside-those already referred to, the names
of Layton,
Fergus. Westlake. Puterbaugh, Shafer, Furnas, etc., are familiarly
spoken of as having been among the earliest as well as the most
prominent persons in the township; and the many advantages now
enjoyed by the citizens of the township are due. in a great measure,
to the unwearying exertions of these men. who began the work that has
been rapidly forwarded by each successive generation.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 651
J. A. KERR, attorney, Tippecanoe City; was born in
Chambersburg, Montgomery Co., July 7, 1853, and is the son of
J. T. Kerr, and a direct descendant of George Kerr,
the pioneer; J. T. is a farmer by occupation; born in
this township Mar.
11, 1828, and married Feb. 10, 1851, to Matilda, daughter
of Col. Westlake, an early settler; by this union he had
a family of five sons and one daughter; one son died in infancy.
He is the son of James and the grandson of George
Kerr, who was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, near
the Lake of Killarney and the Eagle’s Nest he married Martha
Newel, of the same place, and came to America with his
parents just previous to the Revolutionary war, in which
struggle he took a part; was one of the first settlers in
Marietta, Ohio, and, in 1813 or 1814, moved to Lebanon; his
father was brutally murdered by the Indians; he had six sons and
one daughter. Our subject is the second child of the
family; he passed his early life on the farm, attending the
common school till 16, when he entered the National Normal, of
Lebanon, Ohio, and attended it for two subsequent winters, where
he learned the science of surveying, which he has since
practiced; as early as 1868, he turned his attention to the
study of law, and, in 1873, was admitted to practice in the
State, and, at the age of 23, was admitted to the United States
Courts; in the fall of 1873, he located in Tippecanoe, where he
has since been engaged in the practice of law; he has, by
careful attention to business, won the confidence and esteem of
the public, and is one of the promising and energetic young
attorneys of Miami Co.; in politics, he is a Democrat, and a
member of the City Council. He was married, at the age of
20, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lemuel Coat, a
descendant of Samuel Pearson, a pioneer; one
daughter has been the issue of this union.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 653
CAPT. NEWELL KERR, (deceased), was, during his lifetime,
a prominent man, not only as an agriculturist, but a local
politician as well; he was the only one of the name in Miami Co.
that espoused the Republican cause, but his motive for doing so
was no doubt a pure one. His marriage to Mrs. Martha J.
Kerr was celebrated Sept. 21, 1851, and for three years they
resided on the farm now owned by Joseph Conrey, on
the Dayton Pike; from there they came to the beautiful farm upon
which Mrs. Kerr now lives, which is appropriately
named Glen Forest. Mrs. Martha Kerr
is a daughter of John D. and Nancy Fowler, who came to
this country in 1821, and were always prominent citizens.
The death of Newell Kerr occurred July 16, 1876;
in his lifetime he was a prominent Magistrate, and, during a
nine-years official career, never had one of his decisions
reversed; he held a commission as Captain in the Home Guards,
but, when the war broke out, resigned his captaincy and enlisted
in Co. L, 8th U. S. C.; he was in Hunter’s memorable raid
through the Shenandoah Valley, and endured many hardships and
privations; he was captured by the rebels at Beverly, W. Va.,
and thrown into Libby Prison, the horrors of which are
graphically described in the history of the civil war in
America; he was exchanged after forty days’ confinement,
weighing 180 pounds upon entering the prison, and only
ninety-eight pounds when released; this was caused by starvation
alone, and the blood-curdling tales related by those who were
confined in that prison pen are truly appalling; he was
discharged in April, 1874, having given his life almost in the
defense of his country; all their children were born before his
enlistment—John F., Edward V., Rhoda, Hamilton,
Lulu M., Carey F. and Carrie Evalyn; Mrs.
Kerr’s son, by her first husband, also enlisted, and died
during his term of service; four of the children are married;
Hamilton married Miss Eva Martin, of Xenia, Ohio, and
manages the farm, which is beyond question the best-arranged
farm in Monroe Township; the elegant residence is luxuriously
furnished; everything that wealth can procure is lavishly
supplied; books, music, works of art, etc., are everywhere seen
in profusion; the style in which they live is not equaled,
perhaps, by any family in the county. Mr. Kerr
was one of the leading spirits in the Kentucky Home Grange,
which was organized under his management, and he was a number of
terms Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, A., F. & A. M.; he was an
honorable, conscientious man, and did his whole duty as a
husband and father, a neighbor and a soldier.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 653
JAMES KERR, farmer; P. O. Troy; is the first one
of his name to give us information of his family history, and
Monroe Township furnishes a list of family reminiscences equal
perhaps to any in the county. A long historical sketch
appears of Sally Kerr, the wife of James Kerr, and
the parents of Hanford, Hamilton, George,
Margaret, Jonathan, Rebecca, William,
James, John, Perry and Sally A. Kerr.
To avoid repetition, we here state that her children are nearly
all represented in the biography of this work, and Aunt
Sally’s sketch will explain where and when they settled
in the county. James was born in 1834; his education is a
good one. In 1858, his marriage to Miss Mary E.
McPherson was celebrated, and they purchased the farm upon
which they now reside, in 1860. Their four sons were born
and named in the following order: James M., born Jan. 15,
1859; William M., born Dec. 8, 1860; Wesley Nov.
13,1865; and Albert B., born Dec. 30, 1867. Under
the able management of Mr. Kerr, assisted ’by his
sons, the farm is a source of great revenue. The boys
promise to make men of substantial character and intelligence.
James Kerr is an honorable and upright Mason, is
now Master of Franklin Lodge, No. 14, A., F. & A. M., and also
is Master of Concord Grange, No. 144; both himself and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a
Democrat in whom there is no guile; for many years he has been
connected with the public schools, and is also Pike
Superintendent in this district. He is a generous,
hospitable host, and enjoys the confidence of every man who
knows him.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 654
PERRY KERR, farmer; P. O., Troy; is Mrs. Sally
Kerr’s youngest son, and has managed the home farm for many
years, and the general appearance of the buildings and farm are
indicative of his care and adaptation for his business; the
brick residence is the first one of the kind erected in the
neighborhood. Perry was married to Miss Susannah
E. Kessler Mar. 28, 1876; her father was wounded at the
battle of Lexington, Ky., and died from effects of the injury.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of Hanford W.,
born Feb. 8, 1867; Cora A., Jan. 29, 1869; Susannah E.,
Nov. 26, 1870; Alva M., Feb. 23, 1874; Sarah E.,
Dec. 24, 1876; and Martha A., Feb. 13, 1879. They
are a splendid family of children. Through the efforts of
Perry and James Kerr, the Nashville and Troy
(Branch) Pike was built, which is one of the best in the
township. Perry Kerr is owner of 220 acres
of elegant land, which was mostly purchased by himself, and
contains the principal part of the homestead; the site of the
old home has never been disturbed by the plow, and is revered as
“ consecrated ground.” Many things dear to childhood’s
memories are yet to be seen; the rock upon which they cracked
their hickory nuts, the remains of the walnut stump that stood
at the end of the porch, and three trees that were budded by
different ones of the family, and since have been called by
their names; the old hearth-stones, and the old chimney-place
are still visible, and are the dearest objects to the family,
who revere the memory of the man who did so much for them in
childhood’s happy hour. Aunt Sally makes her
home with Perry and his amiable wife, and is now 81 years
of age. Perry, like his father, is a lavish
provider of the good things of earth, and follows in his
political footsteps, Democratic, first, last and always.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 651
MRS. SALLY KERR is the mother of numerous
sons and daughters, whose biographies appear in this work, and we
venture the assertion that no sketch of any person will be of more
interest than even this condensed report of only a few incidents in
her life; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1800; is a daughter of
Jonathan and Olive Thompson. Her parents had ten children,
and, as they grew rapidly, Mr. Thompson wishing to purchase
land enough for them when he had the means, sold his farm in
Pennsylvania, himself and eldest son went to Canada and purchased
1,000 acres. They removed thither in 1810, and were getting
comfortably settled when the Indian war of 1812 broke out in all its
fury. Mr. Thompson refused to take the oath of
allegiance to the British Crown, and was therefore forced to flee
for his life. He came to Cleveland, and from there sent a
letter to his wife bidding her come at once and bring with her such
things as she could carry. The Indians were by this time very
troublesome, and numerous outrages had been committed, and the news
that they were to leave the settlement was hailed with joy.
They started in midwinter when the snow lay deep upon the ground.
Their route was through an almost trackless forest, but they
started, nevertheless, with one ox and one two-horse team, hitched
to sleds loaded with all they could conveniently carry.
Sally was then 11 years old, and went in front, driving the team
of horses while her mother drove the oxen. Owning to the
stumpy character of the road, the oxen broke the tongue out of the
sled to which they were hitched, the first night, and they were
forced to stop in the dense woods and stay during the night, with no
light, no fire, and the wolves howling on every side. During
the long hours of the night, the mother and little Sally
had to pace back and forth through the snow to hold the wolves
at bay and keep themselves from freezing. The other children
were as well protected from the cold as was possible with blankets,
etc., but Mrs. Thompson’s feet were so badly frozen
that she was unable to walk for weeks afterward. At daybreak,
they left the oxen and the disabled sled and started with the other
team. After traveling four or five miles they came to a cabin,
where they hired a man to go back, repair damages, and bring the
team to his house. The next day’s journey brought them to the
home of a brother of Mr. Thompson, where they had to
stop, as the suffering endured by Mrs. Thompson with
her frozen feet, forbade them continuing the journey. They
stayed there three weeks, perhaps, when three men with whom her
husband was acquainted stopped at the house, and told Mrs.
Thompson if she would put herself and little ones under their
protection they would see her safely to Cleveland. Mr.
Thompson, Sally’s uncle prevailed upon her to stay a
short time with him, as he also intended leaving the country.
She consented, and the mother and children took an affectionate
leave of Sally, expecting soon to meet her again. But
that parting was destined to be forever, and the daughter, who is
now an aged woman, has seen nothing of either parents, brothers or
sisters, from that time to this day, neither has any tidings been
heard from any of them, and if any of the family are to-day living,
they mourn Aunt Sally, the subject of this sketch, as
dead. The parting was one never to be forgotten, and, though
parents and children may never meet again on earth, we trust that in
Heaven above, where no sorrow nor parting is known, their union may
be complete. Sally’s uncle was also obliged to make his
escape, as he was drafted into the British Army, and she was again
left with her aunt as an only friend. Shortly after, she was
placed in charge of a man and his wife who said they were also going
to Cleveland, and again she started to join her parents. The
people with whom she found herself afterward proved to be ballet
dancers, and, after wandering about the country awhile, came to Ft.
Meigs. Disregarding their promise, they left her here among a
lot of French and Indians, while she was the only American in the
place. Their food was hominy and fish without salt, and she
frequently prayed for death instead of this semi-captivity and
disgusting food. But as there is always a silver lining to the
darkest cloud, so were God’s mercies to be extended to our
little Sally. Some time during August, a band of 400
savage warriors, painted for battle, and commanded by Col.
Cromer, stopped at the fort. The Colonel, noticing her,
asked her why she was there, and after hearing the story, told her
if she could ride a horse to Fort Piqua, he would carry her that
far. She joyfully consented, as the hope of again seeing her
friends was still paramount in her bosom. Accordingly, she was
mounted on a man’s saddle, and the journey of 200 miles commenced.
Their route was through an unbroken wilderness, with only a bridle
path marking the way, and they rode single file, she being next her
protector, the Colonel. She recognized many articles that the
Indians had with them as trophies, as belonging to people whom she
had known in Canada; but she was not molested in the least by them,
the Colonel always having a tent stretched for her accommodation,
and placing guards about it. Upon their arrival at Wapakoneta,
Ohio, the savages were halted, as they were here allowed their
ration of rum. Sally was placed in charge of an Indian
squaw, who could talk some English. She, fearing that danger
might happen (as the Indians when drunk were always dangerous), told
her, as she had a pony of her own, she would take her to Fort
Laramie, distant twenty miles. They started to a neighboring
cabin to borrow a sidesaddle, when they met two drunken Indians.
One of them spoke to Sally (remarking about her beauty), when
the squaw told her to run and hide; this she did and reached the hut
she had just quitted, the Indian giving chase; she climbed into the
loft and covered herself with a lot of skins that had been placed
there. The Indian climbed up, but seeing no one, departed with
a malicious grunt of dissatisfaction. The squaw soon returned,
leading her pony, bridled and saddled, and assisted her to mount.
By this time it was dark; they started and arrived at Fort Laramie
before daylight, the squaw walking all the way. After taking
leave of Sally in an affectionate way, she at once started
back to her cabin, not waiting for daylight. Upon her arrival
at Wapakoneta, she informed Col. Cromer, who, upon his
arrival at Laramie, again took charge of her, and delivered her in
safety to John Johnston, Indian Agent at Fort Piqua,
remarking to him that he wanted him to be a father to the girl.
He then resumed his march, as he was taking the Indians to some
point in Kentucky. She lived with Mr. Johnston’s
family a year, perhaps, and as she was an adept in spinning,
manufactured 130 pounds of wool into stocking-yarn, during three
months of her stay. She then went to Mrs. Ewing’s
to live, and finally made her permanent home with Mr.
Jesse Miller, with whom she lived until her marriage to
James Kerr, in 1818; she first came to Fort Piqua in August,
1812. During their married life they had eleven children—Hanford,
Hamilton, George, Margaret, Jonathan,
Rebecca, William, James, John,
Perry and Sally A.; seven of
these children are now living, and are all persons of prominence in
the community in which they live. Her husband, James
Kerr, was very prosperous and accumulated quite an extensive
tract of land. He died July 11, 1863, his widow (the Aunt
Sally of our sketch), lives now on the old homestead.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 655
MRS. ANNA KESSLER
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 656
ERNST KOETITZ
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 656
H. L. LEHMAN
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
Page 656
T. C. LEONARD
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Monroe Twp. |
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