|
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.,
1880
UNION TOWNSHIP
abc
-
def -
ghi -
jkl -
mno -
pqr
- st -
uvw -
xyz
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
1880
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE to RETURN to
LIST of BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
Page 830 -
THOMAS JAY, farmer and minister, West Milton; born in Monroe
Township, this county, on the 22d day of the 11th month, 1813; is a
son of Walter D. and Mary (Macey) Jay. His father was born in
South Carolina, 15th of 7th month, 1786; and his grandfather,
John Jay, was probably born in the same State, in the year 1752,
he died the 23d of 4th month, 1829. Walter D. Jay was
married to Mary Macey, in Ohio, in 1809 or 1810.
Grandfather John Jay first settled in Warren Co., in
which lie lived for a short time, then came to Miami Co. and settled
in what is now Monroe Township, in 1804. Walter D.,
after his marriage, settled on 100 acres of land, which they
improved, cleared up and made their home for fourteen or fifteen
years, after which they moved to an adjoining farm on the west,
where they resided till 1866 or 1867, then removed to the residence
of their son-in-law, Samuel Jones, with whom they
resided till their decease. Walter Jay was quite
an extensive farmer, and was among the larger landholders of the
township. Thomas remained with his father on the farm
until he was 25 years of age. On the 22d of 4th month, 1840,
he was married to Sarah Yount, a daughter of Henry
and Elizabeth Yount; they were from North Carolina, and were
among the early pioneers of Montgomery Co.; they were the parents of
seven children, six of whom are living, viz., John,
Rebecca, Davis, Enos, Andrew and Sarah;
Jesse, deceased. Mr. B. was born the 4th of 9th
month, 1793; his wife, Elizabeth Hoover, was born on
the same day, the same month, and in the same year; he died in 1863,
his wife in 1871. Before his marriage, Thomas was
engaged in milling, which he followed till 1849, the time of coming
on the place where he now resides; 111 acres was the size of the
farm at the time, but he has added by purchase till he now owns 140
acres of fine land, which is all in a state of good cultivation.
He and his wife were reared in the Friends’ Church, and he has
labored in the ministry for twenty-four years. She was born in
Montgomery Co., Ohio, the 15th of 4th month, 1819. In an early
day, Walter D. forbade the use of intoxicants on his
premises; his log-rollings and house-raisings were ever after
accomplished without its use. Of six sons none ever used
liquors, tobacco or indulged in profane language.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Union Twp. |
Page 830 -
DAVID JONES, farmer and miscellaneous laborer; P.
O. West Milton.
The
task of writing an autobiography is one from which I almost shrink,
thinking that
it would not much interest the general reader, and that, being
different from a diary
or journal, it seems to savor of egotism. I was satisfied with the
authorship of my township’s history; but the kindness and courteous
request of the authors of our
county history induces me to write a brief biography of myself. I
know, however,
that it will be materially different from that of any other, because
I know of none
other who has so closely combined physical and scholastic labor as I
have done. I was born on the 4th day of October, 1815.
An unbroken wilderness,
tenanted
by its wild inhabitants, such as deer, wolves, wild turkeys, etc.,
then, and for many
years after, remained in the west, enabling me to contrast the wild
domains of
nature with the beautiful scenes of civilized life. I was the only
son, the fifth and
last child of my mother, whose life was taken by a stroke of
lightning before I was
2 years old. I have no recollection of her, and have often thought I
would walk
to the seaside most willingly, if, by so doing, I could have her
image painted upon
the tablet of my memory. A step-mother succeeded her, whose memory I
honor;
but no one can occupy, in the heart, the place of mother. As soon as
old enough,
I was sent to subscription schools, at West Branch, where I learned
to read at an
early age. I possessed an almost insatiable thirst for knowledge,
and read and
studied every useful book I could get. I read “ Robinson Crusoe ”
and the
“Pilgrim’s Progress ” when 8 or 9 years old, and was much delighted
with them.
Being the oldest son and possessed of excellent health, with much
physical vigor.
I was able to bear the mantle of hard labor that descended upon my
shoulders in
my 10th year. My father’s constitution being nearly wrecked by
incessant and
excessive labor, I took the plow from his hands, and allowed him to
follow his
trade of chair-making with more regularity. Having access to an
excellent library,
I read the works of great authors, such as Homer, Virgil,
Milton,
Pope, Thomson, Young, Cowper and other poets. I also read the works of that
intellectual giant, Dr. Johnson, with great interest;
Goldsmith’s “ History of the Earth
and Animated
Nature ” delighted me. The “ Spectator ” I considered of great
value, particularly Addison’s writings. These books, with many others not named, I had
read in
part, and with thoroughness, before reaching 15 years of age. From
my 10th year
to the close of my minority, I used the ax and maul, or beetle, in
clearing, and the
plow in cultivating the soil. My mornings, noons, nights and Sundays
I mainly
devoted to mental improvement. Even when following the plow I would
hold
converse with eminent men (long since dead), through the medium of
their writings.
I found delight in felling gigantic trees and all athletic feats,
knowing how much
they developed physical manhood. Excellent health, at my present
period of life,
is the fruit of my activity, regularity and temperance during the
last half-century.
As remarked, I continued and still combine literature with labor,
and find as much
enjoyment from newly acquired knowledge as I did in my earlier life.
After
reaching my majority, I engaged a portion of my time in the teaching
of common
schools. Being desirous to travel, I have taken several trips to the
South and East,
exploring Mammoth Cave and ascending Table Bock, on Table Mountain.
My
limits forbid a description of either of those great wonders of
nature. I have seen
Niagara, and heard its terrific thunders. During the political
campaign of 1840, I
was engaged in teaching at the mission school in Kansas Territory,
the children of
the Indians, who, ten years before, had lived in the northern part
of Miami Co. In the year of 1843, I was married to Eunice, the daughter of
Davis W. Thayer, a
citizen of this township. Of eleven children, eight are yet living,
viz., five sons
and three daughters. Having brought them up to habits of industry,
economy
and temperance, I indulge the pleasing hope of seeing them all
filling their places
as worthy members of society. Possessing a birthright of membership
in the
Society of Friends, I yet recognize good Christians among all the
denominations
around me. I consider sacred literature the highest of human
studies, and to understand the teachings of the Bible in its
fullness, the highest of human attainments.
In like manner thought the great Isaac Newton. In conclusion, during
the last sixty years, I have seen the greater part of this county
rescued from the
wilderness, and covered with fertile fields, with handsome abodes,
schoolhouses,
churches, and a teeming population. I have seen our country’s
population increase
from eight to nearly fifty millions of people, occupying the highest
position among
nations. In view of the grand discoveries in art and science, one
may well inquire
what will, or what will not, be discovered next.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Union Twp. |
KELLOGG & JONES, law
firm, West Milton. Edward Payson Kellogg, the senior
member, was born Nov. 3, 1830, in Jamaica, Windham Co., Vt.; came to
Ohio Dec. 6, 1852, and entered upon the profession of civil
engineering, for which he was educated; he commenced, in December,
1859, the practice of law in West Milton, where he has followed his
profession ever since. He married Anna Maria Milton
their children were Frederick Albertus born Nov. 12, 1855,
died Apr. 1, 1859; Mary Emma, Mar. 30, 1858; Frances
Henrietta, May 20, 1860; Clara E., Nov. 6, 1862;
George Nishwitz, Dec. 21, 1864; Charles White, Sept. 23,
1867; Willis Arthur Nov. 3, 1869, and Newton Esta,
July 6, 1877. Samuel C. Jones, the junior member of the
firm of Kellogg & Jones, was born Jan. 21, 1855, in Union Township,
Miami Co., Ohio; his father was a farmer and reared a large family
of boys, training them to habits of industry on the farm, but giving
to each a liberal education; among them are one physician, one
lawyer and two preachers. Samuel married the eldest
daughter of his law partner, and has one child, a boy - Victor W.
born Aug. 7, 1879. He was admitted to the bar Apr. 7, 1879.
Source:
The History of Miami County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880
- Page 832 - Union Twp. |
|
