A

B

The Becker-Hemmerich Families

Information taken from “The Becker-Hemmerich Families” a Genealogical Collection by Arthur M. Schumann and W. H. Beers, History of Montgomery County, 1882

Randolph Township history recognizes the contributions of many different Becker (Baker) families through the years. Most are probably related to John I who was born on the Atlantic Ocean in 1737 when his parents moved to America from S. W. Germany (the palatinate region west of the Rhine). He had a son John II born in Bedford Co., PA. Later the family moved to Lancaster Co. PA. John II and his wife whose maiden name was Snowberger had 9 children who lived to adulthood, i.e., John III, Jacob, Samuel, Andrew, Marie, Henry, David, Elizabeth and Nancy. John II brought his family to Randolph Twp., Montgomery County, OH in 1815. He was accompanied by the William Hart family and they settled on adjoining farms in sections 4 and 5. John III soon married Rebecca Hart with whom he had five children, Henry (1816), David, Rebecca, Abraham and Annie. John III worked with his father John II to clear about 103 acres in Section 4. The two men working together made many improvements on the land including a saw mill along Pigeye Creek, a subsidiary of the West Branch. Both were millers and John III also served as a township trustee for a number of years. Rebecca Hart Becker died in November 1856. Her husband, John III, died a year later at about the age of 66. While growing up, young Henry and probably some of his brothers and sisters attended a nearby subscription school. This most probably was a log school run by Quakers at West Branch. Henry married Sarah Shiltz of Darke County in 1840. His father gave him the saw mill and 24 acres around it where he continued to ply his milling trade. In 1865, Henry built a new saw mill and shipped large quantities of black walnut to distant points on the C.H. & D. Railroad which stopped at Becker Station. Sarah and Henry had six children: Sarah A. (died age 22), Catherine (m. Fred Hemmerich), Thomas J. (m. Martha Hickman), John S. (m. Elizabeth Weybright), Clement and Isaac. Children of some of these later Beckers may have attended No. 19 school in 1906, i.e., Raleigh, Clifford and Ralph Becker and perhaps even Clarence and Ethel Baker.

Our readers may recall that an early hotel in Harrisburg stood at the SW corner of Rt. 48 and Rt. 40. This hotel went by several names but in 1880 it was called the National Hotel and was owned by Jacob E. Becker born in Lancaster Co., PA in 1833. His father was Henry Becker who may have been John III’s younger brother who bought a farm of 160 acres in Montgomery County, OH near Liberty (Madison Twp.). When Henry died in 1851, Jacob ran the farm for three years but after his marriage to Nancy Cox in 1857 tried various pursuits before settling into the restaurant and hotel business. He and Nancy had four children three of whom survived to adulthood: Charles E., Clara and Emma. Sometime later, Charles E. was running the local hotel under the name of Harrisburg Hotel. The sign in front of the hotel building shows up in many of Edwin Sink’s photos of Englewood ca. 1915.

The Berk Families, by Sue Cummings

Recently, Bob Frantz donated an original photo of the Louis (Lewis) Berk family to the historical society. Bob identified the people in the photo, including his grandmother Alice Berk Frantz, wife of Marion Frantz, his grandfather. I have sorted out the information for this column from Bob’s notes, biography of Henry V. Berk of Randolph Twp. from Beer’s 1882 History of Montgomery Co., and from phone conversations with Louis Berk (Brookville) and Margaret Berk Hough (Dayton), whose fathers were brothers and sons of Louis Franklin Berk. (Just for the record, Margaret Hough was my fourth grade teacher at Ft. McKinley School in Harrison Twp. and she is a current member of our society!)

Henry Berk, Sr. was a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. He and his wife Margaret Abt had three sons. Both Henry, Sr. and his wife died at age 39 and only two sons were still alive in 1882, i.e., Lewis and Henry V., Jr. Henry V., Jr. was born in Germany in 1816 and trained as a cabinetmaker. He came to America in 1836, landing at Baltimore. Shortly thereafter, he traveled to Fredericks-town, MD, then Vienna Crossroads, Clark Co., Ohio and then to Dayton. NOTE: Henry V., Jr. undoubtedly came west over the newly built National Road! By 1857, Henry V. Jr. had purchased 28 acres in Randolph Twp. He had acquired 400 acres in Randolph Twp. by 1882.

In 1840, Henry V., Jr. married Anna Glass and they had eight children: Amelia, Anna, Enna, Ellen, Henry, Louis and Theodore. Henry V., Jr. saw that all of his children received some of his land. The Montgomery County Atlas of 1895 shows Henry Berk (the son) owning 160 acres (NE Qtr of Sec. 28) and Louis owning about 100 acres (NW Qtr of Sec. 27). The two farms were separated by Union Rd. and each was south of Wenger Rd. Their neighbors were Moists, Engles and Manns. The photo, ca. 1902, shows the Berk farmhouse, and Louis Franklin, his wife Mary and children Frank W., Clara F., Mary Alice, Harry Albert and Earl Ralph born between 1878 and 1893. Clara married Melvin Bennet and her daughter Ruth also is in the photo. Bob Frantz’s grandmother Mary Alice was the wife of Marion Frantz and their son Harry was Bob’s father. Margaret Berk Hough’s father was Harry Berk who married Martha Black. Louis’ father was the youngest son, Earl Berk, and he married Ethel Black, sister of Martha. The Blacks were from Covington, OH. More details on these families can be found in the society’s genealogy archives.

Excepts from ..My Autobiography by Frank M. Betz. 1965

Frank M. Betz was one of three sons and a daughter born to Frederick Christian Betz and his wife Barbara Frances Maphis who were married by the Rev. Jesse Kinsey on December 26, 1878. Daughter Annie Betz Geiger was born 21 Jan 1882 while the family lived on Phillipsburg Pike at Diamond Mill Road. Soon after, Betz' father bought 3 acres of land on the north edge of Salem (Clayton). All three boys were born in Clayton: Jesse Earl on 15 Jul 1883; Franklin Maphis on 13 Jul l885; and John Willis on 1 Jun 1890. Betz' father was a wagon maker, tobacco box maker, furniture maker and casket maker. His sons helped him in these pursuits until his untimely death on June 12, 1901. In his autobiography, Franklin Betz (now deceased) commented on other businesses and residents of Salem that he remembered from his youth. "Salem was set on two hills dividing the town, east and west, by a stream which was fed by three life-giving springs. The first at the head-waters was on the Jesse Kinsey farm on the NW corner of the old National Road. ..and the old Anthony Wayne Trail, which is now Route 49. A second spring was 1/4 mile north of Rt. 49 on the Diamond Mill Road. ...on the John Saylor Farm. The third spring was across the road from the Saylor spring and was called "Rattlesnake Spring." Possibly some 75 yards south of this spring on the south side of the stream, a mill-race or flume was built 1/3 of a mile along the side of the hill." According to Betz, a grist mill operated by George Reitz who emigrated from Virginia, was located at this site. He also mentions that the foundation of Hamilton Turner's whiskey distillery stood across from the grist mill. A large sawmill, operated by Emanuel Hubley, was on the west hill along Diamond Mill Road. " Across the street from this sawmill was a blacksmith shop operated by Samuel Lambert, who was a Civil War veteran." Betz tells how the boys stopped by the shop often to listen to his Civil War stories. "There was a slaughter house, as they were called then, on the west hill. It was operated by Harry and Hiram Jacobs, who processed mainly for their Jewish people in Dayton." Meat was cooled in the only ice house in town, on the John Saylor farm. "On Salem's east hill, business included the Clayton Post Office in the corner building of the Turner property [later known as the Turner Warehouse]. In this also were the confectionery and ice cream parlor, and over this, the Town Hall. Sometime later, when telephones came into being, the exchange was located in part of the second floor. " " A general store was just north of this, and over it was the I.O.O.F Hall. North of this was a blacksmith shop operated by Reuben Saylor, and later by his brother Lee. Across the street was a feed and flour store run by Amos Tobias. Amos Tobias had a team of almost white dapple-gray horses, which were the horses father used with his funeral hearse." "South of Mr. Tobias' feed store was the Salem tavern. Back of it was a livery stable, where one could hire a horse and buggy, or trade horses. ..There was a carpet-weaving shop in the home of, and operated by Rev. and Mrs. William Bucklew, Amish folks. They were parents of Mrs. George Reitz, the flour miller. These people were originally from Virginia." NOTE: More stories from Betz's autobiography can be read in the "Memories of Clayton-Then and Now" booklet available from the Society for a donation of $10.00 plus $2.50 postage. The booklet would make a good Christmas present for a friend.

Daniel and Jeanette (Fitzgerald) Boroff
by Angelina Hoschourer

[Note: RTHS member Angie Hoschourer was inducted into the First Families of Ohio in April 2009 at the Ohio Genealogical Society's 50th Annual Conference in Huron, Ohio. She can be contacted through our website if you have comments or questions for her]

"After twenty-two years of family research, I buckled down and put my papers (517 in all) in order and then submitted them to First Families of Ohio. I started out to submit my application for just two family members, but by the time the application was due, I realized that I had proof for five ancestors.

The criteria to be a First Family of Ohio is that first, you are a member of the Ohio Genealogical Society and second, that you can prove your ancestors were in the state of Ohio by December 1820. I prove this by identifying and getting certified documents for my great -great - grandparents, Daniel and Jeanette (Fitzgerald) Boroff, 1820 in Ross Co., OH; my great - great - great grandfather Asa McLaughlin, 1816 in Highland Co., OH; and his father John McLaughlin 1820 in Highland Co., OH; and the wife of Asa McLaughlin, Jane Miller, and her father, Henry
Miller, 1812 in Highland Co., Ohio

I had submit for three other ancestors but was told I lacked the proof of the relationship between a father and son, and so they were not accepted at this time. Those ancestors were : Mark Stafford Newland, 1813 in Warren Co.,OH; Jesse Newport, 1809 in Warren Co. OH; and his daughter, Mary Newport, 1813 in Warren Co, OH; Jesse Newport founded the town of Cedarville in Greene County in 1816 and was in the Ohio Legislature in the years 1809 and 1810. I need to prove that Mark Newland is the son of Mark Stafford Newland. Mark Jr. was born in 1827 in Warren Co., OH and died in 1905 in Dayton. There are no birth or death records in either the state or county archives. His father, Mark Stafford, died in 1857 in Dayton but there is no death record. Neither owned property as they were tenant farmers on their father-in-law's farms. Neither left a will. While they are listed together in an 1850 census, the OGS will not accept the census as proof because the census at that time does not state relationships to other members in the household. While not discouraged, I am hoping to find the connection by going forward and finding living descendents of the other children in the family, which can hopefully take me back to records that I need.

My next goal is to become a member of the Civil War Families of Ohio as I have one great - great grandfather, Mark Newland, one great - great - great grandfather, John Mason, and several great - great uncles; John Newland, Horatio Stull, John Archer, Henry Boroff, and Samuel Boroff, who served in the Civil War, mostly from the 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the 154th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

E

Jim Oren relates that his grandparents, Harvey and Minnie Denlinger Engle (m. 1896) first owned a 50 acre farm on land on Rt. 48 now occupied by the Stillwater Center. They sold that farm when the county expanded the Stillwater TB Sanitorium and Harvey built a new house south of Little York. Before the family could move, the 1913 flood wreaked its havoc and even though the new house was not damaged, Minnie refused to move there in fear of another flood! Harvey then bought about 37 acres on the south edge of Englewood and built a frame and stone farmhouse and outbuildings. The family moved there about 1915 and continued to farm the land and stand market in Dayton for many years. The house is gone now but the Villas of Englewood Apts. (previously Canterbury Runn) now occupy the site at 507 S. Main St.

George W. Eby and Thomas V. Eby, Union, Ohio

(Extracted from George W. Eby’s Civil War Diary, a booklet prepared and assembled by Frances J. and Lloyd E. Weeks, typed by Mary Hewell, March 15, 1981, Inv. # RTHS.00.0605; and from the biography of Dr. Theodore P. Eby, A. W. Bowen’s Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, 1897.

The parents of our subjects were George [b. 1 Feb 1803-d. 20 Dec 1858] and Dorothy M. (Fritchey) Eby [b. 11 Feb 1804-d. 20 May 1896], both natives of Pennsylvania who married Sept. 20, 1827. They commenced housekeeping in Harrisburg, Pa., where George’s father [Jacob Eby, son of Jacob Eby and Hannah Parkinson] was engaged in the grocery trade. Later they moved to Manheim so George could learn the clock making trade of his grandfather. George and his family left Pennsylvania and moved to Union, Ohio in the spring of 1849.

To this union were born the following children, viz: Theodore P. [became a well-known dentist in Union, Ohio], Christian [died young], Hannah A. [Mrs. Jacob Stockslager], Mary E. [Mrs. John Bucher], George W. [subject of this sketch], Edwin J. and Thomas V. [also subject of this sketch].

Both George W. and his younger brother Thomas V. served in the Civil War. George W. Eby was born on June 2, 1837 in Manheim, Pa. Thomas was born in 1844. They were 12 and 5 years old, respectively, when the family moved to Union, Ohio. When the Civil War first started, George, who was 24 years of age, hired a substitute to take his place. [NOTE: RTHS research into Eby’s military records suggests he may have served as a substitute for another soldier and that the family story may be wrong.] Later, on May 2, 1864 he entered the service of his country as a volunteer with Co. A. 131st Regt. Ohio Infantry, a National Guard unit. He later enlisted in Co. F, 82nd Regt. OVI as a private. Thomas was a private in the 163rd Regt., Ohio Infantry, a National Guard unit.

George Eby’s Civil War diary details his service in the 82nd Regiment, OVI from 24 Sep 1864 through 29 May 1865. This group primarily drove cattle and wagons filled with equipment to re-supply frontline soldiers fighting in the Army of the Cumberland. Eby relates his disgust at the burning of Atlanta and comments on Sherman’s march to the sea. Eby was in a military hospital in New York when Lincoln was assassinated.

Following the war, George W. married Eliza Jane Hoover on May 28, 1870. This union produced five children, viz: Theodore H., Helen Dorothy, Blanch Susan, Jennie May and Edwin P. George W. Eby was a farmer and respected citizen of Union for the rest of his life. George Eby died on December 23, 1913 and is buried in the family plot in Minnich Cemetery in Union, Ohio.

Thomas V. Eby never married. He was a resident at the Home for Disabled Veterans [Soldiers Home] in Dayton where he died on 23 Dec 1890. Thomas Eby is buried on the VA campus in Section H, Row 23, Grave 4.

G

Garwood - My Family Story

The following information was shared by lifetime member Roger Garwood at our “Show and Tell” program last March. Excerpts have been taken from a report written by Steven Garwood, his son, entitled “My Family Heritage.”

Three GARWOOD brothers came to America from Evesham, England in 1690. Their names were Richard, Thomas and Samuel. They settled in Garwood, New Jersey a town named after them. Roger’s grandfather, George (1895-1980) married Mary Edith BURKETT (1898-1950) and they settled in Pyrmont, OH. In later years they lived on Garland Rd. in West Milton. They had six children: Edward, Everett Eugene, Maryella, Rozanne, E. Dwain and Myron. E. Eugene “Red” Garwood, Roger’s father, was born on Dec. 4, 1917. He served in the Navy in W W II and returned home. Over the years he worked many jobs including running a bread truck in Union, selling Fuller Brush products and also working at Aero Products and later Wright Patterson AFB where he retired in 1980. Roger was born in Union, OH in 1939 on Martindale Rd. Roger has a brother Tom. The family lived for several years in the first brick schoolhouse in Union that had been remodeled into a residence. Roger graduated from Randolph and Tom graduated from Northmont.

Red’s wife was Bertha Elsie MAGGERT (1918-1954). Her parents were Forrest Independence (born on 4th of July) Maggert (1894-1944) and Alice HOOVER (1895-1981). Alice’s parents were Marion Samuel Hoover (1870-1964) and Amanda HOKE (1869-1944) and her grandparents were Jeremiah S. Hoke (1834-1907) and Mary E. Dohner (1834-1925).

Forrest’s parents were Pierce Riley Maggert and Rosetta Amelia FUNDERBURG. The Hokes, Hoovers and Maggerts all had large families so many descendants still live in the Union area. Ancestors are buried in many local cemeteries.

What makes genealogy lines most interesting is when facts about their everyday lives have been recorded. Some of the stories from the Garwood family include the following:

• Pierce Riley Maggert was a blacksmith
• Rosetta Funderberg Maggert was part Indian
• Son Forrest Maggert drove a gravel truck and was a carpenter
• Forrest and his wife Alice had ten children.
• Alice was one of 14 siblings
• Marion Hoover was a millwright and later worked out of his home on N.
• Main St. in Union sharpening saws.

Roger married Judy Ann KNAUS who grew up in Clayton and attended Clayton Consolidated School. The Knaus family has strong ties to Greene Co. Ohio and counts among their ancestors the COYS, BRANNUMS, SIDENSTICKS and ANKENEYS.

The complete Garwood genealogy is on file in the archives room. We welcome the donation of all family genealogies.

H

Heck Family History

The following information was submitted by Sandy Gustin.

One of the long-time residents of Randolph Township was Jacob Heck, who at death owned a tract of land of about five acres, that being in the Southwest Quarter of Section 19, commencing in the center of State and Range Line roads where they cross each other. He also owned land in Section 5 and a part of Section 30 (which included a mill and distillery) –all three tracts located in Town 5, Range 5 East in Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio.

Jacob Heck (1807-1875) was born in Ohio and he married Marianna Stilwell (1812-1888) who was born in Maryland. They were married in Montgomery County, Ohio on 24 May 1832. They had the following six children: Julia Ann, Oliver, Elizabeth, James H., John, and Leonidas.

Julia Ann (1833-1910) married Dr. John W. Pence on 17 July 1864 and they had two children: Alvalston (1868-1868) and Luella (1866- ). They continued to live in Randolph Township. Luella married Samuel Gable and they inherited the land in 1902.

Oliver (1835-abt 1901) married Sarah Hyre on 7 June 1857. They had at least four children: William, Jennie, Cory, and Mary. Oliver and his family lived in Butler Township.

Elizabeth (1838-1902) apparently never married

James (1840-1922) married Mary Schreck (1841-1912) on 14 June 1866. They had a child, Clennnent (1862- ).

John (1842- after 1902) apparently never married.

Leonidas (1845-1905) married Martha Fox (1851-1919) on 28 September 1876

**This information was obtained from Montgomery County Deeds, Wills, Marriage Records, Federal Census and Clayton Cemetery inscriptions.

A Tribute to Earl Heck
by Sue Cummings

Anyone who lives in the vicinity of Englewood, Ohio has heard of Earl Heck (1896-1981) whose name is on the community center located at 201 N. Main Street First used as a three-room school, then the municipal building, the Earl Heck Community Center was dedicated on October 8, 1978. Here are some things you may not know about this interesting man.

Born in Arcanum, Ohio, Heck attended Miami University and received his bachelors and masters degrees from Harvard University. He moved to Englewood in 1930. From the onset he was interested in local government and held the office of Mayor twice: from January 1934 to November 1938, and from January 1940 to November 1940. He also served as a member of city council and was postmaster from 1940 to 1959. He ran successfully for the school board in 1937.

Heck's legacy to the area includes more than public service. For all his lifetime, he was very much interested in local history. In his spare time he could be found with his friends tramping through old farm cemeteries and looking for old house and barn foundations, which were evidence of early settlers' residences. He lived in a historic house along River Road (now Valleyview Drive) next to the David Rasor house. Rasor was one of five men who platted the town of Harrisburg (now Englewood) in 1841. As people became aware of Heck's history bent, they gave him historic items that had passed down through their families. He also attended local sales and bought antique items. Eventually he began a small museum of old things, which he-displayed in his house. He kept a guest register that had names of visitors from all across the country and even outside the United States. Some listed their favorite items in the museum, such as the old post office, a sausage grinder, a treadle sewing machine, history books and pottery made in Union by James Purcell.

In 1939, Heck began to write a book entitled the "History of Englewood." It remains one of the most comprehensive histories of this area, but is not indexed and has information scattered in many places. In one chapter, he describes the beauty of the old brick church situated south of his house. He relates that David Rasor donated the land for the church (now the RTHS History Center) to the Wengentes and Swankites for erection of a meeting house in 1861. The original building was damaged by fire in the 1880s. It was rebuilt with Gothic arch windows and was used by several other religious groups. The Englewood Dunkard Brethren owned the church from the mid- 1920s until we purchased the building in March of this year.

The historic building will take on a new life as the home of the Randolph Township Historical Society and RTHS History Center. We feel certain that Heck would be delighted to have us as his neighbors. While alive, Heck tried to start a historical society in this part of northern Montgomery County, but was unable to engender interest in enough people at the time. Now his dream and ours has come to fruition. We hope all of you will support the History Center with your pledges to the Building Fund and by donation of your time and talents.

More than 2100 historic items have been donated to the Society since we were organized ten years ago. Many of these will be on display in the History Center. We hope you will attend our Grand Opening on July 26-27 and see for yourself what has been donated to us, including Earl Heck's Museum Guest Register, sausage grinder, history books and pottery made in Union. Sorry - we don't have the post office nor the treadle sewing machine!

The Heisey, Ingle, Stutsman and Hocker Families
by Sue Cummings

An original 1922 drawing (shown above) that relates to the Heisey family of Randolph Township was discovered at a local auction. The folk-art drawing memorializes the lives of several generations of Randolph Township’s past residents. The artwork consists of a bower of forget-me-nots positioned above five tree stumps (a half - tree in the center). The stumps are connected by dark blue ribbons to a large chain, some with broken links. The chain is divided into sections via arrows that look like anchors. The names HEISEY FAMILY, INGLE, STUTSMAN FAMILY, HOCKER, JOHN HEISEY FAMILY, AND DAVID HEISEY are hand printed on the paper. Two hand printed sentiments appear:

“IN-MEMORY-OF-THE-MISSING-ONES” and “BLEST-BE-THE-TIE-THAT-BINDS.”

Background: Martin E. Heisey and his wife Elizabeth Engle had eleven children, five of whom lived into adulthood. In 1850 Martin and his family emigrated from Lancaster Co. PA to Miami Co. and then Montgomery Co. OH. In later years, Martin owned a farm east of the Stillwater River near Union, OH. Martin and Elizabeth are buried in Fairview Cemetery, Englewood, OH.

Trees: The five trees (stumps) represent five married couples, all adult children of Martin and Elizabeth: Left to right – [1]John E. Heisey, [2]Barbara Heisey Ingle, [3]Martha E. Heisey Stutsman, [4]Susanna E. Heisey Hocker, and [5]David E. Heisey. By August 1922 all five children and four of the spouses had died. Only Jesse Stutsman, husband of [3]Martha E. Heisey, still lived. The half-tree in the middle of the drawing represents Jesse Stutsman still standing. All the others had been “cut down.” Details for these siblings below:

[1] John E. Heisey (b. 28 Nov 1827 - d. __ Feb 1907, bur. Fairview Cem., Englewood, OH), m. 14 Sep 1852 to Elizabeth Herr (b. 19 May 1833 – d. 6 Dec 1921, bur. Fairview Cem), nine of their ten children lived into adulthood.
[2] Barbara Heisey (b. 6 Oct 1829 – d. 21 Feb 1921, bur. Louisa Co., VA), m. in 1852 to David M. Ingle (b. _______ - d. 29 Apr 1913, in Montgomery Co., OH), four children. [3] Martha E. Heisey (b. 17 Feb 1832 – d. 9 Nov 1898, bur. Pitsburg, OH Cem.), m. 7 Nov 1857 to Jesse Stutsman (b. _______ - d. 5 Jan 1926, bur. Pitsburg Cem), seven children. [4] Susanna E. Heisey (b. 14 Dec 1833 – d. 9 Dec. 1901), m. 15 Feb 1857 to John Hocker, five children. [5] David E. Heisey (b. 12 Aug 1835 – d. 1 May 1918, bur. Holp Cem. (U.B.), Farmersville, OH), m. 19 Mar 1868 to Anna M. Livingood (b. 20 Nov 1842 – d. 14 Dec. 1921), three of their five children lived into adulthood.

Chains: Each link in various swags of the large black chain represents a couple (grandchild and spouse) of Martin and Elizabeth Heisey. A broken link indicates one individual in the couple has died. The John Heisey genealogy supplied by Larry Heisey, was very helpful in decoding the drawing. A copy of the Heisey genealogy is in the RTHS archives.

Herr - Continuing Story

A second story of Samuel Herr intrigues me. I had to get more information from Paul Herr about the family’s “cattle drive” along the National Road which he recorded on our “reminiscences tape” in June. I quote: “Hello, this is Paul Herr. My g-g-grandfather, whose name was Samuel Herr, moved to Montgomery Co. from PA in the early 1830s when my g-grandfather was three years old. Ten years after moving here and buying land, they became interested in getting more livestock. Livestock was much more scarce in the West than in the area in central PA where they had come from, so, they made arrangements to buy a large herd of cattle from their home area and drive them, on foot, all the way to Montgomery Co., OH. So, one summer I think they went by some means of public transportation, or whatever, to PA and bought the cattle and drove them West on foot all the way. They would stay overnight at various way stations or way houses where the cattle could be penned up. Each day they would take them on the drive further West to the next stopping place. My g-grandfather, who by this time was 13 years old, was a great help rounding up the cattle, keeping them moving and keeping them on the path. One night, when they stayed at a way house which was by no means fancy , they were permitted to sleep in a loft of the house . The loft was not full height, it was only about 2/3 as tall as a person when they stood up. I guess when you are sleeping you didn’t mind the low ceiling, but anyhow, during the night, g-grandpa got to dreaming about his day’s activities of chasing cattle. Not only was he dreaming but he was sleep walking and he raised up quickly to hit a cow with a stick to chase it back into line and bumped his head hard on the ceiling and that woke him up. And that is the story that has come down through these generations, of driving cattle all the way from central PA to northern Montgomery County.

My commentary: Walking all the way back to Ohio some 500 miles, driving cattle 400 miles over the National Rd. which was a dirt, gravel, crushed stone roadway, seems almost unimaginable in this day and age. We park our cars nearest to the entrance of a store, to save a few extra steps, and this is common place. The route they traveled: Annville to Harrisburg PA, 20 mi; Harrisburg to Hagerstown, MD, 74 mi; Hagerstown to Cumberland, MD, 81 mi; Cumberland to Uniontown, PA, 68 mi; Uniontown to Washington, PA, 44 mi; Washington PA to Wheeling, W.Va, 33 mi; Wheeling, W. Va. to Harrisburg (Englewood), OH, 200 mi.

Toll gates along the National Road were approximately every 11 miles in PA and 10 miles in MD and OH. Few of us today are very familiar with the temperament or the needs of cattle, some are docile and others can be quite headstrong and trying. Livestock was being driven over the National Road in great numbers, enterprising farmers built drovers’ stands where livestock could be fed and drivers were given a place to sleep. The Herr family story does not tell how many days the return trip took, surely it was from sunup to sundown every day. Did they drive cattle on Sunday? Probably not. How many miles on a good day did they travel? Was it just the two of them?

The expense: the tolls were paid in cash. The toll in PA was 16 cents for a score of cattle for every 10 miles of passage and higher in OH. Toll houses were about 11 miles apart in PA and 10 miles apart in OH. If anyone was on horseback it cost 4 cents for each 10 miles of passage. When they arrived at the Ohio River at Wheeling, there was no bridge. It wasn’t built until after 1849.

Did they have to ferry across or were they able to drive the herd across? How many head of cattle could be carried across the river at a time on the ferry? How much would it have cost? Did oxen pull the ferry back and forth? At Columbus-can you imagine cattle being driven on the National Road right past the Ohio statehouse?

NOTE: An 1844 poster stated the cost of traveling by stagecoach from Cumberland, MD to Indianapolis, IN, a distance of about 450 miles, cost $18.25. They traveled at 8 mph.

NOTE: To get a sense of time - some stagecoach companies in 1844 promised to deliver passengers from Zanesville to Columbus in eight hours for $2.00. From 1836 to 1838, the pony express traveled over the National Road and it took five hours to travel from Zanesville to Columbus. Farmers along the National Road sold grain and hay to travelers with livestock.

NOTE: The railroad reached Wheeling in 1853. By 1863 the railroads had captured all the crosscountry passengers and freight traffic to the Mississippi River. No longer did the shouts of drovers and clatter of six-horse teams echo from the National Road. Ohio had a tavern about every five miles along the road.

To learn more about the National Road read The National Road, Main Street of America by Norris F. Schneider or visit www.connerprairie.org/history online and www.route40.net/history/index.

K

The only motel known to exist along old Rt. 40 in Randolph Township stood at the NE corner of Fox Rd. and Rt. 40. The farm was purchased in about 1948 by Joseph and Hazel Kern from Dayton. The house that stood on the corner was moved to the east and a chicken house on the farm was relocated to the corner and remodeled into a small frame motel with rooms for about eight overnight guests. The house kitchen served as the rental office when the motel opened in about 1950. Joseph died in 1959 and Hazel continued to run the motel for awhile. In later years, the motel rooms were rented out to boarders. In 1965, Hazel sold the property to the Clayton EUB Church and the motel eventually was torn down. Thanks to Bill Weist for getting the photo from Betty Kern, thanks to Betty for family history and to Janet Hamilton for deed information.

Henry Brewer King, Clayton, Ohio.

Extracted from information provided by Sharon Walker and James Peak including pension records plus military history available on line.

Henry Brewer King, son of William and Margaret King, was born near Redstone P. O. in Fayette County, Pennsylvania on 6 Sep 1842. While still a young man in Pennsylvania, he worked as a miner and then as a blacksmith. 

King first enlisted as a Private on April 23, 1861, age 19, in Co. G., 12th Inf. Reg. 3-month Pennsylvania volunteers. He reenlisted in Carmichaelstown, Lafayette Co., PA August 16, 1861 as a Private in Co. F, 1st Cav. Reg. 3-Year Volunteers, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves, Army of the Potomac. He was discharged in Washington D. C. on August 26, 1864. While on regimental drill in Camp Pierpont, WV in February 1862, King was thrown from his horse and received a head injury. He was taken to the division hospital where he contracted measles. The two illnesses left him with vertigo and unable to continue his work as a blacksmith. After being discharged from service, King applied for and received a disability pension of $4.00 per month. From then on, he pursued the occupation of farming. When he died in Clayton, Ohio in 1921, his pension was $72 per month.

According to a family bible, Henry King and first wife Annie Herwick were married on January 15, 1865 in Fayette County, PA by Samuel Griffith, Esq. Eleven children were born to this couple of whom eight were alive in 1897: John H. (14 Feb 1868), Maria B. (22 Jan 1870), Everett M. (3 Feb 1872), Florence M. (17 Jan 1874), Louetta (5 Jun 1878), Agnes M. (30 Oct 1879), Annie L. (13 Sep 1882), and Edna G. (13 Feb 1884). After wife Annie died in January 1903, King married second wife Martha J. Leavitt who died in February 1907 at the Indiana Soldiers Home in LaFayette, IN. On 13 May 1909, King married twice-widowed Mary Catherine (Wagner) Brumbaugh Worthington of Clayton, Ohio. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Martin Shively. [Mary’s first husband, David H. Brumbaugh, died on 19 Sep 1895. Second husband, William W. Worthington, died on 25 Dec 1901.] King was well loved by all Mary’s children. When Henry King died, his wife Mary was granted his pension. Descendant James Peak has the Military Memorial certificate bearing the name and service of Henry B. King. 

SUMMARY: HENRY B. KING                           

b. Sep. 6, 1842
d. Dec. 19, 1921
bur. Warner (New) Cemetery, Clayton, Ohio
Co. G., 12th PA Infantry (3 months, 1861), Private
Co. F, 1st Reg. PA Volunteer Cavalry (Reserves), Private

Harvey Klepinger, Randolph Township, Montgomery County, Ohio

Extracted from information provided by Loren Butterbaugh and U. S. census records and Civil War pension records available online.

Harvey Klepinger, son of John Klepinger and Elizabeth Boyer, was born in Randolph Township, Montgomery County, Ohio on 22 Feb 1842. He was one of nine children. The Klepinger farm was located on Union Road, near Kinsey Station. Harvey lived with his parents and helped with the farming until the Civil War.

Klepinger served as a Private in Company K of the 179th Ohio Inf. Reg. The unit was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio and mustered in September 29, 1864. They organized under Col. Harley H. Sage, for one years service. They were ordered to Nashville, TN, arriving there on October 8. Attached to the Post of Nashville, TN Dept. of the Cumberland to December 1864. The unit took part in the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16, 1864. Then assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland to March 1865. They were engaged in post and garrison duty at Nashville through June 1865. The unit mustered out on June 18, 1865.

After the war, Klepinger returned to Randolph Township where he helped on his father’s farm. Harvey married Sarah Jane Hyre on October 9, 1870. Sometime after the marriage, the couple moved to Union Township, Miami County, Ohio where they bought a farm of their own. Six children were born to the couple: Hattie May (24 Nov 1871), William Arthur (16 Feb 1873), Dora Belle (8 Oct 1874), Rollin (29 May 1877), Bertha Ellen (27 Apr 1883), and Carrie Olive (4 Sep 1891).

Military records show that Harvey Klepinger filed for a pension in April of 1884. Klepinger died on 3 May 1926. Sarah Jane filed for and received a widow’s pension on May 14, 1926. She continued to receive the pension until her death on 13, Jan 1935. 

SUMMARY:  HARVEY KLEPINGER

b. Feb 22, 1842
d. May 3, 1926
bur. Potsdam Cemetery, Potsdam, Miami County, Ohio
Co. K., 179th Ohio Infantry, 1 year, Private
2nd Brig, 4th Div, 20th Army Corps of the Cumberland, 3-months

L

Leiber

Excerpts from “The Descendants of Johann Leiber - from Donald Roth”
Johann Leiber married Maria Rollweiller. A son Andreas was born 17 Nov 1758 in Niedereschach, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany. Andreas (d. 11 Jun 1825) and Catharina Renner (b. 20 Apr 1768, d. 16 Mar 1837) married 9 Nov 1790 and had eleven children. Their seventh child, Thomas Leiber (b. 18 Dec 1801, d. 21 Apr 1875) married Helena Reiser 4 Apr 1825 in Niedereschach and the couple had ten children: Anton, Genovefa, Johann, Coelestin, Theresa, Josef, Margaretha, ?, Friedolin and Sophia. This fourth generation of Leibers (except Genovefa who died 27 Dec 1827) immigrated to America and settled in the Midwest in Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Coelestin Leiber (b. 6 May 1832, d. 1916) married Elenora Sunkle in New York, about 1850. He had met his wife at a boarding house shortly after he arrived in America. He had studied veterinary medicine in Germany.

After the marriage, he moved to Englewood, Ohio where he opened a wagon making business. The couple had eight children: Fred (b. 1858), Mary (b. 1859, d. 1911), Caroline (b. 1861), Charles (b. 1864), Augustus “Gus” (b. 1866, d. 1960), Edward (b. 1868), Celestin “Les” (b. 1871, d. 1957), and Ida Elnora “Nora” (b. 1874). Coelestin and his son Les operated a wagon making shop together in Englewood. Gus was a blacksmith in Englewood. The Society has several Edwin Sinks photos of the Leiber family at their home on N. Main Street and of Gus Leiber’s blacksmith shop. Gus married Blanch Vore and Les married Elizabeth Poling. Mary Leiber Topranao, the families of Gus Leiber and Les Leiber and their parents are all buried in Fairview Cemetery in Englewood, Ohio. Through other marriages, the Leibers are related to area families with surnames Albert, Sink, Laukhoff, Applegate and Roth. Details are in the file.

M

George and Harry Metherd Families

Although RTHS has no typed genealogy of the George and Harry Metherd
families, we do have a large number of original papers and photos
related to this extended family. George and Harry operated a sawmill on
S. Main Street in Englewood, during the 1900s-1950s (where Action Tire
Co. is located today). Much of this material was in the Metherd home at
207 S. Main Street when it was purchased by member Larry Crowell for his law office. Crowell has now donated this collection to the Society. An
abbreviated listing of the items about the Metherd, Jay, Houston and
Lambert families is given below.

Metherd family items:

• Birth and Death certificates, probate records, obituaries, etc.,
Theodessa Jay Metherd; Theda Jane Metherd Houston; Berlin Metherd; Roy D. Houston, others
• Marriage Records: Harry Metherd & Theodessa Jay, m 1 Jan 1901; dau
Theda Jane Metherd Miller to Kenneth Houston, 22 Apr 1958; license for
Marjel E. Metherd and Wilbur Lambert, 27 Nov 1922, m. 29 Nov 1922.
• Funeral remembrance book and cards, Harry Metherd, d 10 mar 1958, bur. Fairview Cem., Englewood
• Collection of deeds, mortgages, insurance policies on Metherd houses
in 200 block of S. Main Street, Englewood, Ohio
• Photos of members of Dayton Quarter-Century Wireless Ass’n (Kenneth Houston was member and had ham radio station in garage behind the house at 207 S. Main Street)
• Collection of postcards from ham radio operators around the world to
Ken Houston in Englewood, 1950s-1970s
• Seven negatives of photos of Metherd house, 207 S. Main Street and
some of Harry in the sawmill just north of house
• Unused invoice receipts for H. H. Metherd Lumber Co.
• Polaroid photos of contents of Metherd house when purchased by Crowells
• Collection of identified photos showing Metherd Sawmill, Metherd
houses, family and relatives
• Collection of unidentified photos from Metherd house

On September 17th, I selected a photo of the John F. Moist homestead to use for the “History Photo of the Month” in our local paper, The Englewood Independent.

I thought that you, our members, might enjoy learning more about this family who resided on Union Rd. in Randolph Township for many generations. First, I want to thank Verna Moist Dohner for sharing her family photos with the society and letting us copy them for our genealogy archives. Part of their family history appears in the “Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County” published in 1897 by A. W. Bowen & Co., Edit. by Frank Conover.

The Moist ancestors immigrated from Switzerland and Henry Moist, John F.’s grandfather settled and died in Juniata County. PA. He had ten children including Jacob, father of John F., who was born in 1820. Jacob came to Montgomery County, Ohio in 1845 and married Annie Hocker in 1821. She was the daughter of John and Catherine (Sterling) Hocker also of Montgomery County.

John and his wife settled on a farm near Harrisburg and lived there one year, when, in 1848 he bought a 62-acre farm on the east side of Union Road, between Wenger and Old Salem Roads. Children born to Jacob and Annie were John F., Almira J., Frances C., and three that died in infancy. Mrs. Moist died in 1879.

John F. was born January 16, 1847 and received an education in the district school (probably Happy Corner). He attended the National Normal Institute at Lebanon, Ohio and trained to become a teacher. He taught five years in Randolph, Clay and Madison Townships. At age 30 he married Sarah E. Ralston on April 17, 1877. After their marriage they settled on the old Moist farm which he purchased in 1887. John F. and Sarah had six children: Ianthe M., Harvey C., Jacob F., Albert R., Arthur G. and Annie M. The house photo, taken in 1902, shows all members of this family except son Jacob. Daughter Ianthe graduated from Randolph Township H.S. in 1895 and also became a teacher. The family were members of the River Brethren Church.

Verna Moist’s father was John F.’s youngest son, Arthur Moist, who married Edith Stoner in 1910. They lived in Dayton for a few years but had moved to the homeplace by the time Verna was born. By 1926, Verna and her parents were living in Englewood on the corner of Elm St. and Rt. 48 and the homeplace had been sold to Albert Hoke and then Howard Hoke. The two story brick house and outbuildings were destroyed in the early 1960s to make way for the construction of Interstate 70. The farm was located on Union Rd. where the I-70 overpass is now. The 1902 photo of the Moist homestead including house and barn and many other Moist family photos are on file in the society archives. We’ll hear more about their neighbors, the Mann family and Berk family in other columns.

After the photo of the Morgan House appeared in the June 2nd issue of the Englewood Independent, your editor received numerous phone calls about discrepancies in the story. Many of the individuals that I have talked with since then have given more information about this famous restaurant and I would like to pass this on to all of you in this column.

The photo article referred to Leon “Bud” Wirth and his wife Eleanor who “operated” the restaurant from 1950 until 1965. Many readers thought this implied that the Wirth’s owned the building when in fact they were leasing it or that they were the first to run the restaurant. I’ll try to set the record straight with information received since the photo appeared.

From Geneva Bragg: The Morgan House was built originally by Whitey and Elsie Ellis (or some say Elsass). It probably opened in 1948 (Eva Woolery recalls having her wedding reception in late 1947 in the unfinished building). The Ellises lived upstairs in an apartment above the restaurant with their son Bobby. Geneva Bragg worked for Ellises during 1951 and 1952. Later she worked for Bud and Eleanor Wirth who leased the business from the Ellises around 1954. (The Ellises wintered in Florida and first Bobby, and then his father, drowned within a two year period.) Geneva became manager in 1965, after the Wirth’s left and opened a restaurant in the ThunderBowl bowling alley across the street. Geneva continued as manager into 1969 when the property was sold to Joanne White. After the sale, the restaurant never reopened and was boarded up. Sometime later, the Boy Scouts used the building for a “Haunted House” fund raising project. Finally, it was deemed unsafe and torn down. The exact date of its demolition is not known.

Geneva has promised more photos and she even has a “Moron” Badge that was awarded to customers who could eat three “Moron” Burgers!

Photos were donated to the society by Rita (Wirth) and Ted Dyke along with photos of her parents “Bud” and Eleanor, a snapshot of the original drive-thru menu board and an original menu. For those interested, a “Moron” Burger and fries was 99 cents!

O

Oren Family Stories

Excerpts taken from “Oren Family Stories” by Rev. Ira A. Oren, Ruth E. Oren and Virginia E. (Oren) Groves

Who has not stopped at the intersection of Old Salem Rd. and Union Rd. and enjoyed looking at the old white frame Happy Corner Church of the Brethren (originally the Lower Stillwater Church) on the SW corner or the modern church complex built in 1979 on the NW corner? Our eyes also would stray off the road to a brick house on the opposite side of the road which for many years had a sign hanging from the porch saying “Happy Corner - Oren House.” Did you ever wonder about the story behind this sign?

A recent family history donated by James and Betty Oren provides the Oren family tree and, through personal recollections of relatives and friends, helps clarify the impact the Oren Family had on the development of Happy Corner Church. Only the highlights of some of the stories will be given here. Much more information along with photos can be studied in the society’s genealogy archives.

The Oren family can trace their ancestors to England, Ireland and even Russia. Later generations settled in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana and Clinton and Highland Counties in Ohio. Our interest will focus on Alva Warren Oren born to Quaker parents Ira and Mary Ann Oren in Indiana. After attending the public schools and completing 3 years of Normal School, Alva and the rest of his family moved to Carrol Co. TN where he taught school and engaged in the sawmill and shingle business. Alva united with the Church of the Brethren in the New Hope Church in Carrol Co. and was called to the ministry. In 1899 he married Alma May Mummert, whose parents were Aaron and Minnie Mummert of Phillipsburg, OH. After spending some years in Tennessee, Alva and Alma moved to Trotwood ca. 1904. By 1906 they owned a small house just east of Happy Corner School. Alva and Alma had five boys: John David, Ira Aaron, Samuel Byron, Jesse Myron and Harold Alva. The older boys went to Happy Corner School, the younger ones to Clayton and all but Harold (Parker Co-op) graduated from Randolph. From 1906 to 1941, Alva took an active part in the free ministry program of Happy Corner Church.

When the subdistrict schools were consolidated in 1921, Alva bought the old Happy Corner School building and remodeled it into a “big brick house.” John David Oren, described by Rev. Ivan Gascho of Happy Corner Church as a pillar of the community, came into possession of the house in 1937. He and his first wife Naomi cared for 33 local “foster” children until she passed away. Later, after the children were grown, he married Kathryn Conklin and they lived in the house until John’s death. Oren family members had lived in this house for all but 4 years between 1923 and 1987. In September 1987, Kathryn Oren donated the Oren House at 7038 Union Rd. to Happy Corner Church according to the wishes of her late husband. In later years the house was used as a church parsonage.

P

Furman (Firman) K. Pauly, farmer, P. O. Clayton

Extracted from W. H. Beers History of Montgomery County, 1882. Randolph Township biographies, p. 301-302.

Samuel Pauly, his father, was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Dec. 24, 1804.  Mr. Pauly was one of those staunch, energetic pioneers whose father had dared to place himself out on the frontier when the war-whoop of the then hostile redman rung through the woods and carried terror to the few families that had settled in the deep forests of the Buckeye State. Samuel Pauly passed through the usual routine incidents of a pioneer’s boyhood days, and was united in marriage with Arminda Snook, daughter of John Snook, a native of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Pauly were the parents of ten children, of whom five are now living, viz: Arminda, Rebecca, Phoebe, Anna and Furman, the subject of this memoir, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, August 14, 1832. He obtained a common-school education and assisted his father until 1857, when he went to Kansas and was taken down with fever; he returned home and remained until he regained his health, and then went to Missouri and located in Hannibal, engaging in the grocery business until 1858, when his health again failed him and he returned home and turned his attention to farming, which he continued until 1863, when he enlisted in the 37th Regiment Ky. V., as 4th Corporal. During his term of service he participated in the Battle of Mt. Sterling, Cynthiana, Ky., and was honorably discharged in 1864, with his health very much impaired from exposure. He came back to Lebanon, Warren Co., and associated himself with his cousin, Mr. John Pauly, in the grocery business, remaining until the summer of 1866, the time of the breaking out of the oil fever. He disposed of his interests in the grocery and went to Petroleum Station, West, Va., remaining several weeks, prospecting and boring without success, and came to Montgomery County in the spring of 1867. He was appointed Storekeeper at several of the distilleries of the Government. Mr. Pauly was united in marriage with Phoebe Turner, and as a result of this union had four children, of whom two daughters are now living [1882] – Myrtle I. and Naomi.

SUMMARY: Furman K. Pauly

b. Warren Co., 14 Aug 1832
d. May 14, 1904
bur. Salem Cemetery, Randolph Twp., Mont. Co.
1863-Enlisted in 37th Regt., Ky Vol Mounted Infantry, 4th Corporal     Pension records also show: Co. A., 51st Ky Inf.
Served in Battle of Mt. Sterling, Cynthiana, KY
Discharged: 1864
m. Phoebe Turner [dau. of Salem (Clayton) distillery owner Hamilton Turner]
Phoebe (a.k.a. Belle) is buried next to her husband.

George Purcell – A Union [Ohio] Man in Union Troops   
by Sue Cummings

Ref.: W. H. Beers History of Montgomery County, 1882.

     Purcell’s father, Thomas, was a native of Prince William Co., Va., and was united in marriage with Anna R. Young. Eight children were born to bless this union, four sons and four daughters. [James and George W. were the only ones alive in 1882.] Thomas emigrated to Ohio in 1852, locating in Morrow County, where he remained until his death in 1857. George W. (b. Nov 1842-d. 1920), obtained a fair education, and assisted his father with the duties of the farm until he arrived at the age of 19 years.

    “ In 1861 he answered the call of Lincoln for 75,000 men and enlisted in the 20th Regiment Ohio Vol. Inf. in the three months service. At the expiration of this term of service, he re-enlisted in the 43rd Regiment Ohio Vol. Inf., and was promoted to the position of Corporal and subsequently to the position of Duty Sergeant, Orderly Sergeant and Sergeant Major, after which he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant; from that to Captain in command of his company. During his term of service he was engaged in the battles of New Madrid, Shiloh, Corinth, Island No. 10 and Resaca, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea. In 1864 he was appointed Hospital Commissary by Gen. McPherson, where he remained until he received his discharge.”

     After his discharge from service, George Purcell came to Union, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He associated himself with Dr. Samuel Hawkins [a medical doctor and owner of the local pottery and tile manufacturing company], and commenced the manufacturing of tile. He took for his wife Anna Hawkins, daughter of Dr. Hawkins, and celebrated their marriage in 1865. As a result of this union there were four children, viz: Samuel B., Charles F., George V., and Albert H. As evidence of the popularity and esteem with which he was held in the community where he lived, he was elected a member of the School Board in a special district, and was elected Treasurer of the Board. He filled that position to the satisfaction of all concerned for a term comprising a period of six years, after which he was elected Assessor of this township. In 1878 he was elected Commissioner of Montgomery County, and discharged the duties of that office to the public acceptance and credit to himself for one term.”

     George Purcell and his wife Anna [Permelia] are buried in Minnich Cemetery near the Samuel Hawkins plot. George Purcell’s stone [not military issue], of pink granite, features crossed U. S. flags, and the dates 1861-1865 for his years in the service of his country.

     Purcell is a fine example of a man who spent several years in the Civil War, participated in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, proved himself to be a leader, and then returned to civilian life where he became a respected citizen in his community. No photo of George Purcell has been found. 

R

The Rasor Family

Information provided here is extracted from research done by C. M. Rasor, Leo Rasor, and from the Rasor/Lowe family bible owned by Gloria Momma. Many of these items are housed at the RTHS History Center. Additional information can be obtained from the Brookville Historical Society.

There were many Rasor families in different parts of northern Montgomery County. especially in Clay and Randolph Townships. Most could trace their roots back to Daniel Rasor (b. Germany. 1755. d. 1816) and Barbara Harshbarger (b. Germany. 4 Aug 1757. d. 1821). Both emigrated to America as children and married in Dauphin Co.. PA. In 1809 they and son John (b. 23 Aug 1790) moved to Ohio and located near Swanktown in Clay Twp. (intersection of Route 40 and 49). where they lived the rest of their lives. They were among the first settlers in this area. Son John (d. 19 Jun 1866) married Hannah Michael (b. 2 Nov 1797. d. 26 Jan 1875) on 8 Jul 1815. They had ten children who lived into adulthood: Peter (b. 15 Apr 1817). John. II (b. 15 Jul 1818). #Elizabeth (b. 8 Dec 1819). David (b. 17 Jan 1821). Daniel (b. 31 Dec 1822). Jacob (b. 2 Nov 1824). Henry (b. 21 Mar 1827). Samuel (b. 15 Feb 1829). Catherine (b. 22 Mar 1831). Mary (b. 14 Nov 1833). and Noah (b. 25 Dec 1835). Sons David and Daniel figure into the history of the Englewood area.

The RTHS History Center is located on land once owned by a David Rasor, possibly the son mentioned above. The Rasor farmhouse is located east of the Center. Maxine Elliott has donated many original photos and much information about the three Rasor girls. born in Englewood. These girls: Anna Elizabeth (b. 25 Dec 1887). Eva May (b. 17 Feb 1889. and Lily Lafena (b. 22 Mar 1892) were the only children of Charles Edgar Rasor (b. 12 Jun 1853. d. 14 May 1892) and Emma Hoover (b. 24 Mar 1869. d. 1 Aug 1958). When Edgar died. Emma married Jesse D. Lowe (b. 7 Apr 1873. d. 12 Jan 1946). a farmer and resident of Englewood. and he helped raise the three girls. The Society has photos of the Lowe family at their home on N. Main Street and many photos of the girls. Both Anna and Lily were school teachers and we have many photos of them with their students at Englewood and Union schools. More research will need to be done to tie in the relationships of Charles Edgar Rasor with the earlier Rasors of Randolph and Clay townships.

Chester A. Roush - Coach and Principle of Randolph

Alumni of Randolph High School have a fond place in their hearts for Chester A. Roush. Now age 91 and living in Kettering, Ohio with his wife Dorothy. Roush was an honored guest at the March 28, 2009 program where memories of Randolph High School were shared by a panel of Randolph alumni and members of the large audience. Here's the rest of Chester Roush story, as gleaned from a recent interview with Roush by Joretta and Dick Weimer, and from newspaper clippings dating from the 1940s and 1950s.

Roush, born in Winchester,OH. in Adams County, graduated from Alfred Holbrook College in Manchester in 1940. While at Holbrook, Roush competed for four years in football, basketball, baseball and track. He had not played football in high school, but Roush started with his first game as a Freshman and played 34 games without missing a minute. This earned him the nickname,"Iron Man." He was named an All-Ohio end, in 1940, and in 1939 and 1940 was nominated All American as a guard on the basketball team. After college, Roush taught and coached for two years at Salt Creek High School in her Circleville. He entered the Army Air Corp. in 1942 where the earned the rank of Captain in the Air Force's physical education department, before being discharged in March of 1946.

In fall 1946, Roush accepted the football coaching job at Randolph. He and his young wife Dorothy moved to Englewood. He recalled, "I remember the first game she attended at - Randolph, they charged her to get in! They gave her money back to her!" [Coaches wives could attend for free.] In his two years (1946 - 48) of coaching at Randolph, Roush's football team won the league championship twice, going undefeated in the second year. Roush also taught biology and history.

Roush's record for Randolph helped him get a head coaching position at Fairmont, which he held from 1948 to 1952. He continued his successes in football with his Fairmont athletes, winning two more championships in the MVL in 1949 and 1951. Dorothy wanted Chet to keep on coaching, but in June 1952 he left athletics and returned a Randolph as high school principal. They lived with her family of three children in Morgan Place and then on Wolf Ave. Roush, in a 1952 interview, said he'd been wanting to get into school administration for several years, and although "I'll miss coaching, I'll have a chance to work on a broader plane with the students and the profession." Roush succeeded Wilbur Sando as principal and stayed at Randolph from 1952 through 1954. It was during this period that he made many lasting friendships with student and faculty. In 2005, Roush nominated Randolph athlete, Glenn Brumbaugh, to the Northmont Athletic Hall of Fame.

When asked in his most recent interview about his favorite memories of this area, Roush responded, "The dedication of Randolph Football Stadium in 1947. It was full - both sides!" When asked what advice he had to give to his former students, he said, "Be good, and you'll be all right."

S

The Sinks Families of Butler and Randolph Townships
- by Sue Cummings

Since the life and photographic legacy of Edwin C. Sinks will be the focus of a special exhibit at the RTHS History Center in summer 2010, it seems only fitting that we trace his ancestral roots. It turns out that the Sinks can be traced back to the some of the earliest settlers in our region.

George Sinks, Sr. (1735-1819) was part of that early expedition led by Captain David Mast that traveled from Randolph County North Carolina to Randolph Township, Montgomery County, Ohio in 1801. Sinks bought and settled on lands east of the Stillwater River in Section 12 of Randolph Twp. (now in Butler Twp). George, Sr. had ten children by two wives, Rachel Hoover (d. 1782 and bur. in N. Carolina) and Mary Mast Waggoner (b. 1747-d. 1829). The fifth child (whose mother was Rachel) was George, Jr. (b. 22 Jan 1779-d. 21 Feb 1847).

George Sinks, Jr. and his wife Sarah Plummer (b. 1780-d. 1841) had three children – Mary, Daniel and John. George and Sarah helped establish Polk Grove Church in Butler Twp., and are buried in Polk Grove Cemetery. Son John had one son by his first wife, Lydia Ratchins (or Hutchins), i.e., George W. Sinks (b. 28 Aug 1832-d. 29 Aug 1894). John, his second wife, Julia Ann Bear, and some of their children are buried in Minnich Cemetery in Union.

George W. Sinks (grandfather of Edwin C. Sinks, the photographer) married Susan Coate (b. 1835(7)-d. 10 Feb 1928) in 1853. George W. Sinks was a blacksmith in Union, Ohio. He and wife Susan are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Englewood. They had two children, Theodore Franklin (b. 8 Aug 1854-d. 4 July 1921) and Florence (b. 5 Nov1857-d. 16 Oct 1915). Florence never married, but Theodore F. Sinks married Edna Herr (b.20 Dec 1855-d. 16 Aug 1950), daughter of Samuel L. Herr, one of the founders of Harrisburg (now Englewood). They had two boys, Edwin Clemens (b. 26 Oct 1877-d. 20 Nov 1917) and Walter Herr (b. 5 Sep 1883-d. 7 Dec 1971). Theodore was a butcher in Union, Ohio.

The younger son, Walter Sinks, married Elizabeth Kearney (b. 29 Dec 1882-d. 27 July 1973). They had four children, Harry, Orville, Nura and Ralph. Walter and Elizabeth married in China while doing missionary work and Harry was born there. Walter and his son Harry were both ministers in the United Brethren Church and over the years served congregations in various states and in different parts of Ohio. Members of this branch of the Sinks family still live in the area.

Edwin C. Sinks, the main subject of this column, never married and lived with his parents at 305 N. Main Street in Englewood. His neighbors were the Berrys, Rasors, Fetters, Nills, and Lowes. Sinks was an 1898 graduate of Randolph High School, attending classes in what today is the Heck Center. In the 1900 and 1910 Census records, Ed Sinks is listed as a farm laborer and a shader at a carworks. In poor health for much of his life, Edwin Sinks may have turned to photography as a less physically demanding occupation. His earliest identifiable photos date to 1905-1906, with the bulk of his work dated 1912-1915. Sinks did no studio work, but used his camera to make postcards and matted prints of local sites, streetscapes, and family and school gatherings. Sinks died at age forty from tuberculosis, but left a legacy in photographs.

*Edwin C. Sinks*

“/and Now the Rest of the Story. . ./” – with apologies to the late news commentator, Paul Harvey by Sue Cummings

While putting together my talk about the “Life and Photographs of Edwin C. Sinks,” I was aided immeasurably by two local Sinks relatives. They are Leland Sinks, Edwin’s great-nephew, and Nura Elizabeth Sinks Whitt, Edwin’s niece. Both of them are descended from Edwin’s brother, Walter Herr Sinks. These two individuals still retain personal collections that contain original family photos, family correspondence, and genealogy records. The materials were generously shared with me and I want to publicly thank them for their kindness.

I did not have time to go through all the items before the opening of the Sinks exhibit. At that time I was focusing (no pun intended) on photographs. Now I am scanning through some of the family letters dated 1911-1919, looking for references to Edwin’s life in Englewood. So far, I have barely scratched the surface, but here are a few interesting stories that I have discovered so far.

Edwin’s job as music instructor at the High School (1914-1916) did not pay much. It may have been part-time since several letters mention a winter contract. His job entailed travel throughout the township schools. He put on cantatas, and other musical programs. He himself played the piano and slide trombone, and was especially excited when he obtained his own piano. He took some summer courses at Northwestern University in Chicago in 1915 and 1916.

Edwin’s photography career was more far-reaching than at first we supposed. Mention is made of his traveling to Springfield and New Lebanon, Ohio to take different family reunion photos. He also wrote to Walter, his brother, telling him that he signed up again (first time in 1911) to be the photographer at Chautauqua (1914). He said he had rented a tent that worked out very well as his developing studio. Note: the Society has copies of several of the photo postcards he took of local residents attending Chautauqua, including the Rasor girls and Berry boys. He also took photos of unidentified young men playing tennis at the camp and overall views of the tents along the river. He said he did very well selling his photos, but that it was hard work. Edwin also took photo postcards of a large Brethren in Christ revival meeting held near Englewood. We have copies of these photos as well.

Edwin was caught in Dayton during the 1913 Flood. He told Walter about Jacob Hoover’s and Jesse West’s attempt to rescue residents of Little York, Ohio after the flood. Our collection of nine flood postcards, showing the devastation at Little York, Ohio, is almost certainly the work of Sinks.

In one letter from 1916, Walter asks Edwin how the two Rasor sisters are, and says, he understands, that Edwin has a certain Rasor on his mind! This confirms our suspicions that Edwin was smitten with one of the two unmarried Rasor girls, probably either Anna or Lily. Edwin endured poor health all his adult life, and by September 1916, was taking serum treatments for his lung problems. In the months before his death in November 1917 at age forty, Edwin was an invalid. Walter and Elizabeth were on their way back to Ohio from China when Edwin died.

The Smith Family of Section 3, Randolph Township

(REF. W. H. Beers, 1882 History of Montgomery Co., tax records, atlases and early maps of Randolph Township)

Section 3 is the most northeastern section in Randolph Township.  Its eastern boundary is the Stillwater River and it is bisected by the Dayton-Covington Pike (Ohio Route 48).  Because of its proximity to the river, it was one of the first sections populated by the early settlers.  Those owning land in this section in 1802 were David Mast, Daniel Hoover and David Hoover.  By 1826 David Sheets owned the David Hoover farm.  This article will discuss the relationships between the Sheets and Smith families, all of whom operated mills in Section 3 along a mill race that had been developed along the Stillwater River.

Thomas J. Smith (b. 16 Aug 1815) of Lexington, Rockbridge Co. VA, lost his father at a very young age.  He apprenticed himself to a harness and saddle maker for five years and then, in 1838, left VA with his widowed mother and sister to come to Montgomery Co., OH.  He began manufacturing harness and keeping a hotel.  On July 1, 1841, he married Nancy E. Sheets (b. 1 Jul 1823 in Montgomery Co., OH), daughter of riflemaker Martin Sheets of Union.  They had a son, Emor E. (b. 11 May 1842) and a daughter Lora A. (b. 9 Aug 1850), now Mrs. Guye.

Thomas Smith tired of harness making embarked in the distilling business to make a living for his young family.  The Smith distillery is shown on the mill race along the Stillwater River in Section 3 in the 1851 Atlas of Montgomery County, just south of Martin Sheets rifle boring mill.  Smith went back to farming when the price of wines declined. By 1869 his son, E. E. Smith, is shown as the owner of 82.25 acres of land in Section 3.  The elder Smith died in 1879. In 1882, Beers reports that widow Smith was living in the house Thomas had built on the northeast corner of Main St. (Dayton-Covington Pike) and First St. (?) in Union.  Early plat maps of Union do not show a First St. The 1869 map of Union does show a Mrs. Smith living on the SW corner of Main and Martindale Rd. (which was called Cross St. on all the early maps).

Young Emor Smith was put in charge of his father’s distillery at the
age of 15 years.  Even with only a common school education, he showed remarkable skills as a business man and got the distillery back on a sound financial basis.  In 1862 it is reported (in Beer’s history book) that he made $22,000 in 7-months time, paid $10,000 in taxes, donated $800 to the war effort and bought his way out of military service by hiring a substitute to take his place.  We are not sure  when  the distillery  and  other mills ceased operations.

Emor married Amanda Smith (b. 21 Dec. 1839 in Montgomery Co.), daughter of Samuel Smith, on May 12, 1864.  Their only child was a daughter named Wealthy (b. 11 Feb. 1868 - d. 11 Nov. 1870).  After the death of their daughter, they adopted another girl, Minnie M. Schanck (b. 5 Mar 1868) who was still residing in the Smith household in 1882. Emor was active in community affairs.  He was one of seven men who proposed the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington R. R. (later became the C.H. & D.) In 1882 he was serving as Township Clerk and representing the county at the congressional convention.

Emor E. Smith, farmer; P. O. Union.

Extracted from W. H. Beers History of Montgomery County, 1882. Randolph Township biographies, p. 305-306.

The father of our subject, Thomas J. Smith, was born in Lexington, Rockbridge Co., Va., Aug. 16, 1815. Being deprived by death of his father when quite young, like many others, was left to make the best he could of life. When he became old enough, he bound himself as an apprentice to the trade of harness and saddle making for five years; serving his time, he emigrated in company with his mother and sister to Ohio, in 1838, locating in Montgomery County, and commenced to manufacture harness and saddles in connection with keeping hotel. Was united in marriage July 26, 1841, to Miss Nancy E. Sheets, born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, July 1, 1823, daughter of Martin Sheets, one of the first settlers of Randolph township, who cut his way through from Dayton, clearing the underbrush and trees, to where he located on the banks of Stillwater river, one-fourth of a mile from Union. By the union of Mr. Smith and Miss Sheets there were born unto them two children, one son, the subject of this sketch; one daughter, Lora A., at this writing Mrs. Guye, born Aug. 9, 1850. Wishing to change his occupation after he became the head of a family, Mr. Smith embarked in the distilling business, remaining in it for eight years. The price of highwines commenced to decline, and Mr. Smith again took up the first pursuits of his life, that of manufacturing saddles and harness. He departed this life March 8, 1879; his widow still survives him at this writing, residing at the residence Mr. Smith built, northwest corner of Main and First streets. The subject of this sketch was born in Union, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 11, 1842. Having had the advantage of a common school education in the days of his youth, and was put in charge of his father’s distillery at the age of 15 years, under trying circumstances, financially. By shrewd management young Smith soon had the business placed on a sound financial basis and entered into business for himself, stocking his pens with hogs and his distillery with grain. In 1862, during the days of the Rebellion, with the uncertainly of the government taxes, in seven months’ time realized $22,000; having at onetime to raise $10,000 at three days’ notice, for government taxes. Mr. Smith raised the sum required, which was considered quite an effort for one so young in business, being under age. Donated $800 to the government and furnished a substitute to help carry on the war. Mr. Smith has been connected with many of the projects of public improvements throughout the county and township in which he resides, being one of the first seven men who proposed the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington R. R. He has been chosen to serve in several offices in his township, and at this writing is serving his community as Clerk of Township, representing the county in Congressional convention. Was united in marriage May 12, 1864, to Miss Amanda Smith, born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Dec. 21, 1839, daughter of Samuel Smith. By their union there were born unto them one daughter, Wealthy, born Feb. 11, 1868, and departed this life Nov. 11, 1870. After the death of their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Smith adopted Minnie M. Shanck, born March 5, 1868, having been with them at this writing seven years. Mr. Smith is in the prime of life, and possesses the business knowledge and qualifications of a man of 60 years.

SUMMARY: EMOR E. SMITH

b. May 11, 1842
d. Jan 18, 1915 in Dayton
bur. probably in a Dayton cemetery
Paid $800 to U. S. Government to furnish a substitute in the war.

W

The Industrious Wagoner Family

Taken from the “Biography and Family History of Floyd R. Wagoner” by Gerald C. Wagoner and conversations with Carl Wagoner.

Three Wagoner brothers have led fruitful lives along the National Road. Their names are very familiar to residents of this area. Carl Wagoner, the eldest, owns and operates Wagoners Store at 324 S. Union Rd. which will celebrate 50 years of service in 2006. Middle son Gerald helped Carl with the store in the early years but later ran a shoe repair business in the rear of 14 W. National Rd. The youngest son, Glen, operated Wagoners Landscaping and Nursery on Rt. 40 for decades - now the business concentrates on power equipment. But what about the family behind these good German Baptist Brethren entrepreneurs?
The family traces its origins to Pyrmont, Germany where a possible ancestor, Phillip Waggoner may have lived. Family tradition says that he immigrated to Pyrmont, PA and then some family members came to Pyrmont, OH. When others moved to Carroll County, IN, they set up a new community which they promptly named “Pyrmont.” Somewhere along the way, the second “g” was dropped in the surname and the family became known as the Wagoners.

Floyd Raymond Wagoner, the father of Carl, Gerald and Glen, was born in Pyrmont, IN near the middle fork of Wildcat Creek on Sept. 30, 1898 to Emanuel and Eva Hufford Wagoner. Floyd had two brothers, Artus and Alva. Their grandfather Leonard also lived nearby. Leonard’s father, John, Jr. had emigrated from Dayton, Montgomery County, OH in about 1828. Before that John’s family had lived in Huntington Co. PA.
Floyd married Mary Cecil Denlinger on December 17, 1921. Cecil, as she was called, was born one mile south of Englewood on November 11, 1900. After her marriage, her father Allen purchased an 87-acre farm 2-1/2 miles west of Englewood on the National Rd. (some may remember this in later years as the Caylor farm). They made this their first home. In order to supplement their farm income, Floyd and Cecil sold produce in Dayton. They would load their wagon with meat, butter, chickens, eggs, vegetables and fruits and sell it at their stand, first on St. Clair St. and then on Jefferson St. They continued this for about fifteen years until the markets closed during W W II.

In 1929, Cecil and Floyd bought the 80-acre farm on Union Rd. originally owned by Samuel L. Herr. The large brick house had been built in 1868 and the barn about ten years later. Floyd and his sons farmed while daughter Mildred helped her mother. They survived the Depression by working hard, selling at market and living frugally. Beginning in the 1940s, Floyd and his sons also farmed for Jesse Lowe, Howard Evans, Harry Motter, Ezra Cassell, Elwood Nolan and Charles Wenger. All these farms now are housing developments or shopping centers. Carl built the Brethren clothing store in front of the barn in April 1956 and he and his wife Hazel continued to live in the old brick house after the parents moved to a new house just south of Fairview Cemetery. By 1967 the store had been expanded and the barn was being used as a factory to sew suits and trousers. Today, hats are the only items made on site.

Henry Warner (1754-1815) was my 5x great grandfather. He was born in Frederick Co., Maryland colony, to Nicolas and Anna Maria Warner. Nicolas was the Immigrant having arrived probably from Wuerttemburg, Germany in ca. 1754.  In ca. 1774 Henry married Susanna Bostetter (1754-1820), daughter of Andrew Bostetter and Elizabeth Long.

By 1775 he was in old Bedford Co., PA, east of Altoona, and during the Revolutionary War he was in the Pennsylvania militia.  Ten children were born to Henry and Susanna, the first six being married in Bedford Co.

- Jacob (1775-1835) who married Rosanna Lingenfelter, - John (1777-1859) who married Catherine Nicodemus, - Elizabeth (1779-1815) who married William Snider, - Henry, Jr. (1781-1860) who married Elizabeth Nicodemus, Catherine’s sister, - Andrew (1784-1823) who married Catherine Brumbaugh, - David (1787-1862) who married Esther Brumbaugh, Catherine’s sister, - Susannah (1791-1825) who married Samuel Folkerth, - Daniel (1792-1826) who married Sarah Eller, - Samuel (b. 1795, d. bef. 1810), - Catherine (1797-1865) who married John Mast.

Henry amassed a number of farms in the Bedford and Huntingdon Co. areas, but apparently wanted his children and their families to live more closely together.  Therefore, in 1811 when he was 57 years old, he sold all of this land and together with his nine surviving children and their families took the road west to the Ohio River where they boarded flatboats for Cincinnati and then came overland by wagon to Randolph Twp.

Prior to the trip he had one of his sons go ahead to buy land. Divided among the various families it comprised a strip almost three miles long extending west from what is now Rt. 48 (old Covington Pike) and lying on the north side of Sweet Potato Ridge Rd.  It became known as the “Warner Settlement.”

After settling in, it was time to help start a new church.  The Warners were founders of present-day Salem Church of the Brethren in 1817, at the corner of Diamond Mill and Phillipsburg-Union Rds.  One son became an elder while another was a deacon of that church. Henry back in Bedford Co., was Brethren and probably attended Clovercreek Brethren Church east of Martinsburg that dates from before 1790.  Certainly, his children were of that faith, and they married families that were Brethren as well. Two of the children moved on from there.  John moved to Koskiusko Co., IN, after his wife’s death.  Henry, Jr. in his later years moved to near Bradford.

Henry died in 1815, and along with some of his children and their spouses, he is buried in the Old Warner Cemetery (aka Herr Cemetery) on Sweet Potato Ridge Rd. about one mile west of Rt. 48.  This little burial site was ravaged by time and vandalism, and Henry’s tombstone has been lost.  However, several years ago, local members of the Warner family, refurbished the remaining stones and placed a granite memorial to Henry and his family.

Back in old Bedford Co., George Rhodes, another 5x great grandfather of mine, lived a few miles away from Henry.  In 1810, three of his sons moved to Montgomery Co. and two of them homesteaded 160 acres a bit north of Farmersville.  In 1814, George and his wife decided to come to Ohio with a daughter’s family.  They got as far as Pittsburgh where George got sick and died.  His widow filed a petition for his estate’s administration from near Wolf Creek Pike and Diamond Mill Rd., south of Brookville.

The sons helped found Slifers Church in 1816 on the corner of Clayton and Chicken Bristle Rds.  It was a union church composed of Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. Later one of the sons, Jacob, moved a bit further north, and in 1825 homesteaded 80 acres on Little Richmond Rd., a bit east of Brookville-Johnsville Rd.  His son, Jacob, became an elder at the Providence Lutheran Church.

Now, moving forward almost a hundred years, in 1907 Earl Rhoads (1886-1969), 3x great grandson of George Rhodes, married Alma Warner (1888-1920), 3x great granddaughter of Henry Warner.  He was Lutheran and lived on Providence Rd. south of Brookville.  She was Brethren and lived near Phillipsburg. I have always wondered how my grandparents from such similar geographical but totally different religious backgrounds ever got together.  They lived only ten miles apart but many more than that from a Christian theology point of view.  One of the great mysteries of my family’s history.

The Waymire Families, by Sue Cummings

Since R. Lynn Binkley recently donated a Sheets rifle owned by his great-great grandfather Daniel Waymire to the Society, I thought it would be interesting to inform our membership about this settler and his family. Some of the earliest emigrants into Randolph and Butler townships in Montgomery County were members of several Waymire families, who were Quakers from Randolph County, North Carolina. The records can be quite confusing since first names repeated over several generations. The account here was put together from information from Beers 1882 History of Montgomery County, Dora Brentlinger's book, Beside the Stillwater, genealogical information provided by R Lynn Binkley, and other information that I could glean from records on Ancestry.com.

One thing for certain, the lands on both sides of the Stillwater River proved to be very attractive to at least two Waymires who took out land patents in the early 1800s. Most of those who came to this part of Ohio were sons of John Rudolph Waymire who was born in Hanover, Germany in 1725. He had fifteen children (possibly by three wives) while in North Carolina. Among them were sons Daniel (b. 1776) and Solomon (b. 23 Feb 1791). Daniel and his line are covered in Beers history and will not be discussed here. Solomon settled in Randolph Twp. (later became Butler) and married either Mary Coppock or more likely Sarah Mast He had nine children including Daniel (b. 8 Jan 1825-d. 18 Jan 1898). It is this Daniel Waymire whose Sheets rifle was donated to the Society. This rifle, which was made about 1850 by Henry Sheets in Union, OH, has never left our area since its purchase and is a very important part of local history. We are fortunate to have it!

Daniel Waymire married Catherine Hoover (b. 12 act 1821-d. 10 Apr 1876) and they had five children, among them John Henry Waymire (b. 16 Mar 1853-d 1 Aug 1926). John Henry married Sarah Minerva Cassel (b. 28 Feb 1854- d. 25 Oct 1937) and they had seven children. The eldest, Lela May Waymire (b. 16 Oct 1880-d. 19 Jan 1950), married John J. Nill in abt 1898. The Nills lived at 29 N. Main St. in Englewood (site of today's Dairy Queen). They had ten children, the eldest being Edith Marie Nill (b. 28 Nov 1899- d. 25 May 1976). Edith married Enos Emerson Binkley and they had two children, twins Robert Lynn and Leona. Thus, we can trace the lineage of our Sheets rifle from the time it was made through all its owners up to Lynn Binkley who has so kindly passed it on to the Society.

Waymire Family Diaries    by Sue Cummings

In November 2010, the Society received a call from Elizabeth (Liz) Lowery, offering to donate a Waymire family bible and some handwritten diaries to our archives. Many different Waymires settled in Randolph and Butler Townships in the early 1800s, so we jumped at the chance to preserve this part of local history. Liz’s mother had been a neighbor of the granddaughter of D. W. (Daniel Webster) Waymire of Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. Upon her death, the granddaughter left her estate to her neighbors. While they were cleaning out her house, they came across a large cardboard box of handwritten daily diaries. Liz’s mother saved them from the dumpster, even though she had no connection to the family. Liz found them a few years ago in her mother’s home, after she had died. Feeling they were of historical importance, Liz contacted RTHS to make the donation. We are just beginning to explore this treasure trove of information.

The family bible shows that D. W. Waymire (b. 21 Aug 1839, Butler Twp.) married Amanda Miller (d. of Phillip and Elizabeth Miller) in 1863. They had three children: Welby L., Eva A. and Carrie Olive (Ollie in the diaries). Society members may recall that Welby Waymire operated a general store in Harrisburg and was serving as postmaster in 1899 when the town’s name was changed to Englewood.

The thirty-two diaries cover two generations: D. W. Waymire wrote in four of them with his earliest dated 1867. His diaries talk about seasonal life on the farm such as putting up fences, plowing, planting, harvesting, maple sugar making, butchering, etc.  Waymire was a rather well to do farmer who hired much of his work done. [According to Beers History of Butler Township, D. W. Waymire also held some township offices.] The family traveled a lot to church meetings, took farm produce to Dayton for sale, and took excursions to Greenville and “the reservoir” (a.k.a. Grand Lake St. Marys). He mentions going to Harrisburg in 1879 to see the railroad tracks being laid across Christian Herr’s farm. Names of many other local people are mentioned throughout.    

Daughter Ollie completed four diaries before she married: 1894 to 1897. Her diaries, written while she lived at home, are more descriptive, telling of sleigh rides in winter, making ice cream, taking singing lessons, etc. Her father took in travelers along the National Road, fed tramps who stopped at the farmhouse asking for food, attended political rallies, went to see Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Dayton, etc. Ollie wrote her later diaries after she married Jacob Geuhring. She lists all the people who attended her wedding and the gifts they brought! During her married life, Ollie and Jacob lived in Englewood and also in Dayton. Her husband taught school in the early years. Ollie continued to make and churn butter for resale in the ‘burg (Harrisburg, perhaps in Welby’s store) and in Dayton. We know that Ollie and Jacob had children, but we have not gotten that far into the readings.

We hope to be able to transcribe these diaries over the next few years. The diaries end in 1954 with Ollie’s daughter’s entry “Mother died today.” 

EDITOR'S. NOTE: Residents of Englewood from the late 1940s until 1971 may recall shopping at Wolf’s Hardware and Variety Store and finding all kinds of items they needed. Bill Weist, Jr. grew up in Englewood and holds fond memories of this store. He decided to talk with Virginia Wolf who owned the store with her husband Douglas to learn more about the Wolf family store and its operations. The following paragraphs summarize some of the material gathered by Bill as it was related to him by Virginia Wolf. Thanks to these two members for sharing this history.

Carl Wolf purchased his first store in Englewood from Lon Karns. Karns store had been located in the rear of the large brick building on the NW corner of Rt. 40 and Rt. 48 that housed the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Carl operated this store until the end of WW II. When his son Douglas returned from the service, the father and son operated the store jointly until 1952. (The bank building burned down later but visitors to Englewood today will see a brick plaza and large wall mural on the site that used to be the original Wolf’s Store.)

Carl and Doug next purchased a lot from Sam Berger on the south side of Rt. 40 west of the Pure Oil Station. Two small houses on this site were moved to N. Walnut St. and then Wolf’s put up a new brick and concrete block store at this location. The new building was 55 x 79 feet. The formal opening of the new Wolf’s Variety Store took place during the latter part of October 1952. (In later years, Milton Federal Bank bought the building and used it for their Englewood branch office. Disher’s Bicycle Shop was located there and another bike shop is there now.)

By the late 1950s, Wolf’s had moved from the new building because of a lack of good customer parking. The third and final site for Wolf’s Store was on the north side of National Rd. at the NE corner of Walnut St. and Rt. 40.

This building had off-street parking on three sides and front and back entrances. Whistler’s Garage, Palace Auto Sales and Engle’s SOHIO gas station occupied this location during other periods. Wolf’s operated out of this site until they closed for good in 1971. During this period of time, they were a great asset to Englewood.

Wolf’s Store on NE corner of Rt. 40 and Walnut St. in Englewood.
Douglas and Virginia Wolf operated from this location until 1971.

Taken from information supplied by members Joyce (Woolery) Martin and Jane (Woolery) Schumacher.

William Henry Woolery (b. 17 Nov 1852 - d. 19 Apr 1939) came to Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio from Baltimore, Carroll Co., Maryland. His parents were Christopher John Woolery and Matilda Beaver. William married a Randolph Township girl, Anna Catherine Betz (b. 6 May 1853 - d. 14 Dec 1934) on 14 Jan 1877. Anna’s parents were John Frederick Betz and Christina Barbara Geiger. William was a farmer and owned a farm situated along the Dayton-Covington Pike (a.k.a. N. Main Street, Ohio Route 48). [NOTE: A photo showing the husband and wife sitting in front of their farmhouse at 8146 N. Main Street, taken ca. 1930, was used as the “History Photo of the Month” in the Englewood Independent on September 5, 2007. The house no longer stands, but the driveway back to the farmhouse is called Woolery Lane and a large apartment complex occupies most of the farmland today.]

William and Anna had eleven children. Luetta B. (b. 31 Mar 1880-d. 5 Mar 1888), John Henry (b. 14 Aug 1882-d. 7 Feb 1962), Mary Catherine (b. 5 May 1884-d. 28 May 1954), Ellsworth William (b. 26 Jan 1886-d. 3 Apr 1963), Charles Russell (b. 23 Jan 1888-d. 6 Aug 1959), George Jacob (b. 9 Jan 1890-d. 11 Feb 1963), Chester Berlan (b. 29 Aug 1892-d. 11 Oct 1932), Mina Pearl (b. 29 Oct 1894-d. 4 Mar 1989), Dewey Jerome (b. 19 Nov 1897-d. 18 Dec 1975), Benjamin Franklin (b. 31 Jan 1900-d. 30 Nov 1964) and Nellie E. (b. 23 Mar-1901-d. 17 Sep 1917). The parents and seven children are buried in Shiloh Park Cemetery in Harrison Township. Mary (m. Weztendorf) and Charles are buried in Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery and Benjamin is buried in Polk Grove Cemetery, Butler Township.

John Henry Woolery, the eldest son, married his first wife Anna C. Smith (b. 14 Feb 1888 - d. 14 Apr 1912), daughter of Peter and Mary C. Smith,  on 19 Dec 1907. Two children were born of this union: Lawrence William (1908-1994) and Floyd Russell (1910-1985). After his first wife’s death, John took a Champaign Co. girl, Bertha Etta Grubbs (b. 5 Dec 1884 - d. 10 Jun 1972), as his second wife. They had six children: Thomas Sargent (1915-1999), Anna Catherine (1917-1924), Robert Truman (1919-1972), John Henry, Jr. (1921-1927), Paul Eugene (1922-1992) and Wayne Eldon (b. 1928). Robert and his wife Dorothy Alice Younce were the parents of Jane and Joyce who shared this family genealogy of their grandparents and g-grandparents.

John Henry inherited the Woolery farm on the Dayton- Covington Pike after his father died in 1939. He lived there until his death in 1962. During those twenty-three years, he farmed, operated a truck garden and raised his children. John also was active in local government. He served on the Randolph Township board of trustees continuously from 1929 until 1962, serving as President and lastly as Vice President. He was a member of Concord Methodist Church and Just-a Mere Grange in Clayton. During his service to the community, he saw hundreds of acres of township farmland become residential sites. When interviewed shortly before his death from a heart attack at age 79, he said he took special pride in the growth of the township’s fire and protection services. It is only fitting that the old township fire station at the end of Woolery Lane is still in use by the City of Clayton.

Z