CEDARVILLE HISTORY

(BIOGRAPHICAL)

   Stephen C. Beal, deceased, Cedarville, son of George and Rachel (Driscol) Beal, was born in Greene County, August 1, 1827. He married August 28, 1852, Miss Amanda J. Smith, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kimble) Smith, who were natives of Virginia, and ranked among the early pioneers of this county. Stephen was the father of four children, all living: Rosetta J., George D., Etta L., and Charles M. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, respected by all, and among the prominent business men of this part of the county. Departed this life, April 13, 1877.

   George W. Brown, farmer, Cedarville, was born in Louden County, Va., February 13, 1804, son of Jacob and Judith (Walters) Brown. George immigrated to this county with his parents at the age of thirty-one years. His father located two thousand acres of land in the woods, where George and his parents lived under one roof for fifty-five years an occurrence which is seldom known. They Lived and toiled together, cutting away the dense forests, and making themselves a farm. Our subject was married December 15, 1849, to Miss Eliza McCroy, the daughter of James arid Elizabeth McCroy, who were also natives of Virginia. George is a member of the Friends society, a stalwart Republican, and cast his vote for James A. Garfield.

   William H. Bull, farmer, son of James and Anna (Dowdy) Bull, who were born in Pennsylvania, about 1776, was born in Cedarville Township, November 14, 1805. James departed this life at the age of ninety-two years, and Anna at sixty-two years. William spent the early part of his life at home with his parents; when he reached the age of twenty-five, he hired to work on a farm at $8.00 per month. Was married December 22, 1836, to Abby R. Kyle, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Dowdy) Kyle. Six children have been born to them. Four of their sons took part in the late war. James Kyle was a member of the Thirty-Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Serving four years, following his regiment through several holy contested engagements, and was incarcerated for some time in Libby Prison. John Gowdy served as a soldier two years, W. H. Gowdy one year, and Joseph K. Gowdy three months. William and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church -Massie's Creek congregation.

   J. P. Caldwell, druggist, was born in Cedarville Township in 1836, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (McMillan) Caldwell, who were born in South Carolina, and with their parents came to Ohio. in an early day. Mr. Caldwell located on the eastern side of the township. To them two children were born: Joseph P., and David R. The husband and father died at the age of forty-two or forty-three; the mother survived her husband, and died at the age of sixty-three years. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. They left their native state on account of slavery, and came to Ohio that they might escape its degrading influence. Our subject was reared on the farm, and at his f'ather's death, was taken by big grandfather, David McMillan, with whom he lived till twenty-four years old. he then began life for himself, and engaged in farming, which he followed till 1873, when he came to Cedarville, and embarked in the drug business in which he is yet engaged. In 1860, he was married to Susan McQuillen, who presented him with three children: Elizabeth, James, and Mary. Mrs. Caldwell died in the bloom of womanhood April 7, 1876, aged thirty--nine years. In the township he has been assessor, and in the village, member of the council for five years. His brother was a member of Colonel Stephenson's regiment of one hundred day men.

   H. D. Cline, postmaster, was born December 20, 1834, in Berkeley County, Virginia, and is the son of Hiram and Annie Cline, who came to this place with their parents when this was a new country, and erected a log cabin on the ground where the United Presbyterian Church now stands. The subject of this sketch spent his youth at home, receiving the rudiments of education in the common district schools. On the 19th of April, 1861, he was the first to enlist in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, following his regiment through six general engagements, with credit to himself and his country. Was mustered out of the service the fifth of August 1863, on account of disability. Was appointed postmaster in 1869, which he has held to the satisfaction of the people until the present time. Has also been mayor of this town for two years, councilman three years, and a member of the school board; is recognized as one of the public spirited men of his village. In 1863, he was married to Anna C. Powers by which marriage two children are now living: Armence A., and Carrie E. The deceased are: John W., Josephine, Frank C., and Effie C. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are members of the Methodist Church.

   James S. McCollum, farmer, born in Butler County, Ohio, August 1832, was raised a farmer, and received the rudiments of his education in the common district schools. Was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, stationed near Cumberland, where he remained as a soldier four months. Was married, January 1, 1868, to Miss Priscilla Elliott. She departed this life March 17, 1871. On October 5, 1876, he married Sarah Creswell, daughter of Samuel and Eliza Creswell; whose names appear in another part of this work. James and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.  

   Robert M. Cooper, farmer, born on the farm where he now lives, January 23, 1838, is the son of John A., and Agnes (King) Cooper, who were among the pioneers of this county. Robert was educated in what was known as the Kyle district, and has remained at his present home all his life. He married December 24, 1862, Margaret J. McClellan, daughter of James and Amanda (Hyslop) McClellan. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and have two children now living: Mary E., and James McClellan

   Samuel Creswell, farmer, born on the farm where he now lives, January 12, 1820, is the son of James and Anna (Junkin) Creswell, who were born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated with their parents to Louisville, Kentucky, about 1781, which place was but a small village at that time. Remaining here about eighteen years, they removed to this county in 1813, and located on the farm where Samuel and his family now live. On June 10, 1846, Samuel, our subject, married Eliza J. Human, daughter of Aaron and Martha (White) Huffman. Three children have been born by this marriage, all of whom are now living. The family are active members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

   James Dunlap, lumber dealer and farmer, Cedarville, was born in the County of Antrum; Ireland, April 29, 1812, and is the son of William and Jane (More) Dunlap. He received his early education in Ireland, and at the age of sixteen came with his father to Cincinnati, where he made his home with his brother, working in a box manufactory, which business was carried on by his father and brother Robert. At the age of eighteen he was employed in a bank as messenger-boy, and remained as such for several years. Finally he rose to the position of bookkeeper in the Franklin Bank, and filled that position until 1836, when he was compelled to abandon his place on account of poor health. During his banking experience he at one time was sent in charge of two thousand six hundred pounds of specie, which was loaded in an open wagon and drawn from Cincinnati to Lexington, Kentucky, being four days on the road, and passing through dense forests and lonely valleys; with but two men in company with him. Archbishop Wood was also a clerk in the bank with our subject. Soon after James retired from his position in the bank, he embarked in the lumber business, which he has followed almost continuously until the present time. In the year 1885 he married Jane M. Limerick, daughter of James and Rachel Limerick, andraised from a small child by Mrs. Jepthah Gerard. She departed this life in the year 1871, at the age of fifty-three years, leaving her husband and five children to mourn her loss.

   D. S. Ervin, lime manufacturer and dealer, Cedarville, was born in Morrow County, Indiana, near Bloomington, on the 25th day of April 1836. His father was born in the County Antrurn, Ireland, and his mother in South Carolina. They were married about the year 1828, and removed from South Carolina to Indiana about 1829, to avoid the influences of slavery, locating on a farm in Morrow County. Charles Ervin departed this life in 1869; his wife remaining in Indiana until 1878, when she removed to Greene County to make a permanent home. The subject of this sketch passed the early part of his life at home with his parents. In the year 1865, he removed to Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana, and embarked in the lumber business. He remained there a short time, and then came to this county In May 1877. He married Miss Belle Murdock. They have two children by this union: J. B., and Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are recognized as good Christian people in the community in which they live. Mr. Ervin is not only the largest lime manufacturer in the place, but has an interest in a large gristmill, is an extensive grain merchant and coal dealer, paying out $150.00 per week for common labor.

   Robert Ervin, milling and grain dealer, Cedarville, was born in Monroe, County, Indiana, near Bloomington, September 10, 1848, and passed the early part of his life on a farm, receiving the rudiments of his education in the common district schools. In the spring of 1877 he removed to this county, and engaged in business for his brother a period of about ten months. Being favorably impressed with this county and its people, he returned to Indiana and sold the greater portion of his property, after which he settled in this place to make it his permanent home. He is the son of Charles and Jane (Smith) Ervin. His father was born in Ireland and his mother in South Carolina. They emigrated with their parents to Bloomington, Indiana in 1830, and married December 21, 1833. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are now living: John M., D. S., Nancy, Margaret, Jennie, and Robert. Our subject is recognized as one of the leading businessmen of the town. Is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and a strict, conscientious, Christian man.

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