BROWN COUNTY, OHIO

OHGenWeb Project

Biographies

S

SCHMITZ, Matthias of Perry Township

submitted by Yolanda Campbell Lifter

Matthias Schmitz, saloon, Vera Cruz, son of John and Angeline Schmitz, was born in Prussia in 1832. In 1863, he came to this country with his mother and youngest brother, his father having died in Prussia. They settled in Owensville, Clermont Co., Ohio. He came to Vera Cruz and opened a saloon, where he keeps a choice stock of liquors, cigars and tobacco. He was married in Vera Cruz, to Jane A. Curee, a native of France. They have four children—Bertha M., John, Lucy and Catherine. Mr. Schmitz served eight years in the regular army, in Luxemburg, Germany. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 146.

SHEPHERD, John

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

John Shepherd emigrated from Virginia to Union Township and settled near Red Oak Presbyterian Church, with a family of grown children and died upon the place he settled in the township. One of his oldest boys, Isaac, was a cabinet-maker by trade, and an old bachelor. Jacob was a farmer, and occupied the home place at his father's death. John removed West. Abraham received a liberal education, and was a surveyor and miller. He built the first steam ill on Red Oak, at the "Buckeye Mills," and traded extensively in pork. He was portly and gentlemanly in bearing, and quite popular in the county, filling several offices of responsibility and honor. He was an early and promient Mason. In his business transactions, he met with reverses and finally moved to Putnam County, Ill. None of the Shepherds now reside in this vicinity.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 413.

SMITH, Christian

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Christian Smith settled in the eastern part of Clark Township on Miranda's Fork of White Oak, and was born in Holland in 1748; his parents died while he was small, and he was placed in a Catholic school to be educated for a priest, but on reaching his majority and finding the church had absorbed all his property, a comfortable patrimony left him by his father, he concluded to embark for the New World. He spent a few years in the coast trade from New York, and in 1790 married Elizabeth McDuffy, of New Jersey, with whom he emigrated to the backwoods of Kentucky, settling at Washington, where he remained a few years. In 1797 or 1798, he located near Georgetown, but a few years later, being disturbed by a still-house that was built near him, he traded his land for a farm in this township, on which he moved in 1804 and where he remained until his death in 1832. Joseph Ralston, the veteran school-teacher, who married Mr. Smith's only daughter, Eleanor, in 1813, got most of his education from his father-in-law, who in education was far in advance of his neighbors. Mr. Smith brought the first sheep to this section of the country, and for some years was obliged to keep them in a pen winter and summer to protect them from wolves.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 522.

STAMM, Charles

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Charles Stamm, farmer, P.O. South Fincastle, was born in March, 1837, in Germany. When five years old, with his parents, Philip and Elizabeth Stamm, he emigrated to America; came to Ohio, and settled in Washington Township, Brown, where his parents remained until their decease, his father having died in May, 1862, and his mother probably in March, 1864. On April 23, 1863, he married Mary Klein, by whom he had six children, five of whom are still lving, viz., Mary L., Margaret C., Henry C., William A. and Albert. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Stamm moved to where he at present is located, in the southern portion of this township.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 229-230.

STEPHENSON, Mills

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Col. Mills Stephenson was one of the earliest settlers on Eagle Creek, coming several years prior to 1800. He was born in Delaware, and in his yourth was filled with a passion for a life on the ocean wave. He embarked on a vessel as cabin boy, and was soon disenchanted from the rosy visions that had filled his mind. The drudgery he was compelled to perform on Sunday while the sailors played cards and indulged in other frofanation of the Sabbath, did not accord with his notions of propriety, and he quickly abandoned his early love. He moved with his parents to Pennsylvania and afterward to Mason County, Kentucky. After his arrival in Union Township he engaged in farming. He entered the war of 1812 as Colonel of a batallion, and served throughout. Fort Stephenson was named in his honor. His wife, Jane (Kilpatrick), died soon after the close of the wary, and he removed to Ripley. Afterward he was one of a company who purchased the Buckeye Mills, but the investment proved disastrous. The death of Col. Stephenson occurred June 16, 1822, in Louisiana, while he was on a trip down the Mississippi. His children were Ephraim, Mary (Stephenson), Robert P., Isabel, Elizabeth (Wallace), Young and Lemuel.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 414.

STIVERS, B.J.

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

B. J. Stivers, farmer, P.O. Fincastle. Samuel King Stivers, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, PA, February 18, 1787. Of a family of eight children, Samuel, Robert, John, James, Washington, Lydia, Matilda and Nancy, he was the oldest. In the year, 1791, his father John Stivers, emigrated from Pennsylvania to a point near Limestone (now Maysville), Ky., but, after a short residence there, removed to Briar Ridge, Adams Co., Ohio. There Samuel helped his father to 'clear out' a farm, making some money himself by teaching school in the winter season. In 1807, he united in marriage to Miss Mary Creed, daughter of Matthew Creed, of Rocky Fork, Highland Co., Ohio. After marriage, he lived in Adams County, following surveying and teaching, until the year 1812. At that time war was declared between England and the United States, and he at once volunteered his services to his country, and was enrolled in Capt. Josiah Lockhart's company of Duncan McArthur's regiment. He served in Hull's campaign, and was surrendered to the British by that commander, on August 16, 1812. After his parole, he came home, but soon re-enlisted under Gen. Green Clay of Kentucky, in Harrison's campaign of 1813. He was second in command of the 'Spy Company' of Col. William E. Boswell's regiment of Kentucky militia, and was made a prisoner of war at the battle of the Rapids of the Miami of the Lakes, on the fifth day of May, 1813. He was one of the number that escaped the tomahawks of the Indians through the timely arrival of Tecumseh, while in the block-house after the defeat of Col. Dudley. Knowing his certain fate should he be recognized by his former captors, he here assumed the name of Samuel Bradford, and was under that name discharged. After his release, he settled on a farm, near the residence of his father-in-law, in Highland County, where he resided until 1820, when he removed to Russellville, Brown County, where he was employed in surveying and teaching until the year 1829. About that date, he purchased a farm one mile north of Fincastle, Brown County, to which he soon after moved, and here he resided until his death, August 7, 1864... His family consisted of seven children, vis., Beasley, Amanda, B.J., Elizabeth, Trimble, Lilly and Mary; two of whom, Amanda and Trimble, are now dead. One of the survivors, B.J., the subject of this sketch was born April 16, 1820 near Hillsboro, Highland County. In January, 1843 he married Ellen Borden, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom are still living--Jacob B., Samuel K., Beasley, William L., Alpha A., Jane A. and Francis A.--Ellen died in August 1875; he then married, in February, 1878, Olive Reynolds, daughter of Oliver Reynolds.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 230.

STUMP, John B.

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

John B. Stump was born in 1796 in Hampshire County, Va. (now West Virginia) and settled in the eastern part of Pike township in 1828 on a farm now occupied by his son, James, and lived their until his death in September, 1877. Mary C., his wife, is still living at the old home.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 559.

SULLIVAN, Michael, Jr. of Perry Township

submitted by Yolanda Campbell Lifter

Michael Sullivan, Jr., farmer, P.O. St. Martin's, son of Michael and Ellen Sullivan, was born in Limerick County, Ireland, May 9, 1845. His parents came to this country in 1847, and settled in Fayetteville, where his father carried on the coopering business several years, and then removed to Cincinnati, where he still lives. Michael was married in Cincinnati, October 6, 1877, to Mary Burke, born in Limerick County, Ireland. They have two daughters—Ella and Margaret. Mr. Sullivan resided on his father's farm in this township several years and then removed to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the butchering business four years. In 1878, he bought fifty, two acres of land in the northeast part of this township, where he now lives. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church.

The History of Brown County, Ohio Containing A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Brown County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Etc., Etc. (Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1883), 146.

Brown County, Ohio

Yolanda Campbell Lifter, Brown County Coordinator

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