BROWN COUNTY, OHIO

OHGenWeb Project

Biographies

D

DANIELS, Andrew

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Andrew Daniels, farmer, P.O. Bernard. Among the many prominent and substantial agriculturists of Brown County is the subject of this biography. He was born in Huntington Township; his parents were Joseph and Sarah Daniels, who were early settlers of Brown County; they were the parents of ten children, four of whom are now living--John, Eliza, Elizabeth and Andrew. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm and received the rudiments of education in a district school. In August, 1856, he married Caroline Goldsberry, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are now living--Franklin, Mary, Martha, Emma, Ettie V. Matilda N. and Thomas. In the spring of 1858, Mr. Daniels moved to Eagle Township, where he at the present time resides.

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), 225.

DAVIDSON, Joshua

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Lieut. Joshua Davidson had been an officer in the patriot army, serving through seven years' struggle for American independence. He crossed the frozen Trenton with bleeding feet, starved with his beloved commander at Valley Forge, helped to make it hot for the red coasts at Brandywine, and triumphed with Lafayette at Yorktown, where he had the satisfaction of seeing Cornwallis transformed into Cobwallis. He was with the hero of Stony Point, in his Indian campaigns, and one night in an altercation concerning some prisoners he was guarding, he raised a musket he had snatched from a soldier to shoot Wayne, who was approaching him with a drawn sword. He was the father of nine children--John, Joseph, William, Joshua, Ruth, Mary, Ellen, Betsey and Nancy. Mary was married to Lot Stratton, Ellen to John Birngammon, Betsey to Thomas Myers and Nancy to More Ralstin. The children are all dead. Until his death, which took place in 1844, at the age of ninety years, any mention of the grand struggle through which he had passed would rekindle the martial fire in the old man's breast.

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), 624-625.

DAVIS, Issachar

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

In 1802, Issachar Davis, originally from Pennsylvania, settled in the western part of Pleasant township where his grandson, A. W. Davis now lives. He lived here over thirty years and died. Seven sons grew to maturity and married--John, Isaac, William, Issachar, Thomas, Solomon and Samuel. One or two daughters died young.

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), 375-376.

DAY, Joseph B.

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Joseph B. Day, farmer, P.O. Ripley, son of John Day and Rachel (Dye) Day, born in Pleasant Township March 15, 1815. His father was a native of Maryland, and came to Brown County in early times; his mother's parents, John and Ruth Dye, were also natives of Maryland. They migrated to this county in 1795, on horseback, and located in Pleasant Township. Mr. Dye was a Revolutionary patriot, he having served from the beginning to the termination of the American Revolution, under Gen. George Washington. Our subject was reared a 'farmer boy,' and received only a common school education. In 1841, he removed to Union Township, and, in 1857, located on the farm that he now occupies. He was first married to Miss Mary Shults, daughter of Jacob Shults, by whom he had one child. Mary J., born January 4, 1842, wife of William Day, of Kansas. Mrs. Mary (Shults) Day departed this life January, 1842 and April 6, 1847, he was united in marriage wtih Elizabeth W. Tully, a native of Mason County, Ky., and a daughter of William and Martha Tully. She was born January 25, 1827. Of eleven children by this marriage ten are living, viz., John N., born February 20, 1848, married Maggie W. Harrison, and have three children--Daily L., Joseph E. and Ada W.; Charles W., born August 5, 1851, married Luella Burgett; Martha F, born December 8, 1852, wife of Byron A. Jones; Elizabeth A., born March 23, 1854, wife of Thomas N. Cahall; Joseph E., born November 16, 1855, married Elizabeth J. Crawford; Rachel A., born February 3, 1858; Matilda A., born January 21, 1860, wife of J.B. Frost; Giles L., born May 15, 1862; George H., born November 18, 1865; and Luetta, born April 6, 1873; William T., born October 4, 1849, and died April 11, 1875. When fifteen years of age, Mr. Day made his first trip by flat-boat to New Orleans with Capt. John Allison, of Ripley. He continued flat-boat transportation to the Crescent City till of age, when he engaged in farming, which he has since followed. In 1839, he engaged in buying and selling horses, and for fifteen years was the leading horse-dealer of Brown County.

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), 58.

DRAGOO, Belteshazer

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Belteshazer Dragoo was a Virginian, but, like most of the earliest pioneers of Brown County, had lived for a few years prior to his emigration to Ohio in Kentucky. He purchased a farm of 300 acres in Union Township and spent the next few years improving and developing his home. When the great Shaker excitement spread over this county, he became a convert to the faith, and joined the community. He sold his farm and lived the remainder of his life with the Shakers near Cincinnati. and along with his wife, Hannah, three daughters and a minor son, Benjamin, moved to Cincinnati, the latter under protest. As soon as Benjamin attained his majority, he returned to Union Township where he lived and died. Sons, Andrew and Belteshazer removed to Indiana, but another son Daniel maintained a life-long residence in Union 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), 412.

DRAGOO, Samuel

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

Samuel Dragoo, farmer, P.O. Ripley, son of Daniel and Susan (Bayne) Dragoo, was born in Union Township March 16, 1816. His parents were born in Virginia, the former in September, 1780, and the latter in the same year. Belshazzar Dragoo, grandfather of Samuel Dragoo, was also a native of Virginia.He married Hannah Butler and removed to Mason County, KY., at a very early day. He located 300 acres of land, which he donated to the Shakers, whom he, with three daughters and one son, were joined. The son Benjamin was reared by the Shakers, and in early manhood came to Ripley, where he died aged seventy-seven. His parents both died with the Shakers near Cincinnati, aged ninety-seven and ninety years respectively. Daniel Dragoo departed this life September 1, 1837, and Mrs. Dragoo June 12, 1854. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm, and received his training in the common schools. February 8, 1837, he was united in marriage with Rachel A. DAY, daughter of John and Rachel Day, born in Pleasant Township June 20, 1820. Nine children was the issue of this union; of these five sons and three daughters are living--Daniel, George N., Samuel, Susan M., Winfield S., Elizabeth E., wife of J.H. Evans; Jane P., wife of Ebenezer Larey, and William S. John M. is deceased. George N. served three years in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry in the late rebellion. Mr. Dragoo is by occupation a farmer and stock-raiser. For forty-five years he was a prominent hog-raiser of the county. He lived on the old Dragoo homestead for sixty-six years. In the spring of 1882, he removed to his present location.

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), 61.

DUNHAM, Asa of Perry Township

submitted by Yolanda Campbell Lifter

Asa Dunham came in 1813 and settled here, but died a few years, leaving a widow, who afterward married Peter Lane.

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), 480.

DUNHAM, Gideon of Perry Township

submitted by Yolanda Campbell Lifter

Gideon Dunham was a native of Virginia, and, in 1814, settled on the land now owned by his son, Wilson. He purchased 286 acres from Walter Warfield, a land speculator. Mr. Dunham was married twice, and had a large family. Three children of the first marriage —Charles, Asa, and Melinda—and nine of the second, viz.: Mary, Bowen, Sarah, Ruth, Gideon, David, Wilson and Elizabeth. Only two are living —David, who resides in Cincinnati; and Wilson, who occupies the old homestead. He was Justice of the Peace five terms subsequent to the formation of the 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), 480.

DUNHAM, Wilson of Perry Township

submitted by Yolanda Campbell Lifter

Wilson Dunham, farmer, P.O. Fayetteville, son of Gideon and Mary (Bowen) Dunham, was born in Eagle Township, this county, November 8, 1811. His father was born in New Jersey October 5, 1757, and died in this township May 25, 1820. His mother was born in Pennsylvania June 6, 1772, and died August 11, 1836. They were married December 20, 1792, in Pennsylvania. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Wilson was the youngest son, and himself and brother David, of Cincinnati, are the only ones now living. Mr. Dunham was married in what is now Jackson Township, Clermont County, Ohio, to Eliza, daughter of William and Nancy (Cullem) Hartman, born June 18, 1813. By her he had seven children, three still living —Elizabeth J. (wife of Nathan Hoggatt, farmer in this township), Gideon (farmer in this township), and Nancy, who still lives with her father. The deceased were named William, James, David and Mary F. Mr. Dunham's wife died January 15, 1875. He is among the oldest living settlers in this township. His parents came to this county in the early part of the year 1811, and settled in Eagle Township, where they remained till 1814, when they came to this township and bought 300 acres of land where Wilson now resides, two miles northwest of Fayetteville, between the Sycamore and East Fork of the Little Miami River. Mr. Dunham at one time owned quite a large tract of land here, but has divided it among his children, reserving for himself a nice farm of 160 acres, eighty of which are under cultivation. He has been a hard-working, industrious man, and during his life has cleared up about 200 acres of land. His father was the second Justice of the Peace of this township. Mr. Dunham is a member of the M.E. 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), 135.

DUNLAP, William

submitted by Lorraine Hatfield

William Dunlap, brother of Anna Dunlap Kinkead accompanied the Kinkead's to Union Township about 1796. Alexander Dunlap, the father of William, owned a large tract of land near Chillicothe and in 1797, William Dunlap and William Kinkead made a journey overland to it and concluded to settle there; returning after the harvest was gathered, they packed their goods and sent them by keel-boat to Chillicothe, whey they drove the stock across through the woods. William Dunlap, after living a year or two with the Kinkeads, married Polly Shepherd. His family consisted of eight children--Amanda (Corruthers); James, a minister at Springfield, Ohio, Milton, a Greenfield physician; Nancy (Campbell); William; Alexander, a physician of Springfield, Ohio; Shepherd and Elizabeth Ann.

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.

Brown County, Ohio

Yolanda Campbell Lifter, Brown County Coordinator

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