Personal Sketches A-C

Doctor Jabez J. Antrim, born and residing in Germantown

Johnston P. Bradford is a lineal descendant of one of the old pioneers of this County. His grandfather John removed to this State in the year 1800, and settled at Cincinnati. After a residence of two years, he removed to this Township, and located where George D. lives. His father, Allen, was born December 12, 1809, on the farm where he lived and died, which latter event occurred October 25,1866. Johnston P. is the eldest son of a family of six children, the names of whom were Rachel J., David A., George D., Mary E., Richard and Johnston P.; all grew to be men and women, -- Rachel J. is dead. Johnston P. was born November 20, 1832, and always worked on a farm. He is a gentleman possessed of a good share of information in literature and in the practical knowledge of the world. He married Martha J. Lehman, who was born March 1, 1839; the nuptials were performed December 16, 1858; result of this union, four children, viz., Allen L., Jennie B., Harry J., Effie E. Mr. Bradford is the owner of one hundred and five acres of good land on the Dayton and Wilmington Pike, three miles from the court-house. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Dayton. In politics, a Republican. A beautiful view of Mr. Bradford's residence may be seen on another page. [referring to another page in L. H. Everts 1875 Combination Atlas Map]

Samuel D. Bradford was born, September 22, 1798, in Pennsylvania, and was a son of John and Mary Bradford. He commenced the business of farming when a boy, and has continued through life at the same occupation. He has acquired a good practical education. He removed to Ohio, near Cincinnati, in the year 1800; and in 1801 settled here with his father on the farm now owned by George D. Bradford. He was, on the 24th April, 1827, married to Miss Mary Ann Johnston, of Franklin County, Pa., who was born December 7, 1801; result of union, six children, viz., Mary J., born February 12, 1828; John A., born May 19, 1830, died June 5, 1842; James B., born August 31, 1832; Robert C., born September 1, 1832; Samuel H., born December 3, 1837; Annie E., born October 28, 1843. Mr. Bradford commenced life comparatively poor, but by industry and frugality became well off. In politics, he was a Whig, then a Republican. He was a member of a church now known as United Presbyterian, and even in the day in which he lived, was a temperate man. He died November 18, 1872; then there was one more blank in the honorable circle which is yearly growing less, soon to be no more, and remembered only by tradition or the page of history. Should these brave and hardy men be forgotten? Certainly not, nor shall they be, no more than that illustrious band that landed on the Rock of Plymouth. The biographer fancies, as he pens these lines, that two centuries hence, when the world shall have advanced in improvements and knowledge fully as much as it has during the past two hundred years, antiquarians may wish to trace back the history of this magnificant State to her incipiency, and follow her up to her then nascent and progressing importance; researches will have to be made, the literary archives of the nation shall be ransacked, and doubtless, among their dusty tomes, Evert's Historical Atlas will be found, and among its records the name of Samuel D. Bradford will be discovered and noted down as one of the pioneers. Though dead, he still speaketh: how true the time-honored saying. Reader, is this a fancied picture, without a shadow of truth? innumerable precedents affirm that it is not.

Thomas Bridgman, born in Jefferson County, Virginia and residing in Van Buren Township
April the 15th, in the year 1803, ushered in the birth of Thomas Bridgman, in Jefferson County, Virginia.

He was reared on a farm. He came to Ohio and settled in this County, near where he now lives, in the year 1827. November 1, he bought at his first starting out in life in Ohio, as a farmer, one hundred and two and a half acres of land; he now owns some two hundred acres. This gentleman's beginning, and subsequent success, is another illustration which can not too often be brought under the notice of our youthful friends. Mr. Bridgman, we are bound to say, never accumulated his property, or deserved the general respect of his fellows, by inattention to business or through idleness, which invariably brings in its train all the accompanying miseries of intemperance, dishonesty, Sabbath-breaking, and other sins; no, he like all our staunch men of the day, was correct in his habits, temperate, industrious, and economical, and by these means has carved out a prominent and respectable position in society. He commenced life with a capital of eighteen dollars; the result of his proceedings is estimated by the amount of his property to-day, and it tells its own story.

He was married to Miss Sarah John, daughter of Asa and Mary John, in 1829; two children was the result, viz.: B. F. Bridgman, born February 4, 1881; Asa J., born February 13, 1834. His wife, who was born July 8, 1814, departed this life March 26, 1836. Mr. Bridgman again married; his second life-partner as the sister of his first wife, being Miss Esther John, who was born June 12, 1820. They were married July 4, 1838. The result of this union was nine children, the names of whom, and the time of births, are as follows: Sarah Bridgman, born September 24, 1839; Mary J., born May 14, 1841; William H., born January 27, 1944; John T., born March 18, 1847; Perry B., born May 5, 1850; Albert V., born March 13, 1853; Francis M., born April 12, 1859; Charles G., born September 12, 1863. These children are living. Mr. Bridgman and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is one of the directors of his Church. In politics he was a Whig, then a Republican. From 1825 to 1826 he worked in the Armory at Harper's Ferry. The result of his industry may be seen by looking at his fine page view as represented in this work.

Second wife of Thomas Bridgman, born June 12, 1820.

This gentleman was born Nov. 12, 1819, in Carlisle, Pa. When eleven years of age, he, in company with his father, emigrated to Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio; this was in May 1832. At that place, young Adam obtained the rudiments of his education. In the year 1839, he removed to St. Mary's, Mercer County, Ohio. In 1841, he came to Dayton, and resided here two years. Our friend, who appears to have been fond of change in his earlier days, again moved; this time to Miamisburg, in Montgomery County, which event transpired in the year 1843; in this place he still resides. Mr. Clay, in the year 1852, was admitted to the bar, and has practiced law for twenty-three years in the County of Montgomery. He has held several prominent positions, such as Mayor of Miamisburg; by his party, he was nominated as candidate for Representative. Our subject was also Judge of the Court, and in 1873 was elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, wherein he served; and the Judge at present feels a deep regret on account of the defeat of that instrument. He was admitted to practice in the United States Courts in the year 1865. In 1846, May 14, Judge Clay took to wife Sophia Dubbs, a farmer's daughter.

Joseph Coblentz was born in Middletown, Md., September 3, 1806. He left his native State in company with his parents, September 3, in the year 1807. They were six weeks on the road. This one sentence is more suggestive of the manners and the times than an hour's exposition otherwise would be; the children of Mr. Coblentz and the general reader may fancy this Maryland family plodding along day by day through heat or cold, traveling towards this new country of their adoption, and may inquire, "Were they happy through the wearisome journey?" They had forsaken the old familiar hearthstone in their beloved East, and gathered their household goods, which consisted of their mutual affections, cherishing the hope of rearing a new home in the West. Yes, they were happy in their wearisome journey. Mr. Coblentz had but thirty days' schooling.

September 10, 1829, he married Sarah Snyder; the officiating minister was Rev. D. Winters. Mrs. Coblentz was born December 23, 1807; the names and ages of the children by this marriage are as follows, viz., Elizabeth Ann, born March 18, 1831, died September 28, 1853; John, born March 30, 1833, died April 20, 1855; Catharine, born September 15, 1834, died June 5, 1858; Aaron, born May 11, 1838, died June 27, 1871; Mary Ann, born August 14, 1842. She is still living. Susan, born May 23, 1844, died August 8, 1870. Mr. Coblentz's father, whose name was Adam, was born May 19, 1762. He died January 28, 1838. His mother was born January 12, 1769; died May 5, 1862. Her age was ninety-two years, nine months, and twenty-three days. Mr. Coblentz's wife died October 1, 1850.

It will be seen by this record that Mr. Coblentz has passed through a great deal of trouble. He began life poor, but by hard work and economy has become comfortably situated. He has performed his part nobly in the advancement of education and Christianity.

He has held the office of Elder in the German Reformed Church. In politics a Whig and Republican. He is one of the noble men of this County.