Personal Sketches N-P

Col. M. P. Nolan, Attorney at Law, was born in Dublin, Ireland, June 18, A.D. 1828. His parents came to this country in April, A.D. 1824; settled near Lancaster, Pa.; moved to this city in 1838, where he has resided ever since. The Colonel is truly a self-made man, having had little or no advantages of early education. Being a mechanic (carriage-maker) in his early manhood, he labored at his trade by day, and studied law at night; was admitted to the bar in Dayton at the age of twenty-eight. The property on which he now resides he purchased and paid for by his personal industry; acquired a profession, and had a paying practice before he attained the age of thirty.

The Colonel was married in Miamisburg, this County, December 30, 1847, to Miss Ann S. Clark; eight children resulting from the marriage, who are now living.

At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, at the first call for troops, he organized Company G, of the 11th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers; was then appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 50th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently Colonel of the 109th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers.

A life-long Abolitionist, and bitter denouncer of slavery in any form, his patriotism and firm devotion to the Union shone brightest in the darkest days of our civil war. He was an earnest and active member of the Union League, and was a delegate to the National Convention at Baltimore which renominated Abraham Lincoln in 1864. After the close of the war, Colonel Nolan served as United States Commissioner.

He is in many respects the most remarkable man at this bar. As an advocate, he is regarded as powerful and convincing; his speeches are full on interest. His sparkling wit and pathetic appeals amuse and impress his hearers by turns. A reader of the standard authors, a close student of Burke, a ripe Shakesperian scholar, his forensic efforts are redolent of the choicest gems of all, and never fail to amuse, interest, and instruct his hearers. Whether the skillful handling of his case demands appeal to sympathy, withering sarcasm, or embarrassing ridicule, he wields the weapons of each with the practiced skill of a veteran. A writer in one of the local journals says of him, --

"When he rises to speak, every one in the court-room is delighted, except the opposing counsel, who frequently wince under his lash. At times he is truly eloquent, and from any speech of his of an hour's duration, passages may be culled which, for beauty of arrangement and effectiveness of delivery, will compare favorably with the studied efforts of the best speakers of the day."

Nicholas Ohmer, born in France and residing in Mad River Township

Madison [Township]

John Olinger, father of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Pa.; his mother, Mary, was born in the same State and County; five children were born to bless the union of John Olinger and his wife Mary. Of these five children Judge George Olinger is the youngest. He was born in Bedford County, Pa., on the 18th of February, 1793; reared on a farm, and possessed of an active physical constitution, he never wholly forsook his first honorable calling. His early advantages, especially in educational matters, were very limited; but being of an inquiring disposition, he sought for and gathered a mass of information which could only be acquired by profound reading and continued reflection. October 21, 1813, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to Margaret Hardman, of Kentucky; ten children were born to them, viz., Israel H., Catherine, Jessie P., Susan, Margaret, Sarah, Mary, Maria, Agnes, and Eliza Ann; all are living, excepting Catherine, Susan, and Margaret. Mrs. Olinger was a member of the "German Baptist Church;" she died May 17, 1863, leaving a large family to mourn her loss. Judge Olinger is one of the pioneers of this County, and has occupied a prominent position in its history. In the year 1827 he was elected a Justice of the Peace for his township, and he continued in office for twelve years, when he declined further honors in that direction. About the year 1856, Mr. Olinger was elected a Judge of the Common Pleas; a position of honor, which he held to the public acceptance and credit to himself for two terms, comprising a period of about six years. In the year 1829, Judge Olinger was elected one of the Commissioners of the County, and he continued in office for six or seven years; and so popular was his administration of the affairs of the County, that his friends desired him to "keep on running;" he declined, however, and attempted to retire to private life. But it was insisted that he must do something in a public capacity, and he was put into the position of Land Appraiser for a number of years. Judge Olinger is a gentleman of the "old school," but he belongs to that progressive class of old men who recognize the fact that the world moves. In politics he has always been a firm and consistent supporter of the Democratic party. James Monroe was the first President for whom he voted. The Judge, although not in favor of total abstinence, is, however, an advocate for moderation and temperance in all things. The common-school interests of the County find in him a faithful friend. His life having been spent mainly in a continued round of mental and physical activity, Judge O. has at last withdrawn from the urgent cares and annoyances of life, and is prepared to spend the evening of his days as becomes one who has borne the heat and burden of the day, and would rest from his labors. He is now in his eighty-second year, and is in the enjoyment of good health, and retains a good share of the physical vigor of his younger days.

William Patton

Susannah Patton

Patton Residence

Ensley Residence

Harrison [Township]

This gentleman was the son of Thomas and Margaret Patton; he was born September 18, 1796, in the State of Virginia, where he was reared on a farm, and during his after-life pursued that honorable occupation. The days of his youth were not passed as are those of the present generation, in comfortable school-rooms, or in the halls of learning more advanced, to be found in our numerous academies and colleges; in that early day a common school-house was considered, so to speak, a "rara avis;" but he obtained, as many others of a past generation have, by perseverance, sufficient education to conduct his own business. When but a child, our subject was "hired out" at the rate of two dollars per month to work on a farm; and if he then had not the privilege of attaining to the accomplishments and fastness of the Young America of the year of grace 1874, he, on the other hand, was early taught by that best of all teachers, experience, the lessons of industry and frugality which are the essentials to the production of the man of wealth and greatness.

In September, 1818, he was united in marriage with Miss Susannah Warrenfels, of Frederick County, Maryland; this estimable lady was born December 9, ____; the result of this union was two children, viz., Sophia, born March 3, 1820, and Mahala, born October 4, 1821.

In the month of September Mr. and Mrs. Patton started for their Western home in company with his brother Thomas's family; he settled in Dayton, and worked farms on shares. In the year 1830 he settled on the farm now owned by his widow, who got said farm from her father. In politics Mr. Patton was a strong Democrat of the Jeffersonian complexion. He was in favor of good schools, which is the manifestation of a liberal spirit.

May 8, 1864, the vital spark left its frail tabernacle, and Mr. Patton was numbered among the departed ones whose spirits await the resurrection morn and the coming of Christ. His remains were interred in Dayton City Cemetery, where a magnificent monument arrests the attention of the stranger, and is a solemn index to his surviving friends of his burial-place. His widow is now in her seventy-eighth year, and is at this time of writing in the enjoyment of good health. A fine view of her premises may be seen on another page. Her daughter Sophia married George Helke on the 16th of April, 1837. She departed this life 30th September, 1866, leaving one child. Dora. Mahala married George W. Ensley, on the 16th April, 1839; one child was born, viz., Laura, birth, March 20, 1854.

George W. Ensley was born March 19, 1818, in Bedford County, Pa. He was a farmer, and also worked at the milling and nursery business. He owned a good farm of one hundred and fifty acres, a fine view of which may be seen on another page. He was a worthy member of the United Brethren Church, as was his bereaved wife.

Mr. Ensley died September 2, 1868. This brief but true history is donated by Mahala, daughter of William Patton, and his wife; she, purely from a daughter's affection, commands this biography to be written.

Horace Pease, born in Connecticut and residing in Dayton

Alfred Pease, born in Connecticut and residing in Miami Township

Miami [Township]

The subject of our present writing is the second son of Gottleib and Barbara Pentzer, who came from Berlin, Prussia, and located in Frederick County, Maryland. Valentine was born February 14, 1786. In the year 1837, May 4, he came to Ohio and settled in Dayton Township, from thence to Miami Township, and then settled on the farm now owned by Daniel Fenstemacher. He was united in marriage with Miss Annie Magdaline Harbaugh, who was born May 11, 1791, in Frederick, Maryland. The result of this alliance was eight children, six of whom are now living; the names of the survivors are as follows, viz.: Mary Ann, born July 8, 1816; Melinda Cecilia, born December 2, 1818; Solomon Jerome, born September 21, 1821; Ellenor Annie Maria, born November 17, 1823; Henry Valentine, born February 15, 1826; William Augustus, born September 6, 1828; Julian C., born August 21, 1835. They were all born in Frederick, Maryland. Mr. Pentzer was a carpenter and joiner. He worked at his trade, whilst his family conducted the business of the farm. His advantages for education were limited. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and has held several offices in it, among others, that of deacon. In politics he was first a Democrat, then a strong supporter of the Republican party. By industry and economy, Mr. Pentzer had accumulated a nice property. His has been a busy life; to lead such a life, and bring with it success, one must have not only the ordinary mind of the one-idea man, but he must also have that peculiar executive ability which could handle a regiment of soldiers, or manage a company of men; his mind must be turning in all directions, and finally to bear down on a given point. We have a slight exhibition of this power when Mr. Pentzer himself attended to his trade, he at the same time kept the machinery of the farm going, going, and the consummation was a pecuniary success. He was a man who, as is said in the world, "attended to his own affairs," but without being neglectful to the demands of charity.

Valentine Pentzer died September 3, 1867; his age was eight-one years, six months, and nineteen days. Anna Mary Pentzer, whose maiden name was Harbaugh, died June 16, 1859, aged sixty-eight years, one month, and five days.

Van Buren [Township]

The subject of the present sketch was born August 3, 1831. His earlier years were passed upon a farm, and, like all farmer boys of his age and time, his educational privileges were limited to the common school. By study and devotion to mental discipline, his mind has become exceedingly well-cultured. When Mr. Prugh was twenty-two years old, he purchased the farm he at present owns, and by his own exertions, in conjunction with an exemplary regard for tasteful appearances, he has made those attractive and useful improvements on his place of which a capital view may be seen on another page. [referring to another page in L. H. Everts 1873 Combination Atlas Map] December 27, 1855, and at the age of twenty-four, he united himself in marriage with Miss Nancy E. Brelsford, born March 26, 1836, and a daughter of Ezra Brelsford, Washington Township. Of this union seven children was the result, viz., Ida Belle, born March 21, 1858; Kate A., born December 30, 1859, died July 14, 1864; Rilla J., born September 24, 1862; Anna M., born March 14, 1865; Minnie E., born March 22, 1868; Herbert H., born December 14, 1872; and an infant, who at the time of writing has not received its baptismal name, born November 19, 1874.

Mr. Prugh has been the recipient of various offices, all of which he has discharged to the satisfaction of his supporters. He and his esteemed wife are members of the Reformed Church. In politics a Republican; besides being a warm advocate of good schools, he is a temperance man. Mr. Prugh is a dealer in fine stock.