SUSAN, born January 3, 1812, was the first of the family to be born in Ohio. She was reared in the usual pioneer way, but given, as were all the other children, a far better education than the average pioneer child. The hewed log church school building stood near and probably this was a great help for their better education. At about the age of 17 she married James Deakin, born January 1, 1807. The husband acquired a large tract of land beyond “Villars Chapel” and Cuba and the couple soon took up their abode on the farm. Later a substantial brick house was erected on the land and here the wife lived till her somewhat untimely death in August, 1865, and here their family of ten children were born and reared.
I Thomas W., January 24, 1830. He married Nancy Jane, a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy Vandervort Kibbey and in this way the Harris Kibbey family lines were again united. No children were born to this union. The couple went to Illinois not long after their marriage but returned some years later and for some time lived on the farm where Amos Everett had dwelt a long time, some two miles out of Clarksville towards Blanchester.
Here “Uncle Tom” made sorghum molasses on a large scale, a product which developed during the Civil War and was then for some years later in great demand. It was then the only “sorghum camp” in all that section and was well patronized. The writer distinctly remembers being at the camp and watching the process of manufacture, which was carried on largely by negroes who had recently come from the south.
The couple went back to Illinois for some years again, but on account of ill health the husband was compelled to retire from active life and he returned to Ohio and lived in Wilmington till his death, some years later. (See also “Nancy Jane” under the Kibbey Vandervort posterity).
II William B., November 15, 1831, died December 16, 1831.
III Mary Jane, October 11, 1832. She married John M. Johnson, February 28, 1852.
To this union were born two children: 1 A daughter who died at eleven. 2 Charles, who passed away at the age of 21. On July 17, 1867, Mary Jane married a second time, K. S. Kerans. The second husband died some years later and the widow made her home in Dayton, Ohio, where she developed first a millinery business, and later a ladies furnishing
store on East Fifth street. She proved a very capable business woman, having many of the characteristics of her Grandmother Cherry Harris. She was finally compelled to retire on account of ill health and suffered greatly the last years of her life, passing away May 8, 1913.IV James H. Deakin, April 6, 1834, died March 17, 1836.
V Samuel M., December 15, 1837. On January 18, 1862, he married Margaret Homan and to the union were born: 1 May, who married Harcourt. There were no children. The husband died and the widow lives in Washington, D. C. 2 Mattie, who married Wood. They had a daughter, who is married and lives in Lynchburg Va. Mrs. Wood is now a widow, living in Cincinnati. Samuel M., died early, date of his death and of his wife not known.
VI Samantha, September 26, 1840. On May 9, 1868, she married Harlan Frank Walker, who was born June 27, 1841. The husband established a successful real estate business at Martinsville, Ohio, which later he transferred to Wilmington, same state. There the couple maintained a hospitable home till the death of the husband, February 15, 1896. Mr. Walker served all through the Civil War, volunteering for three years in 1861, and reenlisting when that term expired. He was a member of the G. A. R. and took an active part in the fraternal and social affairs of that and other organizations. As a business man he became widely and favorably known and held the respect and esteem of all who knew him. The widow made her home in Wilmington, till her death, July 7, 1925. One child was born to the union, William Deakin, November 16, 1871.
On January 16, 1897, he married Mary Clarissa Nichols, born in Wilmington, May 27, 1873, the daughter of a prominent family there. William developed into an active and successful business man, connected some years each with the National Cash Register and the Dayton Foundry Company, of Dayton, Ohio, and with the Toledo Computing Scales Company five years. At the time of his death, May 31, 1919, he was office manager of the Packard Motor Car Company at Detroit, having served the company nine years. Fraternally he was a member of the Knights Templar, and of the Antioch Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Dayton, Ohio. The widow resides at Glendale, Detroit.
Two children were born to the union: a Harlan Nichols, July 17, 1898. He graduated from the University of Michigan, Class of 1920, and at present is associated with the General Motors Corporation, Photographic Division, Detroit. He is a member of the “Trigon Club.” b Katherine Nichols, January 23, 1907. She graduated from Syracuse
University, attaining membership in the Delta Gamma, and in both the Phi Beta and Phi Kappa Phi scholarship societies. She is now a commercial artist in Buffalo, N. Y.VII Jeremiah, Decemher 15, 1843, died unmarried, February 26, 1864.
VIII John W., September 13, 1845. He married Rebecca Frances Patterson, January 8, 1868. The wife died February 19, 1896, and later John married Bertha Pinkham. For several years he lived in Wilmington, Ohio, but in 1912 he went to Los Angeles, where he is still living. One child was born to his first marriage, James Harris, June 19, 1869. He married Marie Adalaide Brann and they live in Marion, Ind. Two sons were born to the union but both died in infancy.
IX Martha S., September 23, 1847. On March 15, 1870, she married Wm. H. Dixon. They lived at St. Paul, Minn., where the husband became prominent in railroad circles. At the time of his death, April 20, 1892, he had been for many years, Assistant General Passenger Agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. Company. The couple had three children: 1 William B., who followed his father’s line and is now General Passenger Agent of the same railroad company, at Chicago, living at 516 Jackson Blvd. He married Jeannie Begg, and has one child, a daughter named Jeannie. 2 Frederick, died when a young man. 3 Alice, died when two years of age.
X Rhuea Amanda, June 4, 1850. After her father’s second marriage she lived much of the time with her brothers and sisters, mostly with Mrs. Walker. She was of a very lively turn and for several years took an active part in society, and was the life of the many social affairs she attended. Later she developed into an earnest sincere, and efficient worker in the Methodist Church, and finally became a Deaconess in that organization. From that time until her death, May 26,1901, she was an active and valued worker in the Church Hospital, at Cincinnati, Ohio.
