Aaron Faris Steen
Aaron Faris Steen was a grandson of Robert Steen, who was born near Coleraine, Ireland, about 1735, removed to the British Colony of Pennsylvania, in America, about 1758; was married to Elizabeth Boyd about 1760. secured a farm and established his home near Chestnut Level, in Lancaster County, Pa., not far from the Susquehanna River, where he brought up in comfortable circumstances a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, whose names were Samuel, Robert, Mary, Elizabeth, and Alexander Steen. The grandfather, Robert Steen, was a patriotic citizen opposed to British oppression or Toryism, and espoused the cause of American Independence, at the time of the Revolutionary War. He was a thorough Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, an earnest Christian, a successful farmer, especially fond of music and good society, and lived to an old age.
Alexander Steen, the father of Aaron F. Steen, was the youngest child of Robert and Elizabeth Boyd Steen, and was born near Chestnut Level. Pa., February 14, 1773, and brought up on his father's farm. He early removed to Berkley County, Va., and was married at Martinsburg. Va., February 2. 1803, to Agnes Nancy Faris, she having been born at that place March 2, 1777. and died at the home of her son, Aaron F. Steen, in Adams County, Ohio, November 17, 1852, when she was seventy-six years of age. In 1805, Alexander Steen removed with his family and located near Flemingsburg, Ky., where he resided nearly fifteen years, and where all his children except the eldest were born. In 1820, he removed to Adams County. Ohio, and located upon a farm two miles northeast of Winchester, now on the turnpike road to Buck Run. He afterwards purchased a large farm one mile north of the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of strong character, a zealous Presbyterian, and an enterprising farmer, a successful music teacher, and maintained a wide influence. He died at his home near Mt. Leigh, April 30, 1837, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. He was the father of nine children, all of whom except the eldest were married and brought up families in Adams County, Ohio.
Aaron Faris Steen, the subject of this sketch, was the third child and eldest son of Alexander and Agnes Nancy Faris Steen. He was born on his father's farm two miles north of Flemingsburg, Ky., August 23, 1807. and died at his home near Xenia, Ohio, Tuesday morning, February 15. 1881, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He spent a happy childhood in the "Old Kentucky home," and was brought to Adams County, Ohio, by his parents when a mere lad of thirteen years. Here he grew up to manhood upon his father's farm, attending school in winter. When a young man, he taught school. He devoted most of his time and attention to music and became an efficient and very popular teacher, having classes in various parts of the county. For many years he was the leader of music in the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church. His social nature and genial disposition made him a general favorite in the society of both old and young.
Aaron F. Steen was married at the residence of Michael Freeman on Scioto Brush Creek, ten miles east of West Union, March 25, 1830, to Miss Mary Freeman, the youngest daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Freeman, she having been born in the same house in which she was married, October 7, 1810, and died at the home of her son in Knoxville, Tenn., July 27, 1895, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Soon after his marriage. Aaron F. and Mary Steen located on a farm on Brush Creek two miles east of Winchester, and united with the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church of which they were for many years active and useful members. In the Fall of 1834, Michael Freeman, now growing old. requested Mr. and Mrs. Steen to come and take charge of his farm and property on Scioto Brush Creek, which they accordingly did, residing there about fourteen years. But on the thirty-first of August, 1848, they removed again with their family to a farm near Mt. Leigh, three miles east of Winchester, near where he had been brought up. Here the whole family were regular attendants of the Mt. Leigh Church. Aaron F. Steen was ordained an elder, December 1, 1849, which office he continued to hold so long as he remained in that locality, and frequently represented that church in the meetings of the Presbytery of Chillicothe. In the autumn of 1865, he sold his farm near Mt. Leigh and purchased a tract of land adjoining Xenia, Ohio, to which he removed and spent the remaining sixteen years of his life. Here, himself and wife united with the First Presbyterian Church of which Rev. Wm. T. Findley, D. D., was at that time pastor. He cultivated his little farm, and with his eldest son kept a provision store in Xenia. In 1874, a delightful family reunion was held at his home near Xenia. at which all his living descendants were present. Old associates were revived and many incidents connected with every life recalled. Before they separated religious services were held in which all joined heartily, every member and descendant of the family over ten years of age being consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. The fiftieth anniversary, or golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Steen, also duly celebrated at their home March 25, 1880, was largely attended, and all present, concurred in the opinion that it was one of the most delightful occasions of the kind ever witnessed. Only a few months later Mr. Steen died.
Aaron F. Steen was a man of sterling character and energy, highly respected and beloved by those who knew him. He was the father of nine children as follows: Wilson Freeman, Eli Watson, Samuel Martin, John Freeman, Moses Duncan Alexander, Josiah James, Sarah Catharine, Isaac Brit and William Wirt Steen, only three of whom are now living, Prof. K. Watson Steen, Knoxville, Tenn., Rev. Moses D. A. Steen, D. D., Woodridge, Colo., and Mrs. Kate Steen Coil, Marietta, Ohio.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900