Thomas Newhouse
Thomas Newhouse, a leading citizen and prominent agriculturist of Scioto Township, residing on his finely-improved farm of 180 acres, was born in this township, on the farm of his grandfather, Samuel Newhouse, January 30. 1806. His parents were Alexander and Hannah (Bryson) Newhouse.
The Newhouse family originated in England and the first of the name known in America settled in London County, Virginia, in 1740. Anthony Newhouse, the great-grandfather of Thomas B. Newhouse, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, February 10. 1772. When he was about four years of age his father left home to serve in the Patriot army in the Revolutionary War, and he was eight years old when his father died in the service. Anthony assisted his widowed mother to rear the younger children. He was connected with several military movements, first in 1794, when he enlisted to assist in supressing what was known as the Whiskey Rebellion, and again, in 1812. when he was a member of John Boggs' Company that went as far as Fort Defiance, in the Indian troubles on the border. In 1798 he spent six months at Wheeling and from there went to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where he was married March 28. 1799, to Nancy Coons.
In the early part of 1800, with his father-in-law. John Coons, and Henry Moore, he moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, the women of the part going down the Ohio River on an old-fashioned keel boat, the only one running at that period, while the men took what was called the Zanes trail. The pioneers settled on a partly cleared tract of Government land, where the Indians had made some attempts at cultivation, on Scipio Creek, in Salt Creek Township. Pickaway County. At that time the nearest settlements were Chillicothe and Lancaster, the former thirteen and the latter eighteen miles distant. They subsisted on corn which was brought on horseback from Marietta and was reduced to meal by homemade utensils, and on game which was abundant all through the forests. For many years their life was primitive, and while they had no luxuries and few of the comforts of life, they probably had as much contentment as many of the present generation who are able to make lavish expenditures. In January, 1814. Anthony Newhouse sold his farm of 160 acres in Pickaway County and bought 200 acres in Scioto Township. Delaware County, bringing his family, his household belongings and some of his stock to the new home in May of that year.
Samuel Newhouse, the grandfather of Thomas B., was born in Scioto Township, Augusl 29, 1817. In 1838, he married Sarah McGee, who was born in 1816. Of their eight children, five survived infancy, namely: Nancy, Alexander. William, Nathan and Martha. Samuel Newhouse followed agricultural pursuits all his life and when he could not work his land he made barrels, having learned the cooper's trade. He was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this section, and he was one of the promoters of the organization known as the Sons of Temperance.
Alexander Newhouse, son of Samuel and father of Thomas B., was born September 27, 1840. in Scioto Township, Delaware County, Ohio. He attended the district schools of the township and grew to manhood on his father's farm. After his marriage he moved to Adams County. Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for nine years. He then returned to Scioto Township and settled on his present farm of 115 acres. For some twelve years he lived retired, but during his active period he raised a large amount of stock and also much grain and hay. In August, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was ordered to Kentucky and later to Tennessee, where Mr. Newhouse became so ill that he was returned to Camp Dennison. Later, when the call was made for 100-day men, he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed near Washington, D. C. During the term of his first enlistment he participated in the battle of Perryville.
Alexander Newhouse has three children by his first marriage, namely: Thomas B., William, and Edgar. The mother of these children, Mrs. Hannah Bryson Newhouse, died while the family were residing in Illinois. Mr. Newhouse subsequently married Lydia Hill, of which union there is one child, Marie, who is now the wife of Earl Dunlap, of Scioto Township. Mr. Newhouse is a member of the old stone Presbyterian Church of South Radnor, in which he is an elder. He is a Democrat in his political views.
Thomas B. Newhouse was about one year old when his parents moved to Adams County, Illinois, and he was ten when the family returned to Scioto Township, where he completed his education. He continued to live on the home farm until his marriage, and in 1896 he settled on his present place, thirty acres of which belonged to the farm which his great grandfather, Anthony Newhouse, secured for two dollars an acre almost 100 years ago. Mr. Newhouse cultivates about 120 acres of his land, devoting from forty to fifty to hay forty to corn, and twenty to oats, and having a large amount of hay to sell. He keeps twenty-five head of cattle, thirty of hogs, forty of pigs, and twenty-five Delaine ewes, from which he breeds. Mr. Newhouse's surroundings are those of an enterprising and progressive farmer; his land is so thoroughly tilled, his stock is in such excellent condition, and all of his buildings are substantial in character, and attractive to the eye. His fine two-story frame residence, of twelve rooms, stands on the State Road, and since he completed the improvements on it in 1906, it is probably as fine a home as can be found in this section.
On Thanksgiving eve, 1891, Mr. Newhouse was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Rittenhouse, who is a daughter of Hamilton W. Rittenhouse, of Scioto Township. His family now includes two children. Alexander Hamilton and Pauline Estella. All the members of the family belong to the Presbyterian Church at Ostrander, Mr. Newhouse being one of the elders.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens by James R. Lytle