New Lexington, Ohio

In the early days of settlement the land, which was owned by the 'Government, was sold in parcels of not less than a section, at two dollars per acre. Of course, many of the early settlers were unable to take so much land, and it became necessary for some one man to buy a section of land, and, after sub-dividing to suit the purchaser, sell it tosettlers; or a number of men would club together, appoint one of their number treasurer, and authorize him to buy a section of land. This was done by many of the early settlers of Twin township. This plan gave abundant opportunities for land sharks, but there is no instance of any fraud of this kind in Twin township. Among the first settlers who entered land in the township, were the Van Winkles, the Millers, and the Keslings, who came in 1804; and the Nisbits, Quinns, Bantas, Whitesells, Rapes, and Ozias, who came about The first permanent settlement in Twin township was made by Simeon Van Winkle. He was born in Georgia, June 5, 1768, and his wife, Phebe, was born in the same State, October 3, 1766. They emigrated to Kentucky, and in February, 1804, came to Ohio and entered section twenty-seven, on which the village of New Lexington now stands. 'They afterwards sold a portion of this land, and retained the northwestern corner, now known as the Ozias farm. They were parents of ten children, five boys and five girls. Mr. Van Winkle gave each of his sons eighty acres of land, upon which each one finally settled. David, the eldest, owned what is now the Copp farm. He lived there for several years, and went to Anderson, Indiana, where he died, in 1872. He is buried in the Baptist graveyard at New Lexington. John, who was active among the early members of the New Light church, used to live on the Solomon Meekley farm. He afterwards emigrated to Missouri, where he died. James, Robert, and Jesse followed David to Anderson, Indiana. Jesse is dead, but James is living in Anderson, Indiana, and Robert is living in that vicinity. Susan, now the widow Robinson, is living in West Alexandria. Louisa is living, and Phebe, Tirza, and Hannah are dead. The Van Winkles were very prominent in the early affairs of the township, in the commuity, and in the Baptist church, of which they were members. Simeon Van Winkle was one of the first township trustees. He donated the ground on which the Baptist church was built, and he and his wife were buried in the adjoining burying-ground. He died in 1831, aged sixty-three years. His wife nearly completed her centennial year, dying September r2, 1866, aged ninety-nine years, eleven months, and nine days. There is now none of the name living in Ohio. Frederick Miller was the next settler in Twin township. He was a native of Virginia, born in 1761. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1762. Mr. Miller was a soldier of the Revolution, having served under Washington, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. He subsequently removed to what is now Anderson county, Tennessee. In the fall of 1803 he emigrated to Ohio with his family, which he left at Lebanon, Warren county, while he searched for a suitable location for his new home. In March, 1804, taking with him his daughter Abbie, aged thirteen, and his son, Jacob F., aged eleven, he left Lebanon, and brought a portion of his goods to the place he had chosen for the location of his wilderness home. The way was obstructed by the heavy timber, and the road had to be cut out as they advanced. After several days' weary travelling they arrived on the land whereon their new home was to be built. They built a pole shanty against a coffee-bean tree, which is still standing on the farm of the late James H. Curry, about one hundred yards east of the pike from Lexington to West Alexandria. After seeing that the children were comfortably fixed, Mr. Miller left them in charge of the camp, and returned to Lebanon for the remainder of his family and goods. The brave little guards were not molested by anything, although wild beasts and Indians were plenty at that time. Ra

Passage source: History of Preble County Ohio, published 1881.

James I. located on theland on which New Lexington was afterwards built by him. In 1806 Judge Nisbit laid out the town which he designed for the county seat. He built the first house in Lexington, the first frame house on the turnpike, and the first brick house in the county, all on the same site. He kept the first store and was the first postmaster, and one of the first members of the old Presbyterian church. When the court of common pleas was established at Eaton he was made one of the associate judges. Of him it may be said that he was the soul of all the enterprise New Lexington ever had. He is buried at Lexington.

Passage source: History of Preble County Ohio, published 1881.

About this time Aaron Torrence, of Cincinnati, a large land speculator, bought land formerly owned by Thomas Nisbit, west of where Alexandria now stands. He was very much afraid that the Indians would destroy him, though at this time they were peaceable. He sat up nights and slept in the day time. After a time this manner of life became monotonous and he sold out and fearfully departed. Whether the Indians ever got him or not has not been ascertained.

Passage source: History of Preble County Ohio, published 1881.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Twin Township - it names this place 27 more 27 times.