Elizabeth Verity

As printed in 1908

ELIZABETH VERITY, who come of one of Pike Townships most prominent families, are descended from pioneers of Clark County, on both sides. Their paternal grandfather, Matthew Verity, was born in Yorkshire, England, and accompanied by his wife and family of four children, came to the United States. They settled in the woods near Dialton, in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, but later moved farther west, near New Carlisle, in the same township, where Matthew Verity died at the age of eighty years. He often told of his journey to Clark County, which was then regarded as very far west, and his wanderings were attended with hardships and he found himself frequently in trying situations. His first night in Clark County found him occupying a bed with a stranger. He had placed his money under the pillow and when his bedfellow persisted in using Mr. Veritys pillow the latter became so anxious about his money he could not sleep. His years were groundless, however, as his money remained undisturbed. He first married Elizabeth Nickelson, who died after coming to Clark County, leaving seven children, four of whom were born in England: Jolm and William, both deceased; Matthias, residing in Wisconsin; David, Henry and George, all deceased; and Jonathan, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Matthew Verity subsequently married a Miss Otewalt. This union resulted in no issue.

Henry Verity, father of the Misses Verity, was born in the woods of Pike Township, August 11, 1832, and during his life time witnessed a wonderful change in conditions in this locahty. He and a brother rode horseback to Springfield to see the first steam engine enter the village. He followed farming all his days and acquired 100 acres of land, one mile west of Dialton, a part of which he cleared. He also taught school for a short time. He was joined in marriage August 30, 1860, to Louisa Jenkins, who was born in Pike Township, and was a daughter of Levi and Sarah (Shaffer) Jenkins, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Pike Township, Clark Coimty, her people having come from Virginia at a very eai'ly period. The father of Levi Jenkins came overland from North Carolina in a wagon and was possessed of but fifty cents in money when he arrived. Levi Jenkins was industrious, and living frugally accumulated a handsome property, from which he gave each of his children a farm. Mr. Jenkins moved to Kansas in his latter years, but returned after his wife's death, dying six years later, to the day.

Henry and Louisa Verity were parents of three children: Albert B., who is now in California; Luella; and Sarah Elizabeth. The elder daughter was born on the farm of Levi Jenkins in Champaign County. Ohio, and the younger was born in Pike Towushi] on the farm which was the birthplace of her mother. All three children attended London Hill Academy at New Carlisle, as did their mother, who for some years was a school teacher. Heny Verity died at the home place January 14, 1900, and was survived by his widow, who died December 3, 1904, aged seventy years. Prior to the death of their mother, the Misses Verity purchased a home in Dialton, where they now reside. They rent the seventy-five-acre farm inherited from their mother, as well as one of one hundred acres left by their father. Religiously, both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.