Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 6 November 2005

Page
1028

ROBERT WHITACRE (deceased). Robert Whitacre, one of the earliest settlers in the southern part of the county, emigrated to and settled near the mouth of Todd's Fork, in the year 1805; he was of English descent, his father, John Whitacre, having emigrated from England about the year 1750. Robert was married three times; first, to Sarah Roach, by whom he had one son, Jonas; second, Hannah Young, who died without issue; third, Patience McKay, by whom he had seven children— Andrew, John, Priscilla, Jane, Aquilla, Rhoda and Moses. He took up 4,000 acres in what is now known as Survey 1,494, it being an old military claim deeded to Robert Whitacre by Burr Powell, he trading for it from a Capt. Hamilton, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. W. was a stirring business man, dealing largely in stock, which he marketed in Baltimore, driving them there on foot; to his efforts was due the erection of the first bridge across the Miami, in this vicinity; to his energy and untiring zeal, many of our pioneers owe the foundation of their future success. Upon his death, Sept. 18, 1828, Warren Co. lost a man who had largely contributed to its future greatness. The family, of seven children, located and built their homes upon tract taken by their father, and upon which four of them lived and died; to-day (excepting three farms) the entire survey of 1494 is still held by the Whitacre descendants. Moses Whitacre, born 1804, youngest son, succeeded to the old home of his father; his early days were passed in agricultural pursuits; at an early age, he evinced a desire to gain an education, which advantages were not to be gained in that day without the most earnest exertion upon his part; this he exhibited and soon reached the then pinnacle of fame—a school teacher—which avocation he followed some length of time. In March, 1826, he was married to Miss Priscilla Thomas, of Belmont Co., Ohio (her parents, natives of Georgia, who emigrated to the aforementioned county at an early day); to them were born seven children, of whom but two arrived to the age of maturity—William, and Sidney T., now Mrs. Prather. Moses Whitacre was a generous, whole-souled, public spirted [sic] man who furthered all enterprises tending to the culture and benefit of his fellow-man; a man of great energy, imbuing all with whom he came in contact with the same spirit. At the age of 38 he was called from his sphere of usefulness by the angel of death, departing this life Jan. 8, 1842, his faithful wife following him July 16, 1847. William Whitacre, born Jan. 17, 1835, succeeded to the old home of his father and grandfather (which he at this writing occupies), beautifully located upon the second level, lying between Todd's Fork and the Little Miami River, overlooking the thriving little village of Morrow. His early days were passed without event otherwise than those known to the school-boy, until he arrived at the age when he had to enter the arena of life; before so doing, he concluded to complete his studies by a course at the Richmond Academy, Indiana, founded by the Society of Friends; completing his course, he returned home and engaged in general dealing until the spring of 1861, when he entered the mercantile and real estate business, lotting up from his farm what is now known as East Morrow. In the struggle of the great rebellion, he took an active interest in the cause of the Union, expending liberally for the cause which he supported, besides his services in the call for 100-days men, and the Morgan raid. On the 22d of May, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Lownes (see history of Josiah Lownes); to them have been born six children— Walter L., Horace J., Marion, Frank T., William H. and Mariana. Mr. W. has served his township in nearly all of its official capacities; was Clerk when it was first organized, and to day officiates as one of its Trustees; retiring from mercantile pursuits to his farm, his active life would not allow him to give alone his entire attention to that pursuit, therefore, he has added the coal and lumber business. Quiet and unassuming in manner and speech, connected with habits of industry and integrity, has won him the esteem of his fellow-men and makes him one of the foremost citizens of Warren Co.