Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    WILLIAM DINSMORE

    William Dinsmore, one of the leading citizens of Bethel township, this county, was born September 5, 1842. He is the son of John Johnston Dinsmore, who was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, December 1, 1805. His father, Mathew Dinsmore, was a pioneer of Boone county, Kentucky, and married Miss Margaret Johnston, whose father and brother were killed by the Indians. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore removed to the then territory of Ohio, and lived first in Greene county and afterwards in Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1819 he moved to Miami county and settled in Brown township. He was one of the first trustees and justices of the peace elected in that Township. He died in 1846, but his farm is still in the Dinsmore family. The genealogy of the Dinsmore family is as follows: The first ancestor to which the family is traced was Robert Dinsmore, who was born and reared in the north of Ireland and emigrated to America about the year 1766. He was married on the 11th day of September, 1766, to Jane Gault. He settled in Baltimore, Maryland and engaged in the tannery business. His eldest child, Elizabeth Dinsmore, was born June 10, 1768. His son John was born June 28, 1771; Mathew was born April 13, 1773, and Jane in February, 1775. Mathew Dinsmore purchased one hundred acres of land in Fleming county, Kentucky, and lived on it five years, when it was claimed by an older military title and he lost it. He then came to Ohio in 1807, and lived in Greene county, two miles east of Fairfield. He then removed to Montgomery county, nine miles north of Dayton. He afterwards moved to Miami county, and purchased a farm in Brown township as above stated.

    John J. Dinsmore the father of our subject, was married March 14, 1837, to Miss Maria McConnaughey, daughter of David and Anna (Grimes) McConnaughey, a pioneer family of Bethel township. The writer knew John J. Dinsmore well and can state that he was an honest and useful man, who served for twenty years as justice of the peace. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, well improved. He was a good farmer and an influential member of the Presbyterian church. He died June 6, 1889, respected while living and sincerely mourned when dead. His aged wife is now living with her son, William Dinsmore, possessing in a wonderful degree for one of her age her mental faculties. She has been totally blind for sixteen years and is patiently waiting for the summons to cross the river to the other shore. She is the mother of seven children: Captain Robert G. Dinsmore, who was a brave soldier and noble citizen, but is now dead; Theodore, Anna, Margaret, Albert and Frances, all of whom are deceased; and Mary Belle, wife of Nathaniel Bond, who is living near Franklin, Warren county, Ohio. William Dinsmore, the subject of our sketch, was also a soldier in the civil war in the same company with his brother, namely: Company C, Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he enlisted as a private, was appointed corporal December 21, 1864, and was mustered out with the regiment November 30, 1865, with an honorable discharge as a good and faithful soldier. Theodore and Albert were also soldiers, belonging to Company B, One Hundred and Forty- seventh Ohio Infantry.

    Mr. Dinsmore, of this review, returned home and lived with his parents until he was married, June 1, 1871, to Miss Sarah Brenner, of Montgomery county, Ohio. He soon afterward settled on the farm which he now owns, and which is near the farm where he was born and made his home until he was married. His farm contains one hundred and sixty-two acres, well improved. He makes a specialty of butter making, and keeps a large herd of Jersey cows. He has a family of four children: One daughter, Clare, the wife of Dr. E. E.Bohlender, of Dayton, Ohio; and three sons: Allen, who is farming, the old homestead; Earl and Walter, who are living with their parents. Mr. Dinsmore is a member of the English Lutheran church, of Brandt, in which he has been an elder for ten years. William Dinsmore's life has been that of a man who is useful in his neighborhood, church and township, a type of the men who make this country what it now is, great in peace and strong in war. He was a brave soldier and a good citizens and of such are the bone and sinew of this great republic. E. S. W.

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