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LEWIS D. VINNEDGE LEWIS D. VINNEDGE, superintendent of the Riverside Cemetery, which is owned by the city of Troy and is situated in Staunton Township, was born January 9, 1863, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Clinton and Sarah (Bitler) Vinnedge and a grandson of George Vinnedge. George Vinnedge was born November 30, 1809, and was a son of John and Rosanna (Moore) Vinnedge, and a grandson of early settlers in Pennsylvania, who, on the paternal side, came from Germany and on the maternal side from Ireland. John Vinnedge came to Ohio as a soldier under Gen. Anthony Wayne and not only helped to send the Indians still farther from the frontier but later did a brave man's part in the War of 1812. When he came to Ohio and saw the rich land awaiting settlement, he secured 100 acres of the Symmes Purchase, which was located three miles east of Hamilton, on the present Middletown Turnpike, and later purchased thirty acres more. While serving under General Wayne he held the office of pack-horse master. Both he and wife were great adherents of Methodism and their dwelling was often a place of worship and their table and fireside were hospitably offered to the pioneer circuit-rider. John Vininedge lived to the age of ninety-five years, dying at the home of his son George Vinnedge, in August, 1868. He married Rosanna Moore, who was born in Ireland and was brought to America by her father, Patrick Moore, who came to Ohio in 1779 and was known as a gentleman farmer. George Vinnedge was one of a family of nine children and his rearing was that of the pioneer youth of his time. When about twenty-six years of age he bought a farm in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, which he later sold and purchased one of 200 acres in Union Township and later added other properties until he owned 337 acres. He was married December 23, 1831, to Malinda Robbins, and they had five children, two sons and three daughters. Clinton Vinnedge, father of Lewis D., was born in Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared, educated and spent his life, his death taking place in 1865. In 1860 he married Miss Sarah Bitler, who died April 28, 1896. She was a daughter of Rev. Michael Bitler, a minister of the Methodist Church. One child was born to that union, Lewis D. Mrs.Vinnedge contracted a second marriage, with H. D. Delap, who died in 1906. All their six children survive, namely: Harry; Delia, who is the wife of J. F. Ingle; Daisy, who is the wife of J. G. Slemmons; Maude, who is the wife of Harry Rocks; George; and Queenie, who is the wife of John Ainsworth. Lewis D. Vinnedge spent his boyhood on the home farm and completed his education in the High School at Hamilton, Ohio. When, eighteen years of age he came to Troy and entered the business house of Weatherhead, Norris & Howland, as a clerk, continuing there for fourteen years. Following that long term he was in the employ of Gross Bros. for eight years. Vinnedge then bought a small farm adjoining the cemetery part of the old Henry Kephart farm and there engaged in growing tobacco. On June 1, 1907, he was appointed superintendent of the Riverside cemetery, a position he has efficiently filled ever since. Mr. Vinnedge was married February 18, 1885, to Miss Edith Weatherhead, daughter of J.D. and Jane (Howland) Weatherhead. He is a Republican in his political views, and he is a member of Franklin Lodge, F.& A.M., at Troy. Return to the Biography Index Copyright © 1998 by Computerized Heritage
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