My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH SAVILLE. Among the many farmers of Greene County whose lives afford an excellent example of persevering industry, thrift, and uprightness, the above-named gentleman deserves mention. He is one of the prominent farmers of Caesar’s Creek Township, owning a pleasantly located farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, which bears such improvements as are usually to be found upon the estates of men of enterprise, and indicate to the passer-by that it is a home of comfort and enjoyment. The owner of the estate possesses the Christian character, liberal spirit and intelligence which win respect from his fellow men and his worthy wife has her share in their regard.

The subject of this sketch is one of seven children reared by Samuel and Ann (Saville) Saville, to whom twelve children were born. The parents were natives of Rockbridge County, Va., their natal days being November 29, 1791, and July 5, 1792, respectively. They came to Greene County, Ohio, in the fall of 1827, locating about six miles east of Xenia, in which neighborhood they continued to reside until called from time to eternity. The death of the father took place March 22, 1851, and that of the mother in May, 1872. Of the children whom they reared to maturity, Martha became the wife of William Cherry and died in Washington County, Iowa; Margaret is also deceased; Elizabeth is the widow of John McDonald; Samuel died in Iowa; Narcissa A., Mrs. Humiston, lives in Iowa; James A. lives in the same State; the subject of this sketch is the oldest of those now living. The parents belonged to the German Reformed Church and the father was a Democrat in politics.

The maternal grandparents of our subject were Abraham and Margaret (Kibler) Saville. The former was a farmer in Rockbridge County, Va., and also a shoemaker. Their family comprised six sons and one daughter, named respectively, George, Robert, Samuel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Margaret.

The natal day of Joseph Saville of this sketch was February 15, 1817, and his birthplace his father’s farm in Rockbridge County, Va. There he was reared in a manner customary to farmer’s sons, acquiring a practical knowledge of farm life and a good common-school education. He began his own career in life with a capital consisting of $100 and a team of horses, and from this beginning has grown his present financial standing. In the fall of 1842 he located upon forty-four acres of his present estate, to which he added as opportunity offered and which he has mostly improved. He has been a liberal giver to all public enterprises, being much interested in everything that promises to promote the welfare of the country. His first Presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren and he continued to vote with the Democratic party until the war, since which time he has been a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

The marriage of Mr. Saville and Miss Hannah Ketteman was celebrated August 6, 1840, and has been blessed by the birth of ten children, and saddened by the loss of four. The survivors are: Emiline, wife of Henry Fudge; Mary J., wife of David F. Conklin; Margaret A., wife of Robert S. Spahr; Sarah E., wife of I. H. Smith; Ellen K., wife of P. I. Wilkin; and Florence B., wife of Frank Antram.

Mrs. Saville, who was born in Hardy County, Va., October 4, 1819, is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Peterson) Ketteman who were also born in the Old Dominion. They came to Ohio in 1830, settling five miles south of Xenia, where Mr. Ketteman operated a farm and a tannery. He served as Justice of the Peace for many years. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion, a member of the German Reformed Church, to which his wife also belonged. She opened her eyes to the light in January, 1793, and departed this life in August, 1873. Mr. Ketteman is now living with a granddaughter in Xenia and although advanced in years, having been born June 9, 1795, his mind is still active and his bodily health quite good. He is of Dutch origin, being a son of Jacob and Margaret (Bergdoll) Ketteman of Virginia.