My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL N. TARBOX, who occupies himself as a civil engineer and skilled mechanic, has built up for himself an enviable reputation in this line among the people of Cedarville, Greene County, and vicinity. His efficiency has been acquired by his own efforts and the aid of books, while years of experience have fully established him as one of the most competent surveyors in the township, by which he is regularly employed. He, for many years, operated a sawmill on Massey’s Creek, Greene County, and one of the first mills in the county with carding machinery attached. The old mill however, has been standing idle for some time, being obliged to give place to the more modern methods of conducting these industries.

The subject of this notice was born December 3, 1821, in Maine, and is a son of John and Lucy (Merrill) Tarbox. The mother of our subject was born February 14, 1792, and was the daughter of Humphrey Merrill, who married Miss Elizabeth McLucas. Grandfather Merrill was the son of Lieut. Samuel Merrill, of Salisbury, Mass., who married Miss Elizabeth Bradbury.

The Bradbury history is mainly as follows: The family originated in Derbyshire, England, where there was born to one Robert, a son William, who in turn became the father of a son, Robert, whose son, Matthew, was Lord of Wicken. His son, Wymond and wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Whitgift, became the parents of Capt. Thomas Bradbury, who was born at Wicken, England, in 1610. He emigrated to America as land agent and commissioner of Sir Fernando Gorges, as early as 1634. Two years later he settled in Massachusetts and married a daughter of John Perkins, of Ipswich, Mass. Their son, William, married Rebecca Wheelright, daughter of the Rev. John Wheelright, and unto them, in 1677, there was born a son whom they named Jacob.

The Rev. John Wheelright, in company with his sister, Mrs. Ann Hutchison, were banished from the church in Boston for heresy, they simply differing from the church upon some simple doctrine. They took refuge with Roger Williams, in Rhode Island, the latter having been banished for the same offense. Jacob Bradbury married Elizabeth Storkman, and their son, Thomas, about 1749, was Captain of a company in the French and Indian War. He also had charge of the block house on Saco River, Me. In his company was a young man by the name of Lieut. Samuel Merrill, who fell in love with his daughter, Elizabeth, and in due time they were married. From this union sprang the family who constituted the progenitors of the mother of our subject. The young Lieutenant lived to take part in the Revolutionary War, in which he held the same rank as before, and did gallant service at the battle of Bunker Hill. He lived to be ninety-four years of age and died in 1822, the year after his wife had passed hence, at the age of ninety-three. Lieut. Merrill was a prominent man in his county, where he held many responsible positions and took a great interest in public affairs. His son, Humphrey, was born June 27, 1750, and Lucy, the daughter of the latter, became the mother of our subject.

Mr. Tarbox spent his early years under the parental roof, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married to Miss Ruth L. Jackson. This lady was the daughter of David and Nancy (Nichol) Jackson. Mrs. Jackson was the daughter of John and Ann (Woodburn) Nichol, who were born in Ireland, and emigrating to America in 1789, settled in Westmoreland County, Pa. The father of John Nichol was Thomas, one of seven brothers who fled from Scotland to County Derry, Ireland, on account of religious persecution; he married Isabella Cook, and their son, John, the grandfather of Mrs. Tarbox, was born at Nichol’s Hill, Ireland. He emigrated to America in 1789 and in 1800 settled in Belmont County, this State. His wife, Ann, was the daughter of William Woodburn, of Churchtown, County Derry, and the maiden name of her mother was Margaret Canada.

David Jackson, the father of Mrs. Tarbox, was the son of Robert Jackson, who married a Miss McCorkle. The latter was the son of David, whose wife was Elizabeth Reed. This David was a half brother of Gen. Andrew Jackson, and their father was Dr. Hugh Jackson. It will thus be seen that both Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox are descended from honorable ancestry, people who were possessed of fine mental characteristics, and who were prominent in their day and generation.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, John J., died in 1872, when a promising young man of twenty years; Frank T. makes his home with his parents, and is employed on the detective force of Cedarville, while he also officiates as Constable; Theodore H., a civil engineer by profession, is unmarried and makes his home in Santa Anna, Cal.; Harry L. married Miss Essie Daugherty, and is the father of two children, Nellie I. and Frederick N.; he follows the business of a lime burner in Findlay, this State; David N., a professional ball player, married Miss Mattie Hart and lives near his father; Lida O., an accomplished young lady, remains at home with her parents; Charles Waldo died in infancy.

Mr. Tarbox gives his unqualified support to the Republican party. During the Civil War he, in the capacity of a Lieutenant, assisted in driving John Morgan from the soil of the Buckeye State. He has served as Township Trustee, and with his estimable wife’ is prominently connected with the United Presbyterian Church, in the doctrines of which church the Jackson side of the house have been educated for generations.