Dinsmoore Family
Prior to 1766 Robert Dinsmoore came to America from North Ireland. He was a young man of liberal education, and was from a family of well to-do farmers, they having a leasehold of forty acres of land for lifetime. Upon his arrival in the colonies he landed in Baltimore, and first made his home in Maryland. Here, in 1766, he married Jane Gault. He engaged in the business of tanning for several years. After the close of the Revolutionary War he sold his possessions in Maryland, took his pay in continental money, then removed to Pennsylvania, but before making a purchase of property his continental script became worthless, and he was left penniless. He remained in Pennsylvania a few years, then removed to Kentucky, where he died, but the date of his death is not known.
Matthew Dinsmoore, a son of the above, was born in Maryland April 13, 1773. Was taken by his parents to Pennsylvania, and from there to Kentucky. It was here, in the year 1801, that he married Margaret Johnston. He purchased a piece of land, on which he settled and had made payment, but on account of imperfect title he lost his land. He then, in the year 1807, moved to Ohio, and took a lease on some land. The country was new and wild. Misfortunes came upon him. He was taken sick, and for the space of several years was unable to do much labor. His children being young were of but little help. His wife had to principally support the family. This was in Greene County, Ohio. After regaining his health he worked at his trade, that of a stone and brick mason. A few years later he moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and from there to Miami County, where he died January 11, 1848.
Robert Dinsmoore was born in Kentucky in the year 1802. He was the eldest son of Matthew Dinsmoore, and was his main dependence for the support of his father’s family in their early struggle through their pioneer life in Greene and Montgomery counties. He learned the stone mason trade with his father. It was while working at his trade in Montgomery County,in the year 1832, that he married Elizabeth M. Kephart. In 1842 he moved to Shelby County, and settled in Washington Township. They raised a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living, viz., Matthew G., John K., William H., Robert J., Catharine, Sarah E., and Nettie A. He bought 160 acres of land when he first came to the county. He lived to clear this farm, and died August 19, 1875. Mr. Dinsmoore in 1846 was elected justice of the peace of his township, which oflice he filled for a number of years. He was a man of fair liberal education, and followed the profession of a teacher for many years. He also had the gift of a poet, and used to spend idle time with the muses. Mrs. Dinsmoore since the death of her husband has remained on the homestead with two of her sons.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883