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Clark County, Ohio
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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
The History of Clark County, Ohio:
containing a
history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., general and local
statistics, portraits of early settlers
and prominent men, history
of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, map of Clark County,
Constitution
of the United States, miscellaneous matters, etc., etc.
Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.,
1881
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1881 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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DAVID
H. CAMPBELL is postmaster of Plattsburg, and is a
member of the firm Campbell and Price, general merchants and
dealers in grain, coal and seeds. He has been continuously
in business in that rural town of Harmony Township for over
thirty years, and is one of the very substantial citizens of
that section of Clark County. Mr. Campbell was born on a
farm in Harmony Township, January 14, 1858. His father,
Samuel D. Campbell, was also a native of Harmony Township,
had a public school education there, and married Mary
(Jones) Foreman, who was born in Illinois and was married
there, she and her husband then locating in Harmony Township
of Clark County, where Mr. Foreman died. Samuel D. Campbell
after his marriage followed farming, and at the time of the
Civil war enlisted at Springfield in the Union Army, and
died while in the service. He and his wife were members of
the Christian Church. Of their four children two are now
living, David H. and Melyne B., the latter of Cedarville,
Ohio. David H. Campbell was only a small boy when his father
died. He spent several years in Springfield, but about 1865
his mother returned to Harmony Township, and he grew up
there. He had a common school education, and as a boy began
working for his own support. For a time he was in the employ
of the man who owned the store now conducted by Campbell and
Price. He was also in the grain business, was employed for a
time by Hamilton and Brooks, and for four or five years he
operated a tile factory. He then bought the store at
Plattsburg owned by John Nicholson & Company, in 1890, and
two years later John Price bought into the business and the
firm of Campbell and Price has now been in existence for
thirty years. In 1879 Mr. Campbell married Jennie
Hartman,
who was born at South Vienna, Ohio. She died July 29, 1920,
and was long a faithful member of the Christian Church.
Their two children were Jessie, who died in 1901, and
Freeman. Freeman is a graduate of High School and the Ohio
Wesleyan University of Delaware, and by his marriage to Jessie
Grube has two sons, David A. and Robert. Mr.
Campbell
is affiliated with Fielding Lodge No. 192, F. and A. M., and
has filled the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is treasurer of the Home
Telephone Company of Plattsburg, and he has been postmaster
under the civil service rules for a number of years. He was
formerly a democrat, but is now a republican in politics.
SOURCE: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark
County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922 - Page 218 -
Transcribed for Ohio Genealogy Express by Cathy Portz |
|
SAMUEL
H. CARR, hotel and livery, South Charleston; was born
near Jeffersonville, Fayette Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1842; was
the son of Michael and Mary Carr. He was a
native of Ohio, and his wife of Virginia; a farmer by
occupation; his death occurred June 19, 1871, aged 60 years.
His wife still survives him, and remains upon the home farm.
They were the parents of nine children, all now living, and
grandparents of thirty-nine children, and great grandparents
of five children. The subject of this sketch stayed
upon the farm with his father until the age of 18 years when
he enlisted in Co. C, 90th O. V. I., and served two and a
half years, and was engaged in many hard-fought battles,
viz.: Perrysville, Ky.; Cross Roads, Ky.; Stone River,
Tenn.; Resaca, Ga., and many others of minor importance, and
on June 20, 1864, was engaged in the battle of Kenesaw
Mountain, where he received a wound in his left arm, and on
the 13th of July following his arm was amputated three
inches below the shoulder joint. He received his
discharge at Columbus Sept. 20, 1864. He now receives
a pension of $24 per month. On the 28th of Jan. 1868,
he united in marriage with Miss Ardilla A. McIntire,
of Jeffersonville, Ohio (and daughter of Lucius and
Elizabeth McIntire, natives of Ohio);
was born Sept. 13, 1845. They are the parents of three
children, all now living, one son and two daughters, viz.:
Charles L., born Mar. 31, 1870; Mary M., Apr.
27, 1874; Ada B., Nov. 5, 1878.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page
1060 -
Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
WARREN N. CARTER,
dealer in cigars and tobacco, Springfield. Mr.
Carter, although a young man yet, is possessor of that
happy faculty of knowing how to please his customers and
drive business. He was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1856;
is the son of J. L. Carter, an old and respected
citizen of Dayton. Warren came to Springfield,
Clark Co., Ohio, in 1877, and opened the Palace Cigar Store,
which he sold in 1880 to Ed. C. Leffel, and, in Feb.,
1881, again became its proprietor. He is located at
No. 37 Limestone Street, Legonda House Block, where he keeps
full and complete stock of cigars and tobacco, all of the
purest and best quality.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ |
|
P. M. CARTMELL,
Springfield Cracker Works, Springfield. This
gentleman is a native of Clark Co., Ohio, born July 8, 1848,
and is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Lafland) Cartmell,
also natives of Virginia, and came to this county about
1810, settling in Pleasant Township, where his grandfather,
about 1822, built a flouring-mill on the South Branch of
Buck Creek, to which he afterward added a woolen-mill and
distillery. P. M. is the second in a
family of seven children viz, Sarah A., the
wife of William A. Sheets, of Marietta, Ohio; P.
M.; Ann E., the wife of William Neer
of Catawba; Marieta, the wife of Henry
Erter, of Springfield; Henry C., Charles M. and
William M., also of the last-mentioned city.
His mother is dead, but his father is a resident of
Springfield, The subject of this sketch grew up on his
father's farm in Pleasant Township, and, in 1867, entered
Wittenberg College, where he spent three years, and, in
1871, entered the University of Wooster, Ohio, from which he
graduated in 1872, being third in his class. He
followed teaching six years, the last three of which he was
in charge of the high school of Circleville, Ohio. He
was married, Aug. 2, 1876, at Bellefontaine, Ohio, to
Mary McG. Patterson, a native of Logan County, to whom
has been born one child, Edward P. In the fall
of 1878, he purchased the old cracker works on Washington
street, Springfield, and, the following spring, fitted up
the present factory on Center street, where, under the name
of Cartmell & Erter, a paying trade has been
established. Politically, a Republican. Mr.
Cantwell is one of the live, progressive young men of
Springfield.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
THOMAS
J. CASPER, M. D.,
druggist, Springfield.
Dr. Casper is one of the few druggists who have, by
study and application, become property competent to handle
drugs. He is a native of New Jersey; his ancestry and
have been for many years residents of that State.
He was born in Salem County in 1838; while a youth, he went
to Philadelphia to attend school, and, at 20 years of age,
graduated at Union Academy, at that time the best private
school in Philadelphia; he then entered upon the study
of medicine, and spent the three following winters at the
University of Pennsylvania, the oldest and among the best
colleges of medicine in the United States, at which he
graduated in March, 1861; soon after his graduation, he was
offered the position of Assistant Surgeon of the 4th N. J.
V., but, having determined to engage in the drug trade, he
declined the offer and entered a drug store, where he had
opportunity to obtain practical knowledge of pharmacy;
during the following winter - 1861-62 - he attended a course
of lectures at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, under
the celebrated Prof. William Proctor, and, during the
following spring, purchased a drug store at West Chester,
Penn., which he conducted for over three years with marked
success, but desiring to "go West," sold out and came to
Ohio, and decided to locate in Springfield, and accordingly
commenced in business here in 1868, at his present location,
41 East Main street; his strictly temperate habits, thorough
medical knowledge, pharmaceutical skill and business energy,
ability and strict integrity, won friends and the confidence
of physicians, and thus secured a large and increasing
trade.
Notwithstanding the jealousy of some physicians on
account of his being a graduate of
medicine, such is his reputation for keeping none but
first-class drugs, and for integrity and
care in recommending them, that he has the patronage of
two-thirds of the physicians of that
county, while his trade in family medicines is unequaled by
any other druggist in the city. Thus,
while he is just entering the prime of life, he has justly
earned and obtained a prominent place
among the business men of Springfield, and has enlarging
prospects before him. He was a
constituent member of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical
Association; was its first Secretary, and
is now Chairman of the Executive Committee; he is also a
prominent member of the National
Pharmaceutical Association, and widely known as a pharmacist
of rare skill, and a gentleman
of more than ordinary culture.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
JAMES
S. CHRISTIE, real estate and insurance agent,
Springfield. James S. Christie is one of the oldest
business men of Springfield; he was born in New Boston, N.
H., Sept. 6, 1798; the maiden name of his mother was
Rebecca Smith; her marriage with Robert
Christie was consummated in 1796; she died in 1804,
leaving four children—James S., Mary, Jesse
and Rebecca (deceased in 1845). Mr. Christie
married his second wife, Mrs. Sarah Ordway,
in
1807; she was the mother of Sewell and John
Ordway by her first husband; by her union with Mr. Christie, she became the mother of
Sarah and Robert Christie, and one other
child, that
died in infancy. They emigrated to Vermont, and from there
to Springfield, Ohio, arriving in
October, 1817. Mr. Christie, being a
carpenter, and aided by his son James, the subject of
this sketch, built a large flat-boat, and launched it at
Olean, the head of navigation on the
Allegheny River: they were joined by two other families who
wished to come West, and their
passengers were thus increased to thirty; the river in many
places was very rough, and they
were forced to employ Indian pilots; Indian wigwams lined
the entire west bank of the river, but
they treated our voyagers kindly. They arrived safely at
Cincinnati in June, 1817, and, in the fall
of the same year, came to Springfield, which was at that
time only a small hamlet, containing
perhaps 400 inhabitants; there is but part of one brick
house now standing that was here when Mr. Christie came;
the magnificent city of Springfield, with her population of
21,000, and her
large manufactories, have all grown since his coming. James
was married to Miss Laura Beardsley, Feb. 22, 1824; her parents were natives of
Connecticut, and her father, Elijah Beardsley, was a Revolutionary soldier; his wife was
Miss Sarah Hubbell; they came to Ohio
in 1811. James and his wife are parents of eleven children,
four living—Mary, Edward P., Harlen P. and James B.; all are married and
living in Springfield except Hariett, who resides in
Decatur, Ill. Mr. Christie engaged in
contracting and building until 1847, when he established
a planing-mill and sash-factory, which he managed for ten
years. In 1860, he was elected
Justice of the Peace, and served six years, since which time
he has engaged in the real
estate and insurance business, etc., etc. He furnished three
noble sons to do battle for their
country during the late civil war, who enlisted at the first
call for troops, and gallantly engaged in
several of the hardest-fought battles of the war. One
wonderful circumstance connected with
the Christie family is in the fact of the celebration of the
golden wedding of the three children
who came to Springfield in 1817, and all of them are as hale
as many persons many years
younger. Mr. and Mrs. Christie
have been members of the Presbyterian Church nearly half a
century, forty-seven years of which Mr. Christie
has been an officer in the church; would that we
had many more like them. His father, Robert
Christie, died in September, 1823, aged 47 years, and
his wife in 1852; 'they were estimable people, and have left
a posterity who do honor to their name.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
JESSE
CHRISTIE; is a resident of Springfield. This
venerable gentleman, rapidly nearing the goal of four-score
years—nearly sixty-five of which have been passed in Clark
County—was born of parents of Irish descent. His immediate
parents, Robert Christie and Rebecca (Smith) Christie,
were natives of the State of New Hampshire—the former of New
Boston, Hillsboro Co., and the latter of Mt. Vernon, same
county. The mother died in her native State in 1804, when
our subject was a babe. Their children were James S.,
Mary, Jesse and Rebecca. Mr. Christie was married
the second time in 1806, and died in Springfield, Ohio, in
1822, at the age of 47 years. Our subject was also a native
of New Boston, N. H, born March 25, 1802. The family removed
to Vermont in the year 1811, and, in 1817, to Clark County,
Ohio. Mr. Christie’s early youth was passed in the country,
his father being a tiller of the soil. In later years, he
learned the carpenter’s trade in Springfield, which he
followed many years, having assisted in building many of the
early-built houses of the city. He also, for a period of
years, was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He assisted in
constructing the cupola erected on the first court house of
Clark County. On the 28th of January, 1829, Mr. Christie was
united in marriage with Miss Martha S. Lowry,
daughter of David Lowry, and to them were born the
following children: David L., James W., Martha S.,
Charles B., Mary E. and Sarah R.—two dying in
infancy without having been named. The parents are members
of the First Presbyterian Church of the city, to which Mr.
Christie has belonged for more than half a century. During
his long term of years as a citizen of Springfield, He has
ever been highly respected and esteemed by the community at
large.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 953 |
Chas. M. Clark |
CHARLES
M. CLARK, wool merchant. Springfield; is one of the
old residents of Clark County, having resided here from his
infancy; he was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, in 1808;
his parents, James and Martha Clark, were natives of
Virginia and removed to this county
about 1811, settling in what is now Moorefield Township. The
subject of this sketch remained
with his parents during his youth; they being poor, could
not give him any start in life, but, being
ambitious, he started for himself, without means, and soon
saved enough to get a horse and
saddle, which, with a little money, formed the capital with
which he commenced a remarkable
career as a stock-dealer and wool-buyer, for, although he
began poor in purse, by honest
effort he won friends, and, by energy and care in business,
had accumulated about $25,000
previous to his marriage, which occurred in 1846. and he
continued to enlarge his business
operations until the " Foos failure," which involved
him and swept away a good fortune; but still
he is now in good circumstances, and the firm of which he is
a member handled about
125,000 pounds of wool the past season. He owns a handsome
residence property on East
High street, No. 359, which he purchased in 1869, and which
has been his family residence
since 1870, his former residence being on a farm of 240
acres in Moorefield Township, which
he still owns, and also owns another tract of 200 acres in
the same neighborhood. He formerly
kept large numbers of cattle, and was the prime mover in
forming the company which made
the first and only direct importation of fine stock from
England to this county; he at one time
owned the finest herd of short-horns in this part of the
State, and was prominent in getting up
the great stock show here; but of late years, he has turned
his attention to sheep, and feeds
large numbers each winter for the spring market In his
younger days, Mr. Clark was a very
active, public-spirited citizen: he was the largest
stockholder residing in this county of the first
banking association formed here, and continued to hold his
stock until the misfortune before
referred to compelled him to sell his stock to maintain his
integrity, which was his only capital
in the beginning. He was also active and prominent in
forming the agricultural society, and
took an active interest in the society for many years. His
wife, Flora, nee Foley, is a daughter
of Absalom Foley; her father's family were
also among the early settlers of Moorefield
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of ten
children; a daughter died in infancy, and
one son, William C, died in his 22d year: four sons
and four daughters are living, and all are at
home.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page
805 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
James Clark |
Moorefield
Twp. -
JAMES CLARK, capitalist, New
Moorefield. A descendant of two old pioneer families
of Clark Co., was born in this county Nov. 21, 1838, a son
of John D. and Susannah (Foley) Clark he a native of
Virginia, and she of Ohio, and a grandson of James Clark,
also born in Virginia, but who became an early settler of
Clark Co., and afterward of Champaign Co., where he resided
until death. The maternal grandfather, James Foley,
also a native of Virginia, became one of he early pioneers
of Clark Co., locating here about 1803 or 1805, while the
Indians were still the principal occupants of the then
almost unbroken forest, when there was but one store in
Springfield, and four or five houses constituted the town.
In this county he spent the remainder of his life.
Although possessed of only a limited education, from the
meager advantages of schools in those days, yet he possessed
great natural talent, and was a very active and powerful
man, both physically and intellectually. He became
thoroughly known and held the respect and confidence of the
people; was chosen a representative to the State Legislature
two terms, and served his constituents faithfully. We
may safely believe that had he in his early life possessed
the advantages of our present generation, he would have
arisen to distinction. John D. Clark came to
this county with his parents when but a child; was raised to
farm labor, grew to manhood, was married and located upon
the farm where he still lives and has resided during his
entire business life. He has been a man of great
activity, and has not confined himself to the mere routine
of farm labor, but his mind carried him into a more active
field, that of an extensive stock dealer. For thirty
years he did a large trade, buying through his country and
the west as far as Illinois, driving large droves of cattle
to Philadelphia and the Eastern markets, often throwing into
market from two to three thousands head of cattle in a
single year; has also dealt extensively in wool and pork, in
all of which he was generally successful, as known by the
fact that, in 1876, when he retired from business, he was
worth over $200,000, which was mostly made by his own labor,
skill and good management, which is perhaps a record of
success surpassed by but very few in that day, or even
since. In 1872, he had a stroke of paralysis, from
which he has never fully recovered, although, physically, he
still enjoys good health for one of his advanced age.
His wife died May 8, 1876. Of an issue of four
children, there were three daughters and one son - Mary
C. (now Mrs. Pratt), Martha J. (now
Mrs. R. A. Calvert, of Portsmouth, Ohio, whose husband
now is Judge of the Court of that county), James, and
Anna E. (now Mrs. W. M. Yeazell of
Springfield). Our subject, being an only son, has
always remained with his father and assisted him in his
business, and grew up with the advantages and observations
of his father's plans and successes in business, and as his
father advanced in years James gradually took the
care and charge of his business affairs, till 1870, when his
father retired from active life, since which he has taken
the entire control and management. Mr. Clark is
engaged in raising and dealing in a moderate yet profitable
degree in trotting horses; has raised some of the finest
horses in Clark Co.; has raised a trained horses which he
has sold at prices as high as $20,000, and is justly
recognized as one of the leading men in this line of
business in this portion of Ohio. The Clark farm
consists of 657 acres of most excellent land in a high state
of cultivation, with fine and substantial buildings, with
every arrangement for convenience and comfort, and is one of
the best grain and stock-farms in Clark Co. Mr.
Clark is well known not only in his county, but his
reputation extends far and wide throughout the country among
all the prominent men who are interested devotees in fine
horses; has been an active member of the Clark County Board
of Agriculture for six years; has held various township
offices, and is now Township Treasurer, which office he has
held for eight years. He was married, Jan. 20, 1870,
to Miss Emma S., only child of Charles and Mary
(Taylor) Morgan, he a native of England and she of Ohio,
but of English descent. Two children have been the
fruits of this union, one of whom is living - Emerson
Eugene Clark. Mr. Clark is
one of the most pleasant and affable gentlemen it has been
our good fortune to have met with in the county. He is
an educated, well-read man, who keeps apace with the
progress and development of the age; a man imbued with a
proper spirit of liberality, taking an active interest in
everything tending to the general welfare of his native
county, of which he is a worthy and highly respective
citizen.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 983 |
|
MILTON CLARK, Cashier of
the Bank of South Charleston, South Charleston. To the
gentleman whose' name appears above we are pleased to allot
a space in the biographical album of this work. Henry Clark,
his grandfather, was born and raised in South Carolina. In
1S04, he, with his wife and three children, emigrated to
Ohio and settled in Warren Co., where he purchased 600 acres
of land, half of which was to be the property of his brother
Jonathan on arriving at his majority. He had
made some considerable improvement in the way of clearing
and erecting buildings, when one Walter Hun
contested the title of his land. This put a stop to
all improvement, and the barn which he had built, and which
was the first frame barn on the Miami River in that county,
stood incomplete till after the final decision in 1840, when
our subject finished it. The struggle for the rights
of his property lasted nearly thirty years, and ruined him
financially. He was a Quaker, a man of decisive
integrity and vivid intellect. Hard work and exposure
broke him down in middle age; these, together with the
difficulty before mentioned, made him an early victim for
the grave. He died about 1835, having been the father
of five children—John, Jonathan, Henry, Cornelius and
Elizabeth. Jonathan, the father of Milton Clark,
was born in South Carolina in 1797. He was
raised to agricultural pursuits, which was his principal
occupation through life. For a number of years,
however, he was unable to perform manual labor. Owing
to an asthmatic affection, he did not sleep an entire night
in bed for twenty years. He was identified with the
principal offices of the township, and did a great deal of
business for other parties. His marriage was
celebrated in 1818 with Henrietta, daughter of
Daniel and Mary Stump, who emigrated from Frederick Co.,
Va., in 1817. and located in Warren Co., Ohio. Jonathan
and Henrietta Clark were the parents of six children—
Milton, Mary, Cornelius A., Daniel W., Eliza and
Matilda. The last two died in youth. The survivors are
the three sons. Jonathan Clark departed this life
July 4, 1842. His wife survived till 1875, and died at
the age of 75. Milton, the subject of this memoir, was born
in Warren Co., Dec. 18, 1819. Being the oldest of the
children, and his father an invalid, he was called upon to
take charge of his father’s affairs at a very early period
of his life. He and his good mother did most of the
rearing of the family. He was engaged in farming
principally till 28 years of age. In the meantime, he
attempted to read medicine, but his health failed, and he
went West to recruit. In 1849, he gave up farming
entirely and went into the drug business, which he continued
till 1857, when he engaged in the grain and grocery trade.
For four years he was railroad and express agent. In
December, 1863, he was elected Cashier of the First National
Bank of South Charleston, which position he retained after
the bank became a private institution, and still holds it
with credit to himself and satisfaction on the part of the
people. On the 9th of November, 1852, he married
Miss Sarah Tibbals. She was born in Montgomery Co.
Aug. 5, 1827. To this union three children were given—Flora
E., Mary and Bertha. The last two
died in infancy. Mrs. Sarah Clark
died in I860, .a consistent member of the Presbyterian
Church. In October of 1868 he married Mrs. C. A.
Horney, widow of Lieut. Paris Horney, who
died in a rebel prison at Columbia, S. C. She was born
Dec. 6, 1836. Kearn was her maiden name. Mr.
Clark, wife and daughter are members of the
Presbyterian Church, and in the town of South Charleston and
surrounding country he is recognized as a man of
straightforward business habits, whose character is above
reproach.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1061 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
SAMUEL
CLARK, retired grocer, Springfield. The venerable and
prepossessing form and features of Samuel Clark
are like household words—familiar to all. In Mr. Clark
is found a fine illustration of a well-rounded, creditable
career and an honorable life, prolonged to a ripe old age,
still in the full possession of clear and acute faculties.
Mr. Clark was born "in the year one" (1801), in
Monongalia Co., W. Va., and came to Springfield in the
spring of 1849. Miss Hannah May, whom
he married in 1825, came from Butler Co., Ohio, but was born
in Warren County; their, only son, John H. Clark,
born in Butler County, married Miss Lottie
Dilce, of Piqua, a lovely and accomplished woman, who
has "borne him one son. Mr. Clark was for many
years prominent here in the grocery trade, from which he
retired several years ago, having accumulated considerable
wealth, and is now enjoying, in quiet ease, the fruits of
his efforts of former years. Mr. Clark is a
consistent and honored member of the Second Presbyterian
Church. An incident related by Mr. Clark aptly
illustrates the growth of Springfield industries and the
thrift that follows continued effort in the right direction.
He says Mr. W. N. Whiteley, of the firm of
Whiteley, Fassler & Kelly, millionaire
manufacturers, little more than a score of years ago came
into his (Mr. Clark's) store and asked him to
step into his little shop and see a new reaper he had made;
complying, Mr. Whiteley pulled it around over
the floor of the contracted shop and endeavored to
illustrate its excellences, but made no very strong
impression on Mr. Clark's mind. But Mr.
Whiteley persevered, and lo! now the Champion works
employ hundreds of thousands of capital, thousands of men,
and their business is reckoned by millions of dollars. So
much for Davy' Crockett's maxim!
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page
Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
ALFRED
L. CLARKE, engraver, Springfield. Thomas P. Clarke,
the father of our subject, was born in Providence, R. I., on
Nov. 15, 1832: came with his parents to Springfield in 1843,
when only 11 years old; attended Wittenberg College, then
studied law, and in due course was admitted to the bar. Here
he met his wife, Miss Sarah A. _______ , whom he
married on the 29th of June, 1856. Mrs. Clarke
came to Springfield in 1850, from Lancaster Co., Penn. where
she was born May 15, 1835. When the war broke out, Mr. T.
P. Clarke recruited the 110th O. V. C, in which he
enlisted as Captain on Oct. 1, 1861, serving until April 1,
1865. After the war, he became interested in mining
interests in Montana, thus continuing until 1868, after
which he served successively as City Clerk and Township
Clerk for several years, dying April 1, 1872, at Mound City,
Ill. Of Mr. and Mrs. Clarke's three children,
Alfred Louis was born April 6, 1857; Frank
Hawthorne, Jan. 2, 1859: and Nellie Hope, Feb. 28,
1861—all in Springfield, and all live with their mother at
their home, No. 70 Clark street; Alfred and Frank
are engravers, occupying an office in the new Bookwalter
Block, and stand high in their art, as well as in the
estimation of the community, as young men of excellent
morals, strict integrity and sterling qualities. The
work of the young Clarke brothers is placed in
successful competition with that of New York engravers, both
as to quality and price. The late Thomas P. Clarke is
too fresh in the minds of his surviving friends to make more
extended mention here necessary.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page
- Transcribed by
Sharon Wick |
|
DR.
JOSEPH CLOKEY, D. D., ex-Pastor United Presbyterian
Church, Springfield. The Rev. Dr. Clokey
came into the theater of existence with the present century,
Christmas being his birthday, and, though almost an
octogenarian, he is still active, by no means decrepit, in
full possession of acute faculties bright, humorous, joyous,
the life of the family circle. The Doctor was born Dec. 25,
1801, in Dauphin Co., Penn.; he came to Springfield
twenty-six years ago, from St. Clair, Perm., where he had
filled a pulpit seven years; being a man of positive nature,
great energy and personal magnetism, his influence was
widely felt, and he is consequently generally known,
respected and beloved. He has been twice married, his first
wife being Jane Patterson, of Wheeling, W. Va., whom he
married on Oct. 3, 1827, having by this union one son and
one daughter, the former of whom they lost, and the latter,
Mrs. William G. Henry, now lives in Assumption, Ill.
On Feb. 21,1838, he led to the altar his present wife,
Elizabeth Waddle, who has borne him four sons and
two daughters, one of the former having passed away; of the
Doctors three surviving sons, two are ministers—one in New
Albany, Ind., and one here temporarily; and one is
practicing law in Decatur. The Doctor's ancestors on his
father's side are Irish. He retired from the active ministry
six years ago. The Doctor is one of those men. of remarkable
elasticity of constitution and spirits, and evenness of
disposition, who never appear to grow really old, keeping up
with all the questions of the hour and everything new, being
fully abreast of the times; whose companionship is sought
and loved by the young. The early history of his Irish
ancestry is intensely interesting; in a time of persecution
there, about 1798, his half-brother was beheaded for
refusing to reveal the hiding-place of his father, who was a
General in the war of that period in Ireland. Of such sturdy
stock did he come. He was fifteen years Professor of
Pastoral Theology and Sacred Rhetoric in the Theological
Seminary at Xenia, Ohio: has ever taken an active interest
in the temperance movement; was a strong Union man during
the war, and it is laughingly said of him that he drew the
first blood, as, during a few pointed remarks at a
prayer-meeting held upon the occasion of the departure for
the scene of war of one of the first companies, in making a
forcible gesture, he accidentally struck a bystander on the
nose, drawing the blood. He thus instituted a series of
prayer-meetings, called u Union Prayer Meetings," that were
kept up during most of the war period. At 19, the Doctor was
Aid-de-Camp to one of the leading Generals in the Irish
revolution. His grandfather was 115 years old at death, and
his father 86. Such men as the venerable Doctor are few and
far between.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
ISAAC
COBLENTZ, hardware and stoves, Springfield.
Isaac Coblentz, the energetic and well-known hardware
merchant, was born in Maryland in 1819; came to Ohio in
1835, when quite a youth, and settled in Springfield in
1866, since which time he has done a thriving business,
being a man of great energy and sterling integrity. He
married in 1844, and has now a family of four interesting
children - one boy of 15 (now at Wittenberg College), and
two married daughters, one of whom, Mrs. Rev. D. R.
Hanna, is widowed. Mr. Coblentz has
been in active mercantile life for more than a quarter of a
century; he did a drub business from 1866 to 1872, at the
stand now occupied by Troupe & Jacobs, corner
of Market and Main, and in 1872 changed to hardware,
occupying his present store and doing the leading business
in stoves, of which he makes rather a specialty, and also of
roofing, having just completed the contract for roofing the
new opera house. Mr. Coblentz is a Freemason,
being a worthy member of Clark Lodge, No. 101; he is a man
of dignified bearing, courteous to all, prompt in fulfilling
his engagement, and straightforward in his dealings; has
been a member of the City Council for two years.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
A.
P. LINN COCHRAN, attorney, Springfield; is a native
of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland County June 27, 1836. He
received his education at Princeton College, from which he
graduated in 1856, and, in the following year came to
Springfield, where he entered the law office of Rodgers
& Cochran, the latter being a brother; subsequently
graduated at the Cincinnati Law School, and in 1859 formed a
partnership with his brother, David M Cochran, which
partnership existed until the death of David M., in
September, 1870, after which the subject continued practice
alone until the present partnership with Robert C.
Rodgers was formed, in 1877, since which the firm name
has been Cochran & Rodgers; their office is located
in the block on the southeast comer of Main and Limestone
streets. Mr. Cochran was a member of the 152d O. N.
G.; is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an
active part in public matters, nor sought official
distinction, preferring rather to pursue the regular line of
his profession, and has established a valuable reputation as
a lawyer and citizen. He married, Sept. 17,1868, Miss
Pearle A. B. "Wilbur, of Cincinnati; this union has been
blessed by four children, three of whom are living—two sons
and one daughter; his residence is 301 South Limestone
street.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page ____ - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
Pleasant
Twp. -
GEORGE W. COFFEY, farmer; P. O. Catawba.
George W. Coffey was born July 26, 1837, upon his
father's farm in Pleasant Township; was raised and educated
a farmer, and has been engaged in that way and raising stock
most of his life. After he attained his manhood, he
went West and taught school several terms while there.
He returned and enlisted in Company D, 3d O. V. I., and went
forward to battle for this great and glorious Union.
He was engaged in a great many hard battles, and was in the
Belle Isle Prison a short time. After his return from
service, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of
Joseph and Jane Furgason, of this county. Their
marriage was celebrated Oct. 24, 1865; they have had three
children, viz., Bert, Mary and Kemp. He
owns a nice farm of 42 acres one mile south of Catawba.
He is a son of William Coffey, whose sketch will be
found in this work.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 973 |
William Coffey
Pleasant Tp. |
Pleasant Twp. -
WILLIAM COFFEY,
farmer; P. O. Catawba. George W. Coffey was born July
26, 1837, upon his father’s farm iu Pleasant Township; was
raised and educated a farmer, and has been engaged in that
way and raising stock most of his life. After he
attained his manhood, he went West and taught school several
terms while there. He returned and enlisted in Company
D, 3d O. V. I., and went forward to battle for this great
and glorious Union. He was engaged in a great many
hard battles, and was in the Belle Isle Prison a short time.
After his return from service, he married Miss Margaret A.,
daughter of Joseph and Jane Ferguson, of this county.
Their marriage was celebrated Oct. 24, 1865; they have had
three children, viz., Bert, Mary and Kemp.
He owns a nice farm of 42 acres one mile south of Catawba.
He is a son of William Coffey, whose sketch will be
found in this work.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 973 |
|
Mad River
Twp. -
GEORGE W. COFFIELD, teacher; Enon.
George W. Coffield is the son of John C. and Nancy
Coffield. His father was born in Virginia April
30, 1797, and his mother was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Apr.
30, 1816, and still lives on the farm where she was born.
Our subject was born May 3, 1843, and was educated in the
common schools of Clark Co., and Wittenburg College, of
Springfield, Ohio. He has been a successful teacher,
holding the highest certificate given in the counties where
he has taught, which includes the counties of Clark,
Montgomery, Miami and Greene. He also read law in the
office of Spence & Arthur, of Springfield, and was admitted
to the bar in 1872. After a brief practice, he retired
to the farm of his mother, and married Miss Mary B.
Bartlett, of Clark Co., June 21, 1874. They are
the parents of three children - Carroll D., born Jan.
21, 1877; Ray E., born Oct. 12, 1879; the other
dying in infancy.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1040 |
|
E. G.
COFFIN, Mayor, Springfield. Elijah G. Coffin
is one of the most noted men of Clark County; his father,
Philander Coffin, was a native of Vermont; he
came to this county in 1818, the year of its organization.
His marriage to Miss Martha Smith was
celebrated in 1830; her parents, Jeremiah and
Martha Smith, were natives of New Jersey, and
also settled here in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin were
parents of Elijah G., Elishabe, Caroline,
Martin L., William H., Elizabeth, Orlevee and
George W.; another daughter, Elmira, died when 7
years of age. Their settlement was made in Harmony Township.
In 1835, Mr. Coffin moved to Allen County,
from there to Shelby County, and again moved to Stark Co.,
Ind. where his death occurred in 1871. The widow and
children all live there, witty the exception of our subject,
and are married and doing well. Elijah was born Nov.
27, 1830; at the age of 18, he engaged in the manufacture of
boots and shoes, and continued in this business fifteen
years. During this time, he was wedded to Miss Mary Haley;
she was born in Ireland in 1825, and came alone to America.
Three only of their eight children are now living—Olive,
Florence and Cora; Olive is the wife of
James J. Kinnane, and Cora wedded Charles
Hayward. Mr. Coffin volunteered in the United States
service during the late war, and was elected 2d Lieutenant
of Co. I, 146th O. V. I.; after his return from the army, he
was a number of times elected to official positions in the
township, in all of which he gave satisfaction; during this
time, he engaged in the hotel and livery business in South
Charleston. He was elected Sheriff of Clark County in 1868;
re-elected in 1870; was again elected in 1876, and was
re-elected the third time in 1878. He was the most popular
Sheriff Clark County ever had, and has given universal
satisfaction, as attested by his several terms of office. At
the recent city election he was chosen Mayor of Springfield
by a handsome majority. In connection with Asa
Whitehead, an addition to the city of Springfield was
made in 1874. Mr. Coffin also laid out another
addition in 1880, which lots were soon disposed of; he has
also dealt considerably in real estate, and is numbered
among Springfield's substantial citizens. For the past
twelve years, he has been Deputy United States Marshal, and
Coroner four years. His city residence is a tasty one. He is
one of our self-made men, having but 10 cents in his pocket
when he first came to Springfield, but, by honesty, industry
and economy, has amassed a fortune of $50,000 at least, and
will leave a record for his descendants upon which they may
look with pride.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
PHILIP
J. COLE, wholesale and retail grocer, Springfield.
P. J. Cole added one to the population of Clark County
on Feb. 11, 1841, being born in this township; he spent his
early youth on the paternal farm: at 16, he evinced a
disposition to rove, engaging in gold mining in Colorado,
which was at that early day a much wilder country even than
to-day. Young Cole lived a "rough-and-tumble"
life in the Far West six years; returning to Springfield, he
became engaged in mercantile pursuits, and has been for ten
years continuously in his present business (except two years
in Pennsylvania in the oil business, and a short trip to
Europe), and is now doing a prosperous business. He is a
member in excellent standing of the Knights of Pythias; also
of the American Legion of Honor. Mr. Cole is
still reckoned among Springfield's young business men; he is
quick, full of energy and push, frank, straightforward and
reliable, a true friend and a generous enemy, and enjoys the
good opinion of the community; he is the elder brother of
M. Cole, the lawyer.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
MILTON
COLE, attorney at law, Springfield. Mr. Cole
is a native of Clark County, having first seen the light in
1848: his father and mother, who are still living, at the
ripe ages of 74 and 72 respectively, were among the early
settlers, coming from Virginia to Springfield in 1830, and
his father started the first "gig-shop" of which the then
village could boast. Mr. Cole worked on a farm until
he reached the age of 16; graduating at "Wittenberg College
in 1871. he took a term (1871-72) at the law school, Ann
Arbor, Mich.; read law in the office of Spence & Arthur
until October, 1873, when he was admitted to the bar. In the
fall of 1874, he was defeated as Democratic candidate for.
Prosecuting Attorney, which is not strange, in view of the
fact that Springfield is almost solidly Republican; but it
was a high tribute to his real worth that he, though a
stanch Democrat, was elected to the Mayoralty in 1875, and
re-elected in 1877, his second term expiring in 1879, since
which he has practiced his profession. During his second
term as Mayor, he led to the altar Miss Ella Skidmore,
and one fine boy has blessed the union. Mr. Cole is a
representative young man, quick, affable and reliable, and
enjoys the fullest confidence and esteem of the community.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
J.
LAMAR COLEMAN, Coroner of Clark County, Springfield;
was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1836; his father
being an invalid, he sustained himself from the age of 9
years; when 13 years of age, he became connected with a
minstrel troupe, now known as the "San Francisco Troupe,"
with which he remained three years, then went to Chicago to
learn the hardware business; remained in Chicago until 1858,
when he came to Springfield and opened a grocery and
commission house, which he operated about six years. In
August, 1865. he bought the interest of the younger Coles
of the firm of Coles & Bro., undertakers, and has
since been engaged in undertaking. In 1861, he was appointed
Deputy United States Marshal, and served in that capacity
until 1867, when he resigned on account of differing with
Johnson's policy, in 1876, he was elected Coroner of
Clark County, and re-elected in 1878. He married, in 1860,
Miss Virginia Hotsenpiller, by whom he had
three children; she having deceased, he married Amanda
Hamuett, of St. Louis. Mr. Coleman is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and a past officer of the Blue
Lodge, Chapter and Council, and Past Captain of the Grand
Council of Royal and Select Masters of Ohio.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
E. T.
COLLINS, physician and surgeon; South Charleston.
Of the pioneer medical men of Clark Co., but few are left to
tell of the trials and hardships or the early days, nearly
all having long since been laid beneath the sod; but in the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch, we have one of the
few living physicians who practiced his profession since the
days when Clark Co. was a wilderness, and he is, with the
exception of Dr. McLaughlin, of Tremont, the only one
in full practice who can rank as a pioneer. He is a native
of Moorefield Township, Clark Co., Ohio, born Jan. 12, 1818,
and the son of Dennis and Mary Collins. His father
was born at Winchester, Va., March 4, 1771, of Irish
parents, who had settled in that State shortly before his
birth. His mother’s maiden name was Mary Thomas, born
in Princeton, N. J., June 12, 1774, and removing to Virginia
with her parents when young, where she was married to
Dennis Collins, of which union were born fifteen
children, as follows: John, Matthias, Thomas, Catherine,
Emily, James, Hannah, Job, Mary, Faris, Milton, Dennis,
Elijah T. and two died in infancy. All the balance grew
to maturity with the exception of Faris, who died at the age
of 15. At the time of the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania,
Dennis Collins responded to a call from President
Washington, and went out to help suppress the disturbance,
which was accomplished without bloodshed. In 1796, he and
family removed to Fleming Co., Ky., where they remained
until 1811, when they came to Ohio and settled about two
miles north of Urbana, Champaign Co., two years later
removing south, to what is now Moorefield Township, Clark
Co., but at that time a part of Champaign. Here he was
engaged in opening up a farm and tilling the soil, until his
death, Feb. 24, 1826, his wife surviving him many years,
dying Oct. 30, 1843; both had been for years members of the
Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was the youngest
in the family, and is to-day the only survivor; his
education was obtained in the common schools of his
township, and during the winter of 1838-39 he taught school;
then began the study of medicine in the office of Drs.
Mosgrove and Carter, of Urbana. In the winter of
1840-41, he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College,
Cincinnati, and on the 16th of April, of the latter year,
began the practice of medicine at South Charleston, in
partnership with Dr. Robert Houston, who some years
afterward moved to Champaign Co., Ill., where he died, but
who is still kindly remembered by many citizens of this
county. On the 16th of September, 1845, Dr.
Collins was married to Miss Sarah L. Houston,
daughter of Dr. Robert Houston. Mrs.
Collins was born in South Charleston, Aug. 30, 1823, and
has had eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Lizzie, Milton,
Robert, Charles, Mary, Houston and Louie, only
three of whom are living, viz., Milton, who, in
March, 1881, graduated at the Ohio Medical College,
Cincinnati; Robert, a farmer in Ford Co., Ill., and
Mary, who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan
University, of Delaware, Ohio. Dr. Collins and
wife are members of the M. E. Church, and have contributed
liberally to the support of religion and morals in their
community. The Doctor became a member of the Ohio State
Medical Society in 1853, and has been a member of the Clark
Co. Medical Society for a number of years. He took an active
interest in the building of the Little Miami Railroad, and
with the exception perhaps of one or two others, is the only
subscriber of stock to that road who is living in this
vicinity, and was also a large subscriber to the S. S. R. R.
He has been identified with the School Board of the town for
several years, and during the rebellion was a stanch
Unionist; and though a man of education and good executive
ability, he has never sought or wanted office. Politically,
a Republican, and a man of the most rigid economy in all his
business affairs, he is, yet, strictly upright and honorable
in carrying out his promises or fulfilling his contracts;
extremely slow and cautious in arriving at a conclusion; he
is withal firm as a rock in upholding the result of his
deliberations, and those traits have so guided him through
life that he has never been engaged in litigation. He is now
a stockholder in the Lagonda Bank, of Springfield, owns
1,600 acres of land in Illinois and Iowa, and after forty
years of successful practice in his profession, is to-day
considered one of the substantial, wealthy men of Clark Co.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1061 - Transcribed
for Ohio Genealogy Express by Cathy Portz |
|
DAVID T.
COLVIN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. South
Charleston. Many who are not pioneers furnish the intellect
and capital to further the enterprises that have been
conceived and put into successful operation since the
country was first settled by those energetic men, whose
names we revere, and who will have ample justice done them
in the pages of this history; therefore, should we fail to
represent David T. Colvin among the leading farmers of Clark
County, an injustice would be done him. His grandfather,
Thomas Colvin, was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch
parents, and there married to Sarah McLaughan, a
native of the Keystone State, also of Scotch descent; they
moved to Berkeley Co., Va., in 1800, where they remained
until death. To them were born the following children:
John, Robert, Thomas, James, Sarah, Eliza Ann, Miriam
and one deceased. Thomas, the father of David T., was born
in Pennsylvania Oct. 16, 1798, grew to manhood in Virginia,
and was there married in 1826 to Rachel Taylor, a
native of Frederick Co., Va., born Sept. 15, 1805, and the
daughter of David and Martha Taylor, natives of the
“Old Dominion,” of German extraction. To Thomas and Rachel
Colvin were born five children, viz.: Martha A., David
T., Sarah E., John T. and Mary V., the latter
deceased. And in 1835 he came to Greene Co., Ohio, settling
in the vicinity of Cedarville, where he died in 1844, his
wife surviving him many years, dying at Jamestown in 1878,
both being life-long members of the M. E. Church. The
subject of this sketch was born in Frederick Co., Va., Feb.
18, 1829, and has followed farming as his life occupation.
He was married April 13, 1853, to Maria Larkin, daughter of
David and Nancy (Harper) Larkin, a sketch of whom
will be found in the biography of L. W. Haughey. Mrs.
Colvin was born in Greene Co., Ohio, July 25, 1831, and has
had born to her, six children, viz., Wilber, Estella V.,
Chase, Metta, George (deceased) and David L.; she
is a member of the M. E. Church. During Mr. Colvin’s residence in Greene County, he took a prominent part in
every public movement; was actively connected for several
years with the agricultural boards of the county in two
different societies; was Trustee of this township about ten
years; a member of the Board of Education in Cedarville ten
years, and filled many minor positions, such as devolve on
men of known ability and integrity in every community. Mr.
Colvin came to Clark County, locating in Madison Township,
south of South Charleston, where he owns 309 acres of land
finely improved, besides 150 acres in a separate tract, on
the line between Clark and Greene Counties, being partly in
both. Politically, a Republican, he was a stanch upholder of
the Government in the rebellion, giving his money and labor
in that cause, as well as, for the support of the soldier’s
families. Since coming to this county he has been Township
Trustee four years, and although not seeking or desiring
office, he has been frequently solicited to be a candidate
for official preferment, but has always refused to allow his
name to go before a convention, which is a rare and
commendable virtue in this age of office-seekers. He devotes
his attention to his farm, and the raising of sheep, hogs
and cattle, in which he has been very successful; is a
modest, retiring man of good education, and extensive
general information, whom it is a pleasure to converse with;
a man whose honesty and integrity, coupled with his social,
whole-souled and generous character, has made him hosts of
friends throughout this portion of Ohio.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1062 - Transcribed
for Ohio Genealogy Express by Cathy Portz |
|
WILBER
COLVIN, born in Cedarville Township, Greene Co.,
Ohio, May 3, 1857: removed with his parents to Madison
Township, Clark Co., Ohio, April 2, 1867: graduated at the
South Charleston, Ohio, High School, May 15, 1874; taught
school in 1875-76; in the summer of 1876, was appointed by
the Clark County Commissioners to the scholarship at the
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, the first such appointment
ever made in the county; twice represented the university in
the State rhetorical contests of the Ohio Inter-Collegiate
Association, once taking second honors; during his Senior
year in college, he was editor-in-chief of the Students'
Magazine, the college journal; graduated, at the head of his
class, June 23, 1880. He is at the present time studying law
in the office of Keifer, White & Babbitts,
Springfield, Ohio.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
WILLIAM
COMRIE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. South
Charleston. This old and respected farmer was born in
Perthshire, Scotland, June 18, 1814, and is the son of
Alexander and Christine Comrie, natives of that country,
where his mother died in 1830, and his father in 1839.
William was the fourth in a family of six children, as
follows: Peter, Alexander, Catherine, William, John
and Jessie, and his youth was spent in his native
land, where he grew to manhood, following shepherding and
farming as his occupation. On the 19th day of May, 1840, he,
together with Catherine and Jessie, embarked
at Glasgow for the United States, settling first in Logan
Co., Ohio, where he purchased a farm and lived about two
years, removing to Madison Township, Clark Co. in the fall
of 1842, and, Dec. 1 of that year, was married to Miss
Ann Murray, daughter of Mungo and Catherine (McEwen)
Murry, natives of Scotland, who came to the United
States in 1802, settling finally in Delaware Co., N. Y.,
where they remained until 1817, when they removed to Madison
Township, Clark Co., Ohio, and here resided until death,
their remains being interred in Lisbon Cemetery. Mrs. Comrie
was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., March 22, 1815, and has had
the following children: Mungo M. (deceased),
Catherine (the wife of James N. Hawk),
Alexander, Peter, Lois A. and Margaret. Mr.
Comrie had some means when he arrived in Ohio, and
was not what is commonly known as a “poor man,” but his
money he put to good use, and by judicious management and
constant industry, has accumulated a large estate, being now
the owner of 932½ acres of first-class land, 452½ of which
he made himself; the balance he received with his wife, took
charge of and cleared up, this being almost as great a labor
as if he had to buy it. The family name was originally “Montgomrie,”
but in the early Scottish persecutions the name was changed
to “Comrie,” to baffle detection. In 1850, his
brothers Alexander and John came to this
country, but Peter remained in his native land.
Politically, Mr. Comrie was a Whig, but on the
formation of the Republican party, he cast his lot with it,
and has ever since adhered to its principles. He, with his
wife and four of their children, are members of the
Presbyterian Church, and he has ever been in favor of
schools, churches and public benefits and institutions of
every sort. His home is one of the best in Madison Township,
and, surrounded by a happy, contented family, he and his
partner in life’s joys and sorrows are now the possessors of
every comfort necessary for their enjoyment and happiness.
In looking back over the past forty years, we cannot but
acknowledge that Mr. Comrie has made a success
of life, and his standing to-day, among the people of his
township, is that of an honest, upright, straightforward and
progressive man, who, by his own efforts, has won a fair
place in the ranks of the leading farmers of his adopted
county.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1063 - Transcribed
for Ohio Genealogy Express by Cathy Portz |
|
JOHN
L. CONKLIN, grocer, Springfield; is a native of New
Jersey, a son of William W. Conklin, who
married Cornelia Goltra, also a resident of New
Jersey; they removed to Ohio and became residents of Clark
County in 1861; they had a family of six children, two of
whom are residents of this county, Mrs. Granville Winger,
a daughter, having died here recently; Mr. Conklin
also died here, his widow now residing with her son, John
L., being in her 79th year. John L. remained on
the farm with his parents until he reached his majority,
after which he learned the trade of mason and brick-layer,
at which he worked several years. He came to Springfield in
1870 and engaged in the grocery trade, becoming a member of
the firm of Winger & Conklin, and so continued until
April 1, 1880, when he purchased Mr. Winger's
interest, and has since conducted the business; his store is
located on Market street, between Main and High streets,
where he is doing a flourishing trade. He married, in 1868.
Helen Parcells, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; they have three
children. Mr. Conklin is a member of the First
Presbyterian Church, also of the Masonic fraternity.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
CHARLES
R. CONVERSE, dentist, Springfield. Charles R.
Converse was been Aug. 4, 1847, among the hills of the
old Granite State; he came to Ohio twelve years ago,
settling in the pretty little village of Urbana; commenced
the study of dentistry in New Hampshire, completing his
studies in Ohio, where his success has been steady and
enduring. Although only a resident of Springfield less than
a year, his superior skill in his profession, coupled with
his energy and pleasant address, have made for him a fine
and growing business. On the 2d of October, 1872, he married
Miss Rose E. Russell, of Urbana, and a fine
4-year-old boy, named Charley Louis Converse, has
blessed their union. Mr. and Mrs. Converse are
members of the High Street Methodist Church, and he is also
a member of the Royal Arcanum and American Legion of Honor:
is universally liked, and a rising young man.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
SAMUEL COOPER,
retired merchant, Springfield; is a native of Ireland, born
in County Antrim Sept. 18, 1877. In March, 1828, he left
Belfast in the sail ship James Baily, bound for St.
Andre, where his party arrived after a voyage of forty-six
days, and. after a short stay, took passage on board a
coaling vessel and came to Philadelphia; the following
winter was spent in the woods of Cumberland Co., N. J., he
being associated with a New Yorker in chopping wood for
coaleries, during which they " kept bach" in a cabin hastily
constructed by themselves; as soon as spring opened, he
returned to Philadelphia; having learned to weave Irish
linen in the old country, he soon found an opportunity to
take a loom with a family who were weavers; the following
year, a gentleman with whom he had boarded, who had
relatives in Cincinnati and Dayton, induced him to come to
Ohio, and they came to Dayton via Pittsburgh and Cincinnati,
where he remained about three years, when he came to
Springfield the year made memorable as the year of the
"falling stars;" here he opened a clothing store in
partnership with Samuel McPherson; in a few years,
Mr. Cooper bought his partner's interest and became sole
proprietor, and also owner of the building and ground, which
he still. owns—now occupied as a hardware store by Mr.
McCord. He married, in 1839, Minerva Ellen Perrin;
she has borne him two daughters, one of whom, now Mrs.
Frank J. Grave, is living. Mrs. Cooper is a
daughter of John Perrin, an early resident of
Springfield Township, his farm being just south of the
present city limits. Mr. Cooper is a representative
of that thrifty class of Irishmen who had intelligence and
principle, and, although he landed in this country a poor
man, by his industry and integrity he secured friends and
opportunities, and, by economy and judicious management, had
in a few years accumulated enough to become a partner in a
store in Springfield; like others of his class, he was
shrewd enough to early secure real estate, and began
housekeeping in his own house, and now owns a handsome
residence at the southwest corner of Clifton and Gallagher
streets, and owns a considerable amount of city property,
the rents from which afford a convenient income, and secures
comfort and ease to his declining years. He has been active
in religious matters, having been a Sunday school teacher
from his youth until his age precluded further service. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have been members of the
Presbyterian Church from childhood, and are among the oldest
and most respected families of the city.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
HENRY
H. CORY, coal-dealer, Springfield; is a son of
Joseph P. and Martha (Fearnside) Cory, and was born near
New Carlisle, this county, March 31, 1851; both the Cory
and Fearnside families were pioneers of this county.
Henry lived with his parents on the farm until 1873, when he
moved with them to Springfield. He was married, June 24,
1875, to M. Effie Andrews, daughter of
Samuel and Margarete Ramsey Andrews, who were pioneers
of Montgomery Co., Ohio. He owns a beautiful residence on
South Limestone street In 1874. he established his present
business, with a capital of $1,000. His trade has increased
until now it amounts to $20,000 per annum. During the seven
years he has been in business here, he has established a
reputation for truth and honesty beyond reproach.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
PELEG
COTES, retired merchant, Springfield. Among the few
old residents of this city now residing here, we find Mr.
and Mrs. Cotes. Mr. Cotes is a native of
Oneida Co., N. Y.; he was born in 1803; his father was a
farmer, and he remained on the farm assisting his father in
his youth, and later farming in connection with his father,
until 1835, when he removed to Springfield and entered into
a partnership with Philo Birdseye, and engaged in the
manufacture and sale of hats, which he continued until 1861,
being about the last one to give up the primitive
hat-factory: but continued as dealer until 1869, when,
having accumulated a competency, he retired from active
pursuits. Mrs. Cotes is also a native of Oneida
County: their marriage was celebrated Jan. 13, 1831, and
they have shared life's burdens and the enjoyment of much
happiness for half a century, during most of this time
residing in their present residence, No. 72 East High
street, which he built in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Cotes
were formerly members of the Baptist Church, and he was
active in the building of their present house of worship;
but, for a number of years, both have been members of the
First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cotes is one of the
few remaining of those who came here when Springfield was a
village, and is fully entitled to be recorded among the
number who, by their energy and enterprise and public
spirit, have developed a city, and he and his amiable wife
are among its oldest present residents.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
THOMAS
VOSS CRABILL, retired farmer, Springfield. This
gentleman is one of the few living pioneers who are left to
tell the tale of the trials and hardships of pioneer life,
and who have helped to convert the wilds of the Mad River
country into the beautiful farms to be seen throughout the
county. Thomas Voss Crabill was born in Moorefield
Township, Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1810, and is the son of
David and Barbary (Bear) Crabill the former a
native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania, who
settled on Buck Creek, in Moorefield Township, in 1808: they
were married in Virginia, and had born to them the following
children: Sarah (deceased), Maria, John
(deceased), Thomas V., David (deceased), James W.,
Mary, Susan (deceased), Joseph (deceased),
Pierson S., William H. and Eliza J. The subject
of this sketch grew up in his native township, and was there
married, Jan. 31, 1833. to Sidney Yeazell, daughter
of Abraham and Mary Yeazell, who was born in
Moorefield Township Feb. 6, 1815, her family being pioneer s
of Clark County; of this union, fifteen children have been
born, nine of whom are living, viz., William, David,
James, John, Thomas, Milton, Joseph F., Levina and
Elizabeth. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Crabill
moved to his present farm, which he rented from his father,
upon whose death he bought the property from the heirs. The
parents of Mr. and Mrs. Crabill died in
Moorefield Township, his father, David Crabill,
having been a soldier in 1812, fighting the Indians, who
were leagued with the English against his native land.
Mr. Crabill inherited 100 acres of land, and his wife
had $1,000 in money, with which they started in life; but,.
by constant toil and rigid economy, they have accumulated a
large estate, owning 700 acres of land surrounding his home
in Springfield Township, and 320 in Moorefield Township.
Mr. Crabill is recognized as a man of upright, honest
character, whose word has ever been as good as his bond;
politically, he was a Whig, but, upon the formation of the
Republican party, he joined its standard, and is a
"stalwart" in his political opinions, his whole family being
of the same faith. He is now in feeble health, having been
paralyzed for some years, but, with his partner through
life's joys and sorrows, he patiently awaits the day when he
will be called to rest in peace.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
DAVID
CRABILL, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of Thomas
V. and Sidney Crabill; was born in Champaign Co., Ill.,
March 14, 1836; has followed farming all his life, and is
engaged at present quite extensively in farming and
stock-raising, and pays a great deal to the improvement of
his stock, and aims to keep none but the best. He was
married, Dec. 2, 1862, to Nancy C. Bock,
daughter of Thomas and Leah Bock; they have two
children—Emma J., born Dec. 6, 1863: and Thomas V.,
born Aug. 25, 1865. Mrs. Crabills father was a native
of Kentucky, and died in Clark Co., Ohio, May 6, 1880; her
mother was in this county, and died here July 7, 1847.
Mr. Crabill is one of the prominent, rising farmers of
this county; he is one of the Directors of his school
district, which position he has held for four successive
years; he lives in a fine brick house, five miles southeast
of Springfield. He and his wife believe in keeping pace with
the times, and are making an exertion to so rear their
children that they will be an honor to them and useful to
the community in which they may live. During the late
rebellion, not being able to go himself, he furnished a man
to serve in his place during the war.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
JOHN
CRABILL, farmer; P. O. Springfield. John Crabill
son of Thomas V. and Sidney Crabill, was born
on the home farm July 5, 1847; he lives in a beautiful frame
house on the home farm; he, like his brother, takes pride in
the improvement of his stock; he has always lived on a farm,
and is, a young man of excellent character; politically, a
stanch Republican. He was married, Dec. 19, 1872, to
Barbara E. Zimmerman; they have three promising
children—Ada Irene, Clark Rodgers and Pearl
Preston. Mrs. Crabill is the daughter of Isaac
and Anna Zimmerman; her parents were natives of
Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio and to this county in 1849,
and located just north of Lagonda, where they lived until
their decease. Mrs. Crabill attended school two years
in the Springfield Female Seminary, and at the death of her
father was obliged to quit school before she graduated.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
Thomas V. Crabill |
|
|
WILLIAM
CRABILL, farmer: P. O. Springfield; son of Thomas
V. and Sidney Crabill; he was born in this county
March 15, 1834. He was united in marriage, Nov. 1, 1860, to
Sarah E. Wise, daughter of Jesse and
Mariel Wise; seven children have been born
unto them, viz., Joseph, June 4, 1862; William
Edgar, Aug. 4, 1866; Lizzie, Mayo,
1868; John, Oct. 15,1870; Hattie, Oct. 18,
1872; Ali, working on the farm, until his marriage,
when he moved near Charleston, Clark Co., Ohio, on a rented
farm; after remaining on said farm two years, he rented and
moved to another farm, in Harmony Township, where he lived
twelve years, when he moved to his present home; during the
fourteen years he was farming rented land, he saved 110,000,
which he invested in the. farm upon which he now resides. He
is a practical farmer, and his stock is all of the best
breed, experience convincing him that "the best pays the
best" Mrs. Crabill was born in this county
March 6, 1841, and she and her husband have been active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1874, and
have been liberal in the support of that denomination.
Politically, Mr. Crabill is a Republican, and is one
of the go-ahead, progressive farmers of his township.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
HENRY S. CRADLEBAUGH, proprietor of Silver Lake
Park, two miles northwest of New Carlisle, has done and is
continuing to do a most commendable work in the development
and upbuilding of this place as one of the most attractive
recreation and amusement resorts of this section of the
state, and he is one of the popular and representative
citizens of New Carlisle.
Mr. Cradlebaugh was born in Seneca
County, Ohio, but came to Clark County in 1881 and passed
ten years on a farm near New Carlisle. He then removed to
this village, where he operated a machine shop and where he
eventually added a garage and general automobile repair
shop. He has much of native mechanical ability, early gave
special study to gasoline engines, and in 1890 he purchased
one of the first gasoline engines manufactured at
Springfield. In 1902-3 he held the position of designer for
the Foos Gas Engine Company at Springfield, and in
this connection he devised many improvements on various
types of gas engines. For the past twenty-eight years Mr.
Cradlebaugh has successfully conducted a well-equipped
general machine shop and also an automobile garage at New
Carlisle, his original work in connection with automobiles
having been initiated in 1899, so that he is a veteran in
this industry. He has been granted a number of patents on
improvements to gas engines and also on farm implements and
machinery. Among his patents is one on a device to indicate
low water supply in connection with gas engines; another,
now expired, to indicate speed; and a friction clutch pulley
which was placed in use by the Foos Company while he
was associated with that concern. Impaired health caused
Mr. Cradlebaugh to retire from his position with
this corporation, in the development of the business of
which he contributed in large measure through his admirable
inventions.
For the past three years Mr. Cradlebaugh
has been actively identified with the improving and
developing of beautiful Silver Lake Park, which comprises
seventeen acres, the lake being of pure spring water and
with shell marle beaches that make it specially attractive
for bathing and swimming. The lake is fed entirely by fine
springs, its maximum depth is twenty-seven feet, and wooded
hills surrounded it and add to its picturesque attractions.
The resort is now equipped with modern bath houses, and at
the park the summer season of 1922 shows frequently as many
as 700 persons bathing and swimming at the beaches. Adequate
provisions are made for the serving of meals and
refreshments, and a large auditorium has been erected for
assembly purposes, with the result that the resort is used
by the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. of Springfield and by
other organizations devoted to religious and cultural
service. On his lake tract Mr. Cradlebaugh has
850 peach trees that are just coming into bearing. Mr.
Cradlebaugh has had no desire for political activity
or public office, but for twelve years he gave effective
service in caring for the apparatus of the New Carlisle Fire
Department. He and his wife are active members of the United
Brethren Church in New Carlisle, and their circle of friends
in the county is limited only by that of their
acquaintances.
Mr. Cradlebaugh married Miss Laura B.
Wolf, daughter of the late Jacob Wolf, who was a
substantial farmer near New Carlisle. Mr. and Mrs.
Cradlebaugh have two daughters: Nellie is the
wife of Rev. Galen B. Roger, a clergyman of the
United Brethren Church, and Ruth is the wife of
Dr. Marion C. Moses, of whom individual mention is made
on other pages of this work.
SOURCE: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark
County, Ohio; Vol. 2; Benjamin F. Prince, 1922 - Page 382 -
Transcribed for Ohio Genealogy Express by Cathy Portz |
|
Bethel Twp. -
GEORGE CROFT (deceased). Few men
were better known in the early settlement of Bethel Township
than the old pioneer whose name heads this biography.
He was born in York Co., Penn., in November, 1771, and his
parents, Jacob Croft and wife, were natives of
Germany, who settled in the American Colonies, and who
espoused the patriot cause in the Revolutionary war;
Jacob fighting throughout that struggle against English
tyranny. They raised a large family, George
being one of the number, and all were reared to farm life.
At a matured age, George went to Virginia, where he
married Mary Critz, Nov. 18, 1799, she being a native
of Botetourt County, born in November, 1779. In 1804,
he, wife and two children came to Bethel Township, Clark
Co., Ohio, and settled in Sec. 8, on the hill where
Martin Snyder now lives. Building a log
cabin in the dense forest, he bravely went to work to make a
home and competence for his family; and how he succeeded is
well known over the county, owning as he did, at the time of
his death, over 800 acres of fine land, all the legitimate
result of the constant, unceasing toil of himself and
family. To George and Mary Croft
were born the following children: John, George
(deceased), Elizabeth (the deceased wife of Peter
Minnich), Jacob, Michael (deceased),
Mary Ann (the widow of James Leffel,
the noted inventor), Frederick, David and
Henry, the latter also a well-known inventor. His
wife died Feb. 7, 1846, and he was again married, to a
Mrs. Wyland, but enjoyed that companionship only
a short time, when death called him from the scenes of his
earthly labors, Oct. 16, 1855, in his 85th year; and he and
wife now sleep side by side in the beautiful cemetery of
Fern Cliff, a handsome monument marking their last resting
place, put there by an affectionate family, who still fondly
cherish their memory. He was a member of the Lutheran
Church, and was the main instrument in the building and
support of the "Croft Church," which has since been
moved to Donnelsville. Politically, he was a Democrat,
and few men were better neighbors than this sturdy old
Pennsylvanian, who was manly, honest, kind and obliging in
all things, and his well-known expression of "I say so,"
convinced the listener that what he said was true, as well
as marked him as a man of integrity, courage and
determination.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1027 |
|
Bethel Twp. -
FREDERICK CROFT, retired farmer; P. O.
Donnelsville. This gentleman is a member of one of
Clark County's representative pioneer families, and is the
son of George and Mary (Critz) Croft, he a native of
Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. Frederick
was born in Bethel Township, Nov. 25, 1815, and grew to
manhood in the pioneer days, when schools and such evidences
of civilization were scarce; therefore his education was
limited to what he could obtain in a few terms in the rough
log schoolhouse of those early days. He assisted his
father on the farm and at the mill, faithfully doing his
share toward the accumulation of the family estate. On
the 24th of February, 1841, he was married to Sophia
Kindsmore Smith, who was born in Adams.
Here she matured, and has had born to her five children, two
married - George (deceased); Clara, now Mrs.
Thomas Minnich of Montgomery Co., Ohio;
Abraham, cultivating the old farm; William, still
at home; and one died in infancy. Soon after the
marriage of our subject, he embarked in farming for himself,
on his father's farm, of which he afterward became part
owner; there he judiciously labored until 1870, when he
purchased his present lot of ten acres, on the "Dayton and
Mad River Valley Pike," where a fine dwelling decorates the
same, in which he lives comfortable and happy, with a wife
who is the light of the family, and a kind mother to her
children. She is a daughter of Abraham C. and
Elizabeth (Dill) Smith, who were natives of
Pennsylvania; he was born in Adams County, Dec. 25, 1795;
there grew to majority, and was educated in the Pennsylvania
College, after which he took a course of medicine, but never
entered upon the profession as practitioner. He was an
active and valuable counselor at law, to which much of his
time was given. He was married in Pennsylvania, and in
1834 he and family located in Clark County; but in 1837
removed to near Camden, Jay Co., Ind. In 1835, he
united with the Presbyterian Church, at Carlisle, Ohio, and
by his Christian walk in after years gave good evidence that
he was a humble follower of Christ. He was a man of
integrity of character, upright and honest in all his
dealings; and one who possessed the confidence, to the
fullest extent, of his fellow-citizens. The people of
Jay County elected him two successive terms to the office of
Associate Judge of the county, the duties of which he filled
with faithfulness and ability. On the morning of his
death, when asked by a near member of the family "What his
prospects were in view of death?" and he cheerfully replied:
"I am willing to go wherever the Lord calls me." His
death occurred Nov. 18, 1863, having attained to nearly his
threescore and ten years. He left an aged widow and
many war friends. His wife was born in York Co.,
Penn., in 1792; she was the mother of twelve children, of
whom nine are now living; Mrs. Croft being the sixth
in number, and of Swiss descent on the father's side, and of
English on the maternal side.
SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ.
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1027 |
|
ALBERT
K. CROSSLAND, fanner; P. O. Springfield. He is the
son of Jacob and Emily (Otstot) Crossland; was born
in this county Feb. 1, 1851; he lived with his parents until
his marriage, when he moved to where he now lives. He was
united in the holy bonds of wedlock, March 24, 1880, to
Laura Rice, daughter of William and Matilda Rice.
Although lately married, he and his young wife are nicely
located, and well prepared to begin life aright. Mr.
Crossland is a promising young man, of good moral and
religious habits; he has been a members of the First Baptist
Church of Springfield since 14 years old. His wife is one of
those good, sensible young ladies, well calculated to make
home cheerful and assist her husband through life.
Politically, he casts his ballot with the Republican party.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
J.
S. CROWELL, manager of Farm, and Fireside,
Springfield. John S. Crowell was born in Louisville,
Ky., Jan. 7, 1850; was the seventh child of parents in
moderate circumstances, and still living, and members of the
Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Louisville, of which
his father, S. B. Crowell, was one of the founders,
and elected a Deacon for life. John attended the
public schools of Louisville; was an apt scholar, and,
although generally the youngest in his classes, stood at
their head—completing in six years the usual eight-year
course. He evinced early an independent and self-reliant
disposition, and essayed to earn his own livelihood; at the
age of 11 years, upon his parents objecting to furnish him
the necessary capital to a start as newsboy, he held a
stranger's horse, receiving 5 cents therefor, which was
immediately invested in newspapers, and formed his paid-up
capital stock; for two years he sold papers in the early
morning and attended school during the day; in the short
interval between the close of school and his last public
examination, he secured a situation in a small printing
office at $2.50 per week; so desirous was his teacher to
have him appear at examination that he secured his attention
vi et armis, by the aid of a posse of his larger
school-mates, who carried him to the school in his working
habiliments; but, even under such untoward circumstances, he
acquitted himself with great credit to himself and his
teacher. Against parental wishes and advice of teachers, he
declined entering college, preferring the avocation of his
choice, in which his success was marked and rapid; within
six months, he was promoted from $2.50 to $12 per week, then
made assistant foreman; but, preferring press-work to
type-setting, was, at 16 years of age, made head pressman,
and even then his fellow-workmen predicted for him a future
large publishing house of, his own. While in this office,
one of the workmen was caught by the arm between the ceiling
and a pulley making 150 revolutions per minute; others
looked on in horror, expecting to see him crushed, but young
Crowell grasped a belt with one hand, was instantly
hurled to the ceiling, where securing a footing, he released
his companion, who fainted in his arms; thus an arm—perhaps
a life—was saved. He became, early in 1868, foreman of the
Courier-Journal job press room, remaining until October,
1869, when about an inch of his right thumb was mashed off
while attending a power paper-cutting machine; he quickly
adjusted the severed portion of the thumb, while the man who
had caused the accident shut his eyes and called for help.
While thus disabled, he invented an "elastic hand-stamp,"
and the rubber-like material out of which they were made,
and, while deeming the invention scarcely worthy a patent,
he commenced their manufacture, in which he employed his
brothers, and did a very prosperous business for some time,
which he discontinued a little before the panic of 1873. He
then visited many of the States and Northern lakes, and, on
returning to Louisville, entered the office of Messrs. B.
F. Avery & Sons, the well-known plow manufacturers,
conducting the publication of their agricultural journal,
the Rome and Farm, on a trip in the interest of which he
first met Mr. P P. Mast, to whom he afterward
suggested the idea of publishing a similar journal under the
auspices of his manufacturing firm, which eventuated in the
present well-known and thriving journal, the Farm and
Fireside, of which, as the founder, Mr. Crowell
may feel a just and pardonable pride, and of which extended
notice will be found in another department of this work. For
ten years before leaving Louisville (which he did in the
fall of 1877), Mr. Crowell was an active,
working member of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of
that city, and its Sunday school; and at 17 years of age was
elected its Librarian; at 20, Assistant Superintendent of
the school, and at 21, its Superintendent; and at 25 years
of age, was chosen Deacon for life of that church. On Nov.
20, 1877, he married Miss Ella C. Mangold, of
an old Louisville family, whose parents are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Crowell have a daughter 1½
years old. They are both members of the First
Presbyterian Church of Springfield, which they joined in
November, 1877. Mr. Crowell, although
not indigenous to Clark County, is worthy of conspicuous
mention among its foremost citizens.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
|
FINLEY
O. CUMMINGS, traveling salesman, Springfield; was
born in Xenia Jan. 7, 1842; is the youngest son of Dr.
James Cummings, who was a native of Virginia,
and for a number of years a prominent physician of Xenia.
The father having died, the family removed to Springfield in
1849. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Moore,
and who was a native of Maryland, now resides here with her
son, being in the 69th year of her age. The subject of this
sketch was among the, first to respond to the President's
call for troops in 1861, and participated in the first Bull
Run battle, being a member of the 2d O. V. I.; at the
expiration of his three-months term, he enlisted for one
year, and became a member of the 60th O. V. I., of which he
was Sergeant Major, and which did service under Gen.
Fremont in Virginia, the whole regiment being taken
prisoners when their time was about to expire; after
exchange, was discharged. Mr. Cummings, in the
meantime, had been promoted to 2d Lieutenant for meritorious
conduct, but, having been discharged with his regiment, he
re-enlisted as a private in the 44th O. V. I., which served
as mounted infantry until January, 1864, when the regiment
veteranized, and was organized as the 8th O. V. V. C, with
which Mr. Cummings continued until July, 1864,
at which time he was commissioned Adjutant of the 176th O.
V. L; after an acceptable service of about one year in this
capacity, July 31, 1865, he received a commission from
President Johnson as Captain and Assistant
Adjutant General, in which capacity he served until
November, 1865, when, there being I no further need of the
volunteer troop, he was honorably and finally discharged,
having been in the service a little more than four years,
during which he participated in many battles and received
marked notice for his bravery and patriotism. After his
return to Springfield, he resumed his law studies, broken
off by his enlistment, but which he never completed; finding
commercial business more to his liking, in 1866 he became
traveling salesman for Foos & Mullikin, manufacturers
of furniture, and continued with them until January, 1873,
when he accepted a traveling position with John Duer &
Sons, of Baltimore, manufacturers and importers of
cabinet hardware and upholsterers' goods, which position he
has continued to fill acceptably, and he is now the Western
representative of the firm. Mr. Cummings is a member
of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter of Springfield, and a
gentleman of social and business culture. He married, in
1867, Miss Clara B. Woodward, of Greene
County, who was a graduate of the Springfield Female
Seminary; she died Feb. 9, 1868, and he again married, May
5, 1875, his wife being Miss Rachel, second
daughter of Judge Littler, of this city; she is also a
graduate of the seminary here, and possessed of valuable
accomplishments as daughter, wife and mother; the issue of
this union is one daughter—Kate Logan.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick |
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REV.
EDWARD H. CUMMING, retired Episcopal minister,
Springfield.
NOTE.—At Mr. Cumming's request, the personal
mention, without which the pen picture of so graceful a
character is but an outline, is reluctantly omitted.
SOURCE:
The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H.
Beers & Co., 1881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick -
ALSO CLICK HERE to find notes
by Sharon Wick for Edward H. Cumming Family |
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