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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	Springfield Twp. - I. B. RAWLINS, lumber-dealer, Springfield.  Mr. Rawlins has been a resident of Springfield for the past quarter of a century, during which time he has resided in Springfield excepting about four years, when he resided on a farm near here, and has been identified with different business interests, although always owning a farm, and much of the time actively engaged in agriculture.  In 1875, he engaged in the lumber trade here, operating a mill in connection, which business he still continues.  He is a native of Delaware, born in 1809, but his parents removed to Ross Co., Ohio, in 1810, and he resided there previous to becoming a resident of this county; he was raised on a farm, and what education he received was obtained in the log schoolhouses of pioneer days; when of proper age, he learned the potter's art, which trade he followed until he had laid by enough for a start, then bought a farm, and, by improving and selling, soon placed himself among the successful men.  He married Mary A. Hotsenpiller; she was a native of Ross County; they have three children living - George C., who is now County Prosecutor; Albert M., now a member of the firm of I. B. Rawlins & Son; and Mattie.  Mr. Rawlins comes of pioneer and patriotic stock; his father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was present at Hull's surrender.  His wife is a granddaughter of Ferdinand Seigel, who was a surgeon during the Revolution, and two of his sons were in the late war; the oldest, Charles F., gave his life as a sacrifice for his country, and, though several of Mr. Rawlin's relations were residents of the South at the beginning of the war, all remained thru and loyal citizens. SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 904
	German Twp. - JACOB REAM, farmer; P. O. Northampton; born Mar. 4, 1836; a native of Clark County.  Is a son of Benjamin and Catharine (Frantz) Ream; he was born Sept. 6, 1789, in Pennsylvania, and she in Virginia, Jan. 21, 1791.  They became residents of Clark County about the time of the war of 1812, as he was a soldier in that war.  They located upon the farm where Jacob now lives, and resided here till their death.  This land was then all in the woods; they commenced, pioneer style, in the log cabin, and cleared up the land from year to year, toiling and laboring and enduring the trials and hardships of that early day; such pioneer deserve a kind remembrance from their descendants and future generations for their many labors, by which this then wilderness ahs been brought out into this beautiful, fruitful country which it now is.  Benjamin died about 1866; his wife died some two or three years previous to his death.  They were parents of twelve children, six of whom now survive - John, Daniel, Catharine, William, Lydia and Jacob.  Our subject lived with his father till his death.  In March, 1857, was married to Catharine, daughter of William and Mary Flick; he is a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania; issue, two children— Thomas B., born Oct. 22, 1S59, and George M., born Feb. 2, 1864. Mr. Ream has always resided on the old home place, which consists of 102 acres of good land, four-fifths of which is in good cultivation, with good building and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence, quite in contrast to what it was sixty-five years ago when his father first settled upon it.  Mr. Ream also owns another farm in Pike Township, of 133 acres, which is the old home farm of his wife’s father.  Mr, Ream never obtained but a limited education, as he never enjoyed good health; but by industry and economy he has been very successful as a farmer, and now has a, good competency and a very pleasant home and residence. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1009
	German Twp. - JOHN H. REYNOLDS, M. D., physician, Lawrenceville; born Aug. 8, 1848, a native of Clark County; is a son of Henry and Julia Ann (McKinney) Reynolds; he a native of Virginia, and she of Clark County.  William Reynolds, the grandfather, was also a native of Virginia, and became a resident of Ohio about 1827, and lived and died here.  John McKinney, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, and also became an early settler of Ohio, and, after arriving here, served as a soldier in the war of 1812.  Henry, the father of our subject, was 11 years of age when he came to this county with his father’s family; was raised to farm labor till 18 years of age, when he learned the brick-mason trade, which trade he has followed most of his life; also owns a good farm, which he superintends in connection with his trade.  He has raised a family of six children, four daughters and two sons, viz., Nancy, Olive, William W., John H., Elizabeth and Rachel J.  He is still residing on his farm, six miles southeast of Springfield, aged 65 years.  Our subject was raised to farm labor and assisting his father at his trade, receiving the advantages of a common school education up to the age of 21 years, when he attended one term at the Wittenberg College, at Springfield then taught school, and read medicine with Dr. Wildason, of Piattsburg, till the fall of 1874; then he attended the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, through the winter and spring terms, and again in the winter of 1875-76, graduating in the winter of 1876.  Thence he located at Lawrenceville in the practice of his profession, where he has since remained with the exception of about three months’ practice in Osborn, Ohio, in the summer of 1877, and returned to Lawrenceville.  Dr. Reynolds is having a good practice, and from his careful arid thorough preparation for his profession by a thorough course of study, and his social and affable manners, we predict for him a successful practice in the noble profession he has chosen.  He was married, Sept. 28, 1876, to Sarah Jane, daughter of James V. and Rosanna Ballantine, whose history appears in full in sketch of James V. Ballantine, in this work. By this union they have two children—Edgar Lamar and Julia Anna.  SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1009
	Springfield Twp. & Springfield City - ALONZO RICE, farmer; P. O. Springfield.  He was born in Harmony Township, this county, July 8, 1825; is a brother of Henry C., and lives on an adjoining 25 acres to Henry; their land is a part of the farm purchased by their father.  When Alonzo was 17 years old, he served two years as an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade in Springfield, and then two years as journeyman, when he took a half-interest in a shop, and, at the end of one year, started a shop for himself, which he carried on some two years; he then removed to New Moorefield, this county, where he lived three years, working at his trade, when he returned to Springfield, and, after working at his trade for a short time he concluded to quite blacksmithing, which he did, and since then has been a farmer.  He was married, June 22, 1847, to Mary E. Alt, sister of George and Daniel Alt; they have five children, all living - Adam L., who was married, Oct. 20, 1870, to Florence E. Monahan; Lucy J., who was married, Nov. 1870, to Caleb Bird; Maria E., who was married, Sept. 25, 1872, to Charles M. Toland; Mary Belle,  who was married, Dec. 20, 1877, to Wesley McDonald; and Charles A.  the four who are married live in sight of their parents, and Charles is still at home.  Mr. Rice was a member of the Sons of Temperance for several years, and is a strong advocate on the side of temperance.  Politically, he casts his vote with the Republican party, and among his fellow-men is regarded as an honorable upright citizen. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 910
Harrison Rice	Springfield Twp. & Springfield City - HARRISON RICE, retired farmer; P. O. Springfield.  The father of this gentleman was Edward Rice, a native of Massachusetts, who was there married to Lucy Pool, daughter of William and Lois Pool, natives of that State, the family moving to Vermont with Mr. Rice shortly after his marriage.  In 1809, they concluded to come to Ohio, and, upon reaching the head of navigation on the Allegheny River, they built a pine log raft, upon which they descended the Allegheny to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio to Cincinnati, where they remained until 1812, when they came in wagons to Clark County, settling in the western part of Harmony Township, south of the present village of Harmony.  Here Harrison was born , Oct. 8, 1823, being the sixth in a family in ten children, as follows:  Polly, the widow of Alansan Chamberlain, of Indiana; Asa, deceased; Malinda, the deceased wife on L. B. Sprague; Sarah, wife of Darias Sprague; Eliza (deceased), Harrison, Alonzo, Celoma (wife of Robert B. Minnich, of Piqua), Henry C. and William.  In 1838, Edward Rice sold his farm in Harmony Township and purchased property south of Springfield, upon which a portion of the city now stands, most of it yet belonging to his heirs.  He died Jan. 10, 1843, his wife surviving him many years, dying Oct. 22, 1877.  The subject of this sketch received a common-school education, and, Aug. 24, 1846, he was married to Amelia Goudy daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (McBeth) Goudy, pioneers of Green Township, who afterward settled on Sec. 19, on the southern line of Springfield Township, where Mrs. Rice was born Aug. 21, 1826.  Seven children have been born of this union, as follows:  Althia M., the wife of George M. Whitcomb; Elizabeth, the wife of Mathew Stewart; Myra, who graduated at the Springfield High School in June, 1878; Edward, a graduate of Van Sickle's Business College of Springfield, receiving his diploma in April, 1872; and Forrest, who will graduate this year from the high school.  Mr. Rice came with his parents, in 1838, to the property where he now resides, and farmed the land upon which the southeastern portion of the city is built.  Politically, a Republican; a man of honest principles and unswerving integrity, quiet and unassuming in his manners, he well deserves a place in the page of this book. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 909
	Springfield Twp. & Springfield City - HENRY CLAY, farmer, P. O. Springfield.  Mr. Rice lives just beyond the city limits on the south, where he owns 25 acre of beautiful land, which  he has laid off into lots; said plat contains ninety-five very desirable building sites, and is called by its founder Riceville; it contains three streets, viz., Henry, Clay and Rice.  Mr. Rice was born in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio Sept. 25, 1830; he is a son of Edward and Lucy Rice.  When 14 years of age, he began the trade of saddle and harness making, at which he worked some three years, but, n account of poor health, was obliged to seek different employment; hence he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked six years, and since then has devoted his time chiefly to farming.  He was married, Aug. 12, 1855, to Sarah S. Dean; their children are Ida Belle, Edward A. and Harry C.; Ida was married, Nov. 27, 1879, to Willis Little; Edward was married, Nov. 24, 1880, to Alice Pool.  Mr. Rice is a man of good moral character, honorable and upright in all his dealings, and possessed with a warm, genial spirit, which prompts him to many acts of kindness; although a sober, industrious man, yet he love a day of recreation, and still keeps up the practice of taking a deer and wild turkey hunt once a year. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 910
	Springfield Twp. & Springfield City - MARTIN L. RICE, of the firm of James Neill & Co., manufactures of and dealers in boots and shoes, Springfield.  Mr. Rice has been identified with the growth and business of Springfield for nearly twenty years.  He is a native of Worcester Co., Mass., born Dec. 2, 1824; he was one of five sons, whose father, believing every young man should have a trade, had each one apprenticed at a proper age.  Martin L. is apprenticed to a baker, and afterward became associated with his father, Anson Rice, who was a merchant, and the Postmaster at Northboro, Mass.; he remained in business there about fifteen years, then came West and located at Springfield; he was connected with the Yellow Springs agricultural Works, and one of four who lost $70,000 by the fine which destroyed the works in March, 1860, after which he became connected with the Lagonda Agricultural Works, and continued there about five years, during which important progress was made.  In 1865, he retired, and became interested in merchandising, Rice & Co. being successors to W. S. Field & Co. in the business now conducted by Andrews, Wise & Putnam.  After a very successful career of about ten year, he sold out and became connected with the management and construction of the now Springfield Southern Railway, with which he continued to be actively interested about three years; in the meantime, he had purchased and become sole proprietor of the "Springfield Curved Elbow," which he still continues to Manufacture with marked success.  By reason of his connection with this patent, he became the defendant in the case known as that of Price vs. Rice, one of the most tedious, as it was the most persistently prosecuted and firmly defended, suits known to the courts of Clark County, after three trials in the Court of Common Pleas, and a hearing by appeal in the District Court, Mr. Rice triumphed, and, though the litigation cost him a good-sized fortune in money, and more in annoyance, he defeated what he then considered and what he now considers a very carefully planned and ably executed attempt to levy blackmail under cover of a claim for indebtedness.  In 1879, he purchased the stock of the assignee and succeeded to the business of W. A. Hance, and has since conducted a large and flourishing trade in boots and shoes, at No. 38 East Main street, under the firm name of James Neill & Co.  It will thus be seen Mr. Rice's life has been an unusually active one; in fact, he has earned the reputation of being indefatigable in business, he belongs to a family remarkable for their activity and capacity; his oldest brother, John A. Rice, now of the Tremont House, Chicago, has acquired distinction as a hotel manager; another brother, Myron G., now deceased, was prominent in railroad circles; Charles A. has been connected with the management of the United States & Canada Express Company for the past thirty years; and the youngest brother, Solon W., has been identified with the mining interests at Gold Hill, Nev., for the past fifteen years.  Mr. Rice began life for himself as an apprentice, and has worked his way by a life of intense activity, and, though lie has suffered losses, has accumulated a considerable estate, and now owns a number of valuable pieces of city property, including that occupied by the firms of which he is the financial and managing head; his residence, on Center street, corner of Mulberry, is a fine property; the building, having cost him $17,000, is a model of convenience and beauty.  Mr. Rice has been a member of the Republic Printing Company since its organization, and is a public-spirited citizen, generous toward all worthy charities and enterprises of public benefit.  His wife, nee Miss Maynard, is a daughter of Calvin and Judith Maynard, of Marlboro, Mass., and a sister of James F. Maynard, of the firm of Maynard, Skinner & Co., wholesale grocers of Boston, Mass.; her first husband, Stephen M. Eager, also of Marlboro, Mass., deceased only three mouths after their marriage; her marriage with Mr. Rice was celebrated in Boylston, Mass., Dec. 22, 1846; this union has been blessed with four children - three daughters and a son; the son died in infancy; two daughters.  Emily M. and Addie M., are still at home; the other daughter is the wife of J. C. Brecht, who resides in Springfield, and is the well-Known and reliable conductor of the "Short Line" accommodation between here and Cincinnati, he having held that position from the date of the first train (July 3, 1872) to the present time; his record, in the language of one of the railroad officials, may be summed up in three words, viz., sobriety, honesty, industry.  In 1858, Mr. Rice was made a Mason at Marlboro, Mass., and has ever since taken a deep interest in the Masonic fraternity, having been for twenty-one years a member of Clark Lodge.  No. 101, of Springfield.  In politics, he was a Whig, and, since the organization of the Republican party, ahs been voting that ticket, having been always opposed to slavery and in favor of all men being free and equal. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 907
	Springfield Twp. & Springfield City - WILLIAM RICE, farmer; P. O. Springfield.  Mr. Rice lives on a beautiful farm three and a half miles southeast of the city of Springfield; his fine house, good barn and other modern improvements are indications of a tidy and thriving farmer; he engages quite extensively in raising fine hogs of the Poland China breed.  He was born in this county Feb. 17, 1833, and is the son of Edward and Lucy (Pool) Rice; his parents were natives of Vermont and came to this county in an early day.  William was married, Jan. 3, 1856, to Matilda Goudy, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (McBeth) Goudy; her parents were also early settlers of this county, coming here in 1826, and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Rice; they have six children, viz., Lillie m. Laura O., William E. Harry A. Claud F. and Zella B.  Mr. Rice has followed farming all his life, preferring it to any other trade; he began working for himself at the age of 10 years, with no fortune but his good name, and, by perseverance and good management, has accumulated quite a fortune.  Mr. and Mrs. Rice stand high in the estimation of their neighbors, and enjoy their home and family. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 909
	Mad River Twp. - W. R. RUE, farmer; P. O. Enon.  Mr. Rue is the son of John and Sarah Rue.  His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Pennsylvania; they removed to Cincinnati in 1798, removing to Greene Co. in 1807.  The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 8, 1815, in Mad River Township, and was of great assistance to his father in clearing up his farm which was among the first improvements in this vicinity.  Mr. Rue remembers distinctly when the Indians were roving around in bands numbering from five to five hundred.  He has many relics of the Indians, including a fine pipe and two of the largest ear-rings ever found, one of the which he found on his farm and the other near the county house.  These relics were exhibited at the Clark-Shawnee Centennial, and was a great attraction.  Mr. Rue married, in 1840, to Miss Lois Forsythe of Virginia.  He purchased the old homestead in 1865, living on it several years, and then selling it and buying the farm on which he now resides, containing 81¼ acres.  Mr. Rue attended general muster for about fifteen years, and from the age of 21 to 55 never failed to work the roads.  He saw the Mormons when on their way from Cortland, N. Y., to Nauvoo, Ill., several of whom worked a few days for his father.  The family consists of four children - three sons and a daughter. SOURCE: The History of Clark County, Ohio : Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 1045
	Pleasant Twp. - A. R. RUNYAN, retired farmer; P. O. Catawba.  He is a son of Abraham, and brother of Henry Runyan.  He was born Oct. 15, 1821, in this township; was raised and educated as a farmer, and has always been engaged i that pursuit.  He was married Mar. 5, 1843, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Amos Neer, native of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of this county.  He has several farms in the township.  He is a local minister in the M. E. Church. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 979
	Pleasant Twp. - H. L. RUNYAN, farmer; P. O. Catawba.  A son of Abraham, and brother of Henry Runyan, whose biography appears in this work.  He was born Dec. 10, 1816, upon the farm where he now resides; was raised and educated a tiller of the soil, and he always been in that way.  He has been very successful at it, owing to his economy and industry; has 475 acres in two tracts in the southwestern part of the Township.  He was twice married; first, June 7, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Wright, native of Virginia.  Mrs. Runyan died Apr. 24, 1852, leaving two children - Amanda and Peter L.  He was again married Jan. 5, 1854, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John Melvin.  From this union they had eight children, of whom six are living, viz., Monroe, Mellissa, Etta, Nelson L., Amos and Fred. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 979
	Pleasant Twp. - HENRY RUNYAN, retired; P. O. Catawba.  He is a son of Abraham Runyan, a native of Harrison Co., Va., who came to Ohio in the year 1806, and located in Warren Co.; lived there until 1811, when he with his family moved to Clark Co., and located in the southwest part of Pleasant Township.  With the assistance of his children he opened and improved a farm, the one where H. L. Runyan now lives.  When he came the advantages for making a living were very limited.  He died in November, 1836.  His death was caused by a cancer.  Henry was born Mar. 15, 1809, in Warren Co., Ohio.  Came to Clark Co., with his parents when 2 years old; was raised and educated, we might say, in the woods.  When he attained his manhood he began farming.  He was married, June 28, 1832, to Miss Rachel, daughter of John Jones, Sr.  They had eleven children, of whom six are living.  Mrs. Runyan died Oct. 23, 1853.  He was again married, July 3, 1854, to Mrs. L. M. Chapman, daughter of William B.  When he began farming he continued at it four years; then for one year he engaged in oil-cloth manufacturing, at which time he embarked in the mercantile business in Catawba, and continued until 1842.  He disposed of his goods and purchased a farm in Secs. 19 and 25; moved upon it and lived there two years.  He was engaged in the mercantile pursuit twice afterward in Catawba, selling his stock of goods and purchased a farm each time.  He was retired from business now about fifteen years.  By industry and economy he has gathered considerable wealth.  He owns several farms in Pleasant Township, and some town property. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 979
	Pleasant Twp. - J. MILTON RUNYAN, milling; P. O. Catawba.  A son of Henry, whose sketch appears in this work.  J. M. was born June 20, 1841, upon his father's farm, in this township; was raised and educated as a farmer, and was engaged in that way until he was 26 years old.  He then enlisted in the 16th Ohio Battery, and served one year; then returned home and farmed until 1864; he went out in the 100-day service.  He was married Mar. 4, 1866, to Miss Mary J., daughter of John McClennen of Virginia, now living in this township.   In 1867, his father purchased the mill, and J. M. became working it, and in three months he took the mill in charge, and has run it since.  He ran the mill some time in partnership with his father.  He afterward purchased the mill and site and assumed full control of the busineses, at which he has made it a success.  He makes a very fine grade of flour; it will compete with any made in the county.  He is a wide-awake citizen and business man, and enjoys a very large patronage of the citizens of this part of the county.  The mill is known as the Willow Grove Mills.  They had six children, viz., J. Arthur, Clarence L., Eddie G., Percy E., Chas. L. and Mandie R. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 980
	Pleasant Twp. - THOS. W. RUNYAN, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Catawba.  He is a son of George Runyan, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, May 15, 1808; came to Clark Co. with his parents in 1811, and located in Pleasant Township, where he has always lived.  He is living at present in Catawba retired from all business.  He is a son of Joseph Runyan, a native of Harrison Co., Va., who came to Ohio in the year 1806, and located in Warren Co.  Moved to Pleasant Township in the year above mentioned, and opened a farm in the wilderness, and lived upon it until death.  Thos. W. was born May 26, 1837, in Pleasant Township; was raised and educated a farmer.  When he attained his manhood, he began for himself.  He was married Feb. 25, 1858, to Miss Phebe A., daughter of Jacob Demory, of Virginia.  After his marriage he started a blacksmith shop; hired hands and learned the trade with them.  He worked at the business ten or twelve years; three years in Catawba, and the rest of his time on his farm he had purchased in the southwest part of this township.  He afterward sold this farm and purchased the one where he now resides, located in the southern part of the township, containing 217 acres under a high state of cultivation, with good improvements.  He is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of this county.  They have had two children - Chas. E. and Hattie.  Mr. Runyan claims to be the inventor of the hand corn-planter.  When only a small boy, he made a planter which was obtained by some men of Springfield, which gave them the idea, and led them to put out the first planters. SOURCE:  The History of Clark County, Ohio: Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 979