BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Portrait Biographical Album
of
Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio
containing Full Page Portraits
and Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the
Presidents of the United States.
Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1890.

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	WILLIAM J. BAIRD.  On a well-developed farm in Pleasant Township, Clark county, this highly respected gentleman carries on the work of general farming in a manner which reflects credit upon his skill and judgment and furnishes him with an excellent income.  His estate comprises one hundred and sixty-five acres and has been his home since 1859.  Mr. Baird of this county  having been born a mile east of Harmony, Mar. 27, 1826.  His boyhood and youth were passed in the manner usual to farmers' sons, his time being divided between attendance at the common schools, the farm labors in which his strength would allow him to assist, and the recreations to be found in the country.      On Mar. 10 1857, Mr. Baird was united in marriage with Mary Hayward, a lady of many estimable traits of character.  She was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., being a daughter of David and Margaret (Kane) Hayward, who came to Ohio in 1833 and settled two miles east of Springfield.  Mr. Hayward was a blacksmith.  The marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Oscar, Margaret and Lewis R.  The daughter is now the wife of George Everhart.  The devoted wife and mother was called from time to eternity in September 1864.  After having remained a widower until Feb. 19, 1867, Mr. Baird contracted a second matrimonial alliance being united with Miss Nancy Kimble.  This lady is a daughter of Giles and Eveline (Turner) Kimble and was born in Harmony Township.  Her father is a farmer.  She is a woman whose worth is acknowledged by all who know her and in whom the heart of husband and children may rejoice.  She has borne our subject five children:  Lizzie, Milton J., Nellie A., Eva A, and Laura E.      Mr. Baird has been an active Republican for many years.  He has served as Township trustee and in 1889 was elected to that office unsolicited.  For fifteen years he has been a member of the School Board in which he has materially advanced the cause of education.  He is a member of the Presbyterian Church while his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.     The ancestry of our subject is an honorable one, the family being originally of Scotland, whence members of it removed to Ireland and thence came to America.  Going back to the third generation prior to our subject we find William Baird, who left to his children over five thousand acres of land in Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky.  He was intimately associated in the business with a Mr. Breckenridge who was one of the first men to settle in the Blue Grass State.  The next in the direct line was another William Baird, who was born near Hagerstown, Md., Mar. 16, 1762, and who, during the latter part of the Revolutionary War, served as a guard about nine months.  He married Dorothy Cammerrer, a native of Maryland and of Dutch ancestry.  After having lived for some time in Westmoreland County, Pa., in the spring of 1794 they journeyed to Kentucky on a flatboat, settling at Flemingsburg, whence in 1808 they removed to Ohio on horseback.  Settlement was made on one hundred and sixty-acres of land in Harmony Township, Clark County, the acreage being afterward increased to five hundred and fifty.  There Mrs. Baird died in 1824, her husband surviving until Mar. 10, 1836.  She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Their family consisted of the following sons and daughters:  Hester, who married John Smith; Susannah, the wife of Joshua Tatman, of Flemingsburg, Ky., who died childless; Elizabeth, Mary Ann, wife of John Hodge; Peter C., John, who died in Kosciusko County, Inc., and William D.      Peter C. Baird was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pa., Sept. 16, 1792, and grew to maturity in Ohio, where he resided from his fifteenth year until he had passed the age of four-score, dying Nov. 2, 1873.  He was successful farmer, accumulating a nice fortune.  After his marriage he settled on one hundred and fifty-two acres on the National Pike east of Harmony, where he resided until his death.  He was an old line Whig and afterward a sturdy Republican.  He married Frances Wilson, who was born near King's Mountain, N. C., and who belonged to a highly respectable family.  Her father, John Wilson, was a Justice of the Peace twenty-seven years; he was a strict Presbyterian and was highly thought of by all to whom his character was known.  He married Hannah Baird, also of North Carolina whence they came to Ohio, spending the later years of their life in Fayette County.  The fathers of both took part in the celebrated battle at King’s Mountain.      This worthy couple were the parents of six sons and six daughters, the subject of this biographical notice being the first-born.  All of the sons and four daughters lived beyond their childhood.  John was accidentally killed in sliding from a straw stack; Willis is living in Dade County, Mo.; Lewis, who served in Company K, thirty-first Ohio Infantry, is now living in Jessamine County, Ky.; Robert J., who belonged to Company I, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, was killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Samuel died when eighteen years old; Clarissa is the wife of John Mills, of Green Township; Caroline lives on the old homestead; Susan lives with her; Mary A. is now deceased. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 710
	J. J. BROWN.  Among the business establishments of Springfield, none are more deserving of patronage on account of the excellent stock found therein, the honorable methods employed, and the enterprise manifested by the proprietor, than the drug-store of the gentleman above named.  Mr. Brown has been a resident of Springfield for a number of years, and has become quite well-known both as a business man and as a citizen whose character entitles him to the hearty respect of all who know him.  He is thoroughly acquainted with the business of a pharmacist, in which he has had the best of instruction, and an extended experience.      Among the early settlers in Pennsylvania, was Grandfather Brown, a man of English descent, and of the Presbyterian faith, who numbered among his family a son James.  This son was born in Uniontown, Nov. 4, 1806, and became a practical druggist.  He married Sarah J., daughter of John Sessford, one of the oldest inhabitants of Washington, D. C.  In 1836 the young couple removed from the capital city to Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, where they spent many years.  The husband breathed his last at Washington Court House, Fayette County, May 8, 1881, his widow surviving until Feb. 23, 1885.  To them were born six sons and four daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third son.  The father followed the example set by his forefathers, and belonged to the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a Deacon many years.  The maternal ancestors were of the Episcopalian belief.      The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Hillsboro, Highland County, Oct. 9, 1839, and passed his school days in his native place, attending the public schools and Hillsboro Academy.  After completing his studies, he entered his father’s drug-store, where he learned the nature and use of drugs and their compounding.  When the Civil War broke out, he felt so strong a desire to assist in the preservation of the Union, that he abandoned his work and enlisted in 1861.      The name of Mr. Brown was placed upon the muster roll of Company A, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, and upon the organization of the company, he was made Orderly Sergeant.  He was soon afterward promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major, and after ward to that of Acting Adjutant of the regiment.  On the expiration of his first term of service, he reenlisted as a member of the Twenty-fourth Ohio Battery of Light Artillery, in which he was made First Lieutenant, and served three years.  During his army life he took part in the battles at Cross Keys, Harrisonburg, Port Republic and Harper’s Ferry, at the latter place being taken prisoner by the enemy.  His captivity did not last long, however, as he was soon exchanged.  The generals commanding the forces with which he fought, were Milroy, Schenck, Fremont, Pratt and Shaler.  After the surrender of Gen. Lee, in May, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returning to his home, resumed the occupation in which he had previously been engaged.      Mr. Brown remained in Hillsboro until 1876, he having sustained a heavy loss by having his drugstore destroyed by fire in 1875.  In May of the next year he came to Springfield, and purchasing a drug stock of Dr. J. H. Squire & Co., embarked in the business here, which he has continued from that date.  He still occupies the same stand, carrying a full line of drugs, medicines, oils, glass and fancy articles.  On June 18, 1872, he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Ella Bowers, of Hillsboro.  She is a daughter of William T. and Mary (Kinley) Bowers, was born in Cincinnati, and is not only intelligent and well-bred, but is a fine specimen of Christian womanhood.  She has borne our subject one son, George.  The entire family circle are consistent members of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Brown has for some time served as Trustee.  He has been a member of the church since 1853, having become a Christian at the early age of twelve years. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 267
	WILLIAM BROWN, a prominent and substantial farmer of Pleasant Township, Clark County, is numbered among its most successful men, and one who has contributed largely to the best interests of his community.  A native of Summerford, Madison County, Ohio, he was born Nov. 13, 1829, to James and Mary Ann (Burnside) Brown, the former of whom was a native of New York State, and born June 21, 1795, on what was known as the German Flats, southeast of the city of Albany.      The father of our subject received but a common-school education, and remained a resident of his native place until a youth of nineteen years, he then emigrated to Upper Canada, accompanying his father’s family thither.  His father was a member of the New York General Assembly, and remained until the Assembly adjourned, while the son went to Canada to look after the family.  Grandfather Brown, however, was not permitted to join them, as he sickened and died. A message was sent to Canada but the mother could not believe the story, and sent her son James, in haste on horseback to Albany where lie learned the melancholy truth, but did not arrive in time to see his father buried.  The family lived in Canada only about three months, then returned to New York State, this being during the year 1812.      James Brown at this time being of suitable years and stature to enter the army, was for a time held by the British with the intention of pressing him into their service.  After examination, however, he was released and rejoined his family.  The mother had already removed to Ohio, and James followed shortly afterward.  They settled two and one-half miles southwest of Mechanicsburg, and James remained with his mother until his marriage, which took place Nov. 13, 1823.  He then with his young wife removed to Summerford, Madison County, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and eight acres, all of which he improved, building up a good homestead, where he resided until his death.  This event took place Mar. 13, 1870.      James Brown possessed more than ordinary industry and perseverance, and as the result of correct habits was blest with remarkably good health and a frame of more than ordinary vigor and endurance.  He was a valued member of his community, prominent in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a sincere and earnest Christian.  During his early manhood he was a strong supporter of the old Whig party.  Upon its abandonment he wheeled into the Republican ranks, and maintained his allegiance to this party until the close of his life.  To him and his good wife there were born the following children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Caroline, is the wife of William Sanford.  The others were named respectively: William, David, Hiram, Eliza, the wife of Harmon Ditz; Delilah, Mrs. William Wilkinson; Rachel, Mary M., (the wife of Jacob C. Vanness); and Melissa, the wife of Charles N. Lafferty.      The death of James Brown occurred very suddenly as he was sitting in a chair, apparently in his usual good health.  His career was that of a self made man, he having started in life at the foot of the ladder, without other resources than those given him by a kindly Providence.  Solely through his own efforts he worked himself up to a good position, socially and financially, he was the son of William and Elizabeth (Brooker) Brown, who were both natives of New York State, where they were reared and married.  Their family consisted of the following named children: Jonathan, James, Oliver, Cornelius, Amy, Dyer, Sarah and Elizabeth.  They all accompanied their mother to Ohio, and with the exception of Dyer, all are deceased.  He is over ninety years old, and lives in California.  The Brown family is of Scotch extraction, and have been noted for the possession of the substantial qualities peculiar to their nationality.      The mother of our subject was born Deember Dec. 14, 1803, in Bedford County, Va., and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Frankinberger) Burnside, who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion.  The maternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Virginia, and moved to the young State of Ohio about 1807, settling first in Caesar's Creek Township, Greene County.   Two years later they removed to the vicinity of Mcchanicsburg, where Mr. Burnside died in October, 1823.  His widow subsequently made her home with her eldest son and died at the age of eighty-six years.  Grandfather Burnside was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in the army during the War of 1812.  His children were named respectively: William, Joel, Mary, Malinda, Lucinda.  Hester, Elizabeth and Michael.  With the exception of Hester, all are married.  William, our subject, spent his early years after the manner of most farmer’s sons, and received a practical education in the common school.  He was a youth of more than ordinary intelligence, and developed into a teacher, which profession he followed several terms.      Upon reaching his majority, Mr. Brown started out in life for himself, choosing farming for his life vocation.  In 1855 he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he has since maintained his residence.  His industry and good judgment brought him the reward of prosperity, and as his capital accumulated, he invested it in land, and is now the owner of four hundred and forty broad acres, and of quality as choice as any to be found in the Buckeye State.      The year following the purchase of his land Mr. Brown was married, Oct. 15, 1856, to Miss Jane Mitchell, the wedding taking place at the bride’s home in Madison County.  Mrs. Brown was born in Pike Township, Madison County, this State, Feb. 19, 1837, to Abijah F. and Margaret Ann (Standley) Mitchell.  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were among the earliest settlers of Madison County and endured all the toil and privation incident to life in a new country.  Mr. Mitchell opened up a farm in the wilderness, making for himself and family a comfortable home.  The mother died Sept. 16, 1876, the father makes his home with our subject.      Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, the eldest of whom, a daughter Maude, died Aug. 1, 1873, at the age of eleven years.  The survivors are Walter A., Myrtie E. and Nellie R.  In politics Mr.Brown is an uncompromising Democrat - a man of decided views, and one who is not easily turned from his convictions.  Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Source:  Portrait Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Published Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1890 - Page 454

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