Clark County Ohio Biographies

MICHAEL GALLAGHER was one of the industrious citizens of Springfield for half a century, was associated with banking and real estate developments, and was a man of utmost loyalty in all the relations sustained by him to country, church, community and his family.

He was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in 1843. His father died there, and when he was nine years of age he and his widowed mother and a twin sister came to Springfield, Ohio. During the greater part of his boyhood at Springfield he lived in the family of Charles Morgan, a local miller. Mr. Morgan educated him and also provided opportunities to learn the milling business. On December 15, 1864, Mr. Gallagher enlisted in Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio National Guard, and served the hundredth day period of his enlistment. After leaving the army he resumed farm work, took up a commercial course in Springfield, and after the death of his friend and benefactor, Mr. Morgan, he was employed in the Warder Mill. He left that service to become collector for the First National Bank, and was soon promoted to paying teller. The only important interruption to his continued service with this institution came when as a result of failing health he took a vacation, including one summer spent in Ireland. After his return he again became collector, and was with the bank until he retired in 1909. He died September 10, 1910.

February 13, 1877, Mr. Gallagher married Miss Katharine Flynn. She was born at Syracuse, New York, December 20, 1850, daughter of Bartholomew and Bridget (Boland) Flynn. Her parents were natives of County Sligo, Ireland, were married there about 1845, and soon came to America and bought a farm near Syracuse, New York. In 1865 they left that locality and bought country property at Northfield, Summit County, Ohio, and in October, 1865, moved to Springfield. Her father died September 15, 1905, and her mother in 1893.

Michael Gallagher was given a bounty for enlisting as a soldier during the rebellion. At his discharge he had about $200 saved up, and he and his sister bought a parcel of land in the Rogers addition of Springfield. On one of the lots he built a small house for his mother, located on Chestnut Avenue. Later he bought out the interest of his sister, and at his marriage he built additions to his first home, and lived there until his death. He had also purchased adjoining land, and on this Mrs. Gallagher and her two sons built a fine modern double house. He also owned a double house and a single house on Garfield Avenue, at corner of Madison Street. All this property remains in the hands of Mrs. Gallagher. Both were active members of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, and the late Mr. Gallagher was a republican in politics.

There were three sons. Harry Sidley, the oldest, was born September 23, 1879, and died April 19, 1907. The son Charles Morgan, born January 14, 1883, is now paying teller in the Springfield National Bank. He lives with his widowed mother. The third son, Herbert M., born February 17, 1887, married Lillian M. Knipshire, of Paterson, New Jersey, and has a daughter, Madalyn M.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 368

JOHN S. GARD, M.D., physician; P. O. Tremont City; born in this township and county Oct. 12, 1829; is a son of Gershom and Mary (Peacock) Gard, he a native of Kentucky and she of Virginia. The grandfather, Job Gard, was a native of New Jersey, and became one of the early settlers of Kentucky, and thence of Ohio, first at Cincinnati, thence at Dayton, thence Miami Co., and finally of Clark Co., settling in German Township, about 1805, where he spent the most of his life. Gershom, when his father settled here, was about 13 years of age; was brought up to farm labor till he reached his majority, after which he followed farming and the milling business; building during his life several mills along Mad River. His life was one of great activity; was a soldier in the war of 1812, being then a young man just blooming into manhood. He died Nov. 1, 1866, his wife died several years previous, about 1849. They were parents of thirteen children, six now survive—Benjamin M., Silas H., John S., Emery R., Eli J. and Margaret. Mr. Gard was twice married; his second wife was Maria Smith, of Springfield, whom he married in the latter part of 1849, and by whom he had two children—Charles G. and Edwin V. Our subject was brought up to manual labor on the farm till 18 years of age, receiving the advantages merely of a common school education. At this period he attended the Ohio Conference High School, at Springfield, two years; thence the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, two years; thence R. S. Bacon’s Commercial College at Cincinnati, where he graduated; thence the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated in 1864. He now entered the army as Assistant Surgeon, under Maj. Grant, of New Jersey, being assigned to that position and located at Madison, Ind., by Charles Tripler, who had command of the Northern Medical Department, where he remained till his appointment as Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, which position he held three years. After his father’s death, or in 1867, he bought the old homestead farm of the heirs, paying $106 per acre. He was now owner of three good farms; these he rented and entered upon the practice of his profession, at Tremont City, where he continued till April, 1879, when he bought and located upon the farm where he now resides, retired from active practice. He married, Nov. 11, 1851, Miss Emma E., daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Hurd, natives of New York State; issue, five children, four now survive—Horace A., Warren E., Mary B. and Laura A.; deceased, Edward DeForest. Dr. Gard now owns 300 acres of excellent land, constituting three farms, all in good cultivation, with good improvements, and is pleasantly situated to enjoy the comforts of life. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, being the only Republican ever elected to that office in German Township. The Doctor and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, he having been such twenty-five years, is Trustee of the Church, and superintended the building of their new edifice, which does honor to the members and the town of Tremont City.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1001

CHARLES OTIS GARDINER, of P. P. Mast & Co., manufacturers, Springfield; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1826; he is of Scotch and German descent, being from the family who settled and whose descendants now own Gardiner’s Island; is a son of Daniel Dennison and Orrilla (Fairbanks) Gardiner; his mother was of the same family connection as the inventor of the celebrated  “Fairbanks” scales; his father was a manufacturer of agricultural implements, and thus the native mechanical genius of Mr. Gardiner was early developed by practical application. He was a member of the first wrecking crew on the lakes; it was this crew who removed the safe from the steamer Atlantic, sunk in 160 feet of water off Long Point, Lake Erie; was three years foreman of the works at Milwaukee where the Pitts thresher was manufactured. In 1857, he took charge of the Buffalo Agricultural Works, but the financial pressure of that year somewhat crippled the firm, and, in the fall of 1860, Mr. Gardiner came to Springfield, having made arrangements with Thomas & Mast to take general superintendence of the Buckeye Agricultural Works; he continued as foreman and general superintendent of the works until the re-organization, when he became a member of the firm of P. P. Mast & Co.; he is the inventor of their force-feed for grain drills, and, in fact, of all the important late patterns held by the firm, and is the real mechanical genius of the firm, and contributed largely to the success of the works, now one of the important manufacturing establishments which have made the village of Springfield an important city, with a good prospect of becoming one of the greatest manufacturing centers in the world. His residence is 100 Gallagher street. He married, in 1853, Miss Amelia A. Clark, of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; they have one child living, Anna A., now Mrs. Dr. William Lagonda.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 830 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick

EDWARD R. GARLOUGH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Springfield; son of Jacob Garlough; was born in this township in 1836; raised to farm life upon his father’s farm, he has always pursued it. In 1860, he commenced business for himself, when he purchased his present farm, then of 147 acres, adjoining a parcel of 75 acres he then owned. His farm now embraces 280½ acres. January 12, 1860, he married Miss Eliza A. Williams, a very intelligent lady. There is issue of this marriage—Canton, Wilber, John, Fred and Earl. In 1865, Mr. G. erected a barn, and in 1875 he erected a large residence. He and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. His farm is in an excellent state of cultivation.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1049

JAMES T. GARLOUGH, farmer and stock-grower; P. O. Springfield, Ohio; son of Jacob Garlough, deceased; was born in this township June 3, 1834. He grew to manhood upon the farm, and received the winter’s schooling customarily given by farmers to their sons in those days. In 1856, he commenced farming for himself on his present farm of 147½ acres, which he improved. March 6, 1856, he married Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of William Hause, (deceased) then of Madison Township. To this marriage eight surviving children were given—Clara, Mary H., Alva T., Sheridan G., Alice, Jessie E., Willie F. and Robbie C., all except the first reside with their parents.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1049

JOHN GARST, farmer; P. O. New Carlisle. The subject of our sketch is one of the substantial and useful men in the community in which he resides; he was born in the State of Virginia March 18, 1802; he was the eldest of seven sons, and resided with his parents, who were tillers of the soil, until 21 years of age. On the 2d day of April, 1823, he started for this county, driving a four-horse team for Michael Frantz. of this township, being twenty-eight days on the road, and receiving for the journey $12, which amount, with 50 cents he possessed before starting, comprised his capital. Remaining here some three weeks, he returned to his native State on foot by way of Kentucky and Tennessee and through Cumberland, Maryland, a distance of over 600 miles, making the trip in twenty-one days. Of the amount named but 25 cents was left on his arrival in Virginia. Mr. Garst united in marriage with Susan Zigler, a native of Botetourt Co., Va., Aug. 21, 1823. He then rented land and farmed until the year 1827, when he came to this county, buying and settling where he now resides. To this couple were born the following children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Henry, Catharine, John, George, Maria, Louisa, Emma and William. The mother died July 20,1862. Mr. Garst was again married in 1865, this time to Rachel Miller, of Bethel Township, this county, who died June 25, 1870. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, having united therewith when quite young. Neither our subject nor his first wife were members of any church, yet they leaned toward the German Baptists. Both devoted a great deal of time to the sick and afflicted, and were highly respected and universally beloved by all. Mr. G., while not having connected himself with any particular denomination, is a man always to be found on the side of right., ever in sympathy with all movements having for their object the elevation and bettering of mankind. He has ever been kind to the poor; is one of those big-hearted, kind and sympathetic natures who are always doing something for the afflicted and those in trouble. He has for many years lent great assistance in times of sickness and death, being a regular attendant at all funerals, and generally the one in charge. He is a business man in its fullest sense, and his opinions are always respected. He is one of the School Directors, which position he has held for fifteen years, and President of New Carlisle Cemetery, having held that office for the past eighteen years. He is also President of the New Carlisle & Mad River Turnpike. Mr. Garst is the son of Abraham and Catherine Ribble Garst, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Maryland, and both of German descent.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1016

JOSEPH GARST, farmer. Mr. G. was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1831. His ancestors were of Dutch descent. His father, Abraham, was born in Virginia in 1791, and his mother, Anna, near the same place in 1792. Her great-grandfather, Michael Frantz, was one of the first Bishops of the Dunkard Church in America. Our subject is politically a Republican, and religiously a Universalist. In August, 1864, he was married to Sarah, daughter of A. Q. and Rebecca Bennett. The latter’s maiden name was Ward, and she is a first cousin of Henry Ward Beecher. Mr. Garst has had born to him two children—Iva, born Aug. 12, 1865, and Isabell, born Feb. 20, 1871. Mr. G. is a farmer and fruit-grower by occupation. In the latter branch he is an enthusiast, having presented over one hundred varieties of apples and pears, in addition to small fruits. He is also a breeder of Jersey cattle, and is now entering into the culture of bees.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1017

JOHN N. GARVER, who is now engaged in the real estate business upon an extensive scale, with headquarters in the City of Springfield, has had a somewhat varied professional and business career, in which he has been prominently identified with newspaper and periodical publishing. He is a native of Clark County, Ohio, and a representative of a family that was here founded more than ninety years ago. In 1831 Abraham and Elizabeth (Rice) Garver, accompanied by their seven children, came from the part of Virginia that now constitutes the State of West Virginia, with team and covered wagon along the rough trails and through the forest wilds until they reached their destination in Clark County, Ohio, where they settled on a partly reclaimed tract of school land in Bethel Township. There Abraham Garver and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, and they bore well their part in connection with the early stages of civic and industrial development in the county. Their son Benjamin C. was born near Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1829, and thus was a child of about two years at the time of the family removal to Ohio, where he was reared on his father’s pioneer farm, in the work of which he early began to assist, the while he attended the rural schools of the locality during the winter months, when his services were not in requisition on the home farm. After his marriage to Miss Ruth Rohrer, of Springfield, he established their home on the old farmstead of his father in Bethel Township, and continued his operations as an agriculturist and stock-grower there until 1884, when he removed with his family to Kansas. He passed several years in the Sunflower State, where he gained his quota of pioneer experience, and the last two years of his life were passed in the home of his daughter in Oklahoma, where he died in 1909, at the age of eighty years, his wife having preceded him to eternal rest. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom eight sons and one daughter attained to maturity, two daughters having died in infancy. Three of the sons reside at Springfield, John N. and Walter B. being associated in the real estate business, and James L. being a commercial traveling salesman.

John N. Garver was born on the old home farm in Bethel Township, Clark County, September 28, 1858, and he profited in his boyhood and youth by the discipline of the farm. After attending the public schools and an academy he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, from which he was graduated in 1882 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter he was for a time a commercial traveler for the Superior Drill Company of Springfield, and he then followed his father to Kansas and began the study of law at Emporia. He soon abandoned these studies to accept a reportorial position with the Emporia News. Incidentally he began to make examination of land titles, in the interest of Eastern investers who were extending loans on Kansas real estate. This experience in time led to his removal to Kansas City to work in a similar capacity for the New England Trust Company. Like many another devotee, he was not long able to restrain his predilection for journalism, and in 1886 he became editor of the Sioux City (Iowa) Tribune. In the following year, in association with A. D. Hosterman, a former Springfield boy, he founded the Lincoln Newspaper Union, auxiliary publishers to supply printed sheets to country newspapers, but in the following year they sold the business to the Western Newspaper Union. In the autumn of that year Mr. Garver returned to Springfield, and on the 21st of November, 1888, married here Miss Anna Geiger, daughter of Professor H. R. Geiger, a member of the faculty of Wittenberg College. In the same year, in association with others, Mr. Garver purchased The Republic and The Champion City Times, which two Springfield daily papers were then consolidated under the title of The Republic-Times. Mr. Garver became advertising manager of the paper, which became a power in the local field, and when, in 1892 the owners of this newspaper property purchased the Peoria Morning Transcript, at Peoria, Illinois, Mr. Garver assumed charge of the latter as publisher and general manager. He remained five years at Peoria, in 1897 returning to Springfield, where shortly afterward he purchased The Farm News and a publication entitled Womankind, which latter he afterward sold to W. D. Boyce of Chicago. He continued the publication of the Farm News until 1906, when he sold the plant and prosperous business to the Simmons Publishing Company. In the period since that time he has given his attention principally to the real estate business, in which he at first specialized in the handling of Western lands. The business now conducted involves the handling of all kinds of realty, both city and country, and the operations extend into several other states.

Mr. Garver is an advocate of the principles of the republican party, and from 1905 to 1911 he was a member of the City Council of Springfield, being one of the republican leaders of that body. In 1908 he was president of the Springfidd Commercial Club. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity, as are also his two sons, who likewise are graduates of his alma mater, the Ohio Wesleyan University. The two oldest daughters, who are graduates of Vassar College, were actively engaged in war work in Washington, D. C, during the period of American participation in the World war. Mr. Garver is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Springfield Country Club, and the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife died in 1910, and is survived by four children: Benjamin G., Louise (Mrs. F. E. Prior), Frances N. (Mrs. Kenneth Backman), and John N., Jr. Both sons were in service in the World war, Benjamin having been a lieutenant in the aviation corps, and John N., Jr., having been in the motor-transport service on the stage of conflict overseas.

In 1915 Mr. Garver wedded Miss Helen Bevitt of Springfield, and they have one child, Barbara.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 120

PAUL TIFFANY GERHARDT. There are in every community men of force and character whose importance is definitely recognized, but in the majority of cases these are men of years and long business experience. At Springfield, however, this supremacy is not entirely maintained, for here are found men of the younger generation who are capably handling old-time business problems, and as officials competently directing large enterprises. An example is readily found in Paul Tiffany Gerhardt, who is secretary and general manager of the Avondale Realty Company, secretary of the New Century Land & Securities Company, and also secretary of the Springfield Real Estate Board.

Paul Tiffany Gerhardt was born at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, July 23, 1892, and is a son of Jacob and Ida May (Tiffany) Gerhardt, and a grandson of Sebastian and Margaret (Petersen) Gerhardt. The grandparents were born in Germany, the grandmother in Alsace-Lorraine, now a province of France. They embarked for the United States on the same sailing vessel and, although strangers at the time, the long voyage of three months gave them plenty of opportunity to get acquainted and the result was that they were married in the City of New York shortly after landing. For a time they lived in Pennsylvania and then came as pioneers to Greene County, Ohio. Sebastian was a wagon maker and horseshoer, and his trade expertness caused him to be selected for such work in the Union Army during the Civil war. He was with General Sherman’s forces on the memorable march to the sea, and acquitted himself well, not only as a mechanic, but often as a soldier in the thickest of the fight.

Jacob Gerhardt, son of Sebastian, was born at Yellow Springs, Greene County, Ohio, in 1860, and resided in the place of his birth until 1882, when he removed to Springfield and embarked in the retail grocery business, in which he has successfully continued ever since, his well known establishment being situated at 31 North Fountain Avenue. He married Ida May Tiffany, who was born at Dayton, Ohio, in 1861. She is a daughter of the late Isaac Tiffany, who for many years was in the hotel business in Clark County, and who was a thirty-third degree Scottish Rite Mason. The Tiffany name is well known in the United States, largely on account of its honorable, well-managed business enterprises. The great New York jewelry house of Tiffany has been heard of in the remotest villages. The father of Mrs. Gerhardt was a half-brother of the New York capitalist, and one of his brothers was politically prominent in Greene County, of which he was sheriff at one time. Mr. and Mrs. Gerhardt have three children: George S., of Springfield, who is a traveling salesman; Alice Margaret, who is the wife of Dr. Frank Newton, of Toledo; and Paul Tiffany.

Paul Tiffany Gerhardt was educated in the public schools, with one year in the high school, and at Wittenberg College, from which institution he was graduated in 1910. In that same summer he went to work with the International Harvester Company, and remained three years with the Springfield branch, serving in different capacities and in various departments, and when he left the plant in 1913, at the time of the great flood, he was serving as emergency timekeeper in the general offices.

Mr. Gerhardt by this time had made up his mind as to a future business career, talent and inclination both pointing in that direction, and he next entered the employ of the James Leffel Foundry Company as cost clerk. He continued three years with this concern, and when he retired early in 1916 he was officiating as chief factory clerk. In July, 1916, he became bookkeeper for the Avondale Realty Company, and shortly afterward a salesman, with bright prospects ahead. These were not, however, immediately realized, for Mr. Gerhardt was one of the patriotic, unselfish young men who when country and civilization were endangered had the personal courage and moral strength to set aside their individual ambitions and offer themselves for service in the great armed conflict across the Atlantic.

On May 12, 1917, as one of the first from Springfield, Mr. Gerhardt enlisted for service in the World war. He was ordered to Fort Benjamin Harrison Officers’ Training Camp where, on August 13, 1917, he was commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to duty in France as one of eight commissioned officers selected from that camp to continue training in France, with the object of developing them into instructors for duty back in this country. He left the United States on the transport Mongolia on August 29, 1917, landed at Liverpool, England, three weeks later and then proceeded to the French officers’ training school at La Val Bonne, where he took a seven weeks’ course in modern warfare tactics. He was then ordered to the American training school at Langres, France, the first one to be established, and on the day following, Christmas, 1917, he reported to the English training school at La Togue, France, on the English Channel. There he took a course in Lewis gun practice, and in January, 1918, went from there to the Hallock sector (English) on the English front.

In February the young military student reported to the Saint Pol (France) Bayonet School, and was there when the big German offensive drive started on March 21, 1918, following which he participated in eight battles. After that drive he was ordered back to American headquarters at Langres, France; then for three weeks was with the Eighty-second Division, known as the “All American,” as instructor, then was with the Eightieth Division as instructor and later was assigned as platoon commander, and as such served with the Eightieth Division on the New Zealand (Picardy) sector, going thence into the St. Mihiel offensive. On September 26, 1918, he was sent into the Meuse-Argonne offensive, and on October 28, 1918, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and was serving with that rank when the armistice was declared. Lieutenant Gerhardt returned then to the United States, with duty well done, landing on American soil on June 1, 1919. He was discharged and mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on June 12, 1919, bearing four service stars.

Mr. Gerhardt returned to the Avondale Realty Company at Springfield, of which he became secretary and subsequently manager, and later identified himself with other important business interests. His marriage took place on October 24, 1919, to Miss Martha H. Patterson, who is a daughter of William I. and Nettie (Odor) Patterson, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and they have a daughter, Joane J., who was born July 10, 1920. Lieutenant Gerhardt is a member of the Fourth Lutheran Church, and has the honor of having been the first child baptized in the Fifth Lutheran Church of Springfield. He is a member of St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 619, F. and A. M., is a thirty-second degree Mason, Columbus Consistory. He belongs to George Cultice Post No. 6, American Legion, and is second vice president of the Springfield Exchange Club.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 123

JOHN GERMAN is one of the native sons of Clark County who here continues as a progressive and substantial representative of farm industry, his well improved farm being situated in German Township, seven miles west of Springfield, and he is trustee of this township at the time of this writing, in 1922.

Mr. German was born in Springfield Township, this county, September 22, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Geron) German. Peter German was born and reared in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where he learned the trade of miller and where he remained until he was seventeen years of age, when he came to the United States and established his residence in Clark County, Ohio, where one of his sisters had previously located. On his immigration he was accompanied by his brother Baltzer, and they landed at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their supply of funds entirely exhausted. The two brothers came to Clark County, and here both found employment at farm work. Peter entered the employ of Peter Sintz, of Springfield Township, and this sterling citizen and successful farmer assisted the two young German lads in getting a start in the land of their adoption. Peter German later worked in the saw mill and on the farm of Mark Snyder, and at the age of twenty-four years he married Miss Margaret Geron, who was then nineteen years of age. She was likewise a native of Hesse-Darmstadt and was thirteen years old when she came to America and found a home with her uncle, John Loomis, in Clark County. After his marriage Peter German farmed on rented land for a few years and then he purchased fifty acres on the National Turnpike, in Springfield Township. For this property he paid thirty dollars an acre, and on the same he and his young wife established their home in a pioneer log house. Until he could make his own land available for the raising of crops he rented fields of his former employer, Peter Sintz, and by energy and good management he made each successive year count in progress to the goal of independence and prosperity. He became the owner of an excellent farm of ninety-five acres three miles distant from Springfield, and on this homestead he continued to reside until his death, in the early ’90s, at the age of sixty-one years, his life having been shortened by an injury which he had received while cutting corn. His widow survived him eight years, and was likewise sixty-one years of age at the time of death. Of their children Lizzie became the wife of John Schneider, and she died at the age of fifty-four years; Margaret, wife of Peter Winkler, died at the age of forty-two years; George was fifty-one years of age at the time of his death; Peter is a carpenter by trade and resides in the City of Springfield; John, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Adam remains on the old home farm in Springfield Township; Anna is the wife of George Schneider, of Springfield; and Jacob died at the age of forty years.

John German was reared on the old home farm and gained his early education in the district schools. He was associated with his father in dairy farming, and continued his residence on the old homestead until 1896, when he purchased and removed to his present place of 185 acres, known as the old George Miranda farm and situated on the Troy Turnpike. For this property, which has greatly advanced in value under his progressive management, he paid forty-two dollars an acre. The farm was in a run-down condition and he forthwith began the development of an effective system of tile drainage, the place at the present time having 6,000 rods of tile drains, it having been necessary for him to force an outlet through farms owned by others, his example having since been effectively emulated by other landholders of the locality, who have found tile drainage of inestimable value. Mr. German has continued successfully his enterprise of dairy farming, and makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle and the general feeding and raising of cattle and hogs. He has won through his own ability and efforts a substantial prosperity and is the owner of a farm of 170 acres in Champaign County, this place being utilized for pasture and being five miles distant from his fine home farm. Mr. German has made the best of permanent improvements on his home farm, including the erection of modern buildings, silos, etc., and the place is now one of the model farms of Clark County. In his civic relations Mr. German has shown the same progressive spirit and loyalty that have marked his individual enterprise. He served eight years as a member of the School Board of his district, and was in tenure of this office at the time when centralization of the schools was effected, there being now but three schools in Springfield Township outside of the county seat, and the work of these centralized schools have been brought to a high standard. The secure place which Mr. German has in popular confidence and esteem was further indicated when, in 1921, he was elected trustee of German Township. He assumed the duties of this office January 1, 1922, and is giving special attention to the maintaining of good roads, he being responsible for the upkeep of eight miles of road in his township. He is a staunch advocate of the principles of the democratic party and has been active in its local councils. He is an active member of the Farm Bureau of Clark County, and he and his wife are communicants of the German Lutheran Church at Springfield.

At the age of twenty-four years Mr. German married Miss Mollie Ellinger, who died three years later and who left no children. For his second wife Mr. German wedded Miss Mary Rader, of Springfield, and they have five children: John Henry, Baltzer, Margaret, Minnie and Helen. All of the children remain at the parental home with the exception of Margaret, who is the wife of Clarence Bishop, a farmer in the vicinity of the old home of her parents.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 176

CHARLES F. GILBERT for many years has been an active business man at South Charleston. His principal activities have been in the lumber business, and he is also connected with the financial life of Springfield and has been deeply interested in the civic welfare and advancement of his home community and the county at large.

He was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 20, 1872, son of Lewis and Anna (McClain) Gilbert. Lewis Gilbert was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 1, 1838, had a common school education, and at the beginning of the Civil war enlisted in the Union Army and served with all the fidelity of a good soldier four years. He was in Sherman’s Army, and after the war was deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic. At Cedarville in Greene County he married Anna McClain, who was born August 31, 1842, in Ross County, Ohio. After their marriage they located at Cedarville. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their four children were: Miss Lena, who has for many years been a high school teacher; Charles F.; Delia, wife of John W. Johnson, of Cedarville, and Ralph, a farmer in Greene County.

Charles F. Gilbert attended the common schools, and as a youth became interested in the lumber business. On locating at South Charleston he was associated with Joseph Van Horn, and at the death of Mr. Van Horn, took over the lumber business and gave his entire time to its management until 1919. The business was then discontinued, and Mr. Gilbert has since given his time to his farm properties.

He married Miss Anna Wilson, who was reared on a farm in Harmony Township of Clark County. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gilbert is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner, being affiliated with Palestine Commandery at Springfield, and Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Dayton, Ohio, and is a past master of his lodge. He and his wife are both members of the Eastern Star, and he is a republican, and at present is serving on the Village Commission of South Charleston. He is financially interested in the Springfield Bond and Mortgage Company, the officers of which are: F. E. Hosterman, president; C. A. Young, vice president; Stanley S. Petticrew, second vice president; Hugh Hagan, secretary; A. H. Penfield, treasurer, and the directors are David F. Snyder, Paul E. Nollen, W. F. Tuttle, O. C. Clark, Joseph A. Poss, Charles F. Gilbert and A. C. Kaser.

Anna Wilson, wife of Mr. Gilbert, is a daughter of Timothy and Nancy (Smith) Wilson. Her father was born in Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1840, came to the United States at the age of eighteen, locating near South Charleston, was a successful farmer in that locality, and is now living retired. His wife, Nancy Smith, was born in Harmony Township, January 1, 1845. They are members of the Lisbon Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson served a hundred-day enlistment during the Civil war in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Infantry. Of the eight children in the Wilson family, five are living: Alva, unmarried; Arabelle, wife of W. B. Hunt, of Columbus, Ohio; C. H., a farmer in Harmony Township; Mrs. Anna Gilbert, and A. G., a farmer in Harmony Township.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 223

S. C. GILBERT, retired farmer; P. O. Vienna Cross Roads; a son of Allen Gilbert, a native of New York, who came to Ohio in the year 1814, and located in Harmony Township, this county, where he lived till his death, which was caused by milk sickness in August, 1819. The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 6, 1811, nine miles southeast of Albany, N. Y.; was raised upon a farm; when 18 years of age, he learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at it all his life, with exception of the last ten years, he has paid more attention to farming. He was married May 29, 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Clark, of Harmony Township; they had nine children. Mrs. Gilbert died Feb. 18, 1879, leaving seven children living—Allen, William, Mary, Lydia A., Austin, George and Charles. His farm is located near the south line of Pleasant Township, with good improvements.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 974

THE GOOD FAMILY of Springfield was settled in Pennsylvania long before the start of the war of the American Revolution, its ancestors having come to America from Switzerland during the Quaker immigration of that early period. John Good, grandfather of the present generation of the family at Springfield, married Sarah Singer, like himself a native of Pennsylvania. Samuel Good, their son, and father of the present generation, was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1826, and married Caroline Fisher, who was born at Ligonier, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1829. Her grandfather, Mathias Fisher, served on one of the Clark expeditions into this part of Ohio, was captured by the Indians at Fort Tecumseh, not far from Springfield, and was held a captive until his escape from them at Fort Niagara, he then returned to his Pennsylvania home.

At about the beginning of the Civil war John and Samuel Good removed their families to Virginia and settled at Cherry Camp, Harrison County (now Bristol, West Virginia), where they engaged in general merchandising and in handling coal, oil and timber land. At that place John Good and his wife died. In 1881 Samuel Good came to Springfield, his eldest son, the late John M. Good, having preceded him here three years. Samuel Good never engaged in business at Springfield, but lived retired until his death, January 25, 1892, his widow surviving him until October 8, 1916. To Samuel and Caroline (Fisher) Good there were born the following children: Alice Mary, born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1852, married C. A. Reese, of Springfield, and died in 1896; John M., born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1853, married Jessie Minnick, and died February 16, 1921; Jessie M., born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1856, was for several years assistant librarian of the Warder Library, Springfield, and in 1908 entered the florist business under the style of “Miss Jessie Good, florist and seedswoman," having since developed a large and very successful plant and seed business and shipping her products all over this country and to other lands; Harry Fisher and Frank Ernest.

Harry Fisher Good was born at Cherry Camp, West Virginia, November 21, 1862. As a lad of ten years he went to live with his maternal uncle, Thomas A. Fisher, M. D., at LeRoy, Illinois, by whom he was reared. He graduated from LeRoy High School, secured a first-class teacher’s certificate, and desired to teach, but was prevented by his youth from securing a school. In 1880 he entered Wittenberg College, where he spent one term, and then went to work in a greenhouse, which he left in the spring of 1890 to enter the employ of the Good & Reese Company, florists, the firm consisting of his brother, John M. Good, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Reese. He remained with this concern until 1901, in which year he embarked in the same business on his own account at Shreveport, Louisiana, but in the following year returned to Springfield and resumed his connection with the Good & Reese Company. In 1903 this was incorporated and Harry F. Good became a stockholder. At the time of the retirement of Mr. Reese he assumed the duties of secretary and treasurer of the company, but since then has given up the treasurership and now devotes his entire time to the secretarial duties. He is a member of Anthony Lodge No. 445, F. and A. M.; Red Star Lodge No. 205, K. of P.; and the Florists and Automobile Clubs of Springfield. His religious connection is with the Church of Christ. Mr. Good married Josephine Champane, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Davenport) Champane, of Springfield, and they have one son and one daughter: Chester Champane, born September 15, 1887; and Minnie May, born May 19, 1890.

Frank Ernest Good was born at Cherry Camp, West Virginia, December 11, 1864, and there received a public school education. Coming to Springfield in 1880, he went to work for C. A. Reese, florist, and when the company of Good & Reese was organized he became vice president thereof. On the death of his brother, John M. Good, in 1921, he succeeded him as president and so continues. He is recognized as one of the leading expert “rose men” of the entire country, the growing of rose plants having been his hobby as well as his business. He is a member of Red Star Lodge No. 205, K. of P., and a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Good married Miss Elizabeth M. Derr, who was born at Thermont, Maryland, daughter of John W. and Laura Virginia (Creager) Derr, and they have one daughter: Anna Laura, who married Clarence Butcher, of near South Charleston, Clark County.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 178

HON. JOHN M. GOOD. That deep love of Nature, as the handiwork of God, which invests the flowers, the plants and the trees with a kind of personality that is companionable, is not given to every man to experience, but where this gift is bestowed the world finds one in whom yet lingers the faith and gentleness of childhood combined with the strength, patience and courage of maturity. During the long life of the late Hon. John M. Good, of Springfield, he passed through many of the hard experiences that seem, in some way, a necessary part of development, but throughout his career he maintained his love of Nature, .and it was this quality, perhaps, that made him known as a florist all over the land. He is best remembered to the people, however, as one of the city’s most upright and public-spirited citizens, and as one of the best mayors Springfield ever had.

John M. Good was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1853, a son of Samuel and Caroline (Fisher) Good. The father was born at Johnstown, August 13, 1826, and died at Springfield, January 25, 1892; and the mother was born at Ligonier, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1829, and died at Springfield, October 8, 1916. Samuel Good was a son of John and Sarah (Singer) Good, natives of Pennsylvania. Mathias Fisher, the maternal great-uncle of John M. Good, was captured by the Indians at Fort Tecumseh, near Springfield, while serving on one of Clark’s expeditions into this section of Ohio, but escaped from his captors at Fort Niagara and made his way back to his Pennsylvania home.

John M. Good went with his parents to Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia), when he was a lad of about six years of age, and was reared at Cherry Camp, the home of the family. He received a common school education and learned the machinist’s trade, and was working in the shops of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway at Huntington, West Virginia, when a strike came on. Becoming disgusted with conditions, he left Huntington and quit his trade, coming to Springfield in 1877 and securing employment with C. A. Reese, a florist. Later, with C. L. Reese he entered the florist business, under the firm name of Good & Reese, which in 1903 was incorporated as the Good-Reese Company, Mr. Good at that time becoming president of the concern, a position which he held until the time of his death. The history of the florist industry of Springfield is one of the most interesting points in the development of the city, and John M. Good’s name and achievements will not soon be forgotten.

As a business man Mr. Good was a success in every sense of the term, but it was as a worth-while, progressive and patriotic citizen that he is remembered by the community at large, for he had a part in every civic and welfare movement that was inaugurated during his time. He was an enthusiastic worker in the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Red Cross and kindred organizations, and took leading parts not only in the different drives for funds, but gave freely from his own pocket, and during the World war contributed unstintingly of his time and means to all war activities. But his part in temperance matters gained him greater prominence, probably, than any other thing. He was an uncompromising “dry” man, and labored in season and out for the cause of prohibition, local and national. He was a prime mover in organizing the Lincoln-Lee Legion, which organization fought so hard and effectively for the constitutional amendment providing for prohibition. On December 10, 1913, when over 1,000 members of that Legion were on parade at Washington, D. C., Mr. Good’s young son, John M., Jr., carried an American flag in the parade, contrary to regulations which then and now prohibit the carrying of banners and flags in parades in our National capital. But an exception was made in the case of young Good, a mere lad, and he proudly and triumphantly bore his flag to the White House and to the capitol building, the only instance of the rule regarding flags having been suspended before or since.

In 1900 Mr. Good was elected mayor of Springfield, gave a good business administration and gained the confidence of the people, but would not accept a renomination, not caring for public office. He was a member of Clark Lodge No. 101, F. and A. M.; Palestine Commandery No. 33, K. T.; Dayton Consistory, S. R., thirty-second degree, and Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belonged to the First Lutheran Church and to the Young Men’s Christian Association. He died at his home in Springfield, universally mourned, February 16, 1921, being survived by his widow and two children.

On December 5, 1901, Mr. Good was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Minnick, who was born at Springfield, daughter of George and Jennie (Hamilton) Minnick, who came to Springfield from West Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Good there were born two children: Helen and John M., Jr.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 418

JAMES S. GOODE, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Springfield; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1823; his parents emigrated from the State of Virginia early in the history of the State of Ohio, and lived and died in Warren County. Judge Goode was educated at Miami University, from which he graduated in 1845; he subsequently studied law, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1848, and commenced the practice of his profession at Springfield in the following April, in partnership with Gen. Charles Anthony; he was Mayor of the city one term, and County Prosecutor two terms; he continued in active practice until 1875, when, at the solicitation of the bar of the county, he consented to become a candidate for the office of Common Pleas Judge, and was elected without opposition, and re-elected by the unanimous vote of both political parties, and is now serving as Judge for the second term. Judge Goode, while not an active partisan, was a Whig in politics until the organization of the Republican party, since which he has been actively identified with that party; he has also been identified with the business interests of the city and general interest of the county. His son, Frank C., is prominent among the younger members of the Springfield bar.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 830

JOSHUA GORE, sewing-machine dealer, Springfield. In an old Springfield Directory of 1852, in a statement of organization, capital and officers of the Springfield Gas & Coke Company, appears as one of the Directors Joshua Gore, the worthy subject of this sketch; to this statement is added, “The city was first lit with gas on the eve of April 4, 1850.” Mr. Gore was born in 1812 (a year so memorable in American history), in Baltimore Co., Md.; his father died in the trenches of Bladensberg, in his country’s service, in the year of Mr. Gore’s birth; hence he was almost orphaned at birth. He came to Springfield in 1836, when it was a village of 1,500, and in 1838 linked his fortunes with those of Miss Rebecca Jane Hughes, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gore have only one child—Mrs. Emma M. Miller, residing at Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio. Mr. Gore’s business career has been a varied one; he commenced here in the hardware business; was a victim of fire in 1840; clerked a few years; opened a dry goods establishment in 1844, commencing on nothing; after three years, he abandoned dry goods and embarked in the manufacture of boots and shoes, continuing this business until 1852, when, being seized with a violent attack of the California “gold fever,” he sold out and turned his face toward the “Occident,” as much, however, on account of his health as for anticipated wealth. A sojourn of three years on the Pacific Slope restored his health, but gave him few additional ducats. Returning in 1855, after one year of clerkship he went into the fruit-tree business, traveling over the South in this interest until the tocsin of war sounded; returning home, he took charge of the hardware business of Col. E. M. Doty, who tried the fortunes of war; taking up the fruit-tree business one more year at the close of the war, he then bought out a hat house, added boots and shoes, closed out this business two years ago, and went into the sewing-machine business, handling extensively the Domestic and New Home machines, in which he now does a nice, profitable business. Mr. Gore is an honored and consistent Methodist, and his name is a synonym for honesty.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 831

LUTHER ALEXANDER GOTWALD, D.D. The late Luther Alexander Gotwald, D. D., of Springfield, was one of the notable men of his time in the Lutheran Church of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and, in truth, of the entire country. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and died at Springfield, Ohio, September 15, 1900, and between those two dates he accomplished much for his own fame, but more for the good of humanity.

Doctor Gotwald was a son of the Rev. Daniel and Susan (Krone) Gotwald, of York County, Pennsylvania. Rev. Daniel Gotwald was one of the able and eloquent Lutheran ministers of his time. He died in 1843 and his widow was left in poor financial circumtances, with eight children to rear. During the days of his youth Luther A. Gotwald served as errand boy and clerk in a local store and was later a printer. He began preparation for the ministry in 1852 as a preparatory student at Wittenberg College, Springfield, and after three years entered Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with honors in 1857. He then spent two years at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in 1859. He received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from Pennsylvania College fifteen years later. Soon after graduating Doctor Gotwald was licensed to preach by the Lutheran Synod of West Pennsylvania, his first pastorate being at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1863. He was next pastor at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, for two years, and in 1865 became pastor of the First Lutheran Church at Dayton, Ohio, where, four years later, his health failed, and he was compelled to spend a year in recuperating from throat trouble. In 1870 he became pastor at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, remaining until 1874. For the next twelve years he was pastor of St. Paul’s Church, York, Pennsylvania. Toward the close of 1885 Doctor Gotwald removed to Springfield to take charge of the Second Lutheran Church, which under his guidance for three years grew into a strong congregation. This was his last pastorate. During the above time he took an active part in founding the Third Church, 1887; the Fifth Church, 1891; the Fourth Church, 1898, and Calvary Church, 1900, all of Springfield.

In December, 1888, Doctor Gotwald became professor of Practical Theology at Wittenberg Seminary, and his work here was as successful as his ministerial work has been prolific of good results. He was a director of Wittenberg College from 1865 to 1869; a trustee of Pennsylvania College, 1873-1885; a director of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1871-1880; a member of the Board of Home Missions, 1881-1885; president of the West Pennsylvania Synod, 1873-1876; and a member of the Board of Church Extension, 1874-1885. He was frequently a delegate to the Lutheran General Synod. Doctor Gotwald was an able and prolific writer and many of his writings were published, receiving favorable mention by the press. He is best known by his two published volumes of sermons.

On October 13, 1859, he married Mary E. King, who was born at Tarlton, Ohio, in 1837, a daughter of David King. Her brother was one of the earliest settlers and most prominent men of his time in Springfield, and was for years a successful merchant. She died in 1920. To this marriage there were born seven sons and two daughters, of whom the seventh child died in infancy; another, Luther Alexander, Jr., died at the age of fifteen years; another, William W., died at the age of seventeen years; and another, Rev. George D. died at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1890, after a ministry of four and one-half years. The surviving children are: D. King, M. D., a practicing physician of Springfield; Robert C., an architect, of Springfield; Rev. Frederick G., secretary of the Lutheran Board of Education, residing at York, Pennsylvania; Mary S., who married Judge H. C. Pontius, of Canton, Ohio; and Almena, who married Glenn M. Cummings, an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio.

Robert C. Gotwald was born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in 1864, and attended the York County Academy and Pennsylvania College. He was graduated with the degree of Civil Engineer from Lehigh University, as a member of the class of 1886, and on leaving college went to the West, where he was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railway as engineer in the bridge-building department until 1891. In that year he located at Springfield and opened an office as an architect and engineer, capacities in which he has designed and had charge of the erection of many of the larger buildings of Springfield and the surrounding communities. He is a member of Anthony Lodge No. 445, F. and A. M., the Springfield Country Club and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

In 1911 Mr. Gotwald married Miss Mary Ward, daughter of John A. Ward, of Springfield, and they are the parents of one son, John Luther.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 358

JOHN H. GOWDY. A typical representative of the best agricultural element of Clark County is found in the person of John H. Gowdy, a well-known butcher and farmer, who lives on his thirty-two acre farm on the line between Springfield and Moorefield townships. He has been a resident of this community for many years, and has various business interests in addition to being a progressive citizen.

Mr. Gowdy was born November 5, 1857, in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Swartz) Gowdy. William Gowdy was born as Christiansburg, Champaign County, Ohio, a son of John and Betsey Gowdy, and was reared in his native community. From Champaign County he went to Urbatia, Ohio, where he was residing at the time of President Lincoln’s call for volunteers for the Union Army for service during the Civil war, and July 11, 1861, enlisted, becoming a member of Company H, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was one of those to sacrifice his life on the altar of his country, for at the battle of Chattanooga he was badly wounded, and died in the army hospital October 2, 1863. A man of sterling qualities, he had the respect of his officers and the friendship and esteem of his comrades. He and his worthy wife were the parents of four children, of whom three are living in 1922: Sarah A., wife of Alfred Shaffer, of Dayton, Ohio; Carolina A., the wife of Gus Wiegel, of Tremont City, Ohio, and John H., of this review.

John H. Gowdy was reared in Champaign County until he was seven years of age, at which time he was brought to Clark County. The death of his father had left his mother in straitened financial circumstances, and as a result his education was very much restricted, being confined to several terms of attendance at the district schools. However, he made the most of his opportunities, and as he has been a man of keen observation and a prolific reader he today possesses a practical education that is as valuable as that of many men who have enjoyed far greater advantages in the way of schooling. He wa£ only nine years of age when he began to work on farms, and this formed his vocation until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he learned the trade of butcher. For about five years he worked for others at various places, but finally, when he had just passed his majority, he embarked in business on his own account, and has continued therein until the present, when he is the proprietor of a successful and extensive business, both wholesale and retail. He bears an excellent reputation for industry and integrity, built up through years of honorable dealing with his fellows.

On June 21, 1881, Mr. Gowdy was united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Fox, who was born on the farm on which she and her husband now make their home, April 6, 1859, a daughter of Simon and Mary A. (Hause) Fox. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy are people of religious tendencies, but have never made formal declaration of membership in any church, although they attend services regularly. Fraternally Mr. Gowdy is affiliated with Lodge No. 455, Free and Accepted Masons, the Chapter and Council of Masonry, Palestine Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar, and Antioch Shrine of Dayton, Ohio. In politics he is a democrat, but only takes a good citizen’s part in public affairs, having never cared for nor sought public office. He has various business connections and is a stockholder in the American Motorist, Dayton, Dayton Auditing Devices, and the Springfield Bond and Mortgage Company.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 65

JACOB GRAM, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Jacob Gram, son of Cornelius and Catherine (Spear) Gram, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., April 30, 1817; came to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1832, with his parents. He was married, Sept. 29, 1853, to Isabella M. Dory; they have four children—William J., Harriet E., Martha C. and Charles J. William was married, Oct. 28, 1880, to Mattie Otstot, daughter of Hunter and Sarah Otstot; Harriet was married, Dec. 27, 1877, to Samuel C. Rebert; Martha was married, Nov. 18, 1880, to Henry O. Leffel. Mrs. Gram is the daughter of James and Elizabeth M. (Cosway) Dory; she was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1832; her parents were both natives of and were married in England, and emigrated to America in 1830, and to Cincinnati in 1831, and moved from there to this in a wagon, in 1833, in February, the weather being so cold that Elizabeth’s (now Mrs. Gram) mother carried her all the way from Cincinnati to Springfield in a large muff to keep her from freezing. Mr. Gram started for himself a poor boy, and, by his own exertions, has managed to provide a comfortable home and a good farm; he has, all through his life, been an honorable, upright gentleman. Mrs. Gram is one of those good, intelligent mothers, who knows how to provide for the welfare of her children.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 831

GEORGE D. GRANT, M.D. In years of continuous service Dr. George D. Grant is one of the oldest physicians at Springfield. He has been known not only by his capability and skill, but by his loyalty and devotion to the best interest of his profession here for more than forty years.

Doctor Grant is a native of Springfield, where he was born in December, 1855, son of William and Martha Lee (Darling) Grant. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, son of Thomas and Mary Grant, who came to America and located in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1830, when William Grant was nineteen years of age. William Grant took up the meat business at Springfield, where he married Martha Lee Darling. She was born near Worcester, Massachusetts, daughter of Darius and Susanna (Fairbanks) Darling, natives of the same state. During the ’30s William Grant came to Springfield, and was a resident of the city about sixty years. He died in April, 1894, at the age of eighty-three, and his wife passed away in January, 1898, aged seventy-two.

George D. Grant attended the common schools of Springfield, and subsequently acquired a liberal education, attending school at Marietta during 1872-73, was a student in Wittenberg College at Springfield in 1873-74, and subsequently graduated from the Pulte Medical College of Cincinnati in 1878. For sixteen months Doctor Grant practiced at London, Ohio, and in July, 1879, returned to his native city, where he has been in active practice now forty-three years. Since 1909 his offices have been in the Fairbanks Building. Doctor Grant has enjoyed many honors in medical organizations. He served one year as president of the Miami Valley Homeopathic Society, is a former vice-president of the Ohio Homeopathic State Medical Society, is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Ohio, and Clark County Medical Society.

October 29, 1878, he married Miss Jessie M. Morrow, a native ol England. They had three children: Deane D., of West Liberty, Ohio; Frederick M., of Tippecanoe City, Ohio; and Walter, who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in February, 1908, and in April, 1912, Doctor Grant married Miss Ida O. Singer, a native of Newark, Ohio. Doctor Grant is a member of the First Congregational Church and for eighteen years was trustee and treasurer of that organization. He also served two years on school boards and is a republican in politics.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 364

WILLIAM GRANT, SR., butcher, Springfield; was born in England in 1811; came to the United States in 1831, and, after a few years’ stay in Columbus, Ohio, came to Springfield in January, 1836, and has since been a resident and one of the active business men of the city. He commenced his business (butcher) by attending market, and gradually increased his trade, with the growth and increase of the city, until he established a regular daily market, located on High street near Market space, in a building erected by Mr. Grant for that purpose; his three sons, William H., Martin M. and Thomas P., are now associated with him. During Mr. Grant’s residence here, he has laid out and contributed two additions to the city, one on South Center street, including Mulberry and Pleasant streets; the other on North Plum and Yellow Springs streets, his present residence being in the latter addition, at the corner of North Plum and Cedar streets. He married, at Columbus, in 1835, Nancy, daughter of George McConnel, one of the early settlers of that city, and the builder of the first State House; her decease occurred in 1850; of the children from this union, six are now living—William H., Mary J. (now Mrs. John Mulholland), Fannie (now Mrs. Quincy Petts), and Martin M. and Thomas P. (twins). In 1852, he married Martha L. Darling, a native of Massachusetts; from this union have been born two children—Dr. George D., and Harriet B., now Mrs. William K. Weir.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 780

SAMUEL ELMER GREENAWALT. A. B., A. M., D. D. The influence exerted by one individual on the life and affairs of a community is often so definite and notable that no history of the place would be complete without extended and appreciative comment. Thus attention may be called to one of Springfield’s useful and distinguished citizens. Dr. Samuel Elmer Greenawalt, professor of English Bible and Comparative Religion in Wittenberg College, who is one of the most versatile of men, being able to consider equally well questions involving abstruse learning and those calling for business sagacity along practical, normal lines. He has been a resident of Springfield since 1908, and during these fourteen years has been closely identified with the city’s progress along religious, educational, cultural and business lines.

Doctor Greenawalt was born on a farm near Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, February 27, 1859. He is a son of Jesse and Susanna (Shimp) Greenawalt, and a grandson of John Greenawalt, who came with his family from Pennsylvania to Mahoning County, Ohio, and there passed the rest of his life. Jesse Greenawalt removed with his family to Allen County, Indiana, about 1855, and there spent the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife was of German extraction, and they were the parents of five children and faithful members of the Lutheran Church.

Samuel Elmer Greenawalt spent his early years on his father’s farm and attended the country schools, later the graded schools and subsequently the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then turned his attention to educational work, and for some years taught in the country graded schools. In the fall of 1880 he entered Wittenberg College as a student, from which institution he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of A. B. and in the following year was granted his Master’s Degree and in the spring of 1887 was given his degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He was ordained to the Lutheran ministry following his graduation. His first pastorate, of six years duration, was at Osborn, Ohio, where he had served the Lutheran congregation for one year prior to his ordination.

During the following sixteen years Doctor Greenawalt served but two pastorates before coming to Springfield, remaining at Findlay, Ohio, for eleven years and at Bellefontaine for five years. In 1908 he was called to the Fourth Lutheran Church of Springfield, where he labored for the succeeding eight years, building up a strong church organization most helpful to his synod and one that has had a marked moral influence in its home city. The fine stone church building was erected during his pastorate. In 1916 he accepted his present position on the faculty of Wittenberg College, where his erudition adds further weight to a very learned body of instructors. The chair of English Bible and comparative Religion was established by Dr. and Mrs. Greenawalt as a memorial to her father, the late Ross Mitchell. One of the many philanthropies which for years have particularly interested Dr. Greenawalt is the Oesterlin Orphans Home, with which he was concerned in founding and of which he has been president of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Executive Committee.

Dr. Greenawalt married, May 2, 1889, Miss A. Mary Mitchell, who is a daughter of Ross Mitchell, one of the early business men of Springfield. They have four children: Catherine S., who is the wife of Charles G. Shatzer, dean of Wittenberg College; Ross Mitchell, who took a course in agriculture in the Ohio State University, is manager of his father’s farms in Clark and Champaign counties; Elmer Paul, who is a graduate of the medical department of Johns Hopkins University, served in the Medical Reserve Corps in the World war; and Marguerite. All four of the children are graduates of Wittenberg College.

In 1916 Dr. Greenawalt razed the old buildings and erected the Greenawalt and the Greenawalt Industries Building, thereby greatly benefiting and improving the city. He is interested in several business corporations, and is vice president and treasurer of the James Carson Company, wholesale grocers. Doctor Greenawalt is widely known and is greatly appreciated as an instructor, his students leaving his classes with clear understanding and helpful inspiration.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 25

SAMUEL E. GREIDER, carpenter and builder, Osborn; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., June 6, 1849; is the son of John M. and Anna Greider, natives of Pennsylvania. Emigrating to this State in 1856 and purchased a farm in Wayne Township, Montgomery Co., where he now lives. Mr. Greider has been a Bishop in the old Mennonite Church for about nine years. The subject of this sketch lived with his father until the age of 20 years, then went to learn the carpenter’s trade, and at the age of 23 years he united in marriage with Rebecca A. (daughter of Henry and Margaret Heffner, of Miami Co., this State), Jan. 7, 1873; by this union they were blest with three sons, viz.: John H. G., born Aug. 11, 1873; B. F., born June 24, 1875; Jacob E., born Nov. 3, 1877. Mrs. Grieder, born Oct. 22, 1854. Mr. Grieder is a member of the old Mennonite Church and an excellent mechanic, and has the confidence of all his friends and acquaintances.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1028

ALBERT D. GREINER, farmer; P. O. Springfield; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., May 10, 1853; is a son of Henry H. and Susan (Stoner) Greiner, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio, locating upon the farm where Albert now lives in the spring of 1857; here they resided till their death. She died in October, 1872; he died June 4, 1876. They were parents of four children; two now survive—Albert D. and Estella I. Mr. Greiner, while young, learned the plasterer’s trade, which business he followed several years; then gave his attention to farming, which occupation lie followed the remainder of his life. He was a very industrious, hard-working man, and gave his attention strictly to his business; whose integrity of character was undoubted, and who held the respect and confidence of the community in which he lived. Financially, he was quite successful, having acquired a good competency, and was well situated to enjoy the comforts of life when the messenger of death called him hence. Our subject, who was about 4 years of age when his parents came to Clark Co., was raised and grew to manhood here, and remained with his father principally till his death; since his death he has continued upon the home place, and will probably continue to make this his home and residence. He was married, Feb. 20, 1877, to Josie, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Hedges, he a native of Champaign Co., and she of Clark Co. Mr. Greiner is very pleasantly situated, and is, like his father, very industrious, attending closely to his own business, and we have no doubt will, like his father, make life a success.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 987

JOHN GROEBER. One of the most essential industries of a city like Springfield is the production of the vegetable crops required in immense quantities by the population. One of the conspicuous men, a really constructive factor in this business at Springfield, was the late John Groeber, whose name is held in grateful memory not only for his business enterprise but for the worthy family of children whom he left to carry on his work and influence.

Mr. Groeber was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 1, 1843. He was reared and educated there in the common schools and at the age of nineteen, in order to escape the compulsory military service, he left Germany and came to Cincinnati, Ohio. From Cincinnati in 1883 he moved to Springfield and bought ten acres of land at the south city line. To this he later added four and one-half acres. All of this land he used for truck gardening and also built on it a large frame house that is the comfortable home of his widow and some of his children today. In order to supplement his business in the growing season he erected a large greenhouse, 150 by 110 feet, and used it for the production of early vegetables.

Mr. Groeber died November 23, 1917. Mrs. Groeber was born in August, 1852. Of their children the oldest is Catherine, Mrs. J. M. Pauly, of Springfield. Emma, living with her mother, is the widow of E. V. Holway. Margaret is Mrs. Edward Kriegbaum of Springfield, and has two children, Robert and Dorothy. Antone, of Springfield, who served four years as deputy oil inspector of this district, married Alice Senett and has a son, John. Frank, also of Springfield, married Catherine K. Markin, and their five children are Thomas, Hugh, Martin, Eloise and Ann. The family are all communicants of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

The sons Frank and John Groeber Jr. continued the business established by their father. For eight years John Groeber was in the wholesale commission business in Springfield, but sold out and now gives his time to truck gardening. He is a member of the Commercial Travelers, the Knights of Columbus and Fraternal Order of Eagles and is a democrat in politics.

John Groeber, Jr., married Clara Mueller. Their seven children are William, Paul, Mildred, Jerome, Eleanore, Lucille and Arthur.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 131

ADAM GRUBE. The late Adam Grube was one of the substantial men of foreign birth who, coming to Springfield, became valued citizens of their adopted country and here amassed a fortune. He was born in the Rhine province of Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob and Philipena (Shearer) Grube, who in 1835 came to the United States and after living at Tiffin, Ohio, for two years, located at Springfield. During the time he was at Tiffin, Jacob Grube had to work very hard in construction work on the Wabash Canal. After coming to Springfield he continued to work by the day until his demise.

When still a lad Adam Grube helped to take care of his mother and brothers and sisters, working to do so by selling produce from house to house, and his honest measure and pleasant manner soon enabled him to build up a large trade. As soon as he was strong enough he began working out by the day, and in the meantime gained a knowledge of the brick industry, entering, when only twelve years old, the brickyard of James Robinson, and receiving for his labors $3 per month. He was patient and very thrifty and at last was able to go into partnership with his brother in the purchase of fifteen acres of land, on which the industrious young men carried on gardening. Later he bought his brother’s interest in this property. For fourteen years he lived in a house built of logs before he replaced it with one of brick he had himself manufactured, for he and his two brothers, Jacob and Christian, had gone into the brick industry, in which they continued for six years. Then for a few years Mr. Grube again devoted himself to gardening, but once more began to manufacture brick, taking as his partner Charles Elmer Grube. They gave employment to twelve men and five boys and did a big business, but he retired from it before his death, which occurred July 19, 1910.

Adam Grube first married Anna Mary Wilch, born in Hancock County, Ohio, and they had eight children, the only survivor being one son, John A., who is living in Springfield, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Grube married, October 6, 1868, Gertrude Rettig, born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 5, 1845, a daughter of John P. and Elizabeth (Heoffley) Rettig, who settled in Henry County, Ohio, in 1863. By his last marriage Adam Grube had nine children, of whom four survive, namely: George P., who is at 1756 Limestone Street, a sketch of whom follows; Samuel D., who resides in Moorefield Township, married Abbie J. Baker, and they have three children, Ruth, Mrs. Robert Scifers, has two daughters, Gertrude G. and Mary Jane Scifers; Margaret, Mrs. H. J. Robinson, who resides with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Grube, and Delbert I., who also lives with Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Grube; F. Joseph, who lives in Moorefield Township, married Mary Helle, now deceased, who bore him one son, Irvin A. F. Grube, with his father; and Gertrude S., who is keeping house for her brother, F. Joseph, in Moorefield Township, just north of Springfield.

Adam Grube was a business man of excellent judgment and invested his money wisely. He owned several farms in the vicinity of Springfield and the fifty-acre addition to Springfield that is known as Grube Addition. He belonged to Saint Luke’s Evangelical Church of Springfield, in which he was an earnest worker. The democratic party had in him a firm supporter, although he never cared for public honors. He did his full duty as he saw it, was honest, sincere and helpful, and when he died one of the best citizens of Clark County passed to his last reward.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 831

GEORGE P. GRUBE. One of the best-known and most highly respected families of Clark County is that bearing the name of Grube and its members are numbered among the most representative citizens of Springfield. One of them, George P. Grube, of 1756 North Limestone Street, is following a somewhat original line in his business operations, for he is not only a poultry fancier, but also raises Pekingese Chinese dogs and has built up a very valuable connection in both lines. Mr. Grube was born at Springfield, February 10, 1873, a son of Adam and Gertrude (Rettig) Grube, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, a sketch of whom precedes in this work; and grandson of Jacob and Philipena (Shearer) Grube, natives of Germany, who came to Clark County, Ohio.

Growing up in Springfield, George P. Grube attended the Snow district school and Nelson’s Business College and remained with his parents, who owned fifteen acres of land, now the block of 1700 Limestone Street, until his marriage, which occurred February 20, 1899, when he married Carrie E. Morgan, born at Tampico, Indiana, a daughter of William and Rachel (Mahanka) Morgan, natives of Tampico, Indiana.

After his marriage Mr. Grube built a house just south of the Home Road, on North Limestone Street, where he resided for seven years, during which time he continued working with his father in manufacturing brick, in which industry the elder man had built up a large business. Selling his interest in this, Mr. Grube then bought one acre of land about two blocks south of his home, on North Limestone street, and erected a new residence. He was engaged in manufacturing brick on his own account until 1915, when he sold his business and bought one and three-quarter acres, with a frontage of 124 feet and a depth of 576 feet, on which he put up another residence. While working in greenhouses he at the same time began to raise single-comb, Mottled Ancona chickens, and has exhibited them in the principal poultry shows of the country. He won first prize at Chicago upon two occasions, first prize at Cincinnati; and in January, 1922, the first prize at Cleveland. He sold one hen for $100. He also received two prizes at the poultry show held at the Madison Square Garden, New York City, and he is still engaged in breeding and raising these fine chickens, and, as before stated, is raising the Pekingese dogs so in demand for pets by the wealthy.

Mr. and Mrs. Grube have no children. They belong to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Springfield. Politically he is a democrat but he is not active in public matters. Fraternally he maintains membership with Lone Star Lodge No. 732, I. O. O. F. Mr. Grube has always been a hard worker and deserves the success which has attended his efforts. His fame as a poultry fancier has gone far beyond local bounds, and his exhibits are looked forward to with great interest by others in the same line of business as well as those who seek at these shows especially fine specimens for their own flocks.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 187

MICHAEL GRUBE (deceased); born in Lancaster, Penn., Dec. 9, 1820; was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bookwalter) Grube, also natives of Pennsylvania. Of five children three now survive—Anna, Elizabeth and Simon; deceased, Michael and Mary. Jacob and wife became residents of Clark Co. about 1838, where they lived till their death. He died Aug. 9, 1841, aged nearly 49 years. His wife died May 6, 1870. Mr. Grube was somewhat of a military man in those days, being Captain of a Light Horse Company, in their musters and drills. Michael, our subject, was about 18 years of age when his father and family came and settled in this county. Here he passed the balance of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. Was married to Maria Anthony, who was born Dec. 5, 1823, a native of Pennsylvania. Issue, ten children, six now survive—Susanna, John D., Jacob, Henry, Levi and Joann. Deceased, four—Sarah Elizabeth, Lydia, Amanda and Simon. Mr. Grube died April 26, 1876, in the 56th year of his age. He was an energetic, industrious man, and acquired a good home and property. Never would accept or hold any public office, but pursued the even tenor of his agricultural pursuits. Was a man of undoubted integrity, a kind neighbor and an honored citizen. His widow and son, John D., remain upon the home place, where they have a fine farm and a good residence.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 987

PERRY ANDREW GRUBE. Although now living retired at Springfield, Perry Andrew Grube has had a useful life and accomplished much of a practical nature, doing everything on his own account, for he left school when he was eleven years old to earn his own living. He was born in German Township, Clark County, Ohio, May 11, 1859, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Nawman) Grube, natives of Tiffin, Ohio, and German Township, respectively. The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Philapine (Spearer) Grube, natives of the Rhine Province, Germany, came to the United States about 1836, and remained until 1838 at Tiffin, Ohio, but in the latter year came to Springfield and bought 600 acres on West North Street. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Kemp) Nawman, were natives of Virginia, where the great-grandfather, Thomas Nawman, was born in 1779. About 1801 Thomas Nawman brought his family to Clark County, Ohio, traveling across country with three wagons drawn by oxen. He took up land in German Township, cleared his farm, improved it, and developed a large property. This farm was later divided among his children, and Jacob Nawman received his share. The parents of Perry Andrew Grube settled in Springfield after their marriage, but a year later moved to the present site of Ridgewood, German Township, now a part of Springfield, where they owned 156 acres, and this they operated for many years, but subsequently moved to a farm of fifty-six acres nearby, and there he died March 23, 1915, his widow surviving him and making her home at Tippettville, Florida, with her daughter, Mrs. Laura Brenning. The children born to Jacob and Catherine Grube were as follows: Perry Andrew, whose name heads this review; Laura, who is Mrs. Luther Brenning; Benjamin, who is deceased; Sarah, who is Mrs. Wilbur Morris of Fremont, Ohio; Christopher and Solomon P., both of whom live on Grube Road, Springfield.

From the time he was nine until he was fifteen Perry Andrew Grube lived on a farm in Ridgewood, and then moved to one in German Township. Until he was eleven years old he attended the district schools, and then began working in a wood yard, where he remained for four and one-half years, during which time he disposed of the wood on twenty-five acres of land, hauling it to different customers at Springfield, and was then engaged in farming for a time. When he was twenty-two years old, he went on the road as a salesman and traveled through Indian Territory and Texas for three years, then returning to Clark County and going on his father’s farm in German Township.

In 1896 [1886] he married and moved to Grube Road, which was named in his honor, and was there engaged in farming for five years, at the expiration of that time going into the dairy business on Grube Road and Saint Paris Pike, which he conducted for eleven years. He then bought 142 acres of land from his father-in-law in Harmony Township, and for three and one-half years conducted this property, and then abandoned farming and once more went into a milk business and maintained a milk route. On May 12, 1910, he organized the Home Dairy, in partnership with George Ustler and George Wendel, and this was so successful a venture that William and Orville Trout were admitted to the firm in 1912, and the manufacture of ice cream, under the name of the Standard brand, was added. This connection was continued for eight years, and in 1922 Mr. Grube disposed of his interests and is now retired. He owns his handsome modern residence 1206 Fountain Avenue, Springfield, ten valuable lots at Ridgewood, and a farm of 156 acres of land three miles west of Fremont, German Township, which is operated by his sons.

On March 18, 1896 [1886], Mr. Grube married Addie F. Slentz born in Harmony Township, a daughter of Henry and Ruth (Bennett) Slentz, natives of German Township; and granddaughter of Erastus and Elizabeth (Dickerson) Bennett, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Grube died July 29, 1911, having borne her husband the following children: Henry who lives at Kalamazoo, Michigan; Jessie who is Mrs. Freeman Campbell of Plattsburg, Ohio; and Andrew, Ira and John Lewis, all of whom are farmers of German Township. On May 11, 1915, Mr. Grube married Mrs. Minnie (Thompson) Brown, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, the widow of Charles Brown. Mrs. Grube has two children by her first marriage: Turney A., who lives at Albany, New York; and Bessie, who is Mrs. Clyde Dillon of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Grube is independent in his political affiliations, and for nine years served on the School Board of Springfield and Harmony Townships and represented Harmony Township on the Board of Supervisors of Clark County for nine years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Grube is a most highly respected citizen and is recognized as one of the best representatives resentatives of the men who have made their own way in the world that the county possesses.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 201