Clark County Ohio Biographies

JOHN A. MARQUART, farmer and dealer in fine horses; P. O. North Hampton. We are pleased to be able to place among the prominent men of this township the name of John A. Marquart, who has a well-merited reputation as a farmer and stock dealer among all who know him. He was born in Green Township, Clark County, Aug. 9, 1853. He is the son of John and Dorcas Marquart, natives of this county. The father was a farmer and stocker raiser, and lived until July 30, 1858, when he died, at the ripe old age of 60 years 3 months and 26 days. The wife died July 14, 1865, at the age of 43 years 5 months and 12 days. John, our subject was thus left an orphan at the age of 13 years, but his parents left ample means for the support of himself and his two sisters. He lived with his uncle, who was his guardian until he was 21 years of age. On the 23d of January, 1879, he married Miss Mary J. Rector of this township, who was born March 6, 1858. Immediately after the marriage, they moved to his farm of 144 acres in Section 20, where they now reside. Mr. M. devotes his whole attention to farming and raising fine stock. He spares neither time nor expense in procuring and breeding the finest obtainable stock, and his reputation as a breeder is daily spreading throughout the State. His farm is a model of neatness and convenience. It is well supplied with fruit of all kinds and is watered by unfailing springs. Every convenience that modern science has produced for the farmer will be found on his place. All who have any dealings with him say he is the impersonation of hospitality and honest integrity. He is a highly esteemed member in good standing of Carles Lodge I. O. O. F.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1018

JOHN MARSH (deceased); born in the State of Virginia Nov. 2, 1794; became a resident of Clark Co. about 1818, being one among the pioneers of the county, locating here at the same time as others of those honored fathers who endured so many hardships, and laid the foundations and performed the primary work for this prosperous and growing county. Mr. Marsh was married, Feb. 28, 1833, to Maria, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Dye, who were among the first settlers of Miami Co., locating there about the same time of the Knoops, in 1798. Maria was born April 7, 1812. By this union they had three children—Nathan, Mary Jane and John D. Mr. Marsh died June 4, 1837, aged about 43 years. He was a remarkably industrious, energetic and successful business man, commencing in life with no capital, earning his first few dollars by his daily labor, grubbing and clearing up land in this, then almost unbroken wilderness; he was industrious and economical, and day by day and year after year he increased his capital, bought a farm, and from time to time added more land by purchase, became an extensive stock-dealer, and although he lived to only middle age, yet he became owner of 800 acres of land, and left his widow and family with a good competency. She remained upon the home place, with her children, who were then quite small; and though a great charge and care devolved upon her, yet she was competent for the occasion, and her affairs were carefully managed and her children grew to maturity. Mrs. Marsh married for her second husband James Jones, who was born March 28, 1800, a native of Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrated the 31st day of January, 1839. By this union they had six children, five now survive—Malinda, Benjamin (deceased), Werden, Thomas, Elizabeth and Walter. After their marriage, Mr. Jones took charge of the farm of his wife, where he remained till his death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1852. Mrs. Jones still remains upon the home place, where she has now resided nearly forty-eight years; and since Mr. Jones’ death has, with the help of her sons, carried on the farm. In this brief sketch we have a history of some of the pioneers whose lives and labors may be read with great interest and profit by their children’s children, long after the present generation has passed away.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 991

NATHAN MARSH, farmer, and stock-dealer; P. O. Springfield. Born Dec. 17, 1833, on the farm where he now lives and has always resided; is a son of John and Maria Marsh, whose history appears in full in sketch of John Marsh (deceased), in this work. Our subject, being a mere child about 3 years of age at the death of his father, was left in the care of his mother, by whom he was raised, and under whose watchful care he grew to maturity. Was married Nov. 9, 1859, to Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Eleanor Yeazell, whose history also appears in this volume. By this union they have seven children—Laura L. (now Mrs. Hoyt, of New York City); Lizzie D., Richard D., Nathan, Mary, John and Jessie. Mr. Marsh has followed the footsteps of his father in his occupation as a farmer and stock-dealer. Belonging to one of the old pioneer families of notoriety and prominence, Mr. Marsh has always taken a front rank in his community; has held many local offices, such as Township Trustee, School Director, etc.; the latter office he has filled for twenty years.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 991

ROBERT F. MARSHALL, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of William Marshall, this county, was born in this county July 27, 1827; the following years of his youth were spent in this county, where he remained, until in 1855, he removed to Lexington, McLean Co., Ill., where he lived six years, and then returned to this township, where he has since resided. About three years, during the late war, he was in the service of the United States Government. His remaining years have been given to farming. His father dying when he was 14 years old, his opportunities for an early education were very limited, but he improved well what he had, and in after years has kept well up with the literature and news of the times. June 2, 1853, he was joined in marriage to Miss Agnes Elder, a lady of intelligence and merit, daughter of Thomas Elder, a deceased early settler and very highly esteemed citizen of this township. Of this marriage six children are living with their parents—Kate, May, William, Elder, Robert and Winfred. Among other offices of trust and confidence, Mr. M. has held that of Township Clerk during the twelve consecutive years last past, and has discharged its duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and with honor to himself.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1052

JOHN H. MARTIN. Five miles to the south of the City of Springfield, on Yellow Springs Turnpike, is situated the well-improved farm of Mr. Martin, who has here staged his productive activities as a progressive agriculturist and stock-grower.

Mr. Martin was born in the State of Maryland, on the 15th of January, 1869, and is a son of Christian and Sarah (Bowers) Martin, who were born and reared in that state, where they retained their home until March, 1869, when they came to Ohio and settled on the farm which the father purchased in Greene Township, Clark County, near Clifton. Christian Martin gained prestige as one of the most vigorous and successful exponents of farm industry in the county, and accumulated an estate of an approximate value of $65,000. Both he and his wife continued their residence in this county until their deaths, when well advanced in years, and both were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church at Clifton. The political allegiance of Christian Martin was given to the republican party. Of the children of this representative family, the following are living in 1922: Harvey resides in the City of Springfield; Silas is a farmer in Springfield Township; Emanuel is a prosperous farmer in Greene Township; John H., of this sketch, is the next younger; Mary is the wife of Charles Harland, of Springfield; Albert resides at Springfield, and Jessie (deceased) was the wife of M. Leininger.

John H. Martin was not yet three months old when the family home was established in Clark County, and here he was reared on his father’s farm, in the work of which he early began to assist. In the public schools he continued his studies until he had profited by the advantages of the Clifton High School. He continued to be associated with the work and management of the old home farm for a number of years after his marriage. In the year 1905 he purchased and established his residence upon his present excellent farm, his original tract of 124 acres having since been amplified by the purchase of an adjacent 140 acres, so that he now has a large and well-managed landed estate, the very appearance of which shows his progressiveness and well-directed activities in the furtherance of modern agricultural and live stock enterprise. Mr. Martin has proved eminently successful in his chosen field of endeavor and has had no reason to regret having continued his allegiance to farm industry in his native county, where he is known and honored as a liberal and loyal citizen. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Company of Emery; is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the republican party, and he and his wife are active members of the Emory Methodist Episcopal Church at Beatty, Springfield Township, he being a member of its Official Board.

In December, 1896, Mr. Martin wedded Miss Edith Davis, who was born in Springfield Township on the 30th of May, 1877, and of this union have been born five children: Edna is the wife of Harry Shank, of Springfield; Alice, a graduate of the Springfield High School and also a graduate trained nurse, is now the wife of Arnold Thompson, of Springfield, and at the parental home remain the three younger children, Earl, Luretta and Oscar.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 54

OSCAR T. & PAUL C. MARTIN. The name of Martin is associated with the legal history of Clark County, both Oscar T. Martin, now deceased, and his son and successor, Paul C. Martin, adding distinction to their profession by their own capabilities and actions. The late Oscar T. Martin was born January 25, 1848, and died May 1, 1913. He was a son of David M. Martin, who with his family moved from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Osborn, Greene County, Ohio, about 1854, and became a justice of the peace and a man of considerable local popularity. His wife, the mother of Oscar T. Martin, was Mary Brenneman. Oscar T. Martin was reared in Greene County, where he attended school, and where he taught school for a time. Enrolling at Wittenberg College, he took its regular course and was graduated therefrom in 1868. For some time thereafter he was interested in local newspaper work, becoming a reporter and later editor of the old Advertiser. This was, however, but the preliminary action to his study of the law with Keifer & White, and about 1873 he was admitted to the bar and at once began an active practice that was only terminated with his death.

In 1873 Oscar T. Martin married Mary S. McCoy, and they became the parents of Paul C. Martin. Oscar T. Martin developed into one of the foremost lawyers of his time, and combined with his professional skill he possessed more than ordinary business qualifications. He was a tremendous worker and very industrious and became attorney for some of the great corporations, and was the personal attorney and friend of the late Governor Bushnell. In 1904 he succeeded Governor Bushnell as president of the First National Bank of Springfield, and served as such until his death. He took a keen interest in all local matters, and was a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Martin was a loyal friend, and while he never ran for office he sacrificed time in furthering the political ambitions of his associates. In 1901 he organized the law firm of Martin & Martin, the junior member being his son, Paul C. Martin, and the latter, after his father’s death, continued alone until 1921, when Homer C. Corry became his partner, the firm now being Martin & Corry.

Paul C. Martin graduated from Princeton in 1898 and has since then practiced law at Springfield. He married Bessie, the only child of William M. Black, one of the old-time and honored men of Springfield. Mr. Martin has been identified with many of the local industries of Springfield. In recent years, in addition to an extensive law practice, he has aided in the progress of many public and semi-public utilities with which he is connected.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 171

PHINEAS P. MAST, agricultural implement manufacturer, Springfield. To do justice to P. P. Mast’s position in this city and his relation to its people and interests, would require more space than we can devote to one person. The events of his life, briefly stated in their chronological order, are as follows; He was born Jan. 3, 1825, in Lancaster Co., Penn., and came to Ohio in 1830. He had four brothers and three sisters; of the brothers, Joseph K., John B. and Ephraim M. are living near Urbana on the old family homestead; Isaac N. died Nov. 1, 1871, of an illness, the origin of which is attributable to exposure while in the army during the civil war. In 1850, on the anniversary of his birthday, Mr. Mast married Miss Anna M. Kirkpatrick, and after the death of his brother Isaac, he adopted his three daughters, Belle, Lizzie N. and Florence. Mr. Mast remained with his father on the farm until he attained his majority, except when absent at school. He taught school one winter and then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1849, having in the meantime given especial attention to the scientific and Biblical courses. The year after graduating, he married, as has been stated. The six years prior to his coming to Springfield, in 1856, were spent partly on the farm and partly trading in grain and various sorts of produce. After locating in Springfield, he formed a co-partnership with John H. Thomas in the winter of 1856 and 1857, for the manufacture of agricultural implements, which continued until the fall of 1871, when he bought Mr. Thomas’ interest, and organized the joint-stock company of P. P. Mast & Co., now grown to be a power among similar institutions; a detailed description of which will be found in the historical part of this work. Five years ago, he founded another branch for the manufacture of wind engines, pumps, lawn mowers and plows, under the name of Mast, Foos & Co. On June 1, 1879, he, in connection with J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpatrick (his nephew), bought out the Farm and Fireside interest, subscription list and good will from his manufacturing firm, and thus inaugurated under the name of P. P. Mast & Co. (P. P. M., capitalist; J. S. Crowell, manager; T. J. K., editor), a semi-monthly agricultural journal, that under Mr. Crowell’s peculiar and energetic management, has grown to be the most extensively read and circulated agricultural journal in the United States, a detailed description of which will be found in its proper place. Two years since, he visited California, and while West made several mining investments, some in new, undeveloped mines, and others in mines that had been worked but imperfectly. In three of the latter, the “Bandarita,” “Martin & Walling’s,” and “Bower Cave,” he is putting a great deal of dead work for the purpose of much more thorough development; for example, in one he is making a tunnel of 1,550 feet. These mines are in the Colterville District, Mariposa Co., Cal., and promise rich yields. Mr. M. is and has been for years thoroughly identified and intimately associated with all of Springfield’s best interests. The history of Clark County without adequate mention of him would be like the play of “Hamlet” with “Hamlet” omitted. When we say Springfield’s best interests, “best” is meant in its fullest sense—its manufacturing, banking and church interests; its Government improvement and general progress; and is a member of the City Council from his ward. He has always practiced and advocated temperance, and been the mainstay of Methodism in the city. He recently started a subscription for a new (Fourth) Methodist Church (St. Paul’s) with $10,000. The edifice is nearly completed, and will far exceed any other of the twenty-five churches of Springfield in its appearance, capacity, finish, style, architectural beauty and appointments, and in this enterprise he is the father and controlling spirit. Mr. Mast is also the originator and supporter of another most laudable Christian enterprise, that has doubtless accomplished more real good in a direction greatly out of the reach of the church proper, than any other similar institution in Springfield. We allude to Grace Chapel, on the West Side, established eight years ago, somewhat under the auspices of the Central Church, but not at all sectarian in the distribution of its benefits. Mr. Mast’s father died on the old farm, in February, 1881, at the ripe age of 87. His mother died in February, 1880; and the subject of this sketch, although 55, shows few signs of advancing years, save gray hair and beard, and with a frank, open, pleasing countenance and clear eye, is a living illustration of a temperate, well-ordered life.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 879

JEREMIAH W. MAURICE, farmer; P. O. Dialton; born in England May 4, 1833; is a son of Isaac W. and Eliza Maurice, who emigrated to Ohio in 1833, locating in Clark Co. Isaac was a printer by trade, and worked in Canada one winter; thence in Columbus, thence in Springfield, following his trade in these places some three years; thence bought and located upon the farm where our subject now lives, in 1836, and here he resided until his death. In 1862, he recrossed the ocean to visit his native land, returning again in 1863. He died July 10, 1873, aged 71 years. His wife died in November, 1843. They were parents of five children—three now survive—John T., Jeremiah W. and David W. He was married the second time in 1845, to Caroline, daughter of Sylvester and Lois Davis, natives of Virginia; issue, six children; three now survive—Joseph, Maria W. and Vanhorn. Mr. Maurice received a stroke of paralysis by which he became helpless upon his left side for some eighteen years prior to his death. His last wife died June 10, 1876. Our subject was raised to farm labor, and remained with his father on the home place till his death, and still resides there and has never married. Joseph, the eldest child of his father by his second wife, also resides on the home place; was married October, 1870, to Isabel M., daughter of Elias and Sarah Neese, natives of Virginia; issue, five children—Wesley A., Adelia I., George A., Clinton A. and Sarah B. The farm consists of 89 acres, mostly in cultivation, with good improvements. They are members of the Reformed Church, Jeremiah having been such twenty-two years, Joseph twelve years, and their sister Maria twelve years.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1005

JOHN T. MAY, shoemaker and toll-gate keeper, Springfield. John T. May, son of James and Jane (Terrode) May, was born in Springfield, this county, Oct. 13, 1827; he lived at home attending school until 14 years of age, when he began the trade of boot and shoe making, and has worked at said trade ever since; and during all that time there has never been a week that he was out of work. In 1862, be moved to his present residence to take charge of the toll-gate on the Springfield and Urbana Pike, and has faithfully and honorably discharged said duty to all concerned, and will no doubt continue to do so. He was married, Nov. 7, 1852, to Margaret Hammond, daughter of William and Nancy (Rayner) Hammond. They have had seven children, three of whom are living, viz., Charles O., Effie A. and Irene. Charles was married, Dec. 2, 1880, to Ada Seifers. Mr. May’s parents were both born and raised and were married on the Guernsey Island, which is located in the English Channel. They came to America in 1816, and to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1817, where they lived the remainder of their natural lives. The mother departed this life in 1864, and the father in 1866. Mrs. May (John T.’s wife), was born in England Sept. 20, 1828; came to America with her parents in 1830, and to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1832. Mr. May was Director of the Clark County Infirmary four successive years. He has lived a good, congenial life, always looking at the bright side of everything. His father was a cooper by trade, and carried on business in Springfield.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 881

MELVINA M. McCLINTICK, Springfield; she is the widow of John McClintick, deceased; she lives on Mill Creek farm, three miles southwest of the city of Springfield. Mr. McC. was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 28, 1802; he came to Ohio in 1829, and settled in Columbus, where he followed “wagoning,” transporting merchandise from place to place. He drove the team of horses in 1840, referred to in the history of Harmony Township. Mrs. McC. is a daughter of Joseph V. and Roxia (Savage) Melvin, and was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1821. Was married to Mr. McC. July 4, 1841, and in January, 1842, they removed to Clark Co., Ohio, and settled on the above-mentioned farm. He died Aug. 31, 1869, respected by all who knew him. Her father was a native of Tennessee, and came to Ohio in 1811, and settled in Madison County. Her mother was a native of Vermont, and came (with her parents) to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Champaign County, near the headwaters of the “Little Darby.” Of Mr. and Mrs. McC.’s nine children—eight are still living, viz., John O., Edwin R., Roxia E., Eliza T. and Amanda M. (who have taken unto themselves wives and husbands respectively, and have left the parental roof), Samuel J., Mollie E. and William G. are still at home with their mother. John O. was a member of the 44th O. V. I., and while in the service received two wounds. The first one at the battle of Lewisburg, and the other at the battle of Liberty, W. Va.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 878

A. S. McCLINTOCK, farmer; P. O. Catawba. He is a son of Alexander McClintock, a native of Westmoreland Co., Penn., who came to Ohio in 1822, and first located in Licking Co.; lived there four years; then moved to Knox Co., and from there to Delaware, and from Delaware to Marion Co., where he lived until his death, which occurred May 23, 1880, at the age of 87 years. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 21, 1824, in Licking Co., Ohio. He was raised and educated upon a farm. His marriage was celebrated March 21, 1852, with Eliza, daughter of Henry Curl. They had five children—Lucinda J., Mary M., Wm. H., Clara A. and Ulysses G. Mr. McClintock came to this county in the spring of 1845. He has a beautiful farm of 98 acres, located two miles southeast of Catawba.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 977

RUSSEL B. McCOLLUM, dealer in groceries, provisions, etc.; P. O. South Charleston. Among the businessmen of South Charleston, none are more deserving of favorable mention in the pages of this work than the present efficient and popular Postmaster of that town. His father, John McCollum, was born in Virginia Oct. 25, 1774; followed farming as his life occupation, living successively in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky; in the latter State, marrying a lady by the name of Smith, who bore him one child—Rebecca, and died about eighteen months after marriage. In due time he married Elizabeth Foley, a native of Virginia, born Oct. 28, 1784, and in May, 1814, they removed to Ohio settling in what is now Madison Township, Clark County, on the South Fork of the Little Miami River, and about one mile south of where the town of South Charleston has since been built. Here John McCollum entered 225 acres of land, building his cabin amid the primitive woods, which, as time flew by, gave way before the sturdy blows of his ax, and well-cultivated fields replaced the forest on every side. To John and Elizabeth McCollum were born nine children—Henry F., John, Thompson, Alvira, Evaline, Susan, Minerva, Seth O. and Russel B., the father of whom died June 14, 1848, and his widow Nov. 15, 1871, both being consistent members of the M. E. Church. The subject of this sketch was born in Madison Township, Clark Co., Ohio, May 22, 1827; was raised to agricultural pursuits, and married Jan. 8, 1857 to Eliza C. Rosegrant, of Champaign Co., Ohio, and the daughter of William and Ellen (Ludlow) Rosegrant, who lived and died in that county, the latter being the sister of Dr. John Ludlow, of Springfield, Ohio. After his marriage, Mr. McCollum bought a farm in Madison Township, and followed farming until Aug. 14, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 110th O. V. I., and went forth to aid in suppressing the rebellion. He participated in many of the great battles in Virginia; was with Meade and Grant in their campaigns of 1864-65; was taken prisoner at the battle of Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864, and for three months suffered all the horrors of Libby Prison, at the end of which time, being exchanged, he returned to the army in time to share the dangers and triumphs of Grant’s last great campaign, in the capture of Richmond and Lee’s army at Appomattox. He was promoted to First Sergeant, and for the last few months of the war, was in command of the color company of the famous 110th Regiment; his service terminated with the war, and he received an honorable discharge. Returning to Clark County, broken in health and fortune, he sought and obtained the Postmastership at South Charleston, which position he has since filled honorably and creditably. Politically, he is an ardent Republican, and was one of the first six men of Madison Township who voted the “Free-Soil” ticket; for the past twenty-five years he has been Past Grand of the I. O. O. F., and for more than twenty years he and wife have been members of the Presbyterian Church. In connection with the post office, he and his brother, Seth O., under the firm name of “R. B. McCollum & Bro.,” own and manage a large grocery and provision store. Mr. McCollum has served four years as a member of the Town Council; as a business man, is enterprising and successful; is the soul of integrity and honor, suave and pleasant in his manners, accommodating and ever willing to do a kind act; those attributes of character have made him one of the most popular gentlemen in the community of which be has always been an honored and respected member.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1071

NATHAN M. McCONKEY, farmer and superintendent of the Orphans’ Home; P. O. Springfield. This well-known citizen of Clark Co. was born in Pleasant Township April 6, 1827, and is the son of Daniel and Matilda (Neer) McConkey, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Virginia. He is the grandson of Archibald McConkey, who settled on the farm yet owned and lived upon by Nathan M., in 1805. He grew to manhood on the old homestead, and was educated in the common schools of his township, afterward attending a select school at Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and began teaching at the age of 19, and has taught in the schools of Clark Co. about thirty years. He was married Oct. 19, 1848, to Mary J. Cartmell, daughter of Thomas J. and Amanda (Fisher) Cartmell, of Pleasant Township, to whom has been born three children—Mary F., Milton M. and Thomas G. In August, 1862, Mr. McConkey went into the army, but before going to the field was elected 1st Lieut., Co. G, 94th O. V. I., serving until mustered out at the close of the war, in 1865. He served through Rosecrans’ campaign in 1862-63, went with the Fourteenth Army Corps in Sherman’s march to the sea, participating in all the battles in that noted campaign, and what was singular, in his service of nearly three years, was never wounded. He was at the grand review at Washington, in 1865, and at that time was Senior Captain of his regiment. He, wife and family are members of the M. P. Church, and he has represented his church in several of the Annual Conferences, in 1867; was a delegate to the General Conference at Princeton, Ill., and also a member of the General Conference in 1880, at Pittsburgh, Penn. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he was a Whig, but since the formation of the Republican party, he has voted that ticket; he has filled the office of Township Clerk one term, Trustee several terms, Justice of the Peace one term and was one of the County Commissioners from 1870 to 1876. In the fall of 1879, he was elected to the legislature, and took his seat in the Sixty-fourth General Assembly, and in April, 1880, he was appointed Superintendent of the Orphans’ Home, which position he is now filling. Mr. McConkey is a well-informed, pleasant gentleman, who has hosts of friends throughout his native county.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 977

JOHN B. McCONNELL, one of the retired citizens of Springfield, was at one time a very active figure in the business life of Clark County, and earned then the respect and confidence of all with whom he was associated, which he still holds. He was born in Xenia, Ohio, December 9, 1844, a son of Robert and Anna (Bruscup) McConnell, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. Robert F. McConnell lost his father when he was young, sometime between 1827 and 1830, and his widowed mother came from Virginia to Xenia, Ohio, bringing her children with her. They came to Xenia in 1830.

Robert F. McConnell and his wife were married in 1842. In early life he was a painter, but later on clerked in a store at Yellow Springs, taught school for some years, and for fifteen years was auditor and recorder of Hardin County, Ohio. His death occurred in March, 1881, when he was sixty-two years old. His wife died in 1850, aged thirty-five years, and both passed away at Kenton, Ohio. Their children were as follows: John B., who was the eldest; Robert Henry, who died at Ukiah, California, March 12, 1922. After the death of his first wife Robert F. McConnell married her sister, Mary Bruscup, and they had six children, namely: Anna and Emma, who are both deceased; Finley, who lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; James E., who lives at Miami, Florida; Reynolds, who lives at Macon, Georgia; and Charles, who when last heard from lived in California.

When he was five and one-half years old John F. McConnell was taken to Kenton, Ohio, by his parents, and there he was living when he enlisted, June 13, 1863, in Company L, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and was first sent to Frankfort, Kentucky, and later to different points in Tennessee. His regiment was given the work of keeping the road open for those actively engaged in fighting, and it participated in the battle at Cleveland, Tennessee, following which the command was rushed to the front at the engagement at Athens, Tennessee, but did not arrive until the battle was over. In December, 1864, at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, four companies of his regiment and two companies of a Tennessee regiment were engaged in an important battle. On August 23, 1865, Mr. McConnell received his honorable discharge and returned to Kenton.

Like so many of the returned soldiers of those times, Mr. McConnell taught school for a time after returning home, and in the following winter the money he had thus earned was spent in paying his tuition at a private school at Xenia, Ohio. For several years afterward he alternated teaching school in the summer months and attending the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was finally graduated, and for one year thereafter he taught school.

Deciding then upon a business career, Mr. McConnell came to Springfield, Ohio, and entered the employ of the Saint John Sewing Machine Company as general utility man, and continued with that concern for fourteen years, or until it went out of business. Mr. McConnell then went with P. P. Mast & Company, farm implements, and after seven years with them worked for three years for the Superior Drill Company. For several years thereafter he was variously engaged, but since 1912 has lived retired. In September, 1883, he moved into a large double house, corner of Broadway and Isabella Street, which he owns, and in 1901 he built another house, 1314 Broadway, which he rents.

On July 15, 1875, Mr. McConnell married Elizabeth Ivins, born near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, in September, 1847, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Cliver) Ivins, natives of New Jersey, who came to Warren County, Ohio, about 1830, and in early life Mr. Ivins worked as a wagonmaker, but later on became a farmer. He was born in 1806 and died at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife, born in 1805, died in 1869.

Mr. and Mrs. McConnell became the parents of the following children: Ralph Homer, who died at the age of three and one-half years; Grace and Blanche, who died in infancy; and Clarence Herbert, who is employed in the Springfield post office, married Ella Russell, and they have two children, Elizabeth and John Hugh. Mrs. McConnell is well educated, having attended the common schools and the National Normal School at Lebanon. Both Mr. McConnell and wife belong to the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield. He is a republican, but not active in politics. Fraternally he maintains membership with Clark Lodge, F. and A. M., and Moncrieffe Lodge, K. of P. He belongs to Mitchell Post No. 45, G. A. R., which he has been quartermaster since 1913, and he served it as adjutant for four years.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 96

JOHN McCOY, carpenter; P. O. Vienna Cross Roads; was born in Clark Co., Ohio (Mad River Township), April 30, 1853. William McCoy, the father of John, came to Clark Co. in 1839, from the State of Pennsylvania, where he was born, and commenced working at the cooper’s trade, and has still continued. The subject of this sketch worked with his father at the cooper’s trade until 1870, when he engaged in carpentering. Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Roberts, of Madison Co., Ohio, in 1878. Mr. McCoy is one of the prominent members of Vienna Lodge, No. 345, I. O. O. F. He is engaged in house-building, and, during the building season, he employs from six to eight carpenters. He is a number one workman, very steady and industrious. He is one of the reliable citizens of the village of Vienna, where he resides; he has won a good name and reputation.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 963

ALEXANDER McCREIGHT, farmer; P. O. Springfield; is also connected with the Malleable Iron Works of Springfield, but devotes his attention more particularly to the farm. His parents, Alexander and Anna C. (Culbertson) McCreight, came to Ohio in 1841, located on the farm (now in the possession of the heirs), where they lived until their death, the father departing this life Aug. 27, 1849, and the mother Jan. 21, 1867. They were admirable characters, and highly esteemed by all who knew them. In their church relations they were Presbyterians. Political, Republicans. Of their seven children, viz., James W., Anna Duncan, Jane S., Elizabeth, Robert C., John A. and Alexander, but three are now living; John, at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia; Alexander and his sister Anna, on the homestead farm, which is beautifully located just beyond the city limits on North Limestone street. Anna was married, March 21, 1848, to John B. Blount, with whom she lived happily but eighteen short months, when that dread destroyer—cholera—removed him from her, leaving her and their only child to mourn his loss.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 879

WILLIAM McCUDDY, dealer in stoves and tinware, Springfield. This is one of the old reliable business houses of the city, the business having been established prior to 1837, by Mr. C. Cavileer, deceased. Mr. McCuddy is a native of Clark County, born Oct. 20, 1828; is a son of William and Catharine (Kizer) McCuddy. William was a Kentuckian by birth, but came to this county when a young man; his wife was a native of this county, a daughter of Philip Kizer, who came from the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, at an early day and settled in German Township. He made the trip with his family and outfit with teams, cutting the road most of the way from Columbus. He entered and owned large tract of land including the site of the present town of Tremont, and built a flour-mill, which was the first constructed in that vicinity. He was an officer in the militia in the war of 1812, and belonged to the better and more thrifty class of pioneers. Raised a large family, most of whom are deceased or moved to other States. Mr. McCuddy’s father was a tanner by trade, and had a yard and carried on the business in Springfield a number of years; subsequently sold out and purchased a farm in Harmony Township, to which he removed, and, in addition to his farming, conducted a tannery on his farm. The subject of this sketch learned the house-carpenter’s trade when a boy, and subsequently carried on business here a number of years, but, on account of injuries, abandoned his trade, and was afterward engaged in the lumber trade here about ten years. Then became connected with A. Cavileer (since deceased), in his present business. Since the decease of his partner, in 1879, he has continued the business alone. His stock of stoves includes all desirable styles, and his reliability, with the well known reputation of the house, secures a large trade. He makes a specialty of tin spouting, employs experienced workmen, and is doing a large business in this line. He married, in 1855, Miss Rachel, daughter of Charles Cavileer, who was one of the most enterprising business men of early days, whose residence was at the northwest corner of East High and Spring streets, where his widow, now 85 years of age, with her three unmarried daughters, now resides. From this union Mr. McCuddy has one son—William H., who is now assisting in the store. It will be seen that both Mr. and Mrs. McCuddy are descendants of prominent pioneer families, and Mr. McCuddy is an active business man and enterprising citizen, and takes pleasure in assisting to secure a history of the events and circumstances with which his ancestors were connected.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 879

E. J. McCULLOUGH is one of the native sons of Clark County who has here marked the passing years with successful achievement in connection with farm industry. On his present homestead farm, in Greene Township, he has resided all his life, and he has so ordered his course as to retain secure place in the confidence and good will of the community which he has worthily lived and worthily wrought.

Mr. McCullough was born on the old Smith farm, near Selma, Greene Township, and the date of his nativity was April 28, 1854. He is a son of John W. and Margaret A. (Kitchen) McCullough, the former of whom was born in Virginia, December 7, 1817, and the latter of whom, the second wife of John W. McCullough, was born August 27, 1830, in Greene Township. The father long gave his attention to farm enterprise in Clark County, and here his death occurred on the 4th of August, 1882, his widow having survived him a number of years and both having been earnest members of the Christian Church, in which he served as an elder. His political support was given to the republican party. Besides the subject of this sketch two other children are living, Charles W., a resident of Nebraska, and Isaac, who maintains his home at Van Wert, Ohio. A son by a former wife, George W., lives at Yellow Springs, Ohio.

The activities of the farm and the discipline of the district schools marked the formative period in the career of E. J. McCullough, and he has been continuously an exponent of farm industry in his native county since the period of his youth. He takes loyal interest in all that concerns the welfare and advancement of his home county, is a stalwart in the local camp of the republican party, and he is a zealous member of the Christian Church. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

As a young man Mr. McCullough married Miss Jennie Grindle, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, near Clifton, on the 16th of April, 1859, and who is a daughter of the late Henry and Sarah A. (Plournan) Grindle. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough have two children, Gretta M., who is the wife of Dr. James H. Harris, individual mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and A. S., who is now a mining engineer and geologist in New Mexico. A. S. McCullough graduated from the Clifton High School, later attended Antioch College, and in preparing for the profession of his choice he finally entered the great Leland Stanford University in California, in which he was duly graduated and in which he specialized in geology. As a practical geologist he spent one year in exploration work in South America, and he is now engaged in professional work as a mining engineer in New Mexico, where he is financially interested in various mining projects. He married Miss Ruth Stewart, a daughter of Wilmont and Amanda Stewart, and the one child of this union is a son, Joseph, born July 1, 1921.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 159

CHARLES F. McGILVRAY has been a resident of Springfield since 1884 and has been continuously identified with the Robbins & Myers Foundry, of which corporation he is now the president.

Mr. McGilvray was born in Hillsboro County, New Hampshire, on the 22d of January, 1849, and is a son of Thurston and Mary Ann (Bullard) McGilvray. His grandfather, Jacob McGilvray, was a schoolmate of Horace Greeley, the great-grandfather, whose personal name was probably Abel, having come to America from Scotland, family tradition being to the effect that he changed the original spelling of the name (McGillory) to the present form. Thurston McGilvray was born at Petersboro, New Hampshire, and his wife at Dublin, that state. In 1850 he made the overland journey to California, where the gold excitement was then at its height, and there his death occurred in 1857. His widow continued to reside in New Hampshire until her death, many years later, they having been the parents of three sons, of whom Charles F. of this review is the youngest.

Charles F. McGilvray began working on a New Hampshire farm when he was a lad of eleven years, and he attended the neighboring schools during the winter terms until he was fifteen years old. He then went to Boston, where he was variously employed until he was eighteen, when he entered upon an apprenticeship in an iron foundry, his wages being 75 cents a day the first year, $1.00 the second year, and $1.25 the third year. Workmen then applied themselves from twelve to fourteen hours a day, and no trade unions existed to dictate terms. After working a few years as a journeyman at his trade Mr. McGilvray became superintendent of the foundry department of the New York State Reformatory at Elmira, where he remained until 1884, when he came to Springfield, Ohio, to assume the position of superintendent and general manager of the Robbins & Myers Foundry, with which he has continued his executive connection during the long intervening years. About three years after coming to Springfield he acquired an interest in the business, and he became president of the corporation upon the death of the former incumbent, Mr. Myers. From a general foundry the plant expanded its functions to include the manufacturing of electric fans, and eventually the manufacturing of electric motors became the primary function. Under the effective direction of Mr. McGilvray the industry has expanded into one of broad scope and importance. When he came here the foundry based its operations on a capital of about $25,000, and the force of employes numbered only thirty-five. Now the corporation employs thousands of men, with a branch plant at Brantford, Ontario, Canada, and has assets of more than $13,000,000.

Mr. McGilvray is a staunch republican but is essentially a business man rather than a politician. In 1913 he was elected mayor of Springfield, and in 1917 he was re-elected. He served two years of his second term and then resigned, owing to the exactions of his private business affairs. His administration, careful and businesslike, met with distinct popular approval. In the Masonic fraternity Mr. McGilvray has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is vice president of the Mad River National Bank at Springfield, is a valued member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the local Rotary Club, and is a member also of the Lagonda and Country clubs, and the Dayton Bicycle Club and the Mystic Shrine Club, both of Dayton, this state.

In 1874, at Petersboro, New Hampshire, Mr. McGilvray wedded Miss Addie Gray.

In the past few years Mr. McGilvray has given but minor attention to business affairs, and his success stands in salutary evidence of what may be achieved by an American youth who is ready to fight the battle of life for himself, to meet and overcome obstacles and to press forward with confidence and assurance toward the goal of independence and worthy material prosperity.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 415

THOMAS ROSS McGREGOR. The McGregor name is well known in Springfield, where for many years it has been associated with the floral and greenhouse industry. One member of this family is Thomas Ross McGregor, a veteran of the Civil war, who has lived practically retired here for a number of years.

He was born in RossShire, Scotland, May 25, 1836. In 1851, when he was fifteen years of age, he accompanied his parents to America and lived with them at Cincinnati. At the age of twenty he went to Benton County, Indiana, worked on a farm, and from there went on to Kansas City, Missouri, and had an experience as a cowboy on a Western ranch for two years. Shortly after his return to Oxford, Indiana, he enlisted, in April, 1861, for the three months term in Company D, of the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry. He received his first drilling at Lafayette, Indiana, and was then sent to Indianapolis, where his term of enlistment expired. On returning to Oxford he helped raise Company D of the Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, enlisted as a first sergeant in December, 1861, and after some drilling at Camp Lafayette was assigned to duty with the First Brigade, Fourth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. His regiment went into action in Kentucky to check the advance of the Confederates from the South, and participated in the battle of Murfreesboro, where his regiment was captured and paroled. After three months in Indianapolis Mr. McGregor was exchanged and ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where he joined the main brigade and division and entered upon the campaign to open the Mississippi River. He was in the battle and capture of Arkansas Post, and then for forty days in the siege of Vicksburg, subsequently proceeding down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. During the Red River campaign his regiment was again captured, but at that time Mr. McGregor was serving as a scout and therefore escaped. He returned to Indianapolis, taking the old flag, which he exchanged for a new one, and was then on recruiting duty three months. After the exchange of his regiment he rejoined it in Louisiana, and subsequently did duty in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. In March, 1865, his command was at Houston, Texas, and, the war being practically over, was soon ordered back to Indianapolis, where Mr. McGregor was discharged.

After this long and faithful service as a soldier of the Union Mr. McGregor came to Cincinnati and established a game and fish store at the corner of Sixth and Central avenues. He sold this one year later. On December 24, 1868, he married Mercy Ann Skillman. She was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, a daughter of Elijah Skillman, a native of Pennsylvania.

After his marriage Mr. McGregor operated a farm owned by his wife near Cincinnati, and while there erected a substantial new home. His wife died there in July, 1888, leaving no children. Mr. McGregor then continued the operation of the farm of twenty acres, and rented sixty acres besides, but in 1897 disposed of his property interests there and came to Springfield. Since then he has employed his time chiefly in his brother’s greenhouse and nursery, and is practically retired.

His brother, David McGregor, was born at Cincinnati, in August, 1851. His parents, Peter and Christina (Ross) McGregor, had come to America and settled at Cincinnati shortly before his birth. Peter McGregor was a railroad contractor in Scotland, and he built some of the principal streets in Cincinnati and for the last eight years of his life lived with his son David in Springfield, where he died in 1890. His wife died in 1887. Of their ten children six are now living: Thomas and Belle, both living in the home of their brother David at Springfield; Margaret, Christina and Jessie, all living in Cincinnati; and David, who is the youngest of the family.

David McGregor came to Springfield in 1872, and was associated with his brother Frank in establishing a wholesale florists business. After half a century the firm is still known as McGregor Brothers, florists, and it is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the city. The business is located on Belmont Avenue, and Mr. David McGregor has a fine modern home at 1923 East High Street.

In December, 1875, he married Elizabeth Brown, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and daughter of Ira and Olive (Wilder) Brown. Her father was born at Homer, New York, and her mother at Providence, Rhode Island. Both Mr. and Mrs. McGregor were educated in public schools of Cincinnati. He is a republican, and Mrs. McGregor is a member of the Oakland Presbyterian Church. They have three children: Roy, associated with the floral business, married Mabel Martin and has two children, David and Mary; Miss Harriett, at home; and Ross, an employee of the Elwood Myers Company at Springfield, married Belle Cornell and has a daughter, Jean.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 98

THOMAS F. McGREW, cashier, Springfield. Thomas F. McGrew was born in Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, April 15, A. D. 1817, and, in Jan. 7, A. D. 1856, removed to and settled in the city of Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio. Mr. McGrew, now is and has been the Cashier of the Mad River National Bank since its organization in the year 1865.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 878

BENJAMIN BUTLER McINTIRE, educator of Springfield, and for the last twenty-seven years principal of the Washington public school of that city, has been engaged in teaching for a period of thirty-six years, during which time he has risen to a justly recognized place in his profession. He was born at Springfield, July 7, 1863, a son of the late Albert M. and Anna M. (Peck) Mclntire.

The Mclntire family is an old one in Clark County and Springfield, and for six generations its members have had part in the civic affairs of both county and city. The Clark County settler was William Mclntire, who with a brother came over from Scotland prior to the Revolutionary war, in which struggle for independence William Mclntire served as a soldier in the Virginia line. After the close of the Revolution he married his brother’s widow, and soon afterward came to Ohio and settled in what is now Clark County, of which region he was a pioneer. Here his son Samuel was born and figured as an early farmer of German Township. He reared a family of several sons and daughters, one of whom, William T., was for twenty-five years prominent in the public affairs of the county. Another son, Joseph, served as sheriff, and a third son, John, was a successful general contractor.

Albert M. Mclntire was born at Springfield in 1835, and died in 1903. In 1868 he removed to Kansas, but returned to Springfield in 1876, and, resuming his contracting business, continued to be interested therein until he retired from active life some years prior to his death. His wife, who was the daughter of David Peck, died in 1888. To this marriage children were born as follows: William D., of Springfield; Benjamin Butler, of this review; Lillie May, deceased, who was the wife of James Dick; Albert H., M.D., a practicing physician and surgeon of Springfield; Ada, deceased; Edwin K., of Springfield; Samuel, deceased; Jane, who married A. A. Wright, of Springfield; Sarah, who married Walter F. Kitchin, of Springfield; John D., of Springfield, who married Belle Parker and has three children; and Pearl, deceased.

Prof. Benjamin Butler Mclntire attended the public schools and Antioch and Wittenberg Colleges, and has been a deep and close student all of his life, his range of practical reading extending into medicine, anatomy and science and kindred subjects. That he was well equipped for his profession and has made a success as an educator is testified by the following expressions of two well-known local educators:

“Prof. B. B. Mclntire, of this city, is recognized as one of the leading educators in this community. For several years he has been the efficient principal of Washington School. His work as a teacher and administrator has been very successful. He is deeply interested in all civic and community welfare movements. He has unusual initiative, and has the ability to inspire his students to follow his leadership. Mr. Mclntire was formerly a student in Wittenberg College, and, while not a graduate, has covered the entire field of the college curriculum. I can thoroughly recommend him as to his scholarship, his good judgment in school management, and his qualities of leadership. I shall be glad to answer any letters addressed to me personally. Respectfully, Charles G. Heckert, President of Wittenberg College.”

“Mr. B. B. Mclntire has been known to the writer for many years as one of the progressive principals of the public schools in Springfield, Ohio. He has maintained a high standard of efficiency in all his work. He has inaugurated many new features which have added interest to the course of study. For eight years he was a member of the Board of Examiners for the City of Springfield, which gave me, also a member, an opportunity to study the thoroughness and accuracy of Mr. Mclntire’s scholarship and his acquaintance with all lines of knowledge bearing on his profession. He is in all respects an up-to-date public instructor and, in addition, a man of large information on many subjects. In character and life he is the peer of the best. Sincerely, B. F. Prince, Professor in Wittenberg College.”

Professor Mclntire began teaching school in 1886, his first school having been the Benson School, east of Springfield. He began teaching at the Fair Street School in Springfield in 1887, then taught at the Lagonda School, and in 1895 became principal of the Washington School, where he has since continued. He has been very progressive in his school work. Springfield’s first kindergarten was taught at Washington School; the first playgrounds and school gardens were established at the same school; the “First Aid” organization had its beginning at Washington School; the first “Mothers Club” was organized there; and the “Washingtonian” was the first ward school journal published in the city, which little sheet was printed in the Washington School print shop which was the first printing office in the city schools. Professor Mclntire has been a member of the National Educational Association for thirty-five years; of the Ohio State Educational Association for thirty-six years; of the Central Ohio Educational Association for thirty-six years; and for a number of years has been a member of the Springfield Teachers Association and of the West Ohio Superintendents Round Table. He is a past master of Clark Lodge No. 101, F. and A. M.

In 1892 Professor Mclntire married Jeannette F. Lutz, who was born near Circleville, Ohio, daughter of Henry Lutz, and granddaughter of John Lutz, who came over from Germany and became an early settler of Piqua County, Ohio. Mrs. Mclntire graduated from the Tarlton (Ohio) High School, after which she took special work and then taught in the Tarlton schools for five years prior to her marriage. She is active in educational, charitable and religious work, she and the Professor being members of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 198

ELZA F. McKEE is junior member of the Springfield law firm of Anderson & McKee and is one of the very prominent young lawyers of the city. In 1921 he was honored by election as president of the Clark County Bar Association.

He was born at St. Mary’s, Ohio, May 16, 1884, son of Charles P. and Matilda J. (Smith) McKee. He was one of their six children, grew up on his father’s farm, and did a share of the farm work while attending district schools. He spent four years in St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1900. In the fall of 1903 he entered the Law Department of the Ohio State University, and took special courses in other university departments at the same time. He graduated in law in June, 1907, but had been admitted to the bar in 1906, after which for several months he worked in the law offices of Crum, Raymond & Hedges, of Columbus, Ohio, getting special instruction. After graduating he came to Springfield and in October, 1907, joined his old classmate in the firm Anderson & McKee.

Mr. McKee served as city attorney from October 15, 1910, to December 31, 1911, and from January 1, 1914, to June 1, 1920, held the same office, and since then has been acting special advisory counsel for the city. During the World war he was Government appeal agent for the local board for the City of Springfield. Mr. McKee was president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce in 1921, is a Council degree Mason, an independent democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 401

ANDREW CAMPBELL McLAUGHLIN, M.D., Tremont City. Is a son of James W. McLaughlin, who came to this country from Scotland with his father, Duncan McLaughlin, about the year 1787; the latter settled in Mifflin Co., Penn. Upon arriving at early manhood, the father of Dr. McLaughlin removed to Kentucky, and there married Jemima Stretch, a native of Pennsylvania, but soon after his marriage located in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, where the subject of our sketch was born Aug. 1, 1809, being the second of a family of eight children, viz.: William Wilson, Andrew Campbell, Eliza, Cyrus, James (died in infancy), Elmira, and Peter and Rebecca (twins). Our subject received a good common-school education, and at 22 years of age entered upon the duties of a school teacher, and about the same time became a student of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Richard W. Hunt, of Springfield. After completing his course of study, he commenced the practice of his profession April 2, 1836, at Clarksburg, now Tremont City, Clark Co., and is a graduate of Starling Medical College of Columbus. For a long period he has been a member of the Clark County Medical Society, of which he has been President. For upward of a quarter of a century he has belonged to the Ohio State Medical Society, of which he was Vice President in 1874 and 1875; is also a member of the Central Ohio Medical Association, a permanent member of the American Medical Association, Examining Physician for the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, and also for the Union Central Life Insurance Co. of Cincinnati, and was at one time Surgeon of a regiment of State militia. Having experienced considerable difficulty in his early efforts to obtain a medical education, he has given material aid to students who have sought guidance and instruction in the pursuit of their studies, and they are now prominent practitioners. Dr. McLaughlin’s first Presidential vote was cast in Moorefield Township in 1832, for Gen. Jackson, who received at that voting place 14 votes in all, which were copied by the young voter from a newspaper he happened to have in his possession, there being no Jackson tickets on the ground. The newspaper referred to was the Ohio Monitor, published half a century ago in Columbus, by David Smith. Recognizing it to be a duty of the physician to keep abreast with all the discoveries in medical science, and to be thoroughly posted in the literature of his profession, he has studied for many years many of the leading medical journals of this country and Europe, thus acquiring a respectable amount of scientific knowledge. Having for forty years been engaged in a laborious practice, he has retired on an ample competency to enjoy the years that may still remain of a well-spent and honored life. Although he has maintained a high position in his profession, he has been no less prominent as a citizen. Dr. McLaughlin is six feet one inch high, and weighs 315 pounds; has good use of himself; eats well and sleeps well; has no pain nor aches, and enjoys life well. He abstains from the use of strong drink and tobacco, and never used profane language at any time in his life. Has no corrosive care nor anxiety; obeys the apostolic injunction, “owe no man anything;” has great reason to be thankful. His aim is to do right and his trust is in God. Dr. McLaughlin married, Aug. 28, 1838, Eliza Jane, only daughter of John and Elizabeth Beamer, and had one son who died in infancy.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1004

ALEXANDER McMAHAN, farmer; P. O. Plattsburg, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born in Morrow County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1832. He came to Clark Co., Ohio, and settled in Harmony Township in 1850. He was united in marriage, Oct. 11, 1860, to Miss Lucy Sprague, a daughter of L. B. Sprague, one of the leading men of the county. This union has been blessed by the birth of three children—Harley L. was born June 15, 1862; Hattie, March 28, 1866, and Glenna B., Dec. 14, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are members of the Baptist Church at Lisbon. Mr. McMahan is a member of the I. O. O. F. at South Charleston. Mr. McMahan is a man who has been contented to devote his time to farming, and to let politics and other outside matters alone. He, however, has been elected by his neighbors a Director of the schools in the district in which he has lived for a number of terms.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 963

JESSE MEAD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bowlusville. Mr. Mead is a native of Clark Co., having been born Sept. 1, 1824, to Daniel and Mary (Palmer) Mead. His father was a native of Massachusetts and his mother of New York. They had five children who are all now dead except Jesse, whose grandfather, William Palmer, left his native State and became a resident of Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1796. He later became a resident of Mad River Township, Clark Co., and died in this county; his remains rest in the cemetery known as the “Knott Burying-ground,” near Enon, Ohio. Daniel, the father of our subject became a settler of Clark Co. in 1806, where his whole life was spent, with the exception of two or three years of his early married life, which he passed in Jackson Co., Ohio. He first settled in Mad River Township, but, in 1814, he moved to Pike Township, where he lived most of his days, and where he died Nov. 30, 1846. His wife died March 30, 1860. He was drafted and served six months in the war of 1812, during which time his family suffered terrible hardships and privations. He and his wife were both consistent members of the Christian Church. Our subject lived with his parents until his father died. He was married, Nov. 2, 1843, to Harriet Callison, a native of this county, and daughter of Arthur and Margaret Callison, natives of Virginia; they had one child—Austin, deceased. His wife died Jan. 15, 1847. On April 5, 1849, he was again married, to Mary Ann, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, to Andrew and Elizabeth Harman, natives of Virginia. By her he has had nine children—John W. (deceased), David W. (deceased), Levi, Sarah J., Daniel (deceased), Jesse A., James L., George E. and Charles H. Mr. Mead, after his father’s death, remained on the home farm in Pike Township until the spring of 1852, when, after a residence of two and a half years in Champaign Co., he bought the Honey Creek mill property, near New Carlisle, which he ran successfully until the winter of 1859. The year previous, he sold the mill property and bought the farm upon which he now resides. This farm contains 290 acres of good arable land; he also owns 125 acres three-fourths of a mile north of this, in Champaign Co., and 160 acres in Illinois. In politics, Mr. Mead is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church. He is one of Clark County’s most prominent farmers, taking a deep interest in the progress of his county, and encouraging any enterprise that will redound to the advantage of its people. He is engaged in the propagation of fine breeds of stock, and is an advanced thinker on all subjects relating to the affairs of the husbandman. He is a man of honest integrity and moral worth, and has the respect and esteem of all who know or deal with him.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1005

JAMES MEENACH, farmer; P. O. Springfield. He is the son of William and Sarah (Barr) Meenach, and was born in this county in 1809. His father lived to the advanced age of 89 years, and his mother to 84 years. The Meenachs were originally from Scotland, and the Barrs from Ireland. James lived with his parents until 21 years old, when he was married to Harriet, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Wolfe. She is a sister of Samuel Wolfe. Immediately after his marriage, he rented a farm and began for himself. They had born unto them four children—William H., Joseph J., James Milton and Sarah E. William was a member of the 176th O. V. I., and died in 1866, of disease contracted in the army. James died quite young. Joseph, at the age of 18 years, enlisted in the 94th O. V. I., and was taken prisoner in Kentucky; after about one month’s imprisonment, he was paroled and afterward discharged on account of his health; and when the 100-days men were called out, re-enlisted and served with them. He was married, on Christmas Day, 1877, to Louisa Butler, daughter of William G. and Elizabeth (Miller) Butler. They have two children—both girls. Sarah E. was married, on Christmas Day, 1878, to William H. Butler, brother of Joseph’s wife. William Meenach, the father of James, located in this county in the spring of 1807. He served in the war of 1812, and received one-quarter section of land for his services.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 881

JOSEPH J. MEENACH is one of the few survivors of the Civil war, and for over a half a century has enjoyed a place of honor and esteem in Clark County. A man of industry, he depended on his own efforts to earn him a competence, and after many years as a farm renter he acquired the attractive place he now occupies in Harmony Township.

Mr. Meenach was born in Clark County, in Pleasant Township, August 3, 1844, son of James and Harriett (Wolf) Meenach. His father was born in Springfield Township of Clark County in 1811, and his mother in Harmony Township in 1819. His grandfather, William Meenach, came from Pennsylvania and was one of the pioneers of Clark County, locating here considerably more than a century ago. James Meenach grew up in Clark County, had such educational opportunities as were afforded in his time, and after his marriage he settled on a farm in Pleasant Township. Subsequently he lived in Springfield Township, where he died. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Of his four children two are living, Joseph and Sarah, the latter the wife of William Butler, of Kansas.

Joseph J. Meenach was reared in Springfield Township, attended the common schools there, and when a boy of eighteen, in 1862, he enlisted in Company A, of the Ninty-fourth Ohio Infantry. He was in the service until the end of the war, largely in the armies of Sherman and Thomas, participated in several battles but was never wounded. He marched with the troops of General Sherman in the Grand Review at Washington after the war. On leaving the army Mr. Meenach returned to Clark County and to the tasks of farming.

December 27, 1877, he married Louise Butler, a native of Clark County. Mr. Meenach made slow and steady progress toward prosperity by operating rented farms, and altogether he paid out $13,000 in rent. Finally he bought the farm of ninety acres where he now lives, and has occupied this place since 1896. He is an honored member of Mitchell Post No. 45 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a republican in politics.

Mr. Meenach has four children: Harriett, wife of Frank Pierson, of Springfield and she has five children, William, Lawrence, Esther, Robert and Walter; Ollie, wife of George Engle, of Pleasant Township, they have one child, Rodger; J. W., who operates the home farm, married Maud Ward, but they have no children; and Lottie B., wife of Paul Booghier, of Springfield, and they are the parents of one child, Helen Louise.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 386

HARRY MELLINGER. In the public life of Clark County Harry Mellinger is distinguished by the service he has rendered as a county commissioner, and particularly as a good road advocate and one of the men who have made possible the extensive program of good road construction. Mr. Mellinger has lived in Clark County all his life, and has been a successful farmer and horseman.

He was born in the house where he lives today on December 20, 1861. This home is four miles south of Springfield, in Springfield Township. He is a son of John Hertzler and Rachael (Rosser) Mellinger. His mother was born in Clark County, west of Springfield, daughter of John Rosser, a native of Wales and an early settler in Clark County. John H. Mellinger was eight years of age when brought from Lancaster County by his parents, Jacob and Martha (Hertzler) Mellinger, about 1841. The family settled in Mad River Township, where Jacob Mellinger lived until his death, in the late ’70s, in advanced years. He owned a 180-acre farm there. His family were Lutherans. His sons Jacob and John H. were jointly interested in the ownership of a section of land in Ford County, Illinois, where Jacob Mellinger spent his active business career, but finally returned to Springfield, and died in that city. John H. Mellinger was a partner in this land until it was sold. Before his marriage he bought the land included in the present homestead of Harry Mellinger, and largely developed it as an agricultural proposition. He started there with eighty acres, mostly in timber, and this timber was worked up into barrel staves and spokes. John H. Mellinger was widely known over Clark and adjacent counties as a stock buyer and shipper, and he continued in that business until his death, at the age of sixty-two, having in the meantime increased his farm to 140 acres. His widow survives him and is now living in Springfield. In politics he was a republican. In his private life he practiced the Golden Rule, and it is thought that he never had an ill word for any one. The five children of John H. Mellinger and wife were: Harry; Emma, wife of David Herr, an undertaker at Springfield; Martha, wife of Harry Hedges, of Cleveland; John, who died at the age of twenty-two; and Annie, who married Robert Mills and died, leaving two children.

Harry Mellinger as a boy began taking some of the responsibilities of the work of the farm. He was educated in the Possum School House, and while he earned a certificate as a teacher, he never used it. After reaching manhood he acquired the interests of the other heirs in the farm, and he now has 176 acres, part of which cost him $100 an acre. He has one of the very fine country homes of Clark County. In live stock he has handled Poland China hogs, and became well known as a grower and breeder of horses for the road and track and he still keeps a few road horses. One of the fine horses owned by him was Colonel Coyp, a noted show horse that was sold for $2,000 to Harry Mitchell of Philadelphia, and later was sold for $25,000.

Mr. Mellinger served two terms as township trustee before entering upon the public duties of county commissioner. For years he has been interested in the good roads problem, and he was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners on a good roads platform in the fall of 1916. He entered office in 1917, and has twice been re-elected. Nearly all the modern highways of Clark County have been built since he entered office, including the hard surface roads and many secondary roads that have been put in good condition the year around. Mr. Mellinger has been active in party politics and conventions. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church at Springfield, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Mellinger’s first wife was Emma Flenner, of Hamilton, Ohio. She died four years later, leaving one son, Flenner, who attended Wittenberg College and is now a student in the Iowa State College of Agriculture at Ames. Mr. Mellinger’s present wife was Pearl Kauffman. Her father, Henry Kauffman, who died several years ago, was a former teacher and for many years in the greenhouse business.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 207

JOHN MERANDA, Notary Public and surveyor, North Hampton.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1018

JOHN METZ, farmer; P. O. Springfield; was born in Virginia Aug. 28, 1814; he is a son of Peter and Susannah (Baker) Metz, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. Peter Metz, the grandfather, was a native of Germany. Rudolph Baker, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Virginia, and became a resident of Clark Co. and died here, but the grandfather Peter Metz died in Virginia. Peter the father, and family, became residents of Clark Co., locating in German Township in 1827; here he lived and died; he died in the spring of 1861. His wife died in the fall of 1857; they were parents of eight children, five now living—Isaac, John, William, Thomas and Peter. Our subject remained with his father till 31 years of age. He was married, Oct. 12, 1845, to Margaret, daughter of William and Mary M. Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, and became residents of Clark Co., in 1818. They were parents of thirteen children; five now survive—William, Isaac, Sarah, Catharine and Margaret. Mr. Metz and wife have had two children—Mary S. and William C. Mr. Metz, after his marriage, located on Mr. Nawman’s farm, where they lived one year; thence located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. The farm consists of 75 acres of good land, most of it in good cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine farm and residence. Mr. Metz has been a member of the German Reformed Church forty-six years. His wife has been a member of the Lutheran Church forty-four years.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1006

FREDERICK MICHAEL, merchant, Lawrenceville; a native of this county, born June 6, 1837; is a son of David and Rebecca (Johnson) Michael, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky. The paternal grandparents were natives of Virginia, and the maternal of Kentucky. The grandfather, Frederick Michael, with his family, became residents of Ohio, locating in Clark Co. about 1817, where he lived till his death. David was about 15 years of age when brought to this county with his father’s family; here he grew to manhood, married and spent his entire life in this county; he died in August, 1853, aged 51 years. His wife is still living in German Township, and is now 74 years of age. Of an issue of nine children, eight now survive—Charlotte, Rachel, Alexander, Mary, Frederick, Catharine, David and Commodore Perry. Mr. M. was a very industrious, hard-working farmer throughout his life, and his death very sudden. One Saturday he left home to go to one of his neighbors, with whom he in tended to go and catch some fish, but for some cause did not go; he started for home, but not arriving there on Sunday morning, search was made and his lifeless body found lying beside a log, having evidently died from disease of the heart. Our subject was 16 years of age at his father’s death; remained with mother until his majority. Was married June 20, 1860, to Leah, daughter of John and Margaret (Hartman) Xander, natives of Pennsylvania; issue, seven children; five now survive—Laura B., Emery V., Ida Ann, Dora Etta and Carrie May. His wife died Sept. 21, 1877. On Feb. 11, 1879, he married Mrs. Sarah Jane Myers, daughter of Moses and Eva (Rust) Overholser, natives of Virginia; issue, one child, dying in infancy. Mr. Michael, after his marriage, followed the wagon-making business in Lawrenceville and Tremont for twelve years; thence followed farming five years; thence entered upon the mercantile business in Lawrenceville, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Michael’s life has been spent in German Township, and has the entire confidence of her citizens. Has been Postmaster one year, and Township Treasurer four years, which offices he still holds.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1006

EARL NEWTON MILLER. The packing interests, like others of importance, are well looked after at Springfield, and a leading concern is the Springfield Abattoir Company, which has been developed in the last quarter of a century by its present owner and manager, Earl Newton Miller, who formerly was identified with the great packing house of Swift & Company. Mr. Miller’s modern plant takes precedence over the majority of others in Ohio, and has a commercial trade field that insures over $1,000,000 annual average of business.

Earl Newton Miller was born in Clark County, Ohio, the youngest of a family of seven children born to Samuel Newton and Cassandra M. (Baker) Miller. Samuel Newton Miller, or as he was usually known, Newton Miller, was born in Clark County, on his father’s farm in Mad River Township. He was a son of Daniel Miller, a native of Maryland, who was the first of this branch of the Miller family to come to Clark County. He settled as a pioneer near Enon in Mad River Township, cleared land and prospered as a farmer. Here Samuel Newton Miller was born June 30, 1819, and grew to manhood. His educational privileges were limited, but his intellect was quick and, almost entirely self-educated, he became a man of general information and sound judgment. He followed general farming and found it profitable to specialize on potatoes. Although a man of peace and a life long member of the Christian Church, when the Civil war was precipitated he was one of the first in his neighborhood to offer his services, and served out an enlistment of three months. He married Cassandra M. Baker, who was born May 13, 1822, and died in March, 1896, surviving her husband, whose death occurred in September, 1887. He was a consistent Christian man, and he reared his family to be loyal to each other, their church and their country. For many years he was a church class leader and superintendent of the Sunday School, and as he was gifted with a fine voice, was the leader of the choir.

Earl Newton Miller spent his boyhood and early manhood on the home farm, in the meantime gaining a first-class public school education. In the spring of 1883 he moved to Springfield, where he conducted a fruit store for a time and then engaged in handling livestock, and, in a small way, also dealt in meat. In 1892 he entered the employ of the Swift Packing Company, and for the next five years managed their branch establishment at Springfield. In 1897 he came to his present location on Rockaway Street, west of Fountain Avenue, where he began for himself in the packing industry, in a building 50 by 25 feet. This was the nucleus of his present extensive plant operated as the Springfield Abattoir Company, where the immense volume of business requires the assistance of forty-five workers. As may be inferred, a large amount of capital is invested, and only trained service can insure the satisfactory preparation and production of the choice meat products such as are demanded by the public today, and incidentally it may be added that only an exceedingly clear-headed, capable business man can manage such a business successfully.

On January 23, 1878, Mr. Miller married Miss Frances Dunkle, and they have one daughter, Alpha, who is the wife of Dr. R. E. Tuloss, president of Wittenberg College. Mr. Miller and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political opinion he is a republican. Although never consenting to hold a public office, he has been a most active and earnest citizen in promoting the best interests of the city, and so confident are his neighbors in his integrity that they often follow his lead in public-spirited movements and in matters pertaining to the general welfare.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 115

JOHN C. MILLER, Probate Judge, Springfield.  Judge Miller comes of a pioneer family; is a son of Reuben Miller, who came to Clark County in 1812, he then being a boy of 15 years of age, with his father, Rev. Robert Miller, who was a pioneer local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and known over a large region of country, his residence being in Moorefield Township, where he owned a section of land, and where Reuben grew to manhood, and married Mary, daughter of Samuel Hedges, of Berkeley Co., Va.; she left her parents in Virginia and came to Champaign County with her brother, Jonas Hedges, who settled just over the line in Champaign County and adjoined Mr. Miller’s land in this county; after their marriage, Mr. Miller farmed and taught school for a time, and subsequently became a county officer and removed to Springfield, where he continued to fill important offices for several years, as well be seen by reference to the body of this work, and continued to reside in Springfield until 1875, when, his wife having deceased Jan. 2, he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and resided with his only surviving daughter, Mrs. R. B. Ogden, until his decease, which occurred Oct. 3, 1879; his remains were brought to Springfield and interred in Fern Cliff Cemetery. He had a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom four sons and one daughter survive - D. B. Miller, M. D., of Covington, Ky., John C.; Commander J. N. Miller, of the United States Navy; and Henry R. and Mrs. R. B. Ogden, of Keokuk, Iowa.  The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield Apr. 13, 1834; he received rudimentary training in the district school, and finished his school days at the Ohio Conference High School; learned the printer’s art, and at 18 began the study of law, under the direction of the Hon. Samuel Shellabarger; was admitted to practice in April, 1855, and, in the fall of the same year, having spent the spring and summer in the West looking up a location, commenced the practice of his profession in Springfield.  In 1861, he was elected Mayor of the city, and in the fall of the same year was elected Prosecutor for Clark County, and held the latter office five years; the City Solicitor from 1869 to 1876, when he resigned to enter upon the duties of Probate Judge, to which he had been elected the previous October, and which he continues to discharge with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people.  He married, Oct. 4, 1860, Miss Marianna T., daughter of James R. Hoglen, of Dayton; from this union have been born two children - Robert J. and Ella C.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 881 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick

JOHN E. MILLER. In the life histories of men who have attained to places of prominence through the medium of their own efforts there is always to be found something of interest and value to the youth who is starting out to make his own way in the world. The lessons set forth by the lives of self-made men should be included in the training of each aspiring youth. There is nothing so stimulating to ambition as the thought that what man has done man can do. With the illustration before him of the obstacles overcome, the hard-fought battles won and the final success attained, even the young man facing the greatest of disadvantages may well take heart and apply himself to his task with a feeling of confidence. In the career of John E. Miller, vice president and manufacturing director of the Crowell Publishing Company of Springfield, owners and publishers of The American Magazine, Woman’s Home Companion, Colliers, The National Weekly, Farm and Fireside, and The Mentor, there are to be found these lessons. The success which he has attained within a comparatively few short years, the position which he occupies among Springfield’s business men, and the regard and confidence in which he is universally held are attractive enough in themselves to inspire emulation, and when it is considered that all have been gained by his own endeavors the lessons become of incalculable value.

Mr. Miller was born at Delphos, Ohio, January 30, 1881, and received his primary educational training in the public schools of that place. Owing to the death of his father when he was a lad of fifteen years his educational plans were disarranged, but he managed to complete his course at the Delphos High School, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1897. For several years, as a thrifty and energetic youngster, he turned his hand to any honorable employment that presented itself, without settling down to any one line of work, but in 1902 he came to Springfield as chief clerk to the car accountant of the Detroit Southern Railroad. After two years with that road he entered the service of the Amering Seeding Machine Company, but shortly thereafter was employed by the International Harvester Company and served in the accounting department until the end of August, 1905. On September 1 of that year he became bookkeeeper and cashier of the Kelly Springfield Road Roller Company, with which concern he remained until October, 1912, when he identified himself with the Crowell Publishing Company, a concern with which he has since remained. His first titles were office manager and accountant, and from April 15, 1916, until February, 1920, he was general superintendent, since which time he has held the positions of vice president and manufacturing director. While Mr. Miller admits that there is something unusual in his quick rise from obscurity to prominence, without advantages or outside assistance, he states that an equal chance is open to every American youth possessed of ambition and will. In his own case he modestly asserts that fortuitous circumstances played a large part in his rise, but it is reasonable to suppose that had he not possessed the brain capacity, the initiative, the eternal watchfulness and the constant industry he would not have won success even though all the circumstances in the world had been in his favor. Mr. Miller has numerous important business connections, and is a member of the Lagonda Club, the Springfield Country Club, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

On June 27, 1905, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Emma Blumenstiel, of Springfield.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 114

ISAAC MILLER, farmer; P. O. Christiansburg, Champaign Co. Mr. Miller is the son of Augustus and Mary (Williamson) Miller, natives of Penn. The father came with his parents to this State in 1811 and settled in Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, where his father died. He had been three times married. His first wife, Mary Williamson, was married to him in 1818. She became the mother of two children—Isaac, our subject, born May 1, 1819, and Joseph, born November, 1821. After the death of his wife, in 1822, Mr. Miller moved to Montgomery County, where he married Jane L. White in 1826. She was possessed of a piece of wild land, where Mr. Miller built a cabin and lived until the death of this wife in 1854. By her he had seven children, only one of whom, viz., Hannah J., born 1830, is now living. In eighteen months after the death of his second wife Mr. Miller married Mrs. Martha Irvin, with whom he lived until his death, Nov. 28, 1865. By her he had one child, not now living. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His son Isaac, our subject, lived with his father until he was 23 years old, when he moved to Jackson Township, Champaign Co., where he purchased eighty-four acres of land, on which he lived six years. During this time he was married to Anna, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Winters) Merritt, of Jackson Township. They had thirteen children, as follows: Elizabeth N., born Feb. 8, 1843; Augustus C., born July 28, 1844; George N., born July 18, 1846; Peter N., born Feb. 6, 1849; John L., born March 3, 1851; Mary A., born May 9, 1853; Hannah J., born April 11, 1855; Joseph W., born August 23, 1857; Rosa E., born Feb. 22, 1859; Susan A., born May 11, 1862; Carrie A., born July 20, 1864; Harry L., born March 23, 1866; Bertha E., born July 21, 1868. The father moved to the farm where he now lives in 1847. He is a member of Beech Grove Grange, No. 335, and of the German Reformed Church. He is one of the oldest residents of the county, and has always voted the Whig and Republican. His eldest son enlisted in 1863, in the 44th O. V. I. during the rebellion, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1018

JOSEPH N. MILLER, United States Navy; son of Reuben Miller, and grandson of Rev. Robert Miller, pioneers of Clark County; was born Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1836; after passing the required examination, was appointed an Acting Midshipman at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., Oct. 1, 1851; in February, 1852, was advanced one year, and was graduated No. 3 of his class in June, 1854, having made two summer cruises in the practice ship Preble, in 1852 and 1853; from Sept. 1, 1854, to Sept. 20, 1856, served on board the United States flag-ship Independence, in the Pacific Squadron; Nov. 22, 1856, passed his final examination, and was warranted as a Passed Midshipman in the navy; from Feb. 20, 1857, to Oct. 26, 1858, was an assistant in the department of Ethics and English Studies at the Naval Academy; was warranted as Master in the navy Jan. 22, 1858; from Nov. 2, 1858, to Sept. 24, 1860, served on board the United States ship Preble in the Paraguay expedition, and in the Home Squadron; assisted in the capture of the steamers Gen. Miramon and Marquis de la Habana, off Vera Cruz, Mexico, on March 6, 1860; was commissioned as Lieutenant in the navy Feb. 19, 1860; was assistant in the department of Ethics and English Studies at the Naval Academy from October, 1860, until the breaking-out of the rebellion in April, 1861, when he was detached and ordered to the brig Perry, fitting out in New York; the vessel was employed on the blockade, and captured the privateer Savannah, off Charleston, June 3, 1861; the Savannah was the first privateer captured in the war; November, 1861, was transferred to the United States steamer Cambridge as Executive Officer, and was in the action when the Cumberland and Congress were destroyed by the Merrimac, on March 12, 1862; in May, 1862, was transferred to the practice ship John Adams, and in August was detached, on application, for active service; was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander in the navy July 16, 1862; from September, 1862, to June, 1863, served on board the ironclad Passaic as Executive Officer, and was present at the naval attack on Ft. McAllister March 3, 1863, and the attack on Ft. Sumter April 7, 1863; in June, 1863, was assigned to duty with Admiral Gregory in New York, superintending the construction of ironclads; in September, 1863, was ordered as Executive Officer of the United States steamer Sacramento, and in November was transferred to the ironclad Sangamon, on the blockade off Charleston; in April, 1864, was transferred to the command of the ironclad Nahant, and in May, 1864, was engaged in an attack on Ft. Sumter; in July, 1864, was detached from the Nahant and granted sick leave; in August, 1864, was ordered to the ironclad steamer Monadnock, and was present in both attacks on Ft. Fisher, Dec. 24 and 25, 1864, and Jan. 13, 14 and 15, 1865; in February, 1865, was detached from the Monadnock and ordered to the Naval Academy as head of the department of Seamanship; commanded the practice ship Marion during the summer cruise of 1865; was detached from the Marion on Sept. 30, 1865, and was assigned to duty at the Naval Academy as head of the department of Ethics and English Studies; in September, 1867, was detached from the Naval Academy and ordered to the United States steamer Powhatan, South Pacific Squadron; served in that vessel in the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico until Jan. 5, 1870, when he was detached and placed on leave; was commissioned as a Commander in the United States Navy Jan. 25, 1870; was ordered on duty at the New York Navy Yard in February, 1870, and in April, 1870, was detached and ordered to the South Pacific Squadron as Chief of Staff; in February, 1871, was assigned to the command of the United States steamer Ossifer, in addition to the duties as Chief of Staff; in December, 1872, was detached from the Ossifer, and placed on waiting orders; in January, 1873, was ordered as Executive Officer of the naval station at New London, and in February, 1873, was transferred to the Hydrographic Office at Washington as Assistant Hydrographer; in November, 1873, was ordered to command the ironclad Ajax, which joined the fleet at Key West, assembled in anticipation of difficulty with Spain; in June, 1874, was detached from the Ajax and again assigned to duty as Assistant Hydrographer; in August, 1875, was detached from the Hydrographic Office and ordered to command the United States steamer Tuscarora; ran a line of deep sea soundings with that vessel from the Sandwich Islands to Fiji Islands and Australia; in September, 1876, was detached from the Tuscarora and placed on leave; in December, 1876, was ordered as Assistant to the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks; in March, 1877, was detached from the Bureau of Yards and Docks and ordered as Inspector of the Eleventh Lighthouse District, which embraces Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior; on Oct. 1, 1880, was detached from lighthouse duty and ordered on special duty at the Naval Department, Washington. D. C., and is at present on that duty. Commander Miller was promoted to a Captaincy in May, 1881.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 882

MILTON M. MILLER (deceased), farmer and local minister; P. O. New Moorefield; born in Kentucky Dec. 23, 1811; was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Hanson) Miller, he a native of Virginia and she of Maryland. They became residents of Clark Co. in the spring of 1812, locating upon the farm now owned by Abraham Mumper, and here they resided till their death. He died Oct. 18, 1834; his wife died in August, 1857. They were parents of six children, and he had three by first marriage. Two only now survive—Mary (now Widow Banes), and Maria (now widow of Samuel Hunter). They were strictly pioneers in this neighborhood, taking their farm right from the woods in its wild state, and enduring all the labors and hardships incident to such life, bringing the forests into fine cultivated fields, with waving grain, and replacing their primitive log cabin with a comfortable frame house, and before their death were able to enjoy the general comforts and conveniences of life, and all accomplished by his own labor and industry. He owned two quarter sections of land, and in connection with his many labors and progress in accumulating property and obtaining the comforts and conveniences of a good farm and home, he was an active Christian worker in the M. E. Church, being a local preacher for many years, and in his death the community lost a kind neighbor and the church a great worker. Our subject being but an infant when his parents moved to this county, was nurtured, raised and grew to maturity inured to the hardships of the early settlers of that day, and lived with his parents till their death. He was married, Nov. 29, 1832, to Mary T., daughter of Samuel T. and Rebecca (Dunlap) Hedges, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky; became settlers of Champaign Co. about 1812. They were parents of eleven children; those now living—Mary T., James, Jane, Elizabeth, Tabatha, Sarah and Samuel. Mary T. was born Sept. 22, 1814. Mr. Miller and wife had ten children, six now living—Mary E., Rebecca, Clara L., Robert N., Hattie M. and Milton M. Mr. Miller followed the footsteps of his father in being an industrious, energetic farmer; also an active Christian and a local preacher in the same church, and thus continued to the end of his life, which was terminated very suddenly. On May 5, 1872, having returned from church feeling wearied, he laid down to rest, and when called by his daughter to dinner, was found dead. This, though a severe stroke and loss to his family, was doubtless his eternal gain.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 993

ORION PALMER MILLER is a successful city farmer, with home on South Limestone Street, practically within the city limits of Springfield. He has long been an honored member of the community and his name introduces the record of several families that came to Springfield and Clark County at almost the beginning of civilization in this section of Ohio.

His branch of the Miller family was established in Virginia by Frederick Miller in 1743. A son of this Frederick was Frederick Miller, Jr., who married Elizabeth Peery. They were reared and married in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and after their marriage moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and in 1818 they left Botetourt County, Virginia, and came overland to Clark County, Ohio. Here they acquired land in Bethel Township, and Frederick Miller died there December 2, 1822, being survived by his widow until 1844. They were the great-grandparents of Orion Palmer Miller.

The grandfather, John Miller, was born November 29, 1798, in Botetourt County, Virginia, and was about twenty years of age when he came to Clark County. He married Joanna Smith, who was born December 27, 1806, in Bethel Township of Clark County, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (McClure) Smith, who were among the earliest settlers of this county.

A son of John and Joanna Miller was Samuel Smith Miller, who was born July 20, 1829. On May 13, 1856, he married Margaret Palmer, a daughter of John and Margaret (Hance) Palmer. John Palmer was born in England in 1791, and died December 11, 1882. His birthplace was Bristol, England. His wife, Margaret Hance, was born in Kentucky in 1800 and died June 21, 1884. After their marriage Samuel Smith Miller and wife lived at Springfield, where he worked in a printing office for years. He was a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College but on account of deafness was unable to practice. Accordingly he bought part of his father’s farm in Bethel Township and was identified with the agricultural vocation there until 1874. Selling out in that year, he bought thirty-six acres just south of Springfield, but now within the city. He continued farming and dairying for about thirty-five years. In 1886 he erected a fine frame residence on the farm and throughout his lifetime he kept all the land but five acres. He died April 6, 1916. His widow passed away January 8, 1922.

Orion Palmer Miller is the oldest child of Samuel Smith Miller and wife. The second son, Cyrus I., born March 11, 1859, lives at 27 South Lourie Avenue, in Springfield. Margaret, born June 14, 1864, died October 15, 1865. William died in infancy December 3, 1866. Bertha Ann, born September 9, 1870, is the wife of George W. Frants, has one son, George M., born April 18, 1907, and she lives with her brother Orion. Mary Elizabeth, born September 13, 1872, died May 9, 1881. John Milton, the youngest child, born August 23, 1876, lives at 21 Euclid Avenue.

Orion Palmer Miller, who was born February 7, 1857, has never married, and he made his home with and looked after his parents during their declining years. He was educated in the district schools of Bethel Township and in Wittenberg College and his business from youth to the present time has been farming. He is a republican and the family has been active in the Christian Church.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 132

R. L. MILLER, dealer in agricultural implements, Enon; his parents, Abraham B., and Barbara Miller, were both born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and emigrated to Ohio in 1840, locating in Clark Co. R. L., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Clark Co., May 12, 1853. He was brought up to farm labor, and received his education in the district schools; when 18 years of age he commenced to learn the carpentering trade, which he followed for about six years, with good success. He married Miss Irena Shellabarger when he was 22 years old. Two children have been born to them, viz.: Bertie May, born April 14, 1876; Dasia Iowa, deceased. Mr. Miller is now engaged in selling agricultural implements and machinery of all kinds.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1045

REV. ROBERT MILLER (deceased). Rev. Robert Miller was born in Prince George Co., Md., on the 19th day of August, 1767; his father was born in America, of Scotch parentage, and died while a soldier for the cause of American independence, leaving a widow and six children, of whom Robert, then only 11 years of age, was the oldest. His lot was the usual one in those days, of a hard struggle with poverty, not-withstanding which he educated himself in the English branches of study; learned the trade of carpenter and worked at his trade for several years, until the 19th day of January, 1793, he was married to Mary Highfield (to whom were born three children), and immediately afterward moved to the State of Virginia, where he lived until the fall of 1796, when he emigrated to Kentucky, crossing the mountains to the Monongahela River, near Brownsville, Penn., where he remained during the winter, and in the spring of 1797, conveyed his family and household goods on flat-boats down that river and the Ohio to Limestone (now Maysville), Ky., in which State he settled as a farmer, first in Mason and afterward in Fleming Co. May 7, 1799, his wife having died, he was married again to Elizabeth Hanson, who had born to her six children. In the year 1812, he again removed his family to the Pretty Prairie, in Champaign Co., Ohio, and bought a considerable body of land in what is now known as Moorefield Township, in Clark Co., where he died Oct. 18, 1834, and was buried in the graveyard of the Moorefield M. E. Church, being a tract of land which he himself had donated as the site for a church and for burial purposes. His own account of his religious life and ministry is quite lengthy, and we have space for only a few extracts; he wrote of himself as follows: “My mother and most of my relations called themselves church people (the Church of England), and I thought nobody was right as to religion but them. I sometimes heard of a people called Methodists, and from what I heard about them I was exceedingly mad against them, and thought they were the false prophets. About the 21st year of my age, the Methodists began to preach in the neighborhood where I lived. Among the rest of the people, I went to hear what these bad folks would say. The preacher began to preach, and I to hear; my prejudices were removed; my heart felt the truth of his doctrine, and I went home in some sense a Methodist. In February, 1789, I joined the church. April, the same year, the Lord spoke peace to my soul.” From this time forward, all through his life, he was an uncompromising foe to wickedness of all sorts, so much so as that he said of himself, “My friends thought I was overmuch righteous because I would not run with them to the same excess of riot. I became the wicked’s by-word and the drunkard’s song.” In 1802, he was licensed to preach, when, as he wrote, “I now begat, in my plain manner, to cry aloud against wickedness of all kinds, such as swearing, Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, and, above all, the abominable practice of holding our fellow-creatures in bondage. Now the tongue of persecution was let loose against me by the wicked, and not only by them but by the religious, so-called, of all denominations, the Methodists not excepted; but still I went on to preach.” Rather an early Abolitionist for a Kentuckian was this old-time Methodist preacher. The result of this controversy was that, after manumitting a few slaves which he possessed, he removed from what he called “the bloody land” to Ohio. In the year 1809, he was ordained, by Bishop Asbury, a local Deacon, and in 1831, by Bishop Roberts, a local Elder in the M. E. Church. As a preacher, he was clear, incisive and forcible in his utterance, and famous throughout this part of Ohio for his quaint and graphic illustrations. Many stories are told by early settlers of his peculiar gifts and powers in the pulpit, for none of which have we space in our record. He died, as he had lived, fearing God and not man, and left a widow, now long since dead, and a large family of children, who, with their descendants and connections, are among the most prominent residents of Clark, Champaign and Logan Cos. Having felt the fires of persecution in his earlier ministry, there was placed, by his own request, on his tombstone, in the little quiet graveyard above named, the simple epitaph, “Let me alone.”

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 992

MELVIN L. MILLIGAN. The many and varied interests of Springfield have brought to this city a number of solid and enterprising men whose efforts have been and are directed toward the achievement of further distinction for this locality and other improvements. Without these men it is doubtful if the city today would hold its present high prestige, or that its name would stand for so much that is of a high order of merit. One of these representative men and good citizens is Melvin L. Milligan, a graduate and experienced attorney, who has many diversified interests, and who served the city as mayor during 1901 and 1902.

Three decades ago, in 1892, the old Springfield Foundry Company was organized. Charles W. Fairbanks, who subsequently served as vice president of the United States, had previously bought the property where the plant now stands. Elias Jacoby, representing the Fairbanks interests, was the first president, and the company devoted its energies to the manufacture of “yokes” for cable street railways, their product almost wholly being absorbed by the Chicago Street Railway. In 1898 the name was changed to the Fairbanks Machine Tool Company, which entered extensively into the manufacture of lathes in addition to carrying on a general job foundry business. In 1902 the name was again changed, becoming the Fairbanks Company, and since then the manufacture of piano plates has occupied their entire attention. It is a fact not generally known that Springfield is the greatest center for the manufacture of piano plates in the world, the three Springfield factories producing the majority of the 275,000 plates made annually in the United States. In 1894 M. L. Milligan succeeded Frank Serviss as secretary and treasurer of the corporation, and he has ever since, been a prime factor in its life. In 1898 he was elected its president, and still officiates as such.

Melvin L. Milligan was born in Perry County, Ohio, July 28, 1860, a son of Alfred P. and Rachel (Iliff) Milligan, the former a veteran of the war between the states and a farmer; and a grandson of George and Priscilla (Thrap) Milligan, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Perry County, Ohio. Melvin L. Milligan was reared on the home farm, obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Perry and Morgan counties, Ohio, completed a business course in a commercial college at Zanesville, Ohio, and after a four-year course in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, was accorded the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1884. Following this he read law, was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, in 1886, and later at Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession. He came to Springfield in 1891, and has since made this city his permanent home. As a republican he was elected mayor of the city in 1901, and served as such for two years. He is a firm believer in the greatness of his country, state, county and city, and is intensely interested in their material welfare.

On August 30, 1887, Mr. Milligan married Miss Jennie Fairbanks, a daughter of Loriston M. and Mary Adelaide Fairbanks, and a sister of former Vice President Fairbanks. The five children born to this marriage are: Loriston F., Harry S. and Mary Adelaide, twins, Robert L., and Rachel I. Loriston F. Milligan was a lieutenant during the World war, first serving in the Coast Artillery, and later in the Anti-Aircraft Service. Harry S. Milligan was a medical student, enlisted and was assigned to the Officers Medical Reserve Corps.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 135

JAMES MILLS, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of Thomas Mills, was born in Kentucky, May 15, 1809. He was raised to farm life, and received a common school education. When 3 years old, his parents came to this State, and settled upon the farm adjoining his present farm. His father purchased his present farm in 1827 or 1828, of one John Humphreys. In 1831, James took possession, and has since resided upon it. Dec. 16, 1830, he married Delilah Moore, by whom five children were born, two of whom, Thomas Mills and Nancy F. Cultice, survive. Delilah died in 1855, and our subject was married to Harriet Morgan, who still presides over his household. He has 130 acres of excellent bottom land, of which 100 acres are under cultivation.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1052

JOHN MILLS, retired farmer; P. O. Springfield; was born on his present farm in 1826. His father, Thomas Mills, a native of Virginia, born in 1785, entered the land, 340 acres, at an early day—part of it in 1812, and died in this township in 1865. John’s early education was that of the common schools, and his early life was wholly spent upon the farm. In 1869, he married Miss Clara J., daughter of Peter C. Baird, of Harmony Township. There is no issue of this marriage. Mr. M. and wife are both members of the Methodist Protestant Church of the neighborhood. In 1868, he completed a very neat and well-finished frame residence, which he and his amiable wife have fitted and furnished with very excellent taste, where they enjoy the comforts and quiet of retired farm life.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1052

THOMAS MILLS (deceased). Among the deceased pioneers of Clark Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch stood deservedly high. He was born in the “Old Dominion” March 30, 1785, and in 1790 came with his parents down the Ohio on a flat-boat, to Maysville, Ky., having had to “run the gantlet” of Indian attacks which were made occasionally from the thickly wooded river banks. They settled in Fleming Co., Ky., where the parents of Thomas remained until death. He grew up in Fleming Co., and was there married Feb. 17, 1807, to Jane Dale, a native of Virginia. In the spring of 1812 they came to Ohio, remaining a short time close to where Clifton is now located, and in the latter part of the year he entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 23 of what is now Green Township, Clark Co., but was at that time a portion of Greene Co., Ohio. Two years later, he entered 80 acres in Sec. 29, joining his first entry on the west. On the first mentioned piece of land he built his cabin in 1812 or 1813 and there in the wild forests he began his pioneer life in Ohio. To Thomas and Jane Mills were born ten children as follows: James, Nancy, Martha, Sibbia, Hannah, Thomas, Letitia, John, Mary, and one died in infancy. Only three of the above are now living, viz., James, Hannah and John, the latter of whom has inserted his father’s portrait in the history of the county. Thomas Mills was elected a Justice of the Peace of Green Township in 1821, holding that office nine years, and he also filled several minor township offices during his lifetime. He and wife were faithful members of the Methodist Protestant Church of the neighborhood, and died firm believers in the teachings of that church, she dying June 15, 1844, her husband surviving her over twenty years, and dying Dec. 18, 1865. Thomas Mills was a man of undeviating, unswerving honesty and integrity of character, and although coming to this county a poor man, he, by rigid industry and economical habits, accumulated a handsome estate, the legitimate result of his lifelong saving, and energetic business habits. Politically, he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and did what he could to build up the moral and educational welfare of his township. He was a true man in spirit and action, and is yet kindly remembered for his many good traits of character and honesty of purpose in dealing with his fellow-man, having ever labored to make the “golden rule” his guide through life.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1052

WILLIAM MILLS. The Mills family has played a dominating part in the development of Springfield and Clark County, and the record of the accomplishments of the men bearing the name forms interesting reading for those understanding people who recognize the fact that no community can be greater than its representative citizens. The first of the name at Springfield was the late William Mills, a native of the North of Ireland. He reached early manhood in his native country, but having two sisters living in New York City and another, Rachel, the wife of John Clark, living at Springfield, Ohio, he, too, crossed the Atlantic, with his mother and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Johnson, in 1847. After a short visit in New York City William Mills came on west to Springfield and established his home on Harrison Street. He followed the business of contracting and building, and was also a landscape gardener. In the course of time he was made a street commissioner, being one of the first to hold that office, and as such did much to effect improvements in the streets of the city. He was a man of medium stature, and was very active and enterprising. As a communicant of the Episcopal Church and as a good citizen he upheld in his life and deeds all that obtained for the betterment of the community. His death occurred in July, 1877. He and his wife had six children, five of them reaching maturity, but only two survive, William Mills, of Springfield, and Mary J., wife of Alexander G. MacKenzie, of Springfield, Ohio.

William Mills, last of two surviving children of William Mills, the elder, and named after his honored father, was born at Springfield, Ohio, October 10, 1856. He has always made this city his home and the scene of his rather unusually successful business operations. His educational training was received in the public schools, and all of his interests center in and about Springfield. His father dying when he was nearing his twenty-first birthday, he succeeded to his father’s occupation, and in 1881 was elected to the same office his father had held for so long, that of street commissioner, having for his assistant his brother Robert R. Mills. These two operated a stone quarry and lime kiln just west of the present site of the Masonic Home, and it is still known as the Mills Quarry. The brothers also bought the Cold Spring Quarry, and operated that for a time. They were progressive in their business methods and conducted the first large stone crusher ever brought to this neighborhood. Incidentally they opened a builders’ supply house, and this business is now conducted under the name of The Mills Bros. Co. Robert R. Mills, who was one of the real men of Springfield, died January 12, 1920, his wife having preceded him, leaving a son, Ralph E., and a daughter, Rachel L., now Mrs. Richard Rodgers, the former a partner in the firm founded by his father and uncle.

The younger William Mills married Mary Carr, a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Courtney) Carr. They became the parents of six children, namely: Charlotte, who died in infancy; Mary C; William C, who is the present auditor of Clark County; Agnes R.; Joseph A., who married Frances Todd and lives at Springfield; and Robert A., William C. and Joseph A. served in the World war, the latter in the heavy artillery, but did not get overseas. Mr. Mills and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, in which for years Mr. Mills has been senior warden. He is a Knight Templar, member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Mystic Shrine.

William C. Mills, one of the enterprising young men of Springfield, is auditor of Clark County, and a veteran of the World war. He was born at Springfield, August 13, 1895, and was graduated from the high school course with the class of 1915. He had been attending Wittenberg College for two years when this country entered the World war, and enlisted, September 17, 1917, in the United States naval service, and was first assigned to duty on the Schurz, then on the Wilmett, holding the official rank of quartermaster. After his honorable discharge, in December, 1918, he returned to Springfield and served as chief deputy county auditor until the resignation of his chief, Raymond W. McKinney. Since February, 1921 he has been auditor of the county by appointment of the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Mills is the youngest man ever honored with this position. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief; a republican in politics, and belongs to the Alpha Tau Omega college fraternity, and is a Knight Templar member of the Masonic order.

On October 19, 1920, William C. Mills married Miss Dorothy Willard Brain, and their son, Willard Carr Mills, is of the fourth generation of his family to have lived at Springfield, and the third generation to have been born in the city. This little fellow has back of him an honorable line of ancestry on both sides, and every reason to be proud of his name.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 29

JOHN MINNICH, deceased; was a son of Michael, Sr. and Eve (Sintz) Minnich, who were both born, raised and married in Lancaster Co., Penn. They and five children emigrated to Ohio early in the 19th century, where two more children were born to them. He entered 300 acres of land in what is now Bethel Township, Clark Co., which is still in possession of the descendants. Michael and family were among the early and worthy pioneers of Clark Co., to whom much is due for the opening out of fine fields in Bethel Township, where in 1881, instead of being decorated with the deep and dense forest, they are ornamented with waving fields of golden grain. Michael died in 1847, and his wife in 1856. Of their seven children (who are now all dead), John, the subject of this memoir, the sixth in number, was born in the present limits of Bethel Township, April 28, 1810, and was raised through the early part of the same. He nobly assisted his father until a matured age, in the meantime procuring a common education. Upon Sept. 10, 1832, he married Susan Layton, by whom he had four children. Susan was born in Clark Co. in 1812, and died in 1840, leaving husband and one child. The former married September, 1842, for his second wife Caroline Layton, a sister of his first wife; she was born in Bethel Township, Clark Co., in December, 1824. By this union five children were born, of whom four are now living, whose names respectively are D. C., who married February, 1866, Elizabeth V. Higgins; Felix G., who died in 1868, aged 23 years; Cassius W., married in 1872 Ida Higgins; Mary E. married in 1872 Norman Latta; and Jessie E. Michael, who was the surviving one at Susan’s death. He, married in 1865 Sinda A. McAllister. John Minnich soon after his first marriage settled on his father’s farm, where he resided until his death, April 11, 1864. He through life was an active and energetic farmer, in which he succeeded. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to all public improvements; took an active part in the erection of the Dayton and Mad River Valley Turnpike, of which he served as Superintendent from its erection to his death. Politically he was a Republican; though an earnest worker in its behalf, he never aspired to any office whatever. He took a liberal part in aiding the suppression of the late rebellion, with which he was connected until his death. He was a man of much respectability, leaving a widow and five children above mentioned, the former still bearing the name of her departed husband.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1031

LEMUEL MITCH. One of the fine farms of Clark County is owned by Lemuel Mitch, whose life has been spent in this county and whose energy as a farmer and capability as a citizen have brought him a high degree of appreciation from his fellow citizens.

Mr. Mitch’s farm is situated on the National Road, a mile and a half east of South Vienna, in Harmony Township. He was born only half a mile away, August 2, 1867, son of Charles and Mary (Bennett) Mitch. His father, a native of Germany, was brought to this country at the age of twelve years by his parents, who settled at Springfield, where they lived out their lives, the grandfather dying in 1882. Charles Mitch was reared in Springfield, and from early youth worked as a farm hand until his marriage, when he located on a rented farm near Brighton. During the administration of Governor Bushnell he was appointed a guard in the State Penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio, and served there four years. After that he returned to his farm. He was active in republican politics, served as a trustee of Harmony Township two terms, became a soldier in the Union Army in July, 1861, and served until December, 1865, when he was discharged at San Antonio, Texas. He first enlisted in the infantry, served three years, and after re-enlisting was in the cavalry. He and his wife had eight children, six of whom are living: Lemuel; Charlotte B., wife of S. A. Miller, of Springfield; Jane, who is married and lives at Sedalia, Ohio; Alice, wife of Arthur Madder, of Brighton; Emma, wife of William Clark, of South Vienna; and Bruce B. Mitch.

Lemuel Mitch grew up on the home farm and acquired a common school eucation. For thirty years he has been prosperously engaged in farming and has a place of 347 acres. Outside his farm he has other interests and is a stockholder in the Ohio Gate Company and the Springfield Stock Yards.

December 29, 1892, he married Effie M. Wilson, who was born in Harmony Township, November 26, 1871. They have three children: Mary A., a graduate of the Plattsburg High School; Leroy B., who married Mabel Snodgrass and lives on a farm; and Floyd H., a graduate of the Plattsburg High School, who is married and lives in Harmony Township.

The family are members and Mr. Mitch is a deacon in the Wilson Chapel Christian Church. He is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and has been active in republican politics. He is a member of the Board of Election, and is the present trustee of Harmony Township.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 208

A. W. MITCHELL, physician; Dialton; was born Dec. 13, 1848; is a son of George J. and Amanda F. Mitchell, and the youngest of a family of three children, consisting of two boys and one girl. Early in 1849, the family moved to the eastern part of Shelby County, where his father bought a farm and improved it. It was here that he endeavored to bring up his family in the fear of the Lord, and as the country was at that time a wilderness, he had many chances to teach them practically that “in the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread.” The family was one of unusual personal affection and social enjoyment. In 1863, the wife and mother was taken away and the subject of this sketch soon after went off to school. From 1869 to 1872, he was principally occupied in teaching, and in 1871 commenced the study of law. However, he never felt that the profession was exactly congenial with his disposition, and was more than ever impressed with this fact one day when, after reciting his lesson in Blackstone, he directed his attention to some lawyers who were in the office consulting on the best plan to win a certain knotty case. He ventured a thought that the plan suggested would hardly be right, and was stunned by the reply, “Young man, if you ever expect to be a lawyer you must never harp on conscience.” He soon gave up the study and in March, 1872, went West. For three years he observed the varied phenomena of the Kansas climate. He then went to Southwest Missouri where he spent three years more, principally in teaching in Joplin and vicinity. He was at one time engaged in mining at this place, and had charge of mines which bid fair to place him on the road to fortune, but his natural love for the schoolroom and the uncertainty of the mines induced him to relinquish them to take charge of the Third Ward schools. He here commenced the study of medicine in 1877 with Dr. H. B. Pinney, and in September, 1878, left for Ann Arbor, Mich., to attend lectures. He spent one year in this institution, and in October, 1879, matriculated with the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated the following year. Like all new-fledged doctors his next step was one of importance. Where shall I locate? Agitated his mind for a few months, and he finally settled down in the quiet little village of Dialton in September, 1880. Though Dr. Mitchell, in his various ramblings, saw a good deal of the “rough-and-tumble” side of life, he never either forgot or ignored his early religious training, and invariably took an active part in Sabbath school and church work, and it would not be far from expressing his true sentiment on temperance if we would say he is a teetotaler. He commenced life in his new and chosen profession with bright prospects for the future.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1019

ROSS MITCHELL, retired manufacturer, Springfield. The subject of this sketch is one of the most remarkable instances of self-made men; he has, by his own talents and his personal industry, become one of the most wealthy and influential of our citizens; has, by mere integrity of character and skillfulness in labor, risen from poverty to wealth—from obscurity to prominence. He is the son of James B. and Cynthia (Gowdy) Mitchell; born Nov. 14, 1824, in Landisburg, Perry Co., Penn.; he came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1836; in 1838, he came to what is now called Woodbury, in this county; in February, 1840, to Medway; in February, 1849, to Hertzler’s; in 1852, to Springfield; in September, 1854, to Lagonda, where he became assistant book-keeper, and, two years after, book-keeper in the Lagonda Works; he then became a special partner, and, after two years, a regular partner. After twenty-six years’ connection with the establishment he retired, in November, 1880, in order to devote himself more especially and personally to his large personal estate and works of benevolence. Mr. Mitchell was blessed with what Milton so justly pronounces “heaven’s last, best gift to man—a good wife.” He was married, 1852, to Catherine Ann Miller, daughter of Casper and Susan (Wirt) Miller. Mrs. Mitchell was born Feb. 20, 1827, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and died Sept. 12, 1878; they had five children, all girls, of whom the eldest and youngest are deceased. Mrs. Mitchell had gained a high place in the estimation of the community; her good sense and modesty, her clear understanding and generous temper, were manifest alike in all the vicissitudes of her life; poverty could not repress nor wealth corrupt her noble disposition; actively engaged in good work, it was remarked by all that the only change observable in her was an increase of benevolent action in proportion to the increase of her means for doing good. Ross was the oldest of eight children, and, at the age of 12 years, the support of mother and four children dependent upon his efforts; his first $78, worked for and saved, were lost by the breaking of a bank; but he and his brother James would save a little from year to year and put it on interest until they could put $1,500 in a farm in Indiana. Thus has he risen from small beginnings to the possession of ample means, by honest skill and faithful labor—by the use of a keen intellect and the power of a fixed habit of industry. But the best of all is that as he did not, like the multitude of men, abandon himself in the midst of want and opposing forces, so he does not, now that he possesses power, concentrate all upon himself, does not apply his accumulated means to self-gratification, but to the benefit of others, to the welfare of mankind; he is one of those who connect with the most vivid self-consciousness the complete sense of the existence of others, the most thorough conviction of us of the claims of God and his fellowmen; he has devoted himself to the most decided efforts for the amelioration of the condition and the improvement of the moral and spiritual character of man, for the benefit of society in church and state; he not only appropriates liberally of his means, but he gives also his personal attention to works of beneficence, laboring with mind and heart, with tongue and hand, to be helpful to man; deprived of an education, yet, by extensive careful reading and by the diligent use of a fine library, he has acquired much knowledge and become an effective practical teacher and speaker; who are associated with him in beneficent enterprises will admire the in which he devotes the skill and experience acquired in secular business formation and execution of wise plans, as well as the clearness of riding and the integrity of purpose which characterize his actions. May he find many to sympathize with him in his noble purposes, and may the community long enjoy the blessing of so useful a life!

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 883

JACOB MITZEL, farmer; P. O. Tremont City; born in York Co., Penn., Feb. 26, 1831; is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Flinchbaugh) Mitzel. The paternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and the maternal of Germany. The parents of our subject have always resided in Pennsylvania and followed farming as an occupation; the father is still living, and now 92 years of age; the mother died in summer of 1864. They were parents of ten children; all are living—John, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Catharine, Frederick, Christian, Jacob, Lydia, Emanuel and Amos. Mr. Mitzel has always been a very robust, industrious and a hard-working man, and now, at 92 years of age, is enjoying very good health, and we would call attention to this remarkable instance of raising a family of ten children without the loss of one, and all are now past middle age, the youngest being 42 years of age. Our subject lived with his father until 22 years of age, and during this time learned the brick and stone mason trade. In the fall of 1852, he emigrated to Ohio, landing at Springfield Oct. 4, and there followed his trade twelve or fifteen years. Was married June 12, 1860, to Elnora, daughter of Adam and Margaret (Turman) Neff, he a native Virginia, and she of Ohio; issue, three children, one only surviving—Laura; deceased—Arvilla and Lucian. Mr. Mitzel continued to work at his trade in connection with farming till the fall of 1872, at which time he bought and located upon the farm where he now resides. His farm consists of 120 acres, mostly in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church, having been such since 1863, and be has held the office of Deacon during his entire membership.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1006

GEORGE G. MOCK, farmer; P. O. Dialton. Mr. Mock was born in this (Pike) township Sept. 2, 1843. He is the son of Esron and Catherine Mock. The father, Esron, is the son of Frederick and Barsheha Mock. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Kentucky. He came to this township in an early day, and died in 1832 at the age of 45 years. His wife survived him until 1866. They were both members of the M. E. Church. Esron married Catharine Oatewalt, daughter of George and Joanna Oatewalt, Aug. 8, 1839. She was born June 29, 1814. Her parents were natives of Montgomery Co., Va., who came to this State in 1828, stopping in Ross Co. two years, and then moving to this township. The father died Sept. 16, 1858, aged 67 years, and the mother, April 29, 1859, aged 86 years. Esron and Catharine were parents of four children—George G., Mary E. and Joanna B. now living. The mother and children are members of the M. E. Church. George G. was married Dec. 4, 1870, to Margaret J. Davis, daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Davis, by whom he had one child, Mary B., born Nov. 19, 1877. Mrs. Mock was born July 10, 1848, and died Sept. 3, 1876. She was a member of the Reformed Church.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1019

SAMUEL MOCK, deceased. Samuel Mock was born in the year 1820, and died in the year 1877. He was the son of Frederick and Barsheba (Priest) Mock, who were among the early settlers of the county, having purchased the farm owned by the deceased in about the year 1810. Frederick Mock was a very useful man in the neighborhood, being a mechanic. He made the first wagon used in the township; he also made the buhrs in all the first mills of the country. Samuel, the fifth child, married Mary A. Botkin, daughter of William and Elizabeth Botkin, who emigrated from Virginia in the year 1810. Samuel Mock was the father of six girls and two boys—Malissa (died Jan. 31, 1854, aged 6 years), Lucinda, Evalean, Ellen, John P., Julia A., George Mc. (died Jan. 5, 1878, aged 17 years), and Vesper B. Having purchased the old homestead in the year 1848, on which he lived until his death. He was well known throughout the county. He was several times elected to positions of honor and trust, all of which he filled with integrity. He was kind to his family. Being a man of high moral character, strictly honest in all his dealings, he had the love and respect of all who knew him.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1020

J. DOUGLASS MOLER, City Civil Engineer, Springfield. John D. Moler has been City Engineer of Springfield for fifteen years—a period covering its best growth and most rapid expansion—which is of itself a sufficient commentary upon his thorough efficiency and capability in his profession. Mr. Moler is 45 years old, having been born July 8, 1836, six miles from Springfield, on the National road. On the very day after attaining his majority, he commenced life in the right way by marrying Miss Ella A. Dushane, of Logan County, but originally from Pennsylvania, who, after bearing him two sons and journeying through twenty-three years of life with him, was taken from him by the hand of Providence in March of last year. Their first son, William, is teaching in the State Reform School at Lancaster, Ohio, and the second, Harry, is a farmer in Logan Co., Ohio. Mr. Moler was ten years in the United States military service, in the Provost Marshal’s office at Columbus, Ohio, then raised Co. E, of the 184th O. V. I., their principal service being the guarding of the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr. Moler is now busily engaged drafting plans for projected city water works, which are urgently needed by reason of the rapid growth of the city, and, as proposed, they will not only be great acquisition to the city, but are to be of sufficient extent and capacity to meet the demand that a greatly augmented population will make on its resources. Mr. Moler is tall in stature, intelligent-looking, deliberate, humorous, genial, and a man you would naturally trust without other guaranty than his appearance and manners.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 884

PHILIP EDWARD MONTANUS. To worthily bear an honored family name that has been known to history not only for years, but for centuries, is the unusual distinction enjoyed by one of the leading citizens of Springfield, Ohio, Philip Edward Montanus, president of the Springfield Machine Tool Company. Mr. Montanus has been a resident of Springfield for almost a half century, but his birth took place at Dresden, Ohio, June 5, 1854.

Students of medieval history find that the Montanus family was prominent as early as the third century in Rome, Italy, which was then the seat of civilization. It is probable that the most distinguished of the name was Bishop Montanus, a noted ecclesiastic of the Church of Rome, who was excommunicated because of heretical tendencies. In time the name became known in other countries, particularly in Germany, where generations of the family came and passed away before Philip Montanus, father of Philip Edward Montanus, came upon the scene of life.

Philip Montanus was born and reared in Germany. He there was married to Elizabeth Wahl, supported his family by work as a tailor, and until 1854 accepted the conditions that prevailed for all in his modest walk of life in his native country. He was not satisfied, however, for he saw no promising future for himself or his children, and the law of enforced militarism was particularly distasteful to a man of peace. In the spring of 1854 he came to the United States with his wife and children, and in June of that year his son Philip Edward was born on the soil of Ohio. The family home was established at Sidney, in this state, and as soon as possible Mr. Montanus became a naturalized American citizen. To some extent, perhaps, he was handicapped in his business efforts because of an imperfect knowledge of English, but among his new neighbors he found many of his countrymen, and both business and social environment brought comfort and contentment. He learned to love the institutions of his adopted land and was an American in all but birth.

Philip Edward Montanus was educated in the parochial and public schools of Sidney, Ohio. His father was a quiet, unostentatious man but practical withal, and when his son had reached the age of sixteen years, he deemed it time the youth should begin to put in practice the lessons of thrift and industry that he had taught his children by example. In 1870 Philip Edward entered a retail drug establishment, and continued in the business until 1887, for twelve years being so engaged at Springfield, to which city he came in 1875.

While Mr. Montanus has been prominently identified with other important enterprises at Springfield, he is probably best known as the founder and able director of the Springfield Machine Tool Company. This business he started in 1887, in a small way, as his capital was limited, but from the first he gave it his direct, personal attention and has developed it into one of the important manufacturing industries of this city. Until within the past thirty years ninety per cent of all types of machine tools were made in the Eastern states, but then such pioneers as Mr. Montanus invaded the West, and at the present time, Ohio alone manufacturers more machine tools than all the Eastern states combined. Mr. Montanus was among the first to introduce American made machine tools in Europe, and succeeded in building up a large and profitable trade there, which was temporarily interrupted by the calamity of the World war. He still continues as president of the great business concern he built up, but no longer finds it necessary to attend to any details, this burden now resting on the strong shoulders of his competent sons, Paul A. and Edward S. Montanus. Among other business connections that have reflected credit upon his sagacity and integrity is one from which he retired in 1921, he having been vice president of the Citizens National Bank since its organization and one of its founders.

To Mr. Montanus’ first marriage, to Miss Hattie Armstrong, three children were born: Paul A., Edward S. and Helen, the daughter dying at the age of seven years. His second marriage was with Miss Adah Bennett, and they have had two children: Josephine and Frederick, the latter dying in infancy. Mr. Montanus and his first family are of the Roman Catholic faith.

As conscientious in his political convictions as in religious life and business affairs Mr. Montanus has always been a sincere supporter of the principles of the democratic party, and on several occasions his party has honored him by nominations to high office, first to the State Legislature and second to Congress. Although on both occasions his vote was flattering and in some sections entirely unexpected in strength, but it failed to overcome the great normal majority of the opposing party. One of the attractions of the beautiful grounds near his home is a small lake well stocked, and here Mr. Montanus enjoys fly-fishing and and other outdoor recreations. He takes great interest in the Springfield Park, and is one of its board of commissioners, and is a member of the Commercial and Lagonda clubs. He has a cultivated taste in music, having been director of several church choirs for many years, is an expert player on the zither, and was secretary and treasurer of the Springfield Choral Society.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 106

GEORGE W. MOORE, physician and surgeon, Springfield. Dr. Moore deserves a more extended biography, as he has a splendid war record, as well as a history of professional life. He was born in Ohio in 1831, and his parents, John and Mercy (Rolfe) Moore, who were among the first settlers in Huron County, in 1822; Indians were numerous in that day; in fact, more Indians than white men. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom lived to adult age. Dr. Moore was reared on a farm, and was educated in the public schools until he was 18 years of age, when he commenced the study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. John Osborne, of Bowling Green; in 1859, he attended medical lectures in Cleveland, Ohio; in 1862, he volunteered in the Federal army, in Co. G, 111th O. V. I.; he recruited part of this company, and went into service as Lieutenant; he did duty the first year in Kentucky, engaging in many active skirmishes; he was detailed as Regimental Quartermaster in 1863, and received a Captain’s commission in 1864, serving in that position until the close of the war. He finished his medical course at Cleveland in 1866 and 1867, practicing his profession afterward near Toledo, and afterward at Ashtabula, from which point he removed to Springfield in 1873; he is now one of the leading physicians of Springfield, and recently has associated in partnership with Dr. Allen H. Vance, who is a graduate of the classical course of 1876 in the Western Reserve College, and is also a graduate of the Western Reserve Medical College, class of 1879, and of Pulte Medical College of 1880; he is also a graduate of the Opthalmological College of Cincinnati, Ohio; he will make a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. Dr. Moore was wedded to Miss Mary E. Love in 1855; two children were the results of the union—Clara and Della. The elder daughter, Clara, was united in marriage to Dr. Allen H. Vance Sept. 22, 1880, carrying with them the best wishes of the entire circle of their acquaintances. The daughters are both graduates of the Springfield Female Seminary. The Doctor enjoys an excellent business among the first families of Springfield, and is certainly worthy of the confidence of the community.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 889

W. S. MOORE, general life insurance agent, Springfield. Col. William S. Moore, although a new-comer to Springfield, is to a certain extent representative because of his energy and enterprise, and his varied career entitles him to unstinted personal mention. He was born in Richmond, Va., May 17, 1846, where his mother still resides; his father has been dead two years; he has an older brother, Josiah L., who is a wholesale grocery merchant in Richmond, Va., and a twin brother, J. C. Moore, doing a dry goods business in Baltimore. The Colonel took a full course at the University of Virginia, and, going to New York Oct. 11, 1865, he entered the establishment of A. T. Stewart as salesman, remaining seven months; was then for one year Inspector of the Dry Dock & East Broadway Railroad, after which he spent considerable time traveling, and on his return went to Kansas City, Mo., there representing the old Atlas Life Insurance Company of St. Louis about five years; he then went to Pittsburgh, where he represented the United States Life, continuing in this interest about five years; from there to Cleveland one year as special agent for the company, then returned to New York, after which he made a visit home to Virginia. On the 9th of September, 1879, he went to Cincinnati in the interest of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York, under L. C. Hopkins, General Agent. He came to Dayton, Ohio, in March, 1880, where, meeting Mr. D. F. Harbaugh, Special Agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Society, he took a contract to represent this company as General Agent for Clark, Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami and Shelby Counties, with headquarters at Springfield, since which time he has done a remarkably fine business, aggregating in the twelve months over $400,000 of insurance, and among his larger policy-holders are Ross Mitchell, $40,000; John H. Thomas, $25,000; W. S. Thomas, $25,000; Joseph W. Thomas, $25,000; Charles E. Thomas, $25,000; Edward Wren, $10,000; Clifton M. Nichols, $10,000—all of Springfield, and George A. Weaver and Lemuel Weaver of Urbana, the former for $20,000 and the latter for $10,000; besides his $400,000 in the Equitable, he has placed in other companies about $20,000, which the Equitable could not conveniently take. In harmony with the excellent taste that is characteristic of the Equitable in all its branches and departments, Col. Moore has one of the most complete and city-like offices in Springfield, located in the northeast corner of the new Bookwalter Block, and has been doing the bulk of the life insurance in this section. The Colonel is well adapted for his business, and his wonderful success since coming to Springfield demonstrates that he is a man of push and energy, who is determined to be second to none in his line.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 889

THE MOORES LIME COMPANY, whose plant is located two miles west of Springfield, is an important industry of Clark County, and involves some interesting history and geology. The present presence of limestone rock and the manufacture of lime has been known in Clark County from earliest times. But the limestone in the Springfield District has characteristics that make it perhaps the highest quality found anywhere in the country. It is known as pure Dolomite limestone, the chemical constituents of which comprise ninety-nine per cent of magnesia and lime, leaving only a little more than a trace of other materials that must be refined in the manufacture of lime.

Over sixty years ago John B. C. Moores began the manufacture of Springfield lime. His sons succeeded him, and they in turn were succeeded by the third generation, who today comprise the Moores Lime Company, representing probably the oldest lime industry in America continuously conducted by the same family. While the limestone rock quarried in the plant in Springfield Township has a great variety of uses, including crushed limestone for agricultural purposes, the most widely known product of the Moores Lime Company is “Whitekote,” a lime of the highest grade for plastering and other building purposes, and now shipped and distributed over practically all the states east of the Mississippi.

The secretary of the company and the active official in charge of the business at Springfield is William H. Moores. About 1864 John B. C. Moores was a dealer in building material at Cincinnati, and he also operated a cement plant at Louisville. His brother Herbert operated the first lime kiln on the Mad River. John Moores was active in the business until his death in 1896. Herbert continued to reside in Springfield until his death five or six year ago. William B. Moores, a son of John B. C., was born in 1871, and in the latter ’80s became manager of the plant and his brother Lawson continued the industry until 1920. William B. Moores was killed in a blast in the mill in 1903. He and his brother acquired about 200 acres on each side of Mad River. These quarries produced thirty-thousand tons of stone and twenty-thousand tons of lime every year, and the industry originated the largest tonnage of freight shipped out of Clark County. The industry is one employing about forty persons, and most of these live in homes adjoining the property. The old Builders Supply business at Cincinnati is now continued as the Moores-Coney Company. The products of the Moores Lime Company were awarded special medals at the World’s Fair at Chicago in 1893.

The president of the Moores Lime Company is John Moores, a resident of Cincinnati. William H. Moores, the secretary-treasurer of the company, became superintendent of the plant in 1916. He had grown up in the business from boyhood. He was born at Springfield, August 27, 1896. He married, June 17, 1922, Helen Ness, daughter of Prof. J. A. Ness, of Springfield, Ohio.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 147

WILLIAM H. MORRIS, farmer; P. O. London, Madison Co. The subject of this sketch is a native of Springfield Township, Clark Co., Ohio. He was born March 29, 1841. He is a son of William M. Morris, who was also a native of Springfield Township, he having been born in Springfield Township in 1820. (He is now a resident of Illinois). William chose, when a boy, to follow a plow, which choice he has followed since. He settled in Harmony Township in 1855, where he now resides. He was united in marriage to Marinda Dixon, a daughter of David Dixon, Oct. 15, 1859. This union has been blessed by the birth of five children, all of whom are now living—Thomas W. was born June 29, 1860; Henry S., March 26, 1862; William L., June 2, 1866; Walter, Dec. 1, 1868; and Harrison, Sept. 9, 1875. Mr. Morris was one of the men who was willing to die that his country might live. He enlisted in Co. K, 45th O. V. I., July, 1862; was discharged in June, 1865, at the close of the war. He served on an escort of Gen. Haskell for some twenty-three months. Mr. Morris has an interest in quite a large steam saw-mill near his residence. In connection with his farming he runs a steam thrashing-machine. Mr. Morris and wife are members of the Christian Church at what is known as the “Wilson” Church.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 963

STEWARD A. MORROW, ice and coal dealer, Springfield; is one of the active young business men of Springfield.  He was born in Champaign County in 1849; is a son of Daniel and Matilda (Whitehead) Morrow, who were early residents of that county; the family removed to Springfield in 1852, and have resided here since.  The subject of this sketch began a business life when quite young; has been an ice-dealer here for the past twelve years, and, three years since, opened a coal-yard, which he has since operated in connection with the ice trade; his office and yard are located on South Limestone street, near the C., S. & C. R. R. crossing; his general acquaintance and business energy have already secured a large trade, which is increasing.  He married, in 1872, Miss Lizzie Resh, of Dayton, by whom he had three children.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 890 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick

MARION C. MOSES, D. V. M., has proved himself one of the most liberal and progressive citizens of New Carlisle, where he gained marked success and prestige in his profession and where he is now a member of the firm of Brubaker & Moses, which here owns and conducts one of the leading general hardware establishments of this part of Clark County.

Doctor Moses was born in Jackson Township, Champaign County, Ohio, on the 25th of January, 1884, and his early education was acquired in the public schools. In preparation for his profession he completed a course in the Cincinnati Veterinary College, in which he was graduated in 1910, with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In the same year he came to New Carlisle, and his ability and personality soon enabled him to build up an extensive and lucrative practice and to gain place as one of the leading veterinarians of Clark County. His initiative enterprise was shown when he erected and equipped the Honey Creek Mills at New Carlisle, the village having had no flour mill in operation for eighteen years previously thereto. The doctor sold his interest in this important enterprise after placing the same on a substantial basis.

Doctor Moses is a stalwart republican and has taken lively interest in public affairs of a local order. He has served two terms (four years) as mayor of New Carlisle, an office of which he was the incumbent from 1916 to 1920, inclusive, and in which he gave a most vigorous and progressive administration. Under his regime many excellent public improvements were made, and the village freed itself of debt, besides accumulating an appreciable surplus. Doctor Moses is a past master of the local lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, has represented the same in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and in the Scottish Rite of the great fraternity he has attained to the thirty-second degree, besides being affiliated with the adjunct organization, the Order of the Eastern Star. While his mercantile business demands much of his attention, Doctor Moses still continues in the practice of his profession.

Doctor Moses married Miss Ruth Cradlebaugh, daughter of H. S. Cradlebaugh, of New Carlisle, who is the owner of the Silver Lake summer resort, one and one-half miles west of Miami, and who is making of the same a most popular recreation place. Doctor and Mrs. Moses have one son, Howard C. Moses, born July 8, 1917.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 152

ANDREW MOUK. Henry Mouk, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 12, 1809, and was married to Esther Herrshy (whose genealogy forms an appendix to this sketch) on the 16th of November, 1832. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1851; made arrangements for his family’s coming, and returned to Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio again with his wife and little ones in the spring following, and settled in Bethel Township, where he resided until his demise, which occurred February 13, 1875, at the advanced age of 65 years 11 months and 1 day. His family consisted of the following nine children: Andrew, born Aug. 11, 1833; Henry, born July 12, 1835; died July 16, 1864; Barbara, July 4, 1837, died Feb. 3, 1847; Anna, April 18, 1839; Mary, Aug. 1, 1841, died Aug. 1, 1842; Mary H., Oct. 12, 1843, died June 23, 1848; John, Dec. 8, 1845; Esther and Catharine, Feb. 12, 1848. Catharine died Sept. 1, 1848, and Esther died June 3, 1851. Andrew, the subject hereof, was educated in the common schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Oct. 29, 1854, he married Susan Zeller, who was born Sept. 23, 1837, the daughter of Henry S. Zeller, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., who came to Ohio in 1850, and settled in Bethel Township. Our subject’s family consisted of the following twelve children: Maria Viola, born Aug. 4, 1855; Anna, June 8, 1857; Henry, July 26, 1858; Margaret, Dec. 12, 1859; Esther, July 22, 1861; Charlie, June 15, 1863, died Oct. 26, 1864; George, Sept. 20, 1865; Mary, Feb. 14, 1868; Samuel, Jan. 11, 1870, died Jan. 25, 1870; Edith, Feb. 7, 1874; Oscar, Dec. 21, 1876, died March 4, 1877; John, April 7, 1878. The following genealogical record of the Herrshy family, who were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and obtained their land from William Penn, and who is the maternal ancestor of our subject, has been preserved perfect to the present time; Andrew Herrshy, great-grandfather, was born in Switzerland in the year 1702, whence his father removed to the Palatinate, at the Court of Friedensheim. In the year 1719, he, with his father and brother, Benjamin, came to America and settled in Lancaster Co., Penn. His brother, Christian, was obliged to remain at the Court until 1739; when he also came to America. These three brothers—Andrew, Benjamin, and Christian—were chosen preachers of the Mennonite Church. Andrew died in the year 1792, aged 90 years. He begat twelve children, viz.: Christian, Andrew, John, Benjamin, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Henry, Peter, Catharine, Maria and Odti. Andrew Herrshy, grandfather and second son of the above Andrew, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in the year 1734, and died on the 16th of July, 1806, aged 72 years. He begat with Magdalina (his first wife, a born Bachman) a daughter, Catharine, who was born in 1760, and died in 1833, Sept. 10, aged 73 years; and with Maria (his second wife, a born Acker, who was born Sept. 26, 1743, and died Sept. 13, 1831, aged 87 years 10 months and 17 days) he begat the following children: Anna, born Feb. 27, 1762, died March 5, 1855; Jacob, born Oct. 2, 1765, died May 30, 1821; Maria, born May 23, 1768, died Dec. 5, 1849; Andrew, born Sept. 14, 1770, died Aug. 1, 1835; Henry, born Dec. 19, 1772, died April 24, 1838; Elizabeth, born Dec. 5, 1775, died Aug. 17, 1870; John, born March 31, 1783, died July 16, 1831. Andrew begat with Esther (a born Kauffman, who was born May 31, 1776, and died March 3, 1829, aged 52 years 9 months and 3 days) the following children, viz.: Christian, born Dec. 28, 1796, died Sept. 5, 1834; Anna, born July 15, 1799, died June 27, 1874; Andrew, born Jan. 15, 1802, died Dec. 31, 1839; Maria, born Dec. 9, 1804; Catharine, born Jan. 15, 1809, died Jan. 15, 1872; Esther, born Sept. 11, 1811, died March 9, 1848; Barbara and Elizabeth, born Dec. 9, 1814; Elizabeth died Dec. 30, 1825; John, born March 14, 1818, died Oct. 7, 1821; Magdalina, born March 20, 1821, died Nov. 1, 1861.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1032

AARON JOSEPH MOYER. The history of Springfield is the record of the lives of the men who played their part in the development of its commercial and industrial prestige, and one of them who, during many years was an integral factor in its busy life, and after he had retired still made it his home, was Aaron Joseph Moyer, now deceased. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1845, a son of John and Mary (Hartraft) Moyer, natives of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, who were farming people, and both died in Pennsylvania.

When he was sixteen years old Aaron Joseph Moyer became a member of the Pennsylvania State Militia. He first attended the district schools, and then taught school in order to pay his way through Dixon Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he became bookkeeper for several concerns, and in 1880 came to Springfield and became ticket agent for what was then the Ohio Southern Railroad, but now the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, and after twenty months in that situation, became manager for the Rogers Iron Fence Company, and held that position nearly five years. Mr. Moyer, with William Burns as his partner, organized the Springfield Architectural Iron Company to manufacture all kinds of iron fences, cornices, stairs, fire escapes and lawn mowers, and after fifteen years of successful operation, disposed of his business and retired. His death occurred in October, 1916, and in his passing Springfield lost one of its most representative citizens.

On August 6, 1873, Mr. Moyer married Rebecca Weaver, born at Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Peter S. and Anna (Bowman) Weaver, natives of Huntington County, Pennsylvania, and Berwick, Pennsylvania. On both sides of the family the ancestors were established in the American Colonies over a quarter of a century prior to the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer became the parents of the following children: Aaron Joseph, Jr., who lives at Dalton, Massachusetts, married Zenaide Staples; Fredelia Hughes, married Frostie Paxton, and they live at Midland, Pennsylvania, and have two children, Robert P. and Dorotha J.; Ebbie, who lives with her mother, teaches both vocal and instrumental music; and Frederick Weaver, who married Hester Ann Orr, lives at Springfield, and they have two children, Hester Ann and Frederick.

Mr. Moyer attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his widow and children are Episcopalians. He served for one term as a member of the Board of Public Service of Springfield, and was always active as a republican. Well-known in Masonry he had been advanced to the Commandery in that order. In 1907 Mrs. Moyer built a modern residence at 1128 North Limestone Street, and here she and her daughter are living, surrounded with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 122

JAMES MURPHY, merchant, Springfield. Mr. Murphy, one of the oldest dry goods merchants of Springfield, is a son of Daniel and Margaret Murphy, and was born in Adams Co., Penn., March 1, 1803; when about 14 years old, he began as clerk in a hardware store, and when 18 years old entered a dry-goods establishment in Pennsylvania, continuing as clerk there until 1844, when he came to Springfield, Ohio, and established the dry goods trade, which he has maintained with increasing success from the beginning; in 1855, he took as partner his brother, William R. (who has lived for a number of years and is now living in Pittsburgh, Penn.), and since then the firm has been known as Murphy Bros., and lately his son, James W., has been added to the firm; therefore, the members who comprise the firm now are James, William R. and James W. The store, since its first start, has been located in different parts of the city; in December, 1880, they took possession of their large and commodious room on the corner of High and Limestone streets. James was married, July 4, 1844, to Nancy McConnell, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., April 1, 1818; of their four children—James W., George, Jennie and Annie—but two are now living, viz., James W. and Jennie. Mrs. Murphy’s brother, George McConnell, who was at one time a clerk in Mr. Murphy’s store (he also carried on harness and saddle making in Enon, this county), went to Australia in 1853, and has never been heard from since. Among the many business men of Springfield, none have borne a higher reputation of honor than Mr. James Murphy.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 890

GEORGE MURRAY, deceased, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., July 16, 1807. His parents, Mungo P. and Catharine Murray, were both natives of Scotland, where they were married and had two children—Charlotte and John. The latter died on their voyage to America, in 1802, and was buried in the ocean. They located in Delaware Co., N. Y., where they remained until 1817, when they emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Madison Township, Clark Co., near South Charleston. They were the parents of eight children—James, Peter, George, Catharine, Margaret and Ann, were born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and all came to Ohio with their parents in 1817. George Murray was raised to agricultural pursuits, and made farming his chief occupation. On the 4th of July, 1832, he was united in marriage with Lavina Morris. She was born in this county, June 11, 1813, a daughter of Joseph and Lavina (Drake) Morris. Mrs. Morris was a native of New Jersey, and he of Maryland. They were married in Kentucky, and in 1811 came to Ohio. Joseph Morris was a minister of the Baptist Church for seventy years. He died at the advanced age of 91, having been the father of fourteen children, who all lived to have families of their own. George and Lavina Murray were the parents of nine children—Catharine, Lavina, Cinderella, Mungo P., Jennie, John M., James C., Anna E. and George. Mr. Murray was converted at the great revival of 1840 and 1841, and lived a consistent member of the M. E. Church to the time of his death, which occurred July 9, 1880. Thus was the community deprived of a worthy citizen, the church of a faithful member, and his family of an indulgent father, whose example they may well imitate. His wife and children are also members of the church. Mungo P. was missing after the battle of Chickamauga, and was no doubt killed there. As the enemy held the ground for a couple of months, his body was never recovered.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1071

SAMUEL MUSSELMAN, plasterer. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Musselman, both natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where our subject was born July 15, 1835. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1854, but in the following fall returned to his native State, where he remained until 1856, when he again came to the “Buckeye State,” and located permanently in Bethel Township. He is a plasterer by trade, and still follows the business. On the 5th of August, 1861, he married Miss Anna Kauffman, the daughter of Christian and Anna Kauffman; natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where Mrs. Musselman was born on the 21st of January, 1840. By his union with Miss Kauffman, Mr. Musselman has had born to him the following nine children, to wit: Charlotte L., born Dec. 27, 1863; Henry E., born May 28, 1865; Lulu B., born Dec. 17, 1867; Abraham K., born April 11, 1868; Christian K., born March 7, 1870; Anna, born Nov. 1, 1871; John W. and Mary A., born Dec. 3, 1874; Samuel, born Oct. 15, 1876.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1032

ELIAB MYERS, physician and surgeon, Springfield. Dr. Myers was born and reared in the county, and is worthy of representation among her sons, whose biographical sketches do honor to her history; his parents, Jacob N. and Mary C. (Miller) Myers, were natives of Pennsylvania—Mrs. Myers of York and Jacob of Lancaster County; they emigrated to Clark County in 1837, and settled in the small village of Springfield; his occupations were various, being mostly engaged in the milling interests, but, since 1856, has carried on the manufacture of spoke and felloes on a large scale, until his death, which occurred in 1866; Mrs. Myers is living on a farm near the village of Dialton. Their children living are named respectively Sarah J., Rebecca, John, Jacob, Annie C., our subject and Alice Ida. Dr. Myers began his medical education in 1869, under the tutelage of Dr. Raper Rector, of Northampton, and graduated March 1, 1873, at the Ohio Medical College, the oldest college in Ohio. In 1873, he was wedded to Miss Annetta, daughter of Dr. A. A. and Maggie Baker, of Northampton; they have one son living—John Elwood, born Oct. 7, 1877. Drs. Baker and Myers formed a partnership in 1880, and are now doing a nice business in Springfield. He practiced first in Northampton, afterward at Fairfield, Greene Co. He was Master of Osborne Lodge, No. 416, A., F. & A. M., and is a bright and prominent Mason, and a gentleman in every sense of the word; he is also a member of Mad River Lodge, 246, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs, and is now Past Grand in the Order.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 890

HARVEY E. MYERS, for a long period of years was in service in an executive capacity with one of Springfield’s greatest industries, the Robbins and Myers Company, and when he retired from business he took up responsibilities both pleasant and useful as a practical farmer. He is proprietor of the Beaver Creek Larm, a splendid place of 500 acres situated on the National Pike, eight miles east of Springfield.

Mr. Myers was born near Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, July 27, 1866, son of Joseph and Susana (Long) Myers. His father was also born in the same county, was reared and educated there, and spent his active life on the farm near Jamestown. He had 160 acres, and was a very substantial citizen as well as successful farmer. He was a republican, served as township trustee and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph Myers and wife had eight children: William A., and Henry C., deceased; Louisa E., living at Springfield, widow of John H. Gano; James A., and Charles A., deceased; Laura B., widow of Frank Bryan; John F., a farmer in Greene County, and Harvey E. Harvey E. Myers lived on the home farm in Greene County until he was nineteen years of age. While there he attended the common schools, and on going to Springfield he became a bookkeeper in the offices of the Robbins and Myers Company. Subsequently he acquired an interest in the business, and from 1886 to 1916, a period of thirty years, he was secretary and vice president of this corporation.

Mr. Myers sold his interest and retired from the business in 1916, and since then has been devoting his time to the management of the Beaver Creek Farm, undoubtedly one of the best properties in the rural district of Clark County.

March 28, 1889, Mr. Myers married Mary E. Griffith of Springfield. She was born on a farm in Clark County, July 26, 1866, daughter of Jeremiah and Lorena (Kelly) Griffith. Her father was born in Indiana, December 19, 1842, and her mother, in Greene County, Ohio, August 10, 1836. Mrs. Myers lived on the farm where she was born until she was twelve years of age, and then went to Springfield, where she completed her education. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have four daughters: Gladys, born April 28, 1893, a graduate of Wittenberg College and the wife of Rev. J. D. Wint; Marjorie, born April 10, 1896, a graduate of Wittenberg Academy and Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, has been a bookkeeper and teacher in a business college; Dorothy, born May 8, 1897, a graduate of the Plattsburg High School, is now wife of Ralph N. Agle, of Harmony Township, and Jean E., born November 27, 1908, attending the eighth grade of the public school. There was another child, Clarence, who died at birth. Mr. Myers and his family are members of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield. Mrs. Myers has been very active in Sunday School and is teacher of the Woman’s Bible Class. Fraternally he is affiliated with Anthony Lodge No. 456, Free and Accepted Masons, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Consistory of Dayton, a member of Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Dayton, is a past grand and one of the trustees of Ephraim Lodge No. 146, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Springfield, and is also a trustee of the Grand Lodge and a member of the Mad River Encampment. He and Mrs. Myers are members of Ivor Lodge of the Rebekahs. Politically he has always done his duty as a republican.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 69

JAMES ASBURY MYERS. Among the many prominent business men who have helped to build Springfield and establish its commercial supremacy, there are few who labored more earnestly or incessantly or who were held in higher esteem than the late James Asbury Myers. He was born in a log cabin on the Cedarville-Jamestown Pike, in Greene County, Ohio, September 1, 1852, and died at Springfield, May 27, 1904. Joseph Myers, his father, was an agriculturist, who migrated from Virginia to Ohio in the early days and settled in Greene County, where he rounded out his career as a man of upright character and a devout Methodist.

James Asbury Myers passed his youthful days at work on the home farm, and during the winter months attended the district schools. Later on he pursued a course at the old seminary at Xenia, and for a time after his graduation was engaged in teaching school. After this he came to Springfield, and here for a time was engaged in the retail grocery business, but in 1878 disposed of his interest in that enterprise, and with the late Chandler Robbins organized the Robbins & Myers Company, founders. The firm members could not foresee what this organization would eventuallv become. Each saw future possibilities of fair success, of course, otherwise they would not have embarked in the business, but that the venture would develop into one of the leading industries of Springfield was beyond this power of foresight. From that time until his death Mr. Myers labored energetically toward the building up and prosperity of his concern, and he lived to see it take front rank. He is entitled to a large share of the credit of inaugurating a new era among business men — that of honesty and good-fellowship among competitors. His entire life, both social and commercial, was based on honor, and that this was so thoroughly instilled in and so inseparable a part of his character is attested by his attitude toward his customers, and his success can, in a great measure, be attributed to his rugged honesty and strict adherence to the policy of allowing no misrepresentation to be made of the product of his plant. Recognized as an indefatigable worker, unceasingly laboring to make Springfield a center of which posterity would be proud, he came into close contact with other men of affairs and had their confidence and respect, while he was equally esteemed and even beloved by his associates for his sterling qualities. He took an exceedingly active part in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was Sunday School superintendent for more than a score of years, and his outside life, aside from business, was largely devoted to church work. Although a strong advocate of the principles of the republican party, and while connected with a number of public movements and charitable enterprises, his naturally modest and unassuming disposition, and his devotion to his church, family and business, prevented him from accepting any office of public acknowledgments, although at one time he served as a member of the School Board.

Mr. Myers married Miss Emma Elizabeth Horner, who survives him, and their two sons, Wilbur J. and Warren A., are both identified with Springfield’s business life, and particularly with the business of which their honored father was one of the founders.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 20

JOHN EZRA MYERS, M.D. The medical profession of Clark County has some of the ablest representatives of this learned calling to be found in Ohio, men whose lives are given up to a self-sacrificing care of others and the safeguarding of the health of their communities. One of these representative physicians and good citizens of this section is Dr. John Ezra Myers of Springfield, who with his brother. Dr. Noah Myers, is engaged in a general practice, with offices at 715 Fairbanks Building.

John Ezra Myers was born in Pike Township, Clark County, October 25. 1853, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Frantz) Myers, also natives of Pike Township. The grandparents on both sides of the family were among the very early settlers of Pike Township, where they obtained land from the Government, and it is still owned by their heirs. Lewis Myers bought the homestead, and he and his wife continued to live upon it until their deaths, he passing away in 1873 and she in 1893. Their family consisted of the following children: Simon, who died in infancy; William, who lives at Springfield; Aaron, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Doctor Myers, whose name heads this review; Mary, who married Henry Dresher and lives on the homestead; Noah, who is his brother’s partner; Sarah, who is the widow of I. B. Trout and lives at Chicago, Illinois; and Clara, who is Mrs. Lewis Pieffer and lives at Chicago.

Doctor Myers attended the district schools, the Lebanon Normal School and the Cincinnati, Ohio, Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1880, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For seven years thereafter he was engaged in a general practice at Donnelsville, Ohio, and then came to Springfield, where he was later joined by his brother, and since 1912 they have occupied their present offices.

In June, 1881, Doctor Myers married Laura Strock, born in Pennsylvania, and they had one daughter, Marie, who married W. B. Bauer, of Springfield, and their children are Bettie, Jeannette and Walter B. Mrs. Myers died in 1893, and Doctor Myers married Kate S. Dibert in January, 1896. She was born in Clark County, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Dibert. At the time of her marriage to Dr. Myers, Mrs. Myers was the widow of Austin Evans, and they had one daughter, Pearl Evans, who married Frank C. Harwood, and died, leaving one son, Manton Harwood, of Springfield, and he married Cathryn Chapman.

For two terms Doctor Myers was president of the Clark County Medical Society, and he belongs to the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. For eight vears he was a member of the Springfield Hospital Board. He is a physician and surgeon exceptionally endowed with those gifts which go to make up the ideal medical man. He has great energy and capacity for hard work, and delights in solving the problems which are constantly confronting his profession. There is one trait about which few know anything, he is very chaitable of his valuable time among the poor, whom he serves without thought of remuneration.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 389

WILBUR J. MYERS is a son of the late James A. Myers, whose career as a constructive business man and industrial founder in Springfield has been carefully sketched on other pages. Wilbur J. Myers is one of the two sons who has maintained the great business momentum set in motion by their father.

The son was born July 29, 1882, at Springfield, graduated from the high school of his native city in 1901, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1905. Since his graduation his tasks and responsibilities have been with the industrial and financial life of Springfield.

In the fall of 1905 he became purchasing agent for the Robbins & Myers Company, and has been with that corporation, whose products have a world-wide reputation and use, and is now vice president. He is also a director of the First National Bank and the American Trust and Savings Bank.

Mr. Myers is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Lagonda Rotary and Country Clubs, is a Beta Theta Pi and a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner. He is the master of H. S. Kissell Lodge No. 674, Free and Accepted Masons.

September 12, 1906, he married Blanche Peck, daughter of Mrs. Frances S. Peck. They have one son, Richard Asbury.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 21

WILLIAM MYERS, North Hampton; teacher and Township Clerk.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1020

WILLIAM MYERS. Among the substantial retired residents of Springfield, Ohio, for many years well-known in business circles, is William Myers, formerly a justice of the peace, and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Pike Township, Clark County. Mr. Myers owns a large body of land in Pike Township, together with valuable realty at Springfield.

William Myers was born in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, near Dialton, February 24, 1849, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Frantz) Myers, the former of whom was born in German Township, Clark County, May 4, 1821, and the latter near Hampton, Clark County, Ohio, November 7, 1825. His paternal grandparents were George and Magdaline (Cosler) Myers, who came to Clark County from what is now West Virginia and settled in German Township. His maternal grandparents were Jacob and Sarah (Ebersole) Frantz, who were natives of Switzerland. They settled in Pike Township, Clark County, about 1818. All this section was almost a wilderness at that time and people who traveled had to go on horseback and follow trails through the forests.

After Lewis Myers and Elizabeth Frantz were married they settled in Pike Township, and in 1856 Mr. Myers bought the old Frantz homestead. To the original 160 acres he added twenty more acres for a site for a sawmill, which he built and operated. He was a man of great industry and much enterprise, and during a part of his life did business as a farmer, sold timber, burned brick and profitably followed other lines of industrious activity. His death occurred May 28, 1873. The mother of Mr. Myers survived him for twenty years, dying April 2, 1893. They were good, kind, virtuous people, respected by all who knew them, and faithful members of the Dunkard Church. They had the following children: Simon, who died when two years old; William; Aaron, who lives at Kansas City, Missouri; J. E., who is a physician at Springfield; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Henry Dresher, of Pike Township, Clark County; Noah, who is a physician at Springfield; Sarah E., who is the widow of Isaiah B. Trout, of Chicago, Illinois; and Clara Idella, who is the wife of Lewis Peiffer, of Chicago.

William Myers gave his father assistance on the farm in his earlier years, but later prepared himself for the profession of teaching, attending normal schools at New Carlisle and at Lebanon, Ohio, from the latter of which he was graduated in 1875. He was not more than eighteen years old when he commenced to teach school, and he continued to teach during the winters for the next fourteen years, giving attention to the farm during the summers.

Mr. Myers married, July 21, 1880, Miss Matilda Ream, born in Pike Township, April 8, 1858, a daughter of Jeremiah and Madeline (Fansler) Ream, the father a to Massillon, Ohio, and then to Springfield. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Myers were Samuel and Elizabeth (Basinger) Ream, natives of Virginia, who settled early in Pike Township. For a few years after his marriage Mr. Myers taught school at North Hampton, Ohio, and also conducted a general store, then removed to Springfield, and here was in the sawmill and lumber business for many years, and was additionally interested in buying timber and conducting a threshing machine. It was about this time that he built a comfortable residence on West High Street, Springfield, which some years later he traded for a farm of ninety-four acres adjoining the old homestead in Pike Township, on which still stands the old log cabin his grandfather built. In 1906 Mr. Myers had his fine modern residence erected at No. 1112 North Fountain Avenue, Springfield, which has been his home ever since, and he owns 227 acres of land.

Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers: Glenna, born May 2, 1881, who is the wife of Rev. Ernest Fremont Tittle, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Evanston, Illinois; and Nellie Lucile, born May 4, 1886, who is principal of the Ridgewood Private School at Springfield. Mr. Myers is a member and a trustee of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics a democrat, he served twentyfive years as clerk of Pike Township, for two terms was a justice of the peace and was a member of the Election Board that first operated under the Australian ballot system. He was the first chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias at Northampton, Ohio.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 396