Clark County Ohio Biographies

VERNIE NAGLEY is a practical farm manager and owner, and his home is a farm in Madison Township, near Selma. He was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, January 5, 1879, son of George and Catherine (Gram) Nagley. His parents were both natives of Clark County, his father born in Madison Township, in 1847, and his mother, in Greene Township. Vernie Nagley was only four years of age when his mother died, and he was soon afterward left an orphan. From the age of five he was reared by W. P. Nagley until he was about ten years old. He has spent most of his life on the farm where he lives today. He acquired a common school education, and at the age of eighteen left home and spent three years on a cattle ranch in the West. He then returned and has since been identified with his work as a farmer and stockman.

Mr. Nagley, who is unmarried, is affiliated with Fielding Lodge No. 192, Free and Accepted Masons, at South Charleston. He individually owns a hundred acres, but he operates between 700 and 800 acres for farming and raising purposes. He produces much high grade stock, and he also buys and feeds for the market, shipping cattle by the carload. He has been a member for the past seven years and has served as vice president of the Clark County Agricultural Board. He is a republican, active in the party and has served as judge of elections.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 74

JACOB P. NAVE is a member of a well-known family of Clark County. His own career has been one of progressive industry that has taken him from the ranks of renter to an independent farm owner. His farm is located on the Springfield and Selma Pike, on Rural Route No. 11, in Greene Township.

Mr. Nave was born in the same township, November 23, 1867, son of John G. and Margaret (Gram) Nave. His father was born in Green Township, June 10, 1838, and his mother in the same locality, September 11, 1840, and she is now living, at the age of 82. His father died May 24, 1918. The late John G. Nave spent his active life as a farmer in Greene Township, and he served one enlistment as a Union soldier in the Civil war. He was a member of the Baptist Church and clerk of his home church. These parents had five children: Armenia, wife of William B. Todd, of Springfield; Alfretta, widow of Wiley Howett; J. T., Jacob P. and Charles, all farmers in Greene Township.

Jacob P. Nave, while a boy on a farm, attended the common schools, and he remained at home until he was 24. On December 24, 1891, he married Aurelia Garlough, also a native of Greene Township. Mr. Nave after his marriage rented farms for nineteen years, and he has since lived on his own farm of eighty acres. He has handled much high-grade live stock and is one of the active men in the farming community. He has served as master of Pitchin Grange No. 1649. He is a republican in politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Nave have had two children: John B., born November 19, 1892, is now deceased. Edgar P., born January 27, 1894, was educated in the common and grade schools and high school of Pitchin, and on June 14, 1921, married Rachel E. Reynolds.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 50

JOHN G. NAVE, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of Jacob Nave, an early settler, was born June 10, 1838, in this township. His early education was that usually received at the common schools, and his early life was spent on his father’s farm. On Aug. 3, 1861, he married to Miss Gram, daughter of Jacob Gram, a native of Pennsylvania. She bore him five children—Minnie P., Alpharetta O., Justinus T., Jacob P. and John C. Fremont. In 1870, Mr. N. bought his present farm of John Luse. Since the purchase he has much improved it. On April 17, 1880, a terrible accident, such as few men survive befell him. A horizontal bar or lever he was using in pulling a stump flew back with great violence, striking him across and breaking both his limbs above the ankles. His life was reasonably despaired of but a good physical constitution, good moral courage and good attendants brought him safely through, so that now he not only superintends all but does most of his own farm work. Mr. and Mrs. N. are both members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and he is Superintendent of the Sunday school. Among other offices he has filled that of member of the Township Board of Education and Township Trustee.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1053

MRS. JOHN G. NAVE represents the old and prominent Gram family of Clark County. She owns and occupies with her family a fine farm of 151 acres in Greene Township, on rural route No. 5 out of Springfield.

Her maiden name was Margaret E. Gram. Her parents were Jacob and Catherine (Weller) Gram, and her grandfather was David Gram. Jacob Gram was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1811, and as a young man he left Lancaster County and walked over the mountains to Clark County, Ohio. He subsequently went back to Pennsylvania, and altogether he traveled the distance between the localities six times. In Clark County he married Catherine Weller, a native of Virginia, and after their marriage they settled on a farm in Greene Township.

In the Gram family were nine children, four of whom are still living: Mrs. John G. Nave; Theodore Gram, of Springfield; Joseph, a farmer in Greene Township; and Ed Gram, a farmer in Madison Township.

John Nave started life with little beyond the labor of his hands. He worked for monthly wages, later rented land from Robert Elder, and finally bought a small place and eventually had a farm of eighty-eight acres, all paid for. He was a democrat and he and his wife were active members of the Free Will Baptist Church at Pleasant Grove.

Margaret E. Gram grew up on the home farm, and as a girl she proved her usefulness both in the work of the house and in the field. She had a wonderful constitution, and was able to do a man’s work in the harvest field. On August 8, 1861, she became the wife of the late John G. Nave. Mr. Nave enlisted and served a hundred days as a Union soldier. Both took an active part in the Free Will Baptist Church, and he served ten years as superintendent of its Sunday School. Mrs. Nave is the mother of five children: Armenia P., born on May 16, 1862, wife of William B. Todd, of Springfield; Alpharetta O., born October 16, 1863, widow of Wiley Howett; Justinus T., born September 3, 1865, a farmer; Jacob P., born November 23, 1867, a farmer in Greene Township; and John C., born October 6, 1870, who operates his mother’s farm. The family are members of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Nave in 1880 met with an accident on his farm, breaking both legs, and he never fully recovered.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 91

J. T. NAVE is one of several brothers whose farming enterprise has brought them substantial material rewards and who are looked upon as leaders in the rural community of Greene Township. J. T. Nave’s farm and home are on rural route No. 5.

He was born in the same township, September 3, 1865, son of John G. and Margaret E. (Gram) Nave. The father was born in the same township June 10, 1838, and died May 19, 1918, at the age of eighty years. The mother, still living, was born September 11, 1840. The grandparents were Jacob and Mary (Kanable) Nave. John G. Nave acquired a country school education, served an enlistment as a Union soldier in the Civil war, and devoted half a century or more to the work of his farm. He was an active member of the Free Will Baptist Church and an independent in politics. His five children were: Armenia, wife of William B. Todd, of Springfield; Alpharetta, widow of Wiley Howett, J. T., Jacob P., and John C., all farmers in Greene Township.

J. T. Nave lived with his parents on the old homestead and acquired a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one began earning his living by day and month wages as a farm hand. On October 2, 1889, at the age of twenty-four, he married Jennie B. Jones, a native of Greene Township. For two years after their marriage they rented land and then, in 1892, Mr. Nave bought his present place, where he has 150 acres, well farmed, well improved and an attractive and profitable home. Mr. and Mrs. Nave have two children: Albert, a graduate of the Pitchin High School; and Gladys E., who is also a high school graduate and is the wife of C. W. Jacobs, of Yellow Springs, Ohio. The family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Nave is affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanics, and was a charter member and is a past chancellor of that order. He is independent in politics.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 91

HENRY NAWMAN (deceased); born July 16, 1817; a native of this county and township; is a son of Thomas and Catharine Nawman, whose family history appears in full in sketch of Samuel Nawman, in this work. Mr. Nawman resided with his father till his death. Was married March 29, 1856, to Miss Ingebee Jane, daughter of William and Matilda (Clark) Rhonemus; he is a native of Clinton Co., Ohio, and she of Virginia. The grandfather Clark was a native of England, and his wife of Germany. Mr. Nawman and wife have had twelve children; ten now survive—Clara, Samuel G., Thomas, William, Webster, Catharine, Matilda, Amanda, Andrew and Henry; deceased—Louisa and Mary. Mr. Nawman and wife took care of his parents till their death, and after their death remained upon and carried on the farm till his death. He died June 24, 1870, aged about 53 years. Mrs. Nawman and family still reside upon the home place, and with her sons carry on the farm.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1007

SAMUEL NAWMAN, farmer; P. O. Springfield. He is a native of German Township, born Feb. 3, 1819; he is a son of Thomas and Catharine (Baker) Nawman, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, Thomas Nawman, is supposed to have been born in Massachusetts. He was one of those resolute men who resisted the English rule and imposition of heavy duties, and assisted in throwing overboard the cargo of tea in Boston harbor, and which, followed by other acts and events, resulted in the war of the Revolution. Thomas Nawman, the father, emigrated to Ohio in 1806, coming through the entire journey on horseback, and located in German Township. Soon after his arrival, he was afflicted with a white-swelling, during which time he lived with one of the early settlers by the name of Friarmood, with whom he stayed two years; thence returned to Virginia, and, in 1809, came back to Ohio, the entire family of his father coming with him, and here the grandfather and the father lived and died, being truly pioneers of the county, enduring the many dangers and hardships of that early day, struggling with the wilderness, the wild beasts, the Indians, and the difficulties of the war of 1812. But Mr. Nawman, the father, lived to see these difficulties overcome, and fine farms take the place of the wilderness, and the hand of civilization to bring forth towns and cities, and the comforts and conveniences of one of the finest countries in the world. He died in January, 1863, aged 82 years. His wife died in April, 1864, aged 79 years. They were parents of seven children, three now living—Samuel, Magdalene and Amanda. Our subject lived with his father until 35 years of age. He was married, Aug. 26, 1855, to Louisa M., daughter of William and Matilda Rhonemus, he a native of Clinton Co., Ohio, and she of Virginia; issue, thirteen children; nine now survive—Thomas W., Henry B., Emma, Charles L., Ida, George W., Jasper G., Oly and Carrie. Mr. Nawman, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides, and which has been in possession of the Nawman family seventy-one years; the farm consists of 133 acres of land, on Mad River, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine farm.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1007

LUTHER NEER. Included among the men who have assisted Clark County’s agricultural development is Luther Neer, now a resident of Catawba and a citizen who is held in high esteem by his neighbors. He is one of the large property owners of Pleasant Township, and is modern in his tendencies and actions.

Mr. Neer was born on a farm in Pleasant Township, Clark County, November 12, 1854, and is a son of Nathan and Mary A. (Hunter) Neer, and a great grandson of Henry Neer. His grandfather, Amos Neer, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, near Neerville, named in honor of the family, and was married there to Nancy Cunnard, a native of the same State. Together they came to Clark County, where they passed the remainder of their lives in farming. Their son Nathan Neer, father of Luther, was born in Pleasant Township, October 8, 1822, and passed his entire life within the borders of the county, where he applied himself to agricultural operations. He and his worthy wife, who was born in Pleasant Township, March 1, 1823, were the parents of seven children, namely: Levi, William H., Miranda E., Luther, Charles F., Alonzo W. and Laura J.

Luther Neer was reared on the home farm in Pleasant Township and passed his boyhood and youth much the same as other farmers’ sons in his community, attending the district school in the winter seasons and working on the home farm during the rest of the year. Thus he continued until reaching the age twenty-one years, at which time he embarked in agricultural operations on his own account. He has been highly successful in his operations, and is now the owner of 525 acres of land, all located within the boundaries of Pleasant Township. Mr. Neer first married Miss Mary J. Loveless, who died in 1908, having been the mother of five children: Olive L., the wife of Van C. Tullis, and they have two children, Dorothy and Robert; Nathan L., who is deceased; Leonard J., who is a farmer and stock raiser in Pleasant Township, married Crystal P. McClennan, and they have one child, Mary Jane; Gladys R. is the wife of Morris Lellis, and they have one child, Martha; and Emerson J., who is assisting his father in the work of the home place. Emerson J. Neer served in the American Army during the World war, and saw active service overseas as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Aviation Corps.

On January 10, 1917, Mr. Neer was united in marriage with Miss Laura M. Baldwin, who was born in Clark County, February 14, 1864, a daughter of George S. and Mary (Neer) Baldwin, the former born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1833, and the latter, in Pleasant Township, August 10, 1839. Mr. Baldwin came to Clark County in 1855, and he and Mrs. Baldwin were married here two years later. They became the parents of three children: Ella F., the widow of William O. Shearer; Laura M., who became Mrs. Luther Neer, and Howard J., who died October 10, 1893. Mrs. Neer, a graduate of the Marysville High School, was a teacher for several years prior to her marriage. Her father was a son of Johnson C. and Hannah (Speakman) Baldwin, and her mother was a daughter of Mahlon and Nancy (McConkey) Neer, the latter being a daughter of Archibald and Nancy (Michey) McConkey and a granddaughter of Archibald and Margaret (McDonald) McConkey, both of whom were born in Scotland and came to the United States as young people.

Mr. and Mrs. Neer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Neer is a member of the Board of Stewards. Mrs. Neer is a member of Magnetic Rebekah Lodge No. 258, of Marysville, Ohio. In politics both are republicans.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 67

NATHAN NEER, farmer; P. O. Catawba. The above-named gentleman was born in Pleasant Township, close to the present site of Catawba, Aug. 15, 1822. He is the son of Amos and Sarah (Cunard) Neer, natives of Loudoun Co., Va. He was born March 3, 1787, and she June 9, 1794. Amos was the son of Henry Neer, who was born in Virginia in 1748, and came to Clark Co. at an early day, locating land where Catawba now stands. He died Feb. 3, 1828. Amos and wife came to this township in 1817, and first settled on the land entered by his father, but about 1825 be bought a small tract, where his son Nathan now lives, adding to it from time to time, until he owned 160 acres. They were members of the M. E. Church. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died April 25, 1843, aged 56 years. His first wife died Feb. 25, 1828, in her 33d year. They had seven children—Jonathan, Elizabeth, Ann, Susannah, Jane, Nathan and Matilda. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Hannah Golden, who was born Jan. 30, 1799, by whom he had three children—Joseph H., Amelia (deceased) and Hannah (deceased). His second wife died April 1, 1835, and he was again married to Nancy Toland, born May 18, 1791, by whom he had no issue. The subject of this sketch grew up in the pioneer days, receiving the average education at the time, and enduring all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He was married, April 25, 1845, to Mary A. Hunter, daughter of William and Blanche (Hendricks) Hunter, whose sketch will be seen in L. Hunter’s biography. She was born March 1, 1823, and has had the following children: Levi (deceased, from disease contracted in the army), William H., Miranda E. (deceased), Luther, Charles F., Alonzo and Laura. Mr. Neer, when a young man, received from his father’s estate $180, which was his starting-point in life. Two years after marriage, fire consumed what little he and his wife had accumulated. Since that time, by well-considered economy, he has gathered together, year after year, most of the property he owns to-day. He now has 400 acres, which he made for himself, and 100 that his wife got from her father’s estate. Politically, Mr. Neer is a Republican, and, although he has been Township Trustee one term, yet he neither desires or has sought official position. He and wife have been members of the M. E. Church most of their lives. Mr. Neer has always been in favor of schools, churches, and all classes of public benefits. He is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and the soul of honor. And it is said by those who know him that his word is as good as his bond, and nothing could tempt him to violate either. In his views he is keeping pace with the progressive spirit of the nineteenth century, and by his example is one of the leaders of his township, although in his unassuming modesty he does not care to he recognized as such.

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

DAVID NEFF. David Neff is the son of John and Elizabeth Neff, both natives of Pennsylvania, and the youngest of the following children, born to the above parents, in Lancaster Co., Penn.: Susan, born April 25, 1811; Nancy, March 27, 1831 (deceased); Henry, born July 7, 1814; Jacob, Nov. 20, 1815; Elizabeth, Oct. 14, 1817; Nancy, Nov. 1, 1819; Magdalena, April 22, 1822; John, April 18,1824 (deceased); Daniel and John, born July 14, 1826, John deceased; and David, born Jan. 21, 1831. He came to Ohio with his parents, who located in Montgomery Co., near the Clark Co. line. About the year 1852, they crossed the line into Clark Co., where they remained until their parents’ deaths. The mother died Feb. 6, 1873, and the father on the 12th of May following. On the 21st of November, 1871. David married Mrs. Elizabeth Nipley, nee Musser, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn. She had one daughter by her first husband, Francis, born Aug. 18, 1867, and by her marriage with Mr. Neff, she has had four children, viz., John, born Sept. 14, 1872; Joseph, born Aug. 25, 1874; Henry, born July 10, 1878; David, Jr., born Dec. 12, 1879.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 1033

JAMES NEILL, of the firm of Neill & Co., manufactures of and dealers in boots and shoes, Springfield.  Mr. Neill is a native of Chester Co., Penn., born May 9, 1829; his early youth was spent on a farm.  At 16 years of age, he began to learn the shoemaker’s trade in Rockville, in his native county, and, after completing his apprenticeship, worked there as a journeyman some two years, then went to Philadelphia, where he was employed eight years as foreman in the cutting department of a large wholesale boot and shoe manufacturing firm.  In 1854, he came West and located at Springfield, and has since been identified with the boot and shoe trade of this city, with the exception of a short interval, when he was employed as a traveling salesman in the same line  During the ten years previous to the formation of the firm of which he is now a member, he was foreman of the manufacturing department of Reifsnider & Brother of this city.  It will thus be seen that the greater part of Mr. Neill’s unusual experience and opportunity to learn all the intricacies of manufacturing, and the special wants of the people of this vicinity, which accounts in part for the marked success of his present firm.  He married, in 1856, Mary E., daughter of Jeremiah and Catharine Harris, who were residents of this city.  Her father is now deceased, but her mother still resides here, being quite advanced in years.  This union has been blessed with seven children, five of whom are living, two sons and three daughters, viz., Frank, George, Mattie, Nettie, and Annie, all of whom are members of the family household.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 891 - Transcribed by Sharon Wick

JAMES W. NELSON, M.D., physician, Springfield. Dr. Nelson was born in the city of Springfield August, 1850. When about 5 years old, he moved to Lagonda with his parents; he received his primary education in the school of said village, and remembers well the old woolen factory, grist and saw mills which have several years since passed away, and given place to the large manufacturing establishments of Warder & Co. At the age of 12 years, he began to work in said shops, where he worked four years; when, on the removal of his parents into Springfield, he entered the employ of Whiteley, Fassler & Kelly, and worked in what is now known as the “old Champion shop,” where he worked three years, when he returned to Lagonda, and began working for Warder, Mitchell & Co., with whom he worked one year. Then after a short sojourn in Hamilton Co., Ohio, returned to Springfield. About this time his mother was very anxious he should go to school. He was reluctant to start, thinking, like a great many other young men, “that he was too old to go to school.” But, after considerable persuasion, attended a private school taught by Mr. Morton. After attending this school one term, went to Wittenberg College taking a select course; and then read medicine with Dr. Buckingham, of Springfield. During the winter of 1874-75, he took the first course of lectures in the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. He was married, in April, 1875, to Mary Mowatt, and during that year removed to Illinois, where he began the practice of medicine. In January, 1876, at the request of his wife and mother, returned to Springfield, Ohio, and, in the spring of that year, moved to Clifton and opened an office, where he remained about one year, when he returned to Lagonda, the place of his boyhood days, where he is at present practicing his profession in connection with his drug store. During the winter 1877-78, he attended the Medical College of Columbus, where he received his diploma. He is a member in good standing; also P. G. of Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F. Mr. Nelson so far has been successful in his practice, and a young man of honor and good moral habits.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 891

R. T. NELSON, editor, Springfield. Mr. Nelson was born in Springfield graduated in the high school here in 1873, and entered Wittenberg College same year, in which he graduated in 1876; he then began working in the Daily Gazette office of this city, and, at the end of one year, entered upon the duties of editor, which position he has filled very creditably. His father, James H. Nelson, was born in Virginia, near Harper’s Ferry, March 11, 1827, and, in 1836, moved to this county with his parents. They located on a farm six miles east of Springfield, and, in 1842, moved to this city. James worked on the farm until 20 years of age, when he began the carpenter trade, at which he worked some three years, when he entered the Pitts machine shops of this city; here he remained one year. After some changing around, working awhile in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1853, engaged with Warder, Mitchell & Co. After working with them one year as bench hand, he was promoted to the position of foreman of the wood shop, where he is still engaged. He was married, Nov. 26, 1849, to Mary Ann Thackray, daughter of Robert and Maria Thackray. She was born in Bramley, England, Jan. 22, 1832, and emigrated to America with her mother in August, 1842, coming direct to Springfield to join the father, who had come the year before to secure a home for his family. William Nelson, the father of James, served in the war of 1812. He died in this city in 1872, his wife, Margaret Fletcher, having died two years before. James started in life a poor boy, and by his industry and integrity has not only provided well for his family, giving to each one excellent opportunities to secure an education, but has accumulated considerable property.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 892

GEORGE WASHINGTON NETTS, first vice president of the Merchants and Mechanics Savings and Loan Association, and one of the best-known men of Springfield, where he has lived all his life, was born in this city, January 27, 1847, a son of the late Louis and Elizabeth (Hehr) Netts, natives of Prussia.

Louis Netts was born in 1802 and often told how, as a boy, he watched the army of Napoleon I as it marched past his father’s place. The parents were married in the old country, and in 1834 the family, including two children, sailed for America. While they stopped for a time at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and also in Monroe County, Ohio, they settled permanently at Springfield a few months after landing. Louis Netts was a weaver by trade, but there was no employment to be found at that vocation at Springfield at the time of his arrival, so he turned his hand to any honorable work that presented itself, including the digging of ditches. About that time the First Lutheran Church and Wittenberg College were in the course of construction, and public subscriptions were being taken in behalf of both institutions. Mr. Nettes’ subscription was two days’ work for each, work which would have netted him fifty cents a day for other parties, and considering the conditions of his finances at the time, with a growing family on his hands, it may be said that his subscription was a generous one. Soon after his arrival at Springfield he hit upon the idea of making oak baskets, going to the woods and getting out his strips, from which he fashioned the baskets in his small shop at his home. His product soon attracted attention and found a ready market, and for many years he continued in this line of endeavor and made a good livelihood. He was a public-spirited man, a democrat in politics until the Fremont campaign, a Lutheran in religion and an ardent Abolitionist. He died, greatly respected and esteemed, in 1879, his worthy and estimable wife surviving him until 1890.

George W. Netts attended the Springfield Public School, and after working in a printing office for a time, learned the wood-working trade and secured employment with the Mass-Foos Company, a concern with which he was connected for twenty-nine years. He was foreman of the shops during a long period of that time, during which he traveled all over the country for his concern, erecting windmills. In 1906 Mr. Netts was elected superintendent of the City Hospital, and was in charge of that institution for three years. He served as a member of the School Board for some time and as a member of the City Council, and was also one of the city park commissioners. One of his “hobbies,” if it may be so characterized, has been the encouraging of young married people to own their own homes, and many families of today now thank him for his efforts and advice (and often financial assistance) in securing their places of residence. His well-known views on encouraging people to save caused the Merchants and Mechanics Savings and Loan Association to invite him to accept a position on its Board of Directors, and in 1912 he was elected first vice president of this concern, of which he had become a stockholder shortly after it was organized, thirty years ago. Mr. Netts is also very much interested in educational and welfare work, and has long taken an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the committee which built Memorial Hall, and had much to do with the location of the hall on its present site. He is a member of Clark Lodge No. 101, Free and Accepted Masons; Springfield Lodge No. 33, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Tiffany Bible Class of the Congregational Church. He is a deep reader of the Bible and is very apt with quotations and translations therefrom. In politics he is a democrat.

In Kansas Mr. Netts married Elizabeth Wood, who was born in Iowa, daughter of Charles Wood, a general contractor. She died in the summer of 1921, leaving five sons: Charles L., who volunteered and served in the Spanish-American war and is now one of the prominent business men of Springfield, the head of the Netts Floral Company; Robert I., who attended Wittenberg College, enlisted as a volunteer and served during the Spanish-American war, and is now assistant county surveyor of Clark County; Benjamin L., who engaged in the drug business at Cleveland, Ohio; James C.; and Stanley G. James C. Netts attended Wittenberg College, and when the United States entered the World war volunteered for service. He attended the training school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he received his commission as second lieutenant, subsequently being promoted first lieutenant, and receiving his honorable discharge with the rank of captain. He is now a member of the firm of the Thomas A. McBeth Rose Nursery Company of Springfield. Stanley G. Netts attended Wittenberg College, where he became distinguished as an athlete, especially in basketball. He volunteered for service in the army during the World war, trained at Fort Benjamin Harrison; Officers’ Training School, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, was promoted to first lieutenant, and mustered out with the rank of captain. On leaving Wittenberg College he entered Princeton University, from which he was graduated in 1921, following which he went on an athletic tour of Europe, playing basketball in France, Belgium and Germany. He is now head coach for the Hoboken (New Jersey) High School.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 41

HENRY O. NEWLOVE is an honored veteran of the great Civil war. For half a century he devoted his industry to the task and responsibilities of farming in Clark County. His career has been successful and honorable, and he is now living in comfortable retirement with his wife and companion of half a century in Springfield.

He was born near Harmony in Clark County, in December, 1844, son of Edward and Nancy (Wood) Newlove, his father a native of England and his mother of Virginia. His grandfather, Joseph Newlove, brought his family to America by sailing vessel, landing after a voyage of six weeks and, coming West, secured 245 acres in Harmony Township of Clark County. That land is now occupied by a brother and sister of Henry O. Newlove. The father of Nancy Wood came to Lagonda, Ohio, at an early day, was a grist miller, but finally moved to a farm near Moorefield and died August 8, 1862. Edward Newlove and wife after their marriage settled on the old Newlove homestead and eventually succeeded to its ownership. Edward Newlove served as a school director and was an officer in the Methodist Protestant Church at Harmony. The children of these parents were: Edward H., deceased; Mary F., who died when eighty-four years of age; Sarah, at the old homestead; George B., who died in 1919 in Union County, Ohio; Henry O.; Robert W., on the old home farm; and Benjamin W., deceased.

Henry O. Newlove as a boy attended district schools, and was in his eighteenth year when he accepted an opportunity to join the army battling for the Union. August 9, 1862, he enlisted, and was assigned to Company I of the Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry, which he joined at Lexington, Kentucky. This regiment was part of General Burnside’s Army, in the First Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Corps. His company was mounted at Frankfort, Kentucky, on December 20, 1862, and served through the spring and summer of 1863, when they were dismounted. The company was under Burnside in the Tennessee campaign during the fall and winter of 1863. In January, 1864, Mr. Newlove re-enlisted with 550 men out of the 600 men of his regiment for Cavalry service. He was in numerous engagements and campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee and also in Virginia, was in the siege of Knoxville, and in the raid on Lynchburg. He was taken prisoner at Beverly, West Virginia, but was held only about six hours, when the Confederates were attacked and compelled to release their prisoners. Mr. Newlove received his honorable discharge on May 30, 1865, and the day after he returned home he went to work as a farm hand.

On February 22, 1872, he married Miss Sarah E. Thatcher. Mrs. Newlove was born in Moorefield Township, December 3, 1847, daughter of James and Amelia (Gordon) Thatcher. Her father died in 1848. Her mother was born in Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Newlove continued working by the month for a time, then rented a farm two years in Madison Township, then another farm near Yellow Springs, and following this he bought a forty-seven acre farm in Harmony Township. At that place he remained seventeen years. On selling out he again rented for nine years, and then bought a place of twenty-six and a half acres in the west part of Harmony Township. After living there for ten years he sold and bought a double modern house at 1327 Clifton Avenue, and that is the home of his retired years.

Mr. Newlove is affiliated with the Grand Army Post at Springfield, is a staunch republican, and for nine years was a school director in Harmony Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church in Harmony, and he acted in the capacity of a trustee of the congregation for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Newlove became the parents of the following children: Corinna, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Daisy, who is the wife of Fred Hawkins of Springfield, and has one daughter, Pauline; Edward, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, who married Ethel Belt; Grace, who died at the age of twenty-one months; and Wilbur, of Springfield, who married Myrtle Layton.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 366

ANDREW NICHELSON, deceased. The progress, growth, development and present prosperity of Clark County is in a great measure unquestionably due to the enterprise, energy and foresight of her pioneers, and few of this class are more kindly remembered than the old patriarch whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He comes of Irish ancestry, his father, John Nichelson, having emigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1783, settling in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Ann Haney, a native of that State, to whom were born the following children: Isabel, Mary, Samuel, Andrew, Nancy, John, James and William. In 1806, John and family came to Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Sec. 23, Harmony Township, where he and wife spent the balance of their days.

The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette Co., Penn., April 5, 1803, and grew to manhood in Harmony Township, receiving a very meager education, even for those days, and was there married, in 1825, to Rachel Hammond, daughter of Nathan and Hopy Hammond, natives of New York, who were early settlers of Clark County. Mrs. Nichelson was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1806, and had born to her nine children, viz., Hopy, Ann (the wife of Amaziah Judy), Roxy J. (deceased wife of John Smith), Isabel (deceased wife of Charles Stewart), James W. (deceased), Andrew, John, Nathan, Rachel (wife of Oscar Stewart), Margaret (wife of Jeremiah Yeazel), and Lemuel. Mr[s]. Nichelson was a member of Christian Church of Plattsburg, and died in 1852.

He was again married March 6, 1854, in Pleasant Township, to Mrs. Angeline Yeazel, widow of Isaac Yeazel, and daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Rice) Spencer, natives of Otsego Co., N. Y., who came to Clark County in 1811, where they remained until death. Mrs. Nichelson was born in Harmony Township of this county May 20, 1819, and by her first marriage had six children, and by the second two, Amaziah and George. About 1837, Mrs. Nichelson became a member of the Christian Church of Plattsburg, and ever after strictly adhered to this denomination.

He was a Deacon in the church most of this period, and died full of honor July 23, 1880, in his 78th year. His widow still survives him, and is a member of the same church. He began life a poor man; and his success is one of the most noted cases in Clark County of what pluck and industry can accomplish when coupled with steady habits and rigid economy. He was an earnest advocate of temperance, but covered the faults of his neighbor with the Christian mantle of charity. To most public measures he gave his influence and active support, and was a warm upholder of religion and the religious cause. Some of the most prominent traits of his character were his unerring judgment, his unswerving rectitude for adhering to his promises and his wonderful tenacity of purpose in following up a business venture until ultimate success was reached. Shrewd and careful to the utmost degree, he seldom made mistakes, and in this manner laid the foundation upon which his handsome fortune was afterward built. Early in life he bought and improved 80 acres of land for his father, and in youth exhibited and earnestly cultivated those habits of industry, sobriety, morality, prudence and economy which so strongly marked his character in more mature years. He was charitable to the poor and needy, and his honesty and integrity in all things was never questioned. He accumulated over 2,000 acres of land, all of which he made by hard determined labor and shrewd business sagacity, and his children are now enjoying the fruits of his foresight and industry. His services were in constant demand in settling disputes between his fellowmen; and he was ever anxious to shield his neighbors from the curse of litigation by arranging their differences by private arbitration. His advice was sought by old and young, and he seldom failed to help those who sought his aid. His mind was clear to the last, and he constantly exhorted all with whom he came in contact to live good, moral lives, and to practice as well as preach the great truths of Christianity. Thus passed away one of nature’s noblemen, leaving behind a name and record that are the brightest pages in his history; and his descendants may well feel proud of this upright old pioneer, who, living a life of morality, with justice and charity toward all men, died the death of the just, inspired by an unquenchable faith and firm hope in a bright and happy future.

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

GEORGE NICHELSON, farmer; P. O. Plattsburg; was born in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio, May 30, 1856, and is the son of Andrew and Angeline Nichelson, whose history will be found in this book. He grew up on the home place, receiving his education in the common district school. He was married, Dec. 15, 1880, in Green Township, to Jane E. Stewart, daughter of Perry and Rhoda Stewart, one of the prominent families of Clark Co. Mrs. Nichelson was born on the farm where her parents now reside, and received a good education and careful moral training. Mr. Nichelson is a Republican. At his father’s death he received the old homestead and 150 acres of land as his share of the landed estate. This property is located close to the town of Plattsburg, and is well improved, and the prospect before this young couple looks bright and promising.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 964

JOHN & ANDREW NICHELSON, farmers; P. O. Plattsburg. These two brothers are sons of the late Andrew Nichelson, deceased, who was one of the oldest pioneers of Harmony Township. In his day he was one of the leading men of his township. He was a man who became very wealthy before his death. Andrew, Jr., is a native of Harmony Township, having been born on the “old Nichelson homestead,” Feb. 8, 1835; he has continued to live in the township since. He was married, Nov. 20, 1866, to Miss Sina Smith, a daughter of Wm. Smith, of Union Co., Ohio; they have had three children born to them—Augusta, born Aug. 28, 1867; Jessie, Aug. 8, 1869, and Charles, July 23, 1873. Andrew is a man who has devoted his time entirely to farming and stock-raising. He is the owner of between 600 and 700 acres of land in Clark and Madison Cos. There are but few farmers in the county wbo are so comfortably situated as he is. Andrew is the oldest of the family. John Nichelson is also a native of Harmony Township, he having been born June 11, 1837. John, like his brother Andrew, made choice of farming, and has continued at it. He is one of the few who believe in single blessedness, he having never taken a partner for life. John, like his brother, is the owner of a large farm of some 700 acres of land, in Clark and Madison Cos. There are five brothers of the Nichelsons in Harmony, and they are all large land owners; besides the above-named, there is Nathaniel, Lemuel and George. When the late war was going on, the father of the above-named sons was living, but very old—not liable to service—but his patriotism was such, that, as he was too old to fight, he sent a substitute in his place, and three of his sons, who were liable to service, sent three men in their place to fight, that our country might be preserved. Andrew and John were in the Kirby Smith raid on Cincinnati, and responded to the call for volunteers at the time of the Morgan raid.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 964

LEMUEL NICHELSON, farmer; P. O. South Charleston. The subject of this sketch is a native of Harmony Township; he is a son of the late Andrew Nichelson, Sr., who was, one of the earliest pioneers in Harmony Township, and one of its most honored citizens. Lemuel was born Sept. 19, 1846. He was united in marriage to Miss Laura Little, of Madison Township, Jan. 1, 1867. This union has been blessed by the birth of three children (now living)—Minna Maude, born Nov. 4, 1867; Clifford L., Feb. 28, 1869, and Nathan R., Dec. 10, 1871. Mrs. Nichelson is a member of the Christian Church of Plattsburg, Ohio. Mr. Nichelson is the owner of a very fine farm adjoining the town of Lisbon.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 965

C. M. NICHOLS, editor of Springfield Republic. This gentleman has been for a quarter of a century prominently identified with every movement having for its object the moral and material welfare of the community, and such has been his zeal and activity in behalf of every good cause and in the promotion of the interests and growth of Springfield, that it has justly been said that to few other men is the city more largely indebted for its rapid progress and wide reputation. As editor of the Springfield Republic he has used the columns of that paper, with the skill of an accomplished writer, to spread the fame of Springfield and its great industrial enterprises, with a degree of success which the marked prosperity of the city clearly attests. Every project which aims at the advancement of the public interest in any way, if not originated by him, as many such projects have been, is sure to seek and readily obtain his efficient co-operation. C. M. Nichols was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., June 14, 1830, and was the eldest son of Wiseman Clagget and Firilla (Cass) Nichols, he being a native of Thetford, Vt., and his wife of Stratford, N. H.; and the grandson of Jonathan and Triphemia (Sackett) Nichols, the former of Boston, Mass., and the latter of Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn. Mr. Nichols was a resident of Mayville, N. Y., from 1837 to 1840; of Portland, N. Y., from 1840 to 1848; of Oberlin, Ohio, from 1848 to 1852, in which year he went to Cincinnati, coming to Springfield in April, 1854, where he has ever since resided. Though wholly free from sectarian bitterness, Mr. Nichols has throughout his whole life taken an active and leading part in religious movements, in the advocacy of temperance principles, and in behalf of popular education. As a Sunday school worker, he is widely known, being called to the Presidency of the Ohio Sunday School Union, as a result of his untiring labors and recognized usefulness in that field, and, in June, 1880, he represented the Union and the Congregational Association of Ohio, at the Raikes Centennial meeting held at London, England. To a cultivated mind, rare talent, a familiar knowledge and keenly appreciative taste in literature, he adds such qualities, as a worthy citizen, good neighbor and personal friend, as have secured for him the warm esteem of the community in which he lives.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 892

WILLIAM NICHOLSON is one of the few old residents now residing here. He was born in England in 1802; came to the United States in 1831, and located in Springfield, and has been a resident of this vicinity ever since. He worked at his trade until the past few years, since which, having laid by a competency, he has lived a retired life, residing at his residence corner of Jefferson and Mechanic streets. He married, Jan. 12, 1834, Jane Morris, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Millhollin) Morris, both of whom were natives of Bath Co., Va., and pioneer residents of German Township. Mr. Morris perhaps resided longer in this county than any other citizen, having come here when a young man, and resided on the farm, in Section 25, until his death, which occurred Dec. 9, 1877, his age being 92 years and 5 days. He raised a family of six children, four of whom are living—Rev. Thomas, now a resident of North Carolina; Rev. Richard, of Bethel Township; and Mrs. Nichols and a maiden sister, Sarah M.; the latter resides at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have journeyed together, sharing life’s burdens for upward of forty years. They have raised a family of six children—Margaret A. (now deceased); Mrs. Henry B. Grove; Sarah J., wife of Rev. William Long; Mary Ellen, now Mrs. Charles Smith; William F., now a resident of the vicinity of Huntsville, Ala.; Isabel Frances, now Mrs. David B. Christie; and Laura M. One died in infancy.

NOTE.—Mr. Nicholson died in June, 1881, since the foregoing was written. —ED.

Source: The History of Clark County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., 1881, page 893

JOHN S. NICKLIN is numbered among the substantial farmers and representative citizens of Moorefield Township, and is serving at the present time (1922) as township trustee, a preferment that shows the high regard in which he is held in his native township. He was born on a farm near the Village of Moorefield, this county, December 5, 1855. He is a son of John B. and Catherine (Hoffman) Nicklin, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Clark County, Ohio.

The father was reared and educated in the historic Old Dominion State, and there he remained until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Moorefield Township, where he met and eventually wedded Miss Catherine Hoffman, daughter of Jacob V. and Elizabeth (Seibert) Hoffman, sterling pioneers of the county.

After his marriage John B. Nicklin bought the homestead farm on which he proved most successful in his long continued activities as an agriculturist and stock grower, and on which he continued to reside until his death, his widow having passed the closing years of her life in the home of one of her daughters and having been venerable in years at the time of her death in 1914. Both were earnest and zealous members of the Moorefield Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Nicklin was a staunch democrat and served as township trustee and as a member of the School Board. Of their ten children only four are living: Clara, who is the wife of James Crabill, of Springfield Township; John S. and Joseph H., both of whom are representative farmers in Moorefield Township, and Effie, who is the wife of Oliver McConkey, of the same township.

On the old home farm John S. Nicklin remained until he was twenty-two years of age, and in the meanwhile he had profited by the advantages offered in the district schools. After leaving the parental home he was employed by the month at farm work for two years, and after his marriage, in 1880, he farmed on rented land for a period of eight years. He then, in 1888, purchased his present fine homestead farm which has been the stage of his progressive activities as an agriculturist and stock grower during the long intervening period of more than thirty years. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Pleasant Hill, of which he is a trustee, besides having served as superintendent of its Sunday School.

Mr. Nicklin has been influential in the local councils of the democratic party and has been called upon to serve in various offices of community trust. He has been township trustee since 1915, has been a valued member of the School Board of his district, has served as a member of the Clark County Board of Agriculture and is an active member of the Clark County Farm Bureau. He has done well his part in advancing the standard of farm industry in his native county, and has proved a loyal and progressive citizen.

June 1, 1880, recorded the marriage of Mr. Nicklin and Miss Mary C. Beard, who was born in Moorefield Township, December 3, 1859, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Seitz) Beard. Mr. and Mrs. Nicklin have two children: Oliver, who was born April 10, 1882, married Miss Ada Otstot, and they now reside in the City of Springfield; Pealie C., who was born July 21, 1884, is the wife of Dell F. Creamer, and they reside at the home of her parents, Mr. Creamer having the active management of the Nicklin farm.

Source: A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Benjamin F. Prince, 1922, page 82