USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 100
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Politically Mr. Chamberlin is a Repub- lican and has served as township trustee, school director and in various other minor township offices. He is a member of the Masonic order, with which he became as- sociated in 1850, and was formerly also an I. O. O. F., with which order he affili- ated in 1847. Religiously Mr. Chamber-
Charles L. Gerlaugh was born on a farm near Dayton, Ohio, where he was married to Julia A. Hower, a native of Fairfield, Ohio. In 1881 they came to Clark County and purchased 257 acres in Bethel Township, to which was later added ninety-three acres. Here he en- gaged in general farming, and breeding and importing short horn cattle until his deatlı, which oceurred in 1905, when he was fifty years old. He was survived by his widow until April, 1907, when she died in her forty-seventh year. He was a member and a director of the American Short Horned Breeders' Association. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ger- laugh, namely: Arthur, the subject of this sketch; Howard, who also lives on the
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home farm, which he operates with Ar- manufacturing undertakings of this sec- thur; Ella, who is attending the Ohio tion. Mr. Bauer was a German, born in Wurtemberg, August 16, 1846, and his father's name was Frederick Bauer. State University ; Bertha, Paul, and Cath- erine.
Arthur Gerlaugh has spent his entire life on his present farm, and here he and his brother, Howard, have continued in their father's occupation as breeders and importers of short horn cattle. He is a member of and stockholder in the Ameri- can Breeders' Association. Mr. Gerlaugh was educated in the public schools, is a graduate of the Olive Branch High School and attended Wittenberg College for two years, after which he entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, where he re- mained until the death of his father. He then returned to the Woodberry farm, of which he took charge, and has since met with considerable success in all his under- takings.
Politically Mr. Gerlaugh is a Repub- lican. In 1906 he was appointed a mem- ber of the school board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, and in 1907 was elected president of that body.
June 19, 1907, Mr. Gerlangh was joined in marriage with Margareta Butts, a daughter of C. J. and Margareta (Mar- shal) Butts, of Osborn, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gerlaugh are members of the Luth- eran Church, of which the former is also a deacon.
CHARLES A. BAUER, for many years was one of the remarkable business men of Springfield-a man whose broad and comprehensive knowledge of every- thing in the line of mechanics and mechan- ical construction, caused him to be iden- tified with some of the most important
The parents of Mr. Bauer emigrated to America when he was six years of age, landing at New Orleans in 1852. Here the father died three months later of yel- low fever, when his widow and son re- moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the former resided until her death, in 1900.
Left a fatherless boy in a great city and a strange country, the late Charles A. Bauer had few of the advantages or enjoyments of ordinary youth. At the age of twelve years he became, with justi- fiable pride, entirely self-supporting. His father had been a skilled draughtsman and successful bridge-builder, and the son inherited a positive genius for mechanics which caused him to seek employment in this direction. After a short period of work in the Pyrotechnical Manufactory, at Cincinnati, he became an apprentice to the gunsmith trade, and three years later, in 1864, circumstances made it possible for him to enter the machine shops of Miles, Greenwood & Company, at Cincin- nati. There he learned to be a practical machinist, extending his studies far into applied mechanics.
Mr. Bauer's unusual ability did not fail to attract attention, and in 1867 he was offered a position at the Ohio Mechanics' Institute as an instructor in mechanical drawing and applied mechanics, which po- sition he retained while also filling that of superintendent of the Nile Tool Works, at Hamilton, and acting as consulting en- gineer for the firm of Lane & Bodley, at Cincinnati. In 1875 Mr. Bauer became superintendent of the Champion Bar and
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Knife Company, at Springfield, and from that time until his death, which occurred in June, 1899, he continued to be connect- ed with Springfield enterprises. In 1883, he became general manager of the War- der, Bushnell & Glessner Mower and Reaper Works, and three years later, when the business was incorporated, he became a partner in the concern, still re- taining, however, his position as general manager. Mr. Bauer was a very valua- ble assistant and advisor in the installa- tion of the city's various utilities, and for nine years he served as a member of the board of trustees of the Springfield water-works system.
His experience covered a wide range, including most prominently the design and practical execution of nearly all kinds of machine tools, stationary and river en- gines, rolling-mills, furnaces, pumping, mining and general milling machinery. He was particularly well fitted for super- intending the establishment of plants and the arrangement and details of buildings on ground for manufacturing purposes.
In 1868 Mr. Bauer was married to Louise Haeseler, who was born in Prus- sia, and who accompanied her parents to America in 1851. Mrs. Bauer survives her husband and resides at No. 825 East High Street, Springfield. Three sons were born of this marriage, namely: Charles L., who is president of the Foos Manufacturing Company of Springfield, and who resides at No. 1215 East High Street; William A., who is treasurer of the Foos Manufacturing Company, and resides at No. 1427 East High Street ; and Louis E., vice president of the Foos Man- ufacturing Company, who resides at No. 1217 East High Street.
The late Charles A. Bauer was one of the vice presidents of the National Found- ers' Association, refusing the presidency of the same. He belonged also to the Fifth District committee of the American Foundrymen's Association, and was one of the charter members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, serving as one of its managers for four years. He was a Mason of high standing, having attained the 32nd degree, and he, belonged to Anthony Lodge, No. 455, F. & A. M. He was also identified with the Knights of Pythias. The death of Mr. Bauer called forth many expressions of regret and appreciation from those who had en- joyed his personal acquaintance, and also from those who recognized the extent and value of his professional work, both in America and in Europe.
JAMES K. KERSHNER, dairy and food inspector at Springfield, who has filled this important office since 1906, was born in 1844 in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob Kershner.
Jacob Kershner was born at Hagers- town, Maryland, and came from there to Clark County, Ohio, October 28, 1827, set- tling on two sections of land which his father had secured from the government in 1804. The grandfather lived on this land until his death, in 1852, and he was succeeded in its ownership by his son, Jacob, father of James K., and he became one of Springfield Township's leading men.
James K. Kershner remained on the home farm and through boyhood attend- ed the neighboring schools. In 1872 he
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came to Springfield, where he learned the born April 11, 1861, on the day that Fort carpenter's trade, at which he worked for Sumpter was fired on, who married Alta Wilson, and they have two children, Ralph and Raymond; Clinton S., born January 27, 1864, an attorney in practice at Springfield, who married Mary Eliza- beth Sparrow, and they have two chil- dren, Frances and Robert; and Joseph C., born February 24, 1868, who married Celia Shaffer. a time, and subsequently he went into the horse business, which he has developed into an important industry. He both deals in horses and breeds fine saddle and trot- ting horses, and the products of his sta- bles are in demand throughout all this section. He has taken a good citizen's in- terest in politics, but his present position is the first public office he has been will- ing to accept, and to its duties he de- votes his most careful attention. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church at Springfield.
GEORGE W. OLINGER, one of Har- mony Township's well known citizens, who is engaged in general farming, own- ing a fine property containing ninety-five acres of valuable land, was born in Clark County, Ohio, May 27, 1857. He is a son of Joseph C. and Mary (Smith) Olinger.
George W. Olinger was reared and edu- cated in Harmony Township. For a num- ber of years he traveled all through the eastern and western states, selling elec- trie supplies, but at present is managing his farm. He purchased this property of the William Williamson estate, but through some litigation a part of it had to be repurchased. Since 1890 he has been the sole owner. He carries on gen- eral agriculture and is ably assisted by a young man by the name of John Rine- heart, whom Mr. Olinger has reared from childhood.
Joseph C. Olinger was born in Augusta In 1889 Mr. Olinger married Eva Tip- pie, who was born March 2, 1864, and died May 29, 1895. Their one daughter, Mary, who was born September 1, 1891, resides with her maternal grandparents, George and Orcha Tippie. Mr. and Mrs. Tippie have three children living-Decatur, Owa, and Etna. Mr. Olinger is a member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 345, at Vienna, in which he has passed all the chairs. He is a leading member and liberal supporter of the Christian Church at Vienna. County, Virginia, May 8, 1816, and was a son of George and Rachel Olinger. In 1846, when he was thirty years of age, he came to Clark County, Ohio (his par- ents and the rest of the family having come in 1832), and worked by the day for farmers, living in the meanwhile on the old Baird place. After buying and selling some land he acquired 500 acres in Harmony Township, near Brighton, and on that land he spent the remainder of his life. He married Mary Smith and they had nine children, six of whom survive, namely : Jacob, born in November, 1854. married Lizzie Hartman and they have C. F. GILBERT, junior partner in the well known lumber firm of Van Horn & one child, Joseph V .; George W .; William Henry, born January 10, 1859; Jasper W., Gilbert, at South Charleston, Clark
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County, Ohio, was born at Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio, March 20, 1872. He is a son of Lewis and Anna (McLean) Gil- bert.
The Gilbert family is of Scotch descent and has been long established on Ameri- can soil. The grandparents came to Greene County, Ohio, at an early period and there resided until death. Lewis Gil- bert, father of C. J., was born in Eastern Ohio and was reared there on his fath- er's farm. He served four years in the Union army during the Civil War and participated in many of the important en- gagements of that struggle. Upon his re- turn to peaceful pursuits he engaged in the timber business, which he followed with success for many years. He now re- sides at Cedarville, where he takes rank among the leading and substantial men. He married Anna McLean, a native of Greene County, and they became parents of four children, all of whom are living.
C. F. Gilbert was educated in the pub- lic schools of Greene County, and remain- ed on the home place until twenty-one years of age. His connection with the lumbering business began early, and after The parents of Mr. Leatherman came from West Virginia to Clark County, Ohio, when he was eighteen months old, and settled on a farm abont nine miles northeast of Springfield, on the old Major Hunt place. The father rented that farm for two years and then moved to the neighboring one belonging to Nathan Trotter, which he rented for ten years, moving from there to one on the Yel- low Springs Turnpike. This farm be- longed to John Perrin, and one year later they moved to a farm two miles a period of nine years in it he entered into partnership with Joseph Van Horn, under the firm name of Van Horn & Gilbert. Their sawmill was first located about a mile east of South Charleston, but after the formation of the partnership was re- moved to the village proper. They do a general sawmill business and deal exten- sively in all kinds of hard lumber. It is the only mill in this vicinity and is operated at its full capacity all the time. In addi- tion to the sawmill, Van Horn & Gilbert conduct a general store which enjoys a north of Clifton, and from there a liberal patronage. year afterward to the James Ander-
Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Anna Wilson, a daughter of Timothy Wil- son of Madison Township, and they re- side in a comfortable home in South Charleston. Politically Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. He is prominent fraternally, being a member of the Masons, having attained the Knights Templar degree, and of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is one of the substantial men of affairs in his vicinity and in addi- tion to town property which he owns, he and his partner have large landed inter- ests in Mississippi and own also 120 acres in Greene County, Ohio.
JOHN W. LEATHERMAN, one of German Township's representative agri- culturists, resides on his well cultivated farm of sixty acres, which is situated on the Springfield-Northampton Turnpike Road, about four miles northwest of Springfield. He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, June 26, 1853, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Shos- key) Leatherman.
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son farm, and thence to Dr. Marquart's farm, near Osborn, on which they lived for eight years. Their next move was to the Jolin Harris farm, near Day- ton, where the mother died. The father and sons had worked the various farms up to this time, but from that time on up to the time of his marriage, John W. Leatherman worked by the month. After that event he rented a farm in Pike Township, on which he lived for five years, and in 1886 he bought and moved on to his present farm, which he has con- tinued to improve up to the time of this writing. He has done a large amount of tiling and fencing and some clearing, and has remodeled the residence, and in 1904 he built a new barn, the dimensions of which are 40 by 50 feet. He takes an interest in his surroundings, and his im- provements each year add value to his place.
In 1881 Mr. Leatherman married Mary E. Dresher, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Siefreid) Dresher, who was born south of Springfield, in Clark County. Their oldest child died in in- fancy. The survivors all are at home, namely: Otho, Rolland and Raymond, twins, and Irven. Mr. and Mrs. Leather- man are members of the German Baptist Church.
WILLIAM HENRY OLINGER, a rep- resentative agriculturist of Harmony Township, in which he owns 295 acres of valuable land, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 10, 1859, and is a son of Joseph C. and Mary (Smith) Olinger.
their children in 1832 to Clark County from Rockbridge County, Virginia. They resided for a time near Charleston, and then removed to Illinois, where both died in the fullness of years. Their children were: Peter, Jolin, George, Robert, Joseph, Rachel and Eliza.
Joseph C. Olinger was born in Augusta County, Virginia, May 8, 1816, and from 1846 until his death, in 1894, he lived in Clark County. He bought his first land in 1834, near Catawba, but he subsequently sold that tract, after which, in 1855, he bought 484 acres from the Bailey heirs, and on this farm he lived until his death. He was married (first) February 28, 1853, to Mary Smith, who was born in 1828 and died in 1868. He was married (secondly) to Eliza Wilson, who survives him. The children were born of the first marriage, three dying in infancy and the following surviving to maturity: Jacob, born March 27, 1854, married Lizzie Hart- man, and they have one son, Joseph; George, born May 25, 1857, married Eva Tippie, who died in 1895, leaving one child, Mary; William Henry is the sub- ject of this sketch; Jasper W., born April 11, 1861, married Alta Wilson, and they have two sons, Ralph and Raymond; Clinton S., born January 27, 1864, is an attorney at Springfield, married Libbie Sparia, and they have two children, Frances and Robert; and Joseph C., born February 24, 1868, married Celia Shaffer.
In the division of the father's property the step-mother and the six sons each re- ceived a just share. William Henry re- mained on the home place, where the step- mother keeps house for him. In 1898 he purchased his brothers' shares and has
The grandparents of Mr. Olinger, George and Rachel Olinger, came with managed the whole place ever since.
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When the Ohio Electric Line ran through ceased; and Jonathan, a minister of the here Mr. Olinger sold five acres to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Matthew Verity subsequently married a Miss Ote- walt. This union resulted in no issue. railroad. This is a very interesting old farm, and, besides an old Indian mound, many relies of by-gone days have been found, but whether of peace or warfare, it is not easy to decide.
Henry Verity, father of the Misses Ver- ity, was born in the woods of Pike Town- ship, August 11, 1832, and during his life time witnessed a wonderful change in con- ditions in this locality. He and a brother rode horseback to Springfield to see the first steam engine enter the village. He followed farming all his days and ac- quired 100 acres of land, one mile west of Dialton, a part of which he cleared. He also taught school for a short time. He was joined in marriage August 30, 1860, to Louisa Jenkins, who was born in Pike Township, and was a daughter of Levi and Sarah (Shaffer) Jenkins, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Pike Township, Clark County, her people having come from Virginia at a very early period. The father of Levi Jenkins came overland from North Caro- lina in a wagon and was possessed of but fifty cents in money when he arrived. Levi Jenkins was industrious, and living frugally accumulated a handsome prop- erty, from which he gave each of his chil- dren a farm. Mr. Jenkins moved to Kan- sas in his latter years, but returned after his wife's death, dying six years later, to the day.
MISSES LUELLA AND SARAH ELIZABETH VERITY, who come of one of Pike Townships most prominent families, are descended from pioneers of Clark County, on both sides. Their pa- ternal grandfather, Matthew Verity, was born in Yorkshire, England, and accom- panied by his wife and family of four children, came to the United States. They settled in the woods near Dialton, in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, but later moved farther west, near New Carlisle, in the same township, where Matthew Verity died at the age of eighty years. He often told of his journey to Clark County, which was then regarded as very far west, and his wanderings were at- tended with hardships and he found him- self frequently in trying sitnations. His first night in Clark County found him oc- cupying a bed with a stranger. He had placed his money under the pillow and when his bedfellow persisted in using Mr. Verity's pillow the latter became so anx- ious about his money he could not sleep. Henry and Louisa Verity were parents of three children: Albert B., who is now in California; Luella; and Sarah Eliz- abeth. The elder daughter was born on the farm of Levi Jenkins in Champaign County, Ohio, and the younger was born in Pike Township, on the farm which was the birthplace of her mother. All three His fears were groundless, however, as his money remained undisturbed. He first married Elizabeth Nickelson, who died after coming to Clark County, leav- ing seven children, four of whom were born in England: John and William, both deceased; Matthias, residing in Wis- consin; David, Henry and George, all de- children attended London Hill Academy
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at New Carlisle, as did their mother, who for some years was a school teacher. Henry Verity died at the home place Jan- uary 14, 1900, and was survived by his widow, who died December 3, 1904, aged seventy years. Prior to the death of their mother, the Misses Verity purchased a home in Dialton, where they now reside. They rent the seventy-five-acre farm in- herited from their mother, as well as one of one hundred acres left by their father. Religiously, both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
MILTON L. EVANS, who owns sixty acres of some of the best farming land in German Township, which is favorably sit- uated only five miles northwest of Spring- field, just off the Jordan Turnpike Road, was born in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, June 2, 1872. He is a son of William Perry and Mary Jane (Lough- rige) Evans, William Perry Evans being a well known farmer in Miami County.
Milton L. Evans remained on the home place until his marriage on August 22, 1894, to Emma F. Garst. Mrs. Evans was born in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary (Bozart) Garst. When she was five years old she accompanied her mother and her step-father, John Filbrun, to Miami County, her own father having died when she was very young. For two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Evans lived with Mr. and Mrs. Filbrun, during which time Mr. Evans was engaged in teaching school. In the fall of 1895 he purchased his present farm and in the following spring they moved to it and have now lived here for the past twelve years. Mr.
Evans is both a practical and progressive farmer, making use of modern methods and improved machinery. He and his wife have a family of eight children, namely: Robert Chesley, John Lebert, William Harold, Jasper Milton, Russell Frank, Tra Homer, Mary Caryl and Mor- ris L. Mr. Evans is giving his children every advantage in his power and they show the effect of the parental care be- stowed upon them.
ADAM GRUBE, a leading citizen of Springfield Township, where he owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land, is proprietor of the Adam Grube & Son brickyard, which is situated on North Limestone Street, just north of the limits of Springfield. Mr. Grube was born in Mackenbach, Rhine Bavaria, Germany, June 20, 1833, and is a son of Jacob and Philipena (Shaar) Grube.
In 1835 the parents of Mr. Grube came to America and settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where they lived for two years. During this time the father worked very hard, walking the whole distance to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he secured em- ployment on the Wabash Canal, and later worked on the Maumee Canal. In 1837 Jacob Grube decided to remove his fam- ily to Springfield, where there was a chance for him to secure work as a day laborer, and after this removal, Adam Grube had a chance to go to school. He also began to assist in the care of the family, earning his first money selling produce from house to house, before and after school, his honest measure and pleasant manner soon making friends for him among the housewives of Springfield.
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Just as soon as his strength permitted he began to work at day labor, in the mean- while gaining a knowledge of the brick business. When he was only twelve years old he worked in James Robinson's brick- yard for his board and three dollars a month. He was patient, persevering, honest and saving, and it was a proud day for him when, in partnership with his brother, he was able to buy fifteen acres of land. Later he bought his brother's seven and one-half acres, and this remains his home place. For fourteen years he lived in a log house and then built his present fine brick residence. When he went first into the brick business he was associated with his two brothers, Jacob and Christian, and they continued to- gether for six years, after which he fol- lowed farming and gardening for several years and then started his brickyard, later entering in partnership with his son, Charles Elmer Grube. The plant is fitted with the Quaker brick-making machinery, and employment is given twelve men and five boys. The output is building brick, and the business is one of importance.
When he was abont twenty-two years of age, Mr. Grube was married to Annie Mary Wilch, and they had born seven chil- dren, the three survivors being: John Adam, who is a farmer and brickmaker; William H .; and Charles E., who is in partnership with his father. After the death of his first wife, Adam Grube mar- ried Gertrude Rettig, who is also de- ceased. Of their nine children, four are living, namely: George Peter, Samuel, Frantz Joseph, and Gertrude.
Mr. Grube owns three farms, one piece of land consisting of sixty-nine acres, he owns in partnership with his sons Frantz
Joseph and Samuel David. In addition to his residence already mentioned, Mr. Grube owns four other houses which he rents. His property is all of considerable value. A review of Mr. Grube's life tells a story that carries its own lesson. It proves the value of industry and prud- ence. It is a long step from the little lad carrying his basket of produce from his parent's garden, from door to door, to the substantial citizen whose name at the bottom of a legal paper represents large and honestly earned thousands of dollars.
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