20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 58

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 58

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

During a period of the Civil War the late Governor Bushnell saw hard service in the army, and was captain of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, leading it on many victorious fields. He subsequently became a comrade in the Grand Army of the Re- public, and its interests always com- manded his attention. He belonged to the higher branches of Masonry, had at- tained the 32nd degree, and was one of the few who have received the 33rd de- gree of the Scottish Rite. He was noted for his abundant charities, which were the natural outcome of a kind and generous nature. The needs of the poor and afflicted always appealed to him and, both as a high public official and as a private

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citizen, it was his pleasure to lighten bur- dens and to give comfort and cheer in every possible case.

For many years he was a communicant and for forty years a vestryman of Christ

After satisfactorily completing the pub- Episcopal Church, and probably within . lic school course, Mr. Thomas entered that body alone was known the extent of his private benevolence. The beautiful Parish House that was presented to the church as a memorial of her husband by his devoted widow, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, was thus a most appropriate gift, and it was given and received as a fitting tribute to one who, as the rector of the church de- clared, "drew to himself the love and friendship of a whole city; who knew no class distinction, and who was the friend of every man, irrespective of his worldly possessions," Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Penn- sylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1849. He then turned his attention to the study of law, entering the office of Hon. S. W. Andrews, at Colum- bns, Ohio, and, in 1851, that of William White, then the leading attorney at Springfield. For two years after admis- sion to the bar, he continued to practice law at Springfield, and was then chosen county recorder, a rather unusual token of appreciation, as Mr. Thomas had so re- cently become a resident of Clark County. In the meanwhile this section was just awakening to the possibilities afforded in the direction of manufacturing, and Mr. Thomas was one of the first to take ad- vantage of the situation. He entered into partnership with P. P. Mast and they founded the well known agricultural im- plement firm of Thomas and Mast, and upon so sound a foundation, that it weath- ered the storms of financial depression in 1857, continued to grow in importance, and within a few years ranked with the largest in the state. Mr. Thomas re- mained a member of this firm until 1872.

This chapel was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Vincent, bishop of the Southern Diocese of Ohio, and was pre- sented by Mrs. Bushnell to the vestrymen of Christ Church on April 24, 1907, the touching presentation speech being made by John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell. The cost of this chapel was $15,000. It is designed for the use of the pastor, the Women's Guild and the Sunday school and is elaborately fitted with every modern comfort and conven- ience.

HON. JOHN H. THOMAS. The death of John H. Thomas, which took place at his home on East High Street, Springfield, January 23, 1901, removed from this city a man whose business success, public spirit and sterling character, identified him for all time with the agencies which contributed largely to the upbuilding of

this section. Mr. Thomas was born Oc- tober 4, 1826, at Middletown, Maryland, a son of Jacob and Sophia (Bowlus) Thomas.

In 1874, after two years of rest, Mr. Thomas re-entered the manufacturing field in partnership with his two sons, William S. and Findlay B. They erected the large plant which stands on South Limestone Street and there The Thomas Manufacturing Company began, which still continues the extensive manufacture of all kinds of agricultural implements,

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having established a reputation second to the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, which was Hope in the specialties of hay machinery, a joint gift to the city for the benefit of its sick and afflicted, from Ross Mitchell and John H. Thomas. harrows and grain drills. William S. Thomas is president of the above men- tioned company, as well as its treasurer, and Findlay B. is also associated in the business of manufacturing farm imple- ments.

For very many years, the late John H. Thomas stood as one of Springfield's most public-spirited citizens. He served on the City Council with marked useful- ness and was chosen a member of varions civic boards, at the time of his death be- ing a member of the Snyder Park Board. He was a stanch member of the Demo- cratie party and was held in such esteem by its leaders that in 1868 he was nomi- nated for Congress and still later was made the Democratic standard-bearer for the United States Senate against Hon. Calvin S. Brice. The duties of every office he held were performed with the ability and capacity which marked the management of his private affairs.

In 1854, Mr. Thomas was married to Mary Bonser, who was the youngest daughter of Hon. Jacob Bonser, of Chilli- cothe, Ohio, and they had four children. namely: William S., who is president of the Mad River National Bank of Spring- field and of The Thomas Mannfacturing Company; Findlay B., who is prominent also in the business life of Springfield; Nellie, who is the wife of Judge A. N. Summers; and Mabel, who is the wife of L. P. Matthews. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was always a liberal supporter of its many charitable enterprises. His private philanthropies were numerous and one of these, a notable one, may be mentioned-

CHARLES NELSON LEFFEL, pro- prietor of the C. N. Leffel saw-mill of New Carlisle, has been a resident here since 1899, and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the village. He was born December 24, 1869, on a farm in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick and Elitha (Long) Leffel.

Frederick Leffel, a native of Clark " County, was the eldest child of William Leffel, who settled near the Black Horse Tavern at a very early period. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm and he later operated a water-power saw-mill and also a threshing machine. He was first married to Mary Slusser, also a na- tive of Clark County, who died in Cham- paign County, Ohio. Six children were born of this union, but one of whom is living, Margaret Ann, who is the wife of David Poorman. His second marriage was with Elitha Long, a daughter of John Long, who came to Ohio from the east. Three children were born of the second union, namely: Carry, who married Charles Berry, of St. Paris, Ohio; Charles Nelson, subject of this sketch; and George Franklin, of New Carlisle. The second wife died in Champaign County, Ohio. Frederick Leffel sold his mill in Cham- paign County and, coming to New Car- lisle, purchased the mill which our sub- ject now operates. His death occurred here in 1906, when he was seventy-five years of age.

Charles N. Leffel was educated in the

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public and high schools of St. Paris. At the age of nine years he began devoting his spare time to work in his father's mill and has since made milling his life occupa- tion. He operated a saw-mill in Memphis, Tenn., for about ten months, and in 1889 he came to Clark County and operated his father's mill at New Carlisle until 1906, when he purchased it and has since been engaged in business for himself, employ- ing eight men in the mill, which is sit- nated on the P. & E. division of the Big Four Railroad.

Mr. Leffel was first married in 1888 in Champaign County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Apple, a daughter of James and Susan Apple, and to them was born one child, Blanche May. His second marriage was with Pearl Mitchell, a daughter of Wal- ker and Sallie Mitchell, and of this union were born three children-Catherine, Charles Frederick, and Marietta. Mr. Leffel and family reside in their com- modious home on Church Street. Politi- cally Mr. Leffel is a Democrat; frater- nally he is connected with the I. O. O. F. No. 505, of New Carlisle.

THOMAS WILLIAM RUNYAN, one of Pleasant Township's prominent citi- zens, has resided on his present farm of 427 acres, situated three and one-half miles south of Catawba, since 1871. Mr. Runyan was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, May 26, 1837, and is a son of George and Catherine (Jones) Runyan.

who came to Ohio from Kendt y and sett tled near Asbury Chapel. The country was still full of Indians and they were actively hostile, the settlers frequently having to seek safety in the block-house which had been erected for that purpose.

George Runyan, father of Thomas W., was born in Kentucky in 1808. He was about eight years old when his parents came to Clark County, and here he was reared. He married a daughter of George Jones, of Pleasant Township, and they had the following children: Ann, Elizabeth, Eli, Josiah, Thomas, William, Lucinda, George Washington and John W. The eldest daughter of this family married Michael Wiet and their surviv- ing children are: James, Mary, Cather- ine, Frank, Lucinda, Asa and Millie. Elizabeth, the second daughter, was mar- ried March 25,-1852, to John Page and their children are: Joseph, Charles, Isaac and John W. Eli Runyan married Jane Wilkinson and their surviving chil- dren are: Jane, Mary Ann, Lizzie, Ella and Georgia. Georgia Runyan mar- ried Ashby Allender and they have five children and reside at Springfield. Josiah Runyan, who was born in 1834, died July 31, 1907. He married Elizabeth Hend- ricks and they had two children, Oscar and George. Oscar married Alice Smith and they have one daughter, Glennie. George married Carrie Patterson and they had two children, Bruce and Lewis, who were reared by their grandfather, their father having died when they were young. Lucinda Runyan was born March 20, 1840, and resides at Catawba. George Wash- ington Runyan was born February 17, 1843, and died January 13, 1862, from the

The Runyan family is one of the old and substantial ones of this section. It was established here by Joseph and Eliza Runyan, the grandparents of Thomas W., results of an accidental burn. John Run-

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yan was born April 16, 1849. He mar- ried Frances Ropp, a daughter of Jacob and Isabel Ropp, of Pleasant Township, and they had two children, twin sons, Forest M. and Foster M., the latter of whom survives. He was accidentally pois- oned.

Thomas William Runyan attended the district school in his boyhood and has al- ways taken a prominent place in his com- munity. He was reared on the home farm but also learned the blacksmith trade. In a shop which he has near his home, all the large amount of blacksmith work re- quired to be done on his large estate, is attended to. He continues to be actively engaged in general farming and is assisted by his son, Charles E., and his son-in-law, Minor Hardman.

Mr. Runyan was married February 25, 1858, to Phoebe Ann Demory, and they had two children, Charles E. and Hattie. Charles E. Runyan married Luella Mc- Clintock, and they have had four children, Stella, Ethel and Russell still surviving. Stella married Edward McCullough. Ethel married William Sanders, and they have had three children, Helen L., Maurice C., and Martin Lee, deceased. Russell Runyan lives at home. Hattie, the ouly daughter of Thomas W. Runyan, was born May 29, 1863. On December 29, 1881, she was married to Minor N. Hardman, and they have three children, Charles O .. who

was born November 19, 1882, holds a re- . gent far beyond.their neighbors, and with sponsible position in the Mad River Bank at Springfield; Annie M .; and Ralph O., who was born December 25, 1894.

Thomas William Runyan is the oldest member of Catawba Lodge No. 349, Odd Fellows, to which Minor N. Hardman and Charles F. Runyan also belong. The lat- man blood.

ter is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle No. 4, at Catawba, and also of the Rebecca organization. The whole family is more or less identified with the leading interests of this com- munity.

HON. FRANCIS M. HAGAN, an emi- nent member of the Springfield Bar, for- merly judge of the Common Pleas Court of this county, was born June 10, 1844, in Mad River Township, Clark County, Ohio. His parents were Hugh and Ann Furay Hagan. The Hagan family has been known in Clark County since the days of Denny Hagan, the grandfather of Judge Hagan, who was of Scotch-Irish blood and came from North Ireland to Amer- ica in 1798, settling first in Pennsylvania. in 1815, and afterwards in Clark County. Ohio, where he resided until his death in 1825.

Hugh Hagan, father of Judge Hagan. was born June 3, 1803, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was twelve years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to the great wilderness which oc- cupied almost all of Southern Ohio. He married Ann Furay, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 3, 1816, and died September 22, 1892, Hugh Hagan having died November 5, 1879. They were people of sterling character. intelli-

them it was a duty to give to their children all the educational opportunities the un- settled condition of the country at the time afforded. Through the maternal line Judge Hagan traces his ancestry to both Ireland and France, with a strain of Ger-

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The early education of Francis M. Ha- Clark County Historical Society. From gan was the best offered by both public 1885 until 1890 he served as a trustee of the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital of Spring- field, and in the latter year was elected president of the Springfield Board of Trade. From 1892 until 1893 he was president of the Clark County Bar Asso- ciation, and for a number of years was one of the trustees of the Associated Char- ities. In collaboration with Judge A. N. Summers, Judge Hagan prepared the spe- cial civic code under which the City of Springfield was governed for more than a decade, and from 1904 to 1907 was one of the trustees of the sinking fund of said city. and select schools in his locality, supple- mented by attendance at Antioch College. He was a bright, ambitious student, but ill health interferred with Ifis collegiate career, and he was forced to give up his books before graduation. For a number of years his occupation was teaching in the public and select schools, and he at- tained a high rank as an instructor. Dur- ing this period he prepared himself for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1873. In the spring of 1874 he opened up an office at Springfield, and this city has been his home ever since.

In 1879 he was elected city solicitor of Springfield, and was re-elected to that office in 1883, although the city has always been strongly Republican in state and na- tional elections, his administration of that office proving to be most acceptable to all classes of his fellow-citizens, irrespective of party. In 1890 he became judge of the Common Pleas Court of Clark County, Ohio, succeeding the Hon. Charles R.White, and serving with the greatest efficiency until the election of his successor, the Hon. John C. Miller. Upon his retirement from the bench he resumed his private practice. During a period of some years he was a partner in the practice of law of Hon. A. H. Kunkle, now judge of the Com- mon Pleas Court of this county. Judge Hagan has always been a zealous and in- fluential Democrat. In 1887 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Springfield, Ohio, by President Cleveland, and served in that capacity for several years. He has been called to fill many other offices of trust and responsibility. He has long been a member of the

He was chairman of the general com- mittee having in charge the centennial of the City of Springfield in the year 1901. At all times he has been a progressive, public-spirited citizen, ready to lend as- sistance and encouragement to all and every laudable movement for the general welfare.

Mr. Hagan is a man of wide and exten- sive reading and has carefully studied so- cial, economic and political questions. He has made many addresses along these lines and at pioneer meetings. He has been a leading member of the Literary Club of Springfield since its organization, about fifteen years ago, and in that period has prepared and read to the club papers on various subjects, among which were: "Influence of the Dutch on American Civil and Religious Liberty"; "Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a study"; "The Single Tax"; "American and European Municipal Government Contrasted"; "Balzac"; "James Madi- son"; "The Striker and the Law."

May 21, 1881, Judge Hagan was mar-

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ried to Justina Bevitt, who was a daughter Stroup died April 30, 1876, and was sur- of Dr. Bevitt, of St. Charles, Missouri. vived by his widow until June 28, 1881. He married Mary Ray, a native of Clark County, and they reared a family of nine children, five boys, and four girls, all be- ing now deceased except Jesse and a sister, Mrs. Rebecca MeCollum, a resident of South Charleston. Mrs. Hagan is one of the leaders in the social, educational, and religious life of the City of Springfield. They have three ehilogen, Franeis M., Hugh, and Margaret. Judge Hagan and family belong to the Second Presbyterian Church of Spring- field, Ohio, of which he is an elder. The family reside at a beautiful home known as Oak Place, in the city of Springfield.

JESSE STROUP, a venerable and honored citizen of Madison Township, re- siding on a tract of fine farming land lo- cated just beyond the limits of the city of South Charleston, was born March 1, 1828 on a farm in Madison County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Mary (Ray) Stroup.

John Stroup, grandfather of Jesse, was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania. He served throughout the entire Revolu- tionary War and was a valiant and dar- ing soldier. At one time he was taken prisoner and wounded while resisting an offieer, who endeavored to place him in the dungeon, but after a desperate strug- gle was finally released because of his pluck and valor. Later he became a farmer. He was married in Madison County, Ohio, his wife having been a na- tive of Chillicothe, and they reared a fam- ily of five sons, and two daughters.

David Stroup, the father, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared near Chil- licothe, Ohio. He moved to Madison County and located in what was called "The Barrens." He always followed farming and acquired a large amount of land, having at one time 500 acres. David

Jesse Stroup spent his early life in Madison County, and attended the district schools. Upon starting out in life he first could earn but fifty cents per day, but by much hard work, combined with good man- agement of his business affairs, has be- come possessed of large landed interests, having during his life time acquired over 1,300 acres and has given to each of his six children, a tract of 150 aeres, as well as $500 in cash. Although an octogena- rian, being now in his eighty-first year, Mr. Stroup is still actively engaged in managing his business affairs, and is one of the influential and most highly respect- ed citizens of the township. In politics he is a Republican, and his religious con- nection is with the Methodist Church.

Mr. Stroup was united in marriage with Lavina Woosley, who was born in 1942. in Clark County, Ohio. Her parents were Benjamin and Keturah (Hunt) Woosley. Benjamin Woosley was a man of ample fortune, owning over 1,000 acres of land at one time. Mr. and Mrs. Stroup had the following children: Keturah, Mary Ellen, Rebecca, Emma L., Jesse and Lulu, the latter of whom resides with her parents. Keturah married Lewis Hunter. of Madison County and they have five living children: Carl Edgar, Jessie, Clarence, Louise and Harold. Mary Ellen married George Clemans, of Madi- son Township, and they have seven chil-

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dren: Foster, Florence, Esther, Gladys, He engaged in farming on the home place Hazel, Grace and Geneva. Rebecca mar- ried R. M. Bennett of Madison Town- ship, and they have one child, Rodger. Emma L. married James G. Lewis, of Madison Township, and they have one child, Margaret Lavina. Jesse married Grace Herriek and they live in Madi- son Township. Their children are: Harry, Alice, Helen, Florence and an in- fant son.

JAMES H. KITCHEN, who comes of a prominent old Clark County family, is a prosperous farmer residing on a tract of 185 acres abont one mile south of Pitchin, in Green Township. He was born on the old homestead, located about eight miles southeast of Springfield on the South Charleston traction line, Sep- tember 7, 1875, and is a son of Erasmus Jones and Lavina M. (Hatfield) Kitchen.

Stephen Kitchen, paternal great-grand- father of James H., was born 'in Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1785, and on com- ing to Ohio in 1818, he located in Clark County. His father, Richard Kitchen, was the first of the family to leave Eng- land for America, settling in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about 1750. The latter married Margaret Vorhees, who was of the family from which Senator Vorhees, of Indiana, was descended. Abraham Kitchen, grandfather of James HI., was united in marriage with Matilda Jones, and of their children one was Erasmus Jones Kitchen.

until 1861, when, in answer to President Lincoln's call to arms, he responded by enlisting in Company F, Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of his term of en- listment, he re-enlisted as a member of Company M, Eighth Ohio Cavalry. With his command he was sent to aid in the capture of Floyd at Cotton Mountain, in West Virginia, and was at Lewisburg when his regiment was driven back to the Ohio River, fighting all along the way. He subsequently participated in many im- portant engagements, among them Dut- ton Hill, Cumberland Gap, Siege of Knox- ville and battle of Bristol. In January, 1864, he returned home on a thirty-day furlough, at the end of which time he went to the front with the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, participating in the battles of Lynchburg and Bristol. At the time his regiment was captured, he escaped by re- maining in his bunk until daylight. He then went out to give himself up, but as none of the enemy remained in sight, he started on a weary march of three days for the Union lines, suffering much from cold and hunger. He spent a day and night in the snow on the mountains, and but for an exceptionally hardy constitu- tion would have fared badly from the ex- posure. . He continued in the service until 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned home. He shortly after- ward bought a farm of eighty acres, and operated it successfully the remainder of his days, adding to his holdings from time to time until he was possessed of some 615

Erasmus Jones Kitchen was born on the same farm as was his son James H., acres of valuable land.

his nata! day being August 11, 1836, and On October 12. 1865. Erasmus J. he was educated in the district schools. Kitchen was joined in marriage with

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Lavina M. Hatfield, a daughter of James and Margaret (Kitchen) Hatfield, and they became parents of the following children: Joseph L .; Abraham, who died at the age of twenty-two years; James .H .; Stephen; Erasmus J., Jr., and Wayne, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Kitchen was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and although he held a position on the School Board several years, was never an office seeker. He was one of the charter members of Mitchell Post, G. A. R., Springfield.

James H. Kitchen attended the schools of his home district, and then assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death. He continued on the home place four years afterward and then located upon his present farm of 185 acres near Pitchin. He has demonstrated superior business ability and is making a success of his work. He is a Republican in poli- ties and takes an earnest interest in the success of the party and the principles it stands for.

HON. J. WARREN KEIFER, presi- dent of the Lagonda National Bank, at Springfield, and one of the oldest and ablest members of the National Congress, has long been one of Ohio's honored and distinguished citizens. He was born on Mad River, Clark County, Ohio, January 30, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Keifer.

gineering profession, and while the main occupation of his life was farming, his professional knowledge was of use in the development of these then wild regions, the construction of highways, and other work of a civilizing tendency. He mar- ried Mary Smith, who was born January 31, 1799. in Losantiville (now Cincinnati). and died at Yellow Springs, Clark Coun- ty, March 23, 1879. Through his mother, General Keifer traces his ancestral line to England. The Smith family was one early established in New Jersey, and in 1790, a branch removed to Ohio.

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 58

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993