20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 76

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 76

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).

AYDON ALLEN, who owns 146 fertile acres of what was formerly known as the old Thorpe farm, in Springfield Town- ship,, was born in Harmony Township, Clark County, Ohio, September 3, 1846, and is a son of William and Rebecca C. (Henkle) Allen.

William Allen was born in New York and was a son of William Allen, who was born in Yorkshire, England. The first William Allen came to America in young manhood and settled in New York, subse- quently removing to Cincinnati, Ohio. When his son William was about ten years of age he came to Harmony Town- ship, Clark County, where he took up a quarter section of land and on that farm he lived during the remainder of his life. William Allen (2) passed the whole of his life from the age of ten years on the saine place. He married Rebecca C. Henkle, who was a daughter of Joel Henkle, and the granddaughter of a noted German scholar, who had seven sons, five of whom became Methodist ministers. Joel Hen- kle's inclinations turned toward agricul- ture instead of the ministry and when he reached manhood he came to Clark Coun- ty and settled in Moorefield Township, where Mrs. Allen was born. William Allen (2) remained with his widowed

Dia zed by Google

728

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

mother until her death, when he inherited the old Allen homestead of forty-two acres. He had three children: Aydon; Joseph W., who was formerly county re- corder, residing at Springfield; and one died in infancy.

Aydon Allen was reared on the old Al- len farm on which he lived for fifty years and six months. He obtained his educa- tion in the country schools and in young manhood worked as a farmer. When twenty-six years of age he began to teach and for sixteen years followed the profes- sion through Harmony and Moorefield Townships. After he retired from the educational field he returned to his farm, on which he continued to live until March, 1897, when he moved to his present place. Prior to this, however, he had bought his brother's interest in the old Allen farm, which then contained sixty-five acres, and he disposed of the property in 1901. Here he carries on a general farming line. He is widely known and highly esteemed and if his neighbors have ever found fault it has been because of his never setting up a domestic hearthstone, Mr. Allen never having married. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the M. P. Church at Harmony.

GEORGE W. DURKEE, who has been a continnous resident of Clark County for the past sixty-eight years, owns a fine property in Harmony Township, consist- ing of 140 acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Geauga County, Ohio, Decem- ber 30, 1833. and is a son of Marens and Sophronia M. (Work) Durkee.

Marcus Durkee was born in Connecti- cut and was a son of Martin Durkee. He was a mechanic by trade, becoming also a farmer after acquiring land. In 1827 he came to the Western Reserve and set- tled first in Trumbull Connty and lived later in Geauga and Lorain Counties, both he and his wife dying at Brighton, Ohio. when full of years. They were married in Connectient and they had the following children born to them: Clarissa A., George W., Thomas C., Francis M. and Mary. Clarissa Durkee was born Decem- her 17, 1831, and died February 17, 18$6. She married Philip L. Coe and they had four children, Delmar and Emory, resid- ing in Ohio; Byron, living in California, and Clinton, whose home is in Pennsyl- vania. Thomas C. Durkee was born in 1840 and died in 1906. He married Emma Hopkins and they had five children: Lenora, Frank, Bertha, Herbert, Nettie, Bertha being deceased. Francis M. Durkee was born February 9, 1847. and resides in Kansas. He married Isabel Farrar and they have three children: Howard, Florence and Henry. Mary Durkee was born August 11, 1849. She married Elijah C. Smith and they reside at Dayton, Ohio. They have four chi !. dren living, one, Maud, being deceased.

George W. Durkee obtained a district school education and then learned the cooper trade, following it for a number of years at Brighton. During the Civil War he served as a member of what was called the Squirrel Hunters' Brigade, while his brother Thomas was in the Eleventh Regi ment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. George W. retains membership in the existing commemorative body at Springfield. In 1865 he purchased his present farm, which

Ughzed by Google

729

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

is situated one-half mile east of Brighton, on the National Turnpike Road. At that time it was covered with timber and for a part of it he paid $25 per acre. He has done all the clearing and has made the many excellent improvements which to- gether have developed it into one of the best farms in the township.

At Springfield, Ohio, in 1862, Mr. Durkee was married to Matilda Perkins, who was born February 18, 1835, and is a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Ward) Perkins.

Samuel Perkins was born December 16, 1805, and died March 22, 1850. He mar- ried Frances Ward, who was born Decem- ber 24, 1810, and died July 5, 1863. They had the following children: Henry W., Willard D., Walter D., Matilda W., David W., Sarah M., Columbia L., Esther and Abigail J. Henry W. Perkins was born April 3, 1829 and died December 7, 1853. He married Jane St. John, and they had one child, Granville R. Willard D. Per- kins was born July 30, 1830, and died May 25, 1896. He married Eliza N. Bell and they had four children: Elnora, Celia, Edith and Elmer. Walter D. Perkins was born Jannary 18, 1833. David W. Per- kins was born March 30, 1838. He mar- ried Elizabeth Ervan. Sarah M. Perkins was born January 18, 1841. She married (first) JJames Thomas and (second) George Trnitt. Three children were born to the first union: Harry. Addie and Nettie. Columbia L. Perkins was born January 23, 1844. She married Alfred Ervin and has four children: Leon, Mary, Charles and Harry. Esther (). Perkins, deceased, was born November 12, 1847. Abigail J. Perkins was born November 1, 1849. She married Daniel

Davis and they had six children: Glenna, Blanche, Oliver, Nettie, Irma and Orrie. Mrs. Frances (Ward) Perkins and family arrived in Clark County March 29, 1851.

Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have had four children: Carrie B., Ella F., Ernest C. and Arthur L. Carrie B., born December 5, 1862, died December 27, 1889. She married Benjamin Woosley and they had two children, Leonard C., born September 17, 1887, and Lohren F., who was born in 1889 and died May 22, 1906. Ella F., born September 23, 1864, married David Woos- ley and they have two surviving children, Ethel and Ereil. Ernest C., born August 3, 1867, died February 17, 1872. Arthur L., born June 12, 1871, resides at Spring- field, Ohio.

Mr. Durkee is a good citizen, taking an active interest in what concerns his com- munity. He and wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Vienna Cross Roads.

JAMES EDWARD LOWRY, county commissioner, and owner of 225 aeres of highly cultivated farm land, located in Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio, was born on his present farm August 27, 1852, and is a son of Robert Mitchell and Elizabeth (Bancroft) Lowry.

David Lowry, his grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Clark County, com- ing here in 1795 with J. Donnell, who laid out Donnellsville. They came from Vir- ginia to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they joined the surveying party of Rogers and Clark. The entire party came up the Miami River as far as Dayton and en- camped at the mouth of the Mad River. The next day -- Sunday-Mr. Lowry and

Dia zed by Google

730

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

Mr. Donnell strolled up Mad River until Lowry, namely, Martha, who is attending they came to Jackson's Creek and Mr. Wittenberg College. Donnell drove his stake into the ground Politically Mr. Lowry is a Republican, and in 1905 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of County Commissioner Joseph H. Collins. After serving one year he was nominated at the county con- vention in 1906 and elected to the office that same year. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Mad River Lodge No. 374, of Enon. on the present site of the Donnellsville elevator. David went on farther and took up the site of the present C. W. Minnich farm. In 1796 he brought his parents to this place, where the remainder of their lives was spent. David Lowry was mar- ried twice; first to Sarah Hamer, of Clark County, by whom he had children-Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth and Susan. His second wife was Jane (Wright) Hodge, widow of a Mr. Hodge and a native of Botetourt County, Virginia, where she was born September 26, 1778. To them were born four children -- Martha, David W., Robert M. and Sarah R.

Robert M. Lowry, father of James Ed- ward, was born in Bethel Township in 1815 and spent his life on the old home place, passing away in 1902. He made many hunting trips to Michigan and while there married Elizabeth Bancroft, of White Pigeon that state. She was born in Canada October 4, 1820, and died Oe- tober 16, 1887. They had five children, namely: Selina E., who died when young; John, now deceased; Martha, who died aged sixteen years; David, who died in infancy; and James Edward, the subject of this sketch.

James Edward Lowry, like his father, has spent his life on his present farm, en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. His education was obtained in the district school and the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. He was married October 26, 1886, to Einma O. Wallace, who is a daughter of Smith and Sarah (Stephens) Wallace. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. committee, the Congressional Committee

J. B. CLINGERMAN, who is engaged in an investment and security business. with offices in the Bushnell Building, has been a resident of Springfield for twenty- seven years. He was born in Logan County, Ohio, where he received his edu- cational training.

From boyhood until 1881 Mr. Clinger- man was in the employ of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank at De Graff, Ohio. He then came to Springfield and entered the employ of P. P. Mast & Company. with which business house he remained for eight years, subsequently carrying on a manufacturing business of his own for two years. He was then elected to the of- fice of justice of the peace and was twice re-elected, serving eight years, when he resigned. Mr. Clingerman was then elected clerk of the County Court of Clark County, for six years being one of the most efficient and popular officials of the county. After retiring from office Mr. Clingerman engaged in his present busi- ness, dealing in securities and invest. ments. His political connection is with the Republican party and he has served as chairman of the County Executive

Daszedby Google

731

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

serving as such for three years, when he Republican State Central Committee. He entered the sheriff's office, where he has continued ever since.

and for two years was chairman of the is an astute politician and a hard and loyal worker for his friends.

In 1880 Mr. Clingerman was married to Minnie I. Youngman, a resident of De Graff, Ohio, and they have four children, namely: Byron Horace, who is general superintendent of the People's Light, Heat and Power Company, of Springfield, being a graduate of the Massachusetts In- stitute of Technology and also of Witten- berg College: Marie; Robert Lewis, who is also with the above named company; and Paul A., who is a student in the Springfield Seminary. Mr. Clingerman and family belong to the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, to the Knights of Pythias, to the Junior Order of Amer- ican Mechanics and to several insurance fraternities. He is a charter member of the Springfield Commercial Club and is president of the Masonic Club.

D. D. LAWRENCE, a well known resi- dent of Springfield, who has been identi- fied with both business and political af- fairs of this city for the past twenty years, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1868. There he was reared to manhood and when about twenty years of age came to Springfield and entered the employ of the Wickham Piano Plate Company, with whom he remained for two years, after which he was associated with Myers-Laf- ferty & Company for a period of ten years, Mr. Lawrence has always taken considerable interest in political affairs, and was elected constable in about 1900,

Mr. Lawrence was married March 31, 1889, to Anne E. Conn, and of their union have been born three children-Clarence, Irwin and Wesley. Mr. Lawrence is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Springfield and is fraternally a member of the Knights of Golden Eagle, Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees.

BENJAMIN F. GARLOUGH, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Green Township, residing on a finely im- proved farm of 160 acres six miles south of Springfield, has been a life-long resi- dent of this township and was born on his present farm January 26, 1838. He is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Luce) Garlough and a grandson of John Garlough.

The Garlough family has long been es- tablished in Ohio, the grandfather of our subject, John Garlough, a native of Maryland, having moved here in 1808. Just 100 years ago, in March, he settled on the farm now owned by our subject.

The grandfather and great-grandfather of Benjamin F. Garlough both died on this farm and were buried in the cemetery just across the road from the farm. Jacob Garlongh was just eleven years old when his parents moved to Ohio and here he was reared and followed farming all his life. He married Nancy M. Luce, a native of Clark County, and to them were born seven sons-William, Jolm, Thomas, Justis, James, Edward and Benjamin F.

Benjamin F. Garlough grew to man- hood on his present farm and obtained his education in the village of Pitchin. He

Dixed by Google

732

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

served as a private in the army for four has built up, Mr. Campbell is interested years, participating in many important in the MeCain Realty Company. Politi- cally Mr. Campbell is identified with the Republican party and he takes quite an active interest in political matters and is a factor in local public movements. engagements in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Mr. Gar- lough was united in marriage with Sallie Jane (Littler) Garlongh, and to them were born six children, namely: Charlie In 1907 Mr. Campbell was married to Nina Serviss, who is a daughter of O. F. Serviss, assistant postmaster of Spring- field. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell belong to the United Brethren Church. His fra- ternal relationships include the Masons. the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is also a member of the Springfield Commercial Club. Irvin, Anson A., Effie A., Glen E., de- ceased, Maud F. and Alda May. By the first marriage Mrs. Garlough had one child-Lillie (Hayes). Mr. Garlough has always followed farming, as did all his ancestors for many generations back, and is one of the foremost men of the township. He is publie spirited and en- terprising and is held in highest esteem by his fellow citizens. Mr. Garlough is a member of the G. A. R., Mitchell Post, and is politically a Republican.

W. G. CAMPBELL, a well known mem- ber of the Springfield bar, was born at Preston, Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1874. where he was reared and prepared for the National Normal University, at Lebanon.

HENRY ROCKEL, a highly esteemed retired resident of Tremont City, ha: spent the larger part of his long and usp- ful life engaged in agricultural pursuits He owns three valuable farms in German Township, aggregating two hundred acres. Mr. Rockel was born on the old Rockel farm, on the Valley Turnpike, in German Township, Clark County, Ohio. March 14, 1835, and is a son of Adam and Mary A. (Baker) Rockel.

After completing his college course, Mr. Campbell engaged in teaching and for some time was principal of a school at New Haven, Hamilton County. Later he Henry Rockel was reared in German Township and after a school attendance of some years, took upon himself a large portion of the work of cultivating the home farm. He continued to reside on the same farin after his marriage and un- til 1882, when he moved to a farm located a short distance south and resided there until October 27. 1906. when he moved to Tremont City. He still retains a lively entered the Ohio State University and was graduated from the law department of that institution in 1903. He immie- diately located at Springfield and now oc- cupies convenient offices in the new Zim- merman Building, since 1904 having been alone, but prior to that time in partner- ship with his former classmate, Clarence Rice, under the firm name of Rice & Campbell, a connection which was dis- interest in the management of his prop- solved by the death of Mr. Rice. Besides erty. although not taking any part in the attending to the large practice which he actual work. For many years he was con-

Digitized by Googl

SAMUEL. R. BATTIN MARTHA A. BATTIN .

MRS. EMILY T. BATTIN MARY ELIZABETH TOMLINSON

Dig zed by Google

735

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

sidered one of the most successful farm- 1874. He was born in Columbiana Coun- ers and stock-raisers of the township.

On January 19, 1860, Mr. Rockel was married to Mary A. Richards, who is a daughter of John and Susan (Landis) Richards. They have had five children, namely: Oscar James, who is a trustee of German Township, married Laura A. Hans, and they have six children; Laura E. who died aged thirteen years; Emma, who married Abraham Thomas; Clara, who married Charles Schaffer, who is in a grocery business at Springfield; and Warren Adam, who married (first) Pearlie A. Lorton, and (secondly) Ida M. Pearson. Mr. and Mrs. Rockel have a number of grandchildren and one great- grandchild. The children of Oscar James Rockel and wife are: Lydia, who married Merlin Lorton; Gay, who married Noah Myers, and had two children, both of whom are now deceased; Carlisle, Eman- nel Henry, Mary Elizabeth, and Esther Corinne. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are: Elsie, who married Clement Dean: and Grover Clyde, who married Glenna Bushong and has one daughter, Mildred; Henry Lewis (deceased) and Earl LeRoy. Warren Adam Rockel had two children by his first marriage, both of whom are deceased. He has three by his second union-Edna Corinne, Russel M. and Nora Catherine. Mr. Rockel and sons are Democrats. He is a member of the old German Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL REEDER BATTIN, presi- dent of the Clark County Farmers' Mn- tual Protective and Aid Association and a prominent resident of Madison Town- ship, has been a citizen of this county since

ty, Ohio, March 3, 1829, and is a son of David and Sarah Ann (Reeder) Battin, a grandson of John and Ann (Raley) Battin, and a great-grandson of Richard and Elizabeth (James) Battin.

The Battin family is of Welsh origin, its members being in general of the Quaker faith. The name at one time was spelled Batten. It is an old family in this country, its establishment on American soil, as traditionally given, dating back to a short time after the arrival of Will- iam Penn. Richard Battin, above men- tioned, and his family located in Philadel- phia County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in agrienltural pursuits. They were valued members of the Society of Friends.

.John Battin, the grandfather, was born near Wilmington, Delaware, June 13, 1767, and in early life learned the trade of a cooper. After arriving at maturity, he moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade in connection with farm- ing, and here he married Ann Raley, and they were parents of ten children, each of whom lived to a ripe old age. The combined ages of these children at the time of their respective deaths, totaled seven hundred and seventy years, or an average of seventy-seven years, which is truly remarkable for so large a family.

David Battin, father of Samuel R., was horn in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, June 8, 1803, and as a child accom- panied his parents on their removal to Stark County, Ohio, thence to Columbiana County, where his father died in 1847. There he grew to maturity and was en- gaged in farming and stock-raising all his life, being especially prominent as a

Diglizedby Google

736

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

breeder of fine sheep. Upon reaching dollars in debt, and the fact that he now man's estate he had bought a heavily tim- bered tract of land, which he cleared and transformed into a good farm, and as his two sons grew up and assisted in the work the acreage of the farm was increased to more than double that of the original pur- chase. David Battin married Sara Ann Reeder, a daughter of Samnel and Am (Malone) Reeder, who were among the pioneers of Columbiana County, coming from near Westtown Boarding School, Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1806. They also were members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Battin died September 6, 1877, aged seventy-four years, and his wife, who survived him six years, died at the age of eighty years.

takes rank among the substantial and af- fluent residents of his connnnnity is am- ple evidence of his industry and his abil- ity in matters of business. He has fol- lowed general farming and stock-raising. paying especial attention to the raising and breeding of fine wool sheep and short- horn cattle. Mr. Battin was one of the charter members of the Clark County Farmers' Mutual Protective & Aid As- sociation, of which he was adjuster for many years, and now holds the office of president. Under his able direction the association has prospered, doing an ex- tensive business in insuring farm prop- erty in Clark and adjoining counties and now carrying two and a half million dol- lars of risks, its membership being over twelve hundred.

Samuel Reeder Battin was reared on the home farm in Columbiana County, and attended the common schools during In 1853 Mr. Battin was nnited in mar- riage with Miss Lydda Ann Winder. a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Efphama (Yates) Winder of Carroll County, Ohio. Four children were born to them, of whom the following is a brief record: Efphama Ann married John Cole of Fairfield Conn- ty, and died leaving a son, Harry Battin Cole, who is now married and has a danghter and son: David, now Dr. David Wilmot, and a resident of Shell Rock. lowa, married Jura Cubbison and has a danghter Edna Cubbison Battin ; Charles Sumner, a plumber of South Charleston. married Mary Ann Mather and has two cluldren, Leonard Winslow and Jessie: Amanda, the youngest of the family, died at the age of three years. Mrs. Lydda Battin died December 24. 1864, and Mr. Battin married Jime 7. 1866. for his sec- the winter months of his boyhood days. He was brought up to hard work and at the age of twenty years began working on a farm for ten dollars per month, a paltry sum in view of the present day wages and hours. He soon turned his attention to the saw-mill industry, purchasing a half interest in a mill, for which he made part payment with what he had been able to save of his wages, giving a note for the balance to his nnele who had faith in his honesty and capacity. He subsequently resumed farming in that county, and so continued until 1874, when he came to Clark County, Ohio. Here he purchased one hundred acres in Madison Township (to which he has since added eighty-three acres), and set about making much needed improvements and converting it into a modern farming property. At the time of his arrival here, he was four thousand ond wife, Emily Tomlinson, a native of

Dignized by Google

737

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Jefferson County, Ohio, and a daughter family of four sons and three daughters, of Samuel S. and Rachel (Street) Tom- namely: John, Agnes, Caroline, Rebecca, Charles, Alexander and Samuel. linson. Of this union there are four chil- dren, namely: Orlando T., who assists his father on the farm, married Esther Matthews, and has three children-Edith W., Edward M. and Raymond Francis; Kersey Raley, who is now engaged in the building of electric railways; Martha Alma, who lives with her father; and Mary Alice, wife of Walter Sanders Boone, whose home is near Richmond, In- diana, and who has a daughter, Emily Elizabeth.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Battin remain stead- fast members of the Society of Friends. In polities, the former was a Free Soiler up to 1856, since which time he has uni- formly cast his vote for the Republican nominee for president. He is a broad- gauged, thinking man, and believing it to be a duty as well as a pleasure to get out of the beaten path of everyday life, las traveled quite extensively, visiting many points of historic and national interest in our country, as well as the original homesteads of some of his ancestors.

WALTER DICKASON, general farm- er and leading citizen of Pleasant Town- ship, resides on his valuable farm of 114 acres, which is situated on the London and Catawba Turnpike Road. He was born in Madison County, Ohio, December 10, 1852, and is a son of Samnel and Eliza (Rafferty) Dickason.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 76

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