20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 82

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 82

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).

the age of nineteen. In 1894 he became associated with the Hosterman Publish- ing Company as manager of the advertis- ing department, acting in that capacity un- til 1898, when he organized the Spring- field Publishing Company and bought the Hosterman Publishing Company. He published the Press & Republic and did a job printing business until 1903, when he sold the newspaper end of the business and has since continued the printing busi- ness, his firm having been for six years the State printers. Mr. Linn was united in marriage in January, 1893, to Harriet Hosterman, of Springfield, and they have four danghters, namely-Margaret, Har- riet, Ruth, and Patti.

Fred Leffel married Maggie Ludlow, who is a daughter of George and Eliza- Mr. Linn has always taken an active in- terest in politics and has been on the Re- publican executive committee for a num- ber of years. He was elected auditor in November, 1905, assuming the office in October, 1906. Fraternally he is a mem- ly affiliated with the Third Presbyterian Church of Springfield. beth (Hammond) Ludlow. They have had seven children: Nellie, who married James Huckins; Edith, deceased, was the wife of Charles Snyder ; George; Charles; Maud. deceased; Anna; and Abraham. Mrs. Leffel makes her home with D. E. ber of the Masonic order, and is religious- West and wife. Mr. Leffel was a member of the order of Foresters, and was a Re- publican in politics.

JAMES A. LINN, auditor of Clark County and a resident of Springfield since 1872, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1864 and is a son of the late William R. Linn.

William R. Linn, who was also a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,

JACOB D. NEFF, trustee of Bethel Township and owner of sixty acres of farm land situated about twelve miles west of Springfield on the Valley Pike, is one of the township's enterprising and substantial farmers. He was born Decein- ber 20, 1864, on the old home farm in Wayne Township, Montgomery County,

Dighized by Google

792

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Neff remained at home (Harnishı) Neff.

Jacob Neff, Sr., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and was one of the eldest of a family of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters. His boyhood days were spent in Pennsylvania and in 1835 he accompanied liis father, John Neff, across the mountains to Ohio, where the family settled in the wilds of Wayne Township, Montgomery County. Here he assisted in clearing and cultivat- ing the farm which is still in the posses- sion of the Neff family. The father's death occurred in Clark County at the home of his son David. When a young man Jacob Neff spent much of his time during the winter months in teaming, hauling flour from the old Harris Mills to Cincinnati. He married Mary Harnish, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born twelve children, as follows: John, who died in infancy; Amos, who died aged sixteen years; Albert, who died aged twenty-eight years; Hetty, who is the wife of C. K. Brenner; Elizabeth; Frank; Mollie, the wife of Dr. C. A. Herr; Jacob D, subject of this sketch; Emma, who married Jacob Tippy ; Henry ; Chris- topher; and one unnamed, who died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Neff both died on the old home place in Montgomery Coun- ty, the latter passing away first, at the age of sixty-five years, the former surviv- ing her one year, his death occurring at the age of eighty-one years.

Jacob D. Neff was reared on the old home farm in Wayne Township, Mont- gomery County, and his primary educa- tion, which was received in the district schools, was supplemented by a course of study at the Miami Business College of

until attaining his majority, when he spent some eighteen months in Osborn, Ohio, working in various stores. In 1890 he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he spent seven years in the employ of J. B. Hartman & Son, who operated a grocery and market. Since March, 1898, he has been residing on his present farm of six- ty acres, which he inherited from luis fa- ther, and where he is successfully en- gaged in general farming. Mr. Neff grows six acres of tobacco every year.

He was united in marriage June 20. 1897, with Blanche Huffman, a daughter of Charles and Barbara (Flick) Huffman, of Hancock County, Ohio, and to them: have been born two children-Helen and Orran. Politically, Mr. Neff is a Repub- lican and he was elected trustee of Beth- el Township in the spring of 1903, to which office he was re-elected in the fall of 1907. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Osborn Lodge No. 379.

LEWIS J. LAYBOURN, residing on his valuable farm of 157 acres, which is situated in Section 7, Springfield Town- ship, was born in Clark County, Ohio. September 15, 1846, and is a son of James and Mary (Skillings) Laybourn.

The great-grandfather, Christopher Laybourn, came to America with his fam- ily, from England, settling in Clark Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1820, and establishing the first nursery in the county. He lived to the age of ninety-seven years, three months and twenty-three days. Joel Lay- bourn, grandfather to Lewis J., was s young man when his father settled in

Dio Ledoy Google

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM R. GORDON

Dlg zedby Google

795

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Clark County. He engaged in farming in log cabin of the pioneer type, on Febru- Green Township and there James Lay- bourn was born and reared and was sub- seqnently married to Mary Skillings. They had four children, namely: Will- iam H., who is deceased; Lewis J .; Zeru- iah (deceased), who was the wife of Dr. W. P. Madden; and Sarah, who married Thomas Nave, who resides at Springfield.

Lewis J. Laybourn has carried on farm- ing ever since he grew to manhood. He began to farm on his own land when he bought 240 acres lying in Madison and Green Townships, where he lived for twelve years, then moving to his present farm in Springfield Township. He re- tains his other land and is one of the ex- tensive farmers of the country. He pays considerable attention to the growing of corn and wheat, rotating those cereals with clover and grass. Mr. Laybourn has a thorough understanding of the princi- ples of agriculture and has an equipment that enables him to carry it on according to the most approved and successful methods.

Mr. Laybourn married Jennie Bird, who was reared in Springfield Township and is a daughter of Herbert H. Bird. They had one daughter, Mary B., who is the wife of Myron Beckman, residing at Hamilton, Ohio. Mrs. Laybourn died December 24, 1886.

WILLIAM R. GORDON, a prominent citizen and farmer of Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio, has a valuable farm of 184 acres located on both sides of the National Pike about two and a half miles west of Springfield. He was born on his father's farm in that township, in a rude

ary 14, 1850, and is a son of William and Delilah (Miller) Gordon. William Gor- don, Sr., was born in Virginia and was quite young when his parents mnoved to Ohio, making the trip in wagons. He was one of seventeen children born to Rich- ard and Anna (Garst) Gordon, of which large family each member grew to ma- turity and reared a family except one, a daughter who died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Gordon died when the sub- ject of this sketch was a child.

William Gordon grew up on his father's farm in the woods of Bethel Township, and after arriving at maturity bought a tract of timberland adjoining the home place, from which he took hundreds of dollars worth of timber, although it was of little value in those days. He became a prosperous farmer and owned at the time of his death some 216 acres of land. He died in 1890, at the age of eighty-five years, and was preceded to the grave many years by his wife, who died during the war at the age of fifty-two years. In maidenhood Delilah Miller, she was born in Pennsylvania and was a small girl when her father, Daniel Miller, moved to Ohio with his family, locating in Bethel Township. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: Henry, who served in the One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment, O. V. I., during the Civil War; Harrison, who was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment, O. V. I .; Ezra, also a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment, O. V. I .; Oliver, a member of the Ninety-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., who was killed at Chattanooga, Tennessee; Allen, who is now deceased; William Ross, subject of

Dignized by Google

796

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

this article; David Scott; Phoebe (Hens- Chicago being trained for missionary lee) ; Sarah, widow of Charles Kline, who married, secondly, U. J. Tavorite; Eliz- abeth; Eliza; and Rosetta. The three last named died in infancy.

William Ross Gordon was reared on the home farm and attended the old log school-house in the home district, and af- terwards the brick school-house which re- placed it. When about twenty years of age he started out in the world for him- self, and it is to his credit that the com- petency he now enjoys was earned by the sweat of his brow. He first worked in a stone quarry for Albert Holcomb for four years, and by saving his money was able at the end of that time to purchase a tract of seven acres, the foundation of his pres- ent fine farm in Bethel Township. He · erected a small residence, which has since been replaced by a larger and more com- modious one, and as he prospered in his business he added from time to time small tracts of six and seven acres until he had a good-sized farm. In his earlier days he followed truck gardening,selling his produce at the old market in Spring- field, and it proved a remunerative bus- iness. Early in the eighties he began dairying and has continued it since with good results, for many years running a wagon in Springfield. He is a successful business man and enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaint- ances to a marked degree.

On April 15, 1873, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Gris- so, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Grisso of Springfield Township, and they have four children: Alma Jane, wife of William Pfeifer, who has two children- Harrold and Martha; Ina J., who is in

work; George, who married Myrtle Bod- kin, and Clinton, who married Sadie Hard- acre. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon belong to the Baptist church, of which the former has been deacon and treasurer for eighteen years. He is a Republican in politics.

SIDNEY GRANT BAKER, who in partnership with his brother operates the Baker Brothers' general store of Dialton, is one of the leading business men of the village and was born June 22, 1872, on his father's farm in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio. He is a son of Samuel and Melinda (Jenkins) Baker.

Samuel Baker was'born December 10, 1830, near Lawrenceville, German Town- ship, Clark County, Ohio, and when about six weeks old his father, Martin Baker. who came from Virginia at a very early period and located in German Township, Clark County, removed to near Dialton, where the remainder of his life was spent. Here Samuel followed threshing for a number of years, using a horse-power ma- chine, and was also engaged in making tile for some years. He served four years in the army, enlisting in the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and also in the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and par- ticipated in numerous important engage- ments, among them the battles of Gettys- burg and Martin's Ferry. Samuel Bak- er was married September 26, 1871. to Melinda Jenkins, a native of German Township and a daughter of David and Elizabeth Jenkins, the former of whom died at the age of forty-six years, the lat- ter living to the advanced age of eighty years. Four children were born to Sam-

Digiized by Google

797

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS ..

uel and Melinda Baker, namely: Viola (Mrs. Clinton Huffman), and Sidney Grant, who were twins; and Asa M. and Charles O., who were also twins. Samuel Baker was always a very successful farm- er and at the time of his death, which oc- curred September 26, 1903, was the own- er of over 300 acres of fine farming land. He is survived by his widow.

Sidney Grant Baker was reared on his father's farm and received his education- al training at the district schools of the township, later attending Nelson's Busi- ness College for two winters. On March 1, 1898, he purchased his present business from Baisinger and Smith and conducted it for one year, when he formed a partner- ship with his brother Asa M., and has since operated the business under the firm name of Baker Brothers. Baker Broth- ers' general store is recognized as one of the leading business enterprises of the village of Dialton and enjoys an extensive patronage from the residents in this lo- cality.

Mr. Sidney G. Baker was married Sep- tember 26, 1900, to Olive O. Overholtz, a daughter of Jonas and Laura (Hupp) Overholtz, who reside near Lawrence- ville, German Township. Mrs. Baker has one sister, Lena, who married W. Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one child, Lu- cille Irene, born July 19, 1902.

Politically Mr. Baker is a Republican and has served a year as central commit- teeman. He and his wife are both mem- bers of the Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon, being also superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Mr. A. M. Baker was married Febru- ary 17. 1904, to Mary E. Spence, daugh- ter of G. A. and Mary Spence, whose

sketch appears in this work. Mr. Baker and wife have two children-Corene, born January 25, 1905, and Willard, born June 8, 1907.

STEVEN D. SNYDER, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a fine farm of 1871/2 acres located on the Jordon Pike in German Township, was born on a farm April 27, 1865, and is a son of Eli and Sophia (Maxon) Snyder.

Felty Snyder, grandfather of Steven D., came from Pennsylvania at a very early period and entered a quarter section of land, which is now owned by our sub- ject. He was married after coming to German Township and followed farming the rest of his life. He has two surviv -. ing children, Mrs. Rebecca McMillen and .

Peter Snyder.

Eli Snyder was born in the house that is now occupied by his son, Steven D. Sny- der, and which has since been moved near- er the road. He lived at home until com- ing of age, and then went to the gold fields of California, remaining there for six years. Upon his return home he was mar- ried to Sophia Maxon, who was born and reared west of Northampton, Clark Coun- ty, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children, whose records in brief are: Lydia (Mrs. McCuddy) ; Mrs. Sarah Do- mer; Steven D., subject of this article; Felty Valentine, who died in early man- hood; Rebecca (Mrs. Unverzagt) of Ger- man Township; Clarke, who died in in- fancy; Ida (Mrs. Purtt) ; George, who is a resident of Chicago, Ill .; and John, who died in infancy. Eli Snyder died about 1876 and his wife in 1874.

Steven D. Snyder was an infant when

Dia zedby Google

798

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

his parents came to his present farm, and he has always lived here, with the excep- tion of five years, when his father moved to the vicinity of Northampton. His mother died when he was nine years old, and two years later his father's death oc- curred, after which he came to live with his uncle, Valentine Snyder, who died De- cember 5, 1904. Mr. Snyder has lived here ever since and has followed farming and stock-raising with much success. He was joined in marriage October 1, 1895, with Mrs. Otilda (Helman) Laird, a widow and a daughter of Ernest Helman. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two children- Mary Sophia, and Edgar Louis. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the White Star Lodge No. 292.

JOHN H. WISE is a prosperous agri- culturist, residing on his well developed farm of 212 acres, which is situated in Section 7, Springfield Township, and Sec- tion 12, Green Township, on the dividing line between Springfield and Green Town- ships. Mr. Wise was born August 18, 1872, on the farm on which he lives, and is a son of Lewis and Melinda (Hatfield) Wise.

Lewis Wise was born on his father's farm, in Madison Township, near Selina, Clark County, Ohio, and was a son of Jesse Wise, who was born in Virginia and was an early settler in Madison Town- ship. Lewis Wise married Melinda Hat- field, who was a daughter of James Hat- field. Her grandfather settled on the farm John H. Wise now owns, in 1807, and it remained in the Hatfield family un- til it was purchased by Lewis Wise. He

moved on the farm in 1856 and here until his death, which tool February 20, 1906, when he was s seven years old. His wife passe September 26, 1892. They had £ dren, namely: Charles F., resi- Green Township; James H., de Minnie E., who married J. A. ' John H .; and Alice and Joseph, est two, who died young.

John H. Wise was reared on t] he has always resided on, with th tion of from 1901 to 1906, when on his Green Township land. He ed the country schools and has his attention exclusively to agri pursuits. Mr. Wise married Edn ingstar, who is a daughter of Chr and Margaret Morningstar, resi- Harmony Township. They ha children, namely, Alice, Olive, and Dorothy.

HARRY G. WRAIGHT, pres the Board of County Commissi Clark County, and one of Spri highly respected citizens, was bor ver, England, in 1856, and at th six years came to America and s Westfield, Chautauqua County, N Here he was reared to manhood cated in the common schools, aft he went to Corry, Pennsylva learned the painter's trade, r there four years. In 1874 he Springfield and worked for sev in the Lagonda Agricultural Sh which he engaged in business fo as a general painting contrac continued at this occupation u when he became district manage

Dio ized by Google

farm in 1856 and resided death, which took place 906, when he was seventy- 1. His wife passed smsy 1892. They had six chil- Charles F., residing a ip; James H., deceased; o inarried J. A. Tucker; Alice and Joseph, the elf- ed young.

se was reared on the farm resided on, with the esney- )01 to 1906, when he lived ownship land. He attend- ' schools and has derotel exclusively to agricultura! Wise married Edna Morn- a daughter of Christopher Morningstar, residents of vnship. They have four ely, Alice, Olive, Mildred

WRAIGHT, president of County Commissioners of and one of Springfield's ed citizens, was born in De in 1856, and at the age of : to America and settled at utauqua County, New York eared to manhood and edu- ommon schools, after which Corry, Pennsylvania, and painter's trade, remaining ars. In 1874 he came to id worked for seven years a Agricultural Shops, after ged in business for himself painting contractor. Be this occupation until 10 ne district manager for the

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Federal Life Insurance Company of Chi- cago, having under his control Cham- paign, Greene, Miami and Clark Counties, which position he still retains.

Mr. Wraight has always taken an active interest in politics and in November, 1905, was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Clark County, assuming the duties of that office in Sep- tember, 1906. Since September, 1907, he has served as president of the board and was for about sixteen years a member of the Republican Central Committee. He was also for a number of years a member of the Executive Committee and served three years as a trustee of the Board of Water Works.

Mr. Wraight was married first in 1878 to Susie Koepge, who died in 1895. He was married second in 1897 to Lilly M. Hensler of Springfield and of this union has been born one son, Henry L. Wraight. Fraternally Mr. Wraight is a member of the Anthony Lodge, F. & A. M .; Red Star Lodge No. 205, K. of P., of which he is a charter member, and is also a member of the Uniform Rank No. 44.

J. WILLIAM HICKS, a general farm- er in Springfield Township, cultivating 150 acres of land situated in Section 2, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, April 6, 1864. and is a son of Joseph and Emily (Sheaff) Hicks.

Joseph Hicks was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William Hicks, who died when Joseph was about seven years of age. His mother came to Clark County with her children and later became a resident of Dayton. The ma- ternal grandfather was John Sheaff, who

formerly engaged in farming in the ern part of Clark County and later land in Illinois. He had eleven cl Joseph Hicks and wife went to Ogle ty, Illinois, but returned to Ohio the infancy of their son, and when three years old, came to the preser in Springfield Township. This ha the home of J. William Hicks ever with the exception of three years s Springfield. The children of Hicks and wife were: Ella, deces thirteen years; Carrie, also decease married William Rock; J. Willian Josephi Edward, residing in Spri

In August, 1887, Mr. Hicks wa ried to Fannie May Lefever, wh daughter of Daniel Lefever, an have two children: Wilbur Russ Harry Sheaff. In addition to farming Mr. Hicks keeps from six eighteen cows and sells his milk sale. For about eight years he wagon, but finds it more profita adopt modern methods of disposing milk. He is a practical, enterprisir ness man, and personally stand high in the regard of his communit

JOHN A. WILKINSON, a well citizen and prosperous farmer of M Township, Clark County, Ohio, ha nable farm of 200 acres lying just west of South Charleston. He wa in Ashtabula, Ohio, June 1st, 18- is a son of Henry and Elizabeth ell) Wilkinson. The Wilkinson fa of the English nobility, and but tv erations of this branch of the fami been located in America. The gra er of the subject of this sketch wa

Diom:ed by Google

800

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

Harry Wilkinson, who lived in England all his life.

Henry Wilkinson, father of John A., was born in England and spent his early manhood there. Before his marriage he came to America and engaged in farming near Ashtabula, Ohio, where he became an extensive landowner. He married Eliza- beth Mitchell, also a native of England, and they became parents of seven chil- dren, four of whom are living, namely : Joseph, Richard, John A. and Martha Jane. Those deceased are Henry, Eliza- beth and Margaret.

John A. Wilkinson grew to maturity at Ashtabula, Ohio, and lived at home until he was twenty years of age, when the fam- ily was broken up by the demise of both parents. After a time he purchased and moved to his present farm of 200 acres near South Charleston and has followed farming and stock-raising here since. He is a man of ability and has attained a high degree of success in his chosen occupa- tion.

Mr. Wilkinson, was joined in marriage with Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Haley, and they have had three children born to them. John R., Minnie E. and Thomas Henry, the last mentioned being now deceased. In pol- ities Mr. Wilkinson is unswerving in his support of Democratic principles. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife is a consistent member of the Presbyterian.

J. MILTON RUNYAN, one of the leading citizens of Pleasant Township. carries on general farming and raises horses and mules extensively on his farm

of 440 acres, which is all in one body. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, June 20, 1841, and is a son of Henry and Rachel (Jones) Runyan.

The grandparents of Mr. Runyan, Abraham and Sophia Runyan, were among the Virginia pioneers who settled in Clark County in 1815. The burial of Sophia Runyan in 1823 was the second interment in the Asbury Cemetery.

Henry Runyan was born in Clark County, in 1809, and died in August, 1891. He married Rachel Jones, who was born in 1821, and died October 21, 1853. They had ten children born to them, seven of whom survived infancy, namely: . J. W., deceased, who was married to Fidelia Wilson, had the following children-Clay, Lillian, Frank, Hattie; M. L., deceased, was married (first) to Sarah J. Mc- Conkey, and they had one child-Willie, deceased -- was married (second) to Eliza Valentine, who survives, with their daugh- ter, Irene; J. Milton; Esther A., who mar- ried J. W. Hendricks, has two children, Frank and Alfonso; Frank, who was a youthful victim of the Civil War, being killed at the battle of Louisburg, May 23, 1862. was the second soldier of Pleasant Township to fall: Mahala, who married Jesse Tarbutton, has five children, Jessie, Earl, Mertie, Claude and Carl; and Emma, who married Irwin Graham, has two children, Floy and Foster. Henry Runyan was married (second) to Maria Chapman and they had three children: Charles H., Maria and Cora. Charles H. Runyan, who is postmaster at Catawba, married Malissa Melvine and they had five children. Maria married S. H. Neer and they had one child, Ross. Cora married

Digitized by Google

801

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Frank McConkey and they have one child, Ruskin.

J. Milton Runyan was educated in the publie schools and from boyhood has been acquainted with agricultural pursuits. In August, 1861, he left his peaceful life on his father's farm and enlisted for service in the Federal Army, becoming a member of the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, and after being on the field for a year was taken sick and was honorably discharged in 1862 at Columbus. He re-enlisted, enter- ing Company D, One Hundred and Forty- sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and served the full 100 days and was honorably discharged in 1864 at Camp Dennison. He has resided on his present farm for the past thirty years, engaged in a general agricultural line, but paying particular attention to raising fine horses and mules. By trade Mr. Runyan is a

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 82

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