20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 89

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 89

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).

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son Township, December 18, 1864, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wilkin- son) Mattinson.

Thomas Mattinson, the grandfather of the present bearer of that name, was born in Westmoreland, England, and came to America and directly to Clark County, in 1834. He was a farmer and he purchased land and erected the resi- dence in which his grandson resides. Among his seven children was Thomas Mattinson (2d), who was born in Eng- land and accompanied his parents to Clark County. On the death of his father Thomas 2nd took charge of a part of the . present property and lived on it during the remainder of his life, dying Septem- ber 19, 1903, at the age of eighty-three years. He married Elizabeth Wilkinson, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and they had four children.

Thomas Mattinson, third of the name and the direct subject of this sketch, is the only survivor of his parents' family. He was educated in the district schools and assisted in the management of the home farm as long as his father lived, and later became its owner. He super- intends the cultivation of the entire prop- erty. Mr. Mattinson married Byrd D. Pugsley, who is a daughter of James F. Pugsley, whose farm adjoins the Mattin- son property. Mr. and Mrs. Mattinson have had five children, all of whom are living. Mr. Mattinson is a good citizen and takes an intelligent interest in local affairs. He votes independently.

WILLIAM THOMAS, proprietor and owner of the Indian Mound Fruit Farm, in Pike Township, comes of one of the old

pioneer families of Clark County. He was born in German Township, this coun- ty, March 6, 1831, and is a son of Thomas P. and Phoebe (Kiser) Thomas, and grandson of Leonard Thomas.

Leonard Thomas was born in Pennsyl- vania, whither his father had come from England in the days of William Penn, and he lived to the remarkable age of 100 years. Leonard Thomas resided in his native state until 1815, when he came west and located in German Township, Clark County, Ohio, at a time when it was largely a wilderness. He subsequently moved to Preble County, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years, longevity being a marked characteristic of this family.

Thomas P. Thomas was born in Penn- sylvania and was about sixteen years old when he accompanied his parents west to Clark County. He had, prior to that time, worked in a factory, but upon com- ing here turned his attention to farming, assisting in clearing the home farm. After his marriage he and his wife were given a farm of 160 acres by her father, and they moved upon it, this being the farm on which their son William now lives. He cleared the land, assisted by his eldest son, and continned to reside here until his death in 1891. He held large landed interests in the far west, which at his death were valued at $35,000.00. He was joined in marriage with Phoebe Kiser, who was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and was very young when in 1811 she accompanied her par- ents to Clark County, Ohio, where her father, David Kiser, became the first county recorder. Her maternal grand- father, Thomas Norman, was a member

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of the historical "Boston Tea Party," and was also a pioneer citizen of Clark County, Ohio. The latter came in 1812 on horseback from Virginia and carried in his saddlebags seed for one of the first orchards grown in this vicinity. Thomas P. and Phoebe Thomas reared five chil- dren: William; David K., of Iowa; Susan, widow of John Holzhauer ; Simeon A., of Iowa; and Mary, wife of George Brooks, deceased.

William Thomas was born in a log cabin on his grandfather's farm and was about four years old when his parents moved to Pike Township, where he grew to maturity. He well remembers the trip, first the visit at Dayton and a few months later the coming to his present place. He attended the old log schoolhouse and later the high schools at New Carlisle and Springfield. He engaged in teaching school for a period of nine years and met with success as an instructor. As a young man he assisted his father in clear- ing the home farm and lived there until he was married. He then farmed for himself a short time in Pike Township, after which he spent four years at St. Paris, at the end of which time he located at Millerstown. He remained there two years during the Civil War, then moved to Auglaize County, where he still owns a farm of eighty acres. Abont 1894 he re- turned to his present farm, known as the Indian Mound Fruit Farm. Here he first set ont some 200 trees and has added thereto from time to time until he now has the finest orchard in Clark County, con- sisting of apples, cherries, phuuns and peaches, in addition to berries and small fruits of all kinds. He condnets his busi- ness along modern and approved plans.

and is frequently called upon to read a paper before the Horticultural Society, of which he is a member.

Mr. Thomas was married September 18, 1856, to Martha Moore, a daughter of John and Rachel (Tannehill) Moore. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and upon one occasion killed a hos- tile Indian in the woods. Six children were born to bless this union, as follows : Clinton, who died young; John Charles, of' Auglaize County, married Hulda Jane Swartz; Phoebe Jane, deceased, wife of John Hiderman; Laura, wife of Ells- worth Birt; Ida, wife of William Hen- ning; and William, who married Harriet Lipp. Mr. Thomas has been a'member of the Masonic fraternity for more than forty years. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, but has never aspired to po- litical honors.

WILLIAM B. PATTON, M. D., of Springfield Ohio, was born January 29, 1872, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His father was John B. Patton and his moth- er was formerly Caroline Brentlinger, both natives of that county. They are now living on a farin on the Urbana Pike, just across the line in Champaign Coun- ty. The family moved to Green Town- ship, this county, in 1879, where the sub- ject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm. After completing the com- mon school work he entered Antioch Col- lege, where he spent five years. He taught in the public schools of Greene County for one year and then entered the Ohio Medical University, in 1895, gradu- ating from the medical department in 1898. He was elected to the position of

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house physician to the Protestant Hos- pital, at Columbus, Ohio, which he held for one year, and then came to Spring- field, where he has since resided and fol- lowed his chosen profession.

Dr. Patton has been a member of the City Hospital staff for a number of years. He is a member of the Clark County Med- ical Society, as well as of the State and National Medical Associations.

He was married September 28, 1899, to Miss Catherine Green, of Union County, Ohio, and to them have been born three children-Ile!en, Dorothy Bell and John Stuart.

CHARLES GEIS, who is engaged in general farming on a well improved farm of 125 acres in Mad River Township, was born November 21, 1861, on his father's farm in Bavaria, Germany. He is a son of Martin and Nan (Slate) Geis.

Martin Geis and his wife were both natives and life-long residents of Ger- many, where they were engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Martin died in 1892 in his eighty-fourth year, and Mrs. Geis died in 1879, when about fifty-seven years of age. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Lawrence, who resides in Greene County, Ohio; Mar- tin, who is still a resident of Germany; Mary (Mrs. John Bigner), who lives in Greene County, Ohio; Charles, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Anna, who lives with our subject. The maternal grand- mother of Mr. Charles Geis came to America with some of her children and located in Greene County, Ohio, where her death subsequently ocenrred. One of

her children resides in Greene County, Ohio, another in Xenia, Ohio, and a third child in Tennessee.

Charles Geis was reared on his fath- er's farm in a small village in Germany and attended school until fourteen years of age, after which he attended school on Sundays for two years. In July, 1882, he and his sister sailed for America, and having relatives in Greene County, Ohio, first settled there. Having no money, young Geis worked out by the month on various farms, after which he rented a farm in Greene County from Frank Ful- ton. He continued on this farm for six years and in March, 1901, removed to his present farm, which he bought from the Feirstine heirs. He erected his large seven-room frame house in 1906, the barn having been built two years previously. Mr. Geis raises a great many hogs, and is one of the most successful farmers of the township. Mr. Geis is a Democrat in pol- ities and is a member of the Catholic Church of Yellow Springs, Ohio.

EDWIN S. KELLY, one of Spring- field's leading citizens, is president of the Home, Lighting, Power and Heating Company, and is vice president of the O. S. Kelly Company. He was born April 17, 1857, at Springfield, Ohio, and is a son of the late Hon. Oliver S. and Ruth Aun ( Peck) Kelly.

Both parents of Mr. Kelly were born in Clark County, Ohio, and both passed away at Springfield. the father on April 9. 1904, and the mother May 9, 1901 They had five children, of whom two sons now survive. The late Oliver S. Kelly was one of Springfield's strong, intel-

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lectual, self-made men. He was identi- fied with many of her most successful en- terprises and was prominent in her pub- lic affairs.

Edwin S. Kelly was reared at Spring- field and received a collegiate education. He became associated with his father in business while still a young man and has continued his connection with important enterprises. Mr. Kelly married Martha Linn, who is a member of an old pioneer family that came to Clark County from Pennsylvania. They have three children. In political sentiment Mr. Kelly is a stanch Republican, but he is more of a business man than a politician. He owns a beautiful home at Yellow Springs, Ohio.

ABRAHAM C. HEISTAND, a repre- sentative citizen of Bethel Township, re- siding on his valuable farm of 110 acres, which is situated on the north side of the old Carlisle Turnpike Road, six miles west of Springfield, was born on his fath- er's farm in York County, Pennsylvania. January 11, 1838. His parents were Abraham and Leah (Longenecker) Hei- stand.

Some of the family records of the Heistand family indicate that members of it came to Pennsylvania in the days of William Penn, but the first authentic date is 1731, when John, Abraham, Balser, Barbara and Anna Heistand sailed for America in the ship Brittania. They were natives of Germany, but had been forced to flee to Switzerland on account of re- ligious persecution, and for freedom of religious belief they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and established a home in what was then largely an unsettled country. In the

fall of 1731 they landed at Philadelphia and John and Abraham went to Lancas- ter County, where they took up 500 acres of land, 200 of which still remains a pos- session of the family. Balser went to the South and all trace of him or his descend- ants have been lost sight of.

Abraham Heistand, son of John Hei- stand, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he became a man of wealth and influence. He subsequently moved to York County, where his last years were spent. He was twice married and his children were of his first union, as follows: John, Abraham, William, Bal- ser, Sarah, Nancy and Susan.

Abraham Heistand, son of Abraham and father of Abraham C., was born on his father's farm in York County, Penn- sylvania, where he lived a long and use- ful life and died at the age of seventy- eight years. He married Leah Longe- necker, who survived to the age of ninety- two years. They had eleven children, as follows: John, Catherine, Sarah, Chris- tian L., Abraham, Susan, William, Jacob and Amanda, twins, Anna and Alice, all of whom survive with the exception of the youngest.

Abraham C. Heistand was reared on his father's farm and in boyhood went to school, a distance of three miles, when his services were not required at home. In 1861 he joined his older brother, Chris- tian L., in Clark County, Ohio, and to- gether they bought a farm of 280 acres, the old General Mason place, in Moore- field Township. They continued to farm that place for seven years and then sold out to Jacob Hertsler. Mr. Heistand then came to his present farm, buying the first seventy acres from Samuel Miller and

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the remainder he purchased from other parties as he has seen a chance for a good investment. At the time of purchase an old brick house stood on the place, which Mr. Heistand tore down and replaced with a comfortable eight-room frame dwelling. He erected all the substantial farm buildings and made all the very noticeable improvements. He carries on general farming and devotes considerable attention to raising fine Durliam cattle.

In 1869 Mr. Heistand was married to Martha Fisher, who is a daughter of John Fisher. They have one son, Clarence. Mr. Heistand, like all other members of his family, is a Democrat.

MICHAEL HINKLE, until recently one of the representative agriculturists of Springfield Township, was the owner of 120 acres of excellent land and carried on farming and stock-raising on the home farm of 100 acres, lying in Section 26. Mr. Hinkle was born on this farm May 29, 1834, a son of Jolin and Mary Ann (Way) Hinkle. He died at the age of almost seventy-four years, on May 6th, 1908, and in his demise the township lost a useful and highly esteemed citizen.

John Hinkle, father of Michael, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He remained there until his marriage, when he started for Ohio with his wife, driving overland to Columbus. During the summer of 1833 he lived at Columbus while prospecting for a desirable farm, at length finding land to please liim in Clark County, on which he settled in the fall of the above-mentioned year. He pur- chased abont 700 acres at that time and continued to live on that part of the farm

on which he first located, until his son Michael was several years old, when he changed his home to another part of the same farm.

About three years after Michael Hinkle was married he moved back to the origi- nal home place, after an absence of some twenty-seven years. His father still owned the land, but Michael received the place as his portion, after his father's death. There were five children born to John Hinkle and wife, Michael being the second-born, the oldest, a sister, dying in infancy.

Mr. Hinkle began making improvements on his farm as soon as he took possession, and erected every building now standing on it, including the residence, barns, sheds and out-buildings of all kinds needed in successfully carrying on large agricul- tural operations. He had eight children, namely: John, now residing in Green County, engaged in farming; Elizabeth, residing at home; Mary, who married Jo- seph Crabill, Jr., a member of the town- ship school board; Alexander, a resident of Springfield Township; Susan, residing at home; Alice, who died in childhood; Sarah, who married Alva Graham, who resides on Mr. Hinkle's second farm; and Margaret, who is the popular school teacher at the Cross Roads, near her fath- er's home. The Hinkle family is a promi- nent one of Springfield Township.

CALEB TUTTLE was long one of Clark County's leading citizens. He was born in Virginia, in 1799, and was a son of Sylvanus Tuttle, who was the pioneer of the family in Ohio, coming as early as 1806. Sylvanus Tuttle settled in

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Moorefield Township, near the line of home place, containing 163 acres, which Springfield Township, and there both he and wife died.

Caleb Tuttle was seven years old when his parents brought him to Clark County, where he continued to live during the re- mainder of his life. He carried on agri- cultural pursuits on an extensive scale and invested his capital in land until he owned 1,000 acres, the larger part of which has more than trebled in value since then. He was a man of fine business in- telligence and he also was useful to his community in furthering public improve- ments and encouraging education and re- ligion. Caleb Tuttle married Mary Prick- ett, who was born in Clermont County and was brought to Lagonda by her fath- er, who settled first in Clermont and later in Clark County. Nicholas Prickett oper- ated the first flour mill at Lagonda and settlers came many miles to this mill in early days. Caleb Tuttle and wife had the following children born to them : Cathi- erine, who married Herbert Byrd; Eliza Jane, who married John Monahan; Mar- garet, who married Silas V. Byrd; Eliza- beth B., who married Joseph Wallings- ford; Rachel, who is the widow of Jacob 1 .. MeClellan; Sylvanus, who died aged two years; Isaiah, now deceased, who never married; William H., who died in the spring of 1885, leaving a family; Thomas, who died in infancy; David, who died aged sixteen years; and Laura M. The only survivors of the above family are Mrs. McClellan and Miss Laura M. Tuttle.

Miss Tuttle was reared and educated in the locality in which she was born. She is well known and most highly esteemed. Miss Tuttle owns the old Caleb Tuttle

is situated directly opposite the Sinking Creek Church. Another very valuable piece of property is hers, this being four acres on the corner of Burnett and Main Streets, Springfield. This land has a pro- ductive orchard on it and a very fine dwelling, which is now occupied by Dr. Cromer, a well-known physician of Springfield.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN FREID for many years was one of Springfield's val- ued citizens, was born at Springfield, Ohio, May 13, 1842, and his native city was his field of endeavor through a use- ful life, which terminated April 18, 1907.

Charles C. Fried was eighteen years of age when he put aside his books, to- gether with his ambitious plans for the future, in order to enter the Federal Army and to perform his loyal duty to his country. He became a member of Company F, Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during the period of his enlistment bravely faced danger and met the hazards which attend a soldier's life. After the close of his military service he returned to Spring- field, where he completed the jeweler's trade. In 1870, in association with J. W. Mulholland, he established the busi- ness which is the oldest continuous jew- elry house at Springfield, In the course of time he acquired sole control of the same and when his son reached manhood he was admitted to partnership, the firm becoming C. C. Fried & Son. Mr. Fried continued to be actively interested until in September, 1905, when he retired from

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business care, but he retained his finan- cial interest and had been in the busi- ness for thirty-seven years at the time of his death. Since then Carl Knott Fried, Mr. Fried's only son and his partner, has had sole control, and he is numbered with Springfield's enterpris- ing and successful young business men.

In 1863, Charles C. Fried was married (first) to Sarah McBeth, who died in 1873, leaving one daughter, Jessie L., Mrs. R. L. Queisser, who is a resident of Cleveland. In 1875 Mr. Fried was mar- ried (second) to Anna Knott, who was then a resident of Springfield, Missouri, but was born and reared in Clifton, Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Fried is a daughter of William H. and Lydia (Price) Knott, and a granddaughter of Peter Knott, who was a prominent pioneer of Clark County. William H. Knott at one time owned flour mills and large sections of real estate, and later was interested in farming. To the second marriage was born one daughter and one son: Anna, who died in infancy, and Carl K., who resides with his mother in the beautiful family home at No. 417 South Limestone Street, Springfield.

Mr. Fried was a life-long Republican, and for twenty-two consecutive years was a member of the city council, on sev- eral occasions being elected its presi- dent. His services were highly valued by his fellow-citizens, who relied upon his judgment and followed his lead in many public-spirited enterprises which have vastly benefited the city. Although failing health debarred him for several closing years of his life, from active par- ticipation in public affairs, he never lost his interest nor failed to express pride

in the prosperity of his native city, whose infant industries he had often assisted.

At the time of his death, Mr. Fried was serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, with which religious body he had identified himself in early years. He was prominent in both the Odd Fellows and the Masons, in the latter organiza- tion having attained the 32nd degree. Locally he belonged to the Lagonda and Commercial Clubs.

JOHN P. CRAWMER, a well known farmer and highly respected citizen of Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, has a fine farm of 204 acres located about sixteen miles northwest of Springfield. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1848, and is a son of Michael and Miranda (Mumford) Crawmer.

Michael Crawmer was born in Mary- land, of German parentage. After his marriage he left Frederick County, Maryland, and arrived in Miami County, Ohio, with a cash capital of fifty cents. He located in the woods, on the Dr. Beard farm, and thirteen years later moved to near Alcony, in the same county, where he and his wife both died. He lived as the pioneers of that period did, and met with more than common success, having 340 acres of land at his death. During his early life he followed the trade of a cooper. He and his wife were parents of eleven children, of whom the follow- ing are now living: George, Charles, James, John P., Miranda E., Mary, and Elizabeth.

John P. Crawmer was born on the Dr.

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Beard farm, in Miami County, and as a Crawmer is a Democrat in politics, and baby was rocked in a sugar trough, hewn religiously is a faithful member of the Christian Church. from a log. His mother spun the cloth for his clothes until he reached the age of twenty years, and he now treasures among his possessions the old family JACOB MITZEL, a well-known citizen of German Township, who owns a valu- able farm of 118 acres, which is situated just west of Tremont, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1831, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Flinchbaugh) Mitzel. spinning wheel. He was five years old when his parents moved to near Miami City, and there he grew to maturity, at- tending the district schools in his younger days. After his marriage, at the age of twenty-seven years, he moved on a farm he had bought in Pike Township, Clark County, from Thomas Meranda. He resided there for eighteen years, la- boring hard to establish himself well in a business way, and at the end of that time was enable to buy a tract of 118 acres from the MeCagey heirs, which is a part of the farm on which he now lives. He met with success and added to his possessions, until he now ranks among the affluent citizens of the community. With the exception of the sum of $2,000 which he inherited, and $800 which his wife inherited, what he has was made through their individual efforts. He has retired from the active management of the farm, which is now operated by his son-in-law, Jacob Davis.

Mr. Crawmer was united in marriage September 30, 1875, with Miss Ella Weaver, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Ann (Levina) Weaver. She died in 1902, at the age of forty-two years, and is survived by three children, namely : Iva Belle, who was married October 4, 1906, to Jacob Davis, son of Jacob Davis, Sr .; Ona, who was married May 27, 1902, to Harry Hunder, a son of Lewis Hun- der, and lives in Clark County; and Alta, who lives at home with her father. Mr.

Jacob Mitzel was reared on his father's farm in York County, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, when he learned several trades-brick-laying, stone-laying and coopering. In the fall of 1852, he came to Ohio and worked at his various trades for two years and then went to Moorefield Township and engaged for a short time in farming. He was working as a briek-layer when he was married, June 12, 1860, to Elenora Neff, who is a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Turman) Neff. Adam Neff was born at New Market, Shenandoah County, 'Vir- ginia, and was a son of Abraham Neff, who was an early settler in German Town- ship, Clark County, where he acquired a large body of land. Adam Neff mar- ried Margaret Turman, in Clark County. She was born in this section and was a daughter of Isaac Turman, who was a native of New England, who was first a pioneer in Kentucky and later in Clark County, Ohio. The mother of Mrs. Mitzel died when she was an infant, leaving two children, Mrs. Mitzel and a son, Turman. They were reared from infancy by a step- mother, their father having married Mary Neff.

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 89

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