20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 92

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 92

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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JOHN BUTCHER, a prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen of Madison Township, near South Charles- ton, was born in 1862 near Selma, in Green County, Ohio, and is a son of John Butcher, Sr., and a grandson of Joseph Butcher. The grandfather, Joseph Butch- er, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer, who located in Greene County, Ohio, at an early period.

John Butcher, Sr., father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was one of a family of three children, and was born in 1816 on the old home farm in Greene County, where, also, he was reared, and was en- gaged in farming during his entire life. He married, first, a Miss Wade, and later for his second wife, a Miss Wise, the lat- ter being a native of Clark County and daughter of Jesse Wise. Of the second union there were born five children, all of whom are still living.

John Butcher, Jr., grew to manhood on the old home farm in Greene County. Al- though at the present day a well informed man on general subjects, his educational opportunities. in youth were limited to a short attendance at the district schools. He remained on the home farm until after his marriage, at which time he moved to Licking County. There he became owner of a farm, which he operated for about sixteen years very successfully. He then sold the farm, and coming to Clark County, purchased his present fine prop- erty in Madison Township, where he has now been a resident for six years.

Mr. Butcher married Eva D. Tront, a danghter of Hiram Tront, of Licking County, Ohio. Of this union there have been born three children. all of whom are attending the South Charleston High

School, from which the eldest son will graduate in the spring of 1908. Polit- ically, Mr. Butcher is a Republican and is a member and president of the school board of Madison Township.

MACK FOSTER, a representative cit- izen and prominent farmer of German Township, who owns 280 acres of valua- ble land lying in Section 22, about eight miles north and west of Springfield, was born January 26, 1850, in Fayette Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Eliza (Sampy) Foster. In 1856, the parents of Mr. Foster moved from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Fay- ette County, Ohio. His father enlisted as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, but was sent home sick in 1865, and died just one month before the company of which he was a member was mustered ont of the service. The family continned to reside in Fayette County until 1868, when the mother and children together moved to a farm in Madison County.

Mack Foster remained on the farm there until 1885, when he moved to Clark County and rented a farm in German Township. Later he moved to a rented farm in Pike Township, and from there to another. in Harmony Township. In February, 1903, he purchased the Coffin farm, a valuable property in German Township, containing 200 aeres, and im- mediately moved on to the place. In the fall of 1905 be acquired also the Bruner farm. consisting of eight arres, adjoin- ing his former purchase, and has ever since been engaged extensively in farm- ing and stock-raising. While the eondi-

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E. B HOPKINS

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tion of both farms at the time of his pur- chase was excellent, Mr. Foster saw room for improvement, and he has continued to improve the property in various ways up to the present time. He is a man of prac- tical ideas who understands how to make general agricultural both pleasant and profitable.

In Madison County, Ohio, Mr. Foster was married to Anna Hyer, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, where she lived until she was fifteen years of age, when she accompanied her parents, Samuel and Catherine Hyer, to Madison County. In 1877 they moved to Springfield and em- barked in a dairy business. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have five children, namely: Bertie, who married George Jordan and has one child, Ralph; Jennie, who married James Wallingsford and has one child. Anna Ruth; and Sterling, Charles and Nellie, all of whom live at home. Mr. Foster is a member of the Junior Order of Ameri- can Mechanics.

JOHN L. BUSHNELL, one of Spring- field's leading capitalists and progressive business men, was born at Springfield, Ohio, February 15, 1872, and is a son of the late Asa S. and Ellen L. (Indlow) Bushnell.

Mr. Bushnell was reared at Springfield and was educated at Princeton Univer- sity, where he was graduated in 1894. Upon his return to his native city be en- tered into business here and now stands at the head of several large corporations and is interested in many others. He is president of the Springfield. Troy & Piqua Railroad, which was built by his father.

the late Governor Bushnell, and is also president of the Champion Construction Company. The officers of these two or- ganizations are the same, namely: John L. Bushnell. president; Frederick J. Green, vice-president and general man- ager; and Dr. H. C. Dimond, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Bushuell married Jessie M. Har- wood, who is a daughter of the late T. E. Harwood, and they have three children: Asa S .. who bears his distinguished grandfather's name. Edward H. and Su- zanne. Mr. Bushnell and family occupy one of Springfield's most beautiful and luxurious residences, which is situated at No. 1203 East High Street. Mr. Bush- nell's business offices are in the Bushnell Building, which is the finest office struet- ure in the city of Springfield. In political sentiment he is a Republican. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church and it was his privilege to present to this church a memorial chapel which was given by his mother in memory of her late hus- band, Asa S. Bushnell. The presentation took place April 24, 1907, and was an oc- casion long to be remembered, not only on account of the great value of the gift and the distinguished man of whom it is a memorial, but also for the beautiful sentiments expressed by Mr. Bushnell as his mother's spokesman. The chapel was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Vin- cent of Cincinnati, bishop of the South- ern Diocese of Ohio.

E. B. HOPKINS, of the wholesale gro- cery firm of The Steele-Hopkins & Mere- dith Co .. leaders in their line at Spring-

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field, has been a resident of this city since 1889. He was born at Foster, Rhode Island, September 19, 1847.

When he was nine years old, the par- ents of Mr. Hopkins moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio, mainly in order that their children might enjoy the educational ad- vantages offered by Antioch College, at that point. When but sixteen years old, E. B. Hopkins put aside his collegiate studies and enlisted for service in the Civil War, serving four months in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Virginia, and then entering Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. The One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Regiment went to Nashville as a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and from there to Bridgeport, Alabama, where skirmishing was kept up for about nine months. The One Hundred and Eighty-fourth was then ordered to Texas, but had only reached Memphis when the surrender of General Lee put a practical termination to the war and Mr. Hopkins was mustered out at Nashville, at that time holding rank as orderly sergeant. After his discharge at Columbus, Mr. Hopkins returned to his home at Yellow Springs, going from there to Pittsburg, where he entered the employ of a large wholesale leather firm for four years. Following this he was a commercial trav- eler for about ten years in the boot and shoe line and then took the Ohio agency for Kingan & Company, pork packers at Indianapolis. In this occupation he con- tinned until 1889, when he came to Spring- field and in partnership with Mr. Steele and Mr. Meredith organized the present wholesale grocery business. In addition

to the interests above mentioned, Mr. Hopkins is a director in the Springfield Savings Bank. Since becoming a citizen he has always taken an active interest in good local government, and in the two years during which he served as president of the city council he was largely instru- mental in securing the present sewer sys- tem and the new depots. He is a mem- ber of the Board of Associated Charities and of the Board of Visitors to Charitable Institutions, in Clark County.

November 1st, 1874. Mr. Hopkins was married to Angeline E. MeCoy, of Cin- cinnati, and they have three children. namely: Fannie B., who married Dr. J. F. Dolina, of Dayton, Ohio; Edna B., who married E. T. Nichols, of New York; and Henry H., who is a resident of Los An- geles, California. Mr. Hopkins is a mem- ber of the Lagonda and of the Country Club and is a member and ex-president of the Springfield Commercial Club.

ADAM STONER, a representative citi- zen of Moorefield Township, where he owifs a very valuable farm of 182 acres, situated in Section 22, resides on his mother's farm, which is located in Section 21, on the corner where the Moorefield and Middle Urbana roads meet. He was horn in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1856, and is the son of David and Mollie ( Bookwatter) Stoner.

David Stoner and wife were both born and reared in Lancaster County and all their seven children were born there, namely: Henry, now deceased; Martha, residing at home; David, deceased ; Maria, widow of Thomas Campbell; Lucy; Adam, and Amanda.

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In 1865, when Adam Stoner was nine years old, his mother, then a widow, eaine to Clark County, Ohio, and settled on the farm above mentioned in Moorefield Township, where she resided until her death in 1895. When he was twenty-one years of age, Adam Stoner bought sixty- seven acres of his present farm from Henry Greiner and subsequently added the rest. Here he is successfully engaged in general agriculture. He is a well-known and respected eitizen and formerly served as township trustee.

JOSEPH R. HOWETT, agriculturist and stock-raiser, residing on his valuable farm of 245 acres, located jointly in Clark and Greene Counties, was born in Clark County, Ohio, near Osborn, June 23, 1847, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Hast- ings) Howett.

Daniel Howett was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. With his wife and two eldest ehil- dren he came originally from Laneaster County, Pennsylvania, to Greene County, Ohio, locating in Bath Township, where he followed farming on a rented farm for the succeeding three years. At the end of this period he removed to near Med- way, Clark County, later moving to a farm in Mad River Township, near the one now owned by his son, Joseph R. While living here he met with the acci- dent-a kick by a horse-which caused his death in 1860, when aged forty-nine years. He married Eliza Hastings, who was of English descent. She lived to be seventy- two years of age. To them were born the following children: Rachel Ann, who died in 1884, married William Maxton; Morris P., who died in 1903; Jolm A., who Ohio; Ralph, who died aged eleven years;

lives in Dayton, Ohio; Peter, who has a home in Bethel Township; Mary Ann, who resides with her brother Joseph, who is next younger; James Taylor, who re- sides in Bethel Township; and Roberta, who married Thomas Snyder, resides in Osborn, Ohio.

Joseph R. Howett has been a resident of Clark County since birth, the greater part of his boyhood having been spent in Mad River Township. When Mr. Howett was young the only educational facilities were those afforded in the old-fashioned district school, which he attended in the winter seasons until he was about sixteen Years old, when in February, 1864, he en- listed in the Eighth Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry, under Captain Winger, and served as a manly soldier until the close of the Civil War, being mustered out in Angust, 1865. Mr. Howett partici- pated in a number of engagements, and although only a boy in years, was one of the men who helped to open the battle of Lynchburg, Virginia. After his return from the war he worked on various farms by the month for eleven years for Henry Coines, of Bath Township, Greene Coun- ty. During this time he was married. on Christmas Day, to Jennie Molder, a daughter of Michael and Lydia Ann (Koch) Molder. Her death occurred one year later. On Christmas Day, 1878, he married Theresa Molder, a sister of his first wife, and to this union were born the following children: Harry, who gradu- ated from Antioch College, is now serving in the capacity of superintendent of the Bethel Township schools; Grace, residing at home, attended Otterbine College and was also a piano student at Dayton,

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

Lloyd, who lives at home; and Mark, who is attending the Enon High School.

After his marriage Mr. Howett pur- chased a tract of sixty-seven acres in Greene County, where he lived a short time, when he sold this property. In 1883, in connection with his brother, Mor- ris P. Howett, he bought his present farm from Reuben Miller and moved on the same the following spring. Mr. Howett and brother operated this farm together until the death of the latter, since when he has had full charge of the place, carry- ing on general farming and stock-raising.

Politically Mr. Howett is a Republican, and fraternally is a member of the I. O. O. F., having belonged to this organiza- tion since 1874. He is a member of the Reformed Church and has served as deacon for the past ten years.

HON. WILLIAM S. THOMAS, presi- dent of the Mad River National Bank, at Springfield, and president and treasurer of The Thomas Manufacturing Company, has been identified with important busi- ness interests in Clark County during the whole period of his active life. Mr. Thomas was born in Springfield, Ohio, April 22, 1857, and is a son of Hon. John HI. and Mary (Bonser) Thomas.

William S. Thomas received his early education in both public and private schools, and was fourteen years old when he entered Wooster University, where he was graduated with honors in 1875, being at that time and for years afterward the youngest graduate of that institution. His father, the late John H. Thomas, had been engaged in the manufacturing of agricultural instruments prior to this

time, and he subsequently organized, with his two sons, William S. and Findlay B .. The Thomas Manufacturing Company, which has long ranked with the leading industrial firms of the state, and of which William S. Thomas became treasurer in 1886, and also president in 1901. The name of Thomas appearing on agricul- tural implements is a guarantee of excel- lence the world over, and the products of this company include every kind of useful agricultural implement, with a few mann- factured only by this concern. Mr. Thomas has other business interests, be- ing a leading financier of this section, and he is also a very large property owner, both in the city of Springfield and throughont Clark County.

On December 8, 1887, Mr. Thomas was married to Fannie Senteny, who was born at Louisville, Kentucky. They have had three children, namely : John Henry, Wallace Senteny, and Lucretia. The eldest son died June 26, 1906. The fam- ily home, at No. 345 East High Street, Springfield, is one of taste and elegance.

Mr. Thomas is an earnest Democrat. and since 1895 he has been continuously a member of the Democratic State Cen- tral Committee, and for years has never failed to attend all important Democratic conventions as a delegate. He has ably and unselfishly filled many of the impor- tant eivie offices and in every way he is well qualified for any honor in the gift of his party. He was the president of and most zealons worker in that well- known organization, the Jefferson Club, from 1880 unt# 1890. In the various or- ganizations of a benevolent, educational, religious and business character pertain- ing to Springfield, Mr. Thomas has been

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more than ready to acknowledge every purchased a farm in Bethel Township, manly obligation. and has been generous Clark County, where Joshua and Lydia Scarff lived the remainder of their days. They had the following children: Eman- uel, Mary Ann, John J., Sarah, James, a minister, who lives in New York State; Bernard, who lives at Tippecanoe, Ohio; William, who is a resident of New Car- lisle, Ohio; Diana, and Elizabeth. The survivors are: John J., James, Bernard and William. in the contribution of time, advice and money. For many years he served as president of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, while the Yonng Men's Christian Association has continually been an object of his benefi- cence. He is a member of the Springfield Commercial Club, and recently has been chosen president of the Ohio Shippers' Association.

WILLIAM N. SCARFF. proprietor of the "White Oaks" farm and nursery, which is jointly located in Bethel Town- ship, Clark County, Ohio, and partly across the line in Miami County, is an ex- tensive landowner and fruit grower. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, Decem- ber 19, 1863, and is a son of John J. and Mary F. (Neff) Searff.

The Scarff family has been long estab- lished in America, running back to the Colonial days. Joshua Scarff, grand- father of William N., was born in Mary- land, and when a young man moved to Rockingham County, Virginia, where he subsequently was married to Lydia Stoutemeyer. There he followed farming along the banks of the Shenandoah River until 1830, when he moved, with his wife and children, to Ohio, nsing three four- horse teams in making the journey. After four weeks of privation and hardship, during which time their food was mainly secured from the game then plentiful in the forests through which they journeyed, they arrived at Dayton, Ohio. During that winter they lived in a rented house on Wolf Creek, and the following spring

John J. Scarff was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, January 5, 1825, and was five years of age when he was brought by his parents to Bethel Town- ship, Clark County. He purchased the farm on which his son, William N., was born, of Abraham Rall, who had obtained the patent from the government, a part of the land lying in Miami County. Mr. Scarff cleared the larger portion of the land and erected substantial buildings, and here followed farming with uniform snecess throughout his active career. He and his estimable wife still reside on the old home place, in a community where they are surrounded by friends of long years standing. John J. Scarff was mar- ried May 23, 1848, to Mary Elizabeth Neff, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was brought to Ohio when eight or ten years of age. Five children were born to this union: Flor- ence; Mark T., of Michigan City, North Dakota; William N .; Grace, wife of Ed- ward Reeder; and James T., of New Car- lisle, Ohio. John J. Scarff is a man of self-acquired education, and in his young- er days he served as a teacher for twelve school years. He is an ardent Repub- lican, politically, and was twice elected county commissioner, serving in that

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capacity at the time the new court-house was built. Fraternally, he is a Mason.

William N. Scarff, born in Miami Coun- ty, was practically reared in Clark Coun- ty, although he lived on the same farm. After completing the district school course, he attended the Ohio State Uni- versity for two years. In 1887 he em- barked in the fruit growing and nursery business which his father had previously followed with good results, and he has met with equal success and now ships ex- tensively to all parts of the country. In 1893 he purchased 300 acres in Miami County; in 1905 a farm north of Dayton; later another tract of 144 acres in Miami County, and in 1900 he and his brother came into possession of the home place, giving him an acreage of 792 acres, all de- voted to growing fruit.

On September 16, 1890, Mr. Scarff mar- ried Mary Ella Miller, daughter of Dr. E. C. and Mary Jane Miller, and they have three children : Max Miller, Howard Neff, and Lucille. He is a Republican in politics and for four years has served as a member of the School Board. His residence, which is located one mile south of New Carlisle, on the Bellefontaine road, is a fine modern strneture, erected in 1903, and presents a very attractive ap- pearance with its large stone pillars in front. A magnificent lawn surrounds the honse, adorned with fine trees, shrubs and flowers.

DAVID WILMOT STEWART, scion of one of Clark County's oldest and most prominent families, was born on his pres- ent farm in Green Township, December 19. 1848. He is a son of Perry and Rhoda

Ann (Wheeler) Stewart, and grandson of John Templeton and Ann (Elder) Stew- art.

Perry Stewart, for many years a prominent figure in Clark County affairs, was born on the bank of the Little Miami in Green Township, June 6, 1818, shortly after the county was organized. He re- mained in the home of his parents until his marriage, then began farming a part of the home farm for himself. In July, 1862, he organized Company A, Ninety- fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and went to the front as its cap- tain. He took part in numerous skir- mishes and engagements, and in the battle of Chickamauga was struck by a spent ball He served until November, 1863, when, owing to ill-health, he was forced to resign. Returning home he resumed farming and continued it as an occupa- tion during the remainder of his active career. He identified himself with many business enterprises, among them the Farmers Mutual Aid and Protective So- ciety, an insurance order which he as- sisted in organizing, and was a director of that company, and he was one of the men who organized a company to build the turnpike from Springfield to Selma. which, excepting the National Pike, was the first one built in the county. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harri- son in 1840, and continued a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, with which he was thereafter affiliated. Ile served as township trustee and school director a number of years, and as justice of the peace, resigning the latter office at the time he went into the service. After his return from the army he was elected comty commissioner, but after a service

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of eighteen months resigned to accept the nomination of his party for state repre- sentative. He was elected to that office in 1867, and served his district one term in a most conscientious and capable man- ner. In 1872 he was sent as a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia and aided in the nomination of President Grant for a second term. He was a man of great capabilities, pros- pered in business, and was of that class which gives tone and standing to a com- munity.

Perry Stewart was joined in marriage October 15, 1844, with Rhoda Ann Wheeler, who was born in Green Town- ship, December 30, 1824, and was a dangh- ter of Ebenezer and Joanna ( Miller) Wheeler. The following children were born to them: Harriet, wife of James Hatfield: Julia Ann, wife of Robert N. Elder; David Wilmot ; John T .; Mary E., widow of S. H. Kerr, lives in Washington, D. C .; Charles F .; Jane Ellen, wife of George Nicholson; . Jessie Isabelle, who died at the age of four years; Perry, ex- treasurer of Clark County; and Ebenezer Wheeler of Green Township.

David Wilmot Stewart was reared on the home place and attended the district school at Pitchin. When fifteen years of age he enlisted in 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being the youngest to enter the service from this county. He was in the 100-day service, being at the front from May 2nd until the 7th of September. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty years, tilling a part of his father's farm. He lived on the old Stewart homestead until his marriage, then purchased one hundred

acres where he is now located and on which he erected a good substantial resi- dence and buildings. He cleared the farm to a large extent and has operated it with good results.

February 12, 1874, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Amanda Mc- Clintick, a native of Springfield Town- ship, Clark County, and a daughter of John and Roxy (Melvin) McClintick. They became parents of six children, as follows: Perry MeClintick; Edna, who died at the age of ten months; Myrtle; Delmer; Ruth; and Harry. Politically, Mr. Stewart has been unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party, which he has represented as delegate to numer- ons conventions, but he has never held nor sought for public office. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and religiously is an attendant of the Christian Church.

CHARLES RABBITTS. The late Charles Rabbitts was a pioneer citizen of Springfield who long bore an important part in its commercial life, and was identi- fied with a large number of its success- ful business enterprises. Mr. Rabbitts was born September 7, 1820, near the vil- lage of Bath, in Wiltshire, England, and was twelve years of age when he accom- panied his parents to America.

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 92

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