Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 112

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

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life. He chose as his field of labor the science of ophthalmology and devoted all his energies along this fertile field of special practice. In 1889 he became a student and assistant at the ophthalmic clinics of Doctors Loring and Burnett, of Washington, D. C., two of the most eminent oculists in the United States. After two years devoted to study under these able instructors, he went abroad and completed his already liberal training under the renowned Hirschberg. in Berlin, and at the Royal Ophthalmic and Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospitals in London. He returned to America in 1892, and soon thereafter, upon the advice of friends, located in Hamilton. The wis- dom of the Doctor's choice, in the matter of location, has been fully verified, while the people of Hamilton feel highly honored in welcoming the dignified and scholarly gentle- man to the social and professional circles.

JOHN P. LESOURD.

As the name indicates, the subject of this review is of French descent, his great-grand- father having come to America as a soldier in the army of General LaFayette. At the close of the Revolutionary war he decided to remain in the country and after receiving his discharge settled in Baltimore county, Maryland, where in due time he married and became the father of several children. One of his sons, the grandfather of the sub- ject. who was reared to manhood in his na- tive state of Maryland, moved to Butler county. Ohio, about the year 1837 and set- tled in Liberty township, where he purchased land and spent the remainder of his life as a

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farmer. Nicholas LeSourd, father of the subject, was born and educated in Mary- land. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Butler county and later married Miss Elanor Gorsuch, of Liberty township, who bore him five sons and one daughter. namely : Elisha, John P., Charles, Joseph, Silas B. and Laura (wife of Quincy Davis), only two of whom are living, the subject of this review and Silas B., an adjuster of the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, residing at Xenia, this state.

Nicholas LeSourd followed agriculture for a livelihood and for many years was one of the most thrifty farmers of Liberty town- ship, also a leading citizen of his community and a prominent man of affairs. He was an influential Republican and a local leader of his party, a Methodist in his religious belief, and enjoyed the unbounded confidence and high regard of the people of his community. He and his faithful wife died at their home in Liberty township, and left to their surviv- ing children an honorable reputation, which the latter have in no wise sullied nor in any way brought the good name of the family into disrepute.

The birth of John P. LeSourd occurred in Liberty township, Butler county, Decem- ber 4, 1843, and he grew up familiar with the duties of the farm, a discipline which had a decided influence in developing his char- acter and determining his future course of life. At the proper age he entered the dis- trict schools, where he pursued his studies until acquiring a pretty thorough knowledge of the common branches, and until his twenty-third year remained at home assist- ing his father to cutivate and manage the farm.

Severing home ties at the age noted,

Mr. LeSourd engaged in agriculture upon his own responsibility and on November 7, 1866, he married his cousin, Miss Jane Le- Sourd, a daughter of John LeSourd, one of the well-known farmers and popular citizens of Liberty township. During the three years following the marriage the subject lived on a farm in Warren county, but at the expiration of the time returned to Butler county and took up his residence in the township of Liberty, where he has since made his home, removing to Hughes Station in July. 1898. After cultivating the soil for a number of years with varied success, Mr. LeSourd, in 1891. engaged in the dairy business, to which he has since devoted his attention, with encouraging results. He has gradu- ally built up a lucrative patronage. which is steadily growing, and at the present time he keeps thirty-five milch cows of the Jer- sey breed, while the demand for his product is much greater than he can supply, all of it being shipped to certain parties, this obviat- ing the trouble and annoyance of retail cus- tom. Mr. LeSourd owns a small but beau- tiful and finely situated place, which is well adapted for the purpose of dairying, consist- ing of fertile soil, excellent pasturage and an abundance of pure water for his stock, while the appliances for handling his product pre- paratory to shipment are of the latest and most approved kinds and fully answer the object for which intended.

Mr. LeSourd has prosecuted his business with great energy, and the excellence of the milk and cream he markets insures the high- est prices, in consequence of which his suc- cess has been steady and substantial and he now ranks among the well-to-do men of his township, being well situated from a financial point of view, having a sufficiency of this

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world's goods in his possession to be termed independent. In the management of his af- fairs he is careful almost to conservatism, keeps in view every minor detail and his honorable dealings and freedom from any- thing savoring of deceit or misrepresenta- tion have been greatly in his favor as the steady increase in the volume and import- ance of his business amply testify.

Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. LeSourd, four are living : Lulu, wife of L. S. Shafon, of Hamilton; Josie, the wife of F. S. Demoret, of Peoria. Indiana: Cary. married to Miss Stella Wyle, of Hughes, and for some time past a telegraph operator and station agent for the Big Four Railroad at London, Ohio, and Walter, who is still with his parents. Wilbur, the deceased member of the family, was born March 24, 1872, and departed this life some time the following year. Mr. and Mrs. LeSourd are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethany, he being a trustee of the organ . ization and a faithful teacher in the Sunday school, a work for which he is peculiarly adapted both by nature and training. In politics Mr. LeSourd is stanchly and re- liably Republican, his reading and study. es- pecially along the lines of history and po- litical economy, convincing him that the principles and policies of his party are for the best interests of the people, in that they have fostered, developed and protected home industries which in a large measure form the basis of our national prosperity. Aside from serving as trustee of Liberty township. he has held no political office, nor has he ever manifested a desire for preferment of this kind, his only ambition being to succeed well in his business and to live as becomes a true American citizen with the welfare of his county. state and nation at heart.

Mr. LeSourd belongs to Lodge No. 202, Knights of Pythias, in which he holds the title of past chancellor, and is also identi- fied with the Odd Fellows lodge at Monroe, in which he has served in various official ca- pacities from the lowest to the highest, one of the latter being that of noble grand, the most important and honorable position within the gift of the organization. The subject's many warm friends attest the es- teem in which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens, and the interest he takes in furthering the welfare of the community speaks well for his intelligence, enterprise and public spirit as an influential factor of the body politic. In his domestic life, as well as his relations with his fellow men he has been guided by those high principles of mor- ality and equity which earn the respect of all, ever manifesting a commendable pride in his integrity. It can justly be said that his influence has always been in the direction of truth and right and that his example may he safely imitated by the young man whose carcer is yet a matter of the future.

AUGUST SCHUMACHER, M. D.

This talented and popular physician is a native of Hamilton, born on the 7th of February. 1874. His entire life has been spent in his native city. with the exception of three years spent in college. Dr. Schu- macher has met with more than ordinary success in his chosen calling. and stands today in the front rank of Hamilton's corps of young physicians. He was gradu- ated from the high school of his native city. with the class of 1894. being then but twenty years old. While in school he had

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AUG. SCHUMACHER, M. D.

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chosen his life profession and immediately after his graduation he took up the study of medicine. For a brief period Dr. George C. Skinner was his tutor, but in the autumn of 1894 he entered upon his collegiate work in the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincin- nati, where he completed the prescribed course, and graduated in 1897. By work- ing over time, he also carried on a special course in opthalmology, receiving his cer- tificate of graduation in this science, along with his diploma as Doctor of Medicine.

Returning to the parental home, a neat and convenient office was soon erected on the lot upon which the Doctor was born. and there he has since remained. From the first he has been successful, not only in cur- ing the ills of humanity, but also in estab- lishing a large and lucrative practice, which is constantly growing. His popularity and ability were shown in his appointment as one of the district physicians of the city .. in which capacity he served two years. The succeeding two years he served as city health officer, declining a reappointment, this term being closed in July, 1903.

Dr. Schumacher is a member of the Butler County Medical Society and of the Union District Medical Association. He takes an active interest in the deliberations of these professional societies, and is a close student of medical and surgical literature. Of the social fraternities, the Doctor is a member of the popular order of Elks. In a protective line, he holds membership in the Catholic Foresters, the Independent For- esters, and in the German Beneficial Union. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church. In political affiliations Dr. Schumacher is a Democrat.

The family history of the subject is as

follows: He is a son of John A. and Katherine (Fischer) Schumacher. natives of Germany. They came to America in early life and were married in this country. The family home was established in Hamil- ton in the early forties, and here the par- ents are still living, well-advanced in years. During his productive years the father was a mechanic, in which business he accumu- lated a competence, and is now retired from active labors. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. The sixth and eighth born, Ludwig and Mary, died in infancy. The living are : Joseph, Anna, Rosa. Lizzie, August, Katie and John C. The two brothers are ma- chinists, in which business they command good salaries. Anna is the wife of Mr. Segers, a grocer in Hamilton, and Lizzie married Charles Halbrook, a merchant in this city. Joseph is married.

Dr. Schumacher is a pleasant and af- fable gentleman and still remains at the parental home, sharing with his brother and sisters the blessings of maternal love and care, so precious to the thoughtful and con- siderate.

WILSON CLAWSON.

It is with no little satisfaction that the writer attempts to set forth in the follow- ing paragraphs the leading facts in the life of one of Butler county's oldest native citi- zens. The family of which he is a worthy representative was among the first to pene- trate the wilderness of what is now one of the most thrifty and advanced portions of southern Ohio and from the earliest settle- ment of the county to the present time the

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name Clawson has been known and hon- ored. Tracing the subject's genealogy, it is learned that his paternal ancestors were Dutch, his great-grandfather, Cornelius Clawson, having come from Holland to America prior to the war for independence and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a single man at that time, but shortly after his arrival in the country married Martha Smalley and, purchasing land, devoted the rest of his life to the pursuit of agriculture. Among the children of the couple was a son by the name of Andrew Clawson, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who chose for a wife Miss Mary Russell, daugh- ter of James Russell, a native of Scotland and an early settler of the county in which the Clawsons lived. After spending the first few years of his wedded life in his na- tive state Andrew Clawson decided to move west, where he was convinced better oppor- tunities for obtaining a livelihood and ac- quiring a competency were to be found; ac- cordingly, in 1802, he started on his jour- ney to southwestern Ohio and, reaching his destination in due time, settled near Middle- town, Butler county, purchasing land in what is now Lemon township, which he at once proceeded to clear and otherwise im- prove. He lived where he originally lo- cated until his old age, when he turned the farm over to other hands and spent the re- mainder of his days with his son who lived in the township of Liberty. James Claw- son, son of Andrew Clawson, was born in Pennsylvania and was a lad of seven years when the family moved to Butler county in 1802. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Lemon township and after his marriage with Miss Rebekah Vail took up his residence in Liberty township where

he purchased and improved a farm, which he made his home for many years. In- dustrious, energetic and a capable business man, he added to his possessions at intervals until his real estate amounted to over six hundred acres, much of which he improved and all of which increased greatly in value during his lifetime, making him one of the wealthiest farmers in the county. Some time before his death he moved to the township of Fairfield where he spent the re- mainder of his days in retirement and where his death occurred in 1885, when nearly ninety years of age. James Clawson was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, and his relations with his fellow citizens were characterized by the high sense of honor which marks the man of noble aims and correct ideals. He was one of the original Republicans of Butler county, labored earn- estly to promote the success of the party and always manifested a commendable in- terest in public affairs and the leading ques- tions of the time. Of the five sons and three daughters that constituted the family of James and Rebekah Clawson, all but two have followed their parents to the unseen world, the survivors being Mrs. Deziah Po- cock, of Hanover township, and the gentle- man whose name heads this article.

Wilson Clawson was born near Prince- ton, Butler county, Ohio, November 21, 1829, and spent his early years on the farm in Liberty township which his father pur- chased and improved some years before. At the proper age he took his place in the fields and soon became familiar with the rugged routine of farm life and after the harvests were gathered he was wont to at- tend for about three months of the year the district school not far from his home. He

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remained at home as his father's able assist- lating a competency, he sold his farm, re- ant until attaining his majority, when he tired from active life, and is now spending rented a part of his father's farm and, at the age of twenty-four, circumstances justified him in taking a wife and helpmeet, whom he found in the person of Miss Harriett Ful- kerson, who was born 'n Hamilton in the year 1834. When about sixteen years of age Mrs. Clawson accompanied her parents, Hiram and Angeline (Beardsley) Fulker- son, upon their removal to Clinton county, where she remained a short time, subse- quently returning to Hamilton, where her marriage was duly solemnized in 1854. Mrs. Clawson's father was born in Butler county, his father Benjamin moving to this part of Ohio many years ago from his na- tive state of New Jersey. The family is old and highly esteemed and the descend- ants now living are highly respected in their different places of residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Clawson five children were born, three of whom are living, namely : Hiram, a resi- dent of Hamilton; Anna, wife of Robert Brooks, and Hattie, who married Charles Frederick, one of the thrifty farmers of Lib- erty township.

Mr. Clawson devotes his active life to his calling and achieved marked success as a farmer and stock raiser, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and other- wise well improved. By industry and the exercise of sound judgment in his business affairs he succeeded in providing comfort- ably for his family and in amassing a suf- ficiency of material wealth to make him in- dependent during the remainder of his life so that he is no longer under the necessity of laboring for a livelihood. After accumu-

his closing years in the enjoyment of many comforts and blessings which have come to him as a result of his persevering toil and excellent management. Mrs. Clawson is a firm believer in revealed religion and sub- scribes to the beautiful and reasonable faith of Universalism, being a leading member of the church of this denomination in the city of Hamilton. A lifelong Re- publican and in former years an in- fluential party worker, he has never had any political aspirations, either for of- fice or leadership, having no desire for pub- lic distinction nor any taste for the wiles and questionable methods to which the majority of place seekers resort in order to achieve the objects of their ambition. Throughout a long. busy life and eminently useful career Mr. Clawson has attended strictly to his own affairs, at the same time discharging with commendable fidelity the duties of cit- izenship and never losing sight of his in- terest in the public welfare. Being closely interwoven with the history of the township and county, his life has been fruitful of much good, and his voice and influence have been on the right side of the question in which great moral issues were involved. Since 1899 he has traveled life's pathway alone. his faithful wife and companion hav- ing died on May 7th of that year.

MARIAH RAY.

The name of this estimable lady is a fa- miliar sound to the people of Butler county and the brief record of her life, outlined in the following paragraphs. will doubtless be

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read with interest by the many friends and acquaintances who have learned to prize her for her beautiful character and useful life.

Miss Mariah Ray is the eighth in a fam- ily of fourteen children whose parents were Philip and Elnora (McCain): Ray, and was born in Butler county, Ohio, on May 25. 1835. The father was a native of Pennsyl- vania, where his birth occurred in the year 1788, and in 1797 he accompanied his parents upon their removal to southern Ohio, settling in Hamilton county, from which he subsequently moved to the county of Butler. A farmer by occupation, he achieved marked success in his chosen calling and he also served with a distinguished record in the war of 1812, enlisting at the beginning of that struggle and remaining with his com- mand at the front until its close. He lived an honorable life, was highly esteemed by all who knew him and his death, in the year 1849, was deeply lamented by the large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances with whom he was wont to mingle. Mrs. Elnora Ray survived her husband about thirty-seven years, departing this life in the month of De- cember, 1886. Of the large family that formerly gathered around the hearthstone of this excellent couple, only three survive, namely : Malinda, widow of Isaac Snively. of Seven Mile: Andrew, who lives in Illi- nois, and Mariah, whose name furnishes the caption of this article.

years ago. During her youth she attended the subscription schools and availed herself of the meager advantages they afforded, the training thus received being afterwards sup- plemented by a three-years course at College Hill, an educational institution of a high grade which was long patronized by young ladies from many of the best families of the state. For one year after finishing her edu- cation Miss Ray was engaged in teaching, but not caring to follow this kind of work and being needed at home, she entered heart- ily into her domestic duties and as long as her mother lived remained with her under the parental roof, ministering to her comfort in every possible way, besides working after the various interests of the farm. When the mother died in 1886 Miss Ray took her dower interest in the homestead and later on bought out the other heirs, thus becoming sole possessor of a farm of two hundred and ten acres of fertile and highly improved land which is generally conceded to be one of the most beautiful and attractive places in Wayne township, as well as one of the most valuable. During the ensuing six years she managed the farm very creditably and suc- cessfully, made a number of substantial im- provements, and conducted her business af- fairs in a way that proved her well qualified to superintend work and conduct interests which from time immemorial have been con- sidered the exclusive province of the sterner sex. At the expiration of the period noted she left the farm and moved to Seven Mile, where she has since lived and where she owns a beautiful home, which, being amply furnished with material comforts and lux- uries not a few. affords her a most charm- ing retreat in which to spend the remainder

Mariah Ray's childhood was spent at the old home where she first saw the light of day and under the direction and tutelage of her mother she early became accustomed to the varied duties of the household and famil- iar with the homely, domestic virtues which exercised such a potent influence in forming the character and shaping the lives of the of her earthly sojourn. She sold her home young women of this country fifty and sixty in 1902 for fifteen thousand dollars.

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Miss Ray possesses sound, practical in- telligence and business ability of a high or- der and in the course of an active and emi- nently useful life has demonstrated unusual capacity in the matter of conducting her af- fairs and adding to her wealth. Little by little she enlarged her interests and in- creased her means, and while thus engaged did not lose sight of her social duties or neg- lect any of the obligations which grew out of her relations with the friends and neigh- bors with whom she was wont to associate. Miss Ray has been active in every good work in the community and is always ready with her influence and means to encourage and support worthy enterprises. While her character is strong and forceful and her in- tellect keen, she possesses a beautiful moral nature and is not wanting in those gentle qualities and tender graces which constitute the refined and cultured lady and give her the charm that wins and retains esteem. She is essentially a woman of domestic tastes and a great lover of her home, notwithstand- ing which strong and abiding attachment she has traveled quite extensively. especially throughout the Central and Eastern states, her experience bringing her in close touch with all classes and conditions of people, thus broadening and strengthening her mind and adding to her knowledge in a practical way which makes one truly well informed. Miss Ray enjoys a high degree of personal esteem in Seven Mile and is one of the most widely known and popular la- dies of the town. Her friendships are strong and abiding, her loyalty above question and all with whom she comes in contact in a business or social way speak in glowing terms of her many admirable qualities of mind and heart.

JAMES H. ROLL, M. D.

It is gratifying to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work that there remain identified with the profes- . sional, public and civic affairs of Butler county many who are native sons of the county and who are ably maintaining the prestige of honored names. Of this number is Dr. Roll, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Hamilton, being one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the county.

Dr. Roll was born on a farm near Still- well Corners, Hanover township, on the 16th of December, 1845, being a son of Israel and Maria (Jones) Roll, who were early settlers of the county, where the fa- ther was prominently identified with agri- cultural pursuits and was one of the sterling citizens of the county. He died in 1883 and his wife passed away in 1893, while of their six children four are living at the present time.

The early life of the subject was un- eventful save that his opportunities for ac- quiring a good education were of the very best, while his studious habits and desire for self-culture led him to make the best use of the advantages thus afforded him. But the Doctor's school days were interrupted by the great Civil war, for his patriotism and youthful ardor led him to tender his services in defense of the Union. On the 7th of October, 1861, though not yet sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and he served for three years in the ranks, being absent from duty only two weeks during that period. He participated in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war, the

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 112

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149