Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 100

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 100

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moved down toward Clifton, and later to the old Charles Stroud farm at Donnels- ville. He then purchased twenty-six acres of land from his father, for which he paid $2,600 and after residing there three three years sold out at $154 per acre, al- most doubling his money on the invest- ment. He then lived on the farm left by his father-in-law, Henry Gram, for four years, at the end of which time he moved to his present place.

Mr. Miller was first married to Miss Anna Rebbert, a daughter of Andrew Rebbert, who lived south of the city of Springfield, and one son, Andrew J., was born to bless this union. After the death of his first wife he formed a second union October 6, 1875, with Miss Elizabeth Gram, a daughter of Henry Gram, who was a speculator and a well known citizen of this county. She was one of the fol- lowing children born to her parents: Catherine, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Elizabeth (Miller); Sarah; John, de- ceased; and Cornelius. This second union was also blessed with a son, Henry G., who operates the home farm. The latter was joined in marriage with Mary Kobe- lanz, a daughter of Henry Kobelanz, and has a son, Karl C., aged three years. Re- ligiously Mr. Miller and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.

LEWELLEN TAYLOR, a highly re- spected citizen and retired farmer of Mad River Township, was born on his father's farm in Ross County, Ohio, March 5, 1829, and is a son of John and Mary (Pierce) Taylor.

John Taylor was of Kentucky birth and rearing, and he was married in that state

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to Mary Pierce, whose people came from Pennsylvania. After marriage John Taylor and wife went to Ross County, Ohio, where he bought a large, uncleared farm in Paint Township. From tilling his acres here he went to serve as a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and on account of his knowledge of horses was made over- seer of a wagon train. He survived all the dangers of war and returned to his family and resumed clearing and cultivat- ing his land in Ross County. In 1853 he removed from there to Clark County and died at the home of his son Lewellen in 1863. His wife had died in Ross County. They had eleven children, namely: Wash- ington, Hettie, William, Rachel, Neicey, Pierce, Emily, Sallie, Andrew, Simeon and Lewellen all of whom reached ma- turity and married, and many left de- scendants.

Lewellen Taylor was the youngest born of the above family and is the only surviv- or. He assisted to clear up his father's 240 acre farm, in the meanwhile gaining a subscription school education in a log school building. His father paid $2.50 for three months' instruction for each of his children. In those days there was no free system of education as at pres- ent, when children cannot evade going to school and having advantages, even if they desire to do so. He was married November 15, 1855, to Delilah Bare- field, of Highland County, Ohio, and to this marriage were born four children, namely: Jefferson, Mary, Alfred and Birch. Jefferson married May Phillips and they have five children. Mary is de- ceased. She was the wife of Robert Pat- ten and the mother of three children, all of whom married and have children of

their own. Alfred married Rose Sheets. Birch married Margaret Cahill and they have three children. Thus Mr. Taylor's family has expanded into the third gen- eration and he is very proud of his four great-grandchildren.

In 1855 Mr. Taylor moved with his fam- ily to Clark County, Ohio, where he bought 160 acres of land in Mad River Township. It was uncleared, unimproved property and the Rebert Turnpike Road which now skirts it was then but a rough, muddy highway. Mr. Taylor soon changed the appearance of his farm and surroundings. He erected all the build- ings now standing and continued to add to his land until he owned 500 acres. That represented years of industry and good management. This land he has ap- portioned to his children and has been permitted to live to see them in the enjoy- ment of their heritage.

Mr. Taylor has an honorable military record. When the Mexican War broke out he, with two companions, endeavored to enter the service, but he did not suc- ceed, although he was well developed for his age. He waited until 1864 before he made a second attempt to become a sol- dier, being accepted at this time. He was assigned to service on the gunboat, the "General Grant," on the Tennessee River, and he participated in the numer- ous battles that marked the river cam- paign, receiving his honorable discharge on June 30, 1865. He escaped all injury and was able to return to his family un- harmed. In politics he is a Republican.

In 1893 Mr. Taylor retired from farm work and built his handsome residence, which is pleasantly situated three miles south and west of Springfield. Mr. Taylor

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is one of the representative men of his section and has reared a family which is creditable both to the parents and to the community in which they have their homes.

WALTER NORTON CHAMBERLIN, one of the early pioneers of Clark County, Ohio, who is living in retirement at New Carlisle, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceasing ac- tivity, was for many years one of the most prominent stock dealers and breed- ers of thoroughbred cattle, sheep and hogs in the county. He was born May 28, 1823, at Lisbon, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Polly (Harriman) Chamberlin.

Isaac Chamberlin and wife came from Vermont to Ohio in 1817, leaving there in January in a sled made by removing the wheels from a wagon. After reaching the Western Reserve the wheels were again put into use and the trip finished by wagon, arriving at Clark County, Ohio, in March, when they settled in the timber- lands near Lisbon. Polly (Harriman) Chamberlin was a daughter of Stephen Harriman, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and who had been in Ohio the year before the Chamberlins came here and bought a tract of timber- land near Lisbon. He then returned to Vermont and bought the farms of Mr. Chamberlin and three other farmers. Isaac Chamberlin was a comparatively poor man when he came to Ohio, where he engaged in farming and dealt extensively in stock, often taking stock to Detroit, Michigan, and other points. He was born April 14, 1782, at Strafford, Vermont,

and died near Lisbon July 25, 1863, at the age of seventy-nine years. Six chil- dren were born to Isaac Chamberlin and wife, namely: Stephen, deceased; George C., deceased; Caroline, married J. Henry, both deceased; Walter N .; and Sarah, who was the wife of Dr. J. S. Sprague, both now deceased.

Walter N. Chamberlin was reared on his father's farm and attended the dis- trict schools of the township and later the Springfield High School and Wittenberg College. He then taught school at Flatts- burg and vicinity for a period of ten years, 1842 to 1852, inclusive. On Decem- ber 25, 1851, he was married to Sarah Jane Osborn, a daughter of William and Jane (McDaniel) Osborn, who came on horseback to Ohio from Kentucky and set- tled near Plattsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin were the parents of eleven children, but seven of whom were reared to maturity: Emma; Melton; Olive, who is an instructor in the schools of Toledo, Ohio; Norton, who lives in Columbus; Frank, who lives in San Francisco; Orphia; and William, who died aged twenty-one years.

Mr. Chamberlin has always been inter- ested in handling stock, and when nine- teen years old drove hogs from South Charleston to Richmond, Virginia, for ex- Sheriff A. Maddocks, and also' drove horses from Clark County to Philadelphia for his father. Later, in connection with his brother, he drove cattle to Dutchess County, New York. Soon after his mar- riage he engaged in farming and stock- raising, first making a specialty of Short- horn cattle, and Chester White hogs, later of Poland China hogs and Amer- ican Merino sheep. He has had many

ARTHUR GERLAUGH

HOWARD GERLAUGH

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very successful exhibits at Ohio State Fairs and was once offered $1,000 for one of his sheep. He has often been called upon to act as judge of stock at various fairs, and at the age of eighty years was one of the judges of stock at the Clark County Fair, and was also one of the five judges of stock at the largest state fair, which was held at Day- ton, Ohio. After being convinced of the advantages of pedigree stock, he became instrumental in establishing the records of Poland China hogs, calling a meeting of all the large breeders of that particular breed of swine in the state, of which meet- ing he was appointed chairman, and in 1879 the first record of Poland China hogs was published. Upon first entering the stock business Mr. Chamberlin rented a large farm in Hardin County and there held, annual stock sales for about five years, after which he located at Plain City, Ohio, where he continued in the stock business, holding sales there for six years. In 1880, after selling out, he went to London, Ohio, where he lived for some years. He then operated a large farm in Adams County, Ohio, for eighteen months and in 1885 he came to New Carlisle and purchased his present residence property, which is located on the corner of Church and Jackson Streets, where he has since been living in retirement after a long, active business career.

Politically Mr. Chamberlin is a Repub- lican and has served as township trustee, school director and in various other minor township offices. He is a member of the Masonic order, with which he became as- sociated in 1850, and was formerly also an I. O. O. F., with which order he affili- ated in 1847. Religiously Mr. Chamber-

lin is a member of the Universalist Church, and has always taken an active interest in the Sunday-school work. He has been active in the advancement of ed- ucational interests and was one of the first to introduce teachers' institutes in the county ; also centralized High Schools. He favored music in the common schools and mental arithmetic in the district schools, and has lived to see many of his ideas incorporated in the public school system.

ARTHUR GERLAUGH, a life-long resident of Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio, residing on a fine farm of 350 acres, where he has always followed farming in connection with breeding and importing short-horn cattle, was born March 15, 1883, on his present farm near the village of Medway, and is a son of Charles L. and Julia A. (Hower) Ger- laugh.

Charles L. Gerlaugh was born on a farm near Dayton, Ohio, where he was married to Julia A. Hower, a native of Fairfield, Ohio. In 1881 they came to Clark County and purchased 257 acres in Bethel Township, to which was later added ninety-three acres. Here he en- gaged in general farming, and breeding and importing short horn cattle until his death, which occurred in 1905, when he was fifty years old. He was survived by his widow until April, 1907, when she died in her forty-seventh year. He was a member and a director of the American Short Horned Breeders' Association. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ger- laugh, namely: Arthur, the subject of this sketch; Howard, who also lives on the

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home farm, which he operates with Ar- thur; Ella, who is attending the Ohio State University ; Bertha, Paul, and Cath- erine.

Arthur Gerlaugh has spent his entire life on his present farm, and here he and his brother, Howard, have continued in their father's occupation as breeders and importers of short horn cattle. He is a member of and stockholder in the Ameri- can Breeders' Association. Mr. Gerlaugh was educated in the public schools, is a graduate of the Olive Branch High School and attended Wittenberg College for two years, after which he entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, where he re- mained until the death of his father. He then returned to the Woodberry farm, of which he took charge, and has since met with considerable success in all his under- takings.

Politically Mr. Gerlaugh is a Repub- lican. In 1906 he was appointed a mem- ber of the school board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, and in 1907 was elected president of that body.

June 19, 1907, Mr. Gerlaugh was joined in marriage with Margareta Butts, a daughter of C. J. and Margareta (Mar- shal) Butts, of Osborn, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gerlaugh are members of the Luth- eran Church, of which the former is also a deacon.

CHARLES A. BAUER, for many years was one of the remarkable business men of Springfield-a man whose broad and comprehensive knowledge of every- thing in the line of mechanics and mechan- ical construction, caused him to be iden- tified with some of the most important

manufacturing undertakings of this sec- tion. Mr. Bauer was a German, born in Wurtemberg, August 16, 1846, and his father's name was Frederick Bauer.

The parents of Mr. Bauer emigrated to America when he was six years of age, landing at New Orleans in 1852. Here the father died three months later of yel- low fever, when his widow and son re- moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the former resided until her death, in 1900.

Left a fatherless boy in a great city and a strange country, the late Charles A. Bauer had few of the advantages or enjoyments of ordinary youth. At the age of twelve years he became, with justi- fiable pride, entirely self-supporting. His father had been a skilled draughtsman and successful bridge-builder, and the son inherited a positive genius for mechanics which caused him to seek employment in this direction. After a short period of work in the Pyrotechnical Manufactory, at Cincinnati, he became an apprentice to the gunsmith trade, and three years later, in 1864, circumstances made it possible for him to enter the machine shops of Miles, Greenwood & Company, at Cincin- nati. There he learned to be a practical machinist, extending his studies far into applied mechanics.

Mr. Bauer's unusual ability did not fail to attract attention, and in 1867 he was offered a position at the Ohio Mechanics' Institute as an instructor in mechanical drawing and applied mechanics, which po- sition he retained while also filling that of superintendent of the Nile Tool Works, at Hamilton, and acting as consulting en- gineer for the firm of Lane & Bodley, at Cincinnati. In 1875 Mr. Bauer became superintendent of the Champion Bar and

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Knife Company, at Springfield, and from that time until his death, which occurred in June, 1899, he continued to be connect- ed with Springfield enterprises. In 1883, he became general manager of the War- der, Bushnell & Glessner Mower and Reaper Works, and three years later, when the business was incorporated, he became a partner in the concern, still re- taining, however, his position as general manager. Mr. Bauer was a very valua- ble assistant and advisor in the installa- tion of the city's various utilities, and for nine years he served as a member of the board of trustees of the Springfield water-works system.

His experience covered a wide range, including most prominently the design and practical execution of nearly all kinds of machine tools, stationary and river en- gines, rolling-mills, furnaces, pumping, mining and general milling machinery. He was particularly well fitted for super- intending the establishment of plants and the arrangement and details of buildings on ground for manufacturing purposes.

In 1868 Mr. Bauer was married to Louise Haeseler, who was born in Prus- sia, and who accompanied her parents to America in 1851. Mrs. Bauer survives her husband and resides at No. 825 East High Street, Springfield. Three sons were born of this marriage, namely : Charles L., who is president of the Foos Manufacturing Company of Springfield, and who resides at No. 1215 East High Street; William A., who is treasurer of the Foos Manufacturing Company, and resides at No. 1427 East High Street; and Louis E., vice president of the Foos Man- ufacturing Company, who resides at No. 1217 East High Street.

The late Charles A. Bauer was one of the vice presidents of the National Found- ers' Association, refusing the presidency of the same. He belonged also to the Fifth District committee of the American Foundrymen's Association, and was one of the charter members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, serving as one of its managers for four years. He was a Mason of high standing, having attained the 32nd degree, and he belonged to Anthony Lodge, No. 455, F. & A. M. He was also identified with the Knights of Pythias. The death of Mr. Bauer called forth many expressions of regret and appreciation from those who had en- joyed his personal acquaintance, and also from those who recognized the extent and value of his professional work, both in America and in Europe.

JAMES K. KERSHNER, dairy and food inspector at Springfield, who has filled this important office since 1906, was born in 1844 in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob Kershner.

Jacob Kershner was born at Hagers- town, Maryland, and came from there to Clark County, Ohio, October 28, 1827, set- tling on two sections of land which his father had secured from the government in 1804. The grandfather lived on this land until his death, in 1852, and he was succeeded in its ownership by his son, Jacob, father of James K., and he became one of Springfield Township's leading men.

James K. Kershner remained on the home farm and through boyhood attend- ed the neighboring schools. In 1872 he

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came to Springfield, where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for a time, and subsequently he went into the horse business, which he has developed into an important industry. He both deals in horses and breeds fine saddle and trot- ting horses, and the products of his sta- bles are in demand throughout all this section. He has taken a good citizen's in- terest in politics, but his present position is the first public office he has been will- ing to accept, and to its duties he de- votes his most careful attention. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church at Springfield.

GEORGE W. OLINGER, one of Har- mony Township's well known citizens, who is engaged in general farming, own- ing a fine property containing ninety-five acres of valuable land, was born in Clark County, Ohio, May 27, 1857. He is a son of Joseph C. and Mary (Smith) Olinger.

born April 11, 1861, on the day that Fort Sumpter was fired on, who married Alta Wilson, and they have two children, Ralph and Raymond; Clinton S., born January 27, 1864, an attorney in practice at Springfield, who married Mary Eliza- beth Sparrow, and they have two chil- dren, Frances and Robert; and Joseph C., born February 24, 1868, who married Celia Shaffer.

George W. Olinger was reared and edu- cated in Harmony Township. For a num- ber of years he traveled all through the eastern and western states, selling elec- tric supplies, but at present is managing his farm. He purchased this property of the William Williamson estate, but through some litigation a part of it had to be repurchased. Since 1890 he has been the sole owner. He carries on gen- eral agriculture and is ably assisted by a young man by the name of John Rine- heart, whom Mr. Olinger has reared from childhood.

Joseph C. Olinger was born in Augusta In 1889 Mr. Olinger married Eva Tip- pie, who was born March 2, 1864, and died May 29, 1895. Their one daughter, Mary, who was born September 1, 1891, resides with her maternal grandparents, George and Orcha Tippie. Mr. and Mrs. Tippie have three children living-Decatur, Owa, and Etna. Mr. Olinger is a member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 345, at Vienna, in which he has passed all the chairs. He is a leading member and liberal supporter of the Christian Church at Vienna. County, Virginia, May 8, 1816, and was a son of George and Rachel Olinger. In 1846, when he was thirty years of age, he came to Clark County, Ohio (his par- ents and the rest of the family having come in 1832), and worked by the day for farmers, living in the meanwhile on the old Baird place. After buying and selling some land he acquired 500 acres in Harmony Township, near Brighton, and on that land he spent the remainder of his life. He married Mary Smith and they had nine children, six of whom survive, namely: Jacob, born in November, 1854, married Lizzie Hartman and they have C. F. GILBERT, junior partner in the well known lumber firm of Van Horn & one child, Joseph V .; George W .; William Henry, born January 10, 1859; Jasper W., Gilbert, at South Charleston, Clark

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County, Ohio, was born at Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio, March 20, 1872. He is a son of Lewis and Anna (McLean) Gil- bert.

The Gilbert family is of Scotch descent and has been long established on Ameri- can soil. The grandparents came to Greene County, Ohio, at an early period and there resided until death. Lewis Gil- bert, father of C. J., was born in Eastern Ohio and was reared there on his fath- er's farm. He served four years in the Union army during the Civil War and participated in many of the important en- gagements of that struggle. Upon his re- turn to peaceful pursuits he engaged in the timber business, which he followed with success for many years. He now re- sides at Cedarville, where he takes rank among the leading and substantial men. He married Anna McLean, a native of Greene County, and they became parents of four children, all of whom are living.

C. F. Gilbert was educated in the pub- lic schools of Greene County, and remain- ed on the home place until twenty-one years of age. His connection with the lumbering business began early, and after a period of nine years in it he entered into partnership with Joseph Van Horn, under the firm name of Van Horn & Gilbert. Their sawmill was first located about a mile east of South Charleston, but after the formation of the partnership was re- moved to the village proper. They do a general sawmill business and deal exten- sively in all kinds of hard lumber. It is the only mill in this vicinity and is operated at its full capacity all the time. In addi- tion to the sawmill, Van Horn & Gilbert conduct a general store which enjoys a liberal patronage.

Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Anna Wilson, a daughter of Timothy Wil- son of Madison Township, and they re- side in a comfortable home in South Charleston. Politically Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. He is prominent fraternally, being a member of the Masons, having attained the Knights Templar degree, and of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is one of the substantial men of affairs in his vicinity and in addi- tion to town property which he owns, he and his partner have large landed inter- ests in Mississippi and own also 120 acres in Greene County, Ohio.

JOHN W. LEATHERMAN, one of German Township's representative agri- culturists, resides on his well cultivated farm of sixty acres, which is situated on the Springfield-Northampton Turnpike Road, about four miles northwest of Springfield. He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, June 26, 1853, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Shos- key) Leatherman.

The parents of Mr. Leatherman came from West Virginia to Clark County, Ohio, when he was eighteen months old, and settled on a farm about nine miles northeast of Springfield, on the old Major Hunt place. The father rented that farm for two years and then moved to the neighboring one belonging to Nathan Trotter, which he rented for ten years, moving from there to one on the Yel- low Springs Turnpike. This farm be- longed to John Perrin, and one year later they moved to a farm two miles north of Clifton, and from there a year afterward to the James Ander-

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son farm, and thence to Dr. Marquart's farm, near Osborn, on which they lived for eight years. Their next move was to the John Harris farm, near Day- ton, where the mother died. The father and sons had worked the various farms up, to this time, but from that time on up to the time of his marriage, John W. Leatherman worked by the month. After that event he rented a farm in Pike Township, on which he lived for five years, and in 1886 he bought and moved on to his present farm, which he has con- tinued to improve up to the time of this writing. He has done a large amount of tiling and fencing and some clearing, and has remodeled the residence, and in 1904 he built a new barn, the dimensions of which are 40 by 50 feet. He takes an interest in his surroundings, and his im- provements each year add value to his place.

In 1881 Mr. Leatherman married Mary E. Dresher, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Siefreid) Dresher, who was born south of Springfield, in Clark County. Their oldest child died in in- fancy. The survivors all are at home, namely: Otho, Rolland and Raymond, twins, and Irven. Mr. and Mrs. Leather- man are members of the German Baptist Church.

WILLIAM HENRY OLINGER, a rep- resentative agriculturist of Harmony Township, in which he owns 295 acres of valuable land, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 10, 1859, and is a son of Joseph C. and Mary (Smith) Olinger.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 100

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086