Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 64

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 64

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ing four terms in all. In 1868 he located at Springfield and in 1880, he was elected mayor of the city, and served for two years with marked efficiency. He was then engaged in a real estate business and in farming until 1886, when he was ap- pointed warden of the Ohio penitentiary for four years. In 1896 he was re-ap- pointed for four years more. Since the expiration of his second term, Mr. Coffin has lived retired in some degree, although he still is interested in the buying and shipping of horses. He is a man of ample resources, owning two of Clark County's finest farms. His public career was one of continued efficiency and his record is that of an honest, faithful and thoroughly capable public servant.

In 1852, Mr. Coffin was married to Mary Haley, who was born and reared in Ire- land. They have three surviving chil- dren, namley: Olive, who is the wife of James J. Kinnane, of Kinnane Brothers; Florence, who is the wife of W. A. Bid- dle, of Springfield; and Cora, who resides at home. For more than fifty years Mr. Coffin has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

CHARLES H. PIERCE, president of the Springfield Building and Loan Asso- ciation, has been a resident of Springfield for a period of fifty-one years, having come here in 1857 from Massachusetts, where he was born in 1840.

Mr. Pierce was reared and educated in Massachusetts and at the age of seven- teen came to Springfield and was for some time engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, later entering the employ of E. A. Neff, a

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news dealer. In 1862 he bought the busi- in journalism; Roscoe, who operates the ness from Mr. Neff and conducted the Pierce Book Store; and Bertha F., who is the wife of Frank Sawyer, a partner with Roscoe Pierce in the Pierce Book Store. same in the lobby of the postoffice for a time, later moving to King's Corner, now known as Main and Limestone Streets. In the summer of 1863, having employed Mr. Pierce has served as a member of the city council, is a member of the Mitch- ell Post, G. A. R., and is an attendant at the Congregational Church. In politics, Mr. Pierce is a Republican. a man to conduct the business for him, on July 4 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mus- tered into service at Cleveland for a serv- ice of six months. He was with the com- pany on the march through Kentucky and CYRUS SHEIRICH HELMAN, a prosperous farmer of Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, residing on a farm of thirty-three acres, located about ten miles west of Springfield on the north side of the Valley Pike, was born Decem- ber 30, 1847, in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of John and Mary (Sheirich) Helman, and a grandson of John Helman, who followed farming throughout his life in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died there at an ad- vanced age. Tennessee to Cumberland Gap, partici- pating in the siege and capture of same, after which the company was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and were also participants in the siege of Knox- ville, Tennessee, after which Mr. Pierce returned to Cleveland, where he was mus- tered out, after an absence of nine months. Upon his return to Springfield, Mr. Pierce again took charge of his news stand for some time, later buying out Gillette Brothers News and Book Store, which he operated for many years, and which has ever since been known as the Pierce Book Store, being now under the management of his son.

In 1885 Mr. Pierce, with other enter- prising citizens of Springfield, was instru- mental in organizing the Springfield Building and Loan Association, of which for the past twenty years he has been president. He is also a director in the Lagonda National Bank. Mr. Pierce is a man of great business ability, judgment and integrity and has settled numerous estates as administrator and guardian.

Mr. Pierce was joined in marriage in 1864 to Maria T. French and they have three children: Walter, who is engaged

John Helman, father of Cyrus H., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was one of seven children born to his parents, all of whom are deceased, except David, who is still a resident of Lancaster County. John Helman was a weaver by trade and followed his occupation the greater part of his life. His death oc- curred in Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy-one years, and his widow died at the age of seventy-five years. He mar- ried Mary Sheirich, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jacob Sheirich, who was both a farmer and tailor. They had nine children, namely: Catherine, wife of Benjamin Minick; Elizabeth, widow of M. Steffey;

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Henry, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Susan, wife of A. Kauffman; John; George; Mary, deceased, was the wife of P. Kag- ereise; and Cyrus S.

Cyrus S. Helman grew to man's estate on his father's farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and previous to coming to Ohio engaged for a short time in grist milling. At the age of twenty-two, in company with Tobias and Jacob Crider, he came to Ohio and located at Dayton, where for six months he drove one of the first horse street cars of that city. From there he came to Medway, Clark County, and worked for two years for Henry Har- nish, who later became his brother-in-law, and was the owner of the farm adjoining Mr. Helman's present one, and then spent one year following painting for Amos Harnish. On January 23, 1873, he mar- ried Emma Harnish, a native of Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. John and Esther (Bow- man) Harnish. Rev. Harnish, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, fol- lowed farming some years in his native community and was ordained a minister of the Mennonite Church. In 1840 he brought his wife and family to Ohio and settled in the woods of Bethel Town- ship, near Medway, where the family sub- sequently became quite prominent, and owned a large tract of land. Mr. Harnish was one of the first to establish a Men- nonite Church in this vicinity and during his pastorate here extended a powerful influence for good. Rev. Harnish mar- ried Esther Bowman, also a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born the following children: Henry, deceased; Mary, married Jacob Neff, both deceased ; Esther, wife of J. M. Zeller; John, de-

ceased; Anna. married Levi Kauffman; Amos, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, and . Emma. The sons all served in the Civil War and were stationed at the Block . House settlement in the Cumberland Val- ley. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Helman, namely: Henry, a resident of Osborn, married Estella Weinland; Mary, who is the wife of Ed- gar McDonald, lives near her father; and John, who is unmarried, lives at home.

Mr. Helman does general farming and also grows three acres of tobacco each year. He has made many improvements on the place, which is part of the old Har- nish home property, having erected sub- stantial buildings and planted two rows of shade trees along the drive to the house, adding much to its tasteful ap- pearance. Mr. Helman and wife are both members of the Reformed Mennonite Church, in which he is deacon and of which he has been a member for twenty years.

JOHN GERMAN, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres, situated about seven miles northwest of Springfield on the Clark and Miami Pike, has been a resident of Ger- man Township since the spring of 1897, having purchased the land in the fall of 1896. He was born September 22, 1864, in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Geron) German.

Peter German was born and reared in Germany and at the age of sixteen came to America with his brother Balse. They first located in Pittsburg, where they re- mained for one year, then came to Clark

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County, Ohio, and worked for some time on a farm, subsequently buying a farm of ninety-four acres in Springfield Town- ship on the National Pike, where Peter German and his wife both passed the re- mainder of their days. The latter, in maidenhood Margaret Geron, was also a native of Germany who came to this coun- try after reaching womanhood.

John German was reared in Springfield Township and has always followed farm- ing, also operating a dairy until he came to his present farm. Here he has been engaged in general agriculture since 1897 and also sells milk to the Pure Milk Com- pany of Springfield, keeping about six- teen cows. He is also extensively en- gaged in raising horses, making a spe- cialty of the Belgian breed, and is a mem- ber of the Christianburg Horse Protective Association. Mr. German has made nu- merous improvements on his farm, having erected a fine seven-room frame house in the fall of 1902. He has also made an ad- dition to his barn, which is now 114 by 36 feet in dimensions.

Mr. German was married in 1888 to Mollie Ellinger, who died three years later, leaving no children. His second marriage was with Mary Rader, a daugh- ter of Philip Rader, and to them have been born five children-Henry, Mar- garet, Balse, Minnie and Helen. Mr. German belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Springfield.

WILLIAM M. YEAZELL, one of Springfield's most esteemed retired citi- zens, residing in a pleasant and comfort- able home at No. 905 East High Street, was one of Moorefield's successful farm-

ers and stock dealers for many years. He was born in Moorefield Township, Clark County, Ohio, June 24, 1835, and is a son of William and Eliza (Foley) Yeazell.

The Yeazell family originated in Ger- many and the characteristics of the fam- ily have been those which mark that sturdy race. The first of this family to settle in Clark County was Abraham Yeazell, the grandfather, who came to Moorefield Township from Virginia. William Yeazell, father of William M., was born in Virginia, and he accompanied his parents to this section, where he spent a long and useful life which he mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits. He died in 1862, at the age of sixty-one years. He married Eliza Foley, whose death took place in March, 1881. They were most worthy people, members of the Presby- terian Church, kind, helpful and efficient in every relation of life. They had eight children born to them, William M. being the fourth in the order of birth.

William M. Yeazell was educated in the district schools of Moorefield Township and in the Springfield High School. He was about twenty years of age when he began to assume many of the duties per- taining to the management of his father's large property, and after his father's death he acquired the farm which he con- tinued to operate, together with consider- able activity in buying and selling stock, until 1871, when he retired with his wife to Springfield. He still retains his val- uable farm of over 200 acres in Moorefield Township and he has also a large body of land in Illinois. Mr. Yeazell belongs to that class of citizens who, after setting an example of useful industry for many years, in their ripening age retire from

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the active field, leaving further effort to those who, younger, may profit by their example and learn of their wisdom.

On December 11, 1866, Mr. Yeazell was married to Anna E. Clark, who was born in Moorefield Township and is a daugh- ter of John D. and Susan (Foley) Clark. John D. Clark was born in 1805 and from boyhood lived in Moorefield Township, where he died in May, 1886, aged eighty- one years. The mother of Mrs. Yeazell died in 1876. Both the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Yeazell rest in the quiet shades · of Springfield's beautiful Ferncliff cem- etery. Of their four children, Mrs. Yeaz- ell was the youngest born and the only surviving daughter. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church at Springfield, which Mr. Yeazell also at- tends, taking a practical interest in its various benevolent agencies. In his polit- ical preference he is a Republican.

LEWIS SKILLINGS, a prominent farmer of Clark County, Ohio, is the owner of three hundred acres of land there, one hundred and twenty-five acres forming the home place in Green Town- ship, while the remainder is located in Springfield Township. He was born in the house on the farm now owned by his brother Eben, on July 24, 1831, and is a son of Lewis, Sr., and Anna (Craig) Skillings.

Lewis Skillings, Sr., was born in Maine, where he lived until he was twenty-two years old, then left home and came to Ohio, where he spent the rest of a long life. He first located in Cincinnati, where he worked on the river for some years, and by hard work and careful saving, ac-

cumulating a sum sufficient to give him a start, then came on to Clark County, and bought a farm in Green Township. This first farm is now owned by a grandson, and the one he later bought his son Eben now lives on, and a part of it is owned by Lewis Skillings. There he lived until his death at a good old age. He mar- ried Anna Craig, who came from along Onion River, in Connecticut, and they were parents of four sons and three daughters.

Lewis Skillings was born on the old home place and received his educational training in the district schools. He lived on the home farm and followed farming until he was twenty-five years old, when he purchased his present place for $30 per acre. This price was considered enor- mous at that time, and there were some who thought his bargain a poor one. Time has justified him in his purchase, and today his farm is considered one of the most valuable in this vicinity. He has given his exclusive attention to farm- ing and has met with success.

Mr. Skillings was united in marriage December 13, 1855, with Miss Martha Hammond, who was one of eleven chil- dren born to Calvin and Laura (Bennett) Hammond, of Vienna, Ohio. They are parents of seven children: Fremont, de- ceased; Quincy, deceased; Laura, who lives at home with her parents; Rolley ; Autice ; Carrie; and Nora, deceased. De- cember 13, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Skil- lings celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home, when one hun- dred and ten of their friends were pres- ent to congratulate them and fittingly ob- serve so uncommon an event. Although work, and hard work at that, has formed

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a large part of their lives, Mr. and Mrs. Skilling's have not shut out the pleasures of life, a fact to which may be attributed much of the happiness of their long union. In 1902 they made a trip back to the home of his ancestors in Maine, going over the ground where they had lived and toiled, and viewing the grave of his grandfather, who had been buried just one hundred years before. However he was not favor- ably impressed with Maine as a farming or stock-growing state. Mr. Skillings is a Republican in politics and served for a time as school director, although he never desired public office. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. 1

MICHAEL J. BAHIN, city engineer of Springfield, was born in this city, in Jan- uary, 1876, and is a son of Cornelius Bahin, a native of Ireland, who came to Springfield in 1857.

Mr. Bahin has had thorough training and much experience in his profession. In 1897 he was graduated from the civil engineering department of the Ohio State University. In the following year he went into the Spanish-American War, go- ing as second lieutenant of Company B, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, and was stationed in the various camps through the South until the issues of the struggle had been settled and the soldiers had an opportunity to return to their homes. He was mustered out Oc- tober 28, 1898. In June, 1899, Mr. Bahin enlisted in Company K, Thirty-first Regi- ment, United States Regulars, which was almost immediately sent to the Philippine Islands. During his two years of service there he was with General Bates' com-

mand, in the southern part of the islands, during the time the treaty was made with Chief Sulu. He participated in numerous skirmishes, but was never injured and in July, 1901, he returned to Springfield. In a short time he was made deputy county surveyor of Clark County, and two years later, in 1903, he became assistant city en- gineer at Springfield, an office he filled for five years, following which came his appointment as city engineer on January 1, 1908.

Mr. Bahin is a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Eagles.

CAPTAIN ALEXANDER McCON- KEY, a prominent citizen of New Moore- field and a veteran of the Civil War, has been a resident of Clark County, Ohio, through nearly the entire length of his long career. He was born in Pleasant Township, December 5, 1832, and is a son of Daniel and Matilda (Neer) McConkey, and grandson of Archibald McConkey.

Archibald McConkey, the grandfather, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and came to America, settling in Kentucky, where he lived until some years after his mar- riage. In May, 1805, he came to Clark County,' Ohio, and settled in Pleasant Township, then practically a wilderness, where he purchased 300 acres of land, paying $1.25 per acre. Indians, some- times hostile ones, were common there at that time, and wild game abounded. The family erected a cabin in the woods and set about clearing the land and plac- ing it in tillable shape. The father lived there until his death.

Amaziah Hinger

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Daniel McConkey was born in Kentucky and was about six months old when brought by his parents to Clark County, and here he was reared. He married Matilda Neer and they became parents of eleven children, namely: Nathan. M., who was captain of Company G, Ninety- fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, during the Civil War; Hiram, who was orderly sergeant in the same com- pany and regiment; Enos, who was a wagon-master in the Eighth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry; Alexander; Archibald, who died before the Civil War; Mary Ann (Ellsworth) ; Sarah Jane (Runyan) ; Mar- garet E. (Baldwin) ; Nancy E .; Lucinda C .; and one who died unnamed.

Alexander McConkey was reared on the old home place, and was one of a large and happy family, of which he is the sole sur- vivor. He attended the district schools and assisted in farm work, with his broth- ers. On September 14, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of sergeant, serving as such until the end of his first term of enlistment. The com- pany was veteranized and was returned to service as a company in the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, in which Sergeant McCon- key was first commissioned second lieu- tenant, and later, first lieutenant. In June, 1865, Lieutenant McConkey ten- dered his resignation to the War Depart- ment, and with its acceptance he received a commission as captain as a reward for faithful service. Although he never served in this capacity, it was gratifying to have his soldierly qualities so recog- nized, and he left the army as Captain McConkey. He participated in some of

the most important engagements of the war, chiefly those in West Virginia and Eastern Tennessee. Upon returning from the army he again located at his old home at Catawba and resumed farming, which has been his life work. He has lived in Clark County ever since, except for two years spent on a farm in Goshen Town- ship, Champaign County. In 1900 he sold his farm property and moved to New Moorefield, his present home. He is now serving his sixth successive term as asses- sor of the east district.

In 1857, Captain McConkey was joined in marriage with Emeline Cartmell, a daughter of Thomas J. Cartmell, and they became parents of two children, Emma and Gilbert, the latter of whom died at the age of nine years. Emma, who is the widow of S. J. Wilkerson, has four chil- dren : Nellie C., wife of Frank S. Wade; Charles Mack; Florence Goode, wife of George Fay; and Howard. Mrs. Mc- Conkey died in October, 1901. Captain McConkey is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Catawba, and was a class leader until his removal from there. His brother, Nathan M., his father and his grandfather, had in turn served the church as class leaders. He is a member of N. M. McConkey Post, G. A. R., at Catawba, which was named in honor of his brother, Captain Nathan M. McConkey.

HON. AMAZIAH WINGER, who un- til his recent death, August 14, 1907, was a prominent retired citizen of Springfield, and formerly superintendent of the Su- perior Drill Company, Springfield, was identified with the business interests of this city during the whole period of his

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mature life. Mr. Winger was born Sep- tember 13, 1835, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Trout) Winger.

In 1837 the parents of Mr. Winger came to Springfield, where the father followed the trade of carpenter and builder for many years. He died in this city in 1886. and was survived by his widow for four years. All of their ten children, with the exception of a daughter who died in in- fancy, and Amaziah, subject of this mem- oir, were born in Springfield. The sur- vivors now are, Mrs. Catherine Ramsay, Mrs. John A. Sites, George W., and John M. Three of the sons, Amaziah, Heze- kiah and George, served in the Civil War.

Amaziah Winger acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Springfield and began to earn his own support as an employe in a lumber yard, where he re- ceived the training that prepared him to enter into the lumber business for him- self. In 1858 he became a member of the lumber manufacturing and jobbing firm of Simpson, Yarnell and Company, and so continued in business until 1862, when he entered the Union Army. He enlisted in Company A, Ninety-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from which he was honorably discharged in June, 1865. Although he took part in a number of the most important battles of the war and en- dured innumerable hardships, he was never wounded and never so incapacitated that he was unable to be at the post of duty. He faced the enemy on many fields, including Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga, and was in both the At- lantic and Carolina campaigns.

When Mr. Winger returned from his army service to Springfield, he re-entered

the lumber business as junior member of the firm of Hayward and Winger. In 1885 Mr. Winger became superintendent of the Superior Drill Company, which conducts one of the most important in- dustries of this city. He was a member of the Springfield Board of Trade, a di- rector of the Springfield Savings Bank, and had been identified with numerous business combinations of high commercial standing. His death deprived the com- munity of one of its most worthy and honored citizens.

Mr. Winger was married, first, to Mary Crothers, who died in 1872, leaving two daughters, Frances and Laura. He was married, secondly, in 1876 to Mrs. Mary (Barr) Torbert, who was born at Leb- anon, Ohio, and is a daughter of Amos Barr, formerly of Springfield and Cincin- nati. Mrs. Winger's mother was Martha H. Smith before marriage. Mrs. Winger is very prominent in charitable and phil- anthropic work and is a member of the board of managers of both the Clark Me- morial Home and of the Young Women's Christian Association in this city. She has a very attractive home at No. 733 South Limestone Street.

Politically, Mr. Winger was affiliated " with the Republican party, and served on the city council. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was deacon and trustee. Fraternally, he was a Mason and belonged to Clark Lodge No. 101, F. & A. M .; Springfield Chapter, R. A. M .; Springfield Council, R. & S. M .; and Pal- estine Commandery, K. T. He belonged also to Mitchell Post No. 45, Grand Army of the Republic, and to the Commandery of the Loyal Legion of Ohio. Like his

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wife, Mr. Winger was deeply interested in philanthropic work and he was liberal in giving support to the Clark Memorial Home, the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and to other benevolent objects and enterprises.

hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable farming land, situated in Pleasant Town- ship, on the London and Urbana Road, three miles south of Catawba, was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 28, 1831, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary (Arbogast) Hardman.

Philip Hardman, the great-grandfather of William, was born on the River Rhine, in Germany, and came to America, ex- pecting to sell himself to an employer, in order to repay the sum of $35, which had been advanced for his passage. He was bought in the port of New York by a resi- dent of New Jersey, and worked five months for his purchaser. This was no unusual transaction at that time. He sub- sequently made his way to Virginia, and at Clarksburg, in that state, his son Peter was born.

Peter Hardman learned the trade of gunsmith. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Hacker and his second wife, a Mrs. Edge, a widow. From Clarksburg, Virginia, Peter Hardman and wife came to Ohio, in 1803, and set- tled about one mile south of Osborn, Greene County. There was a law that prevailed at that time that some improve- ment had to be made on land in order to hold it. and after Peter Hardman had paid the sum of $1.25 an acre to the Gov- ernment, he borrowed an ax, cut down a operates several grain elevators. He

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 64

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