Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

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 95

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Adam German was reared on the home farm and obtained his educational train- ing in the public schools of his home com- munity. He has always followed general farming and stock-raising, and has one of the best appointed and equipped places in the township. He farms according to the most modern and approved methods, and

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success has attended his efforts on every hand. Mr. German was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Catherine Greiser, who was also born and reared in Clark County, Ohio, and who is a daughter of George Greiser. Three children were born to bless their home, namely : Effie, Lena, and Edna. Mrs. German died April 13, 1908, after an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Ger- man takes an earnest interest in local politics and all that affects the welfare of his home community, and is at present a member of Springfield Township school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

JOSEPH RAPER PROCTER, who re- sides upon a fine farm of ninety-two acres, situated one and one-half miles west of Dialton, Clark County, Ohio, comes of a prominent old family of this vicinity, the old home place being located across the line in Champaign County. He was born in Jackson Township, Champaign County, Ohio, November 9, 1837, and is a son of William and Mary (Maxwell) Procter, and a grandson of William Procter. The last named was a lifelong resident of Yorkshire, England, where he followed farming; he had a brother, General Proc- ter, who was beheaded for his activity in furthering the American cause in Rev- olutionary days.

William Procter, father of Joseph Raper Procter, was born in Yorkshire, England, November 5, 1795, and there grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was married February 13, 1816, to Ellen Whitaker and later in the same year came to America, in a sailing vessel. The

voyage consumed four months, the vagaries of the wind carrying them to points north, where winter clothing be- came necessary and so far south they again donned their summer garbs. On arriving in New York, William Procter contracted with a man to escort them to Cincinnati, Ohio. As he would be gone from home for a long period, this man set about preparing wheat for bread for his family during his absence. William thus learned, in assisting him, to "wind wheat," a pioneer process of separating wheat from chaff, by tossing it in the air from a sheet. Mr. Procter's wife and children rode in a wagon drawn by one horse, while he and the escort walked over the rough roads. While on the way, an axle of their wagon broke, but they cut down a sapling and put it in instead and con- tinued their journey to Cincinnati, where they arrived seven weeks later after many hardships and trying experiences. After residing in that city for two years, William Procter walked to the land of- fice at Lima, Ohio, and entered one hun- dred and sixty-three acres of land in Jackson Township, Champaign County, Ohio, on the last section of land to be set- tled in that township. He erected a log cabin in which he lived for two years, then rented it to James Benson, and re- turned to Cincinnati, where he engaged in whip-sawing, a strange occupation for a man unused to the woods. However, he was a man of energy, patience, and en- terprise and attained success, working at this industry for ten years, and during his residence there could have made num- erous investments, which in the light of subsequent events, would have made him independently wealthy. At that time, ten

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acres, lying in the heart of Cincinnati, perienced the hardships incident to pio- could have been purchased for a paltry $200. Returning to Champaign County, he spent the remainder of his days there, dying aged eighty-five years. By his first wife he had four children, two of whom grew up, James and John, both of whom lived in the West and died aged eighty- five years.

William Procter was married a second time, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Mrs. Mary (Maxwell) Truer, who had one daughter, Harriet, by her first marriage who died at eighteen years. Mrs. Procter's grand- mother, Maggie (Foulton) Maxwell, was a sister of Robert Foulton, inventor of the first steam-boat. Her grandfather Maxwell was killed by Indians, his wife escaping by hiding in a hollow log, but her two sisters, although scalped, man- aged to crawl to a boat and thus save their lives. William and Mary (Maxwell) Procter were parents of nine children: Nancy Jane, deceased; Martha Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased; David W .; Joseph ; Charles, who was killed in trying to escape from Andersonville Prison, dur- ing the Civil War, after having dug his way out; Mary Ellen, deceased; Ann M., of Indiana; and Elias G., of Michigan, who was also in the Civil War. Mrs. Procter was born in Carrol County, Ken- tucky, and died in 1888, aged eighty-five years.

Joseph Procter was born in the old log cabin erected by his father and helped clear up the home place. His father paid eight and one-third cents per day for his schooling and he attended the old log schoolhouse of that district, which was the first in that vicinity to have a fire- place. In his youth Mr. Procter ex- a Republican.

neer days, and during his lifetime has witnessed wonderful changes in life on the farm, in the conveniences and com- forts of living, the improved facilities for putting out and harvesting crops, and the value of products. Well does he remem- ber his father hauling oats to Urbana for six cents per bushel; selling chickens for eight cents each, and maple sugar at two and a half and three cents per pound. A medium sized coon skin was worth twen- ty-five cents in those days. The family wove and spun their own clothing. Twice a year a minister came on horseback from Cincinnati and held meetings in the woods or in a cabin, always being sure of a con- gregation. Mr. Procter has always fol- lowed general farming and also for seven years taught music, and being a careful manager and an industrious worker, has met with success. He lived in Champaign County until 1874, when he bought his present farm of Henry Verity. It is lo- cated on the county line.

On January 14, 1863, Mr. Procter mar- ried Ellen Tomlin, who was born in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Carter) Tomlin, who were married in England. Upon coming to this country they located in the woods in Pike Township, Clark County, and cleared up a farm. Mrs. Procter is one of six children born to her parents: William T., Mary Ann, John, Sarah, Ellen M., and Joseph. She and John are the sole survivors of the family. Mr. Procter and his wife have one child, a daughter, Olive G., who is wife of Samuel Ray and they live with her parents. Politically Mr. Procter is

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Seventy-seven years ago a company was formed, the object being to dig down eighty feet on Mr. Procter's farm for salt, but owing to the enormous quantity of water they encountered the project was abandoned.

LAWRENCE L. CIRCLE, a well known resident of German Township, who is engaged in general farming and stock- raising on a farm of seventy acres, was born August 4, 1878, in Lawrenceville, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Will- iam and Luticia (Rust) Circle.

William L. Circle, also a native of Lawrenceville, was a son of Emanuel Circle, a farmer, who came from York County, Pennsylvania, at a very early period and was one of the pioneers of Clark County. He laid out the town of Lawrenceville and acquired a large tract of land, owning four hundred acres in German Township. He was a wagon maker by trade and conducted a shop in Lawrenceville for seventeen years before locating on his farm, which he purchased in 1883 and upon which he erected a fine frame house. He married Luticia Rust and to them were born the following chil- dren: Minnie, wife of Charles Lutz of Marion, Indiana; Worthy A., a resident of Springfield, who has been employed in the postoffice of that city for nine years; Lawrence L., the subject of this sketch; Naomi, is the wife of William Chaney. Mr. Circle passed out of this life Septem- ber 7, 1901, and is survived by his widow, who makes her home with her son Law- rence.

Lawrence L. Circle spent his early childhood days in Lawrenceville and when

seven years old his parents moved to the farm of one hundred and forty-three acres in German Township, of which he now owns seventy acres, having resided here since 1885. He assumed the management of the farm upon attaining his majority and has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Durock hogs. Mr. Circle was united in marriage March 17, 1902, with Frieda Critchfield, a daughter of Charles Critchfield, and they have three children -- Lewis LeRoy; and Elma and Thelma, twins.

C. A. SCHUSTER, president and treasurer of the Peet & Schuster Com- pany is one of Springfield's progressive business men and active citizens, having been prominently identified with various organizations having in view the promo- tion of the best interests of the city, of which he has been a resident for thirty- five years.

Mr. Schuster was born in 1848 near the city of Buffalo, N. Y., and was there reared, acquiring his education in a coun- try school. When sixteen years old he began to learn the trade of sheet metal worker, with which line of industry he has been identified continuously ever since. After serving as an apprentice in Buf- falo he came to Ohio, locating at Fremont. He subsequently went to Goshen and Elk- hart, Ind., and still later to Chicago. He left the latter city one month prior to the great fire of October, 1871, and came to Springfield, Ohio, entering the employ of Peet & Raymond. Six months later this firm was dissolved and the firm of T. B. Peet & Co. was organized. The company

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was composed of T. B. Peet, C. A. Shuster and Lon Kriger. They continued with un- interrupted success for a number of years, when, on account of the ill health of the senior member, it became necessary for Mr. Shuster to assume charge, the other member dropping out. In 1894, after the death of Mr. Peet, Mr. Shuster, in asso- ciation with others, organized and incor- porated the Peet & Shuster Company, with a paid-up capital of $10,000. He was elected president and treasurer of the company, in which capacity he now serves, and has capably directed its affairs. They make a specialty of sheet metal work and have met with a gratifying degree of success.

In 1876 Mr. C. A. Schuster was united in marriage with Miss Mary Kershner, a daughter of John Kershner. She died in 1888, leaving three children: Rosamond, Bertha and Robert. Mr. Schuster con- tracted a second marriage, in 1901, with Miss Julia Miller, who died in 1901, leav- ing, besides her husband, two children to mourn her loss, namely, Mary and Ruth.

Mr. Schuster takes an active interest in local politics and for five years served in the City Council, for one year of that time being its president. Mr. Schuster is a Free Mason of high rank, having attained to the thirty-second degree. He has served as presiding officer, both of the Council and of the Chapter, and is also an officer of the Grand Chapter of the state. He is a member of the Masonic Club, also of the Springfield Commercial Club, and was the first president of the Builders' Ex- change. He was a charter member of the first military company organized in the county under the present system of Na- tional Guard. It will thus be seen that

Mr. Schuster is a man of various activ- ities, in all of which he displays his char- acteristic energy and capacity.

DARWIN PEIRCE, a veteran of the Civil War and a respected citizen of Mad- ison Township, Clark County, Ohio, is the owner of some four hundred and thirty acres of land, of which two hundred and sixty acres comprise the home farm. He was born on this place July 5, 1841, and is a son of Edwin and Frances (Williams) Peirce.

Jonathan Peirce, grandfather of Dar- win Peirce, was a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania, until 1825, in which year he moved with his family to Warren County, Ohio. One year later he came to Clark County and rented what is now the H. E. Bateman farm, then known as the Jonathan Cheney farm. He man- ufactured a hay rake, known as the old Peirce rake, from the sale of which he made his first purchase of land here. He bought four hundred and fifty-five acres, now known as the John Rankin farm, and subsequently bought the Bown farm, on which he was living at the time of his death. He acquired some two thousand acres in all, being one of the largest in- dividual landowners in this section of the county. He married Hannah Darlington, who was born in Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, and died on the old Jonathan Cheney place in Madison Township. Jona- than Peirce was a Quaker in religion, and in politics a Whig and great abolitionist. He was connected with the underground railway and helped many a poor slave to his freedom.

Edwin Peirce, the father, was born in

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Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 1810, and attended school there, and later at Springfield, Ohio, the house in which he boarded at that time being still standing. He engaged in farming during his active career, which was cut short by an accident which made him a cripple, and his death followed in a few years. He was married in 1840 to Frances Williams, a daughter of William Williams, who came from Westmoreland County, Maryland, her mother coming from Ireland with her parents when three years of age. Three children were born to bless their home, namely: Darwin; Hannah Mary, who for fifteen years was superintendent of Christ Hospital at Cincinnati, and is now en- gaged in charitable work in the slums of that city ; and Laura (Harold), who is now a resident of South Charleston.

Darwin Peirce was reared on the home farm, but as he was five years of age when his father died, and the only son, his schooling was of necessity very limited. He is nevertheless a man of more than average education, but largely self-ac- quired. He made and developed the home farm himself. At the time of the Civil War he was living with his mother and two sisters in the log house on the farm, a time when his best energies should have been given to the development of the place in order that his further success be as- sured, but, casting aside all his personal ambitions, he followed the course of pa- triotism and loyalty to his country in a time of need, although it subjected his family to many hardships. He enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company C, One Hun- dred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Keifer, and served until the war closed. He saw much

hard fighting, was in numerous important engagements, and was several times wounded. When the war closed he re- turned home and with renewed energy un- dertook the work on the farm, and with what success may be determined by the high station he occupies among the men of his township.

Mr. Peirce was married to Mary E. Mathewson, a daughter of Mathew and Margaret (Evans) Mathewson. Her father was born in England and came to the United States in 1834, locating on what is known as the Thomas Mathewson farm. He was married in 1841 to Mar- garet Evans, a native of Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce have two sons: John, who is an electrician in Omaha, Nebraska; and Walter Thompson, who is an instructor in the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. Peirce is a Republican in politics, and for thirty-one years served efficiently as a school director. He was for twenty years a member of the Soldiers. Relief Committee, and for eleven years was a member of the Clark County Agricultural Board. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. Religiously, he was brought up in the Quaker faith.

GEORGE L. ZIEGLER, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his valuable farm of sixty-three acres which is situated in Moorefield Township, was born in Ger- many, May 14, 1843. His parents were George and Anna (Layboldt) Ziegler.

The parents of Mr. Ziegler came to America in 1849 and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where the father followed a butch- ering business. George L. Ziegler was

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reared and educated in that state. In 1862 he came to Springfield, Ohio, where he found work in a brewery and later in the Lagonda shops, but remained only one week in each place, finding more agreeable employment in the water wheel shops, where he contiuned to work for four years. He then turned his attention to farming and worked on a farm in Logan County, Ohio, for six years preceding his marriage and for six years following it, when he bought a small farm in Green Township, south of Springfield, which he operated for ten years. During the next two years Mr. Ziegler worked all over Clark County assisting in the construc- tion of turnpike roads and street car lines, living during one year at Clifton and one year at Springfield. In the spring of 1893 he moved to the present farm. He keeps about thirty cows and sells his milk to the Pure Milk Company. Since taking pos- session, Mr. Ziegler has made many im- provements on his property which has greatly increased its value.

In 1876, Mr. Ziegler was married in Logan County, to Alice J. Hamilton, who is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Ful- ton) Hamilton. Mrs. Ziegler was born and reared in the old home in Logan County, where her venerable mother has lived since the day following her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler have had seven children, all of whom survive with the exception of Helen, the youngest, who died aged two years. The others are: Ilow, who married Charles Holmeyer, and they have five children-George, Carl, Wilbur, Arthur and Frederick, their home being in Springfield; Estella, who is at home; Harley, a mail carrier, who resides at Lyons, Colorado; and Walter, Jessie

and Joseph, who live at home. Mr. Zieg- ler is a member of the Grange. He is a man who has worked hard all his life and has honestly acquired what he possesses. He is a first-class citizen but takes no very active interest in politics.

CHARLES FREMONT STEWART, a well known and prosperous farmer of Green Township, Clark County, Ohio, re- sides on a farm of 135 acres located about seven miles south of the City of Spring- field. He was born on the old family homestead in this township, August 2, 1856, and was named in honor of Fremont, the first Republican nominee for presi- dent. He is a son of Perry and Rhoda Ann (Wheeler) Stewart, further refer- ence to whom may be found elsewhere in this volume.

Charles Fremont Stewart was reared on the home place and acquired an educa- tional training in the district school at Pitchin, supplemented by one year in a business college at Springfield and a term at Lebanon, Ohio. At the age of twenty years he began farming a part of the home place on shares, and in 1884 purchased 135 acres adjoining the Stewart home- stead. This he has improved greatly, clearing the remaining timber from the place, erecting a large barn, and convert- ing the one-story brick house into a mod- ern structure of two stories. A man of untiring energy he has made continuous progress in his work and is today classed among the substantial men of the com- munity. He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for President Gar- field in 1880. In 1884 he was elected town- ship trustee, serving until 1889, and from

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES F. STEWART AND FAMILY

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the latter date until 1908 he served as township clerk, discharging his duties in a most capable and satisfactory manner. He served from 1892 to 1898 as a member of the county election board, and in 1907 he was appointed Deputy Supervisor of Elec- tion of Clark County. He has frequently represented his district as delegate to county and state conventions.

On March 11, 1880, Mr. Stewart was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Clara Garlough, who was born in Green Township and is a daughter of James T. and Sarah (Hause) Garlough, her father being now deceased. The issue of this union is as follows: Josie A., born June 16, 1881, who married March 11, 1902, Stephen Kitchen; Fred Garlough, born June 2, 1884, who married Rachel Estle; Howard H., born June 15, 1888; Samuel N., born October 9, 1893; and Ste- phen W., born July 20, 1896. Frater- nally, our subject is a member of Clifton Lodge No. 669, K. P., in which he has filled all the chairs. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian church at Clifton.

HON. WILLIAM R. BURNETT, one of Springfield's prominent and represent- ative citizens, who ably served the munic- ipality four years as mayor, and through re-election is the present incumbent of that office, has also held many other offices of responsibility. He was born August 17, 1846, in Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary (Jones) Burnett.

The Burnett family was founded in Clark County by Richard Burnett, the grandfather, whose life was spent in agricultural pursuits. Of his children,

John Burnett, father of William R., was born in the home in Clark County, in 1824. For a number of years he followed the trade of millwright. He married Mary Jones, who was born in 1826, in Randolph County, Virginia. For almost a quarter of a century she lived in the same home, on the corner of Plum and High Streets, Springfield, only removing to the resi- dence of her son, William R., a few months prior to her death, which occurred May 29, 1907, when she was eighty-two years old. She was laid by the side of her husband in Ferncliff cemetery.

William R. Burnett attended school un- til he was fourteen years of age then went to work in the shops of Whitely, Fassler & Kelly, where he remained until he was seventeen years old, becoming a skilled machinist. His youth alone had pre- vented his already becoming a soldier, and in 1863 he succeeded in enlisting in Company A, Fourth Battalion, Ohio In- dependent Cavalry, and he remained a member of that organization until he re- ceived an honorable discharge in 1865. Upon the close of his military service, he re-entered the machine shops of his old firm and continued there for twenty-three years. At a later period he embarked in a grocery business with which he re- mained connected for ten years.

For many years Mr. Burnett has been a leading member of the Democratic party in Clark County, serving in many capacities, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with offices of trust and re- sponsibility. For four years Mr. Burnett served as a faithful member of the Springfield School Board, later he ably represented the First Ward in the City Council, and in 1889, he was elected

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mayor of Springfield. His administra- tion was so generally recognized as valu- able to the city's best interests, that in 1891 he was re-elected and served out his second term with the same efficiency. In 1908 he was again re-elected and is now serving his third term. He was the first mayor to enjoy the fine offices in the new municipal building that had been com- completed during his first administration. Subsequently he was appointed president of the Board of Public Safety, by his suc- cessor, and he continued to serve in this important office.

In October, 1865, Mr. Burnett was mar- ried to Mary C. Monahan, who is a daughter of John Monahan, of Spring- field, and they have two sons, Theodore A. and Levi Herr. Theodore A. Burnett is a graduate of the American Veterinary College, New York, and is now govern- ment Veterinary Inspector located in Day- ton, Ohio. Levi Herr Burnett is an able lawyer of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who is an assistant attorney for the United States Steel Trust.

Mr. Burnett belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M .; Red Star Lodge, No. 205, Knights of Pythias and Company 44 of the Uniform Rank; Springfield Lodge, No. 33, Odd Fellows; the Elks; Mitchell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and to the Union Veterans' Union.

FRANK CLICK, general farmer and wholesale dairyman, residing on a tract of one hundred acres in Bethel Town- ship, Clark County, was born October 29, 1857, at Beckelhill, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Emanuel and Martha Jane (Alben) Click.

Emanuel Click was born in Virginia and came to Ohio when a boy of twelve years with his father John Click, who lo- cated in Springfield and opened a black- smith and wagon shop and resided there until his death. Emanuel Click was the oldest of a family of seven children-two boys and five girls. He was married in Springfield to Martha Jane Alben, who was born in Mad River Township, after which he moved to a farm in Mad River Township, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Six chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Click: Samuel; Frank, subject of this sketch; Louisa, who died aged eighteen years; Mary, wife of Mr. Fryant; William; and Lydia, who married Frank Evans.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

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