USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
EDWIN M. BAIRD, one of the well known and highly respected retired farm- ers of South Charleston, was born in Feb- ruary, 1864, in Harmony Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel E. and Mary (Bonner) Baird, and a grand- son of William D. Baird.
William D. Baird, a native of Ken- tucky, was born in 1803, and in 1807 was brought to Clark County, Ohio, by his par- ents, who settled on Beaver Creek, in Harmony Township. Here he spent his entire life engaged in farming, and be- came possessed of large landed interests. He married Sarah Hodge of Harmony Township, whose parents accompanied the Baird family from Kentucky in 1807, but located on Sinking Creek, in Pleasant Township. William D. Baird and wife reared a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased.
Samuel E., the second eldest and father of Edwin, was born in 1832, in Harmony Township, where he spent his entire life. He was united in marriage with Mary Bonner, a daughter of Matthew and Ann (Roberts) Bonner, the former of whom -was born in 1799 and came to Clark
947
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
County in 1830. He was a large land- owner and a surveyor of considerable prominence. Three children were born to Samuel and Mary Baird: Edwin M., Frank, and Mary.
Edwin M. Baird was reared on his fath- er's farm, receiving his education at Lon- don and Yellow Springs, Ohio, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and with the exception of fourteen years spent in London, Madison County, has always been a resident of Clark County. Besides owning valuable farm land in this county, he owns also his fine residence property in South Charleston, where he is now liv- ing in retirement. He was married in 1891 to Annette Emery, a daughter of Benjamin Emery, and has one child, Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Baird attend the Presbyterian Church of South Charles- ton. He is fraternally affiliated with the Masons and Elks. Politically he is a Re- publican.
CHARLES LUDLOW, whose recent passing away deprives Springfield of one of her early residents and most reputa- ble business men, was a native son, born in Springfield February 3, 1842, son of Dr. John and Elmina (Getman) Ludlow. He was a grandson, on the paternal side, of Cooper Ludlow, who came to Ohio as a pioneer from the State of New Jersey.
Dr. John Ludlow, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, learned in Cincinnati the trade of druggist, which he followed in Springfield for many years, prior to 1851 being proprietor of the first and only drug store here. He was one of the pro- moters and for some time president of the Springfield Bank, and was one of the
founders of the Ferncliff Cemetery, and in many ways helped to advance the ma- terial prosperity of the city. By his wife, Elmina, who came from an old family of Herkimer County, New York, he was the father of three children: Ellen, who is the widow of the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell; Frederick G., who died January 18, 1906, after having been for a number of years a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Charles, whose name appears at the head of this article.
Charles Ludlow, the date of whose na- tivity has been already given, was reared and educated in the city of Springfield, Ohio. Under his father's supervision he learned the drug business, and on the death of Dr. Ludlow, succeeded to the lat- ter's interests. This pioneer drug store, with which Mr. Ludlow was connected for over fifty years, was situated on East Main Street, near Limestone Street. Here Mr. Ludlow conducted a prosperous drug business from 1865 to 1896, and during much of this time was also associated in business enterprises with his brother-in- law, the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell, of Ohio. A few years ago he practically re- tired from all active business enterprises, except that he remained interested with his son, Frederick B., in a pine-apple plantation in Florida. Shortly previous to embarking in this enterprise he was en- gaged for some time in a wholesale oil business, which he gave up on account of ill health. In 1905 Mr. Ludlow received a warning of his approaching end in a stroke of paralysis, which was afterwards followed by a nervous breakdown which resulted finally in his death.
Mr. Ludlow was a Civil War veteran, and he also belonged to the Society known
948
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
as the Sons of the Revolution, ancestors of his having taken part in the war that delivered this country from British rule. He was also a member of the Ohio Phar- macy Society. Though he never took any active part in politics, he was a stanch Republican and a warm supporter of every movement calculated to advance the moral or material interests of Springfield. The Ferncliff Cemetery Association, his father's connection with which has been already noticed, always received his cor- dial support. Like his father, also he was a member and vestryman of Christ Epis- copal Church, to which all the members of the family belong.
Mr. Ludlow married Ella R. Spencer, who is a daughter of Richard S. Spencer, formerly a prominent citizen of Spring- field. Of this union there are three chil- dren: Frederick B., now a resident of Caxambas, Florida, where, as already in- timated, he is engaged in pine-apple cul- ture; Eleanor S., who married J. B. Pau- ley, of Chicago; and Charles R., who is associated with the First National Bank, and who married Nellie Hollenbeck.
CONRAD KAPPENBERGER, a gen- eral farmer and representative citizen of German Township, residing on his fine farm of 149 acres, which is situated on the Troy Turnpike Road, about six miles northwest of Springfield, was born Sep- tember 18, 1848, in Germany. His par- ents were Philip and Elizabeth (Fetter) Kappenberger.
Mr. Kappenberger was sixteen years of age when he came to America, making the voyage alone and proving his courage thereby, for it was not an easy matter to
take up life among strangers, with a new language to learn and new conditions and customs to get accustomed to. Mr. Kap- penberger came to Springfield Township and learned the blacksmith's trade, at Sugar Grove Hill. He worked at it for two years and then began farm work, and later went to work in the Hoakem stone quarry, where he was employed for six- teen years. In 1888 he bought sixty acres of his present farm and moved on to it, and subsequently purchased fifty- eight acres more, still later adding thirty additional acres. This land is kept in fine condition and Mr. Kappenberger is one of the most successful farmers and stock- raisers of the township.
When twenty-three years of age Mr. Kappenberger was married to Barbara Shaffer, who died after the birth of two children, namely: Kate, who married Michael Rader; and George. Mr. Kap- penberger was married (secondly) to Anna Grube, and they have six children, namely: Ida, who married Edward Fred- erick, and has two children-Ralph and Savilla; Elizabeth, who married Willis Stickle; Effie, who married George Gwin, and has one child, Floyd; and Philip, John and Maggie. Mr. Kappenberger and family belong to St. John's Lutheran Church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow.
WILLIAM TROXELL, in former years a well known and prosperous farm- er, of Harmony Township, Clark County, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, December 16, 1816, son of George and Elizabeth (Miller) Troxell. His paternal grandfather was Peter Troxell, of Penn- sylvania, who was of German descent and
949
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
who married Rachel Chambers, a native of Chambersburg, Maryland. Peter and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom George, the father of the sub- ject, was the second in order of birth. Peter Troxell was a Revolutionary sol- dier. He removed to Augusta County, Virginia, soon after his marriage, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their days.
George Troxell was born in Augusta County, in the Old Dominion, and was there reared to maturity. He married Elizabeth Miller, of that county, whose father, Adam Miller, was a native of Ger- many, who had settled in Virginia. George fought against the British in the War of 1812. He and his wife were the parents of seven children: Daniel, Andrew, John, William, Hettie, Eli and Elizabeth.
William Troxell, the date of whose birth has been already given, was reared on the farm and trained to agricultural pursuits. His boyhood, however, was spent among strangers, and he received at different times for his services all the way from $1.50 to $8.00 per month. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited, especially in his earlier years. When twenty years old he accom- panied his brother Daniel to Ohio and re- sided for about a year in Pike Township, Clark County. In 1837 he removed to Harmony Township, where he worked on a farm. Here he had a chance to attend school, which he did for about four years. In 1846 he went to Illinois, where he bought 160 acres of land, then returning to Ohio.
In February, 1847, he married Mrs. Margaret Brooks, who was born in On- tario County, New York, June 6, 1800,
and who was a daughter of Nathan Ham- mond, a pioneer of Clark County, Ohio. Mr. Troxell had worked as a farm hand on his wife's farm, and after his marriage he settled permanently on the property, of which he subsequently became the own- er by buying out the heirs. His wife died July 26, 1873, and on July 28, 1874, he - contracted a second marriage, with Dora V. Shryack, a daughter of John and Ma- tilda Shryack, of Clark County. She was born in Harmony Township, January 18, 1849, and has here resided all her life. Her father, John Shryack, was born in Urbana, Ohio, in 1816, and in after life became a resident of Clark County, where he died in 1896. His wife, Matilda, was born in 1822 and is still living. They were the parents of ten children, namely : Elder J., Jane, Charles, John, Dora V., George, William, Alfaretta, Robert and Ruric N. Charles and John died in in- fancy. George died in Africa in 1895, he being engaged in mining in that part of the world. The others are still living.
After his second marriage Mr. Troxell continued to carry on the farm, and was very successful, both in that respect and in acquiring agricultural property. When he came to Clark County his sole capital was $25.00, but he succeeded in accumu- lating 550 acres of land, besides paying over $15,000 as security debts. He and his step-son, Andrew Brooks, did an ex- tensive business as stock dealers and shippers, being thus engaged for about twelve years. He was a man of strictly temperate habits and was universally re- spected. He was a Republican in politics and served as township trustee for ten years, and as school director for a num- ber of years, filling both offices with abil-
950
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
ity. He was also road supervisor for twelve years and constructed the road on which his farm is situated. He was a con- sistent member of the Christian Church, as are the surviving members of his fam- ily, and when he died the community lost a good man and a useful, public-spirited citizen.
By his second wife, Dora, who survives him and who is now residing on the farm, Mr. Troxell had six children, whose rec- ord, in brief, is as follows: Pearl C., born in 1875, married Bruce Cruickshank, and is now residing in New Mexico. She has had one child, Glanville T., who was born September 8, 1904, and died Feb- ruary 18, 1908. George W., born Septem- ber 29, 1877, died in 1894. Jessie M., born April 28, 1880, married Charles Mitsch, and resides in Harmony Town- ship. She has two children, Dora and Charles B. Virginia J., born in 1882, is the wife of Clarence Laybourn, and is a resident of Clark County. Her two chil- dren are named, respectively, Troxell and Elizabeth. William P., born March 18, 1886, resides at home with his mother and assists in the management of the farm. Paul E., born October 8, 1887, also resides at home, and is occupied with the work of the farm. Mr. Troxell died May 14, 1888. Mrs. Troxell has two of her children still with her, and all but one residing within easy distance. The farm on which she lives consists of 320 acres, and there are besides 140 acres owned by her children, and 140 acres that were purchased from the widow Bennett, all in Harmony Township. The property is in a high state of cultivation and Mrs. Troxell is numbered among the prosperous resi- dents of the Township, as she is also one
of the best known and most popular. Her popularity is shared by her children, who are all worthy members of the respective communities in which they reside.
JOHN S. PROSSER, whose fine farm of over 128 acres is situated in Section 13, Moorefield Township, was born in Mon- mouthshire, England, February 18, 1868, and is a son of George and Esther (Evans) Prosser. The parents of Mr. Prosser came to America in 1880 and set- tled at Springfield, where the father was engaged for a short time in a brick busi- ness in partnership with a Mr. White, but later went into market gardening in Springfield Township. He was born in Monmouthshire, England, November 11, 1840, and died in Ohio, October 6, 1887. His four children were: John, Stephen, George, Thomas, Hall and William.
John S. Prosser was twelve years old when his parents came to Clark County. Here, after completing his education, he engaged in dairying, and later in general farming, together with dairying and rais- ing Duroc Jersey hogs. February 28, 1894, Mr. Prosser married Edith Hol- comb, daughter of a prominent and old time Clark County settler. They have three sons, namely: George Holcomb, John Evans and Arthur Jennings. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Prosser settled on the W. S. Thompson farm on North Lime- stone Street, where they lived for eighteen months, moving thence to the Peter Sintz farm on the National Road, and three years later to the present farm, which Mr. Prosser had bought in 1898. He keeps about thirty cows and sells his milk by wholesale. Mr. Prosser is a Republican
RESIDENCE AND BARN OF FRANK HADDIX, MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP
953
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
politically. He is an active, respected cit- izen and is numbered with the representa- tive men of this section.
FRANK HADDIX, owner of 133 acres of fine land situated in Mad River Town- shop, one mile east of Osborn, was born on his present farm January 20, 1863, and is a son of George and Harriet (Cascad) Haddix.
John Haddix, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio with his parents at the age of twelve years. They entered the present Haddix estate from the government and here John spent his active life, retiring in his old age to Osborn, where he died aged ninety-four years. He was married to Sarah Cox, whose father, John Cox, was an early settler of this section, and who originally came from Virginia. John and Sarah Haddix had seven children, among them George, the father of our subject, who was the youngest member of the family.
George Haddix was born on the farm now owned by his son Frank and resided here all his life, with the exception of seven years spent in Indiana, where his father had a farm. On this farm he op- erated a saw and grist-mill and also bred cattle. He was married to Harriet Cas- cad, who was born in Fairfield, Ohio, and upon leaving Indiana returned to Clark County, Ohio, where the rest of their lives were spent. Mr. Haddix died in 1892, aged sixty-four years. He is survived by his wife, who resides near her son Frank. They had nine children, as follows: Belle, who married F. Thayers, now de- ceased; Martin; John, who died young;
Lillian, who married Joseph Nadin; Emma, now deceased, who married Ed- ward Williamson, also deceased; Charles; Frank, subject of this sketch; Jennie, who died young; and George, also de- ceased.
Frank Haddix received his education in the district schools and has always made farming his occupation. He worked on his grandfather's farm until his marriage and after his father's death bought out the other heirs. He named the place "Hillside Stock Farm," and all the sub- stantial buildings have been erected by him. He keeps the farm well stocked and during the winter feeds from twenty-five to forty head of cattle.
Mr. Haddix was married in February, 1885, to Lamelia Gephart, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Rachel (Wadoner) Gep- hart. Seven children have been born of this union, namely: Josephine, William, Guy, Clifford, Robert, Harvey and Thel- ma. Politically Mr. Haddix is a Repub- lican.
GEORGE SHELLABARGER, whose 144 acres of fine, fertile land in German Township is divided into a tract of 100 acres lying on the division road separat- ing German and Pike Townships and an- other tract of forty-four acres one mile north of the residence farm, is one of the well known and substantial men of this section. He was born October 27, 1853, in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Littlejohn) Shellabarger.
Isaac Shellabarger was born in Penn- sylvania and was twelve years old when
954
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
he accompanied his father, John Shella- barger, to Bethel Township, Clark Coun- ty, where he was reared. In early man- hood he married Elizabeth Littlejohn, who was born in Virginia and was brought to Clark County in girlhood. They had three children, namely: George; Mary, who married Ezra Heck; and Amanda, who died aged four years.
George Shellabarger was a school boy when his parents moved to a farm near Osborn, Montgomery County, Ohio, where they lived for eight years, and he was thirteen years old when they came to the present farm, which has been his home ever since. The father built the house and farm buildings, but Mr. Shellabarger has made all the excellent improvements and has reason to take pride in his fine home. He is a practical, up-to-date farm- er and successfully raises grain and ex- cellent stock. The property has been his since the death of his father, in 1903, the latter being aged eighty-one years. The mother died in March, 1867.
Mr. Shellabarger married Ella Baker, who is the daughter of Joseph Baker, and they have two children, Mildred and Noah. Mr. Shellabarger takes a good cit- izen's interest in public affairs relating to his neighborhood, but his main interest has always been centered in his home and family.
JOHN WILLIAM COLLIER, a well known agriculturist of Mad River Town- ship, residing on a farm of 149 acres, situ- ated in the southeastern part of Section 17, was born on his present farm October 24, 1854, and is a son of John and Matilda (Husted) Collier.
Thomas Collier, his grandfather, came to this country from Ireland when six- teen years of age with two brothers, who were ship carpenters by trade. Shortly after arriving here he was discarded by his brothers because of religious differ- ences, and was subsequently imprisoned in New Jersey for debt. After coming to Ohio he earned money which enabled him to return to New Jersey and pay his debts. Thomas first located in Mad River Township, Clark County, and twice each year walked to Cincinnati to attend Mass, but later he became a Presbyterian and assisted in building the Mud Run Pres- byterian Church, which has since been torn down. Thomas Collier was the fath- er of seven children: Richard, Thomas, William, John, father of our subject, James, Charlotte, wife of Jacob Martin, and Fannie, who married John Hagan, all of whom are now deceased.
John Collier, father of John William, was born in Mad River Township, on what was then the old Robert Love farm, now known as the John Drake place. He was reared on this farm and became a blacksmith by trade. His father had willed the farm to his brother Richard, who was to have each son taught a trade. He continued on the farm three years, from his eighteenth to his twenty-first year, after which he learned the black- smith's trade, at which he worked all his life, conducting a shop of his own. At the time of his marriage he owned nothing, and was married in a borrowed shirt. He subsequently became the owner of two fine farms, one of 345 acres in Illinois and one of 114 acres in Mad River Town- ship. At one time his shop burned down leaving him with nothing but a "pair of
955
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
willing hands." He then had the pat- ronage of such men as Stephen Willson, Jacob Athey, Lem Van Meter, etc., all of whom were historic characters of Clark County. They came to his assistance, each giving him ten dollars, which was to be returned when he found himself in bet- ter circumstances. They were all paid with interest, and in 1852 he purchased from his father-in-law, Joseph Husted, some farming land, which now forms part of the present farm of the subject of this sketch. He then returned to Mud Run, bought the old Drake farm and operated a saw-mill and blacksmith shop until his death in 1884, when he was aged seventy- four years. He married Matilda Husted, who was born in a log house on John Col- lier's present farm and who died in 1887. John and Matilda Collier became the par- ents of fourteen children, nine of whom died when young. Those living are: Hanna Ann (Mrs. F. Flohre), Joseph C., Andrew J., Charlotte Frances and John William.
J. William Collier was born on his pres- ent farm, where the greater part of his life has been spent. He conducted it for his father until 1873, when he went west for one year, returning home in 1875, after which he engaged in farming, his sister acting as housekeeper for him. Mr. Col- lier also spent some years at blacksmith- ing and after the death of his mother bought his farm from the heirs.
Mr. Collier was married in August, 1876, to Rebecca May, a daughter of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth May, and of this. union have been born seven children- one child for each day of the week, and each born on that day. They were as fol- lows: Matilda Josephine; John Folger,
who died in 1906; Gilbert; May, wife of Jacob Hilt, who has one child, Karl; Nina, wife of H. Holsapple; Hazel; and Harry.
Mr. Collier has been a member of the school board for the past thirty years and is fraternally associated with the Knights of Pythias, the P. of H., and the I. O. O. F.
JOHN W. PARSONS, superintendent of the Ohio Masonic Home, of Spring- field, and a native and life-long resident of Springfield, was born in 1838, a son of Israel and Ann C. (Cox) Parsons.
Israel Parsons was born in 1799 in Frederick County, Maryland, and in 1830 emigrated to Springfield, where he was engaged in general contracting during his active career, and died in 1883.
John W. Parsons was reared in Spring- field, and his educational training was re- ceived in the public schools of this city. Early in life he learned telegraphy, at which he worked for a period of twenty- nine years, being for eighteen years man- ager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, of Springfield, Ohio. He served two years as telegraph operator in the United States Military Telegraph Corps in the Army of the Potomac, and has in his possession many original tele- grams of General George B. McClellan and other military officers of high rank.
In 1876 Mr. Parsons was elected treas- urer of Clark County, and two years later he was again elected to the same position. He has served all together four terms in this office, as he was elected to it again in 1884, serving two consecutive terms, the last of which expired in 1888. During 1891-2 he served as a member of the board
956
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
of public affairs and was one of the most active and prominent members of that body. Three years later, in 1895, he was elected superintendent of the Ohio Ma- sonic Home, in which capacity he is still serving very efficiently. Mr. Parsons is a man of public spirit and enterprise and has always taken an interest in all mat- ters pertaining to the advancement of the county. Politically he is a Republican and has served as chairman of the Re- publican central committee.
Mr. Parsons was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Lida Enoch and they have two children: Jessie M. and Orrin L., who lives in Indian Territory. Fra- ternally Mr. Parsons is a Mason, having attained the thirty-third degree, which he took in 1887 in Providence, R. I. He is a member of St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, of Springfield.
JOHN HENRY KOBELANZ, residing on a well improved farm of 160 acres, sit- uated in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, was born March 15, 1839, in Springfield, Ohio, and is a son of Fred- erick and Margaret (Duhme) Kobelanz.
Frederick Kobelanz was a native of Hanover, Germany, and his father, who was born in Poland, was an officer in the German Army. Frederick Kobelanz was married in Germany, and in 1834 he and his wife came to America. They located at Buffalo, New York, for a time, after which they came to Springfield. Fred- erick then went down the Ohio River and obtained employment on a steam-boat for a while and after he returned to Spring- field he was engaged in the lime and stone business on North Market Street. Mr.
Kobelanz subsequently moved to the farm on which his son, John Henry, now re- sides, and he built the brick house, which is still on the place. Here he died, aged eighty-two years. His wife died in August, 1864.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.