USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 71
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one of its most respected and honored citizens. His wife survived him for but a brief period, her demise occurring December 19, 1900.
Unto this worthy couple were born the following children : R. Parks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is the eye and ear specialist for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company; William Alvin, of this review; Sydney G., a practicing physician, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Samuel Ernest, a Presbyterian minister residing in Minnesota; John R., a dentist of Warsaw, Indiana; Alfred McMillen, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Walter M. L., a steel worker of Reading, Pennsyl- vania; and Mrs. Eva Ada Gillis, of Ashland county.
William Alvin White supplemented his preliminary education, acquired in Oxford, Pennsylvania, by a course in Ashland College. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the Western Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated on the 4th of March, 1901. He first located for practice in Indiana, where he remained for six years and then went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but at the end of six months came to Ashland county, Ohio, opening an office at Rowsburg, where he has continued to the present time. Here he has a fine home and an extensive and growing practice that speaks in unmistakable terms of his skill and ability in his chosen calling. He has patients within a radius of from eight to ten
miles and uses three horses for driving purposes. An able surgeon as well as general medical practitioner, he has won a wide and favorable reputation as a worthy representative of his profession and keeps in close touch with the progress that is being continually made by the fraternity through his member- ship in the Ashland County Medical Society.
On the 16th of September, 1891, Dr. White was united in marriage to Miss Ida J. Hunter, who was born April 6, 1868, a daughter of Joseph Paxton Hunter, of Richland county. Their union has been blessed with three children, namely : Eva Pauline, whose birth occurred August 25, 1895, and who passed away July 2, 1896; William Alvin Dale, born September 3, 1900; and Dorothy Angeline, whose natal day was July 21, 1902. Politically Dr. White is a repub- lican, while in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. His sterling manhood as well as his professional attainments command for him the respect and honor of those with whom he has been associated.
JOHN WELTMER.
For fifty years John Weltmer has resided on the farm on section 3, Green „ownship, which is now his home and has witnessed many changes during this period as the county has taken on all of the evidences of modern civilization. What a contrast between the present time and his youthful days when much of the land in the neighborhood of his home was still wild and unimproved, being covered with the native forests. There were wild animals in the woods and all around were seen traces of the Indian occupancy. Many of the homes were log cabins, which were heated by the fireplace over which the cooking was also done. The farm machinery was very crude, the work being largely done by
MR. AND MRS. JOHN WELTMER
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hand but, as the years have passed, modern farm implements have been invented and introduced, the fireplace has given way before the perfected range, rail- roads have been built, the telegraph and telephone have been introduced and rural free delivery has been everywhere established. In his work Mr. Weltmer has kept pace with the progress of the age and his mind forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
A native of Wayne county, Ohio, he was born November 27, 1829, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Showalter) Weltmer, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Weltmer, to Ohio in 1812 and settled on the farm on which the subject of this review was born. There he spent his remaining days and for many years was a representative of the agricultural interests of the community. He was one of a family of four children, the others being John, Abram and Mrs. Mary Showalter. Having arrived at years of maturity Jacob Weltmer married Hannah Showalter and they became the parents of nine children : Mrs. Sarah Smoke, who died in 1859; John; Jacob, living in Vermillion township; Mrs. Bessy Showalter, deceased; Mrs. Leah Isemour, of Indiana; Joseph and Maggie, twins, who have passed away; Mrs. Anna Showalter, of Indiana; and Mrs. Mary Pugh, who has departed this life.
John Weltmer spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old home farm, remaining with his parents up to the time of his marriage, when he began farming on his own account in Chester township, Wayne county. He also worked at the carpenter's trade and, in fact, has followed that pursuit more or less throughout his entire life, framing a barn here in the summer of 1908 although at the time in his seventy-ninth year. He has always led a busy life, with few leisure hours, and his enterprise and activity have brought him his success. In April, 1857, he came to his present farm and it has since been his home. The improvements upon it are the work of his hands and he still gives general supervision to its care and cultivation. He has here one hundred and five acres of arable land situated on section 3. He built a bank barn thirty-six by eighty feet, has remodeled and added to the dwelling and now has good buildings upon the place. In more recent years he has turned over the work of the farm to his son so that he is enabled to enjoy something of that rest which should ever crown long years of active and honorable labor.
On the 27th of October, 1851, Mr. Weltmer was married to Miss Phoebe Moses, who was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1828, and when eight years of age went to Wayne county, Ohio, with her parents, John and Mary (Carl) Moses, whose family numbered eleven children. Her father died in Wayne county, after which the mother spent her last days with her daughter Mrs. Weltmer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weltmer were born four children : Sylvana, who died in childhood; Penninah, the wife of Charles Scott, of Ver- million township; Ephraim, of Green township; and Lenne, the wife of Jack Baker, of Vermillion township.
In his political views Mr. Weltmer has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party and has served in school and road offices, but otherwise has never sought nor desired office. He is a memebr of the Evangelical Associa- tion and assisted largely in building the church near his home, which was begun
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in 1861 and dedicated in 1863. His life has ever been an upright and honorable one, truth and justice being among his salient characteristics. He is now well advanced in years and receives the honor and respect of all who know him. He can relate many interesting instances of the early days and tell instructive tales concerning a mode of life which was common here more than a half century ago, bearing comparatively little resemblance to the manner of living at the present time when invention has so revolutionized all lines of life.
JOHN S. CLARK.
The rich land of Ohio offers excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock- raiser and for a number of years John S. Clark was closely associated with those lines of business. He now makes his home in Ashland where he continues to deal in stock and is one of the extensive shippers of this section of the county. H was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1853, his parents being Jesse and Hattie (Shirk) Clark, both of whom were also natives of Lancaster county, whence they came to Ashland county with their family in March, 1870, locating on the old Sheridan farm five miles southeast of the city of Ashland. The father purchased this property from his son Martin who had preceded him to Ashland county and upon this farm both the father and mother died, his death occurring November 21, 1891, when he was in his eightieth year.
No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John S. Clark in his boyhood and youth. He was educated in the public schools of Ashland county, whither he came with his parents when a youth of seventeen years. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with stock dealing, for as early as his twelfth year he purchased a pig and a little later a horse, and has since been connected with live-stock interests on a constantly increasing scale. At eighteen years of age he began farming for himself, op- erating a part of his father's land on shares, and at twenty-one years of age he took charge of his father's farm, meanwhile trading in stock in connection with his farming. His father's place comprised ninety-seven acres of tillable land and he cultivated the farm for sixteen years, during which time he not only devoted his time to raising grain but was also a heavy feeder and shipper of stock. He bought and sold horses by the carload, feeding and shipping one winter sixty-seven head of horses besides other stock. Following his father's death, which occurred in 1891, he conducted the farm for two years as adminis- trator of the estate, and after he had settled up the business he sold the farm in the spring of 1893 and removed to his own farm, which he had previously pur- chased. He did not continue, however, to engage in tilling the soil but devoted his entire attention to the live-stock business and his outside investments. In 1895 he purchased another farm in Montgomery township to which he removed and on which he resided for two years. He then sold that property and pur- chased a handsome residence standing in the midst of fifteen acres of land adjoining his other place and there took up his abode. This home which he still owns, corners the old homestead where his father lived and died. He also
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has a farm there of eighty-two acres, including some of the most valuable land in Ashland county. In December, 1904, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and soon after her death he removed to Ashland where he has since resided, directing his stock dealing operations from this point. He is one of the most extensive and best known stock shippers of this section of the county and is a representative business man whose intelligently directed labor has brought to him constantly increasing and well merited success.
In 1875, John S. Clark was married to Miss Martha Haggerty, who passed away in December, 1904. Two years later in 1906, he wedded Miss Lula Zimmerman, of Ashland, and unto this marriage has been born a son, Jesse A. He reared two children : J. L. Clark, now of the firm of Hess & Clark; and Jennie, the wife of William Nelson, of Ashland. They also have reared a little girl, Helen Smith, whom they took into their home in her early girlhood, making her a member of the family. She is now the wife of Morgan Workman, of Ashland.
In his political views Mr. Clark has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and has been quite active in the local ranks of the party. He served for six years and nine months as a trustee of Montgomery township and under his administration the pike building of the township was begun. He has always stood for practical progress and that advancement along those lines which constitutes a source of substantial growth and improvement. He is a member of the Dickey Baptist church in which he is serving as chorister, and in all things pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity he is interested. He owns a handsome residence on Claremont avenue and resides at 791/2 Center street in Ashland, being regarded as one of the representative business men and most prominent stock dealers of the county.
DAVID ALLISON PHILLIPS.
David Allison Phillips, early realizing how forceful a factor in the business affairs of life is unremitting energy, has throughout his entire career manifested this quality in large measure. As a contractor he has contributed to the im- provement of Ashland as well as to his individual success. His birth occurred in Holmes county, Ohio, on Christmas day, 1851, his parents being Enoch and Adaline (Craig) Phillips, natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and of Holmes county, Ohio, respectively. In his boyhood days the father accompanied his parents to the latter county where he was reared, educated and married. He died in early manhood, passing away when his son David was but a young lad. The mother afterward became the wife of De Walt Guth, removing to Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, where they resided until 1862, when they took up their abode in the county seat.
In this city, therefore, David Allison Phillips was living when he attained his majority. He pursued his education in the public schools and in Savannah Academy. When a boy of ten years he was ambitious to make money for him- self and he peddled fruit, nuts and other edibles at the trains as they passed
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through Loudonville. After coming to Ashland he worked for the street com- missioner and at fourteen years of age was doing a man's regular work. The money which he earned in this way enabled him to pursue his academic course and after the completion of his education he returned home and secured em- ployment in the Ashland Flax Mill. A year later he entered the employ of his step-father and subsequently became a partner in the huckster business, in which he engaged for six years. On the expiration of that period he conducted an independent venture in the produce business, with which he was identified until 1897, when he began contracting. During the latter years of his con- nection with the produce business he had not met with the success he had antici- pated and his capital had therefore become depleted. When he took up the contracting business, therefore, he began operations on a small scale and in this he undoubtedly found the task for which nature intended him for he has met with continuously growing success since that time. He first dug cellars and other small contracts, but his business steadily developed until his first large contract was the building of five miles of pike in Montgomery township. Since that time he has been constantly employed in the execution of important con- tracts. He has built all of the pike roads of Ashland county, has improved sixteen streets in the city, paving thirteen of these with brick, and has done extensive contracting for the Erie Railroad, making grades for the double : racks on the road from Nankin Station to Pope Station. He was also awarded the contract for the grading from Ashland switch to Milton tower and the grad- ing from the Olivesburg road to Madison Summit. In 1904 he laid out, graded and paved the streets and put in the sewers of the John Sherman estate in Mansfield. He also did the grading of West Arch street, Daisy street, Ham- mond street and East First street in Mansfield, built the main street through Loudonville which was the first improved street in that place and did the grading for the traction line from Silver Creek to Wadsworth in Medina county, moving ten thousand yards of dirt in less than thirty days. At one time in 1907 he had contracts aggregating between eighty and one hundred thousand dollars. He keeps thirty head of horses and ten head of mules and is fully equipped for taking care of large contracts. His business is now very extensive and of an important character and returns to him an excellent income.
On the 7th of November, 1871, Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Mary B. Reep of Ashland, Ohio, and unto them have been born eight children, six daughters and two sons : Clara A., the wife of William E. Leinard of Ashland; HIelen B., the wife of J. E. Arnold, also residing in Ashland; Catherine C., the wife of Arthur L. VanOsdall, residents of Ashland; Mary B., the wife of Charles E. Enck, residing in the same city; John G., at home; Frederick A., who was born November 12, 1884, and died November 7, 1886; Tina C. and Josephine D., both at home.
In his political views Mr. Phillips is a democrat and on that ticket has been elected to the city council, his service covering a period of ten years, during which time he has greatly promoted the welfare of the interests of the city. He is prominent socially, holding membership in Mohican Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., since 1880. He is also a member of Ashland Encampment, No. 130, and of Canton Ashland, No. 41, I. O. O. F. In the lodge he has filled all of the chairs.
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He and his family are members of the Christian church and for many years he has served as one of its trustees. He stands as a splendid example of the typical American business man whose advancement cannot be retarded by difficulties or obstacles for he uses these as an impetus for renewed effort. Starting out in life empty-handed, he educated himself and the prominent position which he occupies today in the business world is due entirely to his determination to succeed. Reliable and enterprising, he has advanced along legitimate lines of business, and has not only won prominence but by his straight- forward dealing has gained the unqualified confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN FIRESTONE McCONNELL.
John Firestone McConnell, a well known and prosperous merchant of Rowsburg, was born in Perry township, Ashland county, Ohio, November 2, 1849. His parents were David C. and Matilda (Firestone) McConnell, the. former born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1812, and the latter in Ohio on the 5th of January, 1814. Their marriage was celebrated in March, 1836. When but two years of age David C. McConnell was brought by his parents to Wayne county, Ohio, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, when he was married and started out in life on his own account. Coming to Ashland county, he first purchased a farm of fifty-three acres, to which he afterward added by additional purchase until his holdings comprised a tract of ninety-three acres on which he spent his remaining days. When it came into his possession the land was in a wild and undeveloped state but as the years passed he converted it into rich and productive fields which annually returned golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor bestowed on them. His first residence and barn were constructed of rough logs and he underwent many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life in this county. His time and energies were devoted to agricultural pursuits and he was truly a self-made man, his success being entirely the result of his own well directed industry and enterprise. He was, moreover, a man of unfaltering integrity, superior judgment and excellent executive ability and took the greatest delight in ministering to the comfort and welfare of his family. Though denied school privileges in youth, he became a well informed man through reading, experience and observation and provided his children with the best educational training available in those early days. He capably served in the position of township trustee for two terms and was a most loyal, public-spirited citizen whose aid and influence could ever be counted upon in any movement instituted to advance the general welfare. He passed away in 1896, having for two years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1894.
Their family numbered eleven children. James C. McConnell, the eldest, who is now a resident of Turner, Kansas, served for three years in the Union army as a member of Company C, Forty-second Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Garfield. He was taken prisoner at the first siege of Vicksburg but after a
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short time was paroled. The other children of Mr .and Mrs. David C. Mc- Connell were as follows: Sarah, a resident of Rowsburg, Ohio; Mrs. Rachel Flory, a widow residing in Youngstown, Ohio; Nancy, who likewise makes her home in Rowsburg, Ohio; Mrs. Annice Shoemaker, of Tiffin, Ohio; William P., who died at the age of two years; John Firestone, of this review; David, of Ashland, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Alice Spotts, of Reedsburg, Ohio; Mrs. Florence C. Howie, who is living in Leroy, Ohio; and Margaret R., who passed away at the age of three years.
On attaining years of maturity John F. McConnell became identified with agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood and was successfully engaged in farming until 1904, when he took up merchandising at Rowsburg, where he has since conducted a general store. His reasonable prices, well selected stock of goods and reliable dealings insure him a liberal and growing patronage and have gained him recognition among the representative and successful business men of his native county. He owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, has several lots both in Rowsburg and in Ashland and is a stockholder in the savings bank of Ashland.
On the 6th of November, 1873, Mr. McConnell was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fulk, a daughter of Jacob Fulk, a farmer living near New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio. Mrs. McConnell passed away on the 24th of February, 1909, her demise being deeply mourned not only in her immediate family but also throughout the entire community, for her many excellent traits of heart and mind had won her the warm regard and esteem of many friends.
Politically Mr. McConnell is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and has served as township trustee for several terms. Like his father, he is interested in all measures for the promotion of the material, intellectual and moral develop- ment of the community and is widely recognized as a leading and influential citizen. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and is a devoted and faithful member of that church. Throughout his entire life, or for a period of three score years, he has been a resident of this county and that his career has been an honorable and upright one is proven by the fact that those who have known him from his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers. Brooking no obstacle that could be overcome by determined and persistent effort, he has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes and has reason to be proud of what he has accomplished.
CLEMENS PIERCE WINBIGLER.
Clemens Pierce Winbigler, a leading and successful lawyer of Ashland, was born in Mohican township, Ashland county, Ohio, on the 11th of October, 1853, his parents being John J. and Tabitha (Funk) Winbigler. The patern grandfather, John Winbigler, who was a veteran of the war of 1812, came from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Ashland county, this state, at an early day, entering a tract of land of one hundred and thirty acres from the govern- ment. On that farm, which was located in Mohican township, he spent his
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remaining days and at the time of his death the property came into possession of his son, John J. Winbigler, whose birth had occurred on the old homestead place in 1826. Here the father has continuously resided to the present time and is widely recognized as one of the substantial agriculturists and worthy native sons of the county. He is a stalwart democrat in his political views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust and responsibility. He served for two terms as sheriff of Ashland county, held various township offices for a number of years and also served as justice of the peace, discharging the various duties entrusted to him in these connections with promptness and fidelity. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Disciple church and his honorable and well spent life has made him fully worthy the high regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded him.
Clemens Pierce Winbigler was reared on the old home farm and supple- mented his preliminary education, acquired in the public schools and the Ashland high school, by a course of study at Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia, from which institution he was graduated in 1879 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began reading under the preceptorship of Judge R. M. Campbell and in the fall of 1880, entered the Cincinnati Law School, graduating therefrom in the class of 1881. While reading law in the office of Judge Campbell he also taught school for one term and following his graduation from the Cincinnati Law School he engaged in teaching for five months. He then located for the practice of his profession in Edgerton, Williams county, Ohio, where he remained for two years, on the expiration of which period he came to Ashland and has since been numbered among the most successful and able legal practitioners of the city. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. He likewise served as secretary of the Ashland Steel Range & Manufacturing Company from the time of its organization until the fall of 1908, is now acting as attorney for the Wayne Building & Loan Association and has also been attorney for the Ashland Building & Loan Com- pany since the time of its organization.
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