USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 14
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 14
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
- In 1858 the four weeks' session of the teachers' institute in Batavia was a large experience. During the school season of 1858-9 a study of chess was substituted for mathematics. After that a summer term in George H. Hill's Select School, at Owensville, for geometry and surveying. was easy. Such was the course in one of the country district schools in Cler- mont "before the war."
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Though raised on a large farm the amount of a day's plow- ing was not done. Because of the sequel of a severe attack of scarlet fever in the fourth year, the boy was permitted to ride and hunt at will, and that will was not bad. Without a play- mate near, a habit of reading and studying at home was formed that resulted in a love for books, which chiefly included Shake- speare, Milton, Pope, Goldsmith, Addison, Burns, Byron, Scott, Moore, Irving, Hawthorne and the American poets. Everything in the old Ohio School Library was read from the Swiss Family Robinson to the Stones of Venice. In this way the winter of 1859-60 was passed into a summer of squirrel hunting over the father's land in Sterling township. In Sep- tember, 1860, the classical course was commenced in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and followed there or at home to the last page, except the much disliked metaphysical part. A much coveted share in the Union army was hindered by the persistent fever trouble. The unsought charge of the "Union Schools" of Williamsburg for 1865-66-67 was ten- dered and accepted. Then, for eleven years, needed assistance was given in the extensive business of the aging father. For some five years after 1872, considerable profit was gained in a partnership with John Park for the manufacture of the Amer- ican Pruner. In 1875-76 much time was used in administering upon the estate of the maternal grandfather, John Glancy. In 1876-77 time, energy and money were freely spent in securing the Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad. Much time was occupied in 1876-77-78 as the executor of his father's estate. His time was still farther employed in 1878-79-80-81 as superintendent of the Williamsburg schools.
In 1879 a partnership was formed with Oscar Snell for the manufacture of novelty goods in wood, for which an eighty- horse power engine and saw mill were placed on Lot No. 59. with an iron roofed and sided building 40x130 feet, well stocked with machinery. But, in the financial stringency of that pe- riod, manufacturing interests suffered most of all, and so the promising but ill-timed firm of Snell and Williams was closed in 1885, and all the debts were paid by Williams, who quit manufacturing with some loss and much experience.
In November. 1884, the unsought appointment as school ex- aminer for Clermont county was accepted from Judge James B. Swing. to be in a board with James Hulick and the justly celebrated educator Dr. Frank B. Dyer. That association was a turning point to a more definite concentration of effort for a
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better purpose than a chase for coin. In September, 1885, the duty of superintending the Williamsburg schools was taken for two years, during which the high school at that place was established and the first class of ten students was graduated April 21, 1886. The duties of the president of the Clermont County Teachers' Institute during the sessions of 1886 and 1887 at New Richmond were done when and where the great- est expansion of that institution was attained. In Septem- ber, 1887, the duty of superintending the Milford schools was undertaken and performed for three years. A purpose to un- dertake work on the public platform was delayed by urgings to go on the front line in the original effort to introduce and establish graduation from the common schools as a prime fac- tor of our educational system. The success of that effort has been mentioned on another page. If Byron Williams had done nothing else for mankind, the work of that year gratuitously given is worth to his memory all that it cost him. For, in that result, his work as a public school teacher, in the pleasant words of Dr. Dyer, "closed in a blaze of glory." With that and nine years as a school examiner, the best at home, for a teacher, had been attained. The village had been served three terms in the council, and, when not teaching, ten years in the board of education. Clermont Social Lodge of the Masonic fraternity had had nineteen years of official service, of which ten were in the master's chair.
Chances to teach larger schools abroad were not considered but, instead, several trips were made to our navy yards, gov- ernment shops and military posts, where much study was given from the civil point of view to our naval strength. After other lecture work, the lecture on "Our New Navy" was placed on the professional platform for the season of 1892-3, and won immediate favor. A lecture on "Our Young Defenders," or Cadet Life at West Point and Annapolis ; and another named, "From the Ohio to the Hudson via Vicksburg and Appo- mattox," or From the Cradle to the Tomb of Grant, were added with fine public approval. This work was continued through twenty-five States and until 1900, with a gratifying mass of press clippings. Then a history was prepared for Thirey and Mitchell's Encyclopedic Work on Clermont County.
The time between February, 1907, and May, 1908, was in- tensely occupied with the composition and imposition of the Centennial History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, which is rated by librarians as the most profusely and elegantly illus-
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trated county work yet published. The preparation of a fitting text for the beautiful pages, while a grateful was also a most exacting task. Besides other prose and metrical work, both published and unprinted, much of a history of Cincinnati and Hamilton county was written for an unfinished work. Much of the year 1912 and 1913 has been employed with the historical part of these volumes.
Except for temporary absence, Byron Williams has lived since December 9, 1862, in the ancestral home, still more en- deared by the presence of the wife he married, June 14, 1866, and as the birthplace of their children. Mrs. Williams, once known as Katherine Park, is the third daughter of John and Elizabeth Park, as told on other pages of this work, in which their son, Maj. Dion Williams, is also sketched. Their daugh- ters, Ella and Louise, are graduates of the Williamsburg High School. Louise married Charles R. Kain. for six years a clerk in the Cincinnati postoffice, and the eldest child of Albion T. and Elizabeth Kain, mentioned in the sketch of the Kain fam- ily. The children of Charles R. and Louise Kain are Eldon Williams and Katherine Eloise.
Though trained, believing and efficient in home making, as the best of woman's life. Katherine Park Williams has shared in the trend of the time. While in Milford, in 1887 to 1890. she was one of the Beechhurst Circle that developed into the Progress Club. On returning to Williamsburg. in 1890, at her home was organized the Friendship Circle that was followed. in 1897, by the Vesta Club. In these societies for woman's sake every call was faithfully answered. In 1886 she was a charter member of the largely successful J. H. Jenkins Woman's Relief Corps, of which she was secretary and presi- dent four or five years each. She was secretary of the asso- ciation that erected the beautiful Soldiers' Monument in Wil- liamsburg. She was all but unanimously elected a member of the Williamsburg board of education, of which she was chosen clerk. and then president, for one year each. As the daughter of a Mason and the wife of another, she is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which her daughter. Ella. is also a member, and has served numerous years as secretary of Celestine chapter. Ella Williams has been closely associated with club affairs, in which she has been secretary and presi- dent: with much work on executive committees. But her chief concern has been to secure for the community a public li- brary, of which she has freely and continuously served as the librarian.
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JOHN MEEK.
Mr. John Meek is the owner and operator of one of the best improved farms of eighty acres in Clermont county, Ohio, it being situated in the southeastern part of Batavia township. He carries on a general farming and fruit growing business, and along these lines he has met with great success.
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Mr. Meek was born in Stonelick township, May 8, 1849, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (McFarland) Meek, the latter of whom died some years ago, at the age of eighty-three years. John Meek, Sr., was a native of Germany and came to America with his parents when he was a boy. They settled in Stone- lick township, but later removed to Batavia township. He spent over three years in the Civil war, in Company E, Fifty- ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, as a non-commissioned officer. Both he and his estimable wife were active members of the Methodist church, helping to build the church at Afton, Ohio.
From early boyhood, our subject has resided in Batavia township, and here he received his education. He is one of six children, the others being :
Truman, died at the age of sixteen years.
Maria, is the widow of Perry Wharton, of Sidney, Ohio.
George, a resident of Kansas.
Thomas, of Afton, Ohio, is the owner of a one hundred acre farm in Williamsburg township, Clermont county.
Belle, is the wife of Mr. East, of Washington, D. C., who holds a government position at that place.
Mr. John Meek married Miss Ella Harrison, daughter of Charles and Ann (Parker) Harrison, the former a native of Canada, who is a resident of Bethel, where he is living in re- tirement. He was school examiner and county auditor of Clermont county, Ohio, for a number of years.
Mrs. Meek passed from this life when a young woman, leav- ing four children :
Sidney, died in 1908. leaving a wife (nee Miss Tina Slade). daughter of George W. Slade, of Williamsburg, and one child, Lottie.
Eunice, who is now Mrs. John Hughes, Williamsburg town- ship, Clermont county. They have two children, Harold and Grace.
Ethel T., of Clermont county, Ohio.
Marie D., who is the wife of Harry Haskell, of Clover, Ohio. They have one child, Lucille.
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The second marriage of John Meek took place September 15, 1901, to Mrs. Mary (Johnson) Lever, who has the follow- ing children :
Dr. W. E. Lever, of Owensville, Ohio.
Charles Lever, of Cincinnati, a lawyer of that place. He was formerly a teacher.
Lizzie, who is Mrs. Shoemaker, of Hillsboro, Ohio.
Etta, married D. Lamkin, of Mannsville, Okla., who is in the mercantile business.
Mr. Meek votes the Republican ticket, and is a member of the Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, of Williamsburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meek are devoted members of the Methodist church.
PEARL C. HARBER.
Mr. Pearl C. Harber, the junior member of the thriving and enterprising mercantile firm of Eveland & Harber, of Miami- ville, Ohio, is a native of Bracken county, Kentucky, his birth having occurred there February 2, 1878.
On Christmas day, 1881, Pearl C. Harber came from Ken- tucky to Miamiville with his parents, John N. and Ida J. (Poe) Harber, who shortly after located on a farm in Miami town- ship.
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Mr. Harber acquired his early education in the schools of the district, spending his boyhood days on the farm. Later, he attended the high school at Milford, Ohio, and following his graduation from there learned the machinist's trade at Cincinnati, which occupation he pursued for six years, but de- siring to be nearer home returned here and in 1907 Mr. Harber entered into partnership with Mr. W. B. Eveland in his gen- eral store. .. The company is conducting an up-to-date, pros- perous business, and enjoys a large patronage.
Mr. Pearl C. Harber has one sister. Margaret, who is the wife of James Moorhead, of an old Clermont county family. His mother passed away in April. 1911, in her fifty-second year. His father, John Harber, resides in Miamiville, and has been the sexton of the cemetery for the past twelve years. He is a Republican, and has served his party as assessor of the township.
In political views, Mr. Harber favors the principles of the Republican party. He has served as school director for sev-
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eral years. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Miamiville.
Mr. Harber is a strong, vigorous man, with a keen mind and indomitable energy, conducting his duties in such a manner as to be free from all unpleasant comment.
THE MEFFORD BROTHERS.
The Mefford Brothers may be classed among Ripley's most progressive and public-spirited young business men, whose in- tense business activity and energy have been the salient feat- ures in their successful career. They were born one mile from Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, Harry L., December 12, 1881, and Thomas L., December 12, 1883. They are sons of Samuel B. and Albertine (Loudon) Mefford, both residing near Ripley.
The paternal ancestors of the Mefford Brothers were na- tives of Germany, and tradition gives us the name of Andrew Conrad Mefford, whose birthplace was Frankfort, Germany, as being the first of the family to leave the Fatherland for America, and who located in or near Pittsburgh, Pa. He was the great-great-great-grandfather of the gentlemen whose names form the title of this review.
John Mefford, son of Andrew Conrad Mefford, was a large land owner and wealthy man of Virginia, who came down the Ohio river in 1787 to Limestone (now Marysville), Ky., where he remained for a few years, after which he removed to what is now Brown county, near the present site of Ripley, Ohio. Here he erected a log house near the place on the top of the hill. now owned by Mrs. Rachel Meyers, who resides there, and it is known as the old Mefford homestead. Shortly after his locating in Brown county, John Mefford purchased five hundred acres of land below Ripley, which he put into a high state of cultivation. During the frontier period he served as lieutenant of militia in the district located between Elk river (known as Eagle creek) and Straight creek. John was twice married, having seven children of the first union, the oldest being George, who was born in Pennsylvania, No- vember 22, 1786, and who died October 30, 1872.
George Mefford was united in marriage on November 7, 18II, to Polly Ellis, a daughter of Samuel Ellis, a pioneer
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resident of near Higginsport, Ohio. He was a brother of Nathan Ellis, who founded Aberdeen, Ohio. George and Polly (Ellis) Mefford became the parents of seven children.
John W. Mefford, eldest son of George and Polly (Ellis) Mefford, was married in 1834 to Anna, daughter of Lines and Rebecca (Applegate) Pangburn, who was born August 31, 1817, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and whose death took place May 30, 1890. They had fifteen children born to their union, one of whom was Samuel B., who was born on Pisgah Ridge, Brown county, Ohio, December 6, 1854. He was united in marriage to Albertine Loudon, daughter of W. P. and Eliza J. Loudon, April 2, 1879. To this union four children were born, Bertha, who died in infancy, Harry L., Thomas L. and Earl L. Earl L. Mefford is a member of the Masonic lodge at Ripley, having obtained the Royal Arch de- gree. He is a very successful traveling salesman, having for several years represented the American Tobacco Company in Southern Ohio.
Samuel B. Mefford is a prominent agriculturist of Brown county, and owns and operates a finely cultivated farm of two hundred and forty acres of land near Ripley, Ohio. He has devoted his entire life to farming and is classed among the successful citizens of the county, and served nine years as trus- tee of Union township, and also assessor for six years.
Harry L. Mefford was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lang, a native of Dayton, Ohio, her parents being from Ger- many, and both are deceased. They have one daughter, Dor- othy Lang Mefford. Harry Mefford is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge, including the Royal Arch Masons, of Ripley, Ohio.
Thomas L. Mefford is a member of the Union Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Ripley Chapter. Royal Arch Ma- sons. He has membership also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America.
Politically, they are in favor of the men and measures of the Republican party, although independent in local affairs.
Religiously. reared in the Christian church, Mr. Thomas L. and Earl L. continue to be members of that denomination, while their brother Harry L. embraces the faith of the Presby- terian church. The Mefford Brothers are highly esteemed in their native town as honest and industrious men, and are con- sidered admirable citizens in every particular.
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MAJOR CHAMBERS BAIRD.
Of the men who have passed from this life, whose record for good citizenship entitles them to honorable mention in these volumes, is numbered Major Chambers Baird, of Ripley, Ohio. He was a man of affairs and one who wielded a wide influence, his opinions doing much to mold public thought and action. In all his public work Major Baird was actuated by a spirit of direct and immediate serviceableness and his labors in behalf of his town and county were far-reaching and bene- ficial. The birth of Chambers Baird occurred at Sandy Springs, Adams county, Ohio, July 25, 1811, and his death at Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, March 20, 1887. He was a son of Judge Moses Baird, an Ohio pioneer of Scotch-Irish Pres- byterian stock who came from Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, and settled at Sandy Springs in 1790.
Chambers Baird was reared on the home farm on the Ohio river, opposite Vanceburg, Ky., his home until he reached the age of nineteen years, when, in 1830, he became a student in the Ripley College, with his cousin, Stephen R. Riggs, aft- erward a noted minister and missionary among the Dakota Indians, as classmate. This college closing in 1832, they en- tered Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institution of learning in the year of 1834.
After his graduation, Mr. Baird read law at Ripley with the Hon. Archibald Leggett and Col. Francis Taylor, formerly of Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1836. He became widely known as a general practitioner, as a keen business man, and prominent citizen.
In 1837 Major Baird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Campbell, of Ripley, who passed from this life in 1844. On May 6, 1845, Maj. Chambers Baird was united in mar- riage to Miss Judith Anne Leggett, only daughter of Mr. A. Leggett, who had married two daughters of Colonel Taylor. Mrs. Baird still resides (1913) at Ripley and is the mother of five children who were born to her union with Major Baird. Of the five children, three died in infancy, and those living are: Florence C., now Mrs. J. J. McCardy, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Chambers Baird, a prominent lawyer of Ripley.
It is almost impossible for a man of Major Baird's char- acter and ability to avoid prominence in politics and he took an active part in political life, first as a Whig, and later as a strong Republican and anti-slavery man. In 1855 he was
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elected State Senator from Brown and Clermont counties; in 1856 he was a delegate to the first National Republican convention which nominated Fremont. Later, he was a dele- gate to many other conventions, and was a trusted leader of the Republican party in his State and county.
In 1860 he took a prominent part in the election of Pres- ident Lincoln and at the outbreak of the Civil war was among the foremost speakers for the Union. He was an intimate friend of Senator Sherman, Secretary Chase, Governor Den- nison and other prominent men. His age, fifty years, pre- vented him from entering active military service, but he was appointed provost marshal by the Governor and was intrusted with the responsible duty of organizing a defense of the Ohio border. With his accustomed energy Major Baird at once set about organizing minute men and military companies, and later, in 1863, accepted an appointment as paymaster in the United States army, with the rank of major, being first as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. He was later removed to Washington, where he was a resident when Lincoln was assassinated. He paid the Union troops returned from southern prisons, at Annap- olis, and was mustered out July 1, 1866, after three years of service. During the period in which he was paymaster, Major Baird handled many millions of money without the loss of one cent.
Community affairs were ever of deep interest to Major Baird and his services could always be secured to further any movement for the public good. He was a director of the First National Bank of Ripley and later was president of the Farmers' National Bank and also of its successor, the Citi- zens' National Bank. He was president of the Ripley Gas Company from its organization in 1860 until his death. For years he was an active member of the Ripley Fair Company and also of the Ripley Saw Mill and Lumber Company. He was an investor in various other local and outside enterprises. He declined a number of nominations and appointments to honorable offices, among them a judgeship in the Supreme Court of Ohio, not wishing to leave his home and profession.
Major Baird possessed one of the largest libraries of law books and miscellaneous works in southern Ohio. His home was one of culture and refinement and beauty. In religious matters he was an active member, trustee and elder of the Presbyterian church, and for many years was a teacher of the
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Bible class and a delegate to the Presbytery and Synod. He always give liberally to all branches of church work, contrib- uting not only financially, but taking a personal interest and rendering active, faithful service.
While Maj. Chambers Baird was of the highest type of pro- fessional man and enterprising man of business, he was first of all a good citizen. His championship of the right and his settled convictions, from which he could not be swerved, made him a leader of no little power. In his professional life as a lawyer and in business he was conscientious, kind hearted and generous, careful and accurate; in public life he possessed the sterling qualities which command respect, while in the seclusion of home and in the social circle he displayed those winning traits which make human affection little less than divine.
CHARLES ROBB.
Mr. Charles Robb, uncle of Mrs. E. J. Hutchinson, of Jack- son township, was born at Twelve Mile Creek, three miles back of New Richmond, Ohio, January 5, 1826, in a house built of brick, which was made on the home farm.
Mr. Robb was a man of meager education, but was self- taught, and one numbered among the friends of education who inaugurated the teachers' institute in Clermont county, at Amelia, in 1848. For the first year, Mr. Robb was secre- tary of this teachers' association. He was a man of more than ordinary mental endowment, and was well posted on all questions of current interest.
Few farmers of Southern Ohio spent more time and labor in the pursuit of practical agricultural knowledge, than Mr. Robb.
Mr. Charles Robb was one of a number of literary characters of Clermont and Brown counties who organized a poets' union, each bringing their offerings at stated periods to their conventions to be criticised or approved as the case might demand.
Mr. Robb was a member of Company C. First regiment, Kentucky ยท volunteer infantry, and served for four years or more as commissary sergeant. He wrote a fine collection of poems, relating to the war, and his name is inscribed on the "Roll of Honor" as the poet of the regiment. He was a good
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lecturer and always had appreciative listeners and his social nature was endowed with poetical temperament to a high de- gree. Mr. Robb was fluent as a speaker, persuasive as a writer and a man of exceptional moral character.
The collection of poems which Mr. Robb wrote includes poems of battles, friends, one beautiful one called, "The Mother's Blessing," legends, one especially interesting one entitled, "Reunion of Clermont Academy."
In 1857, Mr. Robb ran on the Republican ticket for Sena- tor for the counties of Brown and Clermont. He was well posted on all political questions.
Mr. Robb passed to his eternal reward September 20, 1872.
Mrs. Hutchinson edited a little book called, "Robb's Poems," in which is an interesting biography of Mr. Robb, which re- flects great credit on herself as a literary genius. This little book was published in 1910 and is intended as a souvenir to the younger members of the family. Mrs. Hutchinson is a woman of bright intellect, and her literary work is of great interest to her many friends.
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