USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 59
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 59
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DR. NELSON EDGAR BRADLEY.
Dr. Nelson Edgar Nelson Bradley, deceased, was known in Clermont county, Ohio, for many years as an able and efficient physician and leaves a memory of kindly deeds in the hearts and minds of all with whom he was associated, both profes- sionally and socially. His life was marked by an unfaltering fidelity to duty and an earnest desire to help those who were in need. not only of his professional services, but of his sym- pathy.
He was born at Felicity, Ohio, March 11, 1858, and was a son of Dr. Harvey and Margaret (Quinn) Bradley. the former of
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whom was born in Clermont county, on a farm near Felicity. He studied medicine at Felicity, after which he attended a med- ical college at Cincinnati. He was a practicing physician and surgeon. On July 12, 1859, he married Margaret Quinn, a daughter of Isaiah and Asenith (Wharton) Quinn, who were farmers living near Connersville, Ind., where she was born. When she was four years of age her parents moved to Fe- licity, and there she was reared and educated. Dr. Harvey Bradley was a surgeon in the Eigthy-ninth Ohio volunteers and served for about two years, when his health failed. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and took the thirty-second degree in that fraternity. His death occurred March 14, 1883.
Dr. Nelson Edgar Bradley grew to manhood in Felicity, and after attending the public schools of that place, entered the normal school at Lebanon, from which he was graduated. He then taught the Penn school near Felicity and studied medicine with his father, later attending Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated, in 1882. After his graduation he practiced with his father until the latter's death, in 1883. Nelson succeeded to the practice of his father at Felicity, where he remained until 1898, when he moved to Batavia.
The marriage of Dr. Bradley to Miss Ella M. Duckwall, of Clermont county, occurred June 30, 1887. She is a daughter of Moses and Margaret (Earick) Duckwall, the former of whom was born on a farm in Batavia township, September 16, 1822. The house in which he was born is still occupied as a home. Margaret (Earick) Duckwall was born at Louisville, Ky., where she grew to womanhood. The Duckwalls were of German ancestry and came to Ohio from Virginia.
To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Bradley were born four chil- dren :
Harvey Duckwall was born at Felicity, Ohio, July 26, 1888. He received his early education at Greenfield, Ind., where his father spent some six years on account of his health. In 1907 Harvey attended the Ohio State University at Columbus.
Dawson Earick was born at Felicity, Ohio, May 2, 1892. . He is a graduate of the Batavia High School, class of 1910, and because of the high honors he received he was given a scholarship in the Ohio Wesleyan University. In the fall of IQII he entered the Young Men's Christian Association Law School, of Cincinnati.
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Nelson Edgar was born at Felicity, Ohio, August 21, 1896. He is a junior in the Batavia High School.
Margaret was born on the farm near Batavia, March 16, 1898. She is a sophomore in the Batavia High School.
Dr. Nelson Edgar Bradley was a Republican and took an active interest in all public affairs, and while not an office seeker, srved as a delegate to nearly all the State conventions. He served on the school board for many years and was ap- pointed a member of the board of pension examiners. He was a member of the Felicity lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was worshipful master. He took the thirty-second degree in the Masonic lodge at Cincinnati. He took an active interest in church work, giving liberally of his time and money for the good of the cause, and at the time of his death was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
His death occurred at the home farm, near Batavia, on the Batavia & Cincinnati pike, October 22, 1911. He was buried at Felicity with Masonic honors, and Clermont county mourned the loss of another good citizen.
COL. LEWIS M. CLARK.
Col. Lewis M. Clark, a veteran of the Civil war and a well known representative of the industrial interests of Milford, which has been his home since 1894, is a wide-awake insurance man real estate dealer and justice of the peace, having filled the last named office for sixteen years. Although he. has passed the seventy-fifth milestone of life's journey he is an active, alert and progressive citizen. The birth of Mr. Clark occurred in the village of Athens, Ohio, February 3, 1837, a son of Justin S and Mary J. (Miller) Clark.
Justin S. Clark was a contractor and decorator, who became a resident of Walnut Hills about 1840 and was among the first to settle on the Lane Seminary property, where he made his home. Having spent some time in a private way reading medicine, Justin Clark decided to enter the Eclectic Medicai College, of Cincinnati, and consequently turned his contracting business over to his son, Lewis, who soon sold it. After his graduation Dr. Clark had a large practice in cholera, which was prevalent at that time. About 1849 they removed to Lewis county, Kentucky, where he practiced to the end of his
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active life. He also established a tannery, having purchased a large tract of land and having learned the trade from his father, in this territory.
Lewis M. Clark received a good common school education, and while in Lewis county married Miss Nancy Pierce, and to this union were born two children, one of whom died in infancy and the other, Edwin K., married, and soon after died, leaving one child, Everett O. Clark, now of Cincinnati.
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In 1861, Mr. Clark received word from General Thomas to raise a company, which he organized and was elected second lieutenant and served until in August, 1862. This was Com- pany K, Sixteenth Kentucky volunteer infantry. He was again instructed to organize a company, which he did, and was commissioned captain of Company I, Tenth Kentucky . cal- alry, and saw service in protecting Cincinnati at the time of the Kirby-Smith raid. He was recommended to raise another independent battalion to protect Big Sandy, but was not al- lowed to be independent, and was commanded to complete a regiment, with himself as colonel, but he stepped aside. and. took the office of lieutenant-colonel, recommending for cor onel Major James L. Foley, who declined. He also recommended . and had appointed Maj. John Mason Brown, who was after- ward appointed brigadier-general of the Second brigade, Bur- bridge's command. Mr. Clark had command as colonel and served . in that capacity. He was wounded in the fight at Mt. Sterling, Ky., on June 9, 1864, with a gunshot in the left leg just above the knee, which slivered the bone; still he kept on, losing no time. He was captured, but made his escape after about two hours. At Snow's Pond he was hit by a ball at the top of the forehead which plowed its way across the scalp, knocking him from his horse. He was left on the field as dead, but when he came to his senses managed to get to camp. During his four years of active service he was never sick and never lost any time because of his wounds.
At the close of the war Mrs. Clark passed away; and on September 26, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Nora (Pierce) Lawrence, at Covington, Ky. She was born in southern Illi- nois, a daughter of Capt. Ephriam and Melvina (Loveridge) Pierce, who moved to Kentucky when she was a child. Capt. Ephriam Pierce was a captain of a steamboat for over forty years. When the war broke out he took a steamboat and went into the Southern cause. He served throughout the entire war and lost all that he had accumulated in the previous years.
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Mrs. Pierce was of the Sherman family and her sympathies were with the North, consequently she gave that cause her services as a nurse in the hospital at Covington. .
Since the war Mr. Clark has held various offices in the United States Government, serving in the capacity of railway mail clerk, revenue officer and deputy United States marshal for the Sixth district of Kentucky.
Mrs. Clark has one child by her former marriage, Lulu L., who married James Clare and is a resident of Covington, Ky., and is the mother of eight children.
Mr: Clark is in favor of the Republican principles and is a member of the fraternal order of Masons, having filled all the chairs, and has taken the Royal Arch degree. He also holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Legion, of Cincinnati, and has recently been made a life member without dues.
Mr. Clark is a man of pleasant and courteous disposition, his life record shows great integrity, activity and energy, the crowning points of his success, and his connection with the business affairs of Milford have been of advantage to the city, promoting its material welfare.
EMLEY BARBER GATCH.
There is no name in Clermont county, Ohio, which stands for greater integrity and uprightness than does that of Emley Barger Gatch, who is a great-great-grandson of the Rev. Philip Gatch, who was one of the earliest settlers in the county. Whatever of virtue of character of Mr. Gatch, whatever of quality in his living, has been directly inherited from an an- cestry rich in steadfastness and principle, which places him among the prominent men of the community. He conducts a general merchandise store in Milford, and is also the post- master of that place. He was born on the "Old Gatch Farm" in Miami township, Clermont county, Ohio, and is a son of Frank M. and Salina (Barber) Gatch.
Frank M. Gatch was a son of Gen. Thomas Gatch, who was born and reared on a farm. of one hundred and twenty acres. which was a part of the original one thousand acres purchased by the Rev. Philip Gatch from the Government. When Frank grew to manhood he became the owner of the farm, on which
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his birth occurred, and died in the same room in which he was born, being about sixty-one years of age at his death. He was buried in what was then known as "The Gatch Cemetery," but has since been bought by the township, and is now known as the Green Lawn cemetery. He was married before the Civil war and was in the one-hundred-day service. He was a Re- publican. He was the father of eight children, of whom Emley B. is the oldest. Two died in infancy.
Gen. Thomas Gatch, who was the father of Frank M. and the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer and was the owner of seven hundred acres of land. The title of general was ac- quired by his rank in the militia of his day. . He was a member of the Ohio Legislature and was a son of Rev. Philip Gatch.
Emley B. Gatch was reared on the home farm and remained with his father until he was grown, receiving a good common school education, which has enabled him to make a success of his life occupation.
On February 17, 1875, Mr. Gatch became united in mar- riage to Olive Marsh, who was a native of Clermont county, having been born at Owensville, a daughter of A. M. and Cena (Williams) Marsh.
Mr. and Mrs. Gatch are the parents of four children :
Cena B., a graduate of the Milford High School. She has taught in the kindergarten in Cincinnati. She is now a part- ner in her father's store and clerk in the postoffice during his term as postmaster.
Sallie, a graduate of the high school at Milford, is assistant postmaster.
Frank M. is a commercial salesman for the firm of Brumble & Brush Wire Goods Company, of Cincinnati.
Marguerite, also a graduate of the high school in Milford, and of Oxford College, is a teacher of College Hill.
Two brothers of Emley Gatch are still living:
M. W. Gatch, who lives in Baltimore, is superintendent of the Brumble & Brush Wire Goods Company, of Cincinnati.
Albert B. Gatch, who resides in Milford, Ohio, is a salesman for the Brumble & Brush. Company.
Mr. Gatch cast his first Presidential ballot for U. S. Grant, in 1872, and in 1897 he was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley. He has served in this capacity continuously since. He has also a large general merchandise business, in which he has been very successful.
He has followed the example of his ancestor, the Rev. Philip
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Gatch, in his religious views, being a member of the Methodist church, as are also his family. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has taken high degrees and has served as king of the chapter. His oldest daughter is a mem- ber of the Eastern Star.
By his earnest labor Mr. Gatch has built up a fine business and he and his family are people of genuine worth, who have many friends in the county. His life has been one of indefati- gable diligence and at all times he stands for progress, im- provement and reform, and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to a successful completion, deserving much credit for. what he has accomplished in a business way.
WILLIAM E. MOTSINGER.
Mr. William E. Motsinger is one of the leading business men of Milford, Ohio, where he conducts an up-to-date livery and undertaking business on Water street.
Mr. Motsinger was born and reared on a farm near Miami- ville, Clermont county, his birth occurring on September 7, 1855. He is a son of Felix Jackson and Lydia (Young) Mot- singer, the former of whom was a brick manufacturer, supply- ing the whole surrounding country with hand made brick, and conducted an extensive business in addition to his farming interests.
The boyhood days of William Motsinger were spent on the farm, receiving a good common school education while assist- ing his father in the brick yard. At the age of ten years, he began learning the brick manufacturer's trade, and at the age of nineteen was an experienced molder. However, he became tired of this business and decided to learn the trade of black- smith, entering the shop of Mr. E. H. Hill, a blacksmith of . splendid reputation. He worked the first year for forty dollars and board, the second year for sixty dollars and board and the third year for one hundred dollars and board. He spent one more year in the shop of Mr. Hill, following which he es- tablished a business of his own at Owensville, Ohio, and for nine years met with the best of success.
The marriage of Mr. Motsinger to Miss Rebecca Hill was celebrated on May 3. 1879, at Belfast. Clermont county, Ohio. Miss Hill was born at Stone Lick, near Craver's postoffice, on
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a farm, where she received her education. She is a daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Hand) Hill.
In 1888, Mr. Motsinger sold out his blacksmith business to purchase an interest in his present business with J. A. Jones as partner. This partnership continued for a period when John WV. Hill purchased Mr. Jones's interest and later he sold out to E. H. Hill. Mr. E. H. Hill finally sold out to George Eveland, who is the present partner of Mr. Motsinger. Un- der this management a new barn was erected in 1891, which is 36x84, and is three stories, the horses being kept on the base- ment floor, the second floor is devoted to room for the car- riages, and the third floor is arranged for residence rooms. The business is prospering and the company is making rapid strides to the front in this line of business.
Mr. Motsinger was educated to the views of the Democratic party, casting his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden, but in later years he votes for the best man in his estimation. He has held the office of trustee of Stonelick township and was appointed to the board of public affairs in Milford, and has served continuously since. He has also served as a mem- ber of the council in Milford and has been a delegate to various conventions. Since the organization of the Citizens' National Bank Mr. Motsinger has served as one of the direc- tors.
In fraternal circles, Mr. Motsinger is a Mason, having been made a member of "Old Hammer" Lodge, No. 128, at Owens- ville, his membership being at present at Milford. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and has held the office of master at arms in his home lodge.
The religious support of Mr. and Mrs. Motsinger is given to the Methodist church, of which organization they are both members, Mr. Motsinger having been a member of the choir for more than twenty years. When in Owensville Mr. Mot- singer was chorister for several years, and wherever he finds himself he becomes at once active in all affairs that tend to help in the welfare of those around him.
D. F. LADY.
In chronicling the lives of those who possess undisputed ascendency in the community of Clermont county it is very essential that we compile a sketch of the unclosed career of
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Hon. D. F. Lady, at present mayor of Bethel, Ohio.
To begin with Mr. Lady is the possessor of no meager ability which is enshrouded in a character replete with the highest sense of integrity so essentially necessary to attain the finest reverence and entire confidence of the people. Through these commanding traits, his excellent judgment and the immediate reliability with which he is accepted among the commonalty enabled him to secure a substantial majority in his candidacy for mayor of Bethel soon after taking up a residence in that city.
Mr. Lady was born in Noble county, Ohio, February 15, 1849, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Forinash) Lady. Thomas Lady, the father of our subject, was also born in Noble county. He early engaged in the noble work of till- ing the soil and at the call to arms he readily left the plow to share the hardships and dangers of the Civil war. It was there while fighting in the front ranks at Corinth, Miss., that he gave his life and thereby his last full measure of devotion for the preservation of the Union. Our subject's mother was born in West Virginia, on the shores of the beautiful Buchanan river. She has also departed this life. To this union were born eight children, of which Mr. D. F. Lady is the only one surviving.
Mr. Lady acquired his early education in the common schools of Vinton county, Ohio. Here he worked as a car- penter, which trade he soon learned. After eight years of close attention to this line his earnest endeavor earned him possession of a saw mill, which he successfully operated for six years.
At the end of this period he moved to Fayette county, where he farmed for twenty-three years, then moving to Clermont county, where he practiced the same science for six years. Mr. Lady's prompt realization of the advantage of the improved methods in farming enable him to secure the best results from his land.
Mr. Lady always took a great interest and active part in the social and political affairs of the commonwealth within which he lived. At an early age he was elected on the Re- publican ticket as justice. of the peace. In this capacity he served for thirty years first in Fayette county and on mov- ing to Clermont county received the same honor, which he has so ably and impartially filled. On the first of Novem- ber, 1909, he moved to Bethel. The citizens of the town soon
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elected him their mayor. He is the present incumbent of that office. Mr. Lady is a bookkeeper, having charge of the book- keeping system of the telephone company, and also tends to his pretty home on Charity Place.
Our subject was not loathe to risk the loss of arm, limb, physical inability or even life itself when his country was in danger, as demonstrated when he enlisted for the Union, shouldering the musket in the One Hundred and Seventy- eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, in which regiment he remained until the close of the war.
Mr. Lady has associated himself with Masonic and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows orders, as well as the Grand Army of the Republic.
On December 1I, 1869, Mr. Lady married Miss Sarah A. Cropp, who was born in Uniontown, Pa., in 1851, daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Yates) Cropp. Her mother and father died when she was young. A brother, Frank Cropp, at pres- ent lives in Jackson county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lady have eight children, all being born in Ohio. Six are married. Their names follow :
William Franklin, aged forty years, married Miss Luly Erskine, now living in Victor, Colo. This couple have one boy, Harold.
Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. W. L. Patton, living near Jeffer- son, Fayette county, Ohio. They have three sons, Frank, Dale and David, and one daughter, Miss Florence, who is a teacher in the Bethel High School. Miss Lady secured her education at Oxford and Ada College, Ohio.
Myrtle, wife of A. J. Willis, at present living in Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have three children, Arthur, Wil- liam and Naomi.
George W. Lady is in the government weather service at Montgomery, Ala. George W. married Ethel Gotherman, and to this union has been born two children, Harold and Grace.
Daisy is a graduate of the Bethel schools, and is now a val- ued teacher in the primary department of that school.
Stella and Ella are twin sisters, the former being the wife of Mack Fisher, living in Clermont county, and has two chil- dren, David William and Roland; Ella is the wife of John King, of Bethel, Mr. King being a teacher in the schools of that town.
Our subject had two uncles and six cousins who fought in the Civil war, all of whom enlisted from Vinton county, Ohio.
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One uncle and three cousins gave their lives in the struggle for emancipation.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lady, as well as all their family, are affiliated with the Methodist church, and the influence of the family is no small factor in the successful work carried on by that body.
B. T. DAVIS.
The right man in the right place is Mr. B. T. Davis, the popular superintendent of the Bethel schools, which position he has held for the past six years so acceptably that he was recently re-elected for three coming years.
Mr. Davis is a son of William and Barbara (Shinkle) Davis, and was born on a farm near Felicity, Clermont county, Ohio, October 8, 1863. His father was a native of Clermont county, his birth having occurred in 1820, and who passed away in 1882. He was a farmer and stock raiser. His wife, Barbara (Shinkle) Davis, was born near Felicity, Ohio, and died in 1869. There were six sons and six daughters born to this union :
P. C., of Felicity, Ohio.
John, a citizen of Kansas.
W. H., a resident of Bethel, Ohio.
B. T., is the subject of our sketch.
Sarah J., the widow of William Rogers, of Moscow, Cler- mont county.
Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Johnson, living near Point Isabelle.
Melvina, is Mrs. Willis Cosins, of Fort Madison, Iowa.
Laura, married Alva Sapp, residing in Hamilton, Ohio.
The education of Mr. Davis was received in the schools of Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was graduated with high honors. After his graduation he assisted his father on the home farm until he reached his majority. He then entered upon his career as a teacher. first in the country schools, later teaching in the high school of Bethel, Ohio. He has been school examiner for thirteen years.
Mr. B. T. Davis was united in marriage to Miss May Day, February 17, 1889. She is a daughter of George W. and Ma- tilda (Coffman) Day, and was born in Brown county, Ohio, December 30, 1865. Her father was also a native of Brown
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county, July 28, 1825, and died January 2, 1901. Her mother was a native of Clermont county, having been born November 20, 1829, and passed away July 7, 1893. Both of her parents are buried in the Felicity cemetery. Mrs. Davis is one of four children :
Belle, is Mrs. Albert B. Armacost, of Terre Haute, Ind.
Lucy, married J. M. Gregor, of Felicity, Ohio.
May, is Mrs. B. T. Davis.
A. E., of Bethel, Ohio.
Mr. Davis gives his suport to the Democratic party, and is well posted in all the political questions of the day, though not an office seeker. Of fraternal organizations, he has mem- bership with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Eastern Star, and the Rebekahs. Both he and Mrs. Davis are devoted mem- bers of the Christian church. The home of this estimable couple is one of refinement and culture, and both have many . pleasant social connections in the community in which they reside.
L. D. KENNEDY.
. Mr. L. D. Kennedy, who has for many years been promi- nently identified with the business activities of Bethel, Ohio, is one of its most highly esteemd citizens. He is a son of Aaron and Mary Ann (Hals) Kennedy and was born in Tate town- ship, Clermont county, Ohio, May 16, 1838. Aaron Kennedy was born in Maryland and came to Clermont county when a young boy. Mary Ann (Hals) Kennedy was born in England and came to America at the age of twelve years. Both have left this life and their remains repose in the Bethel cemetery.
Mr. L. D. Kennedy is the fourth of ten children, five of whom are still living :
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