USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 102
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In 1890 Charles E. Terrell was married to Anna N. Harris, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Babb) Harris, both of whom came from old Virginia families, and Mrs. Terrell was their only child. Mr. and Charles E. Terrell were the parents of one child, Oneita F., born in 1898.
The Terrell family now own two hundred and fifty-three acres of land, and since the death of the husband and father, Mrs. Terrell and her daughter. Oneita, have lived on the farm.
FRANCIS R. WILLIAMS.
Francis R. Williams, an enterprising young farmer of Chester township, Clinton county, Ohio, who was born on August 5. 1884, In this township, is the son of Richard and Hannah (Davis) Williams, the former of whom was a native of Monmouthshire, England, born on July 6, 1838, and died on March 20, 1905, and the latter survived ber husband and now lives at 421 North High street, Wilmington, Ohio.
The paternal grandfather of Francis R. Williams was William Williams, a native of Newport, England, born in 1795, and who died in 1877. He married Sarah Lewis, a native of Monmouthshire, England, and, after immigrating to America, they moved to Ohio In pioneer times and purchased two hundred and twenty-six acres of land near Oakland. They had seven children, of whom Richard, the father of Francis R., was the sixth. The others were, John, William, Edward ( who died in infancy), James Edward, and Thomas. Mr. Williams spent four years in Hamilton county, Ohio, before coming to Clinton county. During his life he was a devout member of the Baptist church.
Richard Williams was a mere lad when his parents emigrated from England, in 1849, and settled at Sharonville, in Hamilton county, Ohio. In 1853 they moved to Oak- land, Clinton county, Ohio, and purchased a farm, where he grew to maturity. He and his eldest brother, John, remained on the home farm. He and his brother John owned the entire farm of two hundred and ninety-four acres, where he lived until his death.
During the Civil War, Richard Williams was a member of the Union navy and, for abont one year, was on one of the monitors and participated in the river campaigns. He was a Republican and served as school director for a number of years. No man was fonder of his home than Richard Williams nor more devoted to the interests of bis church. The family were connected with the Jonas Run Baptist church and were regular attendants and substantial contributors to the support of the church.
On October 29, 1881, Richard Williams was married to Hannah Davis, a native of Moumouthshire, England, born in the town of Pontypool, and the daughter of Francis and Hannah ( Roberts) Davis, who came from England to Iowa and settled in Agency City, in Wapello county. There they operated a flour- and woolen-mill until 1872. when they returned to England. He died there in 1892. His wife later returned to the United States on a visit and was living with Mrs. Richard Williams at Oakland, Ohio, where she died. December 31, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Williams were married In England. where the former had gone for his bride in 1881. After their marriage they came back 10 the United States. Richard and Hannah (Davis) Williams had four children : An infant, deceased ; Francis R., the subject of this sketch; Edith, who lives with her mother in Wilmington, and John W., deceased. The family built a comfortable home at 421 High street, where the mother and daughter now live.
Francis R. Williams received bis education in the common schools of Chester town-
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ship and later became a student at Wilmington College, where he spent about two years. After his father's death, he took up farming and managed the home farm for four years and then moved to Union township, where he remained for three years. He returned to Oakland and now superintends four hundred and thirty acres of laud.
On August 8, 1006, Francis R. Williams was married to Besale Cummins, the daugh- ter of Jesse L. and Nora (Wright) Cummins. They are the parents of two children : Arlene C., and Ernest J., born on September 4, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the First Baptist church at Wilmington. Mr. Williams is a Republican.
HORACE W. COLLETT.
Horace W. Collett, a well-known citizen of Chester township, this county, who has always been an Industrious worker, was born on April 12, 1852, on the farmi where he now lives. He is a progressive farmer and stockman, who owns one hundred and fifty neres of land in Chester township, but who farms about two hundred and fifty acres.
Mr. Collett is the son of Daniel H. and Maria ( Mckay ) Collett, the former of whom was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1800 and died on January 11, 1871. He was mar- ried on November 4, 1:30, to Maria Mckay, daughter of Moses MeKay. Daniel H. Col- lett was the son of Moses and Rebecca ( Haines) Collett, the former of Virginia, one of the eight sons born to Daniel and Mary ( Haines) Collett, among the others being Jonathan, Isaac, Aaron, Benjamin. Daniel, Jr., and Joshua. Moses Collett married Rebecca Haines in Maryland and in 1812 she wanted to visit ber people In the East, so she and Jonathan made the journey through on horseback. Daniel Collett, at the age of sixty years, sold out his possessions in Maryland and, with the mother and daughters, came back with them In a carriage. A colored boy, "Black Dan," came with them and lived with the family until his death. Daniel Collett, the third child born to Moses, Sr., and Elizabeth ( Armstrong) Collett, born on February 2, 1752, was a soldier in the Continental army and a justice of the peace for many years in Jefferson county, Virginia. About 1780 he was married to Mary Haines, who was born on October 10. 1763. They had eight sons and a daughter, who, with bis brother, John, and his sister, Sarah, are the ancestors of all the Colletts in Clinton and Warren counties. Moses Collett. Sr., was born on November 17, 1718, and died in 1783. His wife. Elizabeth Armstrong, was born on August 18. 1725. Moses was the son of Stephen Collett, whose father and mother were French Huguenots, who fled from France to escape religious persecution. Stephen's mother died after bis birth at sea and she was buried on the voyage to America.
In 1814 Daniel Collett purchased two thousand three hundred and fifty-eight acres from James Smith, Sr., paying two and one-half dollars an acre in three annual install- ments. In 1815 Daniel Collett purchased from William Elzey and wife nine hundred and ten neres for three dollars an acre. making a tract of three thousand two hundred and sixty-eight acres Much of this land has been handed down from generation to generation in the Collett family.
Daniel H. Collett, who was one of the eight sons born to Moses and Rebecca ( Haines) Collett, was the father of Horace W. He was educated in the common schools of ('lester township and was engaged in farming and clearing all of his life. He owned three hundred and sixty acres of land. By his marriage to Maria Mckay, he had seven children, of whom Horace W. is the youngest, the others being as follows: Tamson, who married Jesse Woods; Moses; Abigal, who is the wife of Joshua Nickerson ; Elisa- beth, who married Joseph Browning; Sarah, who became the wife of Joseph Shambaugh. and Francis, who married Sallie Ferguson. The family were members of the Baptist church at Jonas Run and Daniel H. Collett served many years as a dencon of that church. He was a Republican.
Horace W. Collett also was educated in the common schools of Clinton county and
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of Warren county. He attended the high school at Harveysburg and, when about twenty-one years old, began farming on the farm where he now lives.
In 1881 Horace W. Collett was married to Rachel Anne Rayburn, who was born in 1850. the daughter of James and Margaret ( Haines) Rayburn, to which union two children have been born, James W., who was born on July 6, 1883, and Margaret, in 1850, the latter of whom is still at home. James W. Collett attended the high school at New Burlington and is a farmer in Chester township, where he owns eighty-three acres of land, though he farms altogether two hundred and ninety acres. James W. Collett married Laura McCoy, daughter of J. R. and Martha McCoy, and one child has been born to this union, Thomas W., who was born on October 19, 1914. James W. Collett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a Republican in politics aud, fraternally, a member of Masonic Lodge No. 574.
Mr. and Mrs. Horace W .- Collett and daughter, Margaret, are members of the Methodist church at New Burlington and he is an ardent Republican, politically.
' HARLEY H. SMITH.
Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win conspicuous recogul- tion in all localities. Harley H. Smith, who, for a number of years, has been recognized as one of the lending educators of this county, is a young man of genial presence, intelli- gent and broad-minded. Ile Is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, superintendent of the Kingman high school, and owner of one hundred and seventy acres of land in Chester township. His career is a splendid example of the successful, self-made young man, and he eminently deserves the trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
Harley H. Smith was born on May 2. 1850, at New Burlington, at the edge of Greene county, Ohio, a son of Lewis and Rachel E. (Craft) Smith, the former of whom was born on May 5, 1837, in Warren county, Ohio, and died on May 7, 1902. The Intter was born on September 10. 1889, at New Burlington, in this county, a daughter of Allen and Rachel (Mann) Craft.
The paternal grandparents of Harley H. Smith were James and Elizabeth (Cain) Smith, both of whom were natives of Warren county, Ohio. James Smith was a black- smith at New Burlington, and owned the first blacksmith shop in that town. He worked at that trade all his life and, in addition to his work as a blacksmith, was the owner of a farm, which he operated in connection with his work in the blacksmith shop. He was a member of the old Whig party and a stanch citizen, he and his wife having been prominent members of the Methodist church. James and Elizabeth (('ain) Smith were the parents of twelve children, Lewis, Wesley, Joseph R., Hannah, Josephine. Arabella, Laura, Alice, Nancy, and three who died in infancy.
The late Lewis Smith, father of Harley II., learned the blacksmith trade after finish- ing his eduention in the schools of New Burlington, and worked at that trade practically all of his life in that town. During the last eight years of his life, he served as com- missioner of Greene county, Ohio. Several years before he was elected commissioner he served as trustee of Spring Valley township in that county. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist church, and held about every office in that church. Hle was a prominent member of the Masonic lodge, and his six sons were all members of the same fraternal organization. Lewis Smith and wife were the parents of ten children. Rena Bell. Wesley A., William F., Wayne C., Harry, Minnie. Le Roy, Harriet und Harley H. (twins) and Leslie.
Harley H. Smith began a pursuit of education in the common schools at New Bur- lington, but later attended the Xenia high school for two years. After leaving high school he taught school for eight years in Greene county, and subsequently entered Oblo Wesleyan University, and was graduated from that excellent Institution with the class of 1011, recelving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Since his graduation he has been
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engaged in teaching. He was in charge of the history department of the Greenville high school for one year and from Greenville returned to his home in Chester township, this county, where he has had charge of the Kingman high school for three years. Mr. Smith is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of land in Chester township, where be is living at the present time.
In 1907 Harley H. Smith was married to Sarah A. Mckay, daughter of Robert F. and Mary F. (Nickerson) Mckay, and a sister of Welden Mckay, whose biographical sketch, presented elsewhere In this volume, gives a history of the Mckay family.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who are both descendants of leading families of Clinton county, are a young couple of wide and liberal culture. They are earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist church at New Burlington and take an active part in church work. Politically, Mr. Smith votes the Republican ticket, while fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons.
JOHN SPEER.
Jobn Speer, one of the leading farmers of Liberty township, this county. and one of the best-informed citizens of that township, lives on the old paternal homestead. He was born at Ashgrove, Illinois, on November 18, 1869, the son of Samuel and Eliza (Oren) Speer, the former born in Greene county, Ohio, on September 30, 1835, and the latter in Clinton county on November 25, 1837.
Eliza Oren was the daughter of John and Martha (Bailey) Oren, the former a native of Tennessee, who came with his father, John Oren, Sr., to this state. They settled on two hundred acres of land in Union township, this county, and became promi- nent in the affairs of the Friends church. By Martha Bailey, who was his first wife, John Oren, Jr., bad seven children, of whom Daniel B. and Henry served in the Civil War, both giving their lives to the service. The other children were Ell, Eliza, Martha, Asa and Lewis. John Oren, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to Tennes- see, but not being able to reconcile himself to the presence of human slavery, came to Ohio in order to live in a free state. Arriving in 1810. he settled in I'nion township and became very active in the work of the Friends church, being rated as a very valu- able man in the life of the community. Samuel Speer's parents were James and Mary ( Fletcher) Speer, natives of North Carolina and Ohlo, respectively. the former of whom was a mere lad when he came with his father, Samuel Speer, to this state. James Speer owned over two hundred acres of land in Greene county, Ohio. He and his wife were the parents of six children. Samuel, John, Sarah, Lydia, Henry and Benjamin, the latter of whom was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. James Speer was a son of Samuel and Sarah (Dunkin) Speer, natives of North Carolina, who moved with their parents to Ohio and settled in Greene county where they spent the rest of their lives. They were prominent members of the Friends church and Mrs. Samuel Speer was a minister in that church. They were the parents of three children, James, John and Samuel.
Samuel Speer, the father of John Speer, the subject of this sketch, received the rudi- ments of an education in the common schools, which he supplemented by extensive home reading and became one of the most enlightened farmers in this section of Oblo. He owned one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land in Liberty township, which is the farm his son John now owns. He was active in the Friends church all his life. He died on February 10, 1911, his wife having died a few days previously, on January 20, of the same year. They were the parents of five children, Eli B., John, James, Henry and Jennie, the three latter of whom died in childhood in Illinois. Ell B. Speer, who died on October 5, 1901, married Testa Spears, and at his death left two children, Frank and Ethel.
Reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of Clinton county, John
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Speer was married on July 25, 1890, to Tacy Smith, who was born in this county; January 26, 1872, the daughter of Samuel and Ester ( Smith) Smith. Samuel Smith was a native of Greene county. Oblo, and a shoemaker by trade. During the latter part of his life. .he was engaged in farming. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company H. Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was once wounded in a skirmish.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Speer located on the farm where they now live, and where five children have been born to them, of whom two, Henry and Harold (the third and fourth in the family), are twins. May, Frederick and Gladys are the other children. Frederick married Louise Turner, and is at present a student in a veterinary college. The remainder of the children are unmarried.
Mr. and Mrs. Speer own altogether two hundred and sixty-four acres of land. They are members of the Friends church and regular attendants at the Dover Sunday school and meeting. Mr. Speer is a member of the board of education of Liberty township. and he and his wife are warmly interested in all good works in that vicinity, being held in the very highest regard by all their large circle of acquaintances.
F. MARSHALL RENNER.
That life is most useful and desirable which results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some mensure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellowmen. It is not necessary for one to occupy an eminent public position to do so. In all walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talent and influence that in some way will touch the lives of those with whom one may come in contact, making them better and brighter. Among the enterprising and pros- perous farmers of Clinton county and among the citizens of high standing, in Adams township, is E. Marshall Renner, who owns a fine farm and home on Route No. 4. out of Wilmington. He is a successful farmer, a valuable citizen and a good neighbor.
E. Marshall Renner was born on November 2, 1800, in Clermont county, Ohio, the son of Gilman S. and Mahala Q. (Browning) Renner, who were natives of Clermont county, 'Ohio, and Fleming county, Kentucky, respectively. Gilman 8. Renner was the son of Samuel and Mercy (Gordon) Renner, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers In Clermont county, where they spent their last days. Mahala Q. Browning was the daughter of Basil Browning, a farmer of Kentucky, who remained there all his life. He was the son of Basil Browning. Sr., who was also a farmer In Kentucky and the father of four children, John M., Basil, Jr., Meshock and Josinh.
Gilman S. Renner, who died in February, 1807, at the age of seventy-four years, was educated in the public schools of Clermont county and, for a time, taught school in that county, where he spent his entire life. He farmed about four hundred acres of land which he owned and took a prominent part in the civle and political life of that county. having been especially active in local affairs. He was a member of the I'niversalist church and of the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity. Gilman and Mahala Q. (Browning) Renner were the parents of six children, of whom Horace, the first born, is a well-known real estate dealer in Chlengo. E. Marshall, the subject of this sketch, was the second child. Cora lives in Clermont county, Ohio. Henry Clay is a resident of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Herbert lives on the old home place in Clermont county. The youngest member of the family died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1902, some five years after the death of her husband.
E. Marshall Renner was educated In Clermont county, Ohio, and spent two years in the high school. He has been twice married, the first time. in 1884, to Elizabeth Meyers, who died the following year. There were no children by this first marriage. .% On December 24, 1890, Mr. Renner married, secondly, Mary Alice Hale, who was born
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in Clinton county 'on December 5. 1865, the daughter of Alfred and Rachel ( Hindley) Hale.
Alfred Hale, who was a farmer in Adams township, this county, and a member of the Friends church, died on November 11, 1914, at the age of seventy-three, having been born on December 23, 1841. He was twice married, his first wife having been Rachel Hladley, who was born on July 20, 1841, and died on April 19, 1801. To this union there were born four children, Mary Allee. Clark J., Emma (deceased) and Hannah. After the death of his first wife, Alfred Hale married Emma Wright, daughter of Joseph Wright. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. E. Marsball Reuner were Jacob and Hannah (Andrew ) Hale, both natives of Clinton county and the parents of three childrenu. William, Susannah and Alfred, the two latter of whom are deceased, Jacob Hale was a farmer and a member of the Friends church. He was one of six brothers, the others having been Joseph, William, Samuel, Armona and Eli, who came in pioneer days from North Carolina to Clinton county.
By Mr. Renner's second marriage, two children have been born, Clarence H., born June 10, 1893, and Robert A., July 17, 1897, both of whom live at home with their parents. Clarence H., the eldest son, wus graduated in June, 1915, from Wilmington College.
Mr. Renner owns two hundred and ninety-eight and one-half acres of land in Adams towuship, which is all in one tract. In 1910 he built a modern country house, que of the most beautiful to be found in all Clinton county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Renner are members of the Friends church at Wilmington and are regular attendants at Sunday school.
CHARLES WESLEY VAN PELT.
The late Charles Wesley Van Pelt, a valiant soldier of the Civil War aud a farmer in Clark township, Clinton county, Ohio, was born on May 22, 1839, near Danville, Ohio, and died August 10, 1914. He was a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Butcher) Van Pelt, natives of the Keystone state, who were carly settlers at Danville and Highland county and who died in that county. Charles Van Pelt, Sr., was a farmer by occupation. The Van Pelts are of German origin, Mr. Van Pelt's paternal grandfather having been a sea captain.
Charles Wesley Van Pelt was educated in Highland county, and was a farmer by occupation. He served three years in Company H, Thirty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and re-enlisted for three additional years, but further service was not required. After the war he returned home, and about 1578 came to Clinton county, where for some time he rented land across the road from the farm where his widow now resides. Two years Inter, he bought a tract of ninety-six acres, and here he erected excellent build- ings, and lived until his death.
On March 1, 1866. Charles Wesley Van Pelt was married to Sarah Rankius, a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Runk ) Ranking, both natives of the Old Dominion state. Mrs. Van Pelt's paternal grandparents were Samuel and Rebecca Rankins, who were natives of Virginia but who immigrated to Illinois and there died. The maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth ( Miller) Runk.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Pelt have five children, Joseph M., Eliza May, Charles William, Edward Franklin and Mary Elizabeth.
The Van Pelt family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. Charles Wes- ley Van Pelt having joined the church at the age of eighteen years and having been active in this church during all his life. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Identified with the Merrell post at Lynchburg.
Of the children born to Charles Wesley Van Pelt and wife. Joseph M., the eldest.
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was born ou December 27, 1866, in Highland county, Ohio, and was educated in Highland and Clinton counties. He rented land in Highland county, and in 1908 bought a farm in Clark township of fifty-two acres, where he now lives. Recently he has remodeled the barn and fences. He was married In June. 1008, to May Pierson, a native of Indiana. They have two children. Herbert Cecil and Delbert Francis.
Joseph M. Van Pelt was for two terms a school director in Clark township. The Van Pelt family are quite highly respected In Clark township and are well known here.
WILLIAM H. FISHER.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages, and, as a usual thing, men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farmer has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which char- acterizes true manhood. It has been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country. The majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm, and are indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction they have gained. William Fisher is a successful farmer of Liberty township and a man of agreeable and pleasant manner.
William Fisher was born on January 21, 1841, in Frederik county, Virginia, the son of Asa and Frances ( Williams) Fisher. Asa Fisber was born in Virginia on October 24, 1805, and died on May 5, 1846. His wife was born on May 1, 1810, and died on December 25, 1895. She was a daughter of Isaac and Delphia Williams, the latter of whom died on July 8, 1828. They were farmers by occupation.
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