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 107

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108

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 107

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Rudolph F. W. Hildebrecht was reared and educated in Cincinnati. When It came time for him to select an oreupation, he became a blacksmith, adopting that vocation byfore he was of age. During the Civil War he was engaged in shoeing government horses, later taking employment with the George Miller Carriage Company at Cincin- nati. During a time of business depression, he left this employment and. taking his blacksmith hammer, started to travel through Mexico and South America. He was gone for nearly two years, during which time be traveled over almost all of the southern continent. Upon the removal of his parents to this county in 1873, he accompanied them and the rest of his life was spent here. In the year 1597 he bought the home farm

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In Vernon township, later adding thirty-two acres to the same, and it was there that he passed away in 1902. His widow still lives on the farm. She was, before her marriage to Mr. Hildebrecht, Clara Reuter, who was born in Cincinnati, Oblo, on January 27, 1854, daughter of Rudolph and Minnie Reuter, both natives of Germany, who located in Cincinnati about the year 1851, living there the remainder of their lives. Their children were Frederick, Minnie, Clara and an infant, of whom only Clara is living.

Rudolph Hildebrecht allled himself with the Republican party. He was much inter- ested in school affairs, and was for several years, treasurer of the school board, He was interested also in the purposes and work of secret orders, and was a member of the Odd Fellowa and Knights of Pythias, having attained the encampment degree of the first-named order.

Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrecht were blessed with a large family of children, whose subsequent history may be of Interest to the reader. Robert, who was born in 1874, was educated in the public schools of Clarksville. His wife was before her marriage Florence Starr. She is now a widow, her husband having died on June 13, 1914. Their only child is Carroll LeRoy.

The second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrecht was William F., born on June 6, 1876. He was educated in the Clarksville schools and was graduated from the high school. Since taking up farming as an occupation, he has been very successful, owning seventy-nine acres of splendid farm land. His prominence in political affairs is indi- cated by the number of official positions he has held of a more or less political nature, all of which offices he has held as a Republican. He is at present clerk and treasurer of the school board, and has been a member of the Republican central committee of Vernon township, as well as trustee of the same township, and trustee of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery Association. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge nt Clarksville, having joined that order ten years ago: is a member of the encamp- ment at Wilmington and of the Knights of Pythlas at Clarksville. For eight years he has been secretary of the Odd Fellows lodge at Clarksville. On August 10. 1858, William F. Hildebrecht was married to Mary Winfield, of Adams township, and to this union four children have been born. Dewey, Rudolph, Lonise and Herschel.

The third child of the Hildebrecht household was Henrietta, who was born in 1878. and who lived to be only four years of age. The next born was Emma, who was born in 1880. She is now the wife of Albert U'rton, son of Thomas Urton, of Blanchester, this county, having married soon after her graduation from the Clarksville high school. The next child born in the Hildebrecht family was Florence, the year of whose birth is 1883. She, too, graduated from the Clarksville high school, after which she studied bookkeeping at Dayton, Ohio. She then went to Washington, D. C., entered Garfield hospital as a student nurse, graduated from that institution, and is now nursing in Chicago. After his high school course was completed, Theodore Henry, born in 1855, became a merchant in Texas, and later went to Dakota and Wisconsin. At one time, he was a thresher, working with Albert Urton in this county and Warren county. He died in 1912 at Blanchester, and was buried with honors by the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows to both of which orders he was attached. Frederick Rudolph Hilde- brecht was born in 1859, and after completing the course of study in the Clarksville high school, entered a business college at Cincinnati. He lives at present in Dakota. Clara M., who was born on October 24, 1898, spent her childhood and youth in Clarks ville, where she was graduated from the high school, winning the scholarship to C'edar- ville College. She is now living at home with her mother.

It Is rare indeed that parents of so large a family of children find It possible to give their children the educational advantages which Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrecht gave to theirs. And It is a matter of common observation that often when the means are available, the desire for intellectual attainment is lacking. Therefore it would seem

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that in this home, there was much in the early training and in the general atmosphere to encourage the pursuit of studies beyond the usual curriculum, for both ambition and studious habits are evident mental characteristics of the entire family. The mother took enough time from arduous household duties to teach her little brood to read good books, and thus very early encourage those mental habits which afterwards made it possible for her children to attain scholarship which reflected credit upon their home and their parents, as well as upon themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrecht gave their children an inheritance which cannot be estimated except in spiritual values; and in so doing, they gave also to the community of the richness of their lives. They found their best work in enriching the lives of their children. and of them it may be said as of others, "Blessed is that man who has found his work." Mr. Hildebrecht as a public official was honorable and square in all of his dealings, winning not only the respect of those with whom he came in contact, but aleo their regard, for he was strong. and at the same time, kind. He was of a genial nature, and conscientious in all that he undertook to do. The schools, under his tennre of office. Improved in efficiency, and to them he gave his best thought and effort. The community owes him a debt of gratitude for his efficient public service.

JAMES CHRISTOPHER WEBB.

As with growing civilization and increasing limitations upon individual initiative. the problem of living becomes more and more complex. the term "self-made" becomes a badge of honor. and he who wears it an object of emulation. He who has achieved a successful and honorable career out of difficulty, has worked while others have slept. and to him should come unstinted reward and praise. A brief study of the life of James Christopher Webb will reveal the fact that from early childhood, it was his purpose to succeed ; and that In order to do so. he was willing to forego some of the pleasures and many of the extravagances which in so many lives prove the rock on which their boat is wrecked.

James C. Webb was born in Fayette county, Oblo, on December 14, 1869. the son of John Wesley and Elizabeth ( Bonecutter) Webb, both of whom were born in above- named county. John W. Webb was the son of Burt Webb, who was born in Virginia, us was his wife, who was a Redish. Burt Webb and his wife were early settlers in Fayette county, Ohlo. The former passed away near Sabina, this county, while the latter died near Washington. In Fayette county. Mr. Webb's maternal grandparents, Christopher and Charlotte ( Heffley) Bonecutter, both were natives of Ohio and early settlers in Fayette county. John W. Webb was reared in and attended school in the county of his nativity, and was a farmer all of his life. He voted the Republican ticket. attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and was the father of eight children, May Jane, Annie, Armanda, James Christopher, Oliver, William Edward. Harvey. Charles Thomas He died in June. 1912, and his widow makes her home with her children.

The early training of James C. Webb was not different from that of other youths who were born and reared on a farm. and his first venture in the outside world only served to confirm his love of the life and wholesome work of the farm. After five years as an employee of the street rallway company at Erie. Pennsylvania, he went to Greene county in 1874, later coming to this county, where be bought the farm which he now owns, this consisting of one hundred and five acres in Vernon township. He then went to Erie, Pennsylvania, to work for the street car company, and returned to bis farm in 1910, since which time be has made many improvements and has become well- known as a breeder of Duroc-Jersey swine.

In 1899 James C. Webb was united in marriage to Mary Stewart, who was born hear Waterford, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1866. daughter of Aaron and Rebecca . Gillespie, Stewart. both natives of Belfast. Ireland. After Hving for some time in

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Erie county, Pennsylvania, the Stewarts moved to Highland county, Ohio, where Mrs. Stewart died in 1871. Mr. Stewart then went to Wilmington, Oblo, and the rest of his life was spent there, his death occurring in 1896. Their children were Robert, John, William, Mary. Aaron (deceased), and Victor. Mr. Stewart married again and to the second union five children were born, Rosa, Lee, George, Ida and Charles (decesned).

Mr. Webb is a Democrat and is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. It is such painstaking work as his that commenda itself to the student of human nature and human affairs. Mr. Webb was willing, in order to get his start in life, to work by the day for six years; and for two years he worked by the month, thus laying the foundation for a Inter life of thrift and industry which should result in land ownership. He has taken great pride in the scientific development of his land, and is respected and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of knowing him.

SEYMOUR CURTIS MORRIS.

Among the. many small, intensively cultivated farms in Washington township, this county, few receive more careful attention than that which is owned by S. C. Morris, one of the best-known farmers of that township. Having given close study to modern methods of intensive farming. Mr. Morris is obtaining results from the cultivation of his small farm which are proving not only personally gratifying to himself, but which offer an excellent object lesson to others who, perhaps, are getting fewer returns from a much larger acreage. In addition to his farm in Washington township, this county, where he makes his home, Mr. Morris also owns a farm of fifty-eight and one-half acres in Jay county. Indiana, where he formerly lived, which now Is in the hands of a capable and responsible tenant.

Seymour Curtis Morris was born in U'nion township. Highland county, Oblo, on December 16, 1860, sou of Avery and Lydia (Jackson) Morris, the former born in Adams county, this state, and the latter, in Highland county. Avery Morris was the son of William Morris, a native of Scotland, who emigrated in his young manhood. coming to Ohio and locating in Adams county, where he remained until his removal to this county In 1865. He settled In Washington township. where the rest of his life was spent. William Morris married Depsey Bales, a untive of Alabama, who came north with her parents and located in Adams county, Ohio, and to this unlon several children were born, whose descendants today are numbered among the most substantial real- dents of this section of the state. William Morris lived to be ninety-eight years of age and was held in high respect hereabout.

Avery Morris, son of William and Depsey ( Bales) Morris, was reared in Adams county, this state, and in 1867 began farming in Highland county, Inter coming to this county, where he became a large land-owner, owning, at the time of his death nearly three hundred and fifty acres of land, about equally divided between two farms in the same vicinity of this county. Avery Morris married Lydia Jackson, daughter of Joseph and Lydia Jackson, early settlers of Highland county, to which union six children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Morris were members of the Christian church and their children were reared In that faith. Additional details regarding this family are set out in a biographical sketch relating to Frank H. Morris, presented elsewhere in this volume.

Seymour Curtis Morris was eight years of age when his parents moved to the Mor- risville neighbohood and be received his education in the excellent schools of that village. L'pon reaching manhood he moved to Jay county, Indiana, where he bought a farm of fifty-eight and one-half acres, and there he lived for fourteen years, at the end of which time he returned to Clinton county, though still retaining his farm in Indiana, and, in 1905, bought the farm of sixty-two and one-half acres on which he now lives and where he is doing well.

On March 16. 1880. Seymour C. Morris was united in marriage to Flora Haines,

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who was born near Westboro, in this county, daughter of James Haines and wife, well- known residents of that neighborhood, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Leora, who married Harley Batson, a well-known young man of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are members of the Christian church, in the various beneficences of which they are deeply interested in and in which they take an active part, being also concerned in all good works in their community, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. Mr. Morris is a member of the Masonic lodge at Martinsville and takes a prominent part in the affairs of that order. He is public spirited and ener- getic and posseses the entire confidence of bis neighbors, who hold him in the highest esteemn.

FRANK W. HADLEY.

Frank W. Hadley, who for more than a quarter of a century, has been engaged in the mercantile business in Clinton county and who is now the proprietor of a hard- ware and grocery business at New Vienna and vice-president and director of the New Vienna Bank, was born in Clark township, this county, May 19, 1865, the son of Will- lam and Rebecca Jane (Hunt) Hadley, both of whom also were born in Clinton county, the former near Sligo on March 14, 1832, and the latter, near Martinsville.

William Hadley was a farmer and merchant of Wilmington and for many years was in partnership with Mathew Fife. He died in Clark township on October 8, 1900. His wife is also deceased. He was a Republican and he and his wife and family were members of the Friends church. They were the parents of four children, of whom Ida B. died at the age of seventeen years; Emma S. is the wife of S. C. Haines, of Detroit, Michigan ; Frank W. is the subject of this sketch and Anna died in infancy. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Hadley were Jonathan and Margaret Hunt, who were early settlers in Clark township, but who later moved to near Richmond, Indiana, where both died.

Born and reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of Clinton county, especially in the Martinsville public schools and in the high school at that place, Frank W. Hadley taught school for several years. Later he attended the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy and was engaged in the drug business at Martinsville, this county. for eleven years, beginning business there in 1890, operating a general store in connec- tion with the drug business. In 1901 be moved to New Vienna and engaged in the hardware and grocery business, his store occupying a double room with a fifty-foot front.

On June 20, 1894, Frank W. Hadley was married to Winna Woodmansee, of New Vienna. daughter of Robert J. and Caroline ( Hussey ) Woodmansee, to which union one child has been born, Miriam, born on July 4, 1899.

Robert J. Woodmansee, the father of Mrs. Hadley, was born on June 4, 1845, in Highland county. this state, three miles east of New Vienna, where he now lives. He is the son of Joseph and Abigall ( Jeffries) Woodmansee, the former of whom was born at Toms River, New Jersey, In 1806 and who died in 1888, and the latter born at the same place. Mrs. Hadley's paternal great-grandparents were Francis and Hannah Woodmansee, natives of Toms River, New Jersey, who migrated to Highland county. Ohlo, about 1839, Francis Woodmansee and his only son. Joseph, purchasing land there in partnership. The former engaged in the brick business and erected a magnificent house on the old Woodmansee homestead, which is still standing. Joseph Woodmansee. the father of Robert J., owned sixteen hundred acres of land in Highland county and was a member of the Methodist church. He was educated in New Jersey and after com- ing to Ohio about 1839, farmed in Highland county the remainder of his life. He owned two hundred and sixty neres of land and a grist-mill at New Vienna for four or five years. Hle also owned a saw-mill at New Vienna. To Joseph and Abigail (Jeffries)

REV. AND MRS. JESSE H. HARVEY

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Woodmansee six children were born, Alice, Francis, Jesse, Adolphus, Robert J. and Alonzo. The family were members of the Methodist church and Joseph Woodmansee voted the Republican ticket. Robert J. Woodmansee has been a farmer all of his life, but bas lived most of the time in New Vienna, having gone there with his father in 1859. He owns two hundred acres of land in Highland county, where his son, Brent, now lives. He married Caroline Hussey, daughter of Nathan Hussey, to which union three children were born: Fred, who married Jennie Clark and has one daughter, Jennie May ; Brent, who married Maud Hunt, and Mira, Hadley. Robert J. Woodmansee and wife are members of the Methodist church. He votes the Republican ticket and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fllows.

Mr. Hadley is also a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to public office. Fraternally, be is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including the subordinate and the encampment branches. Mr. and Mrs. Hadley are members of the Methodist church at New Vienna.

REV. JESSE H. HARVEY.

Rev. Jesse H. Harvey is descended from a splendid old Quaker family of Clinton county, whose father was born on the farm now occupied by bis worthy son, more than a century ago, and whose grandfather, like so many of the members of the Society of Friends, of one hundred years ago, came to Clinton county from North Carolina. Recorded a minister In the Friends church in 1878, Rev. Jesse H. Harvey has been pastor of the Springfield church since 1895 and is, therefore, well known in Clinton county.

Born on the farm where he now lives in Adams township, April 10, 1849, Rev. Jesse H. Harvey is the son of Isaac and Sarah (Edwards) Harvey, the former of whom also was born on this farm, on November 27, 1809, and who died on August 11, 1883. On November 2, 1831, he was married to Sarah Edwards, who was born on November 10, 1812, the daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Hadley) Edwards.

The paternal grandparents of Rev. J. H. Harvey were Caleb and Sarah (Towel) Harvey, natives of North Carolina, the former born on December 21, 1776, the year in which the Declaration of Independence for the American colonies was proclaimed, who came to Clinton county in 1806 and located in Adams township, where he owned two or three hundred acres. Caleb and Sarah Harvey were the parents of seven children, namely : Joshua, born on November 24, 1803; Isaac, November 27, 1809; Hannah, June 26, 1806; Elizabeth, November 4, 1816; Doctor Jesse, November 26, 1801; Eli. Decem- ber 12. 1808, and Rebecca, April 11, 1813. Caleb Harvey, the son of William and Elizabeth (Carter) Harvey, was a very active worker in the Friends church and held all of the important offices in the church. During the late years of his life he was identi- fied with the Republican party.

Of Isaac Harvey it may be said that he received the rudiments of an education in the common schools of Adams township and that he supplemented this education by wide and extensive reading and became a well-informed man. He began farming after reaching maturity and followed this occupation all his life. He owned about two hundred acres of land and a saw-mill which was located on the farm. He took a great Interest in the activities of the Friends church and devoted all of his spare time toward promoting the growth of the church. Politically, he was a Republican. Isaac and Sarah Harvey had nine children: Caleb J., born on November 7, 1832; Elizabeth. March 6, 135; Mary Jane, August 22, 1836, who died on February 11, 1906; Rebecca, July 24, 1×39, who died on September 21. 1902; William, May 22, 1841, who died in November, 1913: Nathaniel, June 30, 1843; Abigail, June 11, 1846, who died on June 18, 1846; Jesse H., April 10, 1849; and Enos Francis, February 2, 1853, who died on October 10, 1871. Elizabeth also is decensed.

His education began in the common schools of Adams township and Jesse H. Harvey

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later attended school at Greensburg, Indiana. After finishing his education, he taught for one year, after which he took up farming in Warren county, where he remained for two years. About 1872 he moved to the old home farm, where he has since followed this occupation and here he owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land.

Rev. Jesse H. Harvey was married on October 20, 1870, to Lucy C. Hadley, who was born on June 22, 1851, the daughter of Simon and Rachel ( Bangham) Hadley, to which union four children have been born, one of whom, Olive Etta, died on October 17, 1903. The living children are: Lizzie V., who married William P. Hadley and has six children, Naomi, Willard J., Loren 8., Robert E., Olive A. and Wendell Deane ; Elsie R., who is at home, and R. Myra, who is also at home.

Before the Civil War was fought, the Society of Friends was opposed to slavery and many members of this denomination joined the Republican party at Its formation in 1856. The members of the Friends church, generally speaking, have remained Republican to this day and Rev. Jesse H. Harvey is no exception to the rule.

JAMES E. SMITH.

A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature bave forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an Influence which touches, controls, guides or directs others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen felds, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. The reputation of James E. Smith, one of the leading citizens of Clinton county, has been of the very highest order and be is today filling one of the responsible positions in this county, having been appointed nearly twenty years ago as superintendent of the Clinton county children's home.

James E. Smith was born on March 27, 1847. at Hawes Chapel, Union township. Clinton county, Ohio, the son of Daniel and Anna Maria (Hartman) Smith, the former of whom was born on April 15. 1809, near Chatham, North Carolina. and died on March 30. 1880, and the latter of whom was born lu 1815. In West Virginia, and died in 1888. The parents of Daniel Smith were Conrad and Elizabeth Smith, the former of whom settled on the Smith farm, in Gates' survey, about 1815. Conrad Smith's wife, before her marriage, was Elizabeth McDaniel. They had five children: John. George. Daniel, Abigail and Susanah. John married Mariah Smith, Abigail married Samuel Wingfield. and Susannab married Aquilla Reese. Conrad Smith and his wife were highly-respected residents. Their remains were Interred In the cemetery at Lytle's creek. They owned one hundred acres of land at the time of their death.

Anna Maria Hartman was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hartman, who were natives of West Virginia, born about 1820. After coming to Clinton county, they located near Starbucktown, in Union township, where he was a blacksmith. He was tall and a very strong man physically. Late in life he Immigrated to Jay county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm. He and his wife died in Jay county. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Daniel Smith was nine months old when the family came to Clinton county, Ohio. He learned the blacksmith's trade and the cooper's trade from Jonathan Doan. Event- unlly, he purchased the interests of the heirs in his grandfather's farm in Adams town- ship, where he died. Both he and his wife were members of the Friends church. They had five children.

Of these children, Joseph H. Smith, a retired farmer of Wilmington, was a soldier In the Civil War. He enlisted on September 12, 1861. in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio Volunter Infantry. This regiment was attached to the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, and was mustered out on July 25. 1865, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio. Joseph H. Smith participated In the Grand

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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 107

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1108

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108