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 112
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Mahlon Wall was an infant when his parents came to this county In 1811. He was reared on the farm in Chester township and lived there all his life, receiving his education in the primitive schools of his home township. At the time of his death be
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MR. AND MRS. ROBERT D. WALL.
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cessful. He is well prepared for the proper direction of his affairs, having spent three years in Wilmington College, and later two years in a business college at Cincinnati. Ohio. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He votes the Democratic tleket, and is one of the school directors of Chester township. He is held in high esteem throughout that entire neighborhood and is regarded as a high-minded, Industrious and worthy young man.
PROF. HUGH J. WRIGHT.
Prof. Hugh J. Wright, who is well-known as the principal of the Martinsville high school, a position which he has held for two years, was born on October 10. 1875. In Highland county, Ohio, the son of Elwood and Rebecca ( Johnson) Wright, both natives of that county, and both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Wright's father was a farmer and a machinist.
Hugh J. Wright was educated in Highland county, where he attended the public schools, and in Wilmington College. For some time he taught in the district schools in the vicinity of Wilmington, and afterwards in Fairfield township, Highland county, where he was principal of a graded school. Afterwards he became principal of the Leesburg public schools, but In 1908 removed to Martinsville, where he entered the lumber and builders' supply business and was thus engaged for three years. He then sold out and accepted the position of superintendent of the Martinsville high school, later becoming principal, under the new law. Professor Wright is well known in Clinton county as one of its leading educators. Not only is he a capable instructor, well-informed and skillful In teaching, but he is possesed of exceptional executive ability, and Is particularly well adapted to supervisory educational work. During the years he has been engaged in teaching school, he has also dealt to some extent in real estate.
In 1900 Professor Wright was married to Miss Julla Denney, of Highland county. this state, who has borne him two children, Robert Elwood and Reberen.
Being the grandson of Joseph Wright, one of the early ministers in the Friends church, of Clinton county, Professor Wright is himself a member of that church and during the past two years has been superintendent of the Friends Sunday school in Mar- tinsville. He served one term as township clerk of Clark township and is prominent in the fraternal circles of Clinton county, being a member of the Masonic lodge, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Modern Woodmen of America. The Wrights are prominent socially in Martins- ville and Clark township and are held in the highest esteem thereabout.
DANA C. BOND.
Dana C. Bond, whose father was a well-known farmer and local minister in the Christian church and who himself has become a successful farmer in Clinton county, was born in I'nion township, this county. on December 30, 1861. Ilis father, John F. Boud, was born in Maryland on May 18, 1824, and was married to Elizabeth Custis on October 18, 1846. She was born on August 3, 1825, In I'nion township, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Smith) Custis. John E. Bond was the son of George and Margaret (Matlock) Bond. natives of Maryland, born on May 1. 1802, and the latter, October 12. 1800. They were married In 1824 and came to Clinton county about 1835. loeating on a farm in Washington township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children. of whom John E., the eldest, was the father of Dana C. The other children were George W., Elisha T .. Sarah J., Margaret. C., Martha and William B. The family were members of the Christian church and the father was n Democrat in politics.
John E. Bond was educated in the common schools of Washington township and when a young man began farming in ['uion township, where he spent the rest of his
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life, owning at the time of his death seven hundred acres of land, being considered one of the most extensive farmers of Clinton county. He was a local minister in the Christian church and for many years served the congregation at Bethel. He was a man of great natural eloquence and. was possessed of unusual persuasive powers, his Influence on the early religious life of this community having been widely exerted. John E. and Elizabeth (Custis) Bond were the parents of eight children, of whom Dana C., the subject of this sketch, was the sixth. The two eldest, Catherine and Charles E., died early in life, the former at the age of five and the latter at the age of three. The other children were Margaret, Thomas, Stephen, John and Sarah J.
Dana C. Bond was educated in the common schools of Union township and, like his father before him, engaged in farming early in life. After farming in Union township for about four years, he moved to Washington township in 1886 and purchased the farm where he now lives, comprising one hundred acres. He is engaged In general farming and stock raising and has made a reasonable success in his vocation.
By two marriages, Mr. Bond has had five children. He was first married on September 28, 1881, to Elva Roush, the daughter of William Roush, to which union there were horn two children. Harley, who married Pearl Biggs, and has one son, Delbert, and Orval G., who married Catherine Conway, and bas two children, Robert and Linnie. Mrs. Elva Bond died on January 28, 1889, and on February 3, 1880, Mr. Bond married, secondly, Luthera Williams, the daughter of John D. Williams, to which second union there have been born three children, Ramona, Hazel and Charles,
Mr. and Mrs. Bond are members of the Christian church and he is an elder In the locnì congregation. Mr. Bond votes the Democratic ticket, as did his father before him.
LEO WELTZ.
Leo Weltz belongs to that class of men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination rather than by Influence of friends or fortune. In whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, true to whatever trust has been reposed in him and, as the county clerk of Clinton county, he has played an important part in the public affairs of the community.
Mr. Weltz's ancestry is peculiar as regards Its nationality, as will be noted in the following lines. Mr. Weltz's father, Leo Weltz, Sr., was born in Prussia, January 27. 1825, the son of Frederick Weltz, who was a professor of botany and eventually in the employ of the German government as geologist. Mr. Weltz's great-grandfather was a native of England and in the eighteenth century was sent to Prussia as a minister to the German court. Leo Weltz. Sr .. received his elementary education under the Instructions of his father, who himself was a man of high attainments, and attended the colleges of Osterwick and Magdeburg. While taking a special course in botany at the I'niversity of Heldelburg, in which he bernme very proficient, he assisted in laying out the botanical garden there. He made a specialty of landscape gardening and was graduated from the government botanical garden at Berlin. He entered the employ of the government. where he remained for several years and then accepted a position as head gardener to the czar of Russia, Alexander HI, a splendid recommendation of his unusual ability. After remaining at the Russian court for three years and nine months, he was reenlled to Germany and served five years in the army. fighting during the Revolution of 1847, and because of gallantry and meritorions conduct on the field of battle he received four medals. He was Heutenant of infantry, and one of the medals was given him as recognition of his bravery in capturing a battery of gnus. This mednl entitled him to a pension, which, however, was never claimed by him. After the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Weltz took charge of the park at Magdeburg and subsequently visited the different botanical gardens of southern Europe. During this period, Mr. Weltz was also a student under Alexander Humboldt, the noted
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explorer and naturalist, and for a period of two or three years served as bis examina- tor. In 1851, Mr. Weltz resigned that situation and came to the United States, locating at Huntington, now in West Virginia, where he remained for about a year. In 1852 be went to Cincinnati and secured employment as a foreman in the nursery of William E. Ments, of Mt. Washington. Three years later, seeing the possibilities of the nursery business, he engaged in this line on his own account at Mt. Washington and met with success. His unusual ability as a landscape gardener being quickly recognized after be came to this country, he was engaged to Iny out the grounds at the homes of Gov. Salmon P. Chase, Governor Buchanan, George H. Pendleton and other gentlemen of large estates. In 1857 Mr. Weltz was called to Wilmington, this county, to lay out Sugar Grove cemetery, and the following year laid out cemeteries at London, Spring- feld and Martinsville. In 1859 he purchased the land and residence at Wilmington formerly owned by William Adams, who, during anti-slavery times, was so well known throughout this country, and in the fellowing year moved bis family there from Mit. Washington. To this tract be added thirty-eight neres, which he devoted to nursery purposes and also bought two hundred and thirty-eight acres on the old Cincinnati pike adjoining Wilmington. At the latter point he instituted n nursery, which business became the largest of its kind in the county and one of the best equipped in the state of Ohio. Mr. Weltz took a deep interest in everything pertaining to agriculture and horticulture and in 1875 was made a member of the state board of agriculture. Five years Inter he was elected president of the Clinton County Horticultural Association and for five years also served as the president of the farmers institute of Clinton county. serving also as president of the Sugar Grove cemetery commission. In 1882 Mr. Weltz was chosen to lay out the grounds and superintend the erection of the exposition building at the state fair grounds at Columbus. Natural aptitude and special training made him one of the best-equipped men in his line in the Middle West, and he was widely recognized as an authority in anything pertaining to horticulture or landscape gardening. He took a deep interest in public affairs after coming to this country and in 1856 allied himself with the new Republican party, stumping the state for John C. Fremont. In religion, he was a Lutheran. He was married on March 27, 1853, to Anna Elizabeth Schwalenberger, a native of Alsace Lorraine, who. in 1841, accompanied her parents to America. To this union were born seven sons, namely : Fedor, deceased ; Trebor. a nursery dealer; Otto H .. a salesman for the Leo Weltz Sons nursery ; Fred W., owner of the Leo Weltz Sons nursery at Wilmington; Fremont L., a salesman for the same Institution; Leo, Jr .. the subject of this sketch; and Charles W., who died in infancy. The honored father of these children died on December 31. 1890, and their mother died in 1991.
Leo Weltz, Jr., was born on July 19, 1866, at Wilmington, and received his education in the public schools there, being graduated from the high school In ISS6. Immediately after the completion of his studies, he went to Columbus, Ohio, and was employed in a wholesale dry-goods store for three years. At the end of that period, he engaged in the nursery business with his father until the latter's death, in 1800, after which he engaged in this business alone until 1:00, when he was appointed bailiff of the common pleas court of Clinton county. He held this position with credit to himself for nine years, and during the following three years was deputy county clerk under Clerk Lawhead. In 1912 Mr. Weltz was elected county clerk and is still the incumbent in that position. He is discharging his official duties in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Prompt in the discharge of his official duties, affable and courteons to all who have business in his office and n man of unquestionable integrity. he is justly deserving of representation in the annals of his county.
Politically, Mr. Weltz is a loyal adherent of the Republican party, in the canymigns
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of which he has taken an active part for years and served as precinct committeeman for several years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythlas, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Leo Weltz was married in November, 1802, to Sarah L. Miars, who was born in Clinton county. the daughter of David and Eliza Hiars, both of whom are deceased. David Miars was a farmer and blacksmith by vocation and stood high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Weltz have been born two children, Fred, born in 1893, who is now a clerk in the offices of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company at Lima, and Ruth, in 1896, who is a graduate of the Wilmington high school. Mr. and Mrs. Weltz move in the best social circles of the community and, because of their genial dispositions and genuine worth, they have endeared themselves to all who know them. Mr. Weltz takes a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and county and gives bis support to all worthy movements for the advancement of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE A. BOBBITT.
Among the highly-respected citizens of Washington township and the retired farmers now living in the pleasant village of Cuba is George A. Bobbitt, who owns a magnificent farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres in Washington township.
George A. Bobbitt was born in Highland county, Oblo, near Lynchburg, on Novem- ber 2. 1851, the son of James W. nud Margaret (Mann) Bobbitt, the former of whom was a native of Virginia. born neur Lynchburg, and the latter a native of Kentucky. Educated in the common schools of Virginia, the late James W. Bobbitt went, when a lad of sixteen years, from Virginia to Cincinnati, helping to drive a large number of horses. He paid his fare back to Virginia by firing on a bont. Subsequently, he brought his mother to Clinton county on horseback. Having learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, he worked at this trade practically all of his life. After his marriage be purchased a farm of about one hundred acres in Highland county, near Lynchburg, where he reared his family, engaging in farming in connection with his trade. He also built a saw-mill in Lynchburg and engaged in custom sawing. Later he became connected with the railroad at Lynchburg as the agent, at which time be began buying and shipping live stock and dealing in coal and lumber and became a very well-known and successful man.
To James W. and Margaret (Mann) Bobbitt three children were born, namely : Mary C., who married Daniel Sharp, who Is now deceased: Henry, who married Mary Brown, and George A., the subject of this sketch. The Bobbitt family were members of the Christian church, and Mr. Bobbitt was a Democrat in politics.
George A. Bobbitt was educated in the common schools, receiving a good education in the schools of Lynchburg. Until 1802 he was engaged with his father in various business enterprises to which he bad devoted himself. In 182, however, he moved to a farm near Cuba. in Washington township. Clinton county, and now owns the farm, "Sunny Slope." containing one hundred and seventy-two acres. He was engaged in general farming and stock raising until the fall of 1911, when he retired and moved to Cuba, where he now lives.
Mr. Bobbitt has been twice married, his first wife having been Nancy E. Kibby. the daughter of Ephraim and Ruth Kibby, to which union were born seven children, two of whom. William F., the first born, and Charles K., the third, are dereased, both dying early in life. The living children are: Cleo P., who is at home; Clarence, who married Veda J. Mitchell ; Winchester; Mary D., who is the wife of Joseph Kelley and has one child, Mary F., and Ruth, who married Frank Burnett and has two children, Margaret and Morine. After the death of Mrs. Nancy E. Bobbitt, Mr. Bobbitt married. secondly.
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Katle E. Spilker, the daughter of Charles Spilker, to which second union there have been born three children, Paul James, Catherine and George E.
Mr. Bobbitt has always occupied a position of prominence in local politics and was elected on the Democratie ticket to the office of trustee. a position in which he served two terms. He also served on the school board for six or seven years. Frater- bally, Mr. Bobbitt is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
GEORGE S. HODGSON.
Born and reared In Green township, this county, the late George S. Hodgson, who was the son of Isaiah Morris and Mary Jane ( Armstrong) Hodgson, first saw the light of day on March 31, 1864.
Mr. Hodgson's father. also a native of Green township, was born on March 24. 1834. In Kentucky. Mr. Hodgson's paternal grandparents. Eleazar and Mary Ann ( Wilhelm) Hodgson, were natives of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, respectively. Eleazar Hodgson was the son of Richard Hodgson, who married Hannah Irwin. They lived in North Carolina for a time but later immigrated to Virginia, from which state they moved to Clinton county, being well-known ploneers in this county. From Clinton county they moved to Indiana, where Richard Hodgson died. After his death, his widow returned to Clinton county, where she spent the rest of her life, passing away at an advanced age. Eleazar Hodgson was but a lad when he came to Clinton county with his parents. He was reared to manhood here and was married in this county on September 25, 1825. to Mary Ann Wilhelm, to which union there were born nine children. Catherine. Sarah Ann, Eliza Jane, Isaiah Morris, Hannah, Rebecca, George, Margaret Emily and Eleazar. The parents of these children spent their last days in Clinton county.
Mary Jane Armstrong, the mother of George S. Hodgson, was a daughter of Britton B. and Maria ( Harris) Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Scotland in 1815. and the latter, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Capt. George Harris, who died In the state of Kentucky. Britton B. Armstrong was the son of Walter and Mary Ann Armstrong. Walter Armstrong died in Kentucky, and after his death his widow moved to Cincinnati, where she died at the age of one hundred and fifteen years. Britton B. Armstrong and wife came to Clinton county about 1540 and spent the remainder of their lives in this county, the latter dying in 1857 and the former in 1903, at the age of eighty-eight years. Their remains were buried in the cemetery at Snow Hill, in Green township. They were the parents of ten children, of whom John, William, Elizabeth Ann, Walter, Ruth, Nancy and Britton are deceased, the living children being Mary Jane, Missouri and James.
Isaiah Morris and Mary Jane ( Armstrong) Hodgson were the parents of four children, of whom Francis M. died at the age of seven years. Those who grew to maturity were John, Maria and George S., the latter the subject of this sketch. John Hodgson married Amanda Edwards, to which union were born five children. namely : Eva, who married Carl Conner and has two children, Ada Belle and Bert ; Willie, who married Pearl Simpson and has three children. Kenneth, Hazel and Lola; Ollie, who died when a young woman: Charles (deceased), who married a Miss Burk and had three children ; and Catherine, who married Victor Burk. Maria Hodgson (decensed) married Lafayette Dailey and had Ave children, as follow : Morris; Addie, who married Willbur Rhonemas and has three children : Mrs, Catherine Fletcher: Carrie and Basil.
George S. Hodgson was reared on a farm in Green township, this county, and for twenty-five years operated a tile factory. After abandoning the tile business, he took up farming and became the owner of one hundred acres of land, which is now owned by his widow.
On January 15, 1856, George S. Hodgson was married to Mary Rolston, who was
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE S. HODGSON.
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born on April 18, 1869, in Ireland, the daughter of Robert and Anna ( Wallace) Rolston, who came to Clinton county In 1870. Mrs. Hodgson's father is a Republican in politics. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church at Antioch, but were formerly members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hodgson's father was born in 1831 and died on August 16, 1915. His widow, who was born on November 22, 1830, is still living in Green township. They reared a family of seven children, John, James, Ellen, Mary, Lina, Elizabeth and Emma.
To George S. and Mary ( Rolston) Hodgson were born six children, namely : Cora; Vadab, who married Robert McDermott and has one child, Harold Chester, born on June 8, 1915; Clarence Dewey, Leo Frances, Pearl Elizabeth and Hilda Bernice.
Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson were members of the Christian church and Mrs. Hodgson is still identified with that church. The Inte George S. Hodgson was identified with the Republican party and, for four years, served as school director. He was a well-known and highly-respected citizen of Clinton county, and his death. on March 16. 1914, was widely mourned.
CARLETON L. BAUGH. :
The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent business men of this county, being not only interested in farming, but also in manufacturing. His people have long been residents of this county, and his family is therefore prominently Identified with the county's history. Carleton [ .. Baugh was born in Vernon township, this county, on August 9, 1878, the son of John C. and Emma D. ( Lawrence) Baugh, the former bory at Clarksville in 1851, and the latter in Vernon township In 1855. John C. Baugh was the son of Dr. Hugh W. and Elizabeth ( Wilkerson) Baugh, the former born in Carthage, Tennessee, in 1817. and the latter in Washington township, Warren county, Ohio, in 1821. It was about the year 1845 that Dr. Hugh W. Bangh came to this county and began the practice of his profession in Clarksville, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1802. His wife had passed away the preceding year. Emma D, Lawrence was the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Marshall) Lawrence, both nativey of Vernon township, this county. Jonathan Lawrence having been a son of Jonathan, and Elizabeth (Mulford) Lawrence, pioneers of this county. John C. Baugh was a prominent farmer and stock raiser in this county and also an extensive dealer in live stock. Besides his agricultural enterprises, he was a stockholder and director of the Farmers National Bank. He was a Republican, a Free Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1908, being survived by his widow, who is still living in Clarksville, and three children. Mamie F., Carleton L. and Hugh W.
Carleton I. Baugh received his education in the Clarksville schools. As a young man he engaged in the mercantile business at Clarksville and accumulated some property in the town, his possessions including the building now occupied by L. L. White. Besides being one of the owners of the Bangh, Batten & Baugh canning factory, he is the president and general manager of the same and also has farming Interests in Vernon township.
In 1897 Carleton L. Baugh was united in marriage to Clarice Murrell, of Warren county, daughter of William Murrell, of Clarksville, and to this union five children have been born. J. Murrell, Elizabeth, Virginia, who died in 1908. John C. and Florence.
Mr. Baugh is a Republican and a member of the Masonic order at Clarksville, n member of the Knights of Pythlas and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Wilmington. Hle has always taken an active interest in public affairs and, like his father and grand- father before bim, is a man whose influence is felt in the community in which he lives, for his interests are brond and his activities many. Honest and upright, forceful and kind. loyal and true, public spirited and patriotic. he is widely known and highly esteemed as n citizen and as a neighbor.
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JAMES F. BENNETT.
James F. Bennett, a well-known farmer and quarryman of Union township, this county, as well as a successful dealer in feed, wool and live stock. has not been extensively favored by Inheritance and wealth, or the assistance of Influential friends. Neverthe- less, by industry and the economical management of his business, he has obtained a comfortable station in life, and has made his influence felt in the community life of Clinton county, where he was born about sixty years ago. Because of his honorable career and his steady progress as a farmer and business man, be is eminently entitled to rank as one of the representative men of this county.
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