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 121

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 121


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and Mary E., July 27, 1822. Moses MeKay and family emigrated by way of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, to Lebanon, Ohlo, about 1814, and later settled neur Waynesville, in what is now known as Massey township. Warren county, Ohio. Moses Mckay died on January 28, 1828, his widow surviving him but six months, her death occurring in July, 1828. Their son. Francis, the fifth child in the family, was educated in the pioneer schools, and on October 7, 1830, married Mary Collett, who was born on November 7. 1808, the daughter of Moses and Rebecen Collett. They were the parents of eleven children. Francis Mckay was a man well known in the community where he lived, and was greatly missed when he died, March 26, 1971, not only by the loved ones of his own family, but by the poor and needy, to whom he had been a very great benefactor.


Clarence H. McKny, the grandson of Francis and Mary (Collett) Mckay, received his education in the common schools of Chester township. At the age of sixteen years he started life on his own responsibility, on the farm which be now owns, a farm comprising two hundred and eighty-eight neres, where Mr. Mckay carries on general farming and stock raising, and is accounted one of the most enterprising and thrifty young farmers of Clinton county. In 1914 be remodeled his house and now has a splendid country home. equipped with all modern conveniences.


On June 3, 1896. Clarence H. Mckay was married to Flora Beam, the daughter of Daniel and Susan Beam, and to this union have been born four children, Albert. Eva. Ada and Mary E.


Mr. and Mrs. McKay are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. and he is both recording steward of the congregation and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. MeKay votes the Republican ticket, and fraternally, is Identified with the Free and Accepted Masons.


THOMAS F. BERNARD.


It is a well-attested fact that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government, or even in its institutions; but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen. In his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In there particulars, the venerable Thomas F. Bernard, of Wayne township, has conferred honor and dignity upon this county, and has been connected with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth. He is descended from distinguished ancestry, his grandfather having been a soldier in the American Revolution, and was with General Washington at the sur- render of Cornwallis


Thomas F. Bernard was born on February 28. 1832, in Fairfield township, Highland county, Oblo, the son of George W. and Harriett (McConnell ) Bernard, the former born on September 13, 1799, in Goochland county, Virginia, and the latter In Brown county, Obio, the daughter of James McConnell.


George W. Bernard was the son of Thomas F. and Mary ( Hleks) Bernard, the former of whom was the son of William and Mary (Fleming) Bernard, of Goochland county. Virginia. William Bernard, who was a farmer and carpenter. and an extensive slave owner in the Old Dominion state, was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, serving under General Washington for five years. He participated In the battles of Germantown, Moumouth, Trenton, Stony Point and Yorktown. In 1807 he left Virginia and came to Ohio, having started from Virginia on April 10. 1807. and arriving In Oblo, on June 10. of the same year, having been just two months on the way. He and his wife spent the remainder of their lives in Highland county, this state. Thomas F. and Mary ( Hicks) Bernard were the parents of eight children, Jobn. George W., Thomas, Sallie, Bettie, Mary, Susannah and Nancy.


George W. Bernard, the second son of Thomas F. Bernard. received only a limited education. On March 1, 1883, he came to Clinton county from Highland county, locating


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on a farm in Green township, subsequently becoming the owner of about five hundred acres of land. He did much clearing and draining and lived to a very ripe old age, passing away quietly on July 29, 1895, at the age of nearly ninety-six years. Nime children were born to George W. and Harriett (McConnell) Bernard, Thomas F., James K., Mary, Jane, John, Sallie, George, Charles and Elijah. George was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. The late George W. Bernard and his wife were members of the Friends church, while politically, Mr. Bernard was an adherent of the Democratic party.


The rudiments of an education were obtained by Thomas F. Bernard in a log- cabin school house in Green township, this county. Having begun when a young man to work on his father's farm, In 1855, one year after his marriage, he purchased a farm of fifty acres in Wayne township. He has added to his land holdings gradually from year to year until he is now the owner of three hundred and fifty-eight neres of excel- lent land. During his active life Mr. Bernard was an extensive stockman, but retired from active farming In 1913.


On October 15, 1854, Thomas F. Bernard was married to Sophia West, the daughter of Harrison aud Jane West. Of the nine children born to this marriage, two, Martha Anna, the eldest, and William C., the eighth born, are deceased, the others being as follow : Harriett Jane, who became the wife of Jehu Steele; Mary E., the wife of Thomas Hagerty : Virginia, the wife of Jackson Fry; Minerva, the wife of William Mckay ; Charles E., who married Nettle Steele; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Elmer Page; Hugh, who married Bessie Achor, and Thomas J., who married Marley Achor. The mother of these children died on May 18, 1907.


DENNIS STEPHENS.


Dennis Stephens, who now owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Liberty township, and who is prominent in the educational affairs of Clinton county, was born on April 10. 1808, in Greene county, Ohio, the son of Lewis A. and Catherine (MeDorman) Stephens, the former of whom was born in 1844. in Highland county, Ohio, and the Intter in Clinton county. the daughter of Rimon and Tacy MeDorman. natives of Virginia, who settled in Clinton county after their marriage, and here owned a small farm. They were members of the Methodist Protestant church.


The paternal grandparents of Mr. Stephens were residents of Highland county, Ohio. John Stephens, the paternal grandfather, was born in Highland county, and lived in that county all his life. He was a large landholder, owning approximately five hundred acres, altogether. By his first wife he had seven children, Lewis A., Casper, Curren, John, Elizabeth. Julla and Mary. By his second wife there were two children, William and Charles. The great-grandfather was Jobn Stephens, a native of Virginia, who came on horseback to Oblo and located in Highland county, where he owned a large tract of land. He had five sons.


The late Lewis A. Stephens was educated in the common schools, and served valiantly as a I'nion soldier during the Civil War, a member of Company M. Twelfth Ohio Cavalry. serving two years and eight months. Later he became active in public affairs in this county and was a prominent member in the Friends church. He died on June 30. 1885, and his widow survived him until June 12. 1804. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Nellie died at the age of eighteen. Clarence at the age of seven and Roscoe at the age of eighteen months. The living children are W. O., Dennis, the subject of this sketch, Vivie and Webster. all of whom are married except W. O. Vivie, who is a real- dent of Xenia, Ohio, married Harry Higgins, and had one child, Edward Lewis.


Educated in the common schools of Port William and reared on the farm, Dennis Stephens was married on June 30, 1808. to Nora Hunuteott, who was born in Liberty township, this county, daughter of Wilson and Mary Hunnicutt, to which union five


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children have been born, Donald Lewis, Thelma H., Mary Leota, Lorena Catharine and Howard Wilson.


Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the Friends church and attend the Sunday school, Mr. Stephens being a teacher of a class and has been assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, be is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as trustee of Liberty township for three terms, being active in the local councils of the Republican party.


JOHN B. WICAL.


John B. Wieal is a successful farmer and public-spirited man of affairs of Wilson township. this county, who was born on April 9, 1860, in Mercer county, Ohio, the son of Jonah and Permelia (Henderson) Wical, the former of whom was born in Greene county, Ohio, and the Intter In Mercer county, the daughter of Bushrod Henderson, who was a farmer in that county.


The paternal grandparents of John B. Wical were George and Hattie (Ogden) Wical, natives of Greene county, Ohio, but who lived near the Clinton county line. George and Hattie (Ogden) Wleal were pioneer farmers of this section. They had eight children, John, Jonah, Michael, Jane, Ann, Emily. Isabel and Eliza.


Jonah Wical received a common school education and farmed seventy-five acres of land in Wilson township. He and his wife are still living. They are the parents of nine children, of whom John B. is the eldest, the others being Mary, William, Clem, l'eter, Elizabeth. S. Milton and Hilton (twins) and Charlotta.


John B. Wieal was educated in the common schools and has always been engaged in farming. Hle owns one hundred and forty-two acres of land and has a farm which presents a splendid appearance. On December 24, 1894, he was married to Ella Spears. the daughter of S. C. Spears, a farmer of this county, to which union have been born three children, Grover. Frank and Thurman. Grover, who lives in Reesville, married Ora Wilson. Frank, a resident of Clinton county, married Clara Morris. Thurman is unmar- ried and lives at home with his parents.


John B. Wical is a member of the Wilson township school board and, for many years, has taken an active part in the educational affairs of Wilson township. He is widely known in that township and is one of its most highly respected citizens.


LAURENCE GOOD WRIGHT.


Laurence Good Wright, one of the most successful young farmers in Green township, this county, has been well prepared for agriculture, having been graduated from the agricultural department of Ohlo State University in 1911.


Laurence Good Wright is the son of James M. and Rachel (Good) Wright and was born in Highland county. Ohlo, July 31. 1889. His father was a native of Highland county, born on January 7, 1854. and his mother a native of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, born on August 31. 1852. The father was reared In Highland county and, when a hoy, moved to New Vienna, this county, where he began working by the month, then engaged in the mercantile business for a few years and later engaged in farming. in which he was very successful, having been the owner of about three hundred acres of land In Green township, near New Vienna, at the time of his death, on June 15, 1913. He was also a stockholder in the bank at New Vienna. He was a Republican and was a member of the Grange and of the Sons of Veterans. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which bis widow is also a member.


The Inte James M. Wright was the son of Thomas McClain and Sarah Ann (Woodmansee) Wright, who were pioneers in Highland county. Thomas McClain Wright was a soldier in the Civil War and died during the service In 1964, at Raymond. Mississ-


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Ippl. He was a wagon-maker by trade. His widow died in Green township, this county, In 1011. Rachel Good was the daughter of Charles and Betsy (Moore) Good, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in pioneer times and spent the rest of their lives at New Vleuna. They were members of the Hicksite Friends church and Charles Good was one of the organizers of the bank at New Vienna. Laurence Good Wright is one of four children born to his parents, the others being H. Doyle, Edith B. and Alice, all of whom are living.


Laurence Good Wright moved to the farm, which he now owns, with his parents in 1802, and there he has since resided. He was educated in the public schools of New Vienna and was graduated from the New Vienna high school in 1907. In 1911 he com- pleted the agricultural course at Ohio State University. He owns one hundred and twelve acres of land comprising the old homestead, and has made many Improvements upon the farm. He has specialized in registered Jersey cattle and has a dairy on the farm, keeping about thirty cows.


On June 12, 1912, Laurence G. Wright was married to Bessie Lewis, of Clermont county, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Emma Lewis, to which union two daughters have been born. Eleanor Lewis, born on April 1, 1914, and Edith Esther, August 14, 1915.


Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, enjoying the friendship and esteem of all in that section of the county.


HARRY NICKERSON.


Fortunate is the young man who has had a worthy father. one who has well under. stood life in all of its phases and who has been able intelligently to guide and direct the footsteps of his children. Harry Nickerson, a well-known young farmer of Chester town- ship, this county, who owns a magnificent farm of two hundred and ten acres, owes his successful start in life to the wise and sympathetic counsel of his beloved father, who was well known in this and other states for his interest in and understanding of practical educational problems. There is an old saying. "Like father, like son," which, unfor- tunately, is not always true, but it is true of the Nickersons and is very likely to be true for generations yet unborn, since the cumulative effects of personal integrity, thrift and wide Intelligence are quite likely to be handed down through many succeeding generations.


Harry Nickerson, a representative of the third generation of this family in Clinton county, was born on February 14, 1870, on the farm in Chester township, where be now lives. His distinguished father, the late Joshun Nickerson, who was born on July 7. 1887, in Chester township, and who passed away on November 24, 1804, received a liberal education in the schools of Chester township and at Granville and began teaching school at the age of sixteen at Spring Hill. in Warren county. He continued in the school room for ten years and won a lasting reputation for himself by his skillful methods of instruc- tion and his efficient discipline, his influence still being felt in the schools of the neighbor- hood where he taught for so many years, In 1875 he began the sale of school supplies and in that connection Instructed school teachers and school boards how to use improved appliances and improved methods. In this work he was remarkably successful and cov- ered a great deal of territory, selling books and lecturing to teachers. He did much work in the state of Virginia and was working there at the time of his death.


In connection with his other work, the late Joshua Nickerson owned a farm in Chester township and he was not only one of the first farmers in the neighborhood to use fertilizer, but he was one of the most progressive in all respects. He was married on July 30. 1800, to Abigail Collett, a daughter of Daniel H. Collett, of Chester township, and to this union three children were born, Hatte, who married Edward Inwood; Clark, who died early in life, and Harry, the subject of this sketch. The parents were members of the Baptist church of Jonas Run and the father was active In church work, carrying


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into his daily life and practicing in his dally associations, with men and women, the teachings of the lowly Nazarene.


Mr. Nickerson's paternal grandparents were Clark and Martha (Ashby) Nickerson, the former of whom was a native of the Empire state and the latter a native of Kentucky, born on March 19, 1805, the daughter of Silas and Sarah (Cullott) Ashby. The grand- father was a farmer in Chester township, but. during the early part of his life, he had run a flat-boat on the Ohlo river, between Cincinnati and New Orleans, having been employed on the river for about twelve years. He spent the latter part of his life on his farm of one hundred acres. Clark and Martha Nickerson had four other children besides Joshua, who was the second, the others being James, who was born on December 14, 1832; David A., May 6, 1840; Mary Frances, July 21, 1843, and Susannah, July 21, 1846. The grandparents were members of the Baptist church at Jonas Run.


Harry Nickerson was educated in the common schools of Chester township and in the schools at New Burlington. At the beginning of his active career, he took up farming on the farm where he now lives and In 1907 bullt a commodious country home, Mr. Nicker- son owns two hundred and ten acres of land and is considered a wealthy farmer in this county. In 1891 he was married to Clara Colvin, daughter of Marion and Sallie Colvin, and to this union there have been born two children, Edith, born in February, 1898, and Everett Joshua, April 11. 1911.


Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Burlington, and he is a member of the official board of that congregation. Mr. Nickerson votes the Republican ticket. but be is not a hide-bound partisan and, in performing bis duties as a citizen, exhibits the same discriminating intelligence which characterizes his success as a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson are popular residents of Chester township and are held in high esteem by all who know them.


JOHN E. HAWKINS.


John E. Hawkins, who for many years has been a well-known farmer and prencher. of Chester township, this county, was born in that township on December 9, 1843. a son to Amos and Massie (Spray) Hawkins. He was reared in Chester township, and received his early education in the public schools. As a young man, he started farming in the township where he was born, and he has lived there all his life. He purchased sixty-two neres of land in 1875, since which time he has added twenty-six acres more. For the past thirty-five years, Mr. Hawkins has been a local preacher of the Chester church (Friends).


Amos Hawkins, father of John E. Hawkins, was born in Clinton county, on May 23, 1813. He was educated in the public schools of Chester township, and as a young man, started farming on his father's farm, the entire period of his active life being spent In Chester township, where he owned one hundred and eighty acres. He married Massie Spray, who was born on August 29, 1824, daughter of John and Massie Spray, and to this union the following children were born: James, born on January 7. 1841 : Jehu, February 22. 1842: John, December 9. 1843; Jesse, March 21. 1848, and Benjamin. December 23, 1848. Amos Hawkins was a member of the Friend's church and in politles, a Republican. He was the son of James and Sarah ( Wilson) Hawkins, who came to Clinton county from South Carolina about the year 1806, locating on a farm near the edge of Chester township, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. They were the parents of six children, as follow : Ruth, born on March 14. 1793; Dinah. November 22, 1795; Jehu, October 30. 1796: Benjamin. 1808; Amos, 1813, and James, July 1, 1810. The elder James Hawkins was born in Virginia on January 23. 1756.


In 1860 John E. Hawkins was united in marriage to Deborah T. MeMillan. daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth McMillan, to which union two children were born. Milton and Bessie (derensed ). Milton Hawkins married Anna Lyle, who died in May, 1001, leaving


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one child, a daughter, Violet Rose. Milton Hawkins married, secondly, Mary Walker, to which union there has been no issue. U'pon the death of his wife Deborah, John E. Hawkins married, secondly, on May 10, 1881, Lydia E. Bevan, who was born in 1845. daughter of Abel and Charlotte T. (Fawcett) Bevan, to which second union one child has been born, a daughter, Etbel May, who is a teacher of English in the schools of Kendallville, Indiana. The Bevan family is well known throughout this section of the state, the Bevans having come from Virginia to Ohio at an early day in the settlement of this section, descendants of the founders of the family being now well-known farming people in Greene and Clinton counties. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are active in the affairs of the Friends church in their neighborhood and for many years Mr. Hawkins has per- formed admirable service as a minister of the Chester church. He takes an active interest in local civle affairs, but has never been an office seeker, being quite content to have his influence In governmental matters be manifested in quiet words of admoni- tlon aviong his neighbors. He is an exemplary citizen and be and his family are held In high regard throughout that part of the county.


OSCAR LESLIE MATTHEWS.


Oscar Leslie Matthews, now the proprietor of one hundred acres of land in Green township, this county, was born in this county on December 28, 1874, the son of Elijah H. and Ellen (Elliott) Matthews, the former of whom was born in Highland county, Ohlo. October 20, 1826, and the latter in Clinton county, November 28, 1832. Elijah H. Mat- thews died in Clinton county on December 13. 1904. His wife had preceded bim to the grave many years previously, her death occurring on December 9, 1800.


Elijah H. Matthews was the son of John and Mary Matthews, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. John Matthews was the son of John and Rebecca Matthews, natives of North Carolina, of Scottish descent. They immigrated from North Carolina to Ohio and settled near New Market, in Highland county, in 1807. One year later they located four miles north of Hillsboro on Clear creek, and there spent the remainder of their lives. John Matthews, the father of Elijah H., was born in March. 1774. and, after his marriage in Highland county, located on his father's farm, where he remained through life. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, eight of whom lived to maturity, John. Albert G., Christopher, Elijah. Joel, Mrs. Susan Brown. Mrs. Mary Chapman and Mrs. Eliza Jane Hicks, of Kansas. John Matthews was a prominent mon in Highland county and served as county commis- sioner two terms and as associate judge of the county for twenty-one years, having been elected three consecutive terina of seven years each, He died in August, 1848. at the age of seventy-four years and his widow died in April, 1844. at the age of seventy-four.


Elijah H. Mintthews was married on January 25, 1849, to Ellen Elliott, the daughter of William and Susan Elliott, early settlers of Clinton county, who were married, lived and died in this county. They were the parents of four children. Thomas G., who resides in Mercer county. Oblo: William. Ellen and Eliza Jane, the latter of whom married Valentine Cox, of Van Wert county. Mr. and Mrs. Elijah H. Matthews bad ten children. nine of whom reached the age of maturity. namely : John W., born on December 27. 1850; Ansan. May 29, 1853, who married Levt West : Mary Elizabeth, June 20. 1857, who became the wife of David Matthews; Sarah E .. October 7. 1859, who married Lafayette West : Kate G .. February 10. 1962, who married Abrahem Frazier : Rachel Ann. April 13. 1804: Ollie M .. June 10. 1800: Clara E., December 25, 1870; and Oscar L., the subject of this sketch. Until 1850 Elijah H. Matthews resided in Highland county. He then moved to Clinton county, locating four miles east of Wilmington, in I'nion township, where he lived four years, after which he moved to Green township, where he spent the rest of his life. When a young man, Elijah H. Matthews and his brother. Christopher. had monagel n general store at Buford, in Highland county. At the time of his death. be owned several


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hundred acres of land. He was mayor of New Vienna two years, justice of the pence ten years, township trustee and assessor of the third division of Clinton county. Mr. and Mrs. Elijah H. Matthews were members of the Methodist church, and he was a member of the Masonte fraternity.


Oscar L. Matthews was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools. He lives in Green township, two miles and a half from New Vienna, Ohio, and is a general farmer and stockman.


On August 10, 1598, Oscar L. Matthews was married to Lucy Curtis, who was born in Green township, this county, on April 17. 1876, the daughter of David and Martha J. (Truitt ) Curtis, both of whom were born in Virginia, the former in 1827 and the latter in 1836. David Curtis was the son of Christopher and Sarah Curtis, pioneers of this county, and Martha J. Truitt was the daughter of George and Abigail (Applegate) Truitt, also pioneers of Clinton county. David Curtis and wife were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Oscar L. Matthews is the youngest, the others being Allen Albert, William, Sarah (deceased), James E .. Jennie (deceased), Frank. Lula, who married Frank Steele. and George. David Curtis died on February 12, 1898, and his widow is still living.




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