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 126

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 126

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To Mr. and Mrs. James W. Hallsted five children have been born, Asn. Elizabeth, Gula, Isla and Harry, all of whom are living.

James W. Hallsted is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He votes the Republican ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Hallsted are members of the United Brethren church, and are active in the religious work of the community in which they reside and where they are held in high esteem.

HOWARD MCCUNE.

Back in the days when Wilmington, county seat of Clinton county, was a mere village. on the corner of Walnut and Main streets stood a large frame house known as the McCune home. It was occupied by the family of Samuel McCune, a well-known hatter of Wilmington during his generation and a well-educated, cultured and refined gentleman. He was the grandfather of Howard MeCune, the subject of this sketch. The MeCunes have always been a family of wide and liberal culture and of generous political views.

Howard McCune was born at Harveysburg, in Warren county, Ohio, on November 22, 1852, the son of William and Ann (Collett) MeCune, the former of whom was born on November 1, 1824. at Wilmington, and died on June 17, 1870. William McCune was married on October 30, 1849, to Ann Collett, who was born on March 14. 1824, near Harveysburg. in Chester township, Clinton county, the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Mckay) Collett. Sarah MeKay was born on November 11, 1799. in Warren county, Ohio. The Mckay family, which had come from Virginia originally, located in Clinton county in what is now Chester township, then a part of Warren county, as early as 1814. Sarah Mckay was married to Jonathan Collett on April 30, 1823. Jonathan Collett was the son of Daniel and Mary ( Haines) Collett, the former of whom was born on February 2. 1752, and the latter, October 10, 1753, both devout Episcopalians. Daniel Collett entered the army of the Revolution under Captain Wright, of Martinsburg, Virginia. serving at Valley Forge, White Plain and at the defent of General Gates, He also rendered services when the Virginia volunteers were encamped in Pennsylvania and was at the battle of Monmouth. He resided in Virginia forty years and was, for many years, justice of the peace. appointed for life or during good behavior. He held his courts monthly, and it is said that there was more dignity and decorum In the justices' courts in those days than is to be seen in the higher courts of Oblo today. To Daniel and Mary ( Haines) Collett were born eight sons and one daughter, who, with the brother and sister

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of Danlel Collett, John and Sarah, are the ancestors of all the Colletts in Clinton and . Warren counties. Daniel Collett was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Collett.

Stephen Collett, who was also the father of Moses, was born on November 17, 171S. and died In 1753. He was born at sen and was of French Huguenot descent. His mother, who was born on August 11, 1725, died on the voyage to America. Stephen and Elizabeth A. Collett were the parents of eight children.

Howard MeCune's paternal grandparents, Samuel and Rachel (Sexton) MeC'une, were both born In Virginia, the former on September 16, 1700, and the latter August 17. 1703. the daughter of Judge Sexton. later one of the best-known and most influential residents of Xenia. Ohio. The Sextons, for several generations back, were members of the Friends church. The MeCunes are of Scottish descent and were composed of the strictest Presbyterians. Samuel MeCune and Rachel Sexton were united in marriage at Xenia, Ohio, on September 21, 1815, and, in 1819, moved from Clermont county, this state, to Wilmington, this county, where, for many years, they were active in all good works thereabout. Samuel MeCune was first a Whig and later a Democrat. He and his wife both were Baptists, and their children were reured in that faith. There were nine of these children, namely : Joseph, born on July 9, 1516. who married Emeline Arbegust on November 2. 1837: Elvira, August 17, 1818, who married Thomas Caruthers on September 18, 1853; Mary Jane, August 1. 1821, who married Thomas Wilson on March 2, 1×H; John. May 12, 1823, who married Mary T. Nugent on July 2, 1862; William, the father of the subject of this sketch ; James. November 4. 1826; Lucinda, January 25, 1832, who married James Caruthers on September 13. 1855, and Catherine and Caroline, February 17. 1:35, the former of whom married Robert Steele on March 17, 1833.

Willlam MeC'une, the fifth child born to Samuel and Rachel (Sexton) MeCune and father of Howard MeCune, was educated in the common schools of Wilmington and was well informed for his day and generation. He was an adept at mathematics and was a rapid mental calculator. When a young man he learned the tanner's trade and operated a tau- yard at Harveysburg, in Warren county. Ohio, working at that business until 1881, when he moved to a farm in Adams township, this county, where he spent the rest of his life. To William and Ant (Collett) MeCune nine children were born, as follow : Oscar C., born on March 13, 1851, who married Laura Maltbie on September 4. 1879; Howard and Horace (twins). November 22. 1852; William C., February 11, 1856, who married Jennie Smith on February 2. 1887; Sarah and Rachel (twins), who died in infancy : Martha, January 18, 1860, single; Mary, February 3, 1862, who is the wife of Edwin Doster, and George E .. January 10, 1864, who married Mattie Elston. Mr. and Mrs. McCune were members of the Baptist church. in which church William MeCune was a dencon all of his married life, and their children were reared in that faith. William MoCune voted the Republican ticket and served as Justice of the peace for twenty years, during all of which time never was a decision of his reversed. Fraternally. he was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.

Howard McCune received his elementary education in the schools of Harveysburg. He later attended the Hickoryville school and supplemented this course by attendance at the State Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, for two years. After finishing his course, he returned home and taught school for eight years in Warren and Clinton counties and in 1882 entered Dennison U'niversity at Granville. Ohio, where he spent three years. In the year 1856 he was engaged in the real-estate business at Wichita, Kansas, and in 1887 returned to this county, locating on a farm seven miles east of Wilmington, in Richland township, known as the Anderson Woods farm, which had been owned by General Anderson, who surrendered Ft. Sumter at the opening of the Civil War. Mr. Mel'une has been living on this farm ever since. It was purchased by his brother, W. C. McCune, and now belongs to the latter's widow. It consists of four hundred acres, being one

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hundred and sixty rods wide and four hundred rods long. Howard McCune has been engaged in general farming and stock raising during late years and ordinarily feeds about eighty head of cattle annually. He owns the old home place of one hundred and thirty-two acres in Adams township and has an Interest in land adjoining. He also owns a saw-mill and lumber-yard at Melvin, which he operates during the winter for the employment of his teams and men.

In this county Howard MeC'une is well known for the skillful methods he employs in farming, and he is frequently engaged as a speaker in farm institute work in different parts of the state. He is vice-president of the State Corn Improvement Association and is a well-known judge of corn at corn shows in this and other states. Politically, Mr. McCune is a member of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Baptist church and has been a deacon since early manhood. At the present time he is a deacon in the First Baptist church at Wilmington and superintendent of the Sunday school. In Clinton county the name MeCune stands for honor, Integrity and good citizenship, and the subject of this sketch is no exception to this rule.

ALVA RADO DONOHOO.

Alva Rado Donohoo, a farmer of Jefferson township, this county, has been prominent In the educational affairs of Jefferson township and for ten years served as trustee of that township. He was born in Highland county. Ohio, on May 8, 1850, the son of C. P. and Lydia (Baker) Donohoo, both natives of Highland county.

C. P. Donohoo was the son of John and Ann ( Malcolm) Donohoo, both probably natives of Pennsylvania, who located in Highland county, Ohio, in pioneer times and there engaged in farming. John Donohoo made several trips to the west, but died in Highland county. Mr. Donohoo's maternal grandparents, Philip and Rachel (Springer) Baker, were natives of Pennsylvania and among the early settlers of Highland county. They first located in Brown county, Ohio. in 1810, but in 1823 settled near Harwood Chapel, in Salem township, Highland county. They reared eleven children and spent the rest of their lives in that community. At the time they settled in Highland county there were only four families on the North fork of White Oak.

Mr. Donohoo's father received a limited education in the schools of Highland county, but was a wide reader. For many years he was a justice of the peace at Pricetown and lived there until his death as did also his wife. They had six sons and six daugh- ters. C. P. Donohoo had offered his services as a soldier during the Civil War, but had a crippled hand and was, therefore, not accepted for service in the Union army.

Alva R. Donoboo was educated in Highland county, Ohio, and, after leaving school, became an efficient stationary engineer. He took up farming, however, in Highland county, and in 1894 moved to Clinton county, where he purchased twenty acres of land in Jefferson township. In 1899 Mr. Donoboo purchased his present farm of sixty-one acres, but has retained the original twenty-acre tract. He has erected excellent buildings on the home farm and makes a specialty of raising potatoes.

On April 5. 1800. Alva R. Donohoo was married to Sydney Cochran, daughter of Jacob B. and Jane (Colvin) Cochran, natives of New Market township and Hamer township. Highland county, respectively. Mrs. Donohoo is one of ten children born to her parents Her paternal grandparents were Jacob and Mary (Ferris) Cochran, natives probably of Virginia. Her paternal grandfather moved to Kentucky early in his life and in 1816 immigrated to Highland county, where he entered a tract of over one hundred acres of land from the government. Mrs. Donohoo's maternal grandparents, Thomas and Hannah (Ashcraft) Colvin, were natives of the Old Dominion state. They first Immigrated from Virginia to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and in 1803 to Kentucky. Finally, In 1804, they moved to Highland county, Ohio, where they settled on a hill in the woods in Hamer township and there built a cabin. They cleared a little tract of land and

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subsequently owned over three hundred acres. Mrs. Thomas Colvin died in 1829. Thomas Colvin was the son of James and Fannie ( Salisbury ) Colvin, natives of England. James Colvin was reared in Dublin, Ireland. He immigrated to America and later became a soldier in the patriot army during the American Revolution. His widow subsequently moved to Highland county, Ohio, and her remains are buried in Hamer township. Hannah Ashcraft was the daughter of a Welshman and a Scotch lady, the Intter of whom was born near Glasgow. They came to Virginia from the old country and Inter moved to Pennsylvania about the time of the American Revolution.

Mrs. Donoboo's father spent all of his life in Highland county, Oblo, where he was a farmer. His aged widow lives with Mrs. Donohoo and is now ninety-four years old. She is possessed of a remarkable memory and is exceptionally well preserved physically.

Mr. and Mrs. Dopohoo are the parents of three children, Trueman H., Harry A. and Glenn. Harry A. married Gladys Goodwin, the daughter of Ed Goodwin.

Mr. and Mrs. Donohoo are both church members, he a member of the Christian church and she of the Universalist church.

MICHAEL TURNER.

Among the most extensive farmers of Clark township, Clinton county, Ohio, during the past generation, was Michael Turner, a native of Clermont county, Ohio, who was born in 1828, the son of Daniel and Susan Turner, whose family history is given in the biographical sketch of F. P. Pence, contained elsewhere in this volume.

Michael Turner was educated in the schools of Clermont county, and later came to Clinton county and became a farmer on land now ocupied by his widow in Clark town- ship. In the beginning he had only a little frame house at the edge of the woods, but at the time of his death he was the owner of five hundred acres of good farming land. His father had given him one hundred and ten acres, and upon this tract of land he made his home during practically all his life. Hle erected a large brick house, bullt a new barn and many outbuildings on his other land. During his entire life he was an extensive stock breeder. He passed away quietly at his home on August 22, 1907.

During the Civil War, the Inte Michael Turner was a member of the famous "squirrel bunter's" organization, which was recruited to resist Morgan's raid. During his life he gave liberally of his means to the support of religious movements, but was not a member of any church. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, from the time he attained his majority.

On October 26, 1854, Michael Turner was married to Mary Philbower, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Snyder) Philhower, natives of New York state and New Jersey, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Turner's wedding trip consisted of a ten-mile ride on horseback. Mrs. Turner's paternal grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hart) Philhower, who settled in Clermont county in pioneer times. Jacob Philhower was a farmer and died on his farm in that county. His widow later passed away at the home of her daughter in Indiana. Mrs. Turner's maternal grandfather was Abram Snyder, a native of New Jersey, and a farmer by occupation, who settled in Clermont county in the early days. Mrs. Turner's father was educated in Clermont county, but later emigrated to Illinois. His death occurred while on a visit to Ohio, while his wife died at their home in Illinois, He owned about five hundred acres of land in Richland county, Illinois, and reared a large family of children, only two of whom are now living. Mrs. Turner and Jacob Philhower.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Turner were the parents of five children, two of whom, Anna and Susan. the second and third born, died In infancy ; Alvaretta, the eldest, became the wife of D. L. Hogan, of Blanchester, this county ; Daniel, the fourth born, is engaged in the lumber business at Lynchburg, Ohio, and William is retired and living in Martins- ville, this county.

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No citizen of Clark township was more highly respected and esteemed at the time of his death than the late Michael Turner. No man made a more consistent, earnest effort to succeed than he. Broad-minded and liberal in his views and charitable as regards the faults and failings of others, his loss was keenly felt by the people of the community where he had lived so long.

JAMES HADLEY.

Any community takes pride in those citizens who are lenders in worthy public movements and any community is especially ready to honor a man who makes a good fight for better schools. Not only is James Hadley, of Adams township, a representative of one of the very old families of Clinton county and a family of very religious instincts and habits, but for nearly a half century he has been prominent in the public life of the township.

James Hadley was born on July 27. 1846, in Adams township, this county, the son of Samuel l. and Mary J. ( Harvey) Hadley, both born in Clinton county, the former on January 30, 1821. in Vernon township. and the latter, January 17. 1825, in Adams town- ship, the daughter of Eli and Sarab ( Fallis) Harvey. Eli Harvey, the son of William Harvey, was married twice. His first wife was Sarah Fallis, daughter of John and Mary Fallis, who died in July, 1535, at the age of thirty. His second wife was Ruth Fisher. daughter of Joseph and Hannah Fisher. Ell Harvey, who lived about two miles west of Todd's fork, was born in North Carolina in 1803 and died in April. 1872, at the age of sixty-nine. He was buried at Springfield. The children by his first wife were: Lydia, Mary, William Penn, Esther, Ann and Sarah. The children by his second wife were: Joseph, Isane. Hannah, John, James and Sina.

The paternal grandparents of James Hadley were Jonathan T. and Rebecca ( Harvey ) Hadley, both natives of North Carolina, the former born on March 14, 1793. in Chatham county, and the latter, in 1795, in Orange county, the daughter of Isaac and Lydia Harvey. She came with her parents to Clinton county In 1806. Jonathan T. Hadley was the son of Simon and Elizabeth Hadley, of North Carolina. He immigrated to Ohio in 1810 and settled in what is now Adams township, near the line of Warren county. Nine children were born to Jonathan T. and Rebecca Hadley : Elizabeth, Lydia, Samuel L., Ruth. Isaac. Simon, Deborah. Milton and Harlan H. Jonathan T. Hadley died in 1880 and his wife on June 20. 1876, at the age of eighty-one years. Both are buried at Springfield.

The late Samuel L. Hadley received only a limited education. He was a farmer all of his Hfe in Adams township, this county. One hundred and thirty acres of land was given to him by his father, and to this he added one hundred and twenty acres, thus being the owner of a total tract of two hundred and fifty acres. Ten children were horn to Samuel La. and Mary J. ( Harvey) Hadley, of whom James, the subject of this sketch. was the second born, the other children, in the order of their births, being as follow : Martha, horn on February 13. 1845, who died on February 14. 1875; Anselom. August 4. 1848, who died on November 20, 1884: Calvin. August 15, 1850: Emma, Derember 15. 1853; Anna. November 11, 1855; Esther. October 9, 1860, who died on October 7. 1863: William P .. August 24, 1872; Edwin, October 24, 1857, and Mary Etta. April 20, 1985. who died on November 19, 1870. Samuel L .. Hadley and wife were members of the Friends church and their children were reared in that faith. He was a Republican and served many years as a member of the school board. Mrs. Mary J. Hadley died in 1885 and Samuel L .. Hadley died on May 8, 1897.

James Hadley, who was educated in the common schools of Adams township, spent two years at Spleeland Academy, at Spiceland, Indiana, and Inter attended a select school at the Springfield meeting house taught by Calvin Pritchard. He has been a farmer all

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of his life and has erected practically all of the buildings standing on his form of ninety acres. He also owns another farm of seventy-seven acres.

On September 9, 1869, James Hadley was married to Isabella Moore, who was born on September 23. 150, the daughter of John H. and Ruth (Lindley) Moore. John H. Moore, a lifelong resident of Clinton county, was born in Adams township on September 8, 1817. and died on September 30. 1908. Ilis father, Joshua Moore, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Oblo about 1568, following the vocation of cabinet-maker, car- peuter and millwright. He was married in 1814 at the Springfield meeting house to Nancy Strattan. the sister of David Strattan, a pioneer of the county, this having been the first marriage ever celebrated within the walls of that edifice. Lnter Joshua Moore moved to Lytle's creek. in Adams township, where he spent the rest of his life. He was born on October 17. 1791. and died on February 7, 1875. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children. David. John. Sarah A .. Micajah, Joseph, William. Joshua, Harriet, Nancy. Benjamin. Jeho and Seth. Mrs. Moore died in 1881, at the age of eighty- four years. John H. Moore was successively a farmer. weaver, cabinet-maker, miller. merchant and carpenter. On June 25, 1540, he married Ruth Lindley, a native of Salem, Washington county. Indiana, and to this union were born four children, three of whom lived to maturity, namely : Lindley M .. a dentist in Chicago, who died on January 20. 1914: Oliver, a druggist in Kansas City, Missouri, and Isabella, who married James Hadley. Mrs. Hadley's mother died on March 31, 1869, and her remains were buried in the Springfield meeting house cemetery. On November 28, 1877, Mrs. Hadley's father married. secondly, at Philadelphia. Mary A. Haines, who lived near that city, to which union one child was born, Joseph H., of Mt. Hamilton, California.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. James Hadley : Edgar L., of Coffey- ville. Kansas, who married Ida Villars and has two children. freua, who married James Merritt, of Elk City. Kansas, and Harold: Alontie H., of Wilmington, this county, who married Belle Hazard and has six children. Catherine, Mabel, Louise, Seth. Robert and ('Iaireure : 4. je May, who is the wife of Charles L. Brown, of Lebanon, Ohio, and has three children. Renth Isabella. Edith A. and Norman Hadley: Everett M., a farmer of Adams township, this county, who married Ethel Crites and has three children, Howard J., Herbert : Anna E .: Bertha A., Ruth Anna and Mary Edith, who are still at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Hadley are members of the Friends church and he is trustee of the church and clerk of the meeting. As a Republican, he was elected trustee of Adams township and has also served for many years as a member of the board of education.

JESSE GARNER.

Jesse Garner. now a well-known undertaker and farmer of Westboro, this county. was born near Martinsville. In Clark township, this county. February 2, 1853, one of the eleven children born to James and Grace (Moon) Garner, both natives of the southern part of Clinton county.

James Garner was the son of William and Ann (Hockett) Garner, natives of Ten- nessee and pioneers settlers in Clinton county. William Garner died In Jefferson town- ship. Grace (Moon) Garner was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Comber) Moon. who settled near Martinsville, this county, in pioneer times. There they had a large farm and there they spent the remainder of their lives,

The late James Garner was educated In the schools of Clinton county and there began farming. When Jesse was five years old, his parents moved to Grant county, Indiana, where they remained for five years and then returned to Jefferson township, this county. where James Garner again took up farming and also followed carpentering. He was preacher in the Friends church for forty years.

Jesse Garner was educated In this county and has lived practically all of his life in Jefferson township. He owns fifty-five acres near Westboro and seventeen acres else-

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where. In 1802 be moved to Westboro and, after locating there, became accustomed to accompanying his brother-in-law, E. J. Moon, a well-known undertaker of the time, ou his business trips. Afterward be purchased Mr. Moon's business, attended the Clarke School of Embalming at Cincinnati and became a practical undertaker. Since that time he has taken post-graduate work under Carl L. Barnes, of Chicago.

On November 7, 1852, Jesse Garner was married to Mary Miranda Hainex, daughter of Mordecai Haines, to which union have been born four children, Mont J., Cora, Verda and Carl. On December 17, 1901, Mr. Garner married, secondly, Gula Hallsted, daughter of James W. Hallsted, and to this unlon have been born four children, Burdett, Grace, Elma May and Thelma Fay (twins).

Elected as a Republican to the office of trustee of Jefferson township, Mr. Garner served one term, twenty-four years ago. In that capacity. He and his wife and family are all members of the Friends church.

TIMOTHY M. MURPHY.

Timothy M. Murphy, one of the more extensive farmers of Jefferson township, this county, was born on July 5, 1883. the son of Daniel and Catherine C. (O'Connell) Murphy, both natives of County Cork, Ireland.

Daniel Murphy was the son of Martin and Catherine Elizabeth (Magner) Murphy, also natives of County Cork. The former was a cabinet-maker by trade. Catherine C. O'Connell was the daughter of Matthew and Johanna (O'Brien) O'Connell, who lived and died in County Cork, where Matthew O'Connell was the overseer of a large estate. Daniel Murphy was educated in Ireland and became a splendid reader and mathemati- cian. He was also a profound student of Latin. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and was married in his native land. He came alone to America In 1847, at the time of the famine in Ireland, and about 1849 had saved enough money to pay the passage of his wife and five children to America. After their reunion, the family remained in Lawrence, Massachusetts, until 1857, when they came to Clinton county, locating on the farm now owned by Timothy M. Murphy, Daniel Murphy purchasing fifty-seven acres of land, on which he erected a log house, on the site of his son's present home, and later bought other land until he owned seventy-five acres. After rearing a family of ten children, he and his wife passed away. on this farm. They were members of the Catholic church.

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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 126

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