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 127

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 127

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Timothy M. Murphy was educated in the local schools of Clinton county, and has always lived on the home place. He owns about two hundred and eighty-five acres of land, and has excellent buildings on the farm. Mr. Murphy is engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising.

On April 19. 1893. Timothy M. Murphy was married to May Spilker, who was born near Dodsonville. Highland county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Eunice E. (Chase) Spilker, who were born and were married near Bremen, Germany, and several children county, Indiana. Thomas Spilker was the son of Christian and Katherine (Aumun) Spilker, who were born and were married near Bremen, Germany, and several children were born to them in Germany. Christian Spilker was a well-to-do eftizen in his own land, being a proprietor of a paper-mill. He was an officer in Napoleon's army at the time of the siege of Moscow, but later fought against him at Waterloo. He once carried an important commission across the Alps. In 1833 he came to America. and. during the winter of 1833-34, bad a camp on the present site of Cincinnati. In the spring of 1834 he purchased a farm of three hundred acres near Dodsonville, and there spent the rest of his life.

Mrs. Murphy's materna: grandparents were David C. and Hannah (Hostetler) Chase, natives of Washington county. Indiana, and Orange county, Indiana, respectively. They were married in 1845 in Orange county, Indiana, and remained in Indiana until

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1853, when they moved to Lovington, Moultrie county, Illinois. David C. Chase died in Moultrie county in 1894, and his widow died in 1005, at the home of Mrs. Murphy's mother. David C. Chase was a blacksmith and farmer in Indiana, but engaged exclu- sively in farming in the state of Illinois, where be owned one hundred and thirty-four acres of land, now a part of the town of Lovington. Mrs. Murphy's father, Thomas Spilker, was an apprentice to the harness trade under Doctor Dennison, of Lynchburg. He worked at this trade until twenty-one years old and then engaged in farming. He died on the old home farm nenr Dodsonville in 1807 and his widow is still living on the old farm. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are still living, the others having died in infancy. The Spilkers were members of the Lutheran church.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Murphy, as follow : Anna A., John E., Daniel, Mary E., Margaret L., Catherine E. and Timothy, Jr.

Not only is Mr. Murphy a successful farmer, but he is a public-spirited citizen and a man who is popular in the neighborhood of Westboro, where he lives.

JOHN R. ROSS.

For more than thirty years, John R. Ross, of Blanchester, Ohio, resided on the "Level Stock and Poultry Farm," comprising two hundred acres and located near Level, in Warren county, Ohio, an estate of which he is proprietor. In 1912 he took his son, Roy J. Ross, Into the business as a partner and, after turning the farm over to the son as manager, purchased a nice home in the little city of Blanchester, where, with his good wife, he now resides. Mr. Ross has been prominent in the agricultural, civic and politieni life of this community for nearly a half century.

John R. Ross was born on November 24. 1850, at Cozaddale, Warren county, this state, the son of P. W. and Sarah ( Frybarger) Ross, both natives of Warren county, the former born In 1812 and the latter in 1814, of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction. The paternal grandparents of John R. Ross were Benjamin and Lucinda Rosa, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Warren county hi 1804, entering land near Foster. The paternal grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, served in the War of 1812. The maternal grandparents of John R. Ross were Lewis and Betsy (Custer) Fry- barger. natives of Pennsylvania, who located in Warren county, also about 1804 or 1805. They were farmers by occupation and various members of the family had served In the early wars of this country. Lewis Frybarger was a blacksmith, as well as a farmer.

P. W. Ross, the father of John R .. was educated in the pioneer schools of Warren county, especially at Cozaddale. He owned one hundred and thirty acres of land and lived on that farm until his death. A Democrat in politics, he was influential in his community and beld various offices. The family were members of the Freewill Baptist church and he served as trustee of the church for more than thiry-five years Four sons and three daughters were born to P. W. and Sarah Ross: Lewis F., Mary Ellen. James W., Nancy Katherine. William P., Eliza J. and John R., the subject of this sketch.

John R. Ross was educated in the common schools and at the Goshen high school under Prof. George E. Hill. He resided on his splendid farm of two hundred acres near Level in Warren county, a farmer known as the "Level Stock and Poultry Farm." and for thirty years was an exhibitor at the state and county fairs, winning many premiums on horses, mules, enttle and sheep. During his active career as a poultry fancier, he won more prizes than any other breeder In southern Ohio and has shipped his poultry and eggs to most every state in the Union. During recent years, be bas not engaged in poultry raising, but has given his attention exclusively to raising thoroughbred Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. Ross operates. in all, more than four hundred acres. He has served as president of the Clinton County Agricultural

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Association, which has held fairs at Blanchester for the past ten years. During this period, especially, he and his son have been extensive breeders of registered Holstein cattle. Mr. Ross has served two terms as president of the Ohio State Holstein Associa- tion and he is a member of the national association. Mr. Ross was a promoter of the Ross pike and the state road from Wesley Chapel, west.

John R. Ross was married on April 3, 1871, to Maria G. Jones, who was born on November 17. 1:53, and to this union eight children have been born, Clayton B., born on July 6. 1873: Charles J., December 18. 1575: Clyde W., October 21, 1877; Gertrude, January 13, 1550; Mattie. May 6. 1585; Roy J., June 18. 1857: Cora Belle, February 20. 1^DI. and Howard F., February 26. 1893.

In 1912, Mr. Ross took his son, Roy J., into his business as a partner and appointed him manager of the farm. The Ross family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ross has been a member of Fitbian Lodge No. 373, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, since 1875, and is also a member of Excelsior Encampment No. 100, at Blanchester. He is also identified with the Citizens Protective Association of Edenton and Blanchester and is otherwise prominent in the public affairs of Warren and Clinton counties.

JAMES B. CLARKE.

James B. Clarke, who, since 1010, has been a member of the well-known mercantile Arm of W. P. Hammer & Son, at Westboro, this county, and before that time a well- known contractor, was born at Bangor, Maine, In 1874, the son of John H. Clarke.

Mr. Clarke was ednented in the high school at Concord, New Hampshire, and in Dartmouth College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1597. After being grad- nated from college, he entered construction work with a contracting firm in Oblo and later was engaged in the same business with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Altogether he was engaged twelve years in contract building and construction. After his marriage. be located at Westboro, where, since 1910, he has been a member of the firm of W. P. Hammer & Son. This business was established by William P. Hammer and his cousin. John T. Hammer, In 1875. Later John T. Hammer dropped out of the firm and John A .. a brother of W. P., became a member of the firm. Still later the firm became W. P. Hammer & Son, which name is still retained, although the present members of the firm are John B. Hammer, a son of William P. and Anna ( MeCrady) Hammer. James B. Clarke and Mrs. James B. Clarke. Mrs. Auna MeCrady Hammer is a sister of Mrs. James B. Clarke's mother. who was Susle MeCrady. they being daughters of Samuel and Phoebe (Vandevert) McCrady. of Warren county, who, subsequently, located in Westboro.

On April 20, 1906. James B. Clarke was married to Halle Hammer, who was born at Westboro, daughter and only child of John A. and Susie ( MeCrady) Hammer, the former of whom was a native of Westhoro and the latter of whom already has been referred to. Mrs. Clarke's paternal grandparents were John T. and Druscilla ( Lane) Hammer, both natives of Tennessee, the former of whom built the first house in Westboro. John T. Hammer and his cousin, William Hammer. immigrated from Tennessee to Westboro. and became prominent in that neighborhood. John T. Hammer at one time owned n great deal of land in and near Westboro and William P. Hammer was a soldier in the Eighty-eighth Regiment. Ohlo Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and treasurer of Jefferson township for several years,

The Hammer family, for the most part. have been identified with the Christian church. Mr. Clarke, who is a well-known citizen of Clinton county, is the present chair- man of the Republican county central committee and is, therefore, well known through- out Clinton county. He was appointed to the office of district assessor of Clinton county by Governor Willls.

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GEORGE WIELERT.

George Wielert. now superintendent of the Hershey-Rice Manufacturing Com- pany, of Blanchester, Oblo, who recently retired from the presidency of the Business Men's Club, of Blanchester, was born on November 17, 1863, in Cincinnati, the son of Louis and Christina (Stuebe) Wielert, both natives of Hanover, Germany. Louis Wielert was born in 1833 and located in Cincinnati with his parents in 1848. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, who came to Cincinnati about the same time as her husband, died at the age of seventy-three.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Wielert were Christian Louis and Dorothy Wielert. Mr. Wielert's father was associated with former Mayor Tafel, of Cincinnati. in promoting gymnasiumn work in the Queen City. Having received a thorough course in gymnastie training in the German schools, Louis Wielert became an Instructor in Cincinnati. He was also a tin and brass turner and was an excellent mechanic, having learned these trades in his native land. After being engaged in the tin and stove busi- ness for many years, he retired to accept a place as city water-meter inspector. During his entire life, he was a stanch Republican. The Wielert family were members of the German Protestant church and Louls Wielert was a life member of the Turner Society.

Standing six feet and two inches tall. Louis Wielert was a man of powerful build. He served in the Ninth and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry from 1862 until 1866 and during this entire period was not wounded nor taken prisoner. The Ninth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry was a German regiment, recruited from the Turner Society of Cincinnati. Five sons were born to Louis and Christina Wielert, of whom four grew to maturity.

George Wielert, who was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and in the Cincinnati high school, was also graduated from the art school of Cincinnati and became an engraver. After finishing his education, he became a designer for a wholesale dry-goods company of Cincinnati and remained with that concern until March 29, 1909. when he became superintendent of the Rice overall factory at Blanchester. Mr. Wielert has built up this excellent business to its present capacity and is still enlarging It.

In 1888 George Wielert was married to Anna B. Schwein, of Cincinnati, who has borne him three children: Amor George, who is auditor for the Central Life Insur- ance Company, of Cincinnati; Irvin Louis, who is a mechanic at Wilmington, until Russell Jacob, who is with Charles Haworth at Wilmington.

Fraternally. Mr. Wielert is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The Wielert family are members of the German Protestant church and active in the affairs of that denomination.

GEORGE E. HUNTER.

George E. Hunter, the president of the People's Cash Grocery Store, and a well- known business man of Blanchester, Ohio, was born in Hocking county, Ohlo, in 1866, the son of Kirts and Susan ( Poling) Hunter, the former of whom was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Hocking county. same state. Kirts Hunter was a farmer by occupation.

George E. Hunter was educated in the public schools of Hocking county, and was reared on his father's farm in that county. After leaving school he established n general store at Haynes, in his native county, which he operated for sixteen years, being very successful in that line. In 1905 be removed to Blanchester and purchased the Interests of Jogan S. Lorish, grocer. In his store, and continued the business of that location until 1910, when the store was incorporated as the People's Cash Grocery Store, with George F. Hunter as president, at which time the store was moved to its present location. Mr. Hunter is interested in the Star Hame Company, of which he is now serving as vice-president.

In 1969 Mr. Hunter was married to Ella Mettler, and to this union two children

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

were born, Nellie F. and Porter E. In 1907 Mr. Hunter married, secondly. Edna Hogen, a daughter of D). W. Hogen, and to this union has been born one child, Jeannette Hogen Hunter.

Mrs. Hunter is a member of the Universalist church. Fraternally, George E. Hunter is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

LOGAN S. LORISH.

Logan 8. Lorish, a well-known real estate dealer of Blanchester, Oblo, was born on August 21, 1867, a son of Henry and Esther ( Lacey) Lorish. Heury Lorish was born on October 26, 1826, in Fairfield county, Ohio, the son of Nicholas Lorish, a native of Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and followed that vocation until his death in 1846. Nicholas Lorish married Magdaline Apt, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who died at Columbus, Ohio, In 1863. Henry Lorish was reared as a farmer lad, and in 1842, when sixteen years old, began to learn the trade of harness making at Baltimore, in Fairfield county, Ohio. Some years later he moved to Wilming- ton, in Clinton county, and followed his trade there until his death. He was married on February, 1856, to Marthn G. Miller, a native of Warren county. Ohio, but a resident of Clinton county. The one child born to this marriage died early in life, and Mrs. Lorish herself died In 1863. About two years later, on September 20, 1865, Henry Lorish married Esther A. Lacey, a native of Clinton county, and to this union two sons were born, Sherman T. and Logan S. Henry Lorish was prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years, and was a member of Star of Hope Lodge .No. 127. and Hiawatha Encampment No. 7. Although born and bred in a hotbed of Democracy, he always voted the Republican ticket. His first wife was a member of the Baptist church, and be and his second wife were members of the Christian church. Both are now deceased.

Logan S. Lrish was graduated from the Wilmington high school in 1884, and during the next twelve yenra was anlesman in a general store in Blanchester. On three different occasions he purchased grocery stores, built up a good trade and then sold them. In 1909 he engaged in the real-estate business, and here in Clinton county enjoys a large patronage.

In 1897 Logan S. Lorish was married to Lizzie Watkins, of Blanchester. In 1906 he married. secondly. Irene Brandenburg, of Westboro, and to this union one child has been born, Lavone S.

Fraternally. Logan 8. Lorish is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. a Republican In politics, and active in the councils of his party locally. He served as councilman of Blanchester for eight years, and as a member of the school board for seven years, during which time he was clerk of the board. He was one of the organizers of the Business Men's Club, of Blanchester, and is now its president.

GUY H. IRVIN.

Guy H. Irvin is a well-known grocer of Blanchester, who was born on January 27. 1891, the son of George and Frances ( Miller) Irvin, the former of whom was born in Warren county, Ohio. November 22, 1855, and the latter In Clinton county.

George Irvin was the son of Samuel and Martha (Crosley) Irvin, the former a native of Ross county. Ohio, Samuel Irvin was the son of Andrew and Sarah (Shipley ) Irvin. Samuel and Martha Irvin moved from Ross county, Ohio, to Hamilton county, Ohio. They had eight children, Nathan. James, Benjamin, Carrie. George. Abram, Emma and Dora. Nathan and Benjamin are deceased. Samuel Irvin died in 1809 at the age of seventy-eight and his wife died in 1908, at the age of eighty-two. George Irvin was educated in the publie schools and was a farmer by occupation. He came with his par- ents to Clinton county when about one year old. He owns a farm in Marion township

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and has been an extensive stock dealer, but is now living retired. He is a Republican in politics and his wife is a member of the Friends church. By his first marriage, to Frances Miller, there were born six children, Ralph. Marjorie, Edward, Ben, Guy H. and Norman. Mrs. Frances Irvin died in 1896 and in 1897 Mr. Irvin was married to Phoebe Rude, of Clinton county, who was born In 1863, the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Rude, and to this union two children were born, John and Georgiana. Nicholas Rude was a farmer by occupation, a Republican and a member of the Friends church. George Irvin died on May 17. 1915. at Blanchester and his widow is still living.

Guy H. Irvin was educated in the schools of Blanchester and taught school for about four and one-half years, beginning at the age of sixteen years. Later he became a part- ner in the firm of Lorish & Irvin, grocers, of Blanchester, the store being thus operated until September 14, 1913, when Mr. Irvin took sole charge of the store.

In August, 1912, Mr. Irvin was married to Mabel E. Norman, the daughter of Elroy Norman, of Blanchester, and to this union has been born one child, George E.

Fraternally, Guy H. Irvin is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mrs. Irvin is a member of the Baptist church.

ISAAC C. MILLER.

Isaac C. Miller, a well-to-do farmer of Jefferson township who was born in Clinton county, on June 27. 1878, is the son of C. C. and Electra F. (Kibby) Miller and a brother of Ephraim Kibby Miller, whose biographical sketch is contained elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Miller's father was born near New Vienna, this county, on March 26, 1837, and his mother was born near Clarksville, in Clinton county. The father farmed all his life In Clinton county with the exception of a short period in which he was engaged in school teaching as a young man. He owned a farm in Washington township, but the Inst thirty years of his life were spent in Jefferson township. He was a soldier in the Civil War. and after the war was a member of General Sherman Post No. 360, Grand Army of the Republic. To C. C. and Electra E. (Kibby) Miller were born ten children, E. T., I .. N .. P. V., Malcolm. Cora. Nina, Grace. E. K .. Bertha and Isaac C.

Mr. Miller's paternal grandparents were Isnac and Margaret ( Hildebrant ) Miller. the former of whom was born on July 30, 1812, near Farmers Station, and the latter. November 26, 1820, at Hunterton, in Hunterton county, New Jersey. The paternal great- grandfather was Isaac Miller, Sr., who was born on February 5, 1777, the son of Peter and Catherine ( Rhodes) Miller. Peter Miller was a native of Wales, born in 1740, who, after coming to America, served in the Revolutionary War. Isaac Miller. Sr., was the first of the Miller family to settle in Clinton county. He came to the county at the age of twenty years with a party of surveyors. It was his business to keep the company supplied with fresh meat, which he did with his riffe, being a splendid shot. Afterwards he went with the party to Kentucky and thence to Tennessee. In 1801 he returned to the vicinity of Farmers Station. Isane Miller, Jr., was a farmer by occupation and spent practically all of his work in this community.

Mr. Miller's maternal grandfather was Ephraim Kibby, who was born at Columbia. three miles below the mouth of the Little Miami river, in what is now Hamilton county. Ohio, December 12. 1795, and died on August 14. 1876. Ephraim Kibby's father came to Hamilton county in 1780 and was one of its earliest settlers, about 1500, removing from Columbia to the neighborhood of what is now, Hopkinsville, Warren county, settling on land owned by Capt. Alexander Hamilton, opposite the great bend in the Miami river. The house in which he lived at that time had no chimney. A fire was built in the center of the enbin on the dirt floor. From that place the family moved to Deerfield on the Miami river and from there to the farm owned by Captain Armstrong, located on a road leading from Deerfield to Lebanon. While living on this farm. the father of Ephraim Kilby died, about 1809. Three or four years later the mother died. Ephraim Kibby then

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lived with his brother John, who was a tanner near Hopkinsville. He learned the trade and continued In the business after his brother had abandoned it, at that time he being about nineteen years old. He was employed as a substitute in the War of 1812, and with the money thus earned began his active career. After his marriage in 1815 to Nancy Vandervort, he and his wife came to Clinton county, locating at Clarksville and there made preparations to establish a tanning business. Ephraim Kibby never drank or used tobacco in all his life. He traded his tanning business for one thousand acres of land in Washington and Vernon townships, in March, 1840, and from 1840 to 1865 or 1866 was engaged in farming. At the latter date he retired to Wilmington, where he spent his last days. He married, secondly, Tamzen Whitmere, but there were no children by this second marriage. By his first marriage twelve children were born. two of whom died in infancy. Two of these children are still living, among whom are Mrs. Nancy Deacon, aged eighty-four years, of Westboro, and Mrs. Electro Miller, who lives near Westboro and who is seventy-eight years old. Paul G. Kibby, one son of Ephraim Kibby was a soldier in the Civil War and served in an Illinois regiment. He died of his wounds in Tennessee. Jonah Kibby, another son of Ephraim, served in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Regiment, Ohlo Volunteer Infantry, a member of Company D, and after returning from the war, emigrated to Indiana, where he died.

Isaac C. Miller was educated in the public schools, and after leaving school took up farming. He owns seventy acres of land, and is engaged In general farming and stock raising. Mr. Miller was married in 1905 to Estella Hunter, a daughter of Andrew Hunter of Clark township.

Mr. Miller is a member of the Christian church and Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Isaac C. Miller is a prominent member of Grange No. 1779, of Westboro.

ANDREW J. JOINER.

Andrew J. Joiner, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Wilson township, this county, was born in that township on January 15, 1842, the son of Joshua and Mary Ann (Stricklin) Joiner. Joshua Joiner was born on August 18, 1806, In North Carolina, and died on January 26, 1854. On January 7, 1830, he married Mary Ann Stricklin, who was born on June 13, 1812, in North Carolina, a daughter of Nathan and Jemima Stricklin, and died on September 4, 1893. Joshua Joiner and wife came to Obio in 1842, and settled in Clinton county. They were prominent members of the Baptist church and bad a family of nine children, as follow: Elizabeth S., born on April 14, 1831; Marion, November 6, 1833: Elisha, November 19, 1834. who died on June 16. 1865; Johnson, October, 1836: Nathan, August 4. 1838: Joshua, May 28, 1840; Andrew J .. January 15, 1842: David H., May 16, 1848, and Martha. February 17. 1850. Joshua Joiner was the son of Nelson and Susan ( Figurer) Joiner, both natives of the Old Dominion state, who removed from Virginia to North Carolina, settling three mlles from Murfreesboro, where Nelson Joiner became a large landowner and an extensive slave- holder.

Andrew J. Joiner was educated in the common schools and has been engaged in farming practically all his Hife. He married Martha Ann Clemons, who was born on September 2, 1553, the danghter of Robert and Mary ( Bishop} Clemons.

Mrs. Joiner's father. Robert M. Clemons, was horn on July 4, 1816, in Fluvanna county, Virginia, and died on June 23. 1882. On April 30, 1835, he married Mary Bishop. who was born on June 14, 1×15, in Albermarle county, Virginia, and to this union four- teen children were born, namely : Incy Ann, born on March 24. 1536; Benjamin, Janu- nry 28. 1838; Mary E .. September 30. 1839; Robert, September 13. 1841; Nancy J., March 28, 1843; William W., December 24, 1844: Sarah M., November 4, 1846: Joseph. August 20, 1848; Thomas, August 10. 1850; Charles L .. September 10, 1851; Martha A., Septem-

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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 127

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