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 132

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 132


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146


Emmett B. Whitacre was reared on the farm and educated In the public schools at


874


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


Midland and Pansy. As soon as he was old enough to take up a trade, he learned boiler-making and followed that trade for six years Subsequently, he took up farming, and for many years has lived at Pansy, in Marion township, where he owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres.


In 1896 Mr. Whitacre was married to Alice Heintz, of Columbus, Ohio, to which union there were born three daughters, Naomi Mary, Lucile Alle and Clara Viola. Mrs. Alice ( Heintz) Whitacre died In 1909, and three years later Mr. Whitacre married. secondly. Mary Tornof. of Columbus, Ohio, (now deceased), to which union two children were born. Lewis Edward and Charles Benjamin.


Like his father before him, Mr. Whitacre is prominent In the local councils of the Republican party and is a justice of the peace in Marion township, a position which his father held with credit for so many years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and, fraternally, is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.


JAMES F. GASKINS.


It is a well-known fact that public opinion practically rules this country. It was the Insistent ery of the publie which has effected the wonderful transformation in our politleal institutions during the past few decades. Public opinion, however, would be useless had It not the opportunity to find expression and there is no way in which public opinion can find its full usefulness except through newspapers. For this reason it is not too much to say that the newspapers of our country really are the rulers; that they have more power in the shaping of the destinies of our nation than Congress Itself. It is Interesting to note, with the recurrence of large and vital questions how one newspaper will quote the editorial opinion of others in different parts of the country and how this will be accepted as a statement of the opinion of the country as a whole. No more striking example of this fact ever was presented than was noted in the prominence given by the large newspapers of the country to the editorial opinion of other news- papers with regard to the difference between the United States and Germany over the sinking of the "Lusitania" in the summer of 1915. There are few towns in the state of Ohio which do not have a newspaper publication of some kind. Among the leading newspapers of Clinton county is the Nabina News-Record, edited and published by James F. Gaskins.


James F. Gaskins was born at Bentonville. In Adams county. Ohio, on April 28. 1865, the son of Aaron J. Gaskins. M. D., who was born on November 9, 1843. In Clermont county, Oblo, and who in 1864 married Celia A. Johnson, who was born on March 28. 1844, the daughter of the Rev. P. F. Johnson. a minister in the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Gaskins' paternal grandfather was Dr. John Gaskins, of old Virginia stock, who was twice married, each time to a Miss Woods. The grandfather was a physician of Bentonville. Adams county, Ohio, but during the latter part of his life was engaged in farming. at one time owning about five hundred acres of land near Bentonville. He had five children, Aaron and Sylvester, by his first marriage, and H. A .. Fisher and John, by the second wife, who reared the family.


Aaron J. Gaskins, M. D., received his elementary education in the common schools of Adams and Clermont counties, Ohio, and in 1867 was graduated from the Eclectic Medien School of Cincinnati. Prior to this he had served as a soldier in the I'nion army during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. having enlisted In 1964 and having been discharged in INGS. He began the practice of medicine at Milledgeville. Fayette county, and after practicing one year there, moved to Sabina. this county. in December. 1868, and practiced there until 1894, when he sold out his practice to Dr. O. A. West, after which he engaged In the


Digitized by Google


-


875


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


furniture business at Sabina until his death, June 30, 1914. At the time of his death he owned a half Interest in the Clinton Manufacturing Company. To Dr. Aaron J. and Cella A. {Johnson) Gaskins three children were born, namely : James F., the subject of this sketch ; Lillie M., who married M. E. McGuire, of Sabina. and Easie E .. who married Heury I .. Lewellen, of Sabina. The family were members of the Friends church and Doctor Gaskins was a Democrat in politics.


James F. Gaskins was educated in the common schools of Sabina and in the Sabina high school, having been the first graduate of the latter institution, finishing the course in 1883. On April 15. 1885, two years later. he began his newspaper experience with n baif Interest in the Sabine Neirs. Four years later, in December, 1889, he sold bis Interest in the Sabina Noirs and a month later started the Babing Record. In 1893 Mr. Gaskins purchased the older paper and consolidated it with 'the Record, since which time the paper has been known as the Subing News-Record. Mr. Gaskins now has the latest equipment and machinery for publishing bis newspaper and long has been recognized as a distinct force in newspaper circles hereabout.


In July, 1×56. James F. Gaskins was married to Almeda Bryant, daughter of W. D. and Sarah J. (Allen) Bryant, who died on October 4. 1910, leaving two children : Ralph A .. who married Donna Pomphrey, is engaged in business with his father, and has three children, Rebecca Emily, Esther Louise and Donna L .; Louise, the second born, married J. D. Adams, a stenographer, of Columbus, Ohio.


James F. Gaskins is a Republican in polities. He is a member of the Friends church, and for the past twenty-five years has been superintendent of the Bible school of that church. For fifteen years he has been the financial clerk of the meeting. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as secretary of his home lodge for fifteen or twenty years. He has also been clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America for some fifteen years.


James F. Gaskins is one of the lending and most highly respected citizens of Sabina. one who takes a great interest in church affairs and in public movements, His news- paper well reflects the opinion of the large puldie among whom it circulates and is a welcome visitor in many homes thereabout.


LUCH'S D. SHANK.


A man's reputation among his neighbors in the community in which he has spent the greater part of his life is a pretty certain Index of his worth. We either Influence. or are influenced by others, according to our temperament and Its reaction upon our environ- ment, and when successful in life's battle, If that success has been won honorably. n study of the individual and the causes which have entered into his success. not only becomes profitable, but becomes likewise an inspiration to similar endeavor on the part of others. In this connection, It is highly appropriate that the life of Lucius D. Shank. whose career in this county has given him prestige as a farmer and stork-raiser. be given consideration here. Mr. Shank. who was born in Marion township. Clinton county. on March 12. 1854, is the son of James H. and Margaret ( Crossen) Shank, the former n native of the same township, born on April 20. 1829.


James H. Shank was a son of Henry Shank, mentioned elsewhere in this publica- tion. The maternal grandparents, George and Charlotte ( Morrison) Crosseu, braved the dangers of pioneer life when they came to this county, In which they spent the reminder of their days. James H. Shank was a farmer. but when the fires of rebellion were raging in the South he was among the first to offer up his life, if need be, to save the Union. And fate decreed that this should be his sacrifice, for, having been taken prisoner by the enemy, he died of starvation in a Confederate prison pen in February, IS65. He was a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church at Pleasant


STU


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


Grove. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Lucius D., George Henry. Samuel A., Martin Elsworth ( who died in infancy ), and Florence May. The mother of these children died on March 21, 1006.


Mr. Shank was reared a farmer's boy, receiving his education in the country schools near his home. By hard work and personal sacrifice, he has acquired one hundred and ninety-two acres of land, being ably assisted by the co-operation of his devoted wife. It was on the 8th of February, 1877, that he married Mary Elizabeth U'rton, who was boru in this county on January 24, 1854, the daughter of Daniel and Nancy Ann (Brown) U'rton, pioneers of this county. To this union five children have beeen born, namely : Otis J., Elva May. Veda Maud (deceased ). Clarence D., and an infant son, who died.


Mr. Shank is a Republican and served his community well as a member of the school board for four years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Grange.


While Mir. Shank's life has been comparatively free from stirring adventure, having been spent in the quiet devotion to duty, it has been a life well spent, and its influence has been decidedly for good.


LEWIS C. WILSON.


Among the successful young farmers of Richland township, this county, Lewis C. Wilson, who owns a highly productive farm of one hundred and five acres in that town- ship, should be mentioned.


Lewis C. Wilson was born on August 31. 1880, In the townsbip where be still lives, a son of Martin A. and Mary (Custis) Wilson, the former of whom was born in Marting- burg. Ohlo, and the latter of whom was the daughter of Littleton and Amelia Aun (Arnold) Custis. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Wilson, James Wilson, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and who afterward beenme a well-known farmer in Clinton county, married Margaret Plymire, and they were the parents of the following children : Susannah. Catherine, Martin A., James. Ellen. Samuel, Lovina, Lewis and Julia. The great-grandfather, Joshua Wilson, a native of Obio, was a soldier in the War of 1812.


Martin A. Wilson received some education in the common schools of Clinton county. but had few opportunities for schooling and most of his education was obtained by home study. When a young man he began farming In Clinton county and was engaged in this occupation practically all of his life. He owned one hundred and five acres of land in Richland township. Martin A. and Mary (Custis) Wilson were the parents of three children, of whom Lewis C. was the second in order of birth. The eldest child. Zella, became the wife of Elmer Anderson, and the youngest, Frank E., married Maud Chancelor. The late Martin A. Wilson, a Republican in politics, was a director in the county infirmary at the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist church and belonged to the Masonic fraternity.


Lewis C. Wilson also received his education in the public schools of Richland town- ship. principally at Sabina. He began life on his own account on a farm in Richland township. In 1008 be removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for two years he was engaged in the lee business. In 1910 he returned to the farm in Clinton county, and bas since been continuously engaged in farming. He owns a farm of one hundred and five arres, where he is carrying on a general system of farming and stock raising.


In 1902, at the age of twenty-two years, Lewis C. Wilson was married to Leta Pavey. daughter of G. A. and Elizabeth (Burris) Pavey, and to this union three children have been born, of whom one, Dorothy, the second born. died at the age of five years. The first born is Ralph A. and the youngest Is Fred M.


Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist church. Like his father before him. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics, and is also a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.


Digitized by Goc


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


GEORGE H. BENLEHR.


It is the progressive, wideawake man of affairs who makes the real history of a community. His influence as a potent factor in the civic life of the community is hard to estimate. The example which such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrates what is in the power of euch to accomplish, and there is always a large measure of satisfaction In referring. even in a casual way. to their achievements. Such a man is George H. Benlehr, one of the prominent business men and quarrymen of Clinton county, and It is entirely fitting that a review of his life work be accorded a place in this volume.


George H. Benlehr was born on October 16, 1846. In U'nlon township, Clinton county. Ohlo, the son of Frederick and Lavina Jane ( Hawes) Benlehr, the former of whom. born near Berlin, Germany. In 1804, died on December 25, 1890, and the latter, born on April 23. 1824, in Union township. this county. died on April 10, 1849. George H. Benlehr's paternal grandparents were natives of Germany, his grandfather having died in that country and his grandmother. Catherine, having died en route to America on n sailing vessel while on her way here to join her son. They were members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Benlehr's maternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Gibson) Ilawes, the former of whom died on November 11, 1820, when he was a young man. His widow married, secondly, George Hartman, who died in 1852. She died in 1867, at the age of eighty years, three months and twenty-two days. Sarah Gibson was of Irish descent and her husband, John Hawes, was one of the first settlers in Starbucktown, in I'nion township. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Frederick Benlehr grew up In Germany, where bis father owned a flour-mill. Frederick learned the butcher's trade and In 1820 left Germany and came to America. He worked for one year at six dollars a month in an eastern Pennsylvania orchard. As the result of a frost that year, the orchard ylelded but one apple. Frederick Benlehr then drove six and eight-horse tenins with merchandise over the National road for several years. About 1835 he bought a farm in I'nion township, this county, and was engaged in butchering on the farm, selling his product on the streets of Wilmington three days in the week. Later he operated a butcher shop in Wilmington, but always lived on the farm, continuing in the business until incapacitated by old age. He was an ardent Democrat.


To Frederick and Lavina Jane (Hawes) Benlebr were born three children, of whom George H. is the youngest, the other two being Louisn, who was born on February 8. 1840, and who married William E. Parker, of Independence, Iowa. ex-superintendent of the Lee county schools, and Sarah, November 5, 1841. who married Jacob Schlotter, u Borist at Keokuk, Iowa.


George H. Benlehr attended the public schools of I'nion township. His mother having died when he was three years old, his father married, secondly. Elizabeth Lynn. to which Intter union there were born three children. From the time of his Infancy. George H. Benlehr made his home with his Uncle James and Aunt Sarah Hawes and with his Grandmother Hawes, while she lived.


On December 15. 1863. George H. Benlehr enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out at the end of the war. July 15, 1865. receiving an honorable discharge. His regiment was stationed in Ohio, guarding prisoners of war.


After the war, Mr. Benlebr assisted his father in butchering and farming until his father's death, in 1890. Before his father's death, however, George H. purchased the home place of one hundred and twenty-four acres and added fifty-two acres to the farm. He then bought the Probasco farm of seventy-one acres and sold the old farm. In 1913 Mr. Benlebr moved to Wilmington and now lives in that city. In 1998 he bought the


878


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


Babb quarry at Todd's fork and has quarried crushed stone and building stone ever since. Ordinarily he employs from seven to ten men.


On March 15, 1806, George H1. Benlebr was married to Hannah Bowermaster, who was born and reared in Greene county, Ohio. She is the daughter of It. A. and Anu (\enard) Bowermaster and was born on March 8, 1846. Her father was born in Cookstown, Pennsylvania, and her mother in this county, Her father came with his parents to Clinton county in 1831, and Inter moved to Bowersville, Greene county, Ohio, where his father built the first house in that town. He was a carpenter and charter member of the Christian church.


Mr. and Mrs. George H. Beulchr are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely : Cleo Lavina, born on May 5, 1865, who married Ed Bean and lives in Highland county ; Cora, September 4, 1871, who married Seymour Murphy, deceased, and now lives with ber parents; Charles E., February 6, 1874, who is a missionary in India for the Christian church ; Sarah L., December 21, 1876, who is the wife of Thomas Poud, of Muncie, Indiana; Catherine, June 26, 1879, who became the wife of John Fleming, a farmer in Mercer county, Ohio; Grace E., May 24, 1882. who married Ralph Duffy and lives at U'rbana, Ohio; George A., December 18, 1884, who lives in Lancaster, Ohio, where he Is a railroad engineer ; Fred A., July 4, 1887, who is quarryman and lives at home, and Earl W., April 13, 1800, who lives on his father's farm in Union township.


Although Mr. Benlehr is actively identified with the Democratic party, he has never been prominent in its councils and takes no especial interest in politics except to cast bis vote, the duty of every American citizen. Fraternally. he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to Morris McMillan Post, Grand Army of the Republic.


Mr. Benlehr has been pre-eminent In the agricultural and civic life of this county as an Industrious and conscientious citizen. He gave a portion of the best years of his life to the service of his country and he has been no less faithful in the peaceful pursuits of life than he was when he responded to his country's call for service.


WILLIAM DRAKE.


When men succeed. their lives are instructive as guides and incentives to others. They furnish splendid examples of patient purpose and successful endeavor and these examples strongly Illustrate what every man may achieve. William Drake, of Richl: ndl township, this county. Is one of the hustling farmers of Clinton county, an example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a large measure of success in agriculture. the special sphere to which his talents have been devoted.


William Drake was born on September 25, 185. in Union township. this county, the son of Charles and Frances ( Wade) Drake, the former, born In 1834. on Staten Island. New York, died in April, 1907, and the latter. born in 1843. the daughter of George and Mary Wade.


Charles Drake was the son of Randolph Drake, a native of Staten Island, New York, who came to Clinton county from New York In 1848, and the family has been established in this county since that date, a period of nearly seventy years. Randolph Drake located on the farm in Richland township, where his grandson now lives, and where he owned seventy-five acres. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and was identified with the Whig party until the formation of the Republican party. when he identified himself with the latter. He was the father of eight children : David M., Charles, Caroline, who married William H. Sprague: Daniel. Elizabeth, who married Samuel Bogue : Henry und Cornellus who died early in life, and John S. Charles. the second in the family, was the father of William Drake. the subject of this sketch.


Educated in the common schools of Clinton county, Charles Drake learned the


879


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


carpenter trade when he was a young man and was engaged in contract building in connection with farming for a period of about fourteen years. Eventually, however, he quit carpentering and spent the remainder of his life in farming. In 1867 be purchased the interest of the heirs of his father's farm and spent the remainder of his life on the estate. He made most of the improvements now on the farm and shortly before his death was arranging to erect a new house, which was completed by the family after his death. He was a Republican and served for many years as school director in this township. Charles and Frances ( Wade) Drake were the parents of four children, namely : Will- fam, the subject of this sketch; George, who married Ella Atley; Ella, who married A. E. Tysor. and Thomas A., who married Grace McChesney.


William Drake and his brother. Thomas A. Drake, have owned the Richland town- ship farm of two bundred and fifty acres since 1912, and are engaged in general farming and stock raising. They are extensive breeders of the big type Poland China and Duroc- Jersey hogs and both are members of the Duroc-Jersey Association. William aud Thomas A. Drake have a beautiful and well Improved farm in Richland township. Both were educated in the public schools of Richland township, and both are well informed and intelligent citizens. They are both members of the Modern Woodmen of America.


William Drake, who is an ardent Republican, served as trustee of Richland town- ship from 1009 to 1911. He gave to the people of Richland township a most efficient and able administration. The office is one which has to do with the intimate affairs of n rural community and necessitates a rather complete understanding of the farm and its problems, as well as the problems of education. Mr. Drake gave practically universal satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of this office. He is well known in Richland township and popular among his neighbors.


THOMAS WILLIAM CONNER.


Thomas William Conner needs no introduction to the people of Clinton county, since he is a man whom everyluxly knows and likes. His life has been devoted not only to promoting his own interests, but also to the welfare of the community in which he has lived for more than a decade. He is an honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of this section, a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions; a splendid type of the intelligent. up-to-date. self-made American, one of Clinton county's most suc- cessful farmers and business men. As a citizen he is progressive in the fullest sense of the word.


Thomas Willtam Conner was born on September 5, 1882. at Buena Vista, in Fayette county, Ohio, the son of William T. and Catherine Jane ( Moore) Conner. The father was born in Fayette county. Obio, August 20, 1844. and the mother was born in Pike county. the daughter of Salisbury and Mary (Eager) Moore. William T. Conuer was the son · of Thomas William Conner. a large landowner in Fayette county. Grandfather Conner and his wife were the parents of seven children : Melissa. Ell, William T., Clarissa, Jane, Mary and Cinderella.


William T. Conner was educated In the common schools of Fayette county and spent all of his life on the farm. He was very successful as a farmer and owned about twelve hundred acres of land. In addition to farming he bought and sold live stock. To Will- lam T. and Catherine Jane Conner six children were born, namely : Loren E., who mar- ried Mary Martin ; George E., who died while a young man; Iva M., who is the wife of Victor M. Harper : Clarissa J., who became the wife of John B. Tener; Anise, who died young. and Thomas W., the subject of this sketch. William T. Conner and wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church. He was a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


Eduented in the public schools at Buena Vista, Fayette county, Thomas W. Conner began farming early in life and in 1904 came to Clinton county and was engaged in


!


880


CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.


farming in Richland and Wayne townships. He lived on the farm until 1909, when he rented it out. He and his wife now own four hundred and sixty acres in Richland and Wayne townships. The farm is the old Willlam Pavey homestead and was improved a short time ago by the remodeling of the house.


In 1901 Thomas W. Conner was married to Carrie E. Pavey. the daughter of Will- lam and Mary A. ( Kirby) Pavey, of Sabina, this county, and to this union two children have been born, William Owen, born on April 21. 1903. and George E., April 21. 1910.


Mr. Conner is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. There is no man living in the Sabina section of Clinton county who Is better known or who holds n warmer place in the affections of the people than Thomas W. Conner. He is a hale fellow, well-met and, being well situated financially, is in a position to enjoy life, which he does to the utmost degree.


JOHN C. MCFADDEN.


John C. McFadden, now a well-known and a well-to-do farmer of Wayne township. this county, was born on August 18, 1846, in Green township, this county, the son of John and Elizabeth (Newcomb) McFadden, the former a native of Mason county, Ken- tucky, born in 1808, who died in 1901, and the latter a native of Brown county, Oblo, daughter of William and Anna (Pangburn) Newcomb.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.