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 135
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The son of Isaac and Jane Mathews Telfair was Dr. Isanc Telfair, grandfather of Clarence Telfair. He was born on October 1, 1798, in Danville, Kentucky. After the death of his father, Doctor Telfair removed with his mother to Staunton, Virginia, where he enlisted in the navy and served as midshipman on the Algerine expedition. He afterward took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Medicine. Doctor Telfair was married to Jane A. Boys, daughter of Dr. William Boys, of Staunton, Virginia. After practicing his profession In Staunton, Vir- ginia, and Hillsboro, Obio, he finally retired to his lands in Clinton county. The prin- cipal part of the survey as originally patented, has been owned by the family ever since the patent was issued. Here Doctor Telfair and wife lived until their death, at the old home, "Oak-Ridge." They were the parents of ten children, Charles, William, Jane, Martha, Maria, Virginia. Rose, Margaret, Timothy and Doctor George. Willlam married Elizabeth Payton, of Staunton, Virginia : Jane married William H. Creighton, of Chillicothe. Ohio; Martha, Maria. Virginia and Margaret died unmarried : Rose married Harrison Denver, of Wilmington; Timothy married Doctor Wilkerson, and Doctor George married Harriet Brown, of Dayton, Ohio.
The Telfairs as a family have always been stanch Presbyterians, while the Haines family, to which Mrs. Telfair belongs, can trace their generations of Quaker ancestry back to England, from whence they came.
ROBERT C. LAWHEAD.
The Lawhead family have been residents of Clinton county for eighty years and during this long period have been prominently identified with every phase of the county's development. Robert C. Lawhead has been in public life in various capaci- ties since 1887 and has always performed his every duty in such a way as to win the commendation of his fellow citizens. He started in public life as a school teacher and later became interested in politics. Serving first as deputy clerk of the Clinton county courts. he was subsequently elected clerk and filled that office three terms. At the present time he is teller in the Clinton County Bank, a position he has filled since 1910.
Robert C. Lawhend, the son of John W. and Cynthia A. (Canny) Lawhend, was born near New Antioch, this county, on August 20. 1800. His parents were both horn near the same village and Itved there all of their lives, John W. Lawhead and wife were the parents of five children : Robert C., of Wilmington; James W., of Wilming- ton : Rachael Ann. deceased; Mary Elizabeth. the deceased wife of L. M. Bowman; Althan, the wife of Frank Bashore, a farmer living near Cuba, this connty.
Robert C. Lawhead received his elementary education in the schools of New Antioch and Wilmington, and later attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and Wilmington College. After leaving college he lived on the farm until 1887. when he became principal of the New Antloch schools, a position which he held until
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1801. In the meantime he had become interested In politics and this led to his appoint- ment as deputy clerk in 1801. He served in this capacity under Charles O. Hildebraut until 1900, In December of that year he entered the Clinton County Bank as book- keeper and bns retained bis connection with the bank since that year. However, he found time during this interim to serve three terms as clerk of the county courts. He was first elected to this latter position in 1903 and held the office continuously until 1911. He had no opposition for the office when he made the race the third time. a fact which shows how well his service was appreciated by his fellow citizens. During all the time he was in the clerk's office he retained his position In the bank, doing his public work in the evenings. In 1910 he became the teller of the bank and then employed a deputy in the clerk's office until the expiration of his term in the spring of 1911. From 1891 to 1902 Mr. Lawhead was deputy state supervisor of elections and for three years was chief deputy. Since 1903 he has been a member of the Wil- mington school board and has been president of the board every year except one since he became a member of the board. For many years Mr. Lawhead has been a member of the Republican county, central and executive committees.
On March 20, 1808, Robert C. Lawhead was married to Nancy P. Fleming, who was born in Illinois on July 11. 1861, daughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Duskinx) Flem- ing. and to this union has been born one child, a daughter, Harriet, who was born on August 19. 1903.
ALVA C. HENRY.
Alva C. Henry, a splendid young farmer, of Wayne township, this county, was born near Blanchester in Clinton county, on January 6, 1880, the son of William M. and Sarah I. (Martin) Henry, the former of whom was born in Warren county Ohio, and the latter. near Blanchester. Clinton county, the daughter of James Martin.
Michael and Catherine (Doctor) Henry, the paternal grandparents of Alva C. Henry, were untives of the Old Dominion state and came from that state to Ohio about 1831, locating in Harlin township. Warren county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eleven children: Eliza, John New- ton. William M .. Amelia. Jane, Marcus, James M., Mahala, Alfred, Charles and Saman- tha. Michnel Henry voted the Democratie ticket and was a prominent figure of the community in which he lived.
William M. Henry was educated in the common schools of Warren county, and after reaching maturity engaged in farming in Highland township, that county, where he lived until 1886. At that time he moved to the farm in Wayne township, this county, now owned by his sons. Alva C. and William M., a fine tract consisting of two hundred and sixty-five acres of fertile land which will produce almost any crop grown in the temperate zone. He erected the buildings now standing on the farm and was a well- known stockman during his career. William M. and Sarah I. (Martin) Henry had three children : Clara, who married Weldon Smith; Alva C., the subject of this sketch. and William M .. a veterinary surgeon at New Vienna, this county, who married Myrtle Hoskink.
Alva C. Henry obtained a good common-school education in the schools of Wayne township and. after quitting school. began farming where he now lives. Since 1903 be and his brother. William M., have owned the old home farm and it is managed very much after the same plan followed by their father.
Alva C. Henry married Jennie Kinenid. daughter of H. E. Kincaid, and to this union has been born one child, Willard M., who was born on March 20, 1914. Mr. Henry is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Memphis. Politically, be is a Democrat and fraternally, he In a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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One would have to search diligently in Clinton county to find a farm in a better state of repair than the Henry farm in Wayne township. Alva C. built the barn in 1010 and many other fucidental improvements have been added during the last few years. The Henry's are highly respected people in this community and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.
C. A. GOODWIN.
C. A. Goodwin, a well-to-do farmer of Jefferson township, this county, was born in Warren county, Ohio, May 18, 1867, a son of Levi and Hannah ( Runyon) Goodwin, both natives of that county. Hannab Runyon was a daughter of David Runyon.
The late Levi Goodwin was educated in the common schools of Warren county and was reared to the life of a farmer, which occupation he followed in that county. He rented land there most of his life, but in later years moved to Clinton county, and bis death occurred at Second Creek, in this county, his wife having passed away previously in Warren county before his removal to this county. The family were all members of the United Brethren church. C. A. Goodwin is one of ten children born to his parents, eight sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living, the other children being Edward, Belle, William, Ora. Hermie, Lewis, Burt, Robert and Edith.
C. A. Goodwin received his education in the public schools of Warren county, and in 1891 moved to Clinton county, and engaged in farming in the Pansy neighbor- hood. He rented land there until 1909, in which year he purchased one hundred and four acres. Two years later he purchased fifty acres additional, all of which is located in Jeferson township. Mr. Goodwin is engaged In general farming and stock raising, and has made a success of his ventures.
In 1890 C. A. Goodwin was married to Iva Schooley, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, daughter of Charles Schooley, and to this union two children bave been born : Verna, born in 1891, and Artemus, in 1897, the former of whom, a Jeffer- son township farmer, married Olive Jones, and bas one son, Virgil, born on November 30. 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the Christian church, and take an active interest in the affairs of the local congregation. Fraternally, Mr. Goodwin is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythius, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin and their son, Artemus, are members of the local grange, in which organization they are deeply interested. Mr. Goodwin takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs and has served his township as assessor.
JOSEPH WILLIAM ROBINSON.
Joseph W. Robinson, formerly a well-known teacher of Clinton county, and for many years connected actively with the political life of this county and especially of Green township, where he lives, was born on November 5, 1868, son of Dr. Robert K. and Isabel (Van Dervort) Robinson, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born in Richland township, and the latter, in Green township.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Robinson were Joseph and Margaret ( Killen) Robinson, natives of Virginia, and Clinton county, respectively. Mrs. Joseph Robin- son's parents having been pioneers of this county. The maternal grandparents were Nicholas Van Dervort and wife, also pioneers of this county. Dr. Robert K. Robinson Was a soldier in the U'nion army during the Civil War and after the close of the war practiced his profession at Converse. Indiana, where his wife died in 1876. He Inter married Frances Darby, and moved to Prescott, Arizona, where he spent the remainder of his active life, his death, however, occurring at Kokomo, Indiana, while on a visit to that place in September, 1801. By his first marriage, Dr. Robert K. Robinson had
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two children, Joseph Willlam and Gertrude. To his second marriage were also born two children, Beryl and Fern.
After leaving the common schools Joseph W. Robinson was a student in the schools of Wilmington, completing his education in Wilmington College and at the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, Indiana. He then took up the vocation of teaching and taught Ave years in the schools of Clinton county. Since leaving the school room be bas engaged in farming. From the time he was seven and one-half years old, he was reared in the family of Jonah Scott Van Dervort, a maternal uncle, whose wife was Angela J. Walker before her marriage to Mr. Van Dervort. Jonah S. Van Dervort died on August 25, 1911, and his widow passed away on April 6. 1915. He was the owner of the farm upon which Mr. Robinson now lives, a traet of forty-one acres, which is owned jointly by Mr. Robinson and his sister.
Mr. Robinson is a Republican in politics, and has served his party as assessor of Green township. and was a member of the school board for several years. He is unmarried, and a faithful and regular attendant of the Christian church at New Antioch. His sister, Gertrude ( Robinson) Oglesbee, lives in Dayton, Ohio, where she has resided almost continuously for the past twelve years. Her husband. E. E. Ogles- hee, is the proprietor of a feed store. She has two daughters, Isabel and Eloise, born In 1902 and 1009, respectively.
HON. OLIVER JOSEPH THATCHER.
Even before Clinton county was organized as a civil unit. the Thatcher family had established itself in this section of Ohio. Thomas Thatcher, a Pennsylvania Quaker, baving located in this region in the year 1806 or 1807 and here be spent the remainder of his life. Thomas Thatcher was one of the foremost factors in the early development of Clinton county and was a man of large influence in bringing about proper social and civil conditions in the formative period of this now well-established community. The Thatchers are of English ancestry and the family has been estab- lisbed in America since the year 1640, when two brothers of that name left their home nenr Bristol, England, and came to this country. From this parent stock the family has extended to many parts of the country, the name being represented in widely separated points throughout the United States. Thomas Thatcher. the first of the name to locate in this county, was a member of a substantial Quaker family in Pennsylvania and pushed on into the wilds of this section of Ohio, actuated by the true pioneer instinct. He was a man of much force of character and early became recog- nized as one of the leading citizens of his time in this section. For years he operated a tannery at Wilmington and laid out what still is known as Thatchers addition to the county sent town. He died In 1824.
Thomas Thatcher, the pioneer, married Susannah Stratton, n member of one of the pioneer families of this county, and to this union were born six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now decensed, namely : Joseph, Jesse. Theodocia, Ruth, David and Thomas,
Joseph Thatcher, second son of Thomas and Susannah (Stratton) Thatcher, was born in the old Thatcher home in Wilmington, this county, and there grew to manhood. Upon reaching manhood he applied himself to the trade of blacksmith and became known as one of the best artificers in that line in this part of the state. Joseph Thatcher married Deborah Hadley, who also was born in this county. a member of one of the old and influential families, and to this union eight children were born, as follow : Mary, who died at the age of twenty-one years: William, who died at the age of twenty ; Mrs. Susan Brown, of Hillsboro. Ohto; Mrs. Sarah McDonald, of Wilmington; Lydia, wife of S. L. Statler. of Wilmington; Annie, who married Peter Oshorn and is now deceased : Emma, deceased wife of David Jenke, and Oliver Joseph, the immediate subject of
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this biographical sketch. Joseph Thatcher, father of the above children, died in 1857 and his widow survived him but five years, ber death occurring in 1826. They both were devoted and influential members of the Friends church at Beech Grove and their children were reared in that faith, the family being active in all good works in the community.
Oliver Joseph Thatcher, last born of the eight children of Joseph and Deborah (Hadley) Thatcher, was born in the Beech Grove neighborhood, three miles from Wil- mington, this county, on November 10, 1857, and with the exception of ten years spent in foreign travel and in study in the capitals of Europe and fourteen years as a pro- fessor in the University of Chicago, has passed bis life here. He received his elementary education In the common schools of this county, supplementing the same by a course In Wilmington College, from which institution be was graduated with the class of 1878. Thus equipped, he entered the active ranks of the Clinton county teaching force and for two years was engaged as a teacher in the eighth grade of the Wilmington city schools. Following this term of public service he was for a year engaged as the superintendent of the Ohio Soldiers' and Saflors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, this state, after which for one year he devoted himself to private study and reading and in 1882 entered Union Seminary {affiliated with Columbia University), New York, devoting him- seif to the study of Semitic languages and Greek. He was graduated from I'nion Sem- Inary in 1855 as honor student, having stood at the head of bis class for the entire course, there being conferred upon him in recognition of this distinction, a traveling fellowship and twelve hundred dollars with which to prosecute his studies abroad. Thus honorably armed Mr. Thatcher sailed for Europe and for three years diligently applied himself to further study iu universities at Berlin. Marburg, Geneva and in the American School for Classical Studies at Athens.
Upon returning to America. Doctor Thatcher was given the chair of Church History at Allegheny Seminary and for four years occupied that position, filling in his summer vacations with further research work in the University of Berlin, Germany, In 1802 Doctor Thatcher was given the chair of Medieval History in the University of Chicago. which he occupied until 1908, devoting much of his time meanwhile to the history of the papacy and religious orders. Resigning his position at the I'niversity of Chicago in 1906, Doctor Thatcher retired from teaching and returned to Wilmington. Ever Inter- ested in public affairs in Clinton county. Doctor Thatcher, in 1908, acquired a controlling Interest In the Clinton Republican and gave that excellent paper his editorial direction for three years, at the end of which time he sold his interest and since then has occu- pied his spare time in literary and historical work. He has served also as an instructor In Wilmington College. In 1912 Doctor Thatcher was elected to the Oblo state Legisla- ture from this district and was re-elected in 1914. Upon the creation of the Ohio state school survey commission in 1913, Doctor Thatcher was made chairman of that im- portant body. This commission made a survey of the rural schools of Ohio and the report based upon this survey actuated the governor to call a special session of the General Assembly, at which the recommendations made by the commission were enacted into law. this new law being generally regarded as having given to Oblo the best code for the conduct of rural schools possessed by any state in the Union.
Since 1912 Doctor Thatcher has occupied himself chiefly in his extensive literary labors, the preparation of the manuscript of bis numerous books having been an arduous labor, yet, withal, a labor of love, for in these books he has given to students the full fruit of his years of diligent research. During these years of research, Doctor Thatcher spent one year in close study in the wonderful library of the Vatican at Rome and the titles of several of his books suggest the particular character of his studies. Among these books, which are well known to students the world over. may properly be
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mentioned, "A Sketch of the History of the Apostolle Church," "Europe in the Middle Ages," "A Short History of Medieval Europe," "Studies Concerning Adrian IV," and a general history of Europe, as a high-school text-book, the latter work having been pre- pared in conjunction with another professor. He also has collaborated with Professor MeNeal, of the Ohio State University, in the compilation and preparation of "A Source Book for Medieval History," and was editor-in-chief of that monumental work in eight volumes, "A Library of Original Sources," known to all students.
Doctor Thatcher occupies a very high place in literary and scholastic circles and is held in the highest esteem by both the faculty and student body of Wilmington College, as well as throughout this entire section. Distinguished as a scholar and n statesman, no man in the state of Ohio commands a higher degree of respect and con- fidence on the part of the public than he and it is but fitting that there should be included in this volume of history relating to Clinton county, this modest biographical mention of the man whose unselfish services have contributed so much to the advance- ment of the cultural life of the community in which the most of his life has been spent.
LAWRENCE W. BRANDENBURG.
The Brandenburg family came to Ohio from Frederick county, Virginia, William Brandenburg having settled In the great Buckeye state some time before America's second War of Independence in 1812. It was he who built the Arst steam grist-mill ever constructed In Clinton county, a mill which was erected and operated at Blan- chester. William Brandenburg was a soldier in the Mexican War.
Lawrence W. Brandenburg, formerly a well-known school teacher of this county and now a prosperous farmer of Washington township, a grandson of William Bran- denburg, was born in Clinton county on February 11, 1857, son of Moses D. and Rebecca A. {Gallaher) Brandenburg, the former of whom was born, February 1, 1834, near Blanchester, and the latter, in Washington township, the daughter of Harvey and Anna ( Williams) Gallaher. Harvey Gallaber was a native of Warren county, Ohio, born in 1800, who, in 1810, moved to Clinton county and located in Washington township, where he lived the remainder of his life.
The paternal grandparents of Lawrence W. Brandenburg were William and Mary ( Pearson) Brandenburg. who were residents of this county for many years. William Brandenburg had come to Ohio when a small boy, some time before the War of 1812. His parents settled ueur Aurora, Indiana, but later located in Warren county, this state. William Brandenburg operated a steam grist-mill near Blanchester in connec- tion with bis farm, but In the later years of his life abandoned the milling business and devoted all of his time to the farm, being the owner of about one hundred and fifty acres of land in Washington township. William and Mary Brandenburg were the parents of six children, of whom Moses D., the father of Lawrence W., was the fourth, the other children being Delilah, Susannah, Aaron, Caroline and Nancy.
The late Moses D .. Brandenburg received the rudiments of an education at Second Creek school in Marion township, and, when a young man, began farming in the town- ship in partnership with his father. Later he moved to Washington township, and. after a couple of years, moved to MeLean county, Illinois, where be farmed for four years, at the end of which thne he returned to Washington township, and there speut the remainder of his life. I'pon his return, he bought fifty acres of land in Wasbing- ton township, and later added forty acres to his farm. Moses D. and Rebecca A. Bran- denburg were the parents of seven children, of whom Lawrence W., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. the other children being Laura, Templin, Rodney. Catherine, Mary and Frank. Moses D. Brandenburg and family were members of the Friends church at Beech Grove and he was Identified with the Republican party.
Lawrence W. Brandenburg was educated in the common schools of Washington
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township and later attended school at Martinsville. Upon leaving school, he taught for thirteen years in Clermont and Clinton counties. Subsequently he took up farming as a vocation and has since devoted all of his time to it. Mr. Brandenburg owns one hundred and twelve and one-half acres in Washington township near Cuba, where he lives. In 1913 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Marion township and he oversees the farming of both tracts of land, being interested consid- erably In stock raising.
On April 3. 1884. Lawrence W. Brandenburg was married to Mary E. Moore, daughter of Jobn W. and Martha H. ( Haines) Moore, and to this union have been born four children, Maude, John, Ralph and Earl. Maude, the eldest, married Earl Harris and has one daughter, Lois.
. As a Republican, Mr. Brandenburg served a period of six years as trustee of Wash- Ington township and has to his credit an efficient and honorable record of public service. He is treasurer of the burial fund of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist church. The Bran- denburg family are members of the Friends church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
WILLIAM N. REYNOLDS.
William N. Reynolds, the proprietor of one hundred and fifty acres of land In Green township and a successful farmer of Clinton county, was born in Highland county, Ohio, January 16, 1864, the son of Charles P. and Callie (Grice) Reynolds, natives, respectively, of Illinois and Brown county, Ohio, the former of whom was born in 1835. Callie Grice was the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Cooper) Grice, early settlers in Brown county, Oblo, who later came to Clinton county, where Charles Grice passed away. his widow spending her last days at Middletown, Ohio,
Charles P. Reynolds, the father of William N. Reynolds, emigrated from Illinois to Brown county. Ohio, about 1865. He later removed to Green township, this county. where he died in 1911. His widow died many years previously, in 1871. They were the parents of two children, Willtam N., the subject of this sketch, and Joseph M. Charles P. Reynokis was a Democrat in polities,
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