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 141

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 141

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).

In 1SMS. Dr. Clayton A. Tribbet was married to Letta Jackson, a daughter of Thomas and Isabel Jackson, of Westboro. To this union was born oue daughter, Mabel Eliza- beth, who died on May 2, 1914. Mabel E. Tribhet was graduated from the Westboro schools and later from the Blanchester high school. Subsequently she was a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, for a period of two years, and then attended Wells College, at Aurora, New York, from which institution she was gradu- nted with high honors. While working for her Master degree in the year following ber graduation, she was assistant instructor in chemistry in Wells College, and this position was open to her at the time of her last slekness and untimely death.

Fraternally. Doctor Tribbet is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Both Doctor and Mrs. Tribbet are faithful and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are held in high regard throughout the whole Westboro neighborhood.

WARREN W. MILLS.

Agriculture is an inviting vocation to men and women who are thoroughly in love with life in the open; who are not afraid of a reasonable amount of hard work, and who are content to forego the advantages and disadvantages of being huddied together closely in great citles. Warren W. Mills, of Chester township. this county, who was born and reared on the farm where he now lives, found agriculture altogether to his liking and as a consequence has become one of the well-to-do farmers and stockmen in Warren and Clinton countles. Warren W. Mills was born, August 15, 1861. in War- ren county. Obio, a son of William H. and Izellab (Gordon) Mills, the former of whom was born, September 12, 1540, in Warren county, and the latter, near the Middle Run church, north of Waynesville, daughter of Samuel and Martha ( Montgomery) Gordon. William H. Mills was the son of Isaac and Annabel ( Burnett) Mills, farmers in Warren county, the latter of whom was a native of Pennsylvania.

William H. Mills was educated in the common schools of Warren county and began farming in his native county, where he lived for a few years, after which, about 1864, be came, with his family, to Clinton county and settled In Chester township, where he spent the remainder of his life, and where he owned a tract of two hundred and eighteen acres. William H. and Izellab (Gordon) Mills were the parents of three chil- dren, of whom Everett D., the second born, died unmarried. Warren, the eldest is the subject of this sketch, and Martha, the youngest. married William Shanibaugh.

Digitized by Google

933

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Mr. Mill's parents were members of the Friends church and his father was connected with the Republican party.

Warren W. Mills was educated in the common schools of Chester township and on arriving at manbood began farming on the land where he now lives, where he is engaged In general farming and stockraising. He owns one hundred and eighteen acres in one tract and a half interest in another farm of one hundred acres.

In 1879 Warren W. Mills was married to Margaret Hurley, who was born in 1863. daughter of Heury and Lauretta (Colvin) Hurley, and to this happy union there have been born three children, of whom one, Nellie May, who was the wife of Daniel Miller, is deceased. Earl, the second born, married Etba Kenney and has two children, Manard and Anna Mae. Coral Mills married Clyde Lewis and has one child, Russell.

Mr. and Mrs. Mills are members of the Methodist church, be being one of the stewards of the church. Mr. Mills votes the Republican ticket and is a man of con- siderable influence in local polities. Mr. Mills's family are all highly respected in Chester township.

HARVEY W. CLEMENS.

Harvey W. Clemens, a prosperous farmer of Richland township and a conservative business man of this county, owns sixty-five neres of land, one-half mile west of Sabina, the farm formerly owned by his father. Mr. Clemens has bad this farm for eight years and, during this time has erected a house, barn and out-buildings and made many improvements on the place.

Harvey W. Clemens was born on October 13, 1857, In Richland township, this county, the son of Robert and Mary ( Bishop) Clemens. Robert Clemens was born 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, 1815, in Albermarle county. Virginia. Robert Clemens, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Ohio about 1846, and brought his family with him. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Robert Clemens died on August 3. 1891. Robert Clemens's father was Robert Clemens, Sr., a farmer, who moved from Virginia to Missouri in an early day and there spent the remainder of his life.

Harvey W. Clemens received a common-school education in the public schools of this county. He was married on August 15, 1883, to Ella Spurgeon, the eldest daughter of James W. and Harriet E. ( Lyons) Spurgeon, life-long residents of Sabina, Richland township, aud devout christians, members of the Methodist Protestant church, both of whom have passed on to their reward.

Mr. and Mrs. Clemens have no children. They are members of the Friends church and have hosts of friends, among whom they are held in high esteem. Mr. Clemens is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and prominent in the work of that society.

FRANK J. MARTIN.

Frank J. Martin, formerly a well-known school teacher of this county, and now proprietor of a general mercantile store in Midland, was born on November 10, 1881, at Withamsville, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Jennie (Moore) Martin, both natives of Clermont county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Frank J. Martin resided In Clermont county during the early part of their lives, but when Joseph Martin was a mere lad. the family removed to Springs, Illinois. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Martin, James Moore, also was a native of Clermont county, where he spent all his life. He was a farmer by occupa- tion also.

Joseph Martin was reared in Illinois, but returned to Ohio, before his marriage. He

934

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

was a farmer in Clermont county until 1891, in which year he came to Clinton county, locating in Jefferson township, where he farmed for seventeen years, or until his death. He died, however, In the state of Idaho, while on a trip west. Joseph Martin was first married to Hannah Nash, and to his first marriage were born three children, Charles, Ella and Ruth. By his second marriage there was but one child, Frank J., the im- mediate subject of this review.

Frank J. Martin, who was educated in the common schools of Jefferson township. and also at Westboro, Ohio, taught school for five years in Clinton county, three years at Midland City, and two years in the district schools of the county. He then purchased the J. F. Harper general store in 1906, and has since been engaged in the management of this store, in which he has been very successful, having built up a large and lucrative trade in Midland City and the surrounding country.

In 1906 Frank J. Martin was married to Zola M. Doughman, the daughter of Elijah Doughman, of Edenton, Ohio.

Mr. Martin is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and Accepted Masons. His parents were members of the Baptist church.

SAMUEL WILSON.

Samuel Wilson, who owns a splendid farm in Wilson township, this county, and who is known among a large circle of friends as one who is accustomed to smile whether he gains or loses five hundred dollars in a transaction, was born in Fayette county, near Martinsburg, on February 21, 1853. For the past thirty years he has been extensively engaged in buying and shipping live stock to all parts of Ohio and to the Eastern markets.

Mr. Wilson's parents were James and Margaret (Plymire) Wilson, the former of whom was born and reared in Fayette county, Ohio, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Martin Plymire, a farmer, who immigrated to this county. and bere spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of six chil- dren, of whom Mrs. James Wilson was the youngest, the others having been Barnett, Andrew, Samuel. John and Martin.

James Wilson's father was Joshua Wilson, a native of Ohio and an early settler in Clinton county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and owned a farm in Fayette county, near Martinsburg.

Falucated in the common schools of Fayette county, James Wilson, who always suffered a physleal infirmity, was a shoemaker and farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland township, this county. He was a member of the Methodist church and active in religious work during his entire life. Nine children were born to James and Margaret ( Plymire) Wilson, of whom four, Susannah. Mar- tin. Ellen and Lavina, are decensed, the living children being Catherine, James, Samuel, Lewis and Julia. Margaret Plymire was Mr. Wilson's second wife.

Samuel Wilson was educated in the common schools and grew up on the farm. He was married on November 30, 1876. to Mary E. Gray, who was born in this county on December 19. 1857, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Price) Gray, farmers of Wilson township and prominent members of the Methodist church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson two children have been born, George and Ora, the former of whom married Margaret Merriweather. of Wilson township. Ora Wilson married Grover Weical, of Richland township, and has one child, a son, Samuel Exley Eugene.

Mrs. Samuel Wilson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Wilson township school board. He owns one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land in Wilson and Richland townships, which he purchased in 1883. Not many years ago he rebuilt his barn and is now comfortably situated as a farmer and stockman.

935

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

HENRY B. MIARS.

There is no positive rule for achieving success and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which may well be followed. The man who succeeds is the man who can see and make use of the opportunities which fall in his way. Henry B. Miars, a prominent citizen of Wilmington, this county, and a representative in this section for the International Harvester Company, is a man who has risen steadily, by careful and honest application, to the business responsibilities imposed upon him. His qualities of discrimination, his sound judgment and his executive ability have contributed largely to his material success. He is the sclon of an old family and was born in the old stone house erected by his grandfather, David Miars, who settled in the county one year after it was organized.

Henry B. Miars was born in Union township. this county. November 9, 1868, son of Isainh F. and Matilda (Babb) Miars, the former of whom was born in the snme house as his son, Henry B., August 6, 1833, and who died on January 6, 1911. The mother was born in Union township. this county, on February 23, 1837, and is still Uving with her children.

Isaiah F. Miars was the son of David and Sarah (Stout) Miars, the former of whom was born in Virginia In 1795, the son of Martin Miars, who settled in Clin- ton county, Ohio, in 1811, and who purchased a large tract of land at a dollar and a quarter an acre. David and Saruh Miars were the parents of ten children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. He and his wife lived on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which was a part of his father's homestead and included the dwelling. Subsequently, Isaiah F. Miars came into possession of this farm and now Henry B. Miars, the subject of this sketch, owns it. In fact, it has never been out of the family since it was covered with virgin forest and to this day stands the old stone house which the grandfather. David Miars, built over one hundred years ago. It is still in a good state of preservation and still used. The stone walls are two feet thick and the window casements are equally as deep. It is a two-story house and was regarded as a local wonder when first bullt, at that time having been considered the acme of luxury. In the days when this old house was built the builders there- about did not use derricks and it was necessary to build a track and begin scaffolding one hundred feet from the building in order to get the stone up to the second story. the stones being hauled on a wooden track in a wheelbarrow.

David Miars became a well-to-do farmer and held four different farms. He was a Republican in politics and had a blacksmith shop on his farm in which he made most of bis money. He died at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, who before her marriage was Sarah Stout, was burned to death. While sitting in front of an open freplace, her clothes caught fire and she lived only a few hours, dying in great agony. She was a splendid Christian woman and highly respected in this community .. For several generations the Miars family have been members of the Friends church.

Matilda Babb, the mother of Henry B. Miars, is the daughter of Henry and Ann (Woodruff) Babb, who were early settlers in U'nion township and who lived in the same neighborhood as the Mars famlly. They also were stanch Quakers. Henry Babb was twice married, the first time to Matilda Woodruff, upon whose death he married her sister, Anu; who bore him ten children. There were three children by the first wife. Henry Babb died during the Civil War.

Isaiah F. Miars grew up on the farm which his grandfather, Martin Miars, bad entered and was one of the younger children of a large famlly, He was married on October 25, 1555. to Matilda Babb. Although he was a cripple and owned a farm, he spent most of his time in managing his stone quarry on Todd's Fork, which he worked extensively. Isaiah F. and Matilda Miars were the parents of six children, of whom Henry B, is the youngest, the others being, Luella, who married Frank

936

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Hazard, a hardware salesman of Wilmington; Elva, who married Orlando Walker, who lives on a farm near Wilmington; Anna B., who married O. C. Babb, a carpenter, of Xenia, Oblo: Mary, who married Arthur Harold, of Indianapolis, and who is quite a noted preacher in the Friends church, and Corwin, who died at the age of twenty-six.

Henry B. Miars grew up on the farm and attended the country schools of Clinton county and subsequently Wilmington College. After leaving college, be worked four years as a clerk in David Peeble's hardware store at Wilmington and for a time was a travel- ing salesman for the Balley Auger Bit Company, of Lancaster, Oblo. In 1892 Mr. Miars became a salesman for the International Harvester Company and is still thus engaged in the service of that firm. At first he was merely a local salesman, but he quickly became an expert and now has full charge of five counties in Ohio, with headquarters at Wilmington, and is the manager, not only of sales, but of deliveries and collections. Since 1906 he and his family have resided ou Lincoln street in Wilmington.

On March 26. 1801, Henry B. Miars was married to Eva Jay, who was born at New Burlington, this county, the daughter of James aud Elida Jay, well-known farmers. now living at Martinsville in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Miars one son has been born. Ralph J., born on May 15, 1×92, who Is a draughtsman employed in the office of the Champion Bridge Works Company at Wilmington. He is a graduate of the Wilmington high school and of Wilmington College.

Mr. and Mrs. Miars and son are members of the Friends church, all three holding birthright membership in that church. It is needless to say that Mr. Miars is a highly- respected citizen, well known, not only In Clinton county, but in surrounding counties, where he is frequently culled on account of his business connections.

JESSE N. OREN.

Jesse Newcomb Oren was born In Clinton county, Ohio, December 25, 1835. Mr. Oren was the third child of Elihu and Jane (Newcomb) Oren. When he was six weeks old, in February, 1836, his father moved with his family on to the farm now owned by Jesse X. Oren and managed by his son, Arthur E. Oren, and which has been his home for nearly eighty years. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, doing farin work in summer and attending school in winter. He also attended Antioch College for a time in 1864-5. then under the presidency of Horace Mann. In 1859-60 he engaged in teach- ing. In 1861 he answered the call made by Abraham Lincoln for three-yeara men to put down the rebellion, and enlisted on September 17. 1861, hi Company B. Fortieth Oblo Volunteer Infantry. He served in that company until the fall of Atlanta, when he was mustered out as orderly sergeant, In October, 1864. He was for a time a prisoner of war and an inmate of Libby and other rebel prisons.

Mr. Oren returned home from the army and resumed farming. At the election of 1565 he was elected a member of the Ohlo Legislature, to represent Clinton county. and served for two years, 1866-7.

Mr. Oren was again elected to the House of Representatives in 1871 for two years and in 1974. for the same length of time, serving in all six years as representative of his county. He was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1883 to represent the fifth senatorial dis- triet, composed of the counties of Greene, Fayette and Clinton. George Hondly was theu governor of the state. Mr. Oren was again elected by the same district in 1891. when James E. Campbell was governor, serving, In all. four years in the Senate and six years In the House. In 1903 Governor Nash appointed him a member of the Oblo board of state charities, for the term of three years. At the expiration of that time, 1906. Governor Harris reappointed him for another term of three years. At the end of this term. 1009, on account of falling health, he resigned his position and retired from active

---

937

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

public business. He has been able during the past six years to read the papers and keep postel on all the important public questions of the day.

Mir Oren is a member of the Society of Friends and a firm believer in the principles and doctrines taught by that organization. Although he served for more than three years as a soldier, be believes all wars are contrary to the teachings of Christ and that all questions in dispute between nations should be settled by peaceful means, without resorting to force.

On July 8. 1866. Mr. Oren was married to Mary A. Bennett, of West Elkton, Ohio. Five children were born to them : Charles H., Arthur E., Cora B., Clara J. and Alice I. Two of these. Charles H. and Cora B. are dead.

EDWARD PEELLE.

Edward Peelle, n prosperous farmer of Wilson township, is descended from pioneer stock, his great-great-grandparents. Reuben and Rhoda Peelle, having come to Clinton county from Wayne county, North Carolina. Mr. Peelle was born in Clinton county on November 26, 1865, He Is a good-natured man and public-spirited citizen and owns a highly-productive farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Wilson township, equipped with practically every modern convenience known to twentieth century agriculture. He has Inrge and commodions criba, a gasoline engine, feed grinders and other Improved devices and lives in a comfortable home on Route No. 1. out of Sabina.

Edward Peelle is the son of Isaiah and Susan ( Miller) Peelle, the former the son of William and Clarissa (Starbuck) Peelle. William Peelle was the son of John and Lydia ( Bundy ) Peelle and John Peelle was the son of Reuben and Rhoda Peelle. John Peelle was born in Wayne county. North Carolina, near Contentna meeting house, June 2. 1781, and remained with his parents until his twenty-fourth year. when he engaged In farming. He later emigrated to Grayson county, Virginia, where he remained for one year and then undertook the journey to the "far West," traveling through Ohio and Into the territory of Indiana as far as Richmond. Subsequently. he returned to North Carolina, well pleased with the appearance of the Western country. He bade a final adieu to his old home after remaining In North Carolina for a short time and emigrated to Belmont county. Ohio, where, on December 2. 1807, he married Lydia Bundy. the daughter of William and Mary Bundy, of that county, being married according to the rites of the Friends church. Very soon after their marriage John Peelle and his wife moved to Fall Creek, where they lived until 1811, in which year they settled near Bowerville, Green county, Oblo, and after remaining there two years on March 1, 1813, moved to a farm later owned by Mrs. Rosa T. Denver in Clinton county. In 1820 John Peelle built a hewed-log house, which stood for many years. He was an ardent and devoted member of the Society of Friends. His devoted wife died on December 2. 1856, after forty-nine years of marital happiness, she being nearly seventy- three years of age at the time of her death. Fifteen years Inter, lacking one day, John Peelle died, at the age of eighty eight years and six months. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, all 'of whom, except one daughter, lived, married and reared familles.

At the time John and Lydia ( Bundy) Peelle settled in Clinton county, William Peelle, their son. was only five years old, he having been born in Highland county in 1808. In 1×32, when twenty-four years old, he was married to Clarissa Starbuck, and to that union were born thirteen children. His wife died in October, 1864, and he lived many years later. He was an ardent member of the Friends church and was a man of considerable wealth at the time of his death.

Of the children born to William and Clarissa Peelle, Isalah Peelle, a native of Clinton county, married Susan Miller. of Warren county, Ohio, daughter of Thomas

938

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Miller, who moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio before his marriage. Isaiah Peelle was educated in the common schools and owned a farm of one bundred and thirty acres in Clinton county. During the Inter years of his life he lived retired in Wilmington. He died in 1905, and his widow is still living in Wilmington. They were the parents of five children, Anna, deceased; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Luther, who died in Infancy ; Morris and Waldo.

Edward Peelle was educated in the public schools of Clinton county and at Wil- mington College. In 1889 he was united in marriage to Josephine Spurgeon, the daugh- ter of Thomas Spurgeon, a well-known farmer of Clinton county, and to this union three children have been born Edna, Walter and Robert. The latter two are unmarried and live at home with their parents; Edna was married on May 27, 1015, to Eher K. HIalnes, of Simberton, Greene county, Obio.

Mr. Peelle's farm, comprising two hundred and seventy acres, is a part of the land owned by his great-grandparents, John and Lydia (Bundy) Peelle, after their removal to Clinton county.

DAVID A. HUMPHREYS.

David A. Humphreys, a prosperous farmer and banker of Vernon township, is one of the best-known citizens of Clinton county. The ninth child In a family of twelve children, he is one of those men who, by indefatigable labor, careful business manage- ment and cordial relations with his neighbors and fellow citizens, has made for him- self an enviable place in the life of this great county.

Mr. Humphreys is a native of Vernon township, where he was born on November 3, 1852, the son of John L .. and Julia Ann (Sidels) Humphreys, the former born in Warren county, Ohio, October 1, 1815, and the latter, in Clinton county, September 19. 1819.

The paternal grandparents of David A. Humphreys were James and Elizabeth (Long) Humphreys, the former of whom was a pioneer in Warren county, Ohio, and a farmer in Washington township, where both he and his wife spent their last days. Mr. Humphreys' maternal grandparents were Israel and Nancy ( Morrison) Sidels, pioneers of Clinton county, where both spent practically all of their lives and where both passed away.

Mr. Humphreys' father located in Vernon township, this county, in March, 1854. He was an extensive farmer and Inndowner and had about six hundred acres of land In this county. A Republican in politics, he was always active in the councils of his party and came to be known as one of the foremost citizens in the community where he lived. He died on January 4, 1893. His wife had preceded him to the grave on August 4. 1800. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom James, Mattie, Filmore, Nancy. John, David A,, Joseph and Julia are living, and Hannah, Mary, Israel and Sarah are decensed.

David A. Humphreys was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools at Pansy, in Vernon township. He has always been engaged in farming and at the present time owns approximately three hundred acres of land, but also formerly owned one hundred and thirty-five acres which now belongs to his son, Raymond J. Besides his extensive Interest in farm land. Mr. Humphreys is a director of the First National Bank, of Blanchester, and of the Farmers National Bank, of Clarksville.

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.

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 141

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