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 145
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ISAAC ALEXANDER.
Isane Alexander is a farmer of. Clark township, this county, who was born in 1845 in Brown county, Ohio, the son of Hugh and Clarinda (Covolt ) Alexander, natives of Virginia and Brown county, Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandparents of Isaac Alexander died In the Old Dominion state and bis maternal grandparents died in Brown county.
Hugh Alexander was educated in the schools of Virginia, and emigrated to Brown county. Ohio, some time before his marriage, and in that county he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. They were the owners of fifty acres of land and reared a family of fourteen children, of whom four sons, Robert. Abraham, Johnson and Jelel, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil War. Robert and Abraham died of camp diarrhea shortly after their return home and the other two sons survived the effects of the war.
Isaac Alexander was educated in Brown county, Ohio, and shortly after his mar- riage, moved to Fayette county, where. for three years, he rented land. At the end of this period, he moved to Clark township. Clinton county, and there purchased fifty acres of land, where be now lives. He and his wife have a comfortable home and are highly respected in the community in which they live. They are the parents of four children, Stella. Walter. Frank and Mary. Mrs. Alexander. before her marriage, was Sophia Rhonemous and was married to Isnac Alexander In 1877. She was reared In Jefferson township, Clinton county.
Mrs. Alexander has always been a member of the Protestant Methodist church and is prominently identified with all of the activities of that congregation.
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SAMUEL H. SKIMMING.
One of the best-known and most prominent families in Clinton county is the Skim- ming family. This family was among the earliest settlers in the county and has always been prominent and active in the public affairs of the county. At the present time the usefulness and progressiveness of the family is still being maintained by the sub- ject of this sketch, Samuel H. Skimming, of 328 North South street, Wilmington, Ohio.
Samuel H. Skimming was born at Burtonville, Union township, Clinton county, on February 25, 1858, the son of Robert and Mary (Babb) Skimming. Robert Skimming was born in Allegheny county, Maryland, on June 3, 1830, and died on March 10, 1914. He was the son of Anthony and Mary ( McDow) Skimming, who were born near Edin- burgh, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in 1818, settling in Allegheny county, Maryland, where they lived until the autumn of 1836, when they came to Clinton county, locating at Wilmington, where they lived until 1830, in which year they removed to Washington township, where they lived until the time of their death in 1855, the former dying on April 22, and the latter on the 16th of the same month.
Robert Skimming passed his early manhood on his father's farm and was edu- ented in the district schools and in Wilmington Academy. At the age of eighteen years he embarked in the teaching profession which he followed successfully for six years. Through the pursuit of this profession he laid the foundation of his present possessions. In 1860 he engaged in a merchandising business in Burtonville and continued in this business there until In October, 1875, when he retired to farming and stock raising which he followed with marked success. His farm consisted of a tract of two hundred and seventy acres of very valuable land, on which was a commodious frame residence, along with other modern Improvements. Robert Skimming was one of the most enter- prising and influential men of his day and was elected again and again to some office within the gift of the people, in which public service he did credit, not only to himself, but to his office and his community. In 1878 he was elected infirmary director; he was at one time a member of the board of trustees of Union township and at various other times held minor offices. On December 6, 1853, he was married to Mary E. Bahb. a daughter of Henry and Matilda ( Woodruff) Babb and a native of I'nion township. To this marriage there were born the following children : Emma, who was born on Novem- ber 26. 1854; Samuel H., the subject of this sketch; Charles W., August 14, 1866, and Wilbert, January 10. 1872.
Mrs. Robert Skimming's father was born in Virginia and was brought, by his par- ents, Henry and Elizabeth Babb, to Clinton county when an infant. Henry Babb was cruelly assassinated in Wilmington, on the evening of February 25, 1863, on account of his pure l'union sentiment. by John McCourter. a radical Secessionist. Elizabeth Babb was the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Woodruff, who were among the earliest pioneers of Clinton county. Mr. Woodruff was a man of considerable prominence in the early history of Wilmington and at one time was sheriff of Clinton county. Eliza- beth Babb died on January 25. 1830.
Samuel H. Skimming, the subject of this sketch. attended the district school at Burtonville and assisted his father there in his store until he was seventeen years old, at which time his father moved to the farm and the son went with him, and worked there until his marriage on January 31. 1886, when he rented a farm which he farmed for five years. He then returned to the home farm and took the management of the place and cared for his parents until their death. He then bought out the other beirs to one hundred and seventy-two acres of the home place, to which he added, by purchase, a tract of sixty-two acres adjoining. all of which he cultivated in person until in August, 1912, when he left the farm and purchased the beautiful brick residence in Wilmington where he now resides.
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On January 31, 1886, Samuel HI. Skimming was united in marriage to Geneva Mckenzie, who was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on May 1, 1864, the daughter. of William and Elizabeth ( Morton) Mckenzie, both of whom were born near New Antioch, in Green township, this county, the former ou September 18, 1830. and the latter, July 15, 1830, daughter of Isulah M. Morton, who was a son of Joab and Jane Morton, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Oblo about 1820, where they located on a small tract of heavily wooded timber land which they cleared and cultivated and on which they spent the remainder of their lives, Joab Morton dying on August 18, 1846, and his widow on August 8, 1809. They were the parents of six children, two of whom died in early infancy, the others being Richard, Elizabeth, wife of William Mckenzie; Isaiah M., and Betsey, the wife of Eli Carson. Joab Morton was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a member of the New Light church at Antioch, and maintained his faith until his death. William Mckenzie died In Nebraska City on January 12, 1867. He had gone there soon after his marriage and had engaged in the hotel business which employment he maintained until his death. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Perry, a carpenter who lives in Martinsville. this county; Stanley, who lives on a farm in Green township; Alwilda, who married John Stephens and lives on a farm in Union township; Geneva, the wife of the subject of this sketeb, and a son who died in Infancy. The mother of these children is still living.
To Samuel H. and Geneva (Mckenzie) Skimming two children have been born, Mary Jane. born on May 19, 1889, who is teaching school at Middletown, Oblo, and Reba Louise, February 24, 1901, who married A. O. Campbell, an architect. and lives in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Skimming are both active members of the Walnut Street Christian church of Wilmington and Mr. Skimming is a Republican.
JOHN S. DRAKE.
John S. Drake is a well-known and enterprising farmer of Jefferson township, this county. He was born in this county, October 3. 1880, son of Samuel and Hannah N. ( Holliday) Drake, the former of whom was born at Georgetown, Ohio, and the latter in Clinton county. The paternal grandfather of John S. Drake was Jonathan Drake, a well-known tobacco raiser of the Georgetown district. The maternal grandparents, William and Anna (Carter) Holliday, settled on the farm now belonging to Doctor Dennison. They cleared the land and lived there all the rest of their lives.
Samuel Drake received the rudiments of an education in the public schools near Georgetown, and there he was first married to a Miss Davis, and for some years was engaged In farming near Georgetown. After the death of his first wife be removed to Clinton county, and was here married to Hannah N. Holliday. the mother of John S. Drake. Aside from five years spent in the state of Missouri, Samuel Drake lived in Jefferson township most of his life. At the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and seventy-one acres of land where his son. John S., now lives. Two sons were born to Samuel Drake by his first marriage, and one son, John S., to his second marriage.
John 8. Drake was educated in the schools of Clinton county. and with the exception of five years spent in the state of Missouri, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen years, he has spent his entire life in this county on the old home place in Jefferson township.
In 1901 John S. Drake was married to Laura Wickersham, the daughter of J. C. Wickersham, and to this union two children have been horn, Walter and Eugene. Mrs. Drake is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Drake is affiliated with the Christian church.
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ARTHUR CALVIN LEONARD.
What a wonderful heritage the pioneer settlers of Clinton county have left to their descendants in leaving bebind them the memories of an active life well spent and evi- deuces of good accomplished for their respective generations and communities. To be considered among the foremost families of a county with a lineage dating back to the earliest times does not fall to the lot of every man. It is the representatives of these old families who are capable of winning the trust and confidence of the people and it is this trust and confidence which has placed them in positions of leadership. Arthur Calvin Leonard, an honored young citizen of Union township and a prominent farmer of Clinton county, has the privilege of knowing that his ancestors, pioneers of this county, were worthy people, who possessed strong hearts and able hands.
Arthur Calvin Leonard was born on his father's farm, near Center, in Union town- ship, this county, January 5, 1879, the son of Calvin Brazilla and Mary (Hazard) Leonard, the former of whom was born at Center, In Clinton county, June 18, 1848, and the latter of whom was a daughter of Zebalon and Hazard, who was born In 1826 and died in 1801, the son of Jobu and Rebecca (Conger) Hazard, who were natives of Virginia and of English descent. They belonged to the Friends church. John Hazard came to Clinton county about 1820 and settled on what is now known as the Petticord farm, one mile east of Wilmington. He died at the age of sixty-five. He and his wife, the latter of whom was a Dwiggins, had ten children. His wife lived to be ninety-two years of age. Zebalon Hazard was twice married, the second time to Phoebe Wolary, by which marriage there was one son, Frank T. Mrs. Mary (Hazard) Leonard died on 'February 26, 1890.
Calvin Brazilia Leonard Is the son of Ezekiel and Permilia W. (Moorman) Leonard, the former of whom, born on September 3, 1513, died on March 30, 1882, and the latter. born on March 4, 1826, died on December 11, 1910. Ezekiel Leonard was born on his father's farm near Center, and his wife, Permella W. Moorman, who was the daughter of Samuel and Lucy ( Johnson) Moorman, was born near Xenia, Ohio. Mrs. Ezekiel Leonard's parents lived in Xenia, Ohio, until she was several years old and then moved to Peru, Indiana, from which point they moved to Port William, this county, where they spent the rest of their lives. He was a brick and stone mason and a prominent and influential member of the Methodist church. Ezekiel Leonard learned the black- smith's trade under Jonathan Doan in Wilmington and worked with David Miars on the Xenin pike. After his marriage, he operated a shop at Center in I'nion township for eighteen years but subsequently purchased sixty acres of land near the shop and Inter added to this tract, by purchase, one hundred and two acres. He and his wife had six children. of whom two. Loulan, the first born, and Allen, the third born, are deceased. Louisa was born in 1843 and was married to Robert R. Mitchell. She died in October. 1909, in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Allen was born in 1847 and died in 1850. The living children are: Calvin Brazilla, the father of Arthur C .; Samuel M .. who was born in 1850 and who married Mary F. Miars and lives on the old home farm in Union township: Lydia Emily, born in 1854, who is unmarried and lives in Wilmington. and Lucinda, born in 1854, who married T. T. West, a farmer, of near Thayer. Kansas.
Ezekiel Leonard was one of fourteen children born to John and Lydia ( Starbuck) Leonard. John Leonard was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, and was mar- ried to Lydia Starbuck. During the early part of 1806, with one child and a small outfit. they left their native state for Ohio and after a long and weary journey through Tennessee and Kentucky, crossed the Ohlo river, at Cincinnati and finally located on Todd's fork in I'nion township, this county, where some of their friends had previously settled. John Leonard was a man of herculean frame, great physical strength and
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well fitted for pioneer life. In 1806 he selected land, built his rude log cabin and united his destiny with that of the other colonists. John Leonard died on December 7, 1870, at the age of eighty-eight years, one month and eleven days. His widow sur- vived him nearly four years, dying on March 30, 1874, at the age of ninety-one years, seven months and twenty-one days. Her remains lle by his alde in the cemetery at Center. Of their fourteen children, thirteen grew to manhood and womanhood, rearing familles of their own. George W., born in 1805, in North Carolina, who married Hannah Dwiggins; Rachel, in 1806, who married Jacob Miars; James, In 1808, who died in 1809; Abner, in 1809, who married Ruth Irwin, died in 1854; John, in 1811, who died in 1827 ; Abigail, In 1812, who married John Frazier, died iu 1854; Eunice, in 1814, became the wife of Azariah Wall; Lydia, in 1816, who married John Ballard; Ezekiel was the grandfather of Arthur Calvin Leonard; Joseph, in 1819, who married Abigail Smith; Thomas, In 1830, who married Eliza Price and died in 1857; Brazilla, in 1823, who married Susan Hiatt; Priscilla, in 1823, and Melinda, in 1825, who married Beverly Burgess.
Calvin B. Leonard, the father of Arthur Calvin Leonard, grew up on the home farm at Center, and when a young man, operated his father's farm on the shares. After his marriage, he purchased the I. Dwiggins farm of ninety-seven acres in Union township and soon paid for it. Afterwards he purchased fifty acres adjoining and built a house on his farm in 1888. It is a splendid farm with large and commodious build- ings kept in a high state of repair. The father retired in 1907 and moved to Wilming- ton, where he now lives. He was first married on October 15, 1867, to Mary Hazard, whose parents died when she was young. She was a school teacher and made her home with her uncle, Robert Dwiggins, near Dover. After her death, Calvin B. Leonard married, secondly, February 22, 1804, Nancy Ann Compton, who was born near New Burlington, Chester township, this county, and who is a minister in the Friends church, she having been the pastor of Center meetings for the past fifteen years. No children have been born to this second marriage. By Mr. Leonard's first marriage there were seven children, two of whom are deceased : Alta Dell, born November 13, 1868, who was first married to W. H. Williams and later to W. R. Lewis; Cora P., April 8, 1870, who married Dr. James A. Ross, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Robert Samuel, September 20, 1872, who died on June 24. 1874; DeElla Martha, September 2, 1875, who married Roy Newlin, of San Diego, California ; Arthur Calvin, who is the subject of this sketch ; Walter E., August 1. 1881, who died on October 18. 1881, and Mary Emma. Noven.ber 18, 1853, who married Harry Green, who lives near Martinsville, this county.
Arthur Calvin Leonard attended the common schools at Center and for three years was a student at Wilmington College. In the meantime and subsequently, he worked on his father's farm until his marriage in 1907. when his father moved to Wilmington, after which he took charge of the farm of three hundred acres near the Center meet- ing house in Union township. Mr. Leonard raises mule-foot hogs and Shorthorn cattle and sells young stock for breeding purposes. He carries on farming extensively and has been very successful.
On October 22, 1907, Arthur C. Leonard was married to Jane Amanda Smith, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, near Jamestown. the daughter of John W. and Sarah F. Smith, the former of whom died on April 16. 1915, and the latter of whom is still living at Xenia, Ohio. John W. Smith was a retired pork packer and for seven years was a commissioner of Greene county : He also served as infirmary director of Greene county for several years and, although he lived in Xenia, he spent his winters in Call- fornia. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have one child, a son, John Calvin, born on February 15. 1910.
Arthur Calvin Leonard is serving his second term as township trustee of I'nion
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township, having been elected to this office twice on the Republican ticket. His second election is perhaps the best proof that can be given for the efficiency and vision with which he has filled this office. He served as road superintendent for two years and has been prominent in other ways as a farmer and citizen. Mr. Leonard is well respected- by the people of Clinton county.
CLAUD B. MILLER.
Claud R. Miller is a well-known resident of New Vienna, this county. He was born in Green township, this county. September 24, 1860, the only son of James M. and Elizabeth ( West ) Miller, the former of whom was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1.38, and the latter, In Clinton county, iu 1850, the daughter of William and Rebecca (Crawford) West.
The late James M. Miller owned about six hundred and forty-three acres of Jand in Clinton county, In Green and I'nion townships. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and a member of the Friends church. He died in 1006, and bis widow, who later married Heury Hildebrant, is Hving in Wilmington. James M. Miller was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Royal Arcanum at Wilmington.
('laud B. Miller was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools and at Wilmington College. He owns two hundred and sixty-alx acres of land in Madi- son township. Highland county. In 1910, he removed to New Vienna, this county, where he has since resided. Claud B. Miller was married in 1894 to Lucy Stivens, who was born in Green township, this county, in 1871, daughter of Daniel Stivens, and to this unlon one child has been born, a daughter, Mildred Marie, born on November 11, 1895, who was graduated from the New Vienna high school with the class of 1915.
Mr. Miller is a Republican and is now serving his fourth year as trustee of Green township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Vienna, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, lodge No. 797, at Wilmington.
HENRY L. SWINGLEY.
Henry L. Swingley is a successful young farmer of Green township, this county, where he owns one hundred acres of land, a part of the original Swingley homestead. Mr. Swingley is an extensive farmer and stockraiser and an extensive breeder of Belgian horses. He was born in Green township, on the Swingley homestead. June 29, 1985, the son of Michael Duroe and Sarah (Bernard) Swingley, both natives of Green township, the former born in 1843 and the latter, April 10. 1862. They were the parents of six children. as follow : Henry L., Thomas, Clara, Chloe. Daniel and Edith, the latter of whom is deceased. Michael Duroc Swingley is deceased, and his widow is now living on her farm in Green township near New Vienna.
Mlchael Duroc Swingley was the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Gillespie) Swingles, the former of whom was born In Berkeley county, Virginia, in 1816. and the son of Michael and Nancy Swingley; the latter died early in life in the Old Dominion state, The former came to Clinton county, Ohio, in 1825, and died in Clinton county in 1854. Henry Swingley was the only member of the family who ever came to Ohio. He was renred on a farm in Green township and owned eleven hundred acres of land in this township. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. Henry Swingley died in 1884, and his wife, who before ber marriage was Elizabeth Gillespie, died on May 1. 1500. They had six children : Michael Duroc. deceased ; Thomas, deceased ; Susannah; John, of New Vienna; Hanna, deceased, who married Charles Custis, and Catherine, who married Thomas Custls Bond, of Green township
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Michael Duroe Swingley and Sarah Bernard were married on May 4, 1884. Sarab Bernard was the daughter of Thomas and Almeda ( Young) Bernard, both born in Clinton county, Ohio, the former in 1835, and the latter in 1538. Thomas Bernard was u son of Thomas and Mary ( McConnell ) Bernard, who spent their last days in Clinton county, Ohio. The parents of Almeda Young were pioneers of Clinton county, where both died, Thomas Bernard, maternal grandfather of Henry L. Swingley, died ou July 25, 1914 His widow is now living at. Sabina, Oblo. He and his wife had a large family of children, as follow : May (deceased), Clara, Laura, Sarab, Jenette, William (deceased), Ida Bell (deceased), Elmer (deceased), Milton, Evn and Everett, twins.
Renred on the old Swingley homestead in Green township, and educated in the public schools, Henry L. Swingley has been a farmer all his life. He owns one hundred acres of the original Swingley homestead and has made an exceptional success of fuiming. Mr. Swingley was married on October 20, 1306. to Gertrude Delong, of Ross county, Ohio, born on October 15, 1886, daughter of William Penn and Eva Fisher ( Richardson) Delong, the former of whom was a native of Ross county, and the latter of whom was a native of Meigs county, Ohio. William Penn DeLong was the son of Peter DeLong, a pioneer of Ross county. Mrs. Swingley's parents now live near Denver, in Ross county, Ohio. They had a large family of children, as follow : Laura Holmes. Emma W., Gusta Beecher, Catharine, Martha Washington (deceased). Estella Myrtle (decreased ), Edith Gray. Eva HI., Edna B., Laura Gertrude, Milburn Ellbu, William Penn aud Lowell Mason, twins.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Swingley are the parents of four children, as follow : Grace, born on May 20, 1908; Emma, December 11, 1900; Maxine, January 7, 1012, and Michael Duroc, October 1, 1914.
Mr. Swingley votes the Democratle ticket. He was reared In the Christian church, and is an adherent of this denomination. He Is one of the highly-respected citizens of Green township.
J. WILLARD MOCK.
J. Willard Mock is a successful photographer and artist, who has enjoyed a wonder- ful nud diversified experience in photographic and art work, has worked in many parts of the country and today has a first-class studio in Wilmington and a large and flourish- ing patronage in that city and throughout the county, which demands the help of an axdistant.
Mr. Mock was born on October 15, 1854, near Jamestown, Ohio, where he was reured, and is the son of John and Mary ( Pearson) Mock, the former of whom was n native of Fayette county, and both of whom were natives of the old Buckeye state. John Mock was a successful farmer and large landowner, possessing two hundred and fifty acres of land. He died on the farm. In 1800, at the age of seventy years. During his life, he had been a devout member of the Baptist church and a deacon in the church for twenty years or more in Fayette county, In early life, he had voted the Democratie ticket, but later became n Prohibitionist. John Mock was one of a family of seven children, consisting of four daughters and three sons. He was married to Mary Pearson In Fayette county, and they owned the first cookstove in their section of the country. They had personally made all of the furniture used In their house, and had a comfort- able home during their entire life. Mrs. John Mock died in 1906, at the age of seventy- eight years, at the home of a daughter in Jamestown, Ohio. She and her husband had reven children.
Of the seven children born to John and Mary (Pearson) Mock. O. Martin Luther lives in Enid, Oklahoma. After serving four years in the Civil War, he re-enlisted and served until finally mustered out. For many years he was a pension attorney and real
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