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 51

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 51

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Gen. James W. Denver, noted soldier. lawyer and statesman, died on August 9. 1902. In Washington, D. C. Six feet two Inches in stature and of fine proportions. General Denver was a man of dignified and commanding presence. Genial and refined, he had the happy faculty of attracting warm friendships, and retaining them. His cultivated mind was a storehouse of information, and his heart was big and broad in its sym- pathies.

This incomplete record of the life of Gen. James W. Denver shows that his inme and the record of his works are graven deeply on the history of this country, and that to him, as a man and as a public servant, are due not only the honor but the gratitude of a people. Fearless In the face of danger that would have daunted weaker men, netive, with an energy that seemed to know no bounds; loyal to his conception of right. even though he stood alone, this great man was born to be a leader, and to direct the destinies of a people. But "we yield honinge only to the greatness that is goodness," and so, in placing the laurel wreath upon the brow of this man, we pay grateful and earnest tribute to nobility of heart and brain.

WILL R. HALE, D. D. S.

"The true man hinds all his days together with an earnest, Intense, passionate pur- pose. His yesterdays, todays and tomorrows march together. one solid column, animated by one thought, constrained by one conspiracy of desire, energizing toward one holy and helpful purpose, to serve man and love God." There seems a peculiar appropriate- ness in applying these words to the life of the man whose record is here briefly outlined, for he was favored by fortune to such an extent as to enable him to have a definite plan ns to his life work as well as the means of carrying it out. However. It was necessary that he have also the force of character to transform opportunity into achievement, and the skill with which he has accomplished this, gives his biography a merited place in the present volume. Dr. Will R. Hale. a man of splendid professional attainments and of exemplary character, was born on August 7, 1854, in Wilmington, his father having come to (Huton county with five brothers in 1808.

JJoseph Hale, father of Will R .. was a prominent merchant In this city for a period of forty-five years. He enme in pioneer days from North Carolina with his brothers William. Samuel, Harmony, Jacob and Eli. During all of his life in this state he engaged in the mercantile business, and passed away on February 24. 1800. In his personal character which was noted for rectitude, and in his business principles which were of the highest type. Mr. Hale handed down a worthy name to the son who, as he grew up in the community, took a prominent place. The mother, formerly Sarah Sewell.

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was born in Clinton county, and was a daughter of Amos T. Sewell, who was recorder of the county for thirty-two years, dying in office in the year 1855.

Will R. Hale has always lived in Wilmington. During the winters of 1872-73-74 he attended Wilmington College, and two years later was graduated from the depart- ment of dental surgery of the Ohio Dental College in Cincinnati. Having completed his studies with honors, the young dentist at once opened an office in his native city, and has been in continuous practice ever since. It may be of Interest to note that out of a class of forty-seven members, ouly seventeen are now living.

On October 31, 1877, WIII R. Hale was married to Amy Fuller, whose parents, Milton and Margaret ( Gaither) Fuller, were residents of this county. The eldest child born of this union, a son, is now a prominent dentist living in Los Angeles, California. Their only daughter is named Mary Loutsa Hale.

The fact that Doctor Hale is a member of both the Ohlo State and National Dental societies indicates the position be occupies in the profession, and It might be added that his name and membership honors both organizations.

In spite of a busy professional life, Doctor Hale has found time for some of the social and fraternal organizations which broaden and beautify existence. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic lodge, and is also an Elk. In matters relating to politics, he is an independent voter.

Dr. and Mrs. Will R. Hale have traveled extensively, taking many delightful jour- neys to various parts of the country. Their beautiful home has been the scene of numerous attractive social affairs. Both Doctor and Mrs. Hale are genial in manner. warm in their friendships, broad in their outlook upon life, and true in their sympathies.

As a professional man. Doctor Hale is deservedly popular, as a citizen he is upright and generous, as a neighbor and friend, sincere. He is the type of man that every community needs.

CLIFTON D. BAILEY.

One of the most Important industrial establishments in this part of the state of Oblo is the extensive plant of the Champion Bridge Company. at Wilmington, Clinton county, of which. for the past ten years. the gentleman whose name the render notes above has been the superintendent and one of the important factors. Mr. Balley was born in Clinton county and ever has had the interests of the county very dearly at heart. His position as superintendent of one of the chief Industrial enterprises of the county gives him larger opportunity for the exercise of his wide Influence in industrial affairs and it is undoubted that he has thus been able to do much for the community, a measure of service which it would be difficult properly to estimate. Needless to say be occupied high place in the confidence and esteem of bis associates in business and the highest regard of all who know him.

Clifton D. Bailey was horn on a farm near Dover, in Liberty township, Clinton county, Ohio, on December 2D. 1859, son of William and Maria (Tumlin) Bailey, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born on the same farm on which his son was born, in 1834, and died in 1865, and the latter of whom was born in I'nion township on July 1, 1539, and is still living.

William Bailey was the son of George and Lydia Bailey, both natives of this county, members of pioneer families. George Bailey's father was Daniel Bailey, who emigrated from South Carolina to Ohio, becoming one of the very earliest settlers in I'nion town. ship. He and his wife were members of the Friends church and were active in all good works in the ploneer days of this county. having been accounted among the lenders of the social order in the community in which they settled. George Bailey was renred to manhood In Union township and then bought a farm in Liberty township, where he spent the rest of his life. He also was a Quaker, following the faith of his parents, and

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was a man of large influence in his neighborhood; a thrifty and industrious farmer and an excellent citizen. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom William was the second in order of birth. William Bailey was reared on the home farm, a part of which he continued to manage after his marriage, and there he spent the rest of his life. He married Maria Tumlin, a member of one of the old familles of this county and died at the age of thirty-one, leaving a widow and two sons, Corwin A., who is a machinist, Hving at Wilmington, this county, and Clifton D., the immediate subject of this sketch. His widow married, secondly, George R. Acre, of Wilmington, a carpenter, but there was no issue to this second union.

Clifton D. Bailey was but six years of age when his father died and he was reared on his grandfather's farm, remaining there until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went to Wilmington to learn the blacksmith trade in the shops of the Champion Bridge Company and has been connected with that concern ever since, save for three years when he was working at Hamilton, Ohio. In 1908 Mr. Bailey was made superin- tendent of the shops of the Champion Bridge Company and ever since has occupied that important and responsible position.

On February 12. 1880, Clifton D. Bailey was united in marriage to Ella Johnson, who was born in Liberty township. this county. daughter of Harvey A. Johnson, a well- known Liberty township farmer, who still is living in that township, and to this union two children have been born, Elsie M., on May 18, 1883, and William A., September 5, 1884, living at Chicago Junction, Ohio, married Susan Haines and has two children.

Elsie M. Balley was united in marriage on November 17, 1909, to Dr. Chester E. Kinzel, of Wilmington, present coroner of Clinton county, who was born in Zanesville. Ohio, on May 13, 1852, son of John W. and Christina ( Mohler) Kinzel, both natives of Morgan county, this state, the former of whom was born in 1846 and died in 1900, and the latter of whom was born in 1852 and died in 1884. John Kinzel was a son of Charles and Lavina (Beckwith) Kinzel. The father of Charles was a German immigrant who came to America and located in the neighborhood of the city of Baltimore, where he became a farmer. Charles Kinzel, born in 1804, married Lavina Beckwith and about the year 1825 emigrated to Oblo, settling in Morgan county, where he bought a farm and operated extensive salt furnaces. He and his wife were the parents of seven children. Their son, John, married Christina Mohler, daughter of Caspar Mohler and wife, Ger- mans who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, settling in Morgan county, where they reared a family of ten children, and moved to Zanesville, this state, where Casper Mohler worked as a mechanle in a tile factory. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Harry G., a lawyer nt Spokane. Washington; Dr. Chester E., of Wilmington, and Ida. who died at the age of two years. The mother of these children dying when Chester E. was three years of age. John Kinzel married, secondly, Mary Brown, of Zanesville, and continued to Hve in that city the rest of his life, his widow still living there.

Chester E. Kinzel was reared in the home of an aunt. Mrs. Mary L. Deaver, of Morgan county, and received his elementary education in the public schools of that county. After a course in a normal school, he began teaching school and for three years was thus engaged, after which he entered the Starling Medical School, at Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated from that institution in 1906, in July of which year he came to this county, loenting in Wilmington, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and has thus been engaged ever since. A year or two previous to the election of 1914. Doctor Kinzel had been appointed coroner of Clinton county, to fill out an unexpired term, and In the following election was elected to that office and is now serving the public in that capacity. Doctor Kinzel is a Republican and a member of the Masons, the Elks and the Eagles. He and his wife are the parents of one child, a son. William Nelson, born on September 4, 1913.

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Mr. and Mrs. Bailey own and live in the famous old brick mansion on West Main street in Wilmington, which was built more than one hundred years ago and which was the birthplace of Addison Russell, whose memory ever will live in and about Wilmington. This fine old mansion is still in good condition and is the scene of much genial hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey being fond of entertaining their friends.

CHARLES CURL.

Charles Curl, mayor of Wilmington. is a splendid illustration of success won through self-reliance and earnest endeavor, having worked his way up through the successive stages of printer's apprentice, drug clerk, reporter and editor, and has been given the highest office it is in the power of his city to bestow. When only fifteen years old he learned to set type in a newspaper office, and since that day, the odor of printer's ink brings memories of the time when be had not yet learned to fear the "blue pencil."

Charles Curl was born while his mother was on a visit to Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, February 29, 1844, although his parents were, at the time, residents of Clinton county. The father and mother were natives of Virginia, he being Daniel, and she, Harriett ( Hackney) Curl, both of Irish ancestry. The former came to this county in the early days of 1838, his father being a grocer in Wilmington during the Civil War. Daniel died in 1881, and his widow is dead also.

The Curl home was one of integrity where the highest principles of life and conduct were inculcated, but it was also a place of strenuous work and struggle against the physical conditions that all parents of large families must face unless they are unusually blessed with this world's goods. Of the eight children of this home, four are still living. These are Mrs. Jennie L. Drake, of New Vienna, Ohio; Robert H., secretary of the Typographical I'nion at Cincinnati; Mra Mary L. Lewis, of Mt. Auburn, Ohio, and Charles, the subject of this sketch ..

What education was obtainable to Charles Curl before his fifteenth year. he acquired in the schools of Wilmington, and on August 1. 1859, he serured employment in the office of the Clinton Republican, where he remained for three years, being glad to work at a salary of seventy-five dollars a year. This apprenticeship was followed by a trip to the city of Cincinnati, where he worked for the Cincinnati Enquirer for two years, at the end of which time he took up the duties of a drug clerk in a store at Sixth and Walnut streets, In that city. Having gained considerable experience in this vocation, Mr. Curl returned to his home and was employed in the drug store of P. R. Way & Company, where he remained for two years,

But again the newspaper field called the young man, and, journeying to Washington Court House, he worked in the offices of both the Register and Herald. On April 23, 1560, he returned to Wilmington and entered for the second time the office of the Clinton Republican, which was then owned by William B. Fisher and Addison B. Russell, then secretary of state. This proved a long period of service, for not until he took the ebair of mayor did he sever his connections with the paper. This was on January 1. 1914. he having been elected the previous fall. Since being elected mayor. Mr. Curl has done considerable general newspaper work, being loent representative for several out-of-town papers. The present honor conferred upon Mr. Curl is not the first political office he has held. For twelve years Mr. Curl was clerk of Union township, a position which might be considered a stepping stone to his present office. He was also a member of the city council for six years, this including the period during which the opera house and city hall were built, and to both of these civic enterprises, Mr. Curl gave his best endeavor.

On December 28, 1869, Charles Curl was united in marriage to Martha Matilda Marble, a daughter of David Marble of the famous family of Marblehead, Massachusetts The mother of Martha Matilda Marble was a Vandervort, one of the most widely-known

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families of this county, and a family of greut influence. Of the children born of this marriage, Edgar died at the age of five weeks; Harrlett Eliza married the Hon. R. E. Holliday, United States Consul to Santiago, Cuba, for the past twelve years, and recently promoted from fourth-class to second-class consulship, and they have three children, Martha, Margaret and Mary.

Mr. and Mrs. Curl are prominent socially in Wilmington society, and they have always stood for those substantial values which have to do with the higher life of the community. They are members of the Friends church, and give both their time and their means to build up their denomination.

Mr. Curl is a Republican, and has since youth had the interests of this party at heart.

Mr. Curl has a genial nature, a strong, forceful personality that both attracts and retalna friends, a keen, analytical mind, and those qualities of leadership which inspire confidence and respect. Although a man much in public life. he is not self-seeking, for the honors which have come to bim have been more in the form of recognition of public service than as "political plums" Mr. Curl's tastes are refined, and his Influence In always on the side of right and justice.

EMERY R. BALES.

If one were in search of a representative business man of any community he would select a man of the type of Emery R. Bales, secretary and treasurer of the Wilmington Casting Company. Still a young man in years, Mr. Bales is, of course, enthusiastic, but he has other qualities that are just as necessary for the success of the man active in commercial and Industrial pursuits, It is by reason of this combination of characteristics that the success of the well-known firm has been achieved, for it is not Inappropriate to say that this firm is, no doubt. the leading one of Its kind in this vicinity. They are extensive manufacturers of gray-iron castings.

Emery R. Bales was born on a farm in Chester township, Clinton county, on April 23, 1852, a son of William H. and Cordelia J. (Faulkner) Bales, both of whom were natives of Greene county.

William H. Bales located in Chester township in 1881, and lived there until the fall of 1905, when he removed to Wilmington, where he died on January 11. 1906. The mother, whose industry and devotion lightened many a burden for the husband and children of this home, passed away in March, 1910. William H. and Cordella J. Bales were the parents of five children, as follow: Emery R., the subject of this biography; Thomas M., professor in Wilmington College: Elisha Allen, doveneed at the age of four- teen : Lorena F., of Wilmington. and He H., of Wilmington.

Emery R. Bales was fortimate in that he was able to acquire more than the educa- tion possible to the average hoy, for after the common school course he was permitted to attend Wilmington College, Interspersing farm work with the time spent in school. He was graduated from the college In 1904, and then taught school for one year in Sabina, Ohio. Mr. Bales next found employment in the First National Bank of Wilmington, and remained there for the next seven and one-half years, giving satisfaction in his work. In March. 1913. he decided to go into business for himself, and formed the partnership with E. E. Terrell, which continued to July 1. 1915. An extensive volume of business was built up. the special lines being real estate and insurance. This partnership was dissolved on July 1. 1915, that Mr. Bales might take up his interest in the castings company.

On March 23. 1910. Emery R. Bales was united in marriage with Elizabeth E. Magee, who was born In Chester township, a daughter of John and Mary Magee. Their only child Is deceased.

Mr. Bales has held many offices of honor, both in the business world and in the social and religious organizations with which he has been connected. He is at present treasurer

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of the Wilmington Homestead Company. He is n Mason of high standing, as is indicated by the fact that he has held all the offices in Lodge No. 52.

Mr. Bales has allied himself with the Republican party as a matter of deep convic- tion. He has also taken sincere interest in religious affairs and for years has had much to do with the success of the organization to which he belongs, this being the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Besides being secretary and treasurer of the church board he is also one of its stewards.

Mr. Bales has applied hls religious principles and training to business, and is known for his fair and honest dealing. He is genial in manner, makes friends easily, and is courteous and considerate always. Both he and his estimable wife are prominent in religious circles and in the social life of the city, to which they have contributed a high type of citizenship.

NICHOLAS W. VANDERVORT.

Few men were better known in Clinton county, Ohio, during the period In which he lived and Inbored than the late Nicholas W. Vandervort. for more than a quarter of u century a teacher in the public schools of this county. In his personal characteristics he combined the qualities which go to make up a scholar and a public-spirited man of affairs. He made his influence felt in the educational life of Clinton county, and was not unknown at the time of his death In the wider educational circles of the state. During the last six or eight years of his life he was engaged in farming in this county and made a commendable success of this vocation.

The late Nicholas W. Vandervort was born on May 31, 1835, near New Antioch. Clinton county, Ohio, and died on September 10, 1884. Hle was a son of Nicholas and Naney Vandervort, the former of whom was born at Columbin, near Cincinnati, Ohio, . in 1903, and the latter of whom was born in Warren county, Ohio. Nicholas Vandervort, Sr., was six years old when brought by his parents to Clinton county, where he grew to manhood, married and devoted his life to farming. Like his father before him, he was an earnest worker in the Christian church. and lived a truly useful life. He died ou June 23. 1876, at the age of sixty-four years, his beloved wife having preceded him to the grave on January 11, 1873. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Nicholas W. was the fourth in order of birth. Among the others were James M., Thaddeus H., John M., Jonas S., Paul C. and William B.

The late Nicholas W. Vanderfort was brought up to farm labor. He received a good common-school education and had some extraordinary advantages in the high school at New Vienna, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, and in the fall of 1855 went to Illinois, where be taught near the city of Bloomington until the summer of 1857, at which time he returned to Ohio. In 1458 he attended a select school in New Vienna, qualifying himself for the teaching of higher branches. He continued teaching until 1878. having been during that time employed in the schools of Wilming- ton, Sabina, New Antioch and other places, embracing a period of twenty-five years. From 1878 until the time of his death, in 1884, he devoted his time and energies to farming.

On December 31. 1863, Nicholas W. Vandervort was married to Rate Winpiglar, an accomplished lady, who was also for many years a teacher in the public schools of Clinton county, and who was born at Martinsville, Clinton county, Oblo, on August 13. 1845, a daughter of Isaac and Myra ( Hanley) Winpiglar. the former of whom was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Clermont county, Ohio. Isaac Winpiglar became an early settler in Ohio, married and located in Martinsville, where his death occurred in 1848. He had five children, two of whom. Helen, the wife of G. W. Robinett, and Mrs. Nicholas W. Vandervort, are surviving. After the death of her husband. Mrs. Winpiglar married a second time, her second husband being John Hyatt, and by this second mar-

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riage had three children, Louis H., Barnett B. and Clara E., the last named being the widow of I. D. Hodgson, by whom she had one son, Carey Vandervort Hodgson, who was educated by Mrs. Vandervort and is now in the service of the United States with the const and geodetic survey. He spent some time in the Philippines and is now in Utah. He is a man of thirty-five, a credit to the name of Vandervort. Mr. Hyatt died in October, 1876, and his widow died in 1804.

Mrs. Vandervort's maternal grandparents were James Comstock and Hannah (Brunson ) Hanley, both natives of New York state and early settlers in Clermont county, Ohio, where for many years the former was a school teacher.

The late Nicholas W. Vandervort served Clinton county long and faithfully in an educational way. For many years he was a prominent teacher in the public schools. He was also a member of the county board of examiners for several years. He was an ardent member and earnest worker in the Christian church at New Antioch and was undoubtedly one of Clinton county's most useful citizens.

Of Nicholas W. Vandervort's grandparents it may be said that his grandfather, Paul H. Vandervort, was born on January 1, 1815, near Starbuck Town, this county, the son of Josiah and Jane Vandervort. Josiah and Jane Vandervort resided at Columbia until 1809, when they moved to this county, and located at Todd's Fork, where they lived for three years, afterwards removing to near New Antioch, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were among the earliest settlers of that community and were prominent in the organization and establishment of the early Christian church at New Antioch, in which they were among the leading members, and on account of their Christian and moral influence, they became factors of grent strength in the progress of the church. Josinh Vandervort was an upright and industrious man of sound judg- ment, and was one of the first jurymen in Clinton county. He and his wife were the parents of six sons and five daughters, of whom Paul H. is the only one surviving. Mr. Vandervort died in 1842, and his whlow in 1845.

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History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 51

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