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 52
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Paul H. Vandervort, the uncle of the late Nicholas Vandervort, was two years old when his parents moved. in 1815, to near New Antioch, where he was reared and where he grew to manhood, and spent his life until August. 1879, when he retired from the farm and located in New Antioch, where he spent the rest of his days. Ile was one of the most prominent and useful citizens of Clinton county, and for twelve years served as a member of the board of commissioners. He was a member of the Clinton County Agricultural Society for thirteen years, and served as president of that organization for several years. He also held other minor offices. He. too, was a lending member of the Christian church, and upon the death of his father. was elected to fill the place as dencon in the church made vacant by his father's death. This office he filled for a quarter of a century and was then made elder. Paul HI. Vandervort was twice married. the first time on October 19, 1836, to Matilda Mckenzie, the daughter of John and . Isabelle Mckenzie, natives of Kentucky, and to this union four children were born: Mary Emily, who was the wife of E. W. Marble; Alphous, who served three years in the I'nion army during the Civil War: Samantha, the wife of Dr. W. W. Canny, of Camden, Preble county, Ohio, and John W. Mrs. Vandervort died on June 20. 1876, and about three years later, on August 26, 1879, Paul H. Vandervort was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Mitchell, a daughter of James and Mary ( Fleming) Mitchell.
The widow of the late Nicholas W. Vandervort removed to Wilmington some sixteen years after his death, in 1884, and there she devotes a great deal of her time to charity work. She taught school in Wilmington before her marriage and continued her work of teaching some time after her marriage. She and her husband both taught in the schools of that city, and many of their pupils are prominent business men and are very proud to remember them as their former teachers, Mrs. Vandervort being held In the highest respect not only by her former pupils, but by the entire community, to which her life has been so unselfishly and ungrudgingly devoted.
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DR. FRANK R. SMITH.
The Smith family has been prominently connected with the agricultural, business and political life of Cliuton county, Ohio, for two or three generations. Many of the members of this family have been prominent farmers in Clinton county, but the later generations seem to have turned their attention to business and to the professions. Frank R. Smith, D. D. S., a well-known and prosperous dentist of Wilmington, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in this city for about seventeen years, is a representative of the fourth generation of the family in Clinton county, his grandfather on his paternal side having been born in this county.
Dr. Frank R. Smith was born on January 1, 1874, in Vernon township, Clinton county, Ohio, the son of George H. and Jerusha Araminta (Bates) Smith, the former of whom was born near Ogden in Vernon. In 1840, and who died on February 28, 1878, when Frank R. was only four years old, and the latter born near Springboro, Warren county, on October 15, 1846, and is still living.
The paternal grandparents of Dr. Frank R. Smith were Daniel and Aun ( Hartman) Smith, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and the latter of whom was born in Virginia, and who was brought to Ohio from Virginia when a child. Daniel Smith owned a farm in Vernon township, where he lived and died. He and his wife and family were members of the Methodist Protestant church. They reared four sons and one daughter. Doctor Smith's maternal grandparents were William and Phoebe (Jenks) Bates, the former of whom was born in U'tica, New York, In 1820, and who died In 1890, and the latter of whom was born near Saboy, Massachusetts, In 1822, and who died in 1901. William Bates came with his parents, Thomas and Sarah Bates, to Clinton county, Oblo, when a lad. Thomas Bates bad emigrated from England when he was twelve years old. About 1835 the family removed from New York with thirteen chil- dren and settled in Clarksville, Clinton county, where they operated a dairy for Jobn Hadley for several years. Thomas Bates moved from Clarksville to Springboro, Warren county where William Bates grew up. Later the father came to Washington township, Clinton county, and purchased the Woodmansee farm of three hundred acres and died there. Three of his sons divided the farm and lived there for many years. William Bates inherited a farm in Washington township and added to it In after life, living there until his death. He was a carpenter by trade and not only erected all of the buildings ou his own place, but erected a good many barns on other farms. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Republican and prominent in local politics, especially in Washington township, where he served as township trustee. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Phoebe (Jeuks) Bates, who was the wife of William Bates, was the daugh- ter of Patton and Polly Jenks, who were born in Massachusetts. In 1840 they settled in Washington township, Clinton county, Ohlo, where Patton Jenks purchased a farm of · two hundred and eighty acres. It was upon this farm that he and his wife died. They had four children, of whom Doctor Smith's mother was the eldest. The others were Elsina, who died at the age of eleven: David, deceased, who was a farmer; Sarah Jane. who married Ira Hodson, of Dayton, Ohio, and who died in 1912.
George H. Smith, who was Doctor Smith's father, grew up in Vernon township. Clinton county, and after his marriage rented land in Vernon township. He was a strong Republican and in 1576 was elected sheriff of Clinton county, passing away in 1878 at the age of thirty-eight years, while the Incumbent of that office. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity. In the latter he became a Knight Templar, a member of Ealey Commandery at Washington C. H. Dr. Frank R. Smith had only one brother, Edmond J., who was born in October. 1866, and who lives at Wilmington. He is a traveling salesman for the Champion Bridge Company, and mar- ried Elizabeth Lewis.
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After the death of Dr. Frank R. Smith's father, his mother made her home with her parents until they passed away and then lived on the home place until 1913, when she moved to Wilmington, purchasing a home where she now lives.
Frank R. Smith was only four years old, as heretofore noted, when his father passed away, and he was taken by his mother to live on his maternal grandparents' farm in Washington township, and there he grew to manhood. After attending the district schools in Washington township, he became a student at Wilmington College, and finally entered the Cincinnati Dental College and was graduated with the class of 1896. Two years later be came to Wilmington and began the practice of his profession, where he has been engaged ever since. Doctor Smith has been successful in the practice of his profession and enjoys a large patronage.
On March 8, 1905, Frank R. Smith was married to Eleanor Madden, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, the daughter of Arthur and Mary Madden, the former of whom la deceased, but the latter of whom is still living. Mrs. Smith's father was a traveling salesinan who lived at Wilmington. At one time he served his fellow citizens as a member of the Ohio state Senate. Doctor and Mrs. Smith have no children.
Dr. Frank R. Smith is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a man who has made a special study of all of the modern devices of dentistry and is thoroughly up-to-date in the practice of his profession. He takes a worthy interest in public affairs, but has never aspired to office.
RUTHERFORD B. MONFORT.
In the life of the man whose name heads this sketch is an illustration of the Ameri- can boy who has climbed to a position of trust and eminence through his own unaided efforts. As in the case of many of America's ambitious youth, there was little in his early years to aid him to the prominent place he was to occupy in later life. Therefore. all the more praise to him whose success is the result of honest endeavor, faith in him- self, and courageous persistence in the face of every obstacle. The record of such a life is a most potent form of inspiration. Rutherford B. Monfort, manager of the Farquhar Furnace Company, was born in Warren county, Ohio, May 22, 1876, a son of P. and Elizabeth ( Keever) Monfort, both natives of Warren county. The father, who passed away in 1901, never spent any part of his life in Clinton county, having remained on his farm: the mother, a good and devout Christian, is still living, at Lebanon, Ohlo.
After completing the high school course at Waynesville, Rutherford B. Monfort at- tended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. For several years after his . education was completed he remained on the home farm. Beginning in 1903, for a period of six years. he was identified with the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio, one of the best-known manufacturing concerns in the United States. In this capacity he bad charge of a branch of the correspondence department, becoming one of their most able managers. In 1900 there came an opportunity which promised better things in the future than the position he then had, and he resigned to become the book- keeper for the company in which he is now manager. Beginning his connection with this firm In 1909, in three years he had proven himself so efficient, reliable and progres- sive that by a vote of the board of directors he was elected manager of the plant, as well ax one of its directors.
The Farquhar Furnace Company, which was organized on May 1. 1908, are manu- facturers of the Farquhar sanitary heating systems, and so extensive is their business that their products are marketed in thirty-three states.
On September 20, 1599, Rutherford B. Monfort was united in marriage with Abbie Ellis, of Harveysburg, Ohio, a daughter of Harvey and Mary ( Rogers) Ellis. One daughter. Mary Elizabeth. has been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Monfort have a large circle of friends and their home is noted for its genial hospitality.
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In these days of strict competition and sharp business practices, it is an honor, indeed, for a man to win a reputation for fair and square dealing, and for consideration for others' rights and privileges, and this may truly be said of Rutherford B. Moufort, who has the esteem, not only of his personal friends, but of his commercial associates us well.
JOSIAH W. SPARKS.
One of the prominent citizens and progressive business men of Wilmington, Ohio, Is Josiah W. Sparks, president of the Citizens National Bank, who; until February 1. 1915, owned and conducted a large hardware and implement business in Wilmington. Mr. Sparks was in the mercantile business in Wilmington for more than forty years and enjoyed the highest esteem and confidence of all with whom he had business dealings during that long period, as be does now with all his associates in the financial life of the community.
Josiah W. Sparks was born near Wilmington, Ohio, on March 4. 1848, and was reured on a farm four miles west of Wilmington. He is the son of Dr. Joseph K. and Ahi ( Linton) Sparks, the former of whom was born on July 10, 1790, in the Woodbury district of South Carolina, and died on September 17, 1873, and the latter. born on November 25, 1808, near Wilmington, Ohio, died on July 19, 1996. Dr. Joseph K. Sparks. who was a soldier in the War of 1812. came north and settled in Ohio because of his bitter opposition to slavery. He was married in Clinton county to Abl Linton, daughter of Nathan Linton, a pioneer settler of Clinton county, to which union were born four children, only one of whom, the subject of this sketch, is now living. Mr. Sparks has three balf-brothers, his mother having been previously married to Jushia Farquhar, by whom she had two children, Benjamin and Frank Farquhar. Dr. Joseph W. Sparks was also previously married, and had one son by that union, George P. Sparks, the only one of these last named now living. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Sparks were Stephen and Mary (Evans) Sparks, natives of South Carolina and of English descent. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Sparks were Nathan and Rachel Linton.
In 1873 Mr. Sparks, who had Inherited from his sterling ancestors his high ideals. progressive spirit and large abilities, located in Wilmington, where he entered the grocery store of the Inte Benjamin Farqubar. In 1875 he formed a partnership with Frank Farquhar in the hardware business and on May 18. of the same year, their store was destroyed by fre and its contents badly damaged. However. they were not dis- couraged by this loss, but purchased a new stock of goods and started again. The firm continued in business until 1×55, when Mr. Farquhar retired and Mr. Sparks conducted . the business alone until his retirement. on February 1, 1915. He carried a complete Mine of hardware, wagons, farm Implements, stoves, pumps, fence and fertilizers. His store was modern and np-to-date in every respect. In 1906 Mr. Sparks helped to organize the Citizens National Bank and is now the president and one of the heavy stockholders of this bank.
Josiah W. Spark's large success in business and finance is due somewhat to the splendid educational training he received in the public schools of Clinton county and In Franklin, now Wilmington, College. Mr. Sparks was married on October 17, 1878, to Laura B. Haworth, who was born near Wilmington, this county, on December 29, 1854, daughter of George D. and Rebecca ( Hoge) Haworth, the former of whom was born in 1820 and died in 1804, and the latter in 1833 and died in 1903. The Haworth family is of English descent. its American founder having come to this country in 1090. A part of the family settled in Clinton county in 1903 and the family since then has been closely identified with all of the interests which reflect the highest development of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparks one child was born, a daughter. Ethel Rebecca, born on January 3. 1880, who died on February 10, 1899.
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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.
dave of strict competition and sharp business practices. it is an honor. . Zano to win a reputation for fair and square dealing, and for consideration Dochts and pristjezek, and this may truly he said of fiberford B. Monfort.
JOSIAH W. SPARKS.
One of the prominent fizens and progressive totalnes then of Wilmington, Ohio, :4 Josiah W. Sparks, president of the (frizens Natiod Bank, who; until February 1 1015. owned and rondoeted a large hardware and Implement business In Wluitugton. Mr. Sparks wax in the mercantile business in Wilbangton for more than forty years ntal enjoyed the highest extrem and confidence of all with whom he had business demiles during that long period. as he does now with all bis associates in the financial life of the community.
Josiah W. Sparks was born near Wilmington. Ohin, on March 4. 1844, and was rotred on a farm four miles west of Wilmington. He is the son of Dr. Joseph K. mul All ( Linton) Sparks the former of wlinn was born on July 10, 1790. In the Wardbary district of South Carolina, and it on September 17, 187%, and the latter. bora va November 25, 35%, near Wilmington, Ohio, the on July 10, 1MM. Ist. Joseph K. Sparks who was a colding in the War of 1812 came north and settled in this because of his He was married in f Anton county to As Linton, Brisater " """" " wettler of t'luton county, to which union were born four children, des amis D. in the subject of this sketch, is now Itving. Mr. Sparky hins : . . rather having been previously married to Jusbla Farquhar. by . en. Benjamin ant Frank Farquhar. Dr. Joseph W. Murks was " and had one son by that union. Gearze P. Sparks, the only one .. , living. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Sparks Were Stephen " wirks, natives of South Carolina and of English descent. The w of Mr. Sparks were Nathan and Rachel Linton.
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Fin whe bad inherited from bis sterling ancestors his high Ideals. "od larer abilities. lowated in Wilmington, where lee entered the " 199 Satte Benjamin Parquet, 15 1-75 be formed a partnership with in the hardware business and on May Is, of the same year, their stufe is ure and its contents badly damaged. However, they were not dis. % less but purchased a new stack of goods and started amin. The firm The # 18, when Mr. Farquhar retired and Mr. Sparks counted time waill his reglerment on February 1. 1915. Il. carried a complete . when for implements, moves pumps fence and ferblizers. Ils umwinst and on date in every respect. In 1:441 Mr. Sparks helped 10 the citizens N. sand Bank and is now the president and one of the heavy 11
Mundial W HILA SUPPPAS In business and Anance is due surewhat to the . nlung he received In the pubdie w hools of ('Union county nud in Trankilo. 200 4 .4to0. College. Mr. Sparks was married om Detaber 17. 1ST. to Who was born noir Wilmington, this county. on Iwrember 20, 1551. . it nud Robeera (Hoge) Haworth, the former of whom was born in 11 8hd dt . . " it and the latter in 198 and died in 1003, The Haworth family ta ser its American former having come to the country in line A just of the fam . Menorpost', all of the interests which reflect the highest development of the corner.
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Josiah W. Sparks is a Republican In politics and a member of the Friends church, being a trustee, at Wilmington, of the Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, treasurer of the Center Quarterly Meeting and a trustee of the Sugar Grove cemetery. Fraternally, he is a member of Star of Hope Lodge No. 127, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has traveled extensively, both in America and Europe, and has the dis- tinction of having made a trip around the world. He is a public-spirited citizen and is always one of the foremost promoters of any movement which has to do with the general welfare of the community. He is honest and upright in all of bis dealings and is well known for his ability in financial and commercial circles, no resident of Clinton county being more popular throughout the county than he.
THOMAS SOUTH.
Among the earnest men of a past generation in Clinton county, whose enterprise. strength of character and engaging personality won a prominent place in the hearts of bis neighbors and fellow citizens and the respect and confidence of the people of Clinton county, was the late Thomas South, who served two terms as sheriff of Clinton county, in which othee he had a record for unusual efficiency, and who was an expert brick-mason. He helped to build many of the public buildings now standing in this county, was a man of positive views and laudable ambitions, and bis influence was always exerted for the advancement of his friends. He was a very worthy citizen and a good man.
Thomas South was born on January 8, 1540, In Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, and died on December 28, 1912. He was the son of Benjamin and Mary (Brunson) South. the former of whom was born in Clueinnati, and who died In 1862 of pneumonia, con- tracted while he was visiting his son in the I'nion army. His wife died on May 20, 1592, at the age of seventy-two years. Benjamin South was a stone-mason, and lived near Goshen In Clermont county all his life. All the members of his family were identified with the Presbyterian church. He and his wife had only two children, Thomas, the sub- jert of this sketch, and William, who died on November 20, 1878, as the result of the accidental discharge of a gun while he was hunting. , He also was a bricklayer by trade.
Thomas South attended the district schools of Clermont county, and later one of the leading business colleges at Cincinnati, where he obtained a good education. He was a man of more than ordinary native ability and made good use of his educational advan- tages and opportunities.
On June 9, 1861, Thomas South enlisted in Company C, Second Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and served practically to the end of the war, having been discharged on October 10, 1864. Wounded In the left hand in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. he afterward was unable to carry a gun and served as orderly in the adjutant's office. Before this, however, he had participated in many battles and was a courageous soldier. a man of deep and abiding patriotism, who was willing to give up his life's blood in the enuse of human freedom and in behalf of the perpetuity of the American I'nion.
Shortly after the close of the Civil War, Thomas South was married on September 14, 1865. to Martha Anderson, who was born at Owensville, Clermont county, Ohlo, on September 20, 1847, and who is the daughter of Peter and Mary ( Smith) Anderson, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and at the age of twenty one located in Cler- mont county. Ohto. He dled at the age of ninety-one years in 1876. His wife was born in Clermont county, Ohio. In 1816. and died in IS51. She was the daughter of Christopher and Margaret Smith, early settlers of Owensville, In Clermont county, and farmers by urenpation. They came to Ohio from near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christopher was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
After his marriage. Thomas South continued working at his trade which he had learned as a boy. He worked as a brick-mason while living in Goshen, Ohio, but in 1869 he and the family removed to Wilmington. where he lived until his death in 1912. In
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1005 be built a home at the corner of Walnut and Sugartree streets, and it is in this house that Mrs. South now lives.
In 1893 Mr. South was elected sheriff of Clinton county on the Republicau ticket and served two terms, or four years in all. After retiring from public office and public service, he purchased a steam laundry and was associated with his son in the operation of this enterprise until his death.
Mr. and Mrs. South were the parents of five children, as follow : Mary, who was born on June 24, 1866, and died at the age of twenty in Wilmington, on July 26, 1880. was a student at Wilmington College; Harry, March 25, 1868, is a farmer in Adams town- ship: Edward. February 27, 1571, died at the age of twenty-seven, on October 6. 1806; Benjamin, April 2, 1874. is the present sheriff of Clinton county, having been elected on the Republican ticket ; Walter, February 27, 1880, Is proprietor of the South Brother's laundry, of Wilmington.
The late Thomas South was a charter member of Morris McMillan Post, Grand Army of the Republic. An esteemed and valuable citizen of this great county, bis death was widely mourned and he is generously remembered for the large part he had in the civic and political life of this county. Mrs. South is a refined and cultured woman and highly respected by the people of this city.
G. P. THORPE.
No greater tribute can be paid to a lawyer than the assertion that his personal code of ethics is higher than any written law. In a profession in which one's moral and ethical standards are so frequently and so severely tested, a man of whom this can be said is strong. Indeed, and deserving of the greatest respect. To such there is but one ideat of right and justice, and to this, he must hold himself as rigidly as he would hold others. The man whose name appears at the head of this biography Is a leading attorney of Wilmington, and a man of such mental attainment and such force of character that he is an important factor in the commercial, political, fraternal and social life of the community.
G. P. Thorpe was born at Sabina, Clinton county. Oblo, March 13, 1862, the son of H. H. and Emily ( Roberts) Thorpe, both of whom were natives of Clinton county. the former having been born bere a few months after his parents came from old Virginia. The elder Thorpe is permitted to live far beyond the usual span of life, for he is now eighty-three years of age. H. H. and Emily Thorpe had only one child. besides the sub- Jert of the present sketch, Mrs. Thomas J. Smith, of Sabina, Ohio.
The education of G. P. Thorpe was such as to prepare him for the prominent and active life he has since enjoyed .. After availing himself of the advantages of the public schools of Sabina, the young man was graduated from Oblo Wesleyan University, at Delaware. Ohio, in 1855, and from the Cincinnati Law School two years thereafter. He was admitted to the bar in 1887, and began the practice of his profession at Wilmington. He has been in active practice ever since, and has built up a large clientage.
Mr. Thorpe has played a conspienous part in the professional and commercial Ilfe of the city. a statement corroborated by the fact that he is now vice-president of the Com- mercinl Club. His ability as an attorney has given him leadership in a number of large business enterprises, one of these being the Clinton County Telephone Company. Of this concern he has been secretary and counsel, and has had charge of all of its legal and financial affairs for a number of years. He is one the board of directors of the Ohio Independent Telephone Association, and a member of Its executive committee. Added to these activities, is the position of attorney for the Wilmington Homestead Company. which he has hell for a period of over twenty years. He is also a member of its board of directors and of the finance committee.
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