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 53

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 53

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On October 23. 185. G. P. Thorpe was united in marriage with Roma Robinson, of

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Greenfield, Ohio. Mra Thorpe has taken a keen Interest In the public career of her husband, and has made their home a charming center of social life. Mr. Thorpe is one of the two Republicans on the board of elections of Clinton county, the other two mem- bers of the board being Democrats.

It is not surprising that a man so closely connected with the business enterprises of a city should also be conspicuous in its civic and social life. There are in every com- munity the men whose advice and good-will are sought when any public service or movement is in Its Inception. These are the men who not only aid in developing the material resources of their locality, but also help to form the moral standards, and it Is, therefore, important that their own standards be high. It is well that some of Wil- mington's most influential citizens are of this type, and among them is G. P. Thorpe.

Mr. Thorpe is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a trustee in Lodge No. 797. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In his college days, G. P. Thorpe was a leader in athletics, and has kept up his interest in all clean and manly sports.

Although gifted above the average, the man whose career is the subject of this biography bas not won his laurels without strenuous labor. Hard, conscientious work has been the rule. As a lawyer, Mr. Thorpe is fearless and fair; as a citizen, he is public- spirited and loyal ; as a man, he is high-minded and just. In all of his affiliations, whether business, fraternal, political or social, be bas had the esteem and admiration of his associates, and the respect and confidence of the public.

N. HUSTON MOORE.

N. Huston Moore, one of the enterprising farmers, bankers and business men of Clinton county, Ohlo, is now living retired in Wilmington, the county seat. His reputation as one of the leading men of Clinton county is gladly conceded by all who know him. Mr. Moore belongs to the class of men who are natural leaders in the communities with which their fortunes are cast.

Born on January 10, 1833. in Grayson county, Virginia, N. Huston Moore is the son of Daniel and Martha ( Hampton) Moore, the former of whom was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, in 1799, and died in 1805, and the latter of whom was born in Grayson county, Virginia, in 1502, and lived to be over ninety years of age. Mr. Moore's paternal grandparents were Nimrod and Polly Moore, who were natives of England and early settlers in Rockingham county, North Carolina. They were farmers by occupation and members of the pioneer Methodist church. Mr. Moore's maternal grandparents. Andrew and Sallle (Griggs) Hampton, were natives of North Carolina. Gen. Wade Hampton, of North Carolina, was a first cousin of Mr. Moore's mother. His grandfather lived In Buneome county. North Carolina, and it was his parents who came from England. . His grandfather died In Grayson county, Virginia, where he owned a large farm. He and his wife and family were members of the Baptist church. He was a large man with huge arms and shoulders and a man capable of great physical labor.

The father of N. Huston Moore left North Carolina when a young man with his par- ents and moved to Grayson county, Virginia. He soon had a farm of his own and lived upon it until his death. He was a Democrat. For many years he was a class leader in the Methodist church and his house was always the temporary abiding place for minis- ters of the Methodist church.

Daniel and Martha Moore were the parents of eleven children. six of whom are deceased. The living children are Joshua S., who is a farmer in Surrey county. North Carolina : N. Huston, the subject of this sketch; Violet, who married Joshua Simcox, of Tennessee : Matilda, deceased, and Mattie, who married Thomas H. Hightower and lives at Tasso, Tennessee. The deceased children are: Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Margaret. Andrew H. and Ezra N.

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N. Huston Moore attended the district schools of Virginia and subsequently the academy at Hillsville, Carroll county, Virginia. After finishing the academic course, be taught school in Virginia to pay expenses incurred while a student at the academy. In 1×5G Mr. Moore came to WHmington, Ohio, aud for some time worked in a general store at Bloomington. After a time he went to Atlanta. Logan county, Illinois, and there taught school for two years, after which he returned to U'nion township and reuted farms for tive years. By this time Mr. Moore had been able to save enough money to buy ninety-two and one-balf acres of land, which he eventually sold and bought two hundred and twenty- five acres in Union township, where he lived for twelve years. At the end of this period. be paid off a debt of eleven thousand dollars on the place and then sold it, purchasing thirty-six acres at the edge of Wilmington, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Moore also owns a one hundred and fifty-five nere farm in Greene aud Wayne townships. He is a director of the First National Bank of Wilmington. For many years he has kept a due flock of Delaine Merino sheep and also for many years raised Poland China hogx

On September 11, 1556, N. Huston Moore was married to Eliza Bentley, who died ou May 20, 1850. They had one child, John, who is a contractor and builder at Fort Morgan, Colorado. On February 16. 1860. Mr. Moore was married secondly, to Martha Wilson, who was born on December 7, 1827, in Wilmington. Ohio, and who died on November 29, 1911. She was the daughter of James and Eleanor Wilson, the former of whom was born In Pennsylvania and the latter In Kentucky. They owned a farm where Wilmington College now stands. He was the first superintendent of the Clinton county infirmary. He also bought and sold stock, which he drove through to Pittsburgh. His wife, who lived to be ninety-eight years old, died on February 21, 1599. To this second marriage there have been born three children : Orville B., who lives on Mr. Moore's farm in Greene and Wayne township; Thomas D., who is unmarried and lives with his father, and Nellie, who also lives with her father.

In addition to Mr. Moore's small form of thirty-six acres at the edge of Wilmington. he owns an Interest in the First National Bank of Wilmington. He is a Democrat and proud of the fact that he never scratched a ticket in all of his life. The Moore family all belong to the Christian church, and for fifty-five years Mr. Moore hns been a member. At the present time he Is chairman of the board of trustees of the Walnut Street church In Wilmington.

Few men have made more consistent progress as farmers and financiers than N. Huston Moore and few men living in Clinton county, who belong to the present genera- tlon, occupy a higher place in the esteem of the public than does he.

SIDNEY D. MYERS, V. S.

No more prominent veterinary surgeon may be found in the state of Ohio than Sidney D. Myers, V. S. a resident of Wilmington, Ohio, who was graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, in 1594, and who has served as president and as secretary for two terms each of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association. Doctor Myers is now a member of the Ohio state board of veterinary examiners, and is a member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, which is an International body.

Born on July 17. 1572, in Wayne county, Ohio. Sidney D. Myers is the son of S. B. (familiarly known as Doc) and Sadie (Christy) Myers, the former of whom was born on January 9, 1846. In Wayne county, Ohio, and who died on December 31. 1873. and the latter of whom was born on November 8, 1548. in Wayne county, Ohio, and who died on December 29. 1573. Shiney D. was only a little more than a year old when both of his parents passed away. His pateronl grandparents, John and Mary J. ( Kauke) Myers, were natives of Columbiann connty. Ohio, and of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. They were farmers by occupation and owned about two hundred acres of land in Wayne county. Both were members of the Baptist church. Doctor Myers' maternal grandparents were

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Pater and Margaret (Hardy) Christy, the former of whom was of Irish descent and the latter of Scottish descent. They were born in western Pennsylvania and early in life located In Wayne county. Oblo, where he was a farmer and well-to-do citizen. They were members of the Presbyterian church.

The late 8. B. and Sadie (Christy) Myers were married on January 26, 1871, and about two years later both died of typhoid fever, the mother two days before the death of her husband. The young couple were just ready to go to housekeeping and had not left the parental roof at the time of their death. Doctor Myers had only oue sister, who is younger than himself, Laura B., who married W. H. Troxel, a retail hardware dealer of Denver, Colorado, After the death of his parents, Doctor Myers was reared by his grandparents, both maternal and paternal, and later by his uncle, George Hutton and family. Until twenty years of age be worked on the farm and attended the Wooster, Ohio, high school. Later he was a student at the Ohlo Normal School, at Ada, Ohio.

In 1892 Doctor Myers entered the Ontarlo Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, and after his graduation. in March, 1894, began the practice of his profession with Walter Shaw, V. S., at Dayton, where he remained only a few months. In the fall of the same year he located at Wilmington, and here he has practiced ever since. He has a model barn and takes care of horses in his barn.

On March 4, 1896, Sidney D. Myers was married to Elizabeth Hayes, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, at London, and who is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Ralph) Hayes, the latter of whom was born In County Tipperary, Ireland, and who came to Amerion when six years old. The former was born in Blanchard township. Perth county, Ontario, Canada, and was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1890. at the age of forty seven and his wife died on February 1, 1914, at the age of seventy. They were members of the Episcopal church. To them were born nine children: Jobn. Catherine, Alice, Mrs. Myers, Jennie, Adella, Charlotte (deceased), who married John McIntosh, Georgia and Russell. All of these children are living near London, Ontario. Doctor and Mrs. Myers have only one child, Neil, who was born on May 29, 1901.

Doctor Myers is a Republican. Doctor and Mrs. Myers are members of the Presbyter- ian church and he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a director in the Union Loan and Savings Company of Wilmington.

WILLIAM E. SMITH.

William E. Smith, a former farmer of Clinton county, who is now engaged in the livery business at Wilmington. is one of the enterprising citizens of this section of Ohio, and is well known for his aggressive hablt, his power of leadership, and his cordial personal relations with his fellow townsmen.

William E. Smith was born on December 20. 1858, In Union township, Clinton county. Ohio, the son of Robert Heury and Elizabeth ( Haney) Smith, the former of whom was horn near Winchester, Virginia, In the Shenandoah valley, July 11. 1828, and who died on March 1. 1876, and the latter of whom was born in the Shenandoah valley of Vir- ginia. November, 1824, and who died on October 31, 1897.

The paternal grandparents of William E. Smith were John S. and Susan Smith, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and who, when their son, Robert Henry, was a small lad, came from Virginia to Clinton county, Ohio, and purchased a farm on the south side of I'nion township. They belonged to the Christian church. He died at the age of seventy-eight and she at the age of eighty-four. Mr. Smith's maternal grandparents were Charles and Sarah Haney, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Charles Haney became the heir to a great many slaves, but he was opposed to slavery and turned the slaves free. He and his wife were also members of the Christian church. Their daughter, Elizabeth, the mother of William E. Smith, was only six years old when they came from

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Virginia to Greene township. Clinton county, Ohio. Charles Haney was a well-to-do farmer and served in the War of 1812. His wife drew a pension after his death while she was living in New Antioch, Ohio,

Robert Henry Smith grew to manhood in Clinton county, Ohio, and became a miller by occupation, and owned and operated a flour-mill during early life. He served with the famous "Squirrel Hunters" during the Civil War, and as a result of bis zeal his mill was burned, probably by members of the Knights of the Golden Circle, who were active in this county. Afterwards he purchased a farm in Union township, and lived there until his death. He was a Republican in politics, and his wife was a devout member of the Christian church. They had two children : William E., the subject of this sketch ; and Eva, who married David Leaming, and after his death married Elmer Clevenger; she died in 1910.

Mrs. Robert Henry Smith was first married to Robertson Custis. After his death she was married to Robert Henry Smith. By her first marriage she had four children : Charles, lives in Wilmington and is a veteran of the Civil War; Thomas, lives in Call- fornia and owns a cigar store in: santa Barbara, and two daughters, deceased.

William E. Smith attended the public schools in Union township and worked on his father's farm until he had attained his majority. After this he was married and lived on the home farm for five years, when he moved to a farm two miles southwest of Cuba, which was owned by his father-in-law, and where he lived for eight years, In 1899 he removed to Wilmington and purchased the Spray livery barn on West Main street. He has been successfully engaged in business in Wilmington for the past sixteen years.

On October 11. 1861. William E. Smith was married to Emma Cast, who was born in Washington township. Clinton county, Ohio, and who is the daughter of Simeon and Mary Cast, both of whom are deceased. He was a farmer by occupation, but spent his Inter years in Wilmington.

To Mr. and Mrs. William E. Smith have been born two children : Eugenia, the first born, died in infancy : Harold 8., who was born on December 23, 1801, is a bookkeeper in the Citizens National Bank at WOmington. He is unmarried and lives with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to the Baptist church. and Mr. Smith is a trustee of the church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of U'nited American Mechanics, An ardent Republican in politics, he was at one time elerted a member of the Wilmington city council and served in this office with distinction.

Mr. Smith has not only been successful in business, but he has been successful without losing the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, a distinction of no mean Import- ance. Good natured, whole hearted and generous, he is a popular resident of the city of Wilmington.

ARTHUR W. STARBUCK.

Among the enterprising and energetic merchants of the city of Wilmington. this county, few are better known or have a wider repute for the careful manner in which their several mercantile enterprises are conducted than has Arthur W. Starbuck. the popular book dealer, whose well-ajqwinted book store is one of the well established con- cerns of that city. Mr. Starbuck practically "grew up" in the mercantile life of Wilming- ton, having taken his place in the commercial circles of the town upon reaching his majority, thirty-five years ago, since which time he has been continuously and actively Identified with the business interests of the county seat. in that time having so thoroughly acquainted himself with the needs and the tastes of the people that he is able to enter to these tastes in the most competent possible manner. For fourteen years he was ident !- fied with the retail shoe trade of the city, after which he was engaged in the restaurant business for thirteen years, at the end of which time he became prominently connected with the local gas company's office. a position which he retained until 1909, in which

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year he engaged in the book and stationery business and has been thus successfully occu- pled since, his store being recognized as one of the most prominent establishments of the city.

Arthur W. Starbuck was born at Dover, in Union township, this county, on February 19, 1859, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Ellis) Starbuck, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born in Unlon township in the year 1834 and the latter of whom was born near the village of Port William in the year 1830, both being members of pioneer families of this county.

Thomas Starbuck, who now lives in California, is the son of Latham Starbuck, the latter of whom was the son of Hezekiah Starbuck, a native of North Carolina, who settled in this county about the year of 1812. Edward Starbuck, the first of the Starbucks to immigrate to this country was a native of Nantucket, England, who came to America about three hundred years ago and was one of the original purchasers of Nantucket Island from the Indians. He was the founder of a large and prominent family and his numerous descendants are found in many parts of the country, a vigorous progeny, all doing well their various parts in the grand social sche. e of this nation. Hezekiah Star- buck was a sailor, but during the War of 1812 he found his occupation practically gone, as nearly all American commerce was swept off the seas during that stormy period. In consequence of this state of affairs he decided to try pioneering in the unsettled wilds of the great country to the west and he and his family immigrated to Ohio, locating in Clinton county, entering a farm from the government in the Dover neighborhood, where the family became permanently established.

Latham Starbuck, son of Hezekiah, was a grown boy when the family located in this county and he presently bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in I'nion township, on which he spent the rest of his life, becoming one of the most prominent and influential settlers of that section of the county. He and his wife were Quakers and their children were reared in accordance with the rigid tenets of their birthright fuith, they, in turn becoming useful and influential members of the community. Thomas Starbuck, son of Latham, was reared on the home farm in I'nion township, remaining on the farm until some time after his marriage. He then engaged in the manufacture of Ille at Bowersville, Ohio, and was thus successfully engaged until the year 1870. In 1.95 he moved to Armada, California, where he immediately entered prominently into the public life of his new home town and for some years past has been postmaster of Armada. Thomas Starbuck is a Republican and is a member of and active worker in the Christian church, being widely recognized as a lay preacher of much power in that denomination.

In 1SSS Thomas Starbuck was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ellis, who was born near Port William, this county, the daughter of James and Susannah Ellis, also natives of Clinton county, the former of whom was the son of a Pennsylvanian, a soklier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, who settled in this county early in the last century.

To Thomas and Elizabeth (Ellis) Starbuck were born five children, of whom the immediate subject of this sketch is the eldest, namely : Arthur W., a prominent merchant of Wilmington : Emma L., who married William Utter and died In 1904; Florence E., who lives with her parents In California : Granville E., a muste teacher of San Bernardino, California, and Elmer E .. a cabinet maker, who lives in the same city.

Arthur W. Starbuck was renred on the home farm in I'nion township, until two years of age and moved to near Bowersville, where he received his elementary education in the Palmer district school of that township, supplementing the same by a course in the public schools at New Antioch. He worked on the farm until he had attained his majority, after which he located in Wilmington, which ever since has been his home. Upon coming to Wilmington, Mr. Starbuck entered the employ of Harry Walker and

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

for fourteen years was engaged as a clerk in th Intter's retail shoe store. At the end of that time he formed a partnership with J. T. Carroll and for five years was engaged with the latter in the restaurant business. At the end of that time this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Starbuck conducted the restaurant alone for eight years. He then sold the business and was engaged as office man for the Wilmington Gas Company until 1909. In which year he bought Harry H. Walker's book store, a business which be has since conducted with much success and in a manner most gratifying to his extensive trade.

On November 15, 1883, Arthur W. Starbuck was united in marriage to Alberta Vandervort, who was born at New Antioch, this county, daughter of Richard and Catherine Vandervort, prominent farming people of that neighborhood, both of whom are now deceased. To this happy union two children have been born, Mabel, who was born in 1884, married Clifton T. Hazard, teacher of mathematics at Purdue University, and lives at West Lafayette. Indiana, and Charles R., born in 1989, who is a clerk in the Clinton County National Bank of Wilmington.

Mr. Starbuck is a Republican and takes such part in the political affairs of his home community as all good citizens owe to the commonwealth, being active in furthering such measures as are designed to promote the comumnon good. He has given much and thought- ful attention to the affairs of the public schools of Wilmington and for six years was a very efficient members of the city school board. He is a member of the Wilmington judge of the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of which he takes a warm Interest. Active in commercial, political and social circles of Wilmington, Mr. Starbuck has created for himself a very definite place in the life of the county seat and is one of the best-known men in Clinton county, enjoying the confidence and regard of all. He and his wife are diligent in promoting all good works and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.

CHARLES PIERSON RICHARDSON.

Charles Pierson Richardson was widely known during his lifetime as one of the successful farmers of Clinton county, Ohlo. He had a prominent part in the development of agriculture in this county and his well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, hts capable management of his own business and his sound Judgment resulted in the acquisition and accumulation of a very large competence. He began life with one hun- dred acres of land, to which was later added three hundred and thirty-five acres, all of which was inherited by Mrs. Richardson, which truet was improved from time to time until at the time of his death he owned one of the finest farms in Vernon township. He was a prominent stockman and a highly respected citizen of this county.

The Inte Charles Pierson Richardson, farmer and stockman of Clinton county, was born on March 15, 1840, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of Pierson Jackson and Elizabeth (Schillinger) Richardson, the former of whom was born In 1815 in Genesee county, New York, and who died on December 17. 1902, and the latter of whom was boru on April 27, 1814, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and who died on October 3, 1883. Hler parents were natives of Germany. Charles Pierson Richardson died on July 30, 1894. His father, P. J. Richardson, was a son of James Richardson, who was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, having served as a first lieutenant in a regiment of the New York infantry. He built and owned a one-half interest in the first boat built in Cincinnati. His father grew up in New York state and when he was a young man emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he married, near which place be farmed until about 1855, when he removed to Clinton county with his family. Here he purchased his home, which he built at Newport in 1846, and which is still standing. well preserved. He died at Newport on February 6, 1848, He was a member of the Presby- terian church,

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Pierson Jackson, a son of James and father of the subject, a farmer, born in Genesee county, New York, March 15, 1815, died in Cuba on December 17, 1902. He attended a private school and graduated in a Cincinnati college. He moved to Cuba, Clinton county, in 1855 and was married in Cincinnati on June 15, 1836, to Elizabeth Schillinger, daughter of Col. William Schillinger.

Charles Pierson Richardson was about fifteen years of age when his parents came to Clinton county, Ohio. Here he grew up on a farm aud was married, and after his marriage he farmed in Vernon township on land which Mrs. Richardson inherited from her father and which amounted to four hundred and thirty-five acres. Mr. Richardson raised a great deal of thoroughbred live stock and kept registered trotting horses of the Wilkes and Hambletonian breeds. He also specialized in raising Shropshire sheep and Shorthorn cattle. He was killed in 1894 by the kick of a horse, having lived but a few hours after tbe accident. After his death, Mrs. Richardson remained on the farm until 1911 and then moved to Wilmington, where she now resides with her daughter, Bessie.

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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 53

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