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 65

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 65

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John P. Langdon was born on February 6, 1859, at Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton county, Ohio, the son of Samuel and Martha J. (Lyon) Langdon, the former of whom was born on April 16, 1823, on Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, and the latter born on January 25, 1829, at the same place. Martha J. Lyon was the daughter of James C. and Maria (Carder) Lyon, the former of whom, a native of Virginia, was pastor of the old Duck Creek Baptist church of Cincinnati for forty years. His father located on Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, buying the land there for seventeen and one-half cents an acre. This land remained in the family until the bulk of it was sold for five hundred dollars an acre. The last eight acres sold for thirty thousand dollars. James C. and Maria Lyon bad four children, Joanna, James, Mary and Martha, the mother of Jobn P. Langdon.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Langdon was Mark Langdon, a native of England, who enme to America in 1816, locating on what is now East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, where he lived the remainder of his life. He and his wife had five children, Joseph, Samuel, William, John and Elizabeth. all of whom are deceased.

Samuel Langdon, the father of John P., was educated in the common schools. He and his wife had four children, Frank. Mary, John P. and Fannie. Frank resides at Riverside, California. Mary and Fannie are living with their mother on Norwood Heights, Cincinnati. Samuel Langdon took a great interest in politics and was a well- known farmer of Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton county. He owned one hundred acres of land, which had been given to him and which sold on March 27, 1912, to the LaSantiville Country Club, of Cincinnati.

John P. Langdon was educated in the common schools of Cincinnati and also in the Cincinnati high school, where he spent two years. After completing his education, he returned to the farm and helped his father until the latter's death, which occurred on January 9, 1882. On March 7. 1887. Mr. Langdon moved to Clinton county and purchased one hundred and twenty-nine arres at the edge of Sabina, where he is living at the present time. He makes a specialty of raising Percheron horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs.

John P. Langdon was married on December 30, 1880, to Florence Cole, the daughter of Dr. P. C. Cole, of Sabina, who was a sergeant in the Union army during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have been the parents of five children. Elmer C .. Gordon P., Faith May, Morris C. and Clara F.

From 1909 until 1913. Mr. Langdon, as a Republican, was a commissioner of Clinton county. He was trustee for nine years, from 1890 until 1899. He has also been a mem- ber of the Sabina board of education for some time. The Langdon family live on their farm In Richland township just at the east edge of Sabina.

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GEORGE W. WIRE, M. D.

Who can estimate properly, or convincingly, the influence for good upon the life of a community wielded by the thoughtful, conscientious practicing physician? What record, save that of the great Recording Angel, ever will contain a complete transcript of the unselfish labors of the healer who goes about his business in behalf of ailing humanity, all uncomplainingly, patiently, devotedly and sincerely giving himself; the strength of his hand, of his mind and of his heart, to all who call for such relief of bodily suffering. A mere formal historical and biographical work, of this character, is highly informative and instructive, and to future generations of this county this volume will be held as a priceless heritage of the past; but there is very much the future generations ought to know of the doings of their forbears that cannot be put down in cold letters and figures on a printed page. Among these phases of commercial life that only can be recorded in the hearts of men here below, that relating to the unselfish Inbors of the earnestly consecrated physician properly may be considered as of para- mount importance. While no attempt shall be made to convey a further message of sentiment in that connection on this page, it is but proper that, in a work of this nature. something of the life's record of the well-known and popular physician whose name forms the caption of this sketch, shall here be presented for the information of those generations yet to come who will want to know all that is obtainable of the history of the devoted men and women who wrought, giving the best that was in them, In order that richer material blessings, than they have ever known, night descend upon those who were to follow.

George W. Wire was born on a farm near the city of Princeton, In Gibson county, Indiana. on October 9. 1:52, son of John and Lieuvica (Pond) Wire, the former of whom was a native of Maryland, born In 1501. who died in 1870, and the latter of whom was born in Clinton county, Ohio, In 1507, and died in 1857.

John Wire, whose parents were of German descent, was reared on a farm in Mary- land and upon reaching manhood's estate emigrated to Ohio, locating for a time in this county, where he married Lieuvica Pond, whose parents were among the very earliest settlers of this part of the state, and moved by wagon to Gibson county, Indiana. where he bought a farm near the city of Princeton, on which he spent the remainder of his life, becoming a prosperous and Influential resident of that community.

To John and Lieuvica (Pond) Wire were born eleven children, namely : Peter. a lieutenant in the I'nion army during the Civil War, was shot and slain while attempting to escape after having been captured by the enemy ; John. derensed; Elizabeth, who mar- ried William MeCleary, both of whom now are dead; Mahala, with her husband, also is dend : Matilda, deceased : Andrew, a school teacher, who enlisted in the U'nion army for service during the Civil War and was killed during the storming of Ft. Donelson ; Sarah, deceased : Lieuvica, deceased ; William B., a former prominent lumber dealer, now deceased; Thomas, who also was engaged in the lumber business, derensed; and George W., the subject of this sketch. he being not only the youngest of this notable family, but now the sole survivor.

George W. Wire was bereaved of his mother when eight years of age. His father married again, but to this second union there was no Issue. Upon completing the course In the public schools of Gibson county, young Wire entered DePauw University at Green- castle, Indiana, where he remained two years. at the end of which time he entered the office of Dr. S. E. Munford, at Princeton, Indiana, for the purpose of studying medicine. After two years spent under this admirable preceptor, he entered Miami Medical Col- lege at Clneinnati, from which excellent old institution he was graduated in 1876, with the full honors of his degree. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Wire immediately located in Wilmington, this county, where he ever since has been successfully engaged

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in the practice of his chosen profession, having gained in that time a reputation as a physician that extends far beyond the confines of this county.

['pon locating in Wilmington, Doctor Wire formed a partnership with Dr. J. R. Walker, which continued most harmoniously and effectively until the latter's death in May, 1877. Not only has Doctor Wire been one of the most active practicing physicians In this part of the state, but he has been active in public affairs and during the past ten years has served in the Wilmington city council, being elected to his seat therein on the Republican ticket, his services in that connection having been of large value to the community. In matters affecting the public health, Doctor Wire's services in his official capacity have been of particular value, and for the past four years he has carried the additional official obligation of serving in the capacity of public health officer of the city of Wilmington. In a business way, he has not been inactive, aud for years has been a member of the directorate of the Clinton County National Bank at Wilmington. In his professional capacity, Doctor. Wire is widely known throughout this part of Ohlo. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society and the Clinton County Medical Society, in all of which bodies he takes an active and prominent part.

On January 2. 1879, Dr. George W. Wire was united In marriage to Mary E. Lacy, who was born in Union township, this county, daughter of Elijah and Sarab Jane Lacy, the former of whom was also a native of this county, who lived to the age of seventy- two. Mrs. Wire died on February 25, 1914, and was widely mourned. for her life had been full of good works, she having in all things been a competent helpmeet to ber husband, the position of a physician's wife often carrying trying duties, to all of which she ever proved equal.

To Dr. George W. and Mary E. (Lacy) Wire but one child was born. a son, George IL, who was born on March 29, 1581, who now Is engaged In the practice of Inw in Chicago. George Ix Wire was graduated from Harvard University in 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1907 was graduated from the Harvard Law School, after which he entered practice in Chicago and has been very successful. He married Alma I. Bikien, of Burlington, Iowa, a graduate of Wellesley College, to which union one child has been born, a daughter. Louise.

Doctor Wire was married. secondly. June 23. 1915, to Jennie Ethel Brown, a native of I'nion township and a graduate of Wilmington College, a daughter of Jasper and Dora Brown, an old family of this county, a teacher in the Wilmington schools.

HENRY VENNEMAN.

Henry Venneman, who is one of the most prosperous farmers of Richland township, Clinton county, Ohio, is one of the most widely-rend and best-Informed men of this town- ship. Although he never attended an American school, he speaks the English language without accent. He is today one of the wealthiest men of his community.

Henry Venneman was born on January 12, 1830, in Hanover, Germany, the son of John Henry and Mary ( Wellinghoof) Venneman. the former of whom died about twelve years ago. They were farmers by occupation and members of the Catholle church. They spent their entire lives in their native land. They were the parents of four children, Herman. Ferdinand. Henry and Frank. Of these children. Herman came to America, served In the Civil War about three years and died in Cincinnati. Ferdinand died In Germany. Frank also spent his life in Germany and was able to escape military service.

The subject of this sketch. received a good education in the schools of his native land. which he attended until fifteen years old. At the age of fifteen, Henry Venneman landed in Baltimore, having come to America on a sailing vessel, which took forty-nine days to make the trip. After stopping a brief time in Baltimore, he went on to Cincinnati

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to visit a cousin, with whom he remained for six months. Later he moved to Fayette county, Ohio.

Henry Venneman has been twice married. frst to Jane Clifton, and after her death, he was married, secondly, to Sophia Pavey, who was born on July 17, 1842, the daughter of William and Anna (Johnson) . Pavey. The latter was the first wife of William Pavey.

William Pavey was a native of Highland county, Ohio, and a farmer in that county, where he owned about eight hundred acres of land. By his frat wife he had ten children. namely : Isaac: William; Mary, deceased : George; John, deceased; Henry, who served in the Forty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. during the Civil War; Sophia ; Elizabeth ; James, who was a soldier in the Second Oblo Regiment, Heavy Artillery ; und Eliza. The second wife of William Pavey, who was Jerdena Kirby, bore him four children. Charles, Thomas, Kitora and Gilbert. Isaac Pavey, who was Mrs. Venneman's paternal grandfather, was a farmer and minister in the Methodist Episcopal church.

After his marriage, Henry Venneman moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and lived on a farm in Richland township. He owned in all three hundred and eighty-eight acres of land, situated in Highland and Clinton counties. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Venneman moved to Sabina, where they have since lived retired. Mr. Venneman was a soldier in the Civil War, having served in Company B, Second Ohio Regiment, Heavy Artillery. for a period of two years. one and one-half months. He and his good wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mr. Venneman owns stock in the First National Bank. in the Geiger & Jones Company, which operates the rolling-mill at Kenton, Ohio, and also heavy holdings in school and municipal bonds. issued prior to 1913.

Mr. Venneman is a man of democratic tastes and bas long been popular in the com- munity where he has lived and where he is so well known. Possessed of honorable and humane impulses, his large success in life is due primarily, to his native, German thrift.

JOHN S. HUMMEL.

John S. Hummel, who is a well-known publisher and now postmaster of Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio, was born on March 28, 1854, at Strasburg, Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania. He is the son of Joshua and Harriett ( Hess) Hummel, both natives of Penn- sylvania.

Joshua Hummel worked on a railroad until 1860, when he came to Athens county, Ohio, and took up farming. He remained here for six years, and then moved to Lan- caster. Ohio, where he died in 1967. He and his wife were the parents of six children. Ashmore P., of Toledo, Ohio: Anna T., deceased : Salome Lonise, deceased : John S., the subject of this sketch ; Charles F., deceased, and Carrie V., of Lancaster. Ohio.

John S. Hummel received bis education in the common and parochial schools of Lancaster, Ohio, and, when fourteen years of age, went into the office of the Lancaster Gazette to learn the trade of a printer. He completed his apprenticeship in four years, and then went to Middletown. Ohio, where he worked for one and one-half years for the Brock Brothers, who had the only printing office in the town. Obtaining a position on the Crescent, of Frankfort, Indiana, he remained here for seven months, going from there to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed as a compositor on the State Journal. In the spring of 1879 he went to Delaware, Ohio, where he took up his duties as foreman in the composing room on the Herald, of which paper he later became business manager and associate editor. Here he remained for five years, when he went to Urbana, Ohio, , being associated with James K. Newcomer in the publication of the Champaign County Democrat, a prominent weekly. Three years were spent at this work, when he went to Columbus and remained one winter, and spent the following summer in Hillsboro. In October, 1883, he came to Wilmington and purchased the Democrat from James K. New- comer, the same man with whom he had been associated at Urbana. At the time of the

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purchase of the newspaper plant it was necessary for bim to buy on credit, but by hard work he soon had the debt paid off, and placed the business on a substantial bands.

On September 15, 1886, Mr. Hummel was married to Alice Brockman, a native of, Clinton county, and to them have been born two children, Anna M., who assists her father in the newspaper office and Karl B., who is a graduate of Wilmington College.

Politically, Mr. Hummel is a Democrat, and on July 4, 1914, was appointed by Presi- dent Wilson to the position of postmaster of Wilmington, the first publie office he has ever held. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel are members of the Presbyterian church and have brought up their children in that faith.

JOHN M. CHAMPLIN.

Among the many enterprising commercial establishments at Wilmington, the county sent of Clinton county, few have a wider or better sustained reputation for fair-dealing and up-to-date business methods than the popular clothing store of Champlin & Mitchell. Though this firm has been in business, as a firm, but four years. It has established itself firmly In the commercial life of the county sent and the members of the firm are known far and wide throughout this section of the state as gentlemen of push and energy, eminently entitled to the favor they have received at the bands of a discriminating and critical public.

John M. Champlin was born on a farm near the pleasant village of Westboro, Jefferson township. Clinton county, Ohio, on November 7, 1868, son of Joshua and Lucy ( Michaels) Champlin, the former of whom was born in Rhode Island in 1829 and died at his home in this county in 1890, and the latter of whom was born in Washington townsbip, this county, In 1829, and died in 1911.

Joshua Champlin was a son of Capt. Joshua and Elizabeth ( Warren) Champlin. both natives of Rhode Island, of old colonial stock, who emigrated to Ohio about the year 1835, locating on a farm near the village of Cuba. In this county, where both spent the remainder of their lives, living to ripe old ages and attaining positions of prominence and influence In that community. Capt. Joshua Champlin for years previous to his settlement in this county had been engaged as a captain on ocean-going steamers and had done valiant service during the Mexican War. The younger Joshua Champlin was a small boy when his parents emigrated to this county and he was reared amld conditions familiar to pioneer days. He became a farmer, remaining on the home farm until 1855. in which year he moved to the state of Missouri, locating on a farm in that state. He was living there when the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in a Missouri regiment. serving for three years as a valiant soldier in the Union army. At the close of the war he returned to this county and opened a general store in the village of Cuba, which he continued for a short time. He then retired from the store. buying a farm near by, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of three children, of whom John M .. the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. John M. Champlin has two sisters, Anna and Mary, both of whom also reside in Wil- mington.

John M. Champlin, following the completion of the course in the public schools at Cuba. this county, began his mercantile career as a clerk in the general store of G. R. Kearans, In that village, a position which he retained for three years, at the end of which time he went to Wilmington to clerk in the dry-goods store of F. S. Broomball. Following a short service in that store he was engaged by Rannells Brothers, and for five years served as a clerk in their clothing store, during which time he gained a thorough acquaintance with the clothing business, as well as a comprehensive familiarity with the needs of the patrons of clothing stores in this section of the state, an experience which later was to prove valuable when he entered the clothing business for himself.

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He terminated his connection with the store of Rannells Brothers to enter the employ of the Courticelli Silk Company as traveling salesman and for thirteen years "covered" Oblo territory in the interests of that firm, becoming, in this period, one of the best- known and most popular traveling men in the state of Ohio. Tiring of "the road," Mr. Champlin. In 1911. formed a partenrabip with Harley E. Mitchell, one of the best- known clothing men in Wilmington, and bought the Rannells clothing store; Mr. Champlin thus entering as proprietor the establishment in which many years before he had served in the capacity of a clerk. The firm was organized under the title of Champlin & Mitchell, and from the very start has been a great success. The store Is well stocked and admirably equipped to supply all the clothing needs of the community which it serves. In addition to a full and complete line of general clothing and men's furnishings, a completely-stocked shoe department is operated by the firm, the store being one of the largest establishments of its kind in this part of the state.

On February 10, 1800, John M. Champlin was united in marriage to Estella Braughart, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, daughter of Jack aud Amanda (Taylor) Braughart, and to this union three children have been born, Robert, born in 1901 ; Earl, 1903, and Harold, 1910.

Mr. and Mrs. Champlin are earnest members of the Christian church, in the various beneficences of which they take an active interest, and in the faith of which their children are being reared, Mr. Champlin is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the Elks lodge at Wilmington and is a prominent factor in the affairs of both of those popular fraternal organizations. Enterprising and energetic in business. popular socially, public-spirited and up-to-date, few men in this part of the state have i Wider acquaintance than John M. Champlin or are held In higher esteem. His thorough nequaintance with business methods and his manner of acquitting himself in all his relations with his fellow men have given Mr. Champlin a high place in business and commercial circles hereabout and he possesses the full confidence of all with whom he is brought into contact in a business way; the same measure of confidence being extended to his partner. Mr. Mitchell, giving this firm a high standing in and about the city of Wilmington.

GERARD B. NOFTSGER.

Gerard B. Noftsger is a successful farmer of Washington township, who was born in Washington township. Clinton county, Ohio. September 13, 155S. the son of Nanman and Jane (Gerard) Noffsger, both of whom were born near Hamilton, Ohio.

Mr. Noftager's paternal grandparents were John and Mary Noftager, natives of the Keystone state, and of German descent. Early in the history of Hamilton, Ohio, they located near there, when the city was a mere straggling village. John Noftager was n farmer and spent all his life on his farm near Hamilton, but died at the home of his son, Naaman, in Washington township, this county. where his wife also passed away. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Noftager were also early settlers in Hamilton county. where they were farmers.

Naaman Noftager received his education in the schools of Hamilton county. Ohio, and later became a farmer in the Mill Creek bottoms. In 1855 he removed to Clinton county and bought the farm where Gerard B. was born. He bought eighty acres of land and cleared seventy acres of this and made many improvements upon the farm. Here he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives, and renred a family of ten children. seven sons and three daughters. Emily. Charles. Clinton. Milton, Gerard. Anna, Butler. Wellington, William and Laura. Naaman Noftsger was identified with the Seventh-Day Adventist church, while his wife was a member of the Baptist church.

Gerard B. Noftsger received an education in the common schools of Clinton county, and became a farmer early in life. In 1881 be removed to the farm where he now resides.

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consisting of eighty-seven acres. Mr. Noftsger bas erected excellent buildings on this farın, and has been engaged in general farming.

In 1881 Gerard B. Noftsger was married to Ida A. Whinery, the daughter of John V. Whinery. Mrs. Noftager's family history is contained in the sketch of L. P. Whinery, recorded elsewhere in this volume. She died on May 16, 1896, leaving three children, one of whom, Mazy, the eldest, died in infancy. The other children are Edna and Ada. Mr. Noftsger was married, secondly, May 20, 1899, to Chloe Lieurance, the daughter of Amos Lieurance, whose family history is also given elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. and Mrs. Noftager are earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active workers in the affairs of this communion.

FRANK FARQUHAR.

As we perceive the shadow to have moved along the dial, but did not perceive it moving; and it appears that the grass has grown, though nobody ever anw It grow ; 80 the advances we make in knowledge, as they consist of such insensible steps, are only perceived by the distance. The same truly may be said of the progress of communities in a elvic, social and industrial way. The present generation is conscious of the count- less advantages shared by all the members of the community, but rarely is thought given as to how these advantages were secured. It requiring the perspective of the historian to bring into vlew the insensible steps by which the present lofty height was reached. It is this perspective which volumes of this character design to lend to the view.

A rigid comparison of the days of the pioneers in this community with those of the present generation is as startling as it is Illuminating, and if this historical and biographical work shall do no more than to create within the breasts of the younger generation of readers a vivid and comprehensive appreciation of the blessings they so readily accept as common gifts. the labor of its compilation shall have been well requited. There are still a few of the pioneers remaining in this section, who have seen these commonly-accepted blessings slowly bud and blossom and fructify, and it is of one of these that this brief biography shall trent. the venerable Frank Farquhar. of Wilmington, one of the best-known and most highly-regarded citizens of Clinton county. a man to whom this whole community owes much for the active part he has taken In the development of the same. Though now past eighty years of age. Mr. Farquhar continues actively in charge of the industry he has built up and takes as firm an interest in current affairs as does many a man of half his years. Born In this county, he has been a witness of the marvelous development of the community along all lines and possesses a fund of reminiscence regarding the past that, In his hours of ease. makes him a most entertaining and instructive companion.

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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 65

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