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 68

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 68

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James F. Fitzhugh is a native of Clinton county, having been born in Wilmington, the son of Lawrence and Clarissa ( Elsberry) Fitzhugh, the former of whom was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in February, 1802, and died at his home in Wilmington, this county, In February, 1855, and the latter of whom was born at Xenin, this state, in 1816, and died on August 20, 1886.

Lawrence Fitzhugh, one of the most prominent of the pioneers of Clinton county. was the son of Nicholas and Sarah ( Ashton) Fitzhugh, both natives of Virginia, and representatives of two induential old colonial familles. Nicholas Fitzhugh was a dis- tinguished lawyer in the Old Dominion and for many years was justice of the United States district court for that district, his entire life having been spent in the city of Alex- andria. Anne Ashton, the mother of Sarah (Ashton) Fitzhugh. was a daughter of Augustine Washington, brother of George Washington. and inherited fourteen hundred and twenty-five acres of land in the adjustment of the Washington estate. The Fitzhughs were members of the Episcopal church and occupied bigh positions In the old Virginia aristocracy.

Lawrence Fitzhugh inherited from his parents six thousand acres of the Spottswood survey, in the southern part of Clinton county, and In 1824 came to Ohio to enter upon his inheritance. He first located at Chillicothe, where he remained about a year, at the end of which time he came to Clinton county, locating at Wilmington, where he spent the rest of his life, becoming one of the most influential citizens in the county. For two terms Lawrence Fitzhugh served the public as county clerk, in which position his services proved of Incalenlable value in the proper preservation of the county's early records, and, after that period of service, he served with equal efficiency and high regard for the welfare of the public for some years as county auditor. He was an ardent

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Democrat and for many years was regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this section of the state.

Lawrence Fitzhugh sold off his vast holdings in the Spottswood survey in tracts, as settlers sought homes in that part of the county, and became quite wealthy. In 1831 he erected a fine brick residence on Locust street, Wilmington, which at that time was regarded as one of the handsomest residences in southwestern Ohlo. The imposing frout of this old mansion is still standing, forming an attractive portion of the present home of James F. Fitzhugh and his sister, Catherine L. Lawrence Fitzhugh, in addition to being one of the most extensive real estate dealers in this section of Ohio, was largely interested in other enterprises of that day, and was a most public-spirited and energetic man. He was one of the organizers of first Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville, which Inter became the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad Company, and which is now operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which line passes through Wilmington, and he was a director in that company until his death.

lu 1831 Lawrence Fitzhugh was united in marriage to Clarissa Elsberry, of Xenia, Ohio, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Miller) Elsberry. prominent residents of Xenia. William Elsberry. a native of North Carolina, came to Oblo upon reaching man's estate and became one of the most influential members of society in the Xenia neigh- borhood. He engaged in the practice of law, being one of the first attorneys of Xenia. He rapidly attained a conunanding position in that community and for years served his district most usefully in the General Assembly, acquiring a reputation as a wise and prudent legislator, which is not forgotten to this day. His wife. Ellzabeth Miller, was a native of the Dayton neighborhood. a member of one of the first families to settle in that section. Both she and her husband were members of the old-school Presbyterian church and prominent in all good works thereabout. William Elsberry lived to be sev. enty-six years of age. having performed well bis part in the affairs of his community.

To Lawrence and Clarissa ( Elsberry) Fitzhugh were born ten children, namely : William E., Sarah A., Henry W .. Ellz bath E., one who died In Infancy, Jane, Mary. James F., Clarissa and Catharine, William E. Fitzhugh was born in 1×32 aud died on August 10. 1859, with the rank of commodore in the United States navy. At the age of fifteen, on November 20. 1848, he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapo- lis, being an appointee from Ohio, and was graduated with honor. William E. Fitzhugh's naval record, briefly epitomized. is as follows: 1849-51, attached to frigate "Cumber- land." Mediterranean squadron: 1:52-3, sloop "Cyane," home squadron : 1854. Naval Academy: June 15. 1854, promoted to and passed midshipman: 1854-55, sloop "John Adams." Pacific squadron : 1855, promoted to master; September 17, 1855. commissioned lieutenant : 1856-7. sloop "St. Mary," Pacific squadron : 1857-60, sloop "Vincennes," coast of Afrien ; 1801-62. steam sloop "Lancaster." Pacific squadron; July 16. 1862. conmis- sioned lientenant-commander : 1862.3. steam sloop "Iroquois," North Atlantic squadron ; 1504. West gulf blockading soundron: August. 1864, at engagement with Ft. Morgan ; 1804-5. commanded steamer "Quiachita." Mississippi squadron; received the surrender of Rebel forces oo Red river; 1866-7. commanded steamer "Paul Jones;" Gulf squadron ; 1888-70. commanded reviewing ship "Norfolk"; 1570-1, commanded flagship "Severn." North Atlantic Heet : 1873-4, equipment duty, Mare Island: 1875-6, ordnance duty, Mare Island: November 25. 1876. commissioned captain: August 25, 1887, commissioned com- modore. He then went on the court of inquiry at Yokohoma, Japan, in 1887. Later he wax president of a board for the sea trial of the new cruiser "Yorktown." In March, 1889. He was then commanding officer at New London, Connecticut, from April 1. 1889. until his death. William E. Fitzhugh was a man of broad culture, and his naval service having carried him into all parts of the world, he thus gained a truly cosmopoli- tan refinement.

Sarah A. Fitzhugh died on May 8, 1860, at the age of twenty-six years. Henry W.

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Fitzhugh died at the age of thirty. Elizabeth Fitzhugh married David Sanders, later moving to Cincinnati, where she died. Jane Fitzbugh died at the tender age of thirteen years. Mary Fitzbugh married J. H. McMillan, both she and ber husband now being deceased. Clarissa Fitzhugh died in 1914 and Catharine L. Fitzhugh remains in the old home, presiding with charming dignity in the household maintained by herself and her brother, now the sole survivors of this interesting family.

James F. Fitzhugh received his elementary education in the public schools of Wil- mington, supplementing the same by a course in Delaware University. Upon completing this course he entered the law office of Judge Harlan, at Wilmington, and, under the careful tutelage of this fine old preceptor, gained a thorough and comprehensive ac- quaintance with legal procedure. Though he was admitted to the bar of the Clinton circuit court, Mr. Fitzhugh never engaged actively in the practice of law, bis time being fully occupied by other interests, For six years he was engaged in the mining business in Arizona, but after the death of his widowed mother, in 1886, he returned to Wilming- ton to take charge of the Important interests involved in the settlement of the considera- ble Fitzhugh estate and ever since has continued to make that city his home. Be and his sister are the proprietors of four hundred and seventy-five acres of fine land, situated in two farms in Union township, besides being interested in other enterprises, to which Mr. Fitzhugh is required to give bis close personal attention.

Mr. Fitzhugh has been quite a traveler and is a most companionable man, possessing a large fund of reminiscences upon which to draw in the exercise of his admirable con- versational powers. He and his sister are deeply concerned in all measures designed to secure the greatest advancement of the common interests locally and are held in the highest esteem by their large circle of friends and acquaintances in this and adjoining counties. Mr. Fitzhugh is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, being deeply interested in the elevation of political standards in administrative affairs in county, state and nation. A Atting expression of the public's confidence in his sagacity and sound judgment was conveyed in his recent appointment on the Important commission nated to locate and build a new court house in Wilmington.

ALFRED IRVIN MCVEY.

Alfred Irvin MeVey, former Clinton county educator, and how cashier of the First National Bank of Blanchester, was born on September 5, 1564, in Highland county, Ohio, the son of Isaac and Martha (Job) MeVey, both natives of the same county.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. MeVey was Noah MeVey, who was a native of Virginia and a pioneer in Highland county, Ohio. Noah MeVey was a farmer most of his life, but for some time was a merchant in Leesburg, Ohio.

Mr. MeVey's maternal grandparents were natives of Virginia, and also early settlers in Highland county, Ohio, where they lived and died as farmers.

Isaac MeVey was born at Leesburg, Highland county, Oblo, and died in the same county where he bad followed the occupation of a farmer practically all of his life. He never aspired to political preferment, and his only military service was as a guard at the Monroe bridge when Morgan's army of Invasion was expected in Ohio. At one time he was the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of land, and engaged in general farming. Isaac and Martha (Job) MeVey were the parents of fourteen children, four of whom are deceased. The names of these children, in the order of their birth, are as follow : Mabel. Clara. Lesite. Turner (deceased), Alfred, Alvah. Newman, Minnie, Eunice. Burleigh, Stanley (deceased), Bertha (deceased). Anne, and Harry (deceased).

Alfred Irvin MeVey, after receiving the rudiments of an education in the common schools of Highland county. Ohio, was graduated from the Leesburg high school in 1888. Immediately after his graduation he began teaching. although as a matter of fact, he really had begun in the teaching profession in the spring of 1587, before his graduation

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He continued in educational work until 1007, in the meantime having taught in the district school of Highland county three years as Instructor in the eighth grade at New Vienna, two years as the principal of the schools at Relsville, six years as superintendent of the schools at Martinsville, and two and one-half years as superintendent of the schools in Blanchester.

Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Blanchester, Mr. McVey wast made cashier and assumed his duties on March 9, 1907. He has served continuously in this capacity ever since.

On August 18. 1887, Alfred I. McVey was married to Anna M. Terrell, of Highland county, and to this union two children were born, Besse and Jessie. The former died at the age of seventeen years, and the latter is a teacher in the Blanchester schools. The mother of these children died on December 9, 1891, and on June 5, 1894, Mr. McVey was married, secondly, to Mintha M. Eaton, daughter of Joseph and Hattie Enton, of New Vienna, Ohio.

Mr. McVey is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He served as county school examiner of Clinton county from 1901 until six months after he abandoned educational work and entered the Blanchester Bank. Mr. MeVey is a member of the Friends church, and his daughter, Jessie, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

DAVID V. IRELAND, M. D.

David V. Ireland, a prominent physician of Wilmington. Clinton county, Ohio, was born near Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, on August 15, 1855. the son of David and Susan ( Hoke) Ireland. David Ireland was born near Mt. Vernon, in Knox county, Ohio, in 1812 and died in October, 1554, and his wife, Susan Hoke, was born in eastern Pennsylvania in 1816 and died in February, 1859. On the parental side, Doctor Ireland is descended from Scotch and Irish ancestry. His grandfather, John Ireland, was born near Glasgow, Scotland. After marrying an Irish girl, John Ireland immigrated to the United States, settling near Mt. Vernon, Knox county. this state, where he nequired possession of the farm on which he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. On the maternal side, Doctor Ireland Inherits Dutch blood, his Grandfather Hoke having been born in Holland and, soon after his marriage, immigrated to eastern Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming for a few years. Later he moved to Knox county, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of his days.

David Ireland was reared in Knox county and early In life learned the trade of a carpenter. He became proficient and had begun business as a contractor when the Mexican War broke out. He enlisted and served throughout that struggle, contracting a disease which Inter caused his death. After returning from the war, he bought a farm in Richland county, Oblo, but later located on a farm north of Fredericktown, in Knox county, where he spent the rest of his life. Though he managed his farm to advantage, he made most of his money by buying and selling farms, buying them at a reasonable figure and holding them until their value increased. He was an ardent Whig. but Inter Joined the Republican party, in the advancement of which he took a deep interest. Ils wife was a member of the Christian church. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Ireland, she had been the wife of John Moree, who died leaving three sons, John, who was in the I'nion army during the Civil War and died of sickness at Knoxville, Tennessee, on the night of President Lincoln's assassination ; Benjamin, a lawyer who lives in Frederick. town. Ohlo; and Amos, a farmer in Kansas To David and Susan Ireland were born the following children : George N., born in March, 1850, who died In 1900, was a physi- cian for fifteen years in Wilmington, after which he took a special course in diseases of the eye. ear and nose, in which he became a specialist and located In Steubenville, where his death occurred a short time after; Levi, who is a carpenter in Fredericktown, and Dr. David V., who is the youngest.

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David V. Ireland received his elementary education in the public schools of Fred- ericktown, graduating from the high school there and. during the following four years taught school in Knox and Highland counties. In 1878 he entered upon the study of medicine in the office of his brother. Dr. George N., at Wilmington, with whom he remained for three years and then attended the Cleveland Homeopathic College for one year. Later he matriculated in the Hanneman Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated, and then located and practiced his profession for three years at Jamestown, Ohio. He then practiced at London, Ohio, for a number of years and then moved to Dayton, where, for four years, he was engaged In sanitarium work. The fol- lowing four years he practiced at Chillicothe, Ohio, and in the fall of 1913 located in Wilmington, where he has since been engaged In the practice of his profession. His ability was quickly recognized and he Is now In possession of a large and representa- tive clientele there. Doctor Ireland is a member of the Southeastern Obio Medical Society, and In 1914. at Chicago, was elected president of the American Society for the Study of Spondylotheropy, or the real science of diagnosis by examining the spinal column.

On January 1. 1853. Dr. David V. Ireland was married to Adda M. Weagley, who was born in Bellville, Richland county. Ohio, daughter of William H. and Eleanor (Whitford) Weagley. the former of whom is a high-school teacher. now retired from active service. To this union were born six children. Fred V., an artist in New York City; Jessie, who died at the age of nine years; Georgiana. a kindergarten teacher in Montana ; Freda, a teacher of art and music in Michigan: George, a student in the Ohio State University and who is also taking second year's work In the Columbus Art School ; and Lillian, who is a student in Wilmington College. Politically, Doctor Ireland is a Republican. The mother of these children died in February, 1899, and in September. 1914, Doctor Ireland married, secondly, Bess D. I'msted, a native of Ross county. Ohio.

WILLIAM HALE.

To write the personal records of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men who have achieved success by reason of their personal quall- ties and who have impressed their individuality upon the business and civle and com- mercial life of their place of residence possess an unconscious power for good which can hardly be estimated. Unwittingly, perhaps, they build monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite shaft. The venerable William Hale, who is descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors and who has been prominent in the political and agricultural life of Clinton county for a half century, but who is now living retired in Wilmington. undoubtedly belongs to this class of men.

William Hale was born in what is now Adams township, but which was then called Vernon township. in CHuton county, Ohio, on November 11. 1835, the son of Jaroh and Hannah (Andre) Hale, the former born in Guilford county. North Carolina, in 1800. and died in 1849, and the latter born in Adams township, this county. in 1812. and died In 1806.

Jacob Hale was the son of Jacob and Martha Hale. The senior Jacob Hale was the son of Joseph and Ruth ( Harlan) Hale, and was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. on September 4. 1763. and died in Adams township, this county. on September 5. 1851. In 1786 he was married to Martha Harvey, who was born in Randolph county. North Carolina, on December 15. 1768, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Carter) Harvey. and who died on June 23. 1859, in Adams township, this county. Jacob Hale. Sr .. grew up In Chester county. Pennsylvania, and abont 1784 moved, with his brothers and sisters. to Rudolph county. North Carolina, where he was married two years Inter. In 1809

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he removed, with his family, to this county and settled on Todd's fork in Union township.

To Joseph and Margaret (Harvey) Hale were born eleven children, as follow : Samuel H., born on February 14, 1787, married Martha Ward; Elizabeth, February 26. 1780, married James D. Massey ; William, September 27, 1791, married Mariah Sabin; Eli. December 20. 1704, married Anne Hadley; Ruth, March 3, 1797, married John Hadley : Lydia, March 29. 1799, married John Harlan; Jacob. July 7. 1801, the father of William, the subject of this sketch, married Hannab Andrew ; Martha, July 7, 1803. married Hirnm Mendenhall; Joseph. July 9, 1804, was twice married, the first time to Rowena Harlan, and the second time to Sarah Sewell; Armoni, September 21, 1806. married Elizabeth Ewards, and Mary, September 26, 1810, married Isaac Roseberry.

Before leaving Chester county, Pennsylvania, for North Carolina, Jacob Hale Inherited a snug fortune and had a considerable amount of money when he arrived in North Carolina. In addition to owning a mill he also owned a five-hundred-acre tract of land on Brandywine creek in North Carolina. The battle of Cowpens was fought near his farm.

On September 3. 180S. Jacob Hale and family left North Carolina with their ten children for Ohio, and after forty-two days on the road arrived at John Hadley's cabin in Adams township, this county, Mrs. John Hadley being a sister of Mrs. Jacob Hale. The Hadleys had twelve children, and the two families, comprising twenty-six persons. spent a part of the winter in Hadley's one-room cabin, or until Jacob Hale could erect a cabin farther up the fork. Being a brick mason, in 1815 be built a brick house over- looking Todd's fork, where he lived until his death, in 1851. at the age of eighty-eight years. He also built the Clinton county court house in 1816. a building of brick which was about fifty feet square and for which he received one thousand dollars The brick were made on the ground adjoining the court house. Both Jacob Hale and his wife were members of the Quaker church and In those early days in this county were prom- inent in the affairs of this church.

The maternal grandparents of William Hale were Samuel and Delilah Andrew, both of whom were born in North Carolina and who were married there. In 1810 they located in Adams township, this county. and purchased a farm. They also were Quakers and had two sons and two daughters.

Jacob Hale. Jr., grew up in what is now Adams township, this county, and through- out his entire life was a farmer. He owned a good farm and died at the age of forty- nine years, a Whig in politics and a member of the Friends church. His widow never remarried.

William Hale. the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of three children born to his parents. the others being Susanna, who married Alva Gallup, both of whom are dierensed, and Alfred, who is deceased. William Hale was thirteen years old when his father died. and he was compelled to go to work with the responsibility of the head of the house, since he was the eldest child. He worked on his mother's farm until his marriage. and soon afterwards purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in Vernon township, where he lived a few years and then purchased two hundred and twenty-eight acres in Adams township. At this latter place he lived until March, 1915, when he retired and removed to Wilmington, at which place he lives in a comfortable home, which he purchased. on North South street. Practically all of his active life Mr. Hale was engaged in buying and shipping stock by the train load. During his active career he served eight years on the Clinton county board of agriculture and six years as county commissioner. For a few years he maintained an office in Ogden. Ohio, where be purchased grain and wool.

On March 11, 1858. William Hale was married to Mary M. Ent, who was born in Frederick City, Maryland, the daughter of George and Lydia Ent, the former a carriage

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maker and trimmer, who died in Martinsville, Clinton county, Ohio, where he was in business for some years.

To Mr. and Mrs. William Hale have been born five children, all of whom are living. Orlando C. is a traveling salesman and lives in Cincinnati ; Frank is a farmer in Vernon township; Flora married H. A. Conts and they live in Adams township on a farm; Charles is the mayor of Clarksville, Oblo; Harry Is a resident of Wilmington, where he is a hardware salesman.

The venerable William Hale has lived a long and useful life in Clinton county. By bis energy, foresight and wise management he has contributed to the progress of this section of the state. He is a worthy descendant of the far-seeing pioneer who sought a home in this great state.

JAMES EDWARD BERNARD.

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our country is due to the honest Industry and the sturdy persistence and unswerving economy of the Indi- vidual citizen. Among this class may be mentioned James Edward Bernard, who, by reason of his years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, not only has acquired a well-deserved competence, but has also won and retained the high esteem of all with whom he has ever been associated.

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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 68

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