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 76

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 76

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Doctor West owns the Clinton Manufacturing Company and was one of the organizers of the National Bank at Sabina and was a director for three years. The Clinton Manufacturing Company is a thriving business which manufactures barrel pumps.

Doctor West was married in September, 1901, to Mabel Sanderson, the daughter of Frank and Frances ( West) Sanderson. Doctor and Mrs. West have had no children.

The Wests are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Doctor West is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woudmen of America, and he is also identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In 1910 be built an office and house combined and has one of the most thoroughly equipped physician's offices and laboratories to be found in Sabina. His practice has grown from year to year and today he is regarded as one of the most popular men in the community.

HOWARD AND GEORGE C. BARNS.

Among the prominent citizens of Sabina, Oblo, are Howard and George C. Barna, the former of whom, since 1906, has been editor and publisher of the Sabina Tribune, and the latter of whom was formerly the proprietor of the Xenia Herald, but who, since 1907, has been engaged in the practice of law at Sabina. The Sabina Tribune was started by James H., Howard, George C. and M. D. Barns twenty-five years ago.

Howard Barns was born on December 14, 1871, In Sabina, and his brother, George C., on February 2, 1875, in Sabina. They are the sons of John H. and Maria (Shewal- ter) Barns, the former of whom was born in 1839, in Winchester, Virginia, and died on November 10, 1884, and the latter of whom was born on September 11. 1837, in Wilmington, Ohio, the daughter of Elias and Eliza (Hale) Shewalter.

John H. Barus for many years was the proprietor of a tinware shop at Sabina. His father died when he was a mere lad, and he lived in Virginia until 1860. His mother, Eliza Barna, came to Wilmington. In 1862 John H. Barns volunteered in Company G, Seventy-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His health was broken by the bard service and he was discharged on account of disability. In 1865 he was married to Maria F. Shewalter, the daughter of Ellas and Eliza J. Shewalter, of Indiana. They bad nine children, namely : Anna Bernice, deceased ; Mahara D. (Harry) ; James H., deceased : Elias Howard ( Howard) ; George C .; Alice Marie; Arthur Clyde, deceased ; Frederick C., deceased, and Emma.

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Barns were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sabina. Mr. Barna was prominent in local politics, having served as a member of the village council. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of both the subordinate and encampment branches.

The paternal grandparents, John J. H. and Eliza ( Shewalter) Barns, were residents of Virginia until late in life, when they came to this county. The paternal grandfather died In 1851. The paternal grandmother, Eliza Shewalter, was a sister of Ellas She- walter, father of Maria Shewalter. John J. H. Barns was a miller in Virginia, who located in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1851, living there until his death. He and his wife had ten children.

George C. Barns was educated in the public schools of Sabina, and graduated from the Washington high school in 1892. Two years later, in partnership with his brothers, he started the Sabina Tribune. During the years 1806 and 1897 he attended

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the Ohio State I'niversity Law School at Columbus, and was admitted to the bar on March 11, 1897. Before attending Jaw school he had read law with the firm of Hayes & Swaim. In 1904 Mr. Barns bought the Xenia Herald, which he conducted for three years, until 1907. Since that time he has been practicing law in Sabina. Mr. Barns is now clerk of public affairs in Sabina. and clerk of the county board of elections at Wilmington. From 1908 to 1912 he was mayor of Sabina, having been elected twice on the Democratic ticket.

In 1:00 George C. Barns was married to Miss Luna Spurgeon, who was born on August 9, 1577. the daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Giffen) Spurgeon. To this union have been born five children. Virginia, George. Hazel, Cyril and Howard. They are members of the Christian church.

Mr. Barns is a Democrat in polities, is past master of Sabina lodge of Masons and also high priest of the Wilmington chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

Howard Barns was married in 1898 to Eva Kelse, who was born on June 10. 1877, and died on March 31, 1914. She was the daughter of Thomas L. and Anna ( Custis) Kelso. She hore Mr. Barns three children. Frederick K .. Jobn H. and Anna Lee. Howard Barnes is also a Democrat in politics and past master in the Masonic lodge.

FRANK T. HAZARD.

Frank T. Hazard, a successful hardware salesman of Wilmington, Ohio, was born on July 9, 1855. in I'nion township. Clinton county, Ohio, the son of Zebulun and Phoebe ( Wolary ) Hazard, the former of whom was born in Clinton county in 1826 and who died in 1981, and the latter of whom was born in I'nion township on the Waynesville pike in 1827, and died in 1870. Zebulun Hazard's parents were John and Rebecca (Conger) Hazard. who were born and married in Virginia, descended from English stock. They were devoted members of the Friends church. John Hazard came to Clinton county. Ohio. in 1820 and settled on what is now known as the Petticord farm. one mile eust, of Wilmington. He died at the age of sixty-five years, after rearing a family of ten children. His wife lived to be ninety-two years of age.

Phoebe Wolary was the daughter of Michael Wolary, who was born in Maryland. and who. about 1825, settled west of Wilmington, Ohio, on what is now known as the Leonard farm. He and his wife lived to advanced ages. Zebulun Hazard was a farmer and rented land. He died at the age of thirty-five years near Dover in Clinton county, Ohio. He had been first married to a Miss Dwiggins, who had borne him three chil- dren, all of whom are dead. His wife had been previously married, to Isaiah Dwiggins and had one child by that marriage, Isaiah, who died at the age of fifty years in Kansas, where he was a farmer.

Frank T. Hazard was the only child born to his parents. After the death of his father his mother married, secondly, Moses Hudson, who died five years later. Frank T. Hazard's mother died when he was fifteen years old and he made his home during his early manhood with his uncle. Louis Lewis, As a young man he worked as a farm hand and was subsequently married and rented land for four years, finally purchasing n farm in U'nion township, where he lived for three years, ['pon selling out in 1887 he came to Wilmington, where he worked for one year in the David People's hardware store. On January 1. 1849, he began working in J. W. Sparks's hardware store and Is now the head salesman in this store.

On October 28, 1876, Frank T. Hazard was married to Luella Miars, a native of I'nion township. Clinton county, Ohio, born on December 6. 158. the daughter of Isaiah and Matilda (Babib) Miars, both natives of Clinton county. Mrs. Hazard's father is deceased, but her mother is still living. Her father was a farmer in I'nion township, north of Wilmington. Mr. and Mrs. Hazard have been the parents of two children.

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Ethelbert, who conducts a laundry in Wilmington, and Loren M., a prosperous tailor in Wilmington.

Mr. and Mrs. Hazard and family are all members of the Friends church and take an active part in the affairs of this denomination. Mr. Hazard is an ardent Republican.

ELMER W. SHARP.

Elmer W. Sharp, a farmer of Liberty township, Clinton county, Ohio, owns one hundred and six and three-fourths acres of land in this township, comprising a neatly- kept and fertile farm.

Elmer W. Sharp was born in Huntington county, Indiana, on November 16, 1862, the son of John and Margaret (Blair) Sharp, the former of whom was born in Ohio. and the latter of whom was the eldest daughter of Ezekiel Blair, a native of Indiana, who was twice married, his second wife being Louise Irwin.

John Sharp was educated in the common schools, and lived in Huntington county, Indiana, where he farmed eighty acres of land. He was a member of the Christian church and died in August, 1885. His death occurred as the result of an accident when a log, which he was hauling to mill, lost its moorings and rolled on him. His wife died in April, 1863. By his marriage to Margaret Blair there were born three children. Ralph P., Lot F., and Elmer W., the subject of this sketch. Ralph and Lot F. live at Fort Wayne, Indiana. John Sharp was married, secondly, to Sarah Heffner, who died in 1908. To this union were born five children, Ellie. William, Matilda, Charles (deceased ), and Emmet. Elmer W. was educated in the common schools of Huntington county, Indiana, and reared on the farm.

On September 16, 1884, Elmer W. Sharp was married to Hannah Mary Wall, a native of Clinton county. born on December 5. 1861. the daughter of Alfred and Lovina ( Holoway ) Wall. Alfred Wall was a native of Clinton county, a farmer by occupation, and owned two hundred acres of land in this county. He had a birthright in the Quaker church, and died in February, 1910. His widow is now living in Wilmington. They had four children : Jennie A., Hannah H., Charles J. (deceased), and Minnie.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sharp were Absalom and Hannah ( Haines) Wall, who were farmers by occupation, and members of the Quaker church. Absalom Wall was born on February 10. 1805, and on April 17, 1828. married Hannah Haines, who was born on November 12, 1808. Absalom Wall was the son of Azariah Wall, who was the son of Absalom, Sr., and Margaret Wall, and was born on September 1, 1772. and died on August 29, 1853. Azariah Wall married Rebecca Leech, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Leech, of York county, Pennsylvania, who was born on March 24. 1778. and who died on October 13. 1873. They were married In York county, Pennsylvania, about 1795, and lived In Center county, Pennsylvania, until 1800, when they moved to what is now Clinton county. Ohlo. Absalom and Hannah ( Haines) Wall bad seven children, Louisn. Elisha, Alfred, Zimri. Mary E .. Joseph and Jonathan. Joseph was a soldier in the Civil War and died in service from the measles.

After living in Marion. Grant county, Indiana, for two years after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp moved to Ohio, in 1886. They have had four children, Leta, Goldie M., Eva- (decensed), and Irma. Leta married John W. Compton, of Wilmington, Clin- ton county. They now live at Winchester. Kentucky, and have two children, Merle A. and Audra. Goldie married Marion R. Starbuck, of Starbucktown, and they have one member of the Friends church. Mra. John W. Compton is a member of the Presby- child, Maynard R. The remainder of the children are unmarried.

Mrs. Sharp is a member of the Christian church, Mrs. Marion R. Starbuck is a terian church. For some time Mr. Sharp served as trustee of Liberty township. He is a member of the National Union.

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EDWIN C. LINTON.

Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors. "Rely upon it," declared William E. Gladstone, "that the man who does not worthily estimate his own dead forefathers, will himself do very little to add credit or do honor to his country." The pride of race and of family is one of those paronable bits of mental self-indulgence which serve to stimulate and promote the blander impulses of humanity. That man surely is a better man who can point with pride to a sterling ancestry ; surely is better equipped for the duties of earnest citizenship by the knowledge that the memories of other generations of those of his name are back of his efforts to advance the conditions of the present.

When this sterling ancestry is one's birthright by double inheritance, then, indeed, is the possessor of such a legucy fortunate. The descendants of the merger of two old families in a community reasonably may be expected to partake of the better qualities of both lines, and, naturally enough, may be expected, by the same right, to take their places among the leaders of such communities as may be favored by their residence therein. These thoughts have come to the blographer during his consideration of the important points in the life of the well-known grain dealer of Wilmington, this county, whose name hends this Interesting biographical sketch, Mr. Linton being a descendant of two of the best-known families in Clinton county, both his father's and his mother's families having been prominent in the early settlement of the county, the Lintons having settled here in 1804 and the Hadleys about the same time. The founders of these two families in Clinton county were devoted members of the Society of Friends and the faith of their fathers, descending by birthright, has been kept alive in the hearts of their descendants to the third and fourth generation since that time.

Edwin C. Linton, prominent grain dealer in the city of Wilmington, this county. was born on the old Nathan Linton farm on Todd's fork, in Union township. Clinton county, Ohio, on October 14, 1862, son of Cyrus H. and Eliza Hadley, the former of whom was born in this county in July, 1826, and died in August, 1914, and the latter of whom was born in I'nion township, this county, and died in Wilmington. Eliza Had- ley was the daughter of Jonathan Hadley, an honored pioneer of this county, whose Dame will be preserved in local annals as long as history shall be written.

The Linton family in America was founded by John Linton, who married Rebecca Relf in 1691, and the next year came to America with his bride, landing at Philadelphia on November 8, 1692, an earnest associate of William Penn, both before and after the arrival of the latter in this country. John Linton was one of the six sons of Sir Roger Linton, of Yorkshire, England, the other sons being Jacob. Samuel, Benjamin. Roger and James. John Linton was sent by his father to Oxford College, where he was educated for holy orders in the established church. At that time Quakers were being persecuted in England on account of their religious views, and one night young Linton. the ardent theological student, was sent by the authorities, being given an escort of soldiers, to attend one of the Quaker meetings for the purpose of ascertaining if any- thing should be said against the established church, with a view to making a report upon which further persecutions might be based. While sitting in this meeting as an investigator, he was so deeply impressed with the simplicity, earnestness and faith exhibited that he became a convert of the religion he had gone to condemn, and pub- Hely avowed himself to be a Quaker. When information of this action reached his fathers ears, young Linton not only was expelled from the paternal home, but was formally disowned and bidden thereafter to rely wholly upon his own resources. Reared, as he had been, in luxury, and unaccustomed to doing for himself, it was no small matter to the zenlous young convert thus to be cast upon his own resources, but with the same fine courage which induced him to give up home and family for the sake of his faith, he set out for London and resolutely began to learn the carpenter trade. In

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1691 he married Rebecca Relf, a Quaker girl, and after formally accepting the tenets of the Friends' meetings, engaged in the ministry of that faith, and so continued for years. Desiring greater religious freedom and the privilege of publicly worshipping God as their consciences dictated, John and Rebecca Linton emigrated to America in 1602, landing in Philadelphia on November 8 of that year, ten years after William Penn bad founded his historie colony, and became prominently identified with that earnest community.

To John and Rebecca (Relf) Linton were born four children, Mary, Joseph, Ben- jamin and John. Benjamin Linton was born in Philadelphia on October 6, 1703, and early learned the weaver's trade, In time becoming one of the most extensive weavers in the new colony. He was an able and a learned man and achieved much fame as an astronomer, to which science he devoted much study and time. Benjamin Linton was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth White, born on September 9, 1705, to whom he was married on March 25, 1727, bearing him two children, John and Mary. The mother of these children died on January 25, 1732, and the father married, secondly, Jane Cowgal, born on July 3, 1708, to which union eight children were born, namely : Lucia, Benjamin, Joshua, Sarah, Samuel, Jane, Daniel and Hezekiah.

Samuel Linton, fifth child and third son of Benjamin and Jane (Cowgal) Linton, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on December 17, 1741, and was reared on a farm, also learning the trade of a weaver. On May 10, 1775, he was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Harrey, born on March 8, 1748, and to this union were born Samuel, Nathan, David, Jane and Elizabeth (twins) and James Early in the year 1802, Samuel Linton and his family emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, at that time the "far west." They pro- ceeded by wagon, over the mountains, to Pittsburgh, at which place Samuel purchased a raft, onto which he loaded his household effects and his family and thus floated down the Ohio to Cincinnati, proceding thence, by wagon, to Waynesville, in Warren county, this state, where he purchased a house and lot and there engaged again at this trade of weaver, continuing thus engaged, however, but a short time, the inducemnts offered by the fertile lands hereabout persuading him to take up the life of a farmer. In 1804, six years before Clinton county was organized, he entered from the government five hundred acres of land three miles northwest of where Wilmington later was laid out, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. They were leaders among the members of the Society of Friends who early began settling hereabout and were persons of large influence in the formative period of that now well-established section.

Nathan Linton, the second son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Harvey) Linton, was born on the banks of the Delaware river, In Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on January 17, 1778. When the territory now comprising Clinton county was organized in 1810, he was appointed county surveyor, which office he held for about twenty years. He surveyed the various townships of Clinton and Fayette counties and surveyed and laid out the village of Wil- mington, the county seat, and during his life was a widely recognized authority pertaining to boundaries and divisions of lands in this section of the state; the unassailable titles which the citizens of this county hold to their lands today, owing, in large degree, to the care which he used in making and keeping a correct record of surveys. Nathan Linton was an enterprising and progressive pioneer citizen. He was among the first to introduce and encourage the growing of fine wool and the propagating of fine fruit. He was a strict Quaker, upright in his relations to his fellowmen and temperate in all his ways. During the early days, it was customary for the farmers to supply their harvest hands with whisky ; but this custom Nathan Linton never would countenance, nor would he permit liquor to be brought onto his place. He took a foremost part in educational matters in that day and may properly be regarded as one of the chief factors in creating the early standard of excellence which ever has marked the schools of Clinton county. He also did much in the way of establishing a proper highway system hereabout, his Interest in good

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roads giving an impetus to that movement which is felt to this day. Nathan Linton died ou February 11, 1858, honored and respected by all worthy persons within the range of Mis acquaintance. Among his descendants who have achieved notable public distinction in the third generation are Benjamin Butterworth, member of congress, a son of his daugh- ter. Elizabeth, and Nathan Linton, a member of the Ohlo General Assembly, another grandson.

To Nathan and Rachel (Smith) Linton were born twelve children, Elizabeth, Abigail, Samuel, Seth, David, James, Mary, Nathan, Benjamin. Cyrus, Ruth and Jane, whose descendants today form a numerous and Influential connection throughout southern Oblo.

Cyrus Linton was reared as a farmer's boy and remained on the old home farm until the spring of 1864, at which time he went to Wilmington, where the rest of his life was spent. He probably was the first man in this county to deal ou a particularly extensive scale in coal and grain and his operations were quite successful. He also was proprietor of a large and popular grocery store in Wilmington and for many years was accounted among the foremost business men in the city. On September 15, 1870, Mr. Linton's son, Samuel, was admitted to full partnership in the business, the firm thereafter being known as C. Linton & Son. Cyrus Linton was a very publie-spirited citizen and took a prom- inent part in the civic affairs of the county. He served the county as commissioner from the Wilmington district ; served several terms as township trustee and for eight years served in the Wilmington city council, having been elected on the Republican ticket.

In 1847 Cyrus Linton was united in marriage to Lydia Harvey, a native of this county. to which union one child was born, a son, Samuel 8., of whom mention is made above. Mrs. Linton died in the spring of 1852 and Mr. Linton married, secondly, in the fall of 1853, Eliza Hadley, who was born in Unlon township, this county, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Dimberlake) Hadley, and to this union three children were born, as fol- low : Olive, who married Dr. Charles Welab, a well-known Wilmington dentist, both of whom now are deceased ; Lydia. now deceased, who married Francis Martin, of Chatta- nooga, Tennessee : and Edwin C., the immediate subject of this sketch.

Jonathan Hadley, maternal grandfather of Edwin C. Linton, was born in North Caro- lina on August 20, 1800, the son of William and Sarah (Clark) Hadley, members of old colonial families. ['pon reaching manhood Jonathan Hadley engaged in the live-stock business, came to Obio, and was very successful. He was married three times, his third wife having been Elizabeth Dimberlake, who was born in Highland county, this state, of English descent, the date of this latter marriage having been May 25, 1848. To this pinon but one child was born, a daughter, Eliza, the mother of Mr. Linton. Five children were born to Jonathan Hadley's first union and one to his second union, namely : Charles, who manages the Hadley dairy farm in this county ; Frank, a merchant of Springfield, Ohio; Eva ; Calvin, a farmer, who lives near Kokomo. Indiana; Carrie, and Jonathan. The senior Hadley died in Iowa on January 25. 1864, he having moved to that state with a view to locating permanently there, and upon his death his family returned to this county, locating on a farm of one hundred and twelve acres, west of Wilmington.

Edwin C. Linton received his elementary education in the public schools of Wilming- ton, and supplemented the same by a comprehensive course In Wilmington College, after which he entered his father's office and acquired a thorough acquaintance with the coal and grnin business, later hecoming owner of the business, which still later he sold to his half-brother, Samuel S., thereafter giving his exclusive attention to the business of buying grain and hay in car-load lots in Clinton and surrounding counties and has been very suc- cessful. He also owns a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in I'nion township. which he manages from his home in Wilmington. He owns a handsome residence in the elty, besides considerable other property there and is regarded as one of the most sub- stantial citizens of the county sent town.

On April 30, 1913, Edwin C. Linton was united in marriage to Florence MeCune. of

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Brooklyn, New York, who early in life was left an orphan. Mr. Linton is a member of the Friends church and Mrs. Linton is a member of the Presbyterian church. Both take a warm interest in the affairs of their respective denominations, as well as in all good works of the community in which they live. Mr. Linton is a Republican and takes au active Interest in the political affairs of the county : for some time having acted as treas- urer of the Clinton county Republican central committee. He is an enterprising and pro- gressive business man and possesses the confidence and respect of commercial and finan- cial circles hereabout, as well as the highest esteem of his many acquaintances through- out this part of the state.

ROBERT HILDEBRECHT.

Among those whose declining years are blessed with the memory of a well-spent life is Mrs. Florence Starr Hildebrecht, widow of Robert Hildebrecht, whose career may Attingly be described in this volume, and whose companion she was. Many were the years of happy associations granted to these well-known residents of this county. and, though sad with the loss of the departed loved one, Mrs. Hildebrecht hereby pays lasting tribute to his memory.

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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 76

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