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 82

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 82

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William K. Ruble, of Martinsville. Clinton county, Ohio, was born at Taylorsville. In Highland county, June 11. 1862, the son of George A. and Deborah Ann (Davidson) Ruble, both of whom were natives of Highland county and both of whom lived and died in that county. The father was a soldier in the Eighty-eighth Regiment Ohlo Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War and came out of the service very much afflicted with rheumatism. Doctor Ruble's paternal grandfather was John Ruble, of Virginia. He was a pioneer in Highland county and it is an interesting fact that the first church in White Oak township. Highland county, was erected on John Ruble's farm. He was a pioneer physician and preacher of the Christian church. He entered one hundred acres of land, became a successful farmer and had the first check lines used in Highland county. Doctor Ruble's maternal grandparents were John and Amella ( Kibler) Davidson, of German descent and natives of either Pennsylvania or Virginia. They were pioneer farmers in White Oak township, Highland county.

William K. Ruble was educated in the public schools of Highland county, at Val- paraiso Normal School and at the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati. He taught two spring terms and three winter terms of school. He was graduated from the medical college on June 3, 1890. After graduating from college, he came immediately to Mar- tinaville and has been practicing his profession here for a period now of a quarter of a century. Before entering medical college, he had studied medicine under Dr. M. F. Funk, of Mowrystown, Ohio, also Doctor Guertin, of Mowrystown, Ohio. Doctor Ruble took a six months' special course in eye, ear, nose and thront under Dr. Melvin McPberon. of Cincinnati.

Dr. William K. Ruble was married on December 27, 1888, to Louise Roberts, of

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Highland county, and to them was born one daughter, Bessie G. Loule (Roberts) Ruble died on July 30, 1910. Doctor Ruble was married, secondly, on December 24. 1912, to Stella West, of Wilmington, Ohio.

Few men are more prominent in fraternal circles in Clinton county than Dr. William K. Ruble. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is also a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, the Ohio State Eclectic Society and the National Medical Association. For many years, he was a mem- ber of the Clinton county pension examining board. In 1912 Doctor Ruble was elected a permanent member of National Eclectic Medical Society, conferred at Washington, D. C.

JOSEPH HIXSON.

Among the venerable citizens and enterprising farmers of Clark township, is Joseph Hixson, who was born a little north of Leesburg in Highland county, Ohio, December 17. 1837, the son of John and Nancy ( Hull) Hixson. The former was born in 1812 in Ross county, Ohio, and the latter in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1813. They moved to Jefferson township. Clinton county, Ohio, in 1852.

The paternal grandparents of Joseph Hixson were Joseph and Charlotte Hixson. who emigrated from the Old Dominion state to Ross county, Ohio, and later to Highland county, where the paternal grandfather died. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Hixson were William and Sarah ( Welniger) Hull, natives of Rockbridge county, Virginia. wbo located at Greenfield. Highland county, Ohio, in 1818. After the death of the maternal grandfather his wife came to Jefferson township. Clinton county. They were farmers by occupation.

John Hixson was a farmer by occupation, who moved from Ross to Highland county. Ohio, some time before 1851 and in that year moved to Jowa. In the spring of 1852 he returned to this state and located in Jefferson township. Clinton county. where, for forty years, he was engaged in the live stock business and owned five hundred acres of land in Jefferson township. His wife died in Jefferson township. John Hixson could scarcely read and write but, nevertheless, he was a man of remarkable business ability and made a tremendous success as a farmer. To Jobn and Nancy Hixson were born nine chil- dren : Albert I .. , Joseph. Catherine, C. E., Isnac, Sarah E., John A., C. C. and Mary Jane. Another child, a twin brother of Isaac, died in infancy. Of these children, Albert L. C. E. and Isaac were soldiers in the Civil War. C. E. Hixson was the first volunteer from Jefferson township. John Hixson and his son, Joseph, the subject of this sketch, were identified with the "squirrel hunters" during the Civil War, the father being a, second lieutenant in this organization. Joseph Hixson is the only member of his father's family now living. All except two members of the family are buried in the Odd Fellową cemetery, at Westboro, Clinton county, Ohio.

Joseph Hixson was reared to maturity on his father's farm. In the spring of 1870 he moved to a farm on the Martinsville and Westboro pike, two miles south of Martins- ville. Formerly, he was an extensive stock breeder and made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs and Cotswold sheep. At the present time, he owns three hundred acres of land, all of which is in Clark township, with the exception of eighty acres, which is in Jefferson township.

On December 24, 1862, Joseph Hixson was married to Emily J. Johnson, a native of Jefferson township, born on September 29, 1842. and the daughter of Thomas B. and Elizabeth Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson have been the parents of five children. one of whom, Frederick N., who was born in September, 1866, died on April 15, 1877. The living children are : Thomas W., born on December 16, 1863; Frank H., August 13, 1866;

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Caleb L., September 14, 1873; and Carl, May 25, 1879. Mrs. Emlly (Johnson) Hixson died on May 24, 1912.

Mr. and Mrs. Hixson are members of the Society of Friends and Mr. Hixson has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since some time before the Civil War. In the old days he served several years as trustee of Clark township. He was a commissioner of the Martinsville and Westboro free pike. Mr. Hixson is identified with the Republican party.

JOHN GRIM.

John Grim is a well-known farmer of Marion township. this county. He was born In Highland county, Ohio, November 22, 1849, the son of Joshua and Matilda (Worth- ington) Grim, both natives of Highland county, the former born on August 3, 1821, and the latter, June 15, 1821.

Mr. Grim's paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca Grim, who came from Virginia to Ohio in pioneer times, loeating in Highland county, though both died in the state of lowa. The maternal grandfather was Ephraim Worthington, an early settler in Highland county, where he and his wife died.

Mr. Grim's father, Joshua Grim, was a soldier in the Civil War, a farmer by occu- pation, and a prominent Republican. His death occurred in Kansas on September 16. 1867. His wife had passed away several years previously, December 17. 1800. They were the parents of eight children, Nancy, Ephraim, Mary, John, Edward, Hugh, Thomas and Margaret.

John Grim was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of High- land county. Since the time be first began to plan his own career, he has made his own fortunes unalded. At one time he owned a farm in Highland county, and lived in that county for some time. when he bought and sold land until September. 1906, when he came to Clinton county and purchased two farms in Marion township. one of seventy- two acres and one of eighteen acres, which adjoin each other. Mr. Grim's land is located one mile south of Blanchester, and there he carries on a general farming and stock raising, and Is an extensive feeder of live stock.

On July 22. 1875. John Grim was married to Martha J. Cowman, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 30, 1855, daughter of Alexander and Mary W. (Johnson) Cowman. Mrs. Grim's father died in 1873, and her mother is still living at the age of seventy-nine, having been born on August 4, 1836. John Grim and wife are the parents of five children, Harry, Elsie, Pearl, Ethel and Damon, all of whom are living.

Mrs. John Grim is the second horn in a family of nine children, the others being John Watkins, Silas R., Lowery Alexander. Elmer, James O., Ina Lella. Jessie K. and Mary V .. all of whom are living, with the exception of John Watkins, Lelia and Jessie K. Her paternal grandparents were John and Jane (MeCorkle) Cowman, both natives of Virginia and early settlers in Highland county, where both died. Mrs. Grim's maternal grandparents were Watkins and Jane (McCoy) Johnson, also early settlers of Highland county.

Politically, Mr. Grim is a Republican, but has never taken a very active part in political life, owing to the fact that his extensive agricultural interests have demanded all his time and attention. He is, however, deeply interested in all worthy public move- ments. Mr. and Mrs. Grim are members of the Friends church and take an active interest in the affairs of that denomination.

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HON. MATTHEW ROMBACH DENVER.

On the shortest day in the year, December 21, 1870, Matthew Rombach Denver opened his eyes on this world in the old homestead ju Wilmington, Ohlo, the fourth child and second son of Gen. James W. and Louise C. ( Rombach) Denver. Here he lived, sur- rounded by a family composed of parents, grandparents, brother and sisters, and at- tended the public schools of the town.

From the maternal grandfather, Matthew Rombach, organizer and president of the Clinton County National Bank, farmer, and prominent in promoting the various activi- tles of his town and county, the grandson inherited his business acumen and sound judg- ment. His father, Gen. James W. Denver, whose history is inseparable from the de- velopment of our western plains and Pacific slope, and whose name must always endure in the city which bears it as the gateway to the Golden West, came from a long line of ancestors who traced their origin to Roland D'Anvers, one of William the Conqueror's knights, and one who always played an important part in patriotism, politics and achieve- ment. These were the characteristics which Iny dormant in the young man who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in June, 1991, from Georgetown I'niversity, Washington, D. C.

Hlis father had planned for the subject of this sketch a legal career, but fate ordered otherwise, and upon his graduation he accepted a position in the Clinton County National Bank, of which his grandfather was then president, and to which office he himself suc- ceeded in 1903, at the same time managing the Rombach-Denver landed estates.

Polities had been part of his early education in the family circle, where a keen interest was always manifest in all happenings at home or abroad, and it is not sur- prising that Mr. Denver took to it most naturally and early made his influence felt in the local activities of the Democratic party, serving for many years as the efficient chairman of the county executive committee.

As in other affairs, his rise was rapid. In 1896 he served as a delegate to the national convention at Chicago; in 189S was a delegate-at-large from Ohio to the Demo- eratie convention at Denver, and was also a delegate to the Baltimore convention in 1912, which nominated Woodrow Wilson for President. He served two terms each as member of both state and central executive committees. In 1906 he was elected to Congress from the sixth Ohio district and served three successive terms, His popularity was attested to by the fact that he was able to overcome the Republican majority, which no preceding Democratic candidate had been able to accomplish, and to serve more terms than any Republican congressman had had accorded him in this district during the three terms of his service. Mr. Denver's desire at all times was the greatest good he could accomplish for his constituents. The Important committees on which be served and his good fellowship with his brother representatives speak well for his popularity, good Judgment and mental balance.

In addition to his duties as president of the Clinton County National Bank are the duties which devolve upon him as president of the Commercial Club, vice-president of the Irwin Anger Bit Company, vice-president of the Farquhar Furnace Company, di- rector of the National Safety Snap Company, and several other industries. On the beau- tiful lands lying just beyond Wilmington grain and stock are raised.

On October 24, 1900. Hon. Matthew R. Denver was married to Veda Slack, and to this union two daughters, Virginia and Kathryn, have been born.

In whatever environment Mr. Denver is found he is always the considerate, genial. capable, forceful man, whose personality endears him to a host of friends and admirers. (86)

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

JARRET HUFFMAN.

Jarret Huffman is a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township, and owns one hundred and eight acres of land, where he now lives. He was born in Highland county, Oblo, in 1861, the son of Jobn and Nancy ( Johnson) Huffman. natives of Adams county, Ohio, and Highland county, respectively. The paternal grandfather of Jarret Huffman was Humphry Huffman, a native of the Old Dominion state and an early settler in Ohio. He was a farmer in Highland county and died on his farm. Late in life he moved to Illinois and bis wife died while they were making the journey to that state. Later he returned to Ohio. Mr. Huffman's maternal grandparents were early settlers in Highland county, Oblo. His maternal great-grandfather, Jerod Hopkins, was a native of Maine and an early settler in Highland county.

John Huffman, the father of Jarret, was educated in the pioneer schools of the Buck- eye state, when greased paper was used in log cabins for windows. He became a farmer and followed this occupation in Highland county and later in Clinton county. In 1888 he located near Sabina aud later moved to a farm near Westboro. Still later he returned to Sabina and died near that town. His widow is still living. He was a soldier in the Civil War and he and his wife had a family of eleven children.

Jarret Hudman, who was educated in Highland county, Oblo, worked by the month before his marriage and three years after his marriage. In 1907 he purchased twenty- one neres of land near Sabina, but later sold that tract and purchased fifty acres near Westboro. He then purchased one hundred and eight acres lu Jefferson township, where be how lives. After buying the last tract, he disposed of the fifty acres near Westboro. Mr. Huffman is engaged In general farming.

In April, 1886, Jarret Huffman was married to Esther Carter, who was born near Sabina, the daughter of John Millican Carter, a farmer of Wilson township, and to this union five ebildren have been born, Leotis, Ethel Maude, Verna Clinton, Cora Esther and Stella Florence. The Huffman family are members of the Friends church and take an active interest in church work. They are a highly respected family in the neighborhood where they live.

L. H. TRIBBET.

T. H. Tribbet, now a well-known and successful farmer of Jefferson township, this county, was born on August 8. 1840. In Fayette county, Ohio, the son of James and Eliza- beth Ann (Dick) Tribbet, the former a native of Ross county. Ohio, and the latter, of West Virginia.

The puterual grandfather of Mr. Tribbet was Joseph Tribbet, who emigrated to Oblo In pioneer times, and from Obio to Iowa, where he died. His removal to lowa fol- lowed the death of his wife, when he went to the Hawkeye state to bring back with him his sister, who was to return as his housekeeper. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Tribbet was John Dick, a native of West Virginia, who emigrated from West Virginia to Wabash, Indiana, where he engaged in farming and where he died.

Of Mr. Tribhet's father, James Tribhet, it may be said that he was left an orphan at a tender age and was reared by friends of the family in Ross county, Oblo, and later In Fayette and still later in Highland county. Subsequently, he came to Clinton county, and, in 1880. located within one and one half miles of Westboro, where he followed farm- ing. James and Elizabeth Ann Tribbet were the parents of eight children, Mary Jane, John O., Lemuel, Glendora, Dr. Clayton A., James M., Elsworth, and Elmer.

L. H. Tribbet was educated in the public schools of Highland county, and remained there until twenty-four years old, being engaged in farming. At the age of twenty-four. he removed to lowa, where for two years he worked as a teamster. From Iowa he returned to Highland county and began farming, remaining there until 1851, when he

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purchased sixty acres of land in Jefferson township, this county, and there he bas since lived.

Mr. Tribbet was married first. November 9. 1876, to Lizzie Murray of Ross county, Oblo, who bore him two children, Harriet and Mary, Mr. Tribbet married, secondly, Mrs. Mabel (Graham) Ramsey, who bas borne him one child, Myrtle Jean.

Mr. and Mrs. Tribbet are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Tribbet is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has passed through all the chairs of that lodge.

BURGESS J. MOON.

Among the successful teachers of Clinton county, Ohio, is Burgess J. Moon, who was born on the farm where he now lives in Clark township, August 21, 1878, the son of David S. and Ruth ( Rhonemus) Moon. The father was born at Farmers Station but was brought to the farm, where his son Burgess J. now lives, in infancy, Mr. Moon's mother was born near Westboro in Jefferson township.

The paternal grandparents of Burgess J. Moon were Simeon and Priscilla ( Sewell) Moon, the former of whom was born on the farm where his grandson now lives and who lived and died on this farm. Simeon Moon was born on February 23, 1820, and was married on March 24. 1842, to Priscilla Sewell. Five children were born to this mar- rlage: Samuel M., who was born on February 8. 1843; David 8., May 28. 1845; Jeffer- son, November 3, 1848; and Franklin, May 1, 1851.

The parents of Simcon Moon were Samuel and Martha (Routh) Moon, the former of whom was born on April 17, 17SI, and the latter born on March 5, 1781. They were married in Tennessee. November 5, 1501, and in 1SOS came to Clark township. Samuel Moon died on March 25. 1846, at the age of sixty-five and his wife on February 10, 1852. in her seventy-first year.

Ruth Rhonemus, the mother of Burgess J. Moon, who was married to David S. Moon, September 2, 1877, was born in Jefferson township, March 21, 1850. She was the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Thornhill) Rhonemus, the former of whom was born about one mile southwest of Cuba, on a farm now owned by the widow of William Riley Brown, and the latter of whom was born about two miles west of Martinsville on the farm where Roy Hunter now Ives. Mary Thornhill was the daughter of Barnett and Ruth (Jones) Thornhill, natives of Knox county, Tennessee, who settled near Martinsville. They were among the pioneer farmers of Clinton county. Jacob Rhonemus and his wife spent most of their married life on one hundred and forty acres of land, three and one-half miles east of Westboro. He was a soldier in the Civil War and served in the Eighty-second Regiment, Ohlo Volunteer Infantry. Jacob Rhonemus was the son of Jacob, Sr., and Hannah Sophia (Cluster) Rhonemus, natives of Virginia and Adams county, Ohio, respectively. They settled near Centerville in Clinton county. Jacob Rhonemus, Sr., was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a farmer by occupation. He died at the age of forty-five years, after immigrating to Clinton county.

David 8. Moon was educated in the public schools, familiarly known as "Greasy Creek." He lived and died on the farm which his son and sister now own. Six years, however, were spent In Westboro. Burgess J. is one of two children born to his parents. the other being Delilah, who was born near Westboro, December 31, 1886.

Burgess J. Moon was educated in the New Vienna high school and at Miami Uni- versity. From 1902 until 1908, he taught in Clark township and in 1913-1914, he taught in the Washington township schools at Morrisville. Aside from his experience in the schoolroom, he is a farmer and specializes in breeding hogs.

Mr. Moon is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Eastern Star. Formerly, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. At the present time he is a clerk of the Farmers Station special school board.

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

ALBERT I. BAILEY.

Commerce and banking in this county have a trustworthy representative in Albert I. Bailey, vice-president of the Clinton County National Bank, and president of two of its largest manufacturing concerns. Gifted with initiative, energy and will-power. Mr. Bailey has made a distinct success of his numerous undertakings and is regarded as one of the most substantial factors in the general development of the community.

On a farm near Dover, four miles from Wilmington, Albert I. Bailey began life on June 15, 1846, his birthplace being the same as that of his father, Josiah Bailey. His mother, Mary (Jenkins) Bailey, was a Virginian by birth, coming, when a young woman, from Frederick county. a locality which has supplied this state with many of its pioneers.

Josiah Batley was born in the early days of 1818, and to the end of his unevent- ful, but useful life, he remained true to the principles of character and conduct laid down in the home of its his pious, God-fearing parents. One of these principles is the right to human freedom, and it was because of his deep convictions on this subject, that he joined the Abolitionist party at a time In Its history when such action meant cruel criticism, and in many cases, social ostracism. In strange contrast to this or- ganization, which was always ready to fight for its principles when necessary. was this man's loyal support of the doctrine of peace as promulgated by the Friends church, of which both he and his good, devoted wife were members. He thus combined two characteristics usually considered antagonistic. This old patriarch, whose sturdy quali- ties undoubtedly descended to his son, who is the theme of this blography, passed to his reward In 1895, his faithful wife following him six years later.

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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 82

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