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 83

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 83

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The two sisters of Albert I. were Hannah, born in Clinton county, who married David A. Pigeon, and is now deceased, and her sister, Marianna, now Mrs. William A. Starbuck, Hving on the old farm homestead.

There was nothing particularly eventful in the early days of Albert I. Bailey, for he lived the life of the farmer's boy, working, swimming, fishing and going to school. But he was fortunate in that his parents were both willing and able to send him to college. and it was possible for him to enjoy two years at Earlham College, a Friends school in Richmond, a qualut Quaker town of Indiana. On returning home Mr. Bailey remained until bis twenty-eighth year, then said farewell to the old home and went to live at Wilmington, he having already formed a partnership with Zimri and Jonathan Wall, started the first iron working factory, the Champion Bridge Works. As presi- dent of this industry, Mr. Bailey's Influence is extensive. He is the only one of Its original founders still connected with the company. The other manufacturing concern with which Mr. Bailey has been associated since its origin, is the Auger Bit Company. Besides these business interests, he is also vice-president of the National Safety Soap Company, another important Wilmington enterprise. Another indication of his busi- ness standing in the community is the fact that he is vice-president of the Clinton County National Bank. Mr. Bailey has retired from active participation in the affairs of the Champlon Bridge and Manufacturing Company after a service of thirty years. Added to these business enterprises, is the care and management of his old home farm which he owns.

The ceremony uniting Mr. Bailey in marriage to Mary E. Hussey, took place in September, 1871. His bride was the daughter of Stephen and Susana ( Johnson) Hussey, who lived on a farm near Port William, Clinton county. No children have been born to this union.

It seems that a man is never quite classified until we have bis politics and religion, for, as a noted Inwyer has said, "Politics and religion were and are favorite topies, and have been since the world began. One of them has to do with transitory earth life, and the other, with hopes and doubts, desires and fears for another life when this is

a. J. Haiiy

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

ALBERT I. BAILEY,

for, was in this county twee a trustworthy presentative In Aibert tom, s'est of the s'ilnin County National Book and president of two Spring concerns Gifted with infinitive energy and willpower. Just a disttet suo of his numerous malernes and is regarded BIN. gundauttal factor in the general development of the community.

a wmf Inver. Your miles from Wiafugion, Albert f. Bailey began life en 79th, fils birthplace being the smur as that of big macIn. r. Josiah Bailes. His 20 1 Mars (Jenkinsi Hadley, was a Virgininn by birth, -ming, when a young fram Pred rlek county, a locality which has supplied this state with many of

Josiah Bailey ans born in the early days of Isis, and to the end of his unevent. fal. hat useful life. he remained true to the principles of character and coadnet laid down in the home of its his pious. God-fearing parents, One of these principles is the right in hotin freedom, att it was borges of tus deep convictions on this subject, that his jobbet the Mudring- party at a song in its history when such action meant www . Is strange contrast to this or- in sight for its principles when necessary, was . of peace as promuletted by the Friends church, "rki wife were members. He thus combined two amistie. This old patriarch, whose sturdy quali- . who is the theme of this blography, passed to . . following him six years later.

e Hannah, born in Clinton county, who married wed, auml her sister. Marimma, now Mrs. Willian A

(rentin' in the early days of Albert I. Balley, for . My worknes, swimming, fishing and going to schon. · parents were both willing and able to send him to " him to enjoy two years at Hartham College, a Friends Muaker town of Indiana. On returning home Mr. Bailey is peur, tinh wald farewell to the old home and went mirsmids formed a partnership with Zumri and Jonathan workna Irri05%. the Champion Bridge Works. As presi- Bitte im extensive. He is the only one of its ... for at the company. The other manufacturing concern 4-d since its artvin. Is the Anger Bit Company. at]90 www-president of the National Safety Snap Mit enterprise. Another indication of bis bus !- fact that he is vice president of the Canton . is ret:jest fron active participation in the affairs returning tomany after a service of thirty years. The care and management of his old home farm

"! porringe to Mary E Hussey, took place ti etter of Stephen and Susana .Johnson, Hussey. L thiton county. No children have been born

ified until we have his quiries and religion. " and religion were and are favorite toples. ···· est them Itis the man with traustraty earth life. turen and fears for another life when this is

Digitized by Google

a. J. Bailey

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CLINTON COUNTY, OIIIO.

done." Mr. Bailey has not only been a member of the Friends church, in which he was brought up from earliest childhood, but has been of constant service in its councils, and is at present a trustee. Although a Republican, he has never sought nor held office in the party, but his influence is, nevertheless, extensive. Something of Albert I. Balley's standing and attainments as an individual may be gleaned from the fact that he is a thirty-second degree Mason. One of the interesting and inspiring experiences of which Mr. Bailey often refers to, is his travels in Europe, the Orient, Mexico, and Panama. During these travels he saw many famous and historic places and people.

As might be supposed, from his religious training, Mr. Bailey has a very strong dislike for sham, hypocrisy and insincerity. Fair and candid, he expects to find these qualities in others, and is disappointed when they are missing. Truth and honor and justice are to him essential in all of the relations of life, and he believes these to be entirely in keeping with the public spirit which every citizen should possess. Although quiet and unpretentious in his own manner and mode of life, he is greatly interested in questions of public importance, and is lavish with both time and means in helping those movements which advance the betterment of local conditions and of the common cause of humanity.

OTHO JOHNSON.

Otho Johnson, a farmer of Clark township, and the owner of a farm of sixty acres, was born on East Fork, in Clark township, Clinton county, Ohio, in 1852, a son of Anderson and Judith Ann (Vance) Johnson, the former of whom was born In September, 1816, on the site where his son, Otho, was later born. Judith Ann ( Vance) Johnson, was a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, born in 1828. She came to Clinton county at the age of six years with her parents, Jacob and Lucy Vance, the former of whom was a natives of Wurttemberg, Germany, but who settled in Lynchburg, Virginia, when a mere lad with his parents. Jacob Vance's son was a slave overseer before the Civil War. By trade Jacob Vance was a blacksmith, and after removing to Clinton county, Ohio, followed his trade until his death. His wife also died in this county.

The paternal grandparents of Otho Johnson were Ashley and Sarah ( Walker) John- son, the latter of whom lived to the advanced age of one hundred and seven years. Both she and her husband were natives of North Carolina, and early settlers in Clark town- abip, where he built a very fine home, and where he kept the very finest horses obtain- able. During his day and generation there was little money in the country, and business was done largely on credit. On one occasion he was given credit for one dollar and seventy-five cents worth of nails because he rode a splendid horse. After he had pur- chased nails another man wanted credit for seventy-five cents' worth of nails, but he had no horse. The proprietor of the store asked him this question: "If you had a cleared field and a fence grown up in bushes, which way would you move the fence, out or In?" The man replied that he would move the fence out. whereupon he was given credit for the nails.

Ashley Johnson located on the site where his grandson, Otho, was born. At that time, however, the land was covered with the virgin forests. He and his wife hewed logs and erected their rude cabin in the wilderness. Deer and other wild game were plentiful in those days, and on one occasion he killed a panther, which was the last of these beasts killed in Clinton county. Ashley Johnson died at the age of eighty-five years. His son, Jeptha, referred to elsewhere in this volume, was a soldier in the Civil War, who saw very hard service in that grent conflict.

Anderson Johnson received a limited education In the early schools of Clinton county, and during his school days he lived entirely on cornbread for the noon lunch. He became a celebrated apiarist and lived on the old home farm until his death. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land. Of the nine children born to Anderson

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and Judith Aun (Vance) Johnson, three are still living. Jeptha, who was a soldier In the Civil War, was captured at Harper's Ferry and was paroled later and sent home.

Otho Johnson was educated in the public schools of Clark township, and has always farmed on the place east of the old home farm, a place consisting of sixty acres. He has erected all the buildings on his farm with the exception of the barn and has made many other improvements since acquiring the place.

In 1876 Otho Johnson was married to Matilda Stroup, of Dotson township, High- land county, Ohio, and to this union has been born one child, Carl Henry, who was born ou June 2. 1878, and is a farmer in Clark township in this county. Carl H. Johnson was married in 1500 to Rosa Fox, and they have three children, Lillian, Mildred and Delmer.

Mr. and Mrs. Otho Johnson and their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they take a deep and active interest.

GEORGE 8, KING.

George S. King. now a retired farmer of Clark township, this county. was born on April 27, 1848, in Clark township, the son of John R. and Catherine B. (West) King, the former of whom was born in 1816 in Virginia and the latter a native of this county. John R. King was the son of William and Nancy King, natives of Virginia, who located In Clark township at an early date in the history of Clinton county, having come here about 1816. They bought timber and swamp land at low prices and farmed until their deaths Catherine B. West was the daughter of Henry and Nancy (Terrell) West, who were pioneers in Clark township and descendants of old Virginta families, Henry West having been a well-known pioneer farmer.

Jobn R. King received a limited education in the schools of Clinton county and eventually acquired a part of the old home farm. He owned one hundred and thirty acres, but before his death divided the farm among his children and lived with them. both he and his wife spending their last days in the home of their son, George &., the subject of this sketch. They were the parents of six children. Nancy A., William H., Wyatt C .. George S., E. Sauford and Sarah. William A. and Wyatt C. King served In the Civil War. They were both wounded on the same day. July 20, 1863, at the battle of Peachtree creek, during the siege of Atlanta. Wyatt C. died in a few days, but William A. survived his wounds. They were soldiers in Company C. Seventy-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Of the other children, Nancy A. married John Shep- herd, who served in the Thirty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who was wounded by a sharpshooter. The parents of these children were members of the Uni- versalist church.

George S. King was educated in the schools of Clinton county and engaged in farm- ing upon reaching maturity. He remained on the home farm until January. 1880, when he became assistant manager, under C. B. Kester, of the Farmers Station Joint Stock Company, which operated a general mercantile store. Mr. King held that position for three years, at the end of which time he returned to the farm. a tract of sixty-two acres, which he still owns, and which is a part of the old home place. He furmed actively until 1006, when he moved to Farmers Station and purchased Fred Clark's mer- cantile store at that place. operating the same until 1910. when he sold it to William T'Ihle and has since lived retired.

On December 25, 1871. George S. King was married to Annette West, a native of Knox county, Illinois, daughter of George and Samantha ( MeMain) West, the former of whom was born in Clinton county on April 10, 1815. and the latter of whom was n native of Highland county, this state. Mrs. King's paternal grandparents, Henry and Nancy (Terrell) West, were both natives of Virginia. Her maternal grandparents, Enoch and Sarah MeMain, were born near Hillsboro, but later moved to Knox county, Illinois

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

where they engaged in farming and where they spent the rest of their lives. Mrs. King's father was educated in Clinton county and farmed here until his removal to Knox county, Illinois, where his wife died, after which he returned to Clinton county and spent his last days here. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Hortense A. and Mrs. King, both of whom were born in Illinois. Upon his return to Clinton county, George West purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Green and Clark townships. He later married Matilda A. Radcliff, to which union were born five chil- dren, E. B., Jennie, Elizabeth, Florence and Stella. George West was a member of the Universalist church.

To George S. and Annette (West) King have been born two children, Leo F., who is engaged in the livery business at Blanchester, and Raymond, a farmer of Clark town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Universalist church. Fraternally, Mr. King is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has served as school director and road supervisor and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the Mar- tinsville neighborhood, he and his family being held in high regard thereabout.

ELIEL C. GREENE.

Ellel C. Greene, who for more than half a century has been a farmer in Clinton county, but who before that was engaged in the confectionery and milk business in Cin- cinnati, was born in Martinsville, this county. on February 3. 1849, the son of John and Rhoda (Carey) Greene, the former a native of Clark township, this county, and the latter of Careytown. Highland county, Oblo.

John Greene was the son of Robert and Mary ( Jackson) Greene. natives of Gray- son county, Virginia, who, about the year 1820, located in the vicinity of Martinsville, this county, where they purchased land and where they spent the rest of their lives. They were lifelong members of the Friends church and prominent in all good works thereabout. Rhoda Carey was the daughter of Samuel and Anna (McPherson) Carey, natives of North Carolina, who emigrated from North Carolina to Virginia and from Virginia to Highland county, Ohio, about 1820. Samuel Carey was a farmer and black- smulth until Inte In life, after which he lived with his children until his death at the age of ninety-two years. John Greene was educated in the county schools of Clinton county and in the Friends Academy at Martinsville. He became a farmer in Clark town- ship. on a tract of seventy-five acres, to which he Inter added five acres, and there be and his wife spent the rest of their lives. They were the parents of nine children.

Ellel C. Greene was educated in the Martinsville high school and from the time be was eighteen years old until he was twenty-eight, was engaged in the confectionery and milk business In Clucinnati. Upon his marriage at the age of twenty-eight, be returned to the farm, and since that time has been farming. Mr. Greene owns one hundred and twenty-one acres aud eujoys all the modern conveniences of country life.

On March 29, 1879. Ellel C. Greene was married to Caroline Smith, who was born on a part of the farm where she now lives, the daughter of John R. and Mary Aun ( Hunt ) Smith, the latter of whom also was born on the same farm. and the former of whom was a native of Highland county, Ohio. Jobn R. Smith was born on June 13. 1826, son of John and Sarah Smith. He was married, February 24, 1848. to Mary A. Hunt, and located on his father's farm, where he lived until the fall of 1865, at which time be moved to another farm. He was engaged in farming, stock raising and thresh- Ing, and brought the first steam thresher to this section of Ohio. His death occurred on September 20. 1878. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Sarah E .. decensed : Arthur, born on January 1, 1852. who married Phebe Baker: Carrie, August 19. 1854, who married Mir. Greene, and Emma, March 18, 1861. Mr. Smith was a member of the Society of Friends, a member of the board of trustees of Clark township for

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

seven years and superintendent of the Wilmington and Martinsville pike during the time of its construction.

Mrs. Greene's paternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Ratcliff) Smith, natives of Highland county, Ohio, who located in Clark township, this county, one mile south of Martinsville, when their son John R. was five years old. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Susanah (Greene) Hunt, natives of Grayson county, Virginia, who located in Clark township, this county, about 1820. Thomas Hunt had been a tavern keeper in the Old Dominion state, but, after coming to Clinton county, he became a farmer and fruit-grower.

To Eliel C. and Caroline (Smith) Greene one son has been born, Harry J., who married Mary E. Leonard of Union township, who was born in the Center neighborhood, the daughter of Calvin B. and Mary ( Hazard) Leonard, natives of Union and Chester townships respectively. Harry J. Greene and wife have one daughter, Edith M.

The Greenes are all members of the Friends church and for several generations the family has been active in that denomination. Although Mr. Greene has never aspired to office, he was on one occasion chosen as township assessor and served very acceptably in that capacity. Since 1870 he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined a lodge of that order in Cincinnati. Later he became a charter member of the lodge of the same order at Martinsville.

SWIFT CONOVER.

Swift Conover is a genial natured, progressive and thrifty farmer of Washington township, who was born on November 11, 1852, in Brown county, Ohio. the son of James and Mary (Conner) Conover, both of whom were natives of Brown county. The latter was the daughter of Swift and Hester Ann Conner.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Conover were Ephraim and Easter Conover, the former of whom was a farmer in Brown county.

James Conover was educated in the common schools of Brown county, Ohio, and Just attained the prime of life when the Civil War broke out. Hle enlisted in one of the first regiments recruited in his part of the state and served during the greater part of the war, or until he was taken prisoner and died in the Andersonville prison. His wife died the same year. They left a family of nine orphan children, of whom Henry, Hester Ann, George and Oliver are deceased. The living children are: Ira, Elmira, Swift, John and Adeline. The mother of these children was a devout member of the United Brethren church.

Swift Conover was educated in the common schools of his native county and started in life as a farm band. But he was not always satisfied to remain a farm hand and in 1878 began farming for himself in Brown county. Five years later he moved to Illinois. where he remained for six years. He was compelled to Jeave that state on account of ngue and chills, and from Illinois he returned to Ohio and settled in Cincinnati, where for four years, he was engaged in the grain and produce business. After one year, how- ever, he moved to Warren county, Ohio, and then returned to Brown county, where he lived on a farm for six years. In 1901 Mr. Conover moved to Washington township, Clinton county, and rented a farm. Here he remained for twelve years, but in Sep- tember, 1914, out of the savings which he had accumulated during a little more than one decade. he was able to buy a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Wash- ington township, which he now owns. Not only is he a skillful farmer but he is an enterprising citizen and is a welcome addition to any community where he might choose to live.

In 1878 Mr. Conover was married to Nettie M. Myers, the daughter of Martin V. and Martha (Patton) Myers. Mr. and Mrs. Conover have had six children, all of whom are living: Martin V., who married Maud Green and has three children, Forest

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Wayne, Clarence R., and Herbert B .; Jesse, who married Ethel Davis; H. Lee, who mar- rled Gertrude West and has one child, James Wendell; Clarence, who married Asbbey Green and has one child, Doris V .; Rena, who is the wife of John Leniger; and Elsie, who married Otho Hesler and has one son, Roscoe.

Mr. and Mrs. Conover are active and earnest members of the Christian church and are what might be called seven-day-a-week Christians. Mr. Conover is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

WILLIAM TECUMSEH SCOTT, M. D.

Dr. William Tecumseh Scott, who for years has been a well-known and prosperous physician at Martinsville, this county, was born on May 10, 1866, at Mt. Oreb, in Brown county, Ohio, the son of Absalom and Molly (Shannon) Scott, Datives of Marathon, Ohio, and Indiana, respectively.

The paternal grandparents of Doctor Scott were William and Adeline (Crail) Scott, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers near Marathon, Oblo, where William Scott engaged in teaming. He hauled salt across the Alleghany mountains and at his death Incked only three days of being one hundred years old. In addition to teaming, he was also a farmer, having entered land from the government. Doctor Scott's maternal grandparents. Samuel and. Sarab ( Washburn) Shannon, were natives of Pennsylvania, who located In the central part of Indiana, where they engaged in farming. Samuel Shannon was well educated for his time and was a well-known pioneer minister in the Newlight church. Both he and his wife died at their home in the Hoosier state.

Both the father and mother of Doctor Scott came intimately into contact with the troublesome conditions prevailing at the time of the Civil War. Doctor Scott's mother was a teacher for ten years and on one occasion Morgan's raiders passed her school while it was in session. Doctor Scott's father. Absalom Scott, was educated in an old log school house, which is still standing near Marathon. He was a farmer by occupation and, at the breaking out of the Civil War, enlisted in Company G. Forty-eighth Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was enptured by the Confederates and was confined in prison for six months at Camp Ford, Texas His brother, Isaac, who was with him. and who was the color bearer of the regiment, carried with him In prison the regimental colors, concealing the same in the lining of his coat. This flag, which is now carefully preserved in the capitol at. Columbus, bears the distinction of having been the only I'nion flag that safely went through a Confederate prison without having been dis- covered by the enemy. Absalom Scott served nearly four years in the Union army and participated in the march of Sherman's army to the sea.

William Tecumseh Scott received his elementary education in the public schools of Martinsville and Milford, Ohio, He prepared himself for teaching but never engaged in that vocation. After spending four years in the Medical College of Ohio, a part of the University of Cincinnati, he was graduated in 1889 and immediately afterward took' up the practice of his profession at Martinsville. Doctor Scott owns a farm in Clinton county and one in Brown county, both of which he oversees.

On March 28, 1859. Dr. William T. Scott was married to Agnes Rowe, of Mt. Oreb. who was born at Washington, Ohio.

Fraternally, Doctor Scott is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Doctor Scott and wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Pythian Sisters and the Daughters of Rebekah, and Mrs. Scott is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. For many years Doctor Scott has been a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Association and served

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

as pension examiner for Clinton county for one term. During the past twenty -six years he has been the medical examiner for a number of old-line fire insurance companies. Doctor Scott makes a specialty of the study of the eye and also specializes in scientific anaesthesia.

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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 83

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