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 87
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Paul H. Vandervort, who was one of the six sons and one of the eleven children born to his parents, was two months old when his parents moved to the farm near New Antioch. It was there he was reared and grew to manhood and spent his entire life until August. 1579, when he retired from the farm and located in New Antioch. He was one of the most prominent and useful citizens of that community and served as commissioner of Clinton county for twelve years. He was also one of the managers of the Clinton County Agricultural Society for thirteen years and served as president of the sume for many years. He also held other minor offices and was a leading member and supporter of the Christian church. At the death of his father he was elected to fill the latter's place as deacon in the church, which office he held for a quarter of a century and was then made elder.
On October 19, 1896, Paul H. Vandervort was married to Matilda Mckenzie, the daughter of John and Isabelle Mckenzie, natives of Kentucky, who became residents of Ohio, and who died In Clinton county and were interred in the old burying ground at New Antioch. To this union four children were born, namely : Mary Emily, the wife of E. W. Marble; Alpheus, who served three years and three months in the Civil War, enlisting in Company B. Fortieth Regiment. Ohlo Volunteer Infantry, In December., 1801. and was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and others, and served under 'General Garfield in his celebrated conquest of the Big Sandy and through enstern Kentucky ; Samantha, who married Dr. W. W. Canny and with him removed to Camden, Preble county. Ohlo, where he died, and J. W., the subject of this sketch. Mra. Matilda (Mckenzie) Vandervort died on June 20, 1876, and three years later, on August 26, 1879, Paul H. Vandervort married, secondly, Mary Ann Mitchell, daughter of James and Mary (Fleming) Mitchell, natives of Pennsylvania. but who, in 1828, settled near
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Wilmington, in Clinton county, where he died in 1836, his widow living to be eighty years old.
J. W. Vandervort attended the public schools at New Antioch and subsequently was a student for one year at the Normal school at Lebanon, Warren county. In the mean- time he was engaged in assisting his father on the farm and after his marriage lived on the home place until he retired in 1905, he having purchased the interest of the other beirs when his father died. He still owns this farm, the farm which his grandfather reclaimed from the wilderness. It now consists of one hundred and fifty-one acres. Upon his removal to Wilmington, Mr. Vandervort purchased a home at the corner of Mulberry and Vine streets, where the family now 'lives.
On September 24, 1874, J. W. Vandervort was married to Maria E. Walker, who was born in Green township, this county, the daughter of Nathan and Jane ( Phillips) Walker, the former of whom was born near Lexington, Kentucky, on February 26, 1806. and died on September 1, 1876, and the latter of whom was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, July 21, 1816, and died on February 8, 1866. Nathan Walker's parents were Robert and Nancy Walker, early settlers in Kentucky, who reared a large family. Jane (Phillips) Walker's parents were Joshua and Lucinda (Irvin) Phillips, who were farmers by occupation and early settlers in Bourbon county, Kentucky. Nathan Walker married in Kentucky and came to this county, locating in Green township, where he owned a farm. He belonged to the Christian church, and was a Republican In politics. He had a family of three daughters and two sons.
To J. W. and Maria E. ( Walker) Vandervort four children have been born, as fol- low : Paul H., Jr., who was born on September 10. 1876, teller in the First National Bank of Wilmington, married Mary A. Robbins, and has three children. Mary, Anna and Eleanor ; Ada E .. April 25, 1881, who died on May 5, 1904; Arthur W., June 20, 1883, a minister in the Christian church at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 23, 1915. married Anna R. Robinette. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Robert D., December 27, 1895, who died in August, 1806.
J. W. Vandervort is a Republican and served two terms as a member of the Clinton county board of commissioners, having been elected on the Republican ticket. All of the 'members of the Vandervort family are actively identified with the Christian church. Mr. Vandervort was identified officially with the church at New Antioch and later with the Central church at Wilmington. No one can deny that Mr. Vandervort has worthily upheld the traditions of his family, or that, in both public and private life, he has dis- charged every duty which may reasonably be expected by the public at large. He is highly respected in Clinton county, where he is well known, having a host of friends in this section of the state.
ISIDOR KAUFMAN.
It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual, who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and, by the master stroke of his own force and vitality, succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellowmen. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Wilmington. to a brief synopsis of whose life and character, the following paragraphs are devoted.
Isidor Kaufman is a native of Russia, having been born on the very edge of the German frontier on October 1. 1883. He is the son of Samuel and Rachel (Supowitz) Kaufman, both of whom were also natives of Russia and both of whom are deceased. Samuel Kaufman was a merchant in his native land and a very strict Jew in his religious bellef, being held in high esteem in the community where he lived. To him and his
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wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom Immigrated to the I'nited States.
Isidor Kaufman received some education in the schools of his native land and when old enough entered his father's store, where he received some business experience. When fifteen years old, be inumigrated to the United States, coming at once to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where his elder brother, Max, was engaged in business, conducting a large dry- goods and house-furnishing store. Here Isidor Kaufman was employed for five years, during which time he applied himself indefatigably to the mastering of the English language and also to the acquiring of a practical knowledge of American business methods. In 1905 Mr. Kaufman came to Wilmington and opened a store in which be has met with splendid success. Starting with a limited stock of goods, he so conducted his business and so won the good will of the community that his patronage rapidly Increased and his stock of goods was increased accordingly, so that now he has one of the best stores of the kind in Wilmington. The store, which is called the Syndicate Store, contains a complete line of dry-goods, hardware, shoes, furniture and house furnishings and occupies two regular-size store rooms, which are joined by wide-open arches. Mr. Kaufman shows a deep interest in the business affairs of his community, in the advancement of which he has borne his share. He is a member of the Commercial Club and is held in high esteem by his fellow business men, who recognize his splendid personal qualities and his business ability. Honest and liberal, he stands for all that is best in every line of large activities and is an aggressive worker for the public sentiment in civic, school and governmental affairs. Mr. Kaufman belongs to the orthodox Jewish church in Cincinnati.
On March 10, 1907, Isidor Kaufman was united in marriage to Ida Supowitz, a native of New York City. To them have been born two children: Bernard, who was born in 1908, and Samuel, In 1910.
ABSALOM BORING.
Among the many excellent farmers of Clinton county who are now living retired in the county seut. Wilmington, Absalom Boring, who is a native of Green township, and who owns a farm of one bundred and sixty-one acres in that township, should be mentioned. He comes of a family who settled in Clinton county in pioneer days, emigrating to this state from Virginia.
Absalom Boring was born in Green township, Clinton county. Ohio, on February 10, 1848, a son of lafayette and Elsie (Collett) Boring, the former of whom was born in Virginia in 1812, and died in 1883, and the latter of whom was born In Kentucky, and died in 1852. Mr. Boring's paternal grandparents were Thomas and Ruth Boring. both of whom were born and married in Virginia, and who, In 1824, settled in Green township. this county. where they purchased a farm. They were members of the Baptist church and prominent and influential in the affairs of that church in pioneer times. The grand- father died in 1864 after living to rear a family of seven children. four sons and three daughters. Mr. Boring's maternal grandparents died in Kentucky.
Lafayette Boring was only twelve years of age when he was brought to Oblo from Virginia by his father and mother. Some time after attaining bis majority and after his marriage, he purchased the home place and paid for it by his savings and profits from year to year. Subsequently he added fifty-two acres to the home farm. He was a Republican In polities, and was Identified with the Baptist church. Mr. Boring's mother died when he was but four years old, and after her death his father married, secondly, in 1864, Mrs. Mary ( Hall) Lieurance, widow of William Licurance, and she also is now deceased. To the first marriage of Lafayette Boring six children were born, three of whom are now deceased. Harriett died when a small child; Mary died in 1864 at the age of twenty, and Eltzabeth, the second born, died in 1910. The living children are
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Ruth, who is unmarried and makes her home with ber brother. Absalom; John, who lives in Green township, this county, and is a farmer, and Absalom, the Immediate sub- ject of this review. To the second marriage of Mr. Boring's father four children were boru, all of whom are living : William, a farmer living in Liberty township, this county ; Alice, who is the wife of George Skinner, Is a resident of Wilmington; Lydla, the wife of Squire Beaty, lives In Green township, and Susan, the wife of Durius Morton, lives in Wilmington.
Absalom Boring attended the public schools of Green township, but his educational advantages were limited, as he was compelled to assist his father with the work on the farm during the period when he might have attended school. After living at home until he had reached his majority, be purchased, with the aid of his father, forty-eight acres of land in Green township, adding to this tract until he was the owner of one hundred and sixty-one acres. He lived on this farm in Green township until 1904, when he retired from active farming, purchased a home on High street in Wilmington, and moved to that city. He still owns his farm and gives. to it his personal supervision.
On February 20. 1896, Absalom Boring was married to Catherine Mitchell, who was born in New Antioch, this county, a daughter of William and Ann Mitchell, both of whom are deceased. William Mitchell was a well-known cabinetmaker of this county. Mrs. Boring died on August 3, 1912, leaving her husband and one son, Carl M., who was born on March 25, 1897.
Absalom Boring is a Republican, but has never taken any special part in political affairs, He has always been rated as a good citizen, a man of strictly moral habits, honorable and upright in all of the reintions of life and enjoys the full confidence and esteem of his nelgbbors.
STEPHEN PARKER BUCKLEY.
As a man who enjoys pre-eminent prestige among the successful business men of Wilmington Stephen Parker Buckley deserves honorable mention. As a grain dealer he has been distinctively representative in this field of endeavor and has established for himself and for the firm of which he is a member a reputation for integrity and honor. Ile is a member of the firm of Buckley Brothers and they buy grain and handle flour and feed in large quantities. He is one of the worthy citizens of Clinton county and none more than he deserves representation In a work of this character.
Stephen Parker Buckley was born on November 17, 1861. in Chester township, Clinton county. Ohio, He is the son of John and Jane (Dicks) Buckley, the former of whom was born in 1807 in Dutchess county, New York, and who died in 1891, and the latter of whom was born in 1825, near Winchester, Virginia, and who died In 1888.
The paternal grandparents of Stephen Parker Buckley were George and Ruth (Barnes) Buckley, both of whom were natives of Dutchess county. New York, where he was a farmer. After his marriage in 1816 he came to Chester township, Clinton county, and purchased one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land for eight hundred dollars. He went In debt for practically the entire amount. He died at the age of eighty-four. having been an active man In public affairs during his day and generation. He was especially active in the local militia. He and his wife had six daughters and four sons In those days they were homespun clothes and the six daughters were all able to use spinning wheels and worked in rhythm, singing at the same time.
Mr. Buckley's maternal grandparents were Peter Dleks and wife who were born and married in Virginia and who about 1833 settled in Clinton county, Ohlo, where the former was a farmer.
Jobn Buckley, father of Stephen Parker, remained at home and worked on his fath- er's farm until the family had paid off the indebtedness. He then purchased fifty acres of his own and later added more land. He made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs.
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This proved very profitable. He was a stanch Republican and a township trustee of Chester township. His wife was a Methodist. He was a mere lad when the family came to Ohio. It is a coincidence that his remains were buried on the spot where the family first unloaded their goods in Clinton county.
John and Jane (Dicks) Buckley had six children, as follow : Arthur, who died at the age of fifty-one, was a farmer; George D., who is Stephen Parker's partner, married Alda F. Mann and they live in Wilmington; William, who is a stock dealer of Wilming- ton, Ohio, died in 1913; Clara is unmarried and lives with her brother, Stephen P., who was the fifth in the family; Charles is a former resident of Arizona.
Stephen Parker Buckley attended the public schools of Chester township when n young man and worked by the day on the farm. In 1904, he removed to Wilmington, Ohio, and with his brother. George D., purchased the Mitchell & Hague grain elevator, which they have successfully operated now for a period of fifteen years under the name of Buckley Brothers. They buy grain and handle flour and feed.
In 1804 Stepben Parker Buckley was married to Martha Eubanks, who was born pear Danville, Kentucky, and who is the daughter of John W. Eubanks, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley have had two children : Karl, who was born in 1894, is a student at Wilmington College: John Wesley, 1898, is a student In the Wilmington high school.
Mr. Buckley is a Republican. a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Buckley is also a member of this church. He served as clerk of Chester township at one time and filled the office with credit.
HERBERT P. CLEVENGER.
Herbert P. Clevenger, a well-to-do farmer und business man, of Washington town- ship, Clinton county, Ohio, owns one hundred and twelve acres of land in Washington township and Is the acion of an honorable and distinguished family of this county. The Clevenger family came originally from the Old Dominion state and was established in Clinton county by Enos Clevenger, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, who was one of the earliest settlers in Washington township. He was the great-grandfather of Herbert P. Clevenger, the subject of this sketch.
Herbert P. Clevenger was born on the farm where he now lives on June 3, 1887, the son of John Randolph and Belle ( Moon) Clevenger, the former of whom was born on a farm near the village of Cuba, June 19, 1858, the son of Peter Clevenger, who, in turn, was the son of Enos Clevenger. Euos Clevenger grew to manhood in Virginia and married Christina Crouse. He and his bride came to Clinton county in 1824 on horse- back. He was a dominant character among the pioneer citizens of his neighborhood and exerted a wholesome influence during the formative period of his neighborhood. At the time of his death, he left considerable property. He died in 1867 and his wife three years later. Peter Clevenger, the second generation of the family in Clinton coun- ty. was also a well-known farmer.
John Randolph Clevenger received a liberal education in the public schools of Cuba, the normal schools at Buchtel and Lebanon. He married in 1880 and imme- diately devoted himself to farming. From year' to year he added to his farm boldings but gradually became interested in industrial enterprises at Wilmington, He is preal- dent of the Farquahar Furnace Company, of Wilmington, and vice-president of the Champion Bridge Company, also treasurer of the Irwin Auger Bit Company, of the anme city. His wife, the mother of Herbert P., before ber marriage was Belle Moon, the daughter of J. W. and Jemima Moon. She is a native of Clark township, Clinton coun- ty. They were married on September 8, 1850, and are the parents of four children : Bessie Hortense, who married Dr. A. D. Blackburn, of Cuba ; Earl E., who died at the age of thirteen years; and Herbert P., the subject of this sketch; John Randolph, Jr., who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Clevenger are members of the Universalist church
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at Wilmington. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity. being prominent in Wilmington Commandery No. 92. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Herbert P. Clevenger obtained the rudiments of an education in the common schools of Cuba, but later spent three years at Buchtel College, at Akron. After finishing his college education, he began farming with his father and in 1912 became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twelve acres. He engages in general farming and stock raising, but specializes in breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs.
In 1908 Mr. Clevenger was married to Capitola West, the daughter of William and May West. To this union there has been born one child, Barbara May, who was born in 1910.
Mr. Clevenger is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Like his father, he votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. Clevenger owns an attractive home in attractive surroundings.
H. B. PATTERSON.
While the professional man of high ideals makes his contribution to bis time and age, it must not be forgotten that the business man, by reason of his organizing ability, also is a true benefactor when honorable in motive and practice. Especially is that merchant to be respected who is honest in his purpose, fair in his dealings, and willing to use his ability for the building up of the commercial and industrial life of bis town or city, as well as his own more personal prosperity. The commercial standing of a community may be said to depend upon the number and quality of its business men --- men who have initiative, energy, enthusiasm, and business integrity. According to the above standard, the man whose name heads this biography Is of such a type. Born on a farm and a member of a large family, early inured to those realities which make life to many a struggle, he acquired those habits of industry and endurance which had much to do with his present place in the commercial and social world.
H. B. Patterson was born in Jackson county, Oblo, November 5, 1868, a son of Robert and Mary (Cunningham) Patterson, both natives of Ireland, who came with their par- ents to America in 1835. locating in Philadelphia, where they were married and lived for fifteen years. About 1850 they immigrated to Oblo, traveling on horseback, in true primitive style. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson located in Jackson county, on a tract of land which they bought and cultivated, and this farm became their home for the remainder of their lives. The father died there in 1885, his faithful wife passing away five years later.
Four of the eight children born in this bumble home are still living. These are, R. C. Patterson, of Wilmington, Sarah A. Castle and Jane F. Fields, both of Willston. Ohio, and our subject, who is the youngest.
H. B. Patterson received a meager education in the country schools and while yet a lad helped with the work on the farm, At sixteen years of age be went to clerk in a store at Hamden. Ohio, his first employer being John Dill. After two years he bought the business for himself. and for the following three years was owner and manager of this general store in the village. In 1890, he sold out and removed to Wilmington, where for seven years he and his brother. R. C. Patterson, were prominent clothing merchants, located in the Odd Fellow building. Selling out. Mr. Patterson became a traveling sales- man for Bischof, Stem & Stein, a Clocinnati firm of cloak manufacturers. For them he traveled three years.
In 1900 Mr. Patterson founded the present partnership with G. E. Watts under the firm name of Watts & Patterson. Since that time, these men have been leading dry- goods merchants of Wilmington. For some years they were located on the corner oppo-
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site the Clinton County Bank, and on September 5. 1912, they removed to their present location in the Masoule temple. Their store room has a floor space of twenty-two thou- sand feet. and thirty-one employees are engaged there.
On August 8, 1895, H. B. Patterson was married to Flo Granthan, of Wilmington. Mrs. Patterson died five years Inter on August 8, 1900. There were no children.
Besides his commercial holdings, Mr. Patterson owns considerable quantities of coal Jands located in Jackson county, Ohio.
Mr. Patterson is an Elk, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Repub- lican. Mr. Patterson is a member of the Presbyterian church. In all of these organ- Izations, he does not merely hold membership, but uses his time and his talent and means to further the purpose of their existence.
II. B. Patterson has a wide circle of friends in Clinton county, and his successful business attests the esteem in which he is held in this locality.
H. N. HENDERSON.
It is as one of Clinton county's most alert and progressive business men that the name of HI. X. Henderson appears among those citizens whose achievements are recorded in this collection of biographies. Though born and reared on a farm, his ambitions early led him to seek other pursuits and be carried Into these enterprises the traits of character that would have made him conspicuous in almost any walk of life. Mr. Hen- derson has displayed great self-reliance and from the very beginning of his independent career after be left the parental roof, he aimed high and considered himself capable of great things. II. N. Henderson, one of Wilmington's most prominent real estate dealers, was born near Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio. August 31, 1873.
Christopher Henderson, father of the subject of this sketch, came from Virginia to Highland county. Ohio, and located on a farm where he remained the balance of his life, dying in 1876. As wealth was estimated in those days, Mr. Henderson was con- sidered a wealthy man, being owner of eleven hundred acres of farm land. By his first wife, who was a Miss Hetherington. he was the father of five children. Several years after her death he married again, his second wife being Amanda Turner, who was a widow. H. N. Henderson was the only child born of this marriage. Christopher Hender- son died in 1875.
. H. X. Henderson grew to manhood on the home farm, attending the public schools, and becoming versed in both the principles and practice of agricultural pursuits. In 1899 he removed to Wilmington and started In the green-house business, continuing suc- cessfully for four years. For a similar period of time he engaged in the general mer- chandise business, later opening up a real estate and investment office. One of the important features of this business is the sale of farm lands. Mr. Henderson is repre- sentative of Geiger-Jones Company, investment bankers, of Canton, Ohio, his territory being Clinton and Fayette counties. He owns a farm in Hocking county. Ohio, to which he gives careful attention.
On December 31. 1895, H. N. Henderson was married to Mattie A. Booth, daughter of Ira and Elizabeth Booth, of Hillsboro. Mrs. Henderson is a native of Green county, Ohio. To this marriage four children were born, Elizabeth Lucile. Katherine Mermet. William Turner and Henry Theodore. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson has been a happy one, and both they and their children have taken an important place in the social life of the city. The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. While Mr. Henderson's life is one of more than the average activity. he has never neglected his home, and has been both a devoted bushand and a kind, thoughtful father.
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