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 88
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Mr. Henderson is a believer in social and civic organizations, and as a business man of ability. has done much to advance the commercial Interests of his elty. The extent to
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H. N. HENDERSON
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which these endeavors are appreciated by his business associates is shown by the fact that he is now the assistant secretary of the Commercial Club, and in this capacity gives much of his thought and time to the club. Mr. Henderson is a Republican. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
By his untiring zent for the commercial welfare of his city, Mr. Henderson has given distinctive impetus to Its economie advancement, and the success and prestige he has 'achieved is splendid evidence of the scope and importance of the enterprise which he Is directing. His work as an officer of the Commercial Club is worthy of especial com- mendation, as is also his steady adherence to the principles of honor and integrity as applied to business.
JOHN LEONARD SEITZ.
One of the most substantial citizens of the Lynchburg neighborhood in Clinton county is the gentleman whose name the reader notes above. He has lived all his life in that neighborhood and is regarded as one of the most Important factors in the community interest thereabout. Controlling more than five hundred acres of valuable land in this county, beside much valuable property in the village of Lynchburg. he is a man of sub- stance who Is giving good account of his trust, doing well his part in life.
John I. Seitz was born in Jefferson township. Clinton county, Ohio, on September 10. 1860, son of John and Elizabeth B. (Sigling) Seitz, both natives of Berne, Germany, who came to America in 1854, later making their home in this county.
John Seitz was the son of a shoemaker and grew up as a farmer, becoming the owner of a small place of twenty-six acres in his native land. Deciding to take advan- tage of the more promising outlook offered in this country, he disposed of his holdings in 1854 and came to America. On the same vessel, also seeking a new home and wider opportunities in this land of the free, was the girl who presently became his wife, Eliza- beth Sigling, daughter of Frederick and Margaret (Fitzdum) Sigling, also natives of Berne. Frederick Sigling followed his children to this country, after the death of his wife, when in bis eighty-fourth year, and his last days were spent with his children in this county. Shortly after their arrival in Cincinnati John Seitz and Elizabeth Sigling were united in marriage and for a year made their home In that city, at the end of which time they came to Clinton county, making their home In Jefferson township, where John Seitz eventually became a farmer In a large way. In association with his brother- in-law, Michael Sigling, he bought three hundred acres In Jefferson township, the two of them operating the farm until about the time of the Civil War, when Michael Sigling sold his interest. John Seitz continued bis farming operations and prospered, adding to his holdings until he became the owner of more than five hundred acres of fine land lying on the line of division between Clinton and Highland counties, one hundred and sixty-one acres of which was situated in the latter county, the home. however, being situated In Jefferson township, this county. Both John Seltz and his wife were earnest members of the Lutheran church and were prominent factors in the development of the neighborhood In which they lived. They were the parents of but two children, both sons. John, who died at the age of twenty-seven years, and John L., the Immediate sub- ject of this sketch. The father of these children died in the year 1901. and his widow since then has made her home with her only surviving son.
John L. Seitz received his education in the common schools of his home neighbor- hood and was carefully trained in the ways of farming by his industrious and energetic father, upon whose death he assumed full control, on behalf of his widowed mother, of the large land holdings of his father and has since operated the same quite successfully. Hle and his mother remained on the home place until 1005, in which year they moved to their present home on the outskirts of Lynchburg, in Clark township.
Various changes have been made in the original Seitz holdings, and John I. Seitz
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and his mother now own five hundred and ninety-one acres, all of which, save sixty-five acres lying in Highland county, is located in this county. Mr. Seltz is a very successful farmer, giving much attention, in connection with bis general farming operations, to stock raising, and has prospered, being regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of the Lynchburg neighborhood. In addition to his large farm, he is the owner of seven houses and a cooper shop in Lynchburg and is deeply concerned in the development of the best Interests of that community.
Mr. Seitz and his mother are faithful members of the Lutheran church and are beld in the highest esteem by all in their large circle of acquaintances in that part of the county.
FRANK M. BALDWIN, M. D.
It is not often given to men to do a multiplicity of things and yet be so richly endowed that they may do each of them well. But here and there, rare though it be, are to be found a shining few, whose native ability coupled with quiet, but grim and purpose- ful determination spells success in any attempt or endeavor to achieve. Of such a number is the subject of this sketch, Dr. Frank M. Baldwin, of Blanchester, Ohio.
Frank M. Baldwin was born in Blanchester, Ohio, on September 6. 1842. He was the son of Joseph Baldwin, whose father, Jonathan Baldwin, a native of Virginia, having been born and reared in Morgantown, Virginia, married a Miss Blancett, of Virginia, whose brother Joseph, filled with the vision of new land and new enterprises, came "West" as Ohio was termed In that early day, aud with true pioneer zeal, helped to lay out the town of Blanchester, Ohio.
Later, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Baldwin came West, and were among the earliest settlers of Clinton county. Their son, Benjamin, was the first white child to be born in Marion township. They were the parents of the following nine children: Judge Will- iam H. Baldwin, who is now deceased ; Benjandin, who is now deceased: Josina, who is now deceased; Joseph, who is now deceased; Samuel, who is now deceased; John, a resident of Blanchester; Harriet, who is still living at the age of ninety-one; Louisa, who is now deceased, and Celissa, deceased. Several years after the death of Mrs. Baldwin, Jonathan Baldwin contracted a second marriage with Mary Villars. To this union were born three children: Rebecca ; Mary, and Thomas. Thomas Benton is the only survivor of this union.
Jonathan Baldwin, true to his country and for the humanitarian principles for which she has always stood, heard the call of his native land in her grievance against England, and was one of the valiant defenders of the young republic in the War of 1812.
Joseph Baldwin, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on March 7, 1817. in Clinton county, Ohio. He was reared in this county, attending the public schools, . but learning even more from the pioneer efforts on all sides of him to make Clinton county the pleasing and habitable place that it is today. He was married in early manhood to Valeria Shank, who was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, In 1824. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Mann) Shank, who were both among the earlier settlers of Clinton county. Henry Shank served his country in the War of 1812; a pioneer in the principles of justice as well as of the frontier, and so when England persisted in seizing American seumen, and in searching American vessels, he was one of the very first to enlist. He lived many years to enjoy the freedom for which he had fought. He died in 1864, at the age of eighty-seven years, which years had been of constant devotion to his fellow men. Ills wife, Mary (Mann) Shank, died in 1882, and was buried on her ninety-first birthday. Joseph Baldwin was a prosperous merchant in Blanchester, always broad in his ideas. He was a stanch Democrat, politically, although he was liberal enough to see the good in other parties. He was a Universalist in religion, interpreting the Universe and God in the broadest terms; kind and sympa-
FRANK M. BALDWIN, M. D.
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thetic to all about him. Dr. Frank Baldwin, the subject of this sketch, was the only child born to Joseph and Valeria (Shank) Baldwin.
Doctor Baldwin was educated in the public schools of Blanchester. True to the ideals of his ancestors, both paternal and maternal, he assiduously followed the Emer- sonian maxim : "Hitch your wagon to a star", and let no opportunity go by to make him- self more useful to the community. He taught school in Blanchester for a year and a half. The teaching profession, always a noble one within itself, in this instance led to wider fields of endeavor. His analytical mind led him to the study of medicine, and in the years 1863-64 he attended a medical school, taking the greatest interest and advan- tage in the many fine lectures connected with the course. Dr. Baldwin later embarked in the drug business, buying out an established drug firm in Blanchester where he conscientiously served the people for twenty-seven years. During this time, he met, and later married, Elmira Ferguson, of Warren county. They were married in 1864, and were the parents of the following children : Sherman and Sheridan, twins, who were born in 1866; Gladis May, who was born in 1872, and who died in infancy; Carrie, who was born in 1874, and Stanley, who was born in 1878 and who died in infancy. This union proved a most helpful and happy one until the death of Mrs. Baldwin in February, 1870. In June of 1880, Doctor Baldwin was united in marriage to Auna E. Van Duzen. of Newport, Kentucky. To this union were born three children, two of them dying in infancy, and the third being Frank Van Duzen, who was born in 1891.
During all of the years that Doctor Baldwin meted out drugs and sundry other necessaries to the people of Blanchester, he held constantly in mind the early intention of becoming a doctor, and during these busy years be attended two more sessions of a series of lectures, and finally, in 1888, graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati. Since that date he has ably filled the medical needs of his community with the same constancy and zeal which marked his efforts to ft himself for the service. He is now a member of the Southwestern Electic Medical Association.
But in his many business activities Doctor Baldwin has not neglected bis social duties. For half a century he has been a Master Mason in Blanchester, and past master of this lodge; a Royal Arch Mason, and past high priest since 1882. Since 1882, he has also been a Knight Templar and since 1887, a thirty-second degree Mason. In 1888 he became a member of the Shriners. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star, and he is a past worthy patron of that organization. Mrs. Baldwin shares with her husband the many fine fraternal duties involved in these duely-organized and helpful lodge affilla- tions
In religion, Doctor Baldwin is a Universalist, although his activities in church work are decidediy non-sectarian and not confined altogether to his own church. He became a member of the Universalist church in 1867, and has been a faithful attendant and participant In its affairs ever since. Doctor Baldwin's father died in 1894. but bis tuother is still living, having reached the advanced age of ninety-one years.
Always Interested in education, Doctor Baldwin has served that worthy cause in many ways, offering and putting into effect many constructive ideas. The people of the community have shown their good judgment and their trust In Doctor Baldwin's ability and his progressive ideas, by electing him to the office of school director for twenty- seven years. On the expiration of his present term in 1917 in that office, he will have served continuously for twenty-seven years. During that time Doctor Baldwin has seen the old methods of the "little red school house," give place to the more modern methods and ideals demanded by the complexity which surrounds us on all sides in our American life. Doctor Baldwin has shown himself to have kept steady pace with the onward march, and In nothing so much as by his able work as a director of schools.
Dr. Frank M. Baldwin typifies the new meaning of life-spelled in terms of service. His life, with its multiple demands, has ever been devoted not only to his own, but to
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all-the real brotherhood of man. A few have lived this glorious and ultimate solution of life, and Dr. Baldwin is among this few who have talked little but have done much ; who know what human brotherhood means through the only possible avenue of knowing it-practicing it and living it.
WILL B. WOOD.
I'nion township. in Clinton county, is rich in history. Its now valuable lands were opened for settlement by earnest pioneers who wrought well, and the descendants of these pioneer families are now ably carrying on the good work inaugurated by their forefathers. In all the history of this township the families of the Woods, the Colletts and the MeKays are very definitely associated. The gentleman whose name is noted above, a scion of a union of the three families above named, is a native of this county, born on the farm which his grandfather wrested from the forest wilderness, and has lived there all his life: having faithfully carried on the noble tasks of diligent hus- bandry set him by his grandfather and bequeathed to him by his father. The Wood family had Its origin in America with the coming to this new land of freedom of the famous colony of William Penn, the first of the line from which Will B. Wood sprang having been a member of the Penn colony and a devoted adherent of the faith of the Friends: a faith maintained by the family up to the last generation, when their religions affiliations were transferred to the Baptists. Diligent in business, serving the Lord. the members of the Wood family have performed well their parts in the development of Clinton county, bringing to all their relations in life a faithful exemplification of those fine qualities of Integrity of purpose and singleness of mind so sturdily handed down by the founders of the family in this country, and It Is a pleasure on the part of the biographer here to set out a few of the sallent points in the history of the Wood family in this county.
WIHl B. Wood was born on the old Wood homestead, on the Washington pike. in Union township, Clinton county, Ohio, on December 13, 1803, son of Jesse H. and Tamson (Collett) Wood, the former of whom was born on the same farm on July 14. 1835, and died on April 27, 1902, and the latter of whom was born on a farm near the village of New Burlington. In Chester township, this county. on November 30, 1863, and died on September 1, 1911.
Jesse H. Wood was the son of Robert P. Wood, who was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on January 14, 1812, the youngest of the five children of Isnac and Lydia (Grubb) Wood. the former of whom was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, the eldest of five children born to his parents, the others being John. Nathan, Lydia and Mary, and the latter of whom was born in Jefferson county. Virginia. The other chil- dren of this family were: Susan, who married Benjamin Glass: William, who married Mary Campbell ; Hannah, who married Christopher Probosco, and John, who married Elizabeth Edmondson. All these children were married in Virginia except Robert, the youngest, who was not married until after the family hud settled in this county. John Wood emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1831, locating in Springfield, whence he sent back such glowing reports to his father that the latter decided to put in bis lot with the settlers in this then promising region, and, with his entire family, came here the next year, arriving at Wilmington on the evening of November 12, the day before the presidential election of that year. There were seventy members of the party which made the tollsome journey by wagon train across the mountains and rivers. The party was nineteen days on the way, having crossed the Alleghany mountains on the National pike and the Ohlo river at Wheeling. On arriving in Clinton county the Wood family all settled within a radius of two miles east of Wilmington, the two sons-in-law of Isaac Wood, Benjamin Glass and Christopher Probosco, settling in the same colony, much of this land still being retained In the family. in the third and fourth generation.
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the numerous progeny of the parent stock now forming a no inconsiderable element of the population thereabout.
Amid these pioneer conditions, Robert P. Wood secured a new start in life. Taking a farm nearby the central farm located by his father, he entered upon the task of clearing the forest wilderness and quickly prospered. His original holdings amounted to one hundred and thirteen acres, but, as he prospered, he gradually added to this until he became the owner of about five hundred acres of fine land in Union township and was accounted one of the most substantial farmers in that section of the county. Reared in the Quaker faith, he adhered to the Friends church during his early manhood, but, as a matter of convenience in securing a nearby house of worship, allied himself with the Baptists and was one of the thirteen charter members of the first Baptist church organized in Wilmington and served the congregation of that church as a dencon the rest of his life, being as faithful in his relations to the church as he was in all his relations in life.
Robert P. Wood was united in marriage to Mary D. Hughes, who was born in Cuion township, this county, daughter of Judge Jesse Hughes, and to this union were born six children, namely : Jessie, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Nathan, now deceased, a former well-known farmer of I'nion township, this county; Lydia, who died in her young girlhood; William, a prosperous I'nion township farmer, now living retired in the city of Wilmington; Isaac, deceased; and Lavenia, now deceased, who married J. F. Woods, a well-known farmer of this county, who survives her. The mother of these children died on March 3, 1881, and In 1882 Robert P. Wood married, secondly, Phebe Hildreth.
Jesse Wood was reared on the home farm in Union township, his brothers and his father all working together on the home place. even after the former were grown and married, their father having promised to each a fine farm if they would stick to the home farm. This arrangement continued until 1875. in which year Jesse H. retired from the home farm and moved to one of the Custis farms of one hundred and twenty- five acres, which he had received as his share of the estate of his pioneer father, Robert Wood. Jesse Wood was a quiet, reserved man; a man of the strictest integrity and known far and wide for his careful attention to his own business. During the Civil War be was enrolled with the famous band of "squirrel hunters" and with this company of zealous volunteers was encamped at Camp Denison. He was a Republican and gave a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of his home county, but never was an office seeker, his duty to the public being performed in the quiet walks of private life. He was an earnest member of the Baptist church, as was his father before him, and for many years served the congregation of the Baptist church at Wilmington as # deacon, also performing the duties of treasurer of the church.
In March, 1862, Jesse Wood was united in marriage to Tamson Collett, daughter of Daniel H. and Maria (MeKay) Collett, the former of whom was born In Warren county, this state, and the latter of whom was born in Chester township, this county. a daughter of one of the prominent pioneers of Clinton county. Daniel H. Collett came to Clinton county in his young manhood, married here and became one of the most substantial farmers of Chester township. He was the owner of more than four hundred acres of land and was a leader in the affairs of his community. Hle and his wife were members of the Jonas Run Baptist church and were prominent in all good works there- about. Daniel H. Collett and his wife were the parents of seven children who grew to manhood and womanhood and became useful factors in their respective communities. Daniel H. Collett died at the age of sixty-three, his widow surviving him some years.
To Jesse and Tamson (Collett ) Wood were born three children, namely : Will B., the immediate subject of this sketch; Daniel C., who lives at Tarkio, Missouri; and Mary, who married W. Corey and lives in Greenfield, Ohlo.
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Will B. Wood was reared on the paternal farm, receiving his elementary education in the district school in that neighborhood, supplementing the same by a course of one year in Wilmington College, after which he entered Dennison University with the purpose of completing the course in that institution. At the end of two years of study at Dennison, however, his father became ill and the dutiful son returned home to manage the farm and never returned to the university to receive his diploma. Upon his father's death, Will B. Wood purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home farm and ever since has made his home there. He has a fine home, having com- pletely remodeled the old house along the lines of modern requirements; the house being equipped with an acetylene gus lighting system and hot and cold water. bathrooms and all modern conveniences. Mr. Wood keeps a fine herd of pure bred Jersey cattle, shipping his cream to Cincinnati. One of his chlef sources of revenue is found in his hogs, he having for years made a specialty of Chester Whites, annually marketing large numbers of these profitable animals.
On February 27, 1895. Will B. Wood was united in marriage to Edna McMillan, who was born in Chester township, this county, daughter of Shipley and Sarah (Lacy) McMillan, members of pioneer families of this county, a complete history of the MeMil- lan family in this county being presented elsewhere in this volume. To this union two children have been born: Myra, born on April 2, 1897, who is a student in Dennison University ; and Howard, January 23, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Baptist church in Wilmington, Mr. Wood having been a dencon of that congregation for years and both are active in the various beneficences of that communion. Mr. Wood is a Republican and for years has taken an active part in local politics, his sound judgment and thorough acquaintance with conditions in bis neighborhood giving much weight to his counsels in the deliberations of the party managers in this county. For fifteen years hs was school director in his district, his ardent interest in educational affairs having given grent value to bis services in this connection. He also has served as trustee of Union township, his thorough and public-spirited administration of the affairs of that office having proved very acceptable to the people of the township. Mr. Wood and his wife take a deep interest in all measures designed to promote the cause of the common good in their community and no couple thereabout is held in higher regard than they.
ELIJAH P. STOTLER.
The plodding German character which has been so dominant in the making of America had much to do with the earlier history of Clinton county. And whenever the history of a German ancestry is written, the biographer is always compelled to note a large measure of success along this line. Elijah P. Stotler is of German descent and the outstanding features of his life will bear out this statement.
Elijah P. Stotler was born in Morgan county, West Virginia. three and one-half miles from Berkeley Springs, on the Winchester grade road, on August 17. 1852. He was the son of Elijah and Evann (Spillman) Stotler. Elijah Stotler, the father of Elijah P., was born at Oakland, In Morgan county, West Virginia, in 1817, and died on December 24, 1856, His wife, Evann (Spillman) was born in Morgan county, West Virginia, in 1816, and died on May 3, 1894. Elijah Stotler was the son of Peter and Susannah (Shockey) Stotler, or N-t-a-t-l-e-r. as the name was spelled in Germany where they were born. Peter and Susannah Spillman were married in Germany and emigrated to Pennsylvania where after farming for awhile they moved to a farm in Morgan county, West Virginia, where they died.
Evann (Spillman) Stotler was the daughter of Peter and Susannah (Redman) Spillman. both of whom were born in Germany and later came to America with their parents and settled in Pennsylvania, where they were married. After their marriage
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