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 99

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 99

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The first work of Doctor Russell as an author was a volume published anonymously by D. Appleton & Company, entitled, "Half Tints: Table d'Hote and Drawing-room." A few years later Hurd & Houghton, of New York, published his "Library Notes," which eventually went into a second edition. His third book, "Thomas Corwin: a Sketch." was published in 1881 by Robert Clarke & Company, and three years later a companion volume to his "Library Notes," entitled "Characteristics" was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company. In 1887 appeared anonymously a volume of essays. entitled, "A Club of One," which had an immense sale in this country and abroad. In 1800 he pub- lished "In a Club Corner." and in 1895 his last work. "Sub Coelum : A Sky-built Human World."

Addison Penle Russell was a son of Charles and Mary (MacNabb) Russell, the former of whom was born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, July 2, 1794. and died, April 16. 1872, and the latter of whom was born on the Isle of Man. December 15, 1795, and died, September 25. 1862. They were married May 15, 1815. Charles Russell was the son of William and Jane (Sewall) Russell, the former of whom was born March 19. 1756, and died November 20, 1829, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the latter of whom was born October 15. 1767, and died September 28. 1814. They married June 21. 1795. Both parents of Charles Russell were born in Virginia, and about 1800 emigrated to Warren county. Ohio, and settled there. The father was killed in a barn raising .. Doctor Rus- sell's maternal grandparents were John and Catherine ( Warnock) MacNabb, who were born in Scotland and who emigrated from Scotland to the Isle of Man, where he was a linen draper and dealer. Later they settled In Virginia. Catherine (Warnock) Mac- Nahh was a granddaughter of Lord Warnock, of Scotland.

On May 16. 1815. Charles Russell arrived in Warren county, Ohio, from Virginia. He had been brought by his parents. He was an ambitious lad and wished to obtain & good education. He chopped wood to earn money to buy a new dictionary. He was

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married in Warren county, and with his wife moved to Wilmington, where he built a woolen-mill, which is still standing on the corner of South and Burdsall streets. For many years he operated this mill, and finally failed in business because be had lent his name to the security of a friend's note. He was a strictly temperate man who never touched liquor or tobacco, which was a remarkable thing for the day and generation in which he lived. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. He was a great class leader and a splendid singer. Charles Russell was an ardent Whig.

Charles and Mary ( MacNabb) Russell had nine children. J. Warnock, the eldest cbild, died at the age of twelve. Jehiah L., who was born. December 31, 1817, and died January 10, 1890, was married January 12, 1841, to Mary Ann Crosby, a native of Mason county, Kentucky, born on July 4, 1817, and died September 18, 1892. Jehiah L. Russell was born at Lebanon. Ohio. He was a physician by profession and studied at Cincinnati. and finally at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. He began practicing at Lebanon, Ohio, and from Lebanon removed to Covington, Ohio, and from Covington to Maysville, Kentucky, where he practiced almost until the time of his death. He was an active Democrat. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. He served as clerk of the court in Clinton county, Ohio, when a young man. Jeblah Russell and wife had four children, namely : Laura, married David S. White, and they live on a farm in Kentucky ; Alice, married Sidney C. Neal and lived in Washington, D. C., but is now deceased; Jehlah, Jr .. died at the age of eighteen; Clara is referred to elsewhere in this sketch.

Amanda, the third child of Charles and Mary Russell, was born on January 12. 1820, and married Jackson Marble. They lived in Wilmington. He was a cabinetmaker and well-to-do. Charles C. and William MacNabb were twins, born on February 22, 1824. Charles C. married Louisa Moorehend and was a banker in Zanesville, Ohio. William MacNabb, who married Elizabeth Allen, a native of New York, was a physician and lived at Port Gibson, Mississippi. They had one son, Irwin, born at Port Gibson, who became a writer of prose and verse. especially in Negro dialect. Irwin died in New Orleans at the age of twenty-seven. Addison P. was the sixth child. Phineas, died unmarried. Catherine, born on September 15, 1832, died unmarried. Mary Elizabeth married Samnel MeQuilty, a blacksmith, and lived at Middletown.

Dr. Addison Peale Russell's great-grandfather on his paternal side came from Ireland to America about 1720. He was more of an Englishman, however, than an Irishman. A carpenter by occupation, he was a large, fine looking man, and died about 1706. Doctor Russell's great-grandmother on his paternal side was also an English woman, and the mother of one daughter and four sons. Mary, the eldest, married James Cowan about 1770. Thomas, the eldest son, settled in the state of Georgia about 1786, and nothing further was ever heard from him. William, who was Doctor Russell's grandfather, was born in 1756, and at twelve years of age was bound out as an apprentice to Adam Hope, In New Jersey, where he became a wood-worker. As a skilled workman he made many of the early spinning wheels used in his community and state. He served in the War of the Revolution as a member of the militia from Somerset county, New Jersey, and was a private. He also was in the company of Capt. Jacob Martin, a battalion of the second degree, establishment of the Continental line, from Somerset county, New Jersey. Moses and Charles, the younger sons, settled near Gallipolis, Ohio, and lived to very advanced ages.

On his maternal side Doctor Russell's great-grandfather's name was Timothy Sewell, a strongly built and powerful man, nevertheless kind and peaceful and a friend to everyone. He died in 1907. He had one brother and two sisters. The great-grand- motber Sewell's maiden name was Tullis. She was the eldest of a large family of

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twelve brothers and three sisters, and died at an advanced age neur Wilmington. Most of the members of this family died in Ohio. Jane (Sewell) Russell, who was Doctor Russell's grandmother, was the eldest of a large family. Her sisters were Sarab, Mary, Hester, Hannab and Nancy, and her brothers were Moses, Peter, Rion, David and Amos. June (Sewell) Russell was an exceptional woman. She was unusually talented as a conversationalist.

The education of Addison Peale Russell was limited to the common schools, which he attended in Wilmington. When he was sixteen years old he was Indentured to a printer in the office of the Zoneaville Gazette, and In 1845 became editor and publisher of the Hillsborough News, a Whig newspaper. Two years later be removed to Lebanon. and was there connected with the Western Star. These associations with the political press led to his appointment as clerk to the Ohio state Senate in 1850. Upon returning to Wilmington be purchased a balf interest in the Clinton Republican and in 1855, while editing the paper, was elected by the Republicans of Clinton county as a member of the state Legislature. He served as representative for two years, and in 1857 was elected secretary of state by the Republicans In 1850 he was re-elected to this office." During his administration the statutes of Ohio required a financial agent for the state to reside in New York City, and in 1862 Doctor Russell was appointed to this important position by Governor Todd. and re-appointed in 1864 by Governor Brough. He was again re- appointed in 1866 by Governor Cox. In 1868 he retired from the public service with an unstained and untarnished record.

Drawn naturally toward literary pursuits, Doctor Russell had been a reader and writer from the time he was a small lad.

In 1867 appeared "Half Tints; Table d'Hote and Drawing-room" from the press of D. Appleton & Company. Eight yours later appeared the first edition of "Library Notes." published by Hurd & Houghton, of New York. This volume gained a wide repu- tation and was commended uniformly for its value and interest. The first edition was soon out of print and soon after a second edition, revised and enlarged. was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company. of Boston. "Library Notes" was described as "a sort of banquet of books, the author acting the part of symposium with easy grace, now and then dropping a keen remark. or making a comprehensive summary of his own." In 1881 appeared from the press of Robert, Clark & Company. of Cincinnati, "Thomas Corwin : a Sketch." This was a "brief sketch of a great genius by an acquaintance and and admirer." The volume avoided a tedious recital of dry fact and uninteresting inci- dents, and was confined to statements, references and illustrations, such as to give n fair Idea of Corwin's character and genius. In 1884 appeared "Characterists," published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company, which was well received, not only in America, but in Great Britain. In 1887 appeared anonymously. "A Club of One." Under the disguise of invalidism the author indulges himself with the privilege of very free writing. witty. quaint, keen, ponderous and most genial. Styles fascinating, anecdotes, witticisma, epigrama abound, and all sorts of subjects are discussed with ability of a high order. Altogether the volume is a group of very charming essays. Three years later appeared the companion volume. "In a Club Corner." published by Houghton. Mifflin & Company. which the Philadelphia Press declared was "brighter than its predecessor." Five years Inter was published "Sub Coelum; a Sky-built Human World." This was a fanciful description of a highly-improved human society. but really a strong protest against the apparently growing materialistic and socialistic tendencies of the day. It was an original work and many readers and some critles pronounced it the author's masterpiece.

In 1894 Doctor Russell was elected a member of the Author's Club of New York City. In 1898 the Ohio University at Athens conferred upon him the degree of Doctor

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of Literature. In December, 1910, he was elected a member of the Author's Club of London, England.

On the occasion of Doctor Russell's eightieth birthday he received from the well- known Davis Wasgatt Clark, of Cincinnati, the following letter :

"My Dear Friend : Hail to you as you come to be, as Oliver Wendell Holmes puta it, 'eighty years young.' I belonged to you before you ever saw me! It was by that Inaudible and Invisible proprietorship which the true author has in his true reader. But far thro' memory will shine that day of first personal touch. With best wishes. Ever your affectionate admirer. Davis Wasgutt Clark."

Of the late Doctor Russell, Dr. William H. Venable, the author of "A Dream of Empire," wrote in the Ohio Educational Monthly In October. 1901: "I may say that Doctor Russell's books are obvious growths-results of many years' study, observation and reflection. Of his processes, little or nothing is known ; indeed he has said he hardly knows them himself. In assimilation he has been likened to Bayle, who had 'the art of writing down his curious quotations with his own subtle ideas.' In the annlogical, there seems to be no limit to his range and ability. It is only after a close study of his books that one can have any intelligent comprehension of their scope, and the universality of their application to life in every phase of experience, effort and development."

It was Dr. Addison Peule Russell's niece, Clara, the daughter of his brother. Jehiah L. Russell, now Mrs. Clara Burns, who cared for him during the last five years of his life. Before that his home was cared for by Mrs. Katherine Worster, the daughter of Mrs. Jackson Marble, his sister.

Clara Russell was married on January 16, 1900, to James M. Burns, who was born near Steubenville, Ohio, November 14, 1837, and died on June 14. 1906. James M. was the son of Thomas and Sarah ( Mckinley) Burns, both of whom were born near Steuben- ville. Ohio. Thomas Burns was a potter and had a large pottery and brick-yard near Steubenville. He also operated a large Itvery stable. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. James M. Burns was educated at Beatty College in Steuben- ville, and became a proof-render and printer in Wheeling and later worked in C'inrmnatt. Subsequently he removed to Maysville, Kentucky, and after his marriage lived In Alleghany. He was a member of the Methodist church. For a few months he served in Gen. Lew Wallace's regiment of "home guards" during the Civil War.

Mrs. Burns received a good education, having been enabled to attend college in Cin- cinnati. Later she taught private students in her home in Maysville, Kentucky, for seventeen years, and then became a private tutor in Cincinnati. When a young woman she had attended the Science Hill Seminary. in Maysville, Kentucky, and had never been a student in the public schools. After her husband's death she made her home with the late Doctor Russell, and was one of his favorites. At his death she Inherited his home and estate in Wilmington, where she is still living. Mrs. Burns' mother was Mary Ann Crosby, whose parents were John and Nancy (Colrin) Crosby. the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter of whom was born in Maryland. They settled In Mason county. Kentucky, where he was a farmer.

Mrs. Burns is a cultivated and refined woman, who is well known and widely admired by the people of Wilmington and Clinton county. Her beloved uncle, who never married, who brought honor and distinction to the Russell family as well as to the great state where he lived and worked, is gone, but his influence goes on In the hearts not only of the members of his immediate family but of those who come under the Influence of his gracions personality. He was a noble man and a noble citizen.

There hangs in Mrs. Burns' parlor an oil painting of Doctor Russell by Charles T. Weber. the Ohio valley artist, dean of the Cincinnati artists. The painting received favorable notice in Cincinnati, Boston and Paris.

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WILLIAM D. MOORMAN.

The following is a brief sketch of a man, who, by close attention to business, bas achieved a satisfactory measure of success in agricultural affairs and who has risen to an honorable position among the enterprising farmers of Union township with whom his interests are identified. His record is a plain one and rendered remarkable by no strange or mysterious adventures, no wonderful or lucky accident. William D. Moor- man, however, is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and honor win for them an enviable position in society.

William D. Moorman was born on April 3, 1845. in Greene county, Ohio, in the city of Xenia, and is the son of Samuel and Lucy W. (Johnson) Moorman, the former of whom was born in Campbell county, Virginia, May 16, 1792, and the latter, born In Campbell county, Virginia, March 1, 1800, and who died in Judy, 1877. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Moorman lived and died in Virginia. They were of English descent. His maternal grandfather was a native of Virginia and settled near Port William, in Liberty township, in 1810. The first township election ever beld In Liberty township was held at his house.

The late Samuel Moorman, father of William D., was sixteen years old when the family left Virginia, in 1808, for Oblo. He enlisted in the War of 1812, but peace was declared before he saw active service. In his boyhood he learned the brick-mason's trade and at different times lived in different towns in Clinton county. Married in 1824, he workd in Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time and later twelve years in Xenia, Ohio. After that he lived three years in Peru, Indiana, and some time In Jamestown, in Greene county. Ohio. Still later he lived at Port William in Clinton county. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church.

To Samuel and Lucy W. (Johnson) Moorman were born nine children, five of whom are deceased. The names of the children are as follow : Henry, born in 1827, died young : Pamelia and Emily, twins. March 4, 1825, the former married Ezekiel Leonard, n well-to-do farmer and blacksmith, and the latter married David Teach; Mary Anna, November 25, 1830, married Jacob Good, of Greene county, and they are deceased ; John Johnson, June 7. 1833, deceased, was a brickmaker and justice of the peace at Port Will- jam, Ohio: Barnett G., July 21. 1836, is a retired farmer of Xenia, Ohio; Susannaby June 23. 1839, is deceased : Catherine died of cholera in 1849 at the age of eight years; Willam D. was the youngest child of this family.

William D. Moorman enjoyed only limited educational advantages, having attended school for a short time in Indiana, at Peru, and a little while at Port William, Ohio. In the meantime he was engaged in helping his brother at brickmaking. Subsequently, he married and lived with his father-in-law and worked on his farm on the shares for eight years. Mrs. Moorman inherited some land and since that time they have added more and have now one hundred and eleven acres. They still live on the farm and carry on general farming. Mr. Moorman raises Shorthorn cattle.

On February 1, 1876, WIliam D. Moorman was married to Martha Starbuck, who was born on the farm adjoining the one where she now lives on January 29, 1848, and who is the daughter of Jesse G. and Amy (Cox) Starbuck.

Mr. and Mrs. Moorman have had one son, Charles R., born on May 3, 1878. He is unmarried and lives at home with his parents.

Mrs. Moorman's father, Jesse G. Starbuck, was born in Union township, Clinton county, Ohio, October 8. 1819. His paternal great-grandparents were Thomas and Rachel Starbuck, the former of whom was born on Nantucket Island, May 12, 1707, and who died on February 2, 1777. and the latter, born in 1710, and died on May 31. 1789. His grandfather, Hezekiah Starbuck, was born on Nantucket Island, April 10, 1749, and was married on November 19, 1771, to Mary Thurston. He was a senfaring man and for a part of his life was captain of a whaling vessel. He was on a cruise when the Revo-

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lutionary War broke out and on his return he had great difficulty in entering the harbor. which was blockaded by the enemy. In 1785 he emigrated to Guilford county, North Carolina, where he reared his family and where his wife died on June 9, 1806. He afterwards removed to Clinton county, where he remained until his death, which occurred on June 10, 1830. The father of Jesse G. Starbuck, Gayer Starbuck, was born on Nan- tucket Island, August 10, 1777, and removed with his parents to North Carolina, where he spent the early part of his life. He learned the blacksmith's trade and for many years followed that vocation. He was married on January 17, 1799, by permission of the New Garden monthly meeting, to Susannah, the daughter of Jesse and Anna Dillon. By this marriage five sons and five daughters were born, of whom one son died at the age of twenty-two years, and the rest married and reared families. In 1807 he removed with his family to Ohio and settled temporarily in the edge of Greene county near where Paintersville now is, but in 1810 they came to Clinton county. Here they remained until their denth. He died on December 30. 1866, and she on March 12, 1861. Jesse Dillon, who was of Irish descent was born in North Carolina in October, 1753, and on April 29. 1778, was married to Hannah Ruckman, who was born on March 20, 1754, to Joseph and Sarah Ruckman. They came to Oblo, in 1807, and settled in the wilderness on land later owned by John T. Starbuck.

Jesse G. Starbuck was married at Fairfield meeting in Hendricks county, Indiana, October 20, 1842, to Amy Cox, who was a daughter of Harmon and Martha Cox. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, June 1, 1823, and moved to Hendricks county with her parents when a child. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jesse G. Starbuck settled on a farm in Union township where he was a farmer and miller. They reared a family of five children, others having died in early life: Adin L. married Louisa M. Pidgeon ; Asa married Almira Costis; Martha is the wife of Mr. Moorman; William R., born on May 12, 1858, graduated from Wilmington College; Jesse H., November 11, 1864, became a farmer.

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Moorman are members of the Dover meeting of Friends. Mr. Moorman is a Republican. He is an enterprising farmer, an honorable citizen and a popular man in Union township.

HOMER JESSE LUNDY.

The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and as incentives to the great body of young men, whose careers are yet to be made. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and endeavor strongly illustrate what every one may accomplish. Homer Jesse Lundy, a splendid, hard-working, young farmer of Chester township, this county, whose life story is here briefly set forth, is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose.

Homer Jesse Lundy was born in Union township, this county. on January 8, 1881. the son of Enoch and Phoebe ( Wall) Lundy, both of whom were born In the same town- ship, the former on July 18, 1830, and the latter of whom was a daughter of Asariah Wall.

Enoch Lundy was the son of Jesse and Abigail (Green) Lundy, the former born in Grayson. county, Virginia, on September 19, 1905, and the latter. on December 19, 1794. the daughter of John and Ruth Green. Jease Lundy was a farmer by occupation, who emigrated to Clinton county about 1810 with his parents, who located on a farm in Chester township, where he was reared and where he lived practically all of his life. In addition to farming, he operated a blacksmith shop on his farm of ninety-seven acrex. Jesse and Abigail (Green) Lundy were the parents of six children : Enoch. the father of Homer J .: Ruth, who married Benjamin Johnson; Elizabeth, who married Peter Osborn : Margaret, who became the wife of Aseph Paxon; John, who died in infancy, and James, who married Sarah Venahle. The family were all members of the Friends

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church. Jesse Lundy was the son of James Lundy, a native of Virginia, and one of the early settlers in Clinton county. James Lundy was twice married, the first time to Elizabeth Johnson, to which union ten children were born, James, Levi, Jesse, William, John. Anna. Susannab, Asenath, Enoch and Rachel.

Enoch Lundy, a representative of the third generation of the Lundy family in Clin- ton county, received bis education in the common schools of Chester township. and was engaged in farming and carpentering all of his life. He owned a farm of ninety- three acres and was a devout member of the Friends church and an ardent Republican. By his first wife, Sarah Babb, who was the daughter of Henry Babb, there was born one child, Calvin. After her death, Mr. Lundy married secondly, Phoebe Wall, to which union there was born one child, Homer Jesse, the subject of this biographical sketch.

Like his father and his grandfather. Homer Jesse Lundy was educated in the com- mon schools of Chester township, but he had an additional advantage. in that he was permitted for some time to attend school at Delaware, Ohlo, where he pursued a com- mercial course. After he had finished his education"he began farming in Chester town- ship, where, with his mother, he now owns one hundred and fifty-six acres of land. Mr. Lundy is a general farmer and stockman and is one of the well-known young citizens of that township,

On June 7. 1905. Homer Jesse Lundy was married to Ruth Oren, who was born on January 28. 1881. the daughter of Alfred and Laura (Nance) Oren, to which union there has been no Issue.

During the past ten years, Mr. Lundy has been trensurer of Chester township, hav- ing been elected to that office by the Republican party, with which he is identified polit- Ically. Mr. and Mrs. Lundy are members of the Friends church and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.

J. ALBERT STINGLEY.

J. Albert Stingley, who comes of an old and long established family of Clinton county and one which has been prominent in the agricultural life of the county for nearly a century, was born in Chester township. this county, on May 31, 1881. the son of Gilead and Nancy ( Lucas) Stingley, and the grandson of John and Elizabeth (Bush) Stingley.

Gllead Stingley was born on November 4, 1820, in Ross county. Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth ( Bush) Stingley, and died in 1900. His wife. Nancy Lucas, was horn in Ilighland county in 1831, the daughter of Richard and Mary (Curtindoll) Luens, and is still living. Educated in the common schools of Chester township, Gilead Stingley was a farmer during almost his entire life and owned seven or eight hundred seres of land. For about five years, following 1875, he was engaged in the pork pack- ing business in Wilmington and was for many years a large cattle raiser. Eleven chil- dren were born to Gilead and Nancy Stingley, as follow : Eliza, who married John F. Oglesbee : William, who died in March, 1913: Amanda (deceased), who married James Bailey : Elizabeth, who married James Swindler; Emma, who died at the age of five years: J. Albert, the subject of this sketch; Calvin, who Is referred to elsewhere in this volume: Ada, who married Lester Oglestee; Alonzo, who died at the age of two years; Nettie, who married Elljab Turner, and Alvin, who is referred to elsewhere iu this volume, Gilead Stingley and wife were members of the Friends church and be voted the Democratic ticket.

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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 99

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