USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 112
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greater part of the period. However, he admitted his son. Dr. Benjamin R. Mc- Clellan, to partnership, and when his son retired from the firm Dr. W. T. Finley be- came his partner and was associated with him in business for eight years. Our sub- ject now gives his attention to office prac- tice while his son. Dr. B. R. MeClellan, at- tends to the outside practice. In 1898 the former founded a hospital in Nenia. which he has since conducted, making a specialty of surgical werk. A perfect master of the construction and functions of the com- ponent parts of the human body, of the changes induced in them by the onslaughts of disease, of the defects cast upon them. as
a legacy by progenitors, of the vital ca- pacity remaining in them throughout all vicissitudes of existence,-this knowledge has made Dr. McClellan a most skilled and capable physician and surgeon. He suc- ceeded because he desires to succeed. He is great because nature endowed him bounti- fully, and he has studiously, carefully and conscientiously increased the talent, which were given him. For many years he also conducted a drug store in Nenia and se- cured for himself a very profitable income.
In October, 1855. the Doctor was mar- ried to Ruth Sheperd Nieukirk, a native of Chio, although burn of New Jersey parent- age. They became the parents of six chil- dren, of whom three are yet living : Charles Lee, who is manager of the opera house in Venia : Benjamin R., a successful practicing physician here : and Frank Wiley, who is a clerk in the freight office of the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Nenia. The mother died on the Ist of June. 1894. and on the 29th of October, 1809. the Doc- Rader. of Xenia.
The Doctor holds membership in the Presbyterian church and for many years was one of its officers. In politic- he is a stalwart Republican, but has never given his consent to accept office. He has been identified with the State Medical Society for many years and is the only surviving charter member of the Greene County Med- ical Society. During the Civil war he was a contract surgeon in the army and was stationed at Pittsburg Landing. Nashville and for two months was in the Cumberland hospital and also had charge of the Ex- change Barracks in Nashville for a month. He was with the Army of the Potomac and
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rendered valuable service in alleviating the suffering's of those who were wounded upon the field of battle. Many have reason to feel very grateful to him for his skill as a practitioner in Greene county. In a paper which he read before the Greene County Medical Society upon the experience of early physicians, he said that he estimated that he had driven a distance which would be equal to a threefold trip around the world, covering seventy-three hundred miles each year. Dr. McClellan has wit- nessed much of the growth and develop- ment of Greene county and is a public-spir- ited citizen, deeply interested in its progress and welfare. His life has been a busy, use- ful and honorable one, commending him to the confidence and regard of all, and no his- tor of this portion of the state would be complete without his record.
GEORGE W. BRANDT.
A native of Germany, George W. Brandt was born on the 16th of February, 1850. and is now a resident of Beavercreek town- ship where he follows the occupation of farming. He is a son of John and Mary Brandt. The father came to this country prior to the arrival of his wife and children, making his way to Cincinnati, where he re- mained for two weeks, then came to Beaver- creek township, Greene county, Ohio. Here he lived for a year and in that time was joined by his family. On the expiration of that period he removed to Missouri, but spent only six months in that state, because of the drought. The future prospects in that state did not appear very bright and he re-
turned to Ohio and took up his abode upon the farm which is now the home of our sub- ject. His residence was a little log cabin which he occupied for a few years. In the. fall of 1860 he purchased forty-six acres of land and to this he added from time to time as his financial resources were increased, un- til he had about one hundred and fifty-six acres and had accumulated some money be- side. He certainly deserves great credit for what he accomplished for when he left the fatherland he had to borrow money with which to make his passage to the new world. He possessed resolution and determination, however, and throughout his entire life of active business engagement he overcome every obstacle and difficulty in his path by reason of his strong purpose and indefatig- able industry. Thus he won success and left to his family an example well worthy of emulation as well as a good property. He lied in December, 1897. at the age of seven- ty-eight years and his wife passed away in 1893. They had two children: George W. and Mary, but the latter died in 1874. The father was a Democrat in his political affilia- tions and both he and his wife were earnest Christian people belonging to the Reformed church. Their remains were interred in Mount Zion Park cemetery.
George W. Brandt, whose name intro- (luces this record, pursued his education in the schools of Beavercreek township and always remained under the parental roof. He was content to assist his father in the cultivation of the fields and throughout the years of his manhood has carried on farm- ing, becoming one of the prosperous and sub- stantial citizens of his community. He was married January 10. 1889, to Miss Lottie Engle, who was born in Beavercreek town-
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ship and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Coy) Engle. Her father was born in Maryland and is now living in Zimmerman, Greene county. Mrs. Engle was a daughter of Nicholas Coy. Our subject and his wife have a pleasant home in Beavercreek town- ship where Mr. Brandt owns a fine farm of two hundred and sixteen acres. He has re- cently erected a good residence, large and commodious, and has good barns and cribs. The work on the farm is carried on in an energetic manner and as the years have passed Mr. Brandt has added to his capital. his success coming to him in return for his indefatigable labor.
JOHN MENDENHALL.
John Mendenhall is one of the highly respected and honored residents of Spring Valley township. He has passed the psahn- ist allotted span of three-score-years-and- ten, having almost reached the seventy- fourth milestone on life's journey. He re- sides upon a farm in Spring Valley town- ship. two miles northeast of the village of Spring Valley, and it was here that he was born on the .1th of December, 1828, repre- senting one of the pioneer families of the county. His parents were William and Betty ( Walton) Mendenhall. The father was born in Guilford county, North Caro- lina, October 25. 1799, his parents being John and Ruth ( Brown) Mendenhall. The grandfather of our subject was born March 6. 1759. probably in North Carolina, and his wife's birth occurred on the 4th of AApril. 1767. With their family they removed io Ohio, settling in Spring Valley township
about one mile east of the farm upon which our subject now resides. This was in 1805. The district was an unbroken wilderness and in the midst of the forest the grandfather developed and improved a farm, upon which he spent his remaining days, being laid to rest in the Cedar Creek burying-ground by the side of his wife, who had passed away a few years previously.
William Mendenhall was a little lad of six summers when brought by his parents to Ohio and here amid the wild scenes of pio- neer life he was reared and assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He married Betty Walton, who was probably born in Frederick county, Virginia, Octo- ber 15. 1805. her parents being Edward and Deborah (Allen) Walton. The parents of our subject were married November 2, 1825, and began their domestic life on the old Mendenhall homestead, where their first three children were born. When our sub- ject was about five years of age the father purchased ninety-nine acres of the farm upon which John Mendenhall is now living. A portion of it had been cleared and a log cabin had been built that now forms a part of the present residence which stands on the place. It has been weatherboarded, however, and otherwise greatly improved. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall were born ten children : Deborah, the wife of Abijah Steddon, of Richmond. Indiana: John: Ann, the wife of Amos Compton, of Warren county, Ohio ; Hannah, the wife of Elihn Spray, of Leaven- worth county, Kansas; Edward, who mar- ried Ann Fryant and died in Wayne county, Indiana: Samuel, who married Elizabeth Atkinson and died in Clinton county near New Burlington : Ruth, deceased ; Catherine, the wife of Amos S. Compton, of Spring
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Valley; Margaret, the wife of F. Marion Burnett, of Clinton county : and William Al- len, who married Ida Shepherd, and died in Spring Valley. Samuel was a soldier of Com- pany D, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and served for three years. He participated in many battles but was never wounded or captured. He took part in the engagements at Winchester and Get- tysburg and in the Richmond campaign, to- gether with many other of the important movements and battles of the great war.
The boyhood days of our subject were quietly passed on the home farm. Probably the first important event of his life occurred March 6, 1856, in Warren county, at which time he was married to Miss Eunice Comp- ton, who was born in Spring Valley town- ship just west of New Burlington, August 9. 1834. her parents being John and Rebecca ( Steddon) Compton. Her paternal grand- father was Amos Compton. Her father was born on the farm where Mrs. Mendenhall also opened her eyes to the light of day. He was a well-to-do man and bought a farm of two hundred acres in Clinton county upon which our subject and his wife resided for fourteen years, when they removed to their present home in Spring Valley township. Our subject inherited it after his mother's death and he purchased fifty-seven acres ad- joining.
Nine children have been born unto our subject and his wife: Alice S., the wife of Chillis T. Johnson, of Spring Valley town- ship, by whom she has one child, Rosa Eu- nice ; William H., who lives in Greene coun- ty and married Emma Stubbs, by whom she has two children. Edith A. and Everett J .; Morrow, who married Anna Bradford and has one living child, Erma M., and has lost
one: Anna R., who was born July 4, 1863, and died February 2, 1876; Amy B., the wife of William H. Lumpkin, by whom she. has three children ; Albert J., Edward R. and Lawrence Leon : Mary C., who was born in 1868 and died in 1879; Orville Jolm, who. married Caroline S. Bradford and lives in Spring Valley ; Amos C., of Spring Valley. who wedded Luella A. Anabee and has one- child, Mildred ; and Jennie E., who married Isaac O. Peterson and resides in Spring Vallev.
Mr. Mendenhall was brought up an op- ponent of slavery and in 1852 voted for Scott, while in 1856 hie voted for John C. Fremont, the Republican party having been. formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. He lias since been one of its advo- cates, but has never been an office seeker. Both he and his wife are birthright members of the Society of Friends and attend the ser- vices of the church in Spring Valley.
HENRY KYLE.
Upon a pleasant farm property in Cedarville township resides Henry Kyle. This is his native township, his birth hav- ing occurred within its borders on the 20th of February, 1832. His parents were Sam- tel and Rachel (Jackson) Kyle. The ma- ternal grandfather, Robert Jackson, was the- third child of David and Elizabeth Jack- son, and was born in 1758, at Newtown, Limavady, County Derry, Ireland. With his father he came to America in the year 1762. Samuel Kyle, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania and when quite young accompanied his parents on.
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their removal to Kentucky, the family set- tling near Lexington, where he remained until some years after his marriage. He wedded Ruth Mitchell and unto them were born six children, all being now deceased, but after the death of the wife and mother the father was again married. his second union being with Rachel Jackson, the mother of our subject. In 1804 he came to Ohio, settling south of Cedarville, on what is now known as the Silas Murdoch farm, there spending his remaining days and transforming the land into a highly im- proved property. He was a prominent member of the old Seceder church, serving as one of its elders. He also took a very prominent part in civic life and for many years served as associate judge, his decis- ions proving so fair and impartial that he was long retained in the office and enjoyed in the highest degree the confidence and re- spect of his fellow men. He passed away in March, 1856, his widow surviving him for one year, when she died upon the old home farm at about the age of seventy. She had also been a member of the Seceder church at one time but later joined the .As- sociate Reformed church with her husband, in which he also served as elder. In the family of this worthy couple were fifteen children, but only five of the mumber are vet living. as follows: Thomas. the eldest, is a surveyor residing in Champaign. Illi- nois, and was a captain in the Civil war. Henry is the next. Martha is the widow of Thomas Kennedy, and resides at College Springs, lowa. Roaland is a resident farm- er of Cedarville township. and Mary is the wife of John Murdoch, of Cedarville.
Henry Kyle spent his boyhood and youth upon the old home place. At the
usual age he began his education. pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse in his town- ship, while later he became a student in the high school of Cedarville. then conducted by James Turnbull and Andrew Amyx. His father's farm comprised nearly a thou- sand acres and the sons had ample training in the methods of cultivating the fields there. In 1859 our subject removed to his present farm in Cedarville township, and here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he has since added another quarter section. He put all of the improvements upon the property. remodeled the house and erected a large and substan- tial barn. Here he has since lived, being largely engaged in stock raising. He makes a specialty of polled Durham cattle, Norman horses and Poland-China hogs. In his business operations he has met with creditable and deserved success, and is now the possessor of a handsome competence.
In the spring of 1858 Henry Kyle was united in marriage to Harriet D. Colver, a daughter of Standish and Elizabeth Colver, who were residents of Union county. Ohio, but both are now deceased. Mrs. Kyle was a devoted member of the United Presby- terian church. was a faithful wife and mother, and a friend to be trusted at all times. She died at her home in Cedarville township in 1893. at the age of sixty-two years, and was laid to rest in Massies Creek cemetery. She was the mother of six chil- dren. all of whom survived her: Charles C .. a minister of the United Presbyterian church. now living in southern Illinois, mar- ried Lich Mitchell. They have one daugh- ter. Ilelen. H. Jeroe resides at Church- ville. New York, and is a United Presby- terian minister. He wedded Elizabeth
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Chambers, and their children are-James, Christina and Harriet. John M. resides upon the old home farm. Victor, a min- ister of the United Presbyterian church, re- siding in Alexis, Illinois, wedded Mary Porter. Don and Clara are still at home. All of the children were born in Cedarville township in the present home of Mr. Kyle.
As has been indicated, the religious faith of the family is that of the United Presby- terian church, and Mr. Kyle belongs to the organization of that denomination at Clif- ton. For many years he has served as one of its elders and has put forth every effort in his power to promote the cause of Chris- tianity along these lines. He has served as road supervisor, and in his political views was a Republican in early life, but is now a Prohibitionist. Although he has reached the age of three score years and ten, he has spent his entire life in the county and has witnessed the greater part of its develop- ment, for it was largely a wild region in his childhood days. His father built the first brick house in Cedarville township. Mr. Kyle carried on the work of improvement and development begun by his father, and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. His life history is largely familiar to his many friends in this locality and all know him to be a man worthy of public trust and confidence and one desery- ing of representation in this volume.
JOHN F. PUTERBAUGH.
Among the well known farmers of Beavercreek township whose enterprise and indefatigable labors have been salient feat- ures in their success, is numbered John F.
Puterbaugh, whose birth ocurred on the 4th of December, 1878, on the farm which is still his home. He is a son of Samuel and Harriet ( Davis) Puterbaugh. His father was born January 14, 1844, in Greene coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Puter- baugh, Sr. The mother of our subject was born in Beavercreek township, April 30. 1848, and the marriage of the parents was celebrated on the LIth of November, 1869. Three children came to bless their union : Samuel, who was born December 28, 1870, died on the 5th of January, the following year ; Ida May, born June 20, 1872, died Oc- tober 16, 1881; so that the subject of this review is the only surviving member of the family. The father died on the 18th of March. 1880, and on the 25th of October, 1882, Mrs. Puterbaugh became the wife of John G. Ernst, but she, too, is now deceased, having been called to her final rest on the 23rd of June, 1886. Throughout his entire life the father of our subject had carried on agricultural pursuits, with the exception of the period of the Civil war. when, feeling that his duty was to his country he put aside business cares and joined the Union army.
In the schools of Xenia, John Franklin Puterbaugh was educated. His father died when he was only two years of age and after his mother's death he lived with his aunt, Mrs. George Moore. remaining with her un- til he was eighteen years of age. He after- ward worked for two years upon a farm and then continued his education as a student in Scio college in Harrison county, Ohio, where he remained for two years. The first year he devoted his attention to the mastery of the studies of a commercial course and during the second year pursued English branches. On the 27th of December, 1899, Mr.
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Puterbaugh was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary V. Thompson, who was born in Car- roll county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Sarah J. Thompson, who resided in London township, that county. They are still liv- ing and are well known people of the com- munity. Mr. and Mrs. Puterbaugh began their domestic life upon the farm which they now occupy, this land having been in pos- session of the family through three or four generations. Their home has been blessed with the presence of one son, Robert Samuel. Our subject owns and operates two hundred and fifty acres of the rich farming land of Ohio and is giving his attention to the culti- vation of the ground and the raising of stock. He is also well known as an agriculturist, has a splendid peach orchard containing nearly nine hundred trees and is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of caring for his land and improving his crops and his fruit and raising of stock, and in all branches of business he is meeting with creditable and gratifying success. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party ; but has never sought or desired office. Both he and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian church of Sugarcreek township. He is yet a young man and his business ability has been manifested in his capable control of his excellent property.
R. A. KELLY.
No history in Greene county would be complete without mention of R. A. Kelly, who contributed in a very large measure to the upbuilding and prosperity of Xenia by
the establishment of one of its most import- ant industries. "Peace," said Charles Summer in one of his most eloquent ora- tions, "hath its victories no less renowned than war." The man whose enterprise has included within its grasp the traffic of dis- tant lands and the production of many and various commodities has really achieved a greater triumph than the warrior who has led conquering hosts over desolate homes and amid ruins of sacked cities; and if this peaceful hero uses his wealth wisely, and by his enterprise and beneficence makes thou- sands happy and contented, his victories are greater than those of the martialed hosts "whose garments are stained with blood." "He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city." Among such heroes R. A. Kelly is entitled to a high place of honor. During a long and successful commercial life, characterized by enterprise, he ever maintained an enviable reputation for the highest honor and principle ; and no unworthy deed or word ever linked itself with his name: and no citizen in Ohio made better or more unostentatious use of his ac- cumulations.
R. A. Kelly was a native of Ireland. He was born in Guilford, County Down, on the 16th of October. 1838. In his early youth he became an employe in a flax and linen concern of Dunbar. MeMasters & Com- pany. He left his native land in 1855 and entered the employ of Finlayson, Bonsfield & Company, manufacturers of linen thread at Johnston, Renfrewshire, Scotland,-but the broader business opportunities of the new world attracted him and he sought a home in America. It was in 1859 that he crossed the Atlantic, taking up his abode in Paterson. New Jersey, where he entered the employ of the Dolphin Manufacturing Com-
Retkelly
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pany. He was also there engaged in the business has constantly grown until it has manufacture of machinery for making flax, assumed extensive proportions. The plant is large and equipped with the most modern and complete machinery' for doing the work. sisal and manila rope. His efficiency in this line of work led him to be chosen in 1864 by the firm of Todd & Rafferty to erect and superintend their works at Delaware, Ohio, where they were establishing a new enter- prise under the name of the Delaware Man- ufacturing Company. During the remain- ing years of the Civil war they manufac- tured twine. and seamless bags and after- ward converted the flax mill into a bagging mill for the manufacture of bagging for covering cotton. Mr. Kelly built in Dela- ware, Ohio, the first five machines for lay- ing and finishing hemp twine and in the fall of 1876 he brought these machines to Xenia, placing them in the factory of the Hooven & Allison Company.
This company with whose history Mr. Kelly was thereafter connected up to the time of his death, was organized in 1869 for the purpose of making what is known as hand-made twine. He had worked with the American hemp fibre and had experimented quite largely with this, in the hope of pro- ducing twine by machinery-and his exper- iments were prosecuted so successfully that in the spring of 1876 he laid his plans before the firm of Hooven & Allison, explaining to them his methods until they became con- vinced that a better and cheaper twine could be made by machinery than by the hand process which they had been using. Busi- ness arrangements between them were per- fected and the firm, with Mr. Kelly's co- operation, at once set to work to secure ap- propriate machinery for the purpose of man- ufacturing machine-made twine. The first twine made in this way was put upon the spools on the evening before Christmas, 1876. From that time to the present, the 49
Mr. Hooven died in 1881, after which Mr. Kelly entered into partnership with M. C. Allison, the firm name of Hooven & Alli- son being retained until the death of the latter on the 3d of May, 1888. Two months thereafter, a stock company was organized, the incorporators being Jacob Harbine, J. D. Steele, W. B. Harrison, R. A. Kelly and Mrs. Fannie Allison. The capital stock was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the officers were: J. H. Harbine, president ; W. B. Harrison, vice president ; J. D. Steele, secretary ; and R. A. Kelly, superintendent. Throughout the life of Mr .. Kelly, these offi- cers retained their positions, controlling a business which furnished employment to from two hundred and twenty-five to two hundred and fifty operators. The company manufacture hemp, jute, manila and sisal goods, as well as cotton goods, and ship: their product to all parts of the United States. The splendid success of this great enterprise is due in a very large measure to Mr. Kelly, whose thorough understanding of the business in every department enabled him to so conduct the operations of the fac- tory that it brought a splendid financial re- turn.
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