USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 74
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Mr. Wolford learned his trade of black- smithing and carriage-making in Xenia and
followed the dual pursuit during sixteen years of his residence in that city. Coming to Cedarville he opened his shop here and has since conducted the business with good success, his excellent workmanship and trustworthy business methods commending him to the public confidence and, therefore, to the public patronage.
Mr. Wolford has also been quite prom- inent in public affairs and is well fitted to be a leader of public thought and action. He became a member of the board of educa- tion of the village two years after his ar- rival here, and is thus identified with ed- vcational interests. For several years he served as its president and at all times has put forth every effort in his power to pro- mote the cause of the schools. In politics he has always been a Republican, and upon that ticket he was elected mayor of the vil- lage, in April. 1896. He has been chosen to that office each term since, so that he is now serving the sixth year, the term of of- fice expiring in April. 1902. No higher proof of his capability could be given than the fact that by popular suffrage he has been three times chosen for the office. Dur- ing his incumbency many improvements have been made in the city, including the laying of cement walks. When William Mckinley was governor of Ohio he ap- pointed Mr. Wolford, in March, 1892, to the office of one of the trustees of the Day- ton State Hospital, and he served in that capacity for four years.
In 1872, in Springfield, Ohio, Mr. Wol- ford was united in marriage to Miss America Mills. a daughter of Jacob Mills. who is now living retired in Springfield. Five children have been born of this union and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are: Bernice ;
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Ida, the wife of W. A. Turnbull, a farmer of Cedarville: Edna, who is the wife of Ol- iver Dodds, of Xenia: J. N. : and Ralph. All of the children were born in Xenia with the exception of the youngest, who is a na- tive of Cedarville.
Fraternally Mr. Wolford is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Masons, his membership being in the lodges in Xenia. For twenty years he has resided in Cedarville and has become widely known not only in the city. but throughout the surrounding district. He is a representative of our best type of Amer- ican manhood and chivalry. By persever- ance, determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a di- rector of public thought and action.
PROFESSOR E. H. COLVIN.
Professor E. H. Colvin, long associated with educational interests in this part of Ohio, and now living in Spring Valley, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, July 18. 187 ;. a son of James and Henrietta ( Hayes ) Col- vin. The father, also a native of Clinton county, engaged in teaching for a brief pe- riod in early manhood and then turned his attention to farming, which he followed throughout his remaining years. His wife died in 1873, but he survived until January 16, 1897, when he departed this life in the county of his nativity. Of their family of three children. our subject is the second. Vincent Darius, the eldest, died in infancy. while Hally Carson is a farmer of Clinton county.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon the home farm, and he pursued his education through the winter months between the ages of eight and eighteen years, manifesting special aptitude in his studies. When fifteen years of age he suc- cessfully passed a teacher's examination and received a certificate. but on account of his youth could not obtain a position. In the fall of 1875 he entered the Friends College, at Wilmington, Ohio, where he completed the course and was graduated in the class of 1879. Through four years he had daily walked from his home to that school and had never missed a recitation and was tar- dy only three times, a record of which he has every reason to be proud. The same reliability and fidelity ever characterized his work as an educator. He won the degree of Bachelor of Arts and in the following Sep- tember he was employed to teach the vil- lage school, in Ogden, Ohio. During the greater part of his life he has devoted his attention to educational work and has won a high reputation as an instructor of supe- rior ability. In 1884 he came to Spring Valley to accept the superintendency of the village school, remaining in charge for four years. He was then away for five years and during one year was teaching at Versailles. Darke county, Ohio. He was then again called to take charge of the schools of this place and remained as superintendent for six years, during which year the school- made satisfactory progress and many ex- cellent improvements in methods were intro- (luced, rendering the work of the school- room much more effective in preparing the young for the practical duties of life.
On the 7th of August, 1884. Mr. Col- vin was married to Miss Hannah Marie Haines, of Greene county, a daughter of
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Samuel Haines and Mary ( Bales) Haines. Mrs. Colvin is a native of this county and by her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Orville Carson, born in Versailles, Ohio, May 29. 1889; and Pearl Augusta, born in. Caesarscreek township. Greene county, August 21. 1891. In 1899 Professor Colvin removed with his family to LeGrand, Iowa, and became principal of LeGrand Academy, remaining for a year, but the climate did not agree with his wife and daughter and he then returned to Ohio.
Professor Colvin was reared in the Democratic faith and has always supported the party by his ballot since attaining his majority. He was the Democratic nominee in Caescarscreek township for assessor, and although the locality is strongly Republican he failed only five votes of election. He belongs to the Christian church in Bethel. Clinton county, near where his father was born and in which he was a deacon. The professor became identified with the church when about sixteen years of age. His wife was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, to which she still adheres. Profes- sor Colvin is a member of Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and also of the encampment. He became so familiar with the proceedings of the fraternity that he could at one time give all of its unwritten work from memory. He became a charter member of Walter Coesey Council. No. 89. Junior Order United American Workmen, filled all the offices and is a past council- man. He is also a member of the depart- ment of Spring Valley, and belongs to Bur- lington Lodge, F. & AA. M. He has invested in property, owning a residence in Spring Valley, a house and lot in Caesarscreek township, and the old family homestead,
which he purchased after his father's death. His influence and labors have been of marked effect in promoting the intellectual development of the community in which he makes his home and he and his family occu- py a leading position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.
CHARLES W. WHITMER.
Charles W. Whitmer, a member of the Ohio bar practicing in Xenia, was born in Rainsboro, Highland county, on the 4th of July. 1852, and is of German lineage, al- though the family has long been established in America. Jacob Whitmer, the grandfa- ther, was born in Pennsylvania and spent the greater part of his life there, but in his later years removed to Montgomery county. Ohio, where his death occurred1. David Whitmer. the father of our subject, was the only son in a family of four children. and was the eldest of the number. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania, at the old family home there. The family name was originally spelled Wittmer, but later gen- erations adopted the present form. David Whitmer entered the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal church in early life and for more than forty years was actively engaged 111 proclaiming the gospel tidings, having been connected with the Central Ohio con- terence. He officiated in different pulpits in central Ohio and for a time was con- lected with the Female College, of Hills- boro, but with that exception he was always in the ministry from early manhood until his death, although at the time of his de- mise he held superannuated relations to the church. He passed away at the age of
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sixty-three years, on the 27th of June, 1887, in Xenia, and his widow is still living here.
Rev. Whitmer was twice married. He first wedded Hannah Fox. a native of Rich- mond, In:liana, and a sister of Judge Henry Fox, of that city. They became the par- ents of two children. the elder brother of our subject being William C. Whitmer, who is trainmaster of the northern division of the Panhandle Railroad at Columbus. The mother died in 1855 and was buried near Hillsboro, Highland county. She was a lady of more than ordinary literary ability and culture, and wrote quite extensively for magazines and periodicals of her day. Aft- er the death of his first wife Rev. Whit- mer married Amanda C. Gardner, of Clin- ton county, and to them were born nine children, six of whom are yet living. Clar- ence is teller in the Xenia National Bank ; Harry is connected with the firm of Whit- mer & Hebble, insurance agents of Xenia ; and George is train dispatcher on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, at Cincinnati.
Mr. Whitmer of this review pursued his early education in the public schools, at- tended the high schools of Urbana, Ohio, and afterward was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. Before he was fourteen years of age he taught his first school and after completing his educa- tion he continued teaching in Greene county. being thus connected with educational work until 1884, when he was admitted to the bar. Ile had taken up the study of law with the firm of Alexander & Spencer, of Xenia, but at the time had no intention of becoming an active member of the legal profession, but after a few years time he entered into part- nership with his former preceptor, Squire W. J. Alexander, with whom he was asso- ciated until the latter's death, which oc-
curred on Easter Sunday of 1898. Since that time Mr. Whitmer has been alone, en- gaging in general practice, having a wide and comprehensive knowledge of the prin- ciples of jurisprudence in its many depart- ments. Strong in argument, logical in his reasoning and with a keen perception which enables him to readily determine the strong points of a cause. he has won many notable forensic combats, which proves that he has made no mistake in allying himself with the legal fraternity of Greene county.
On the 28th of November. 1876. Mr. Whitmer was married to Miss Libbie S. Cooper, a native of this county and a daugh- ter of Samuel Cooper of the same county. Three children were born to them: Effie C., at home; Freddie, who died in infancy ; and John Raymond, who is connected with the Miami Telephone Company, of Xenia.
Mr. Whitmer is attorney for the Peo- ple's Building & Loan Association of Xenia : has been solicitor for the city for some time and in connection with the practice of his profession has for a number of years been engaged in the real-estate business, conduct- ing a number of important property trans- fers. He is quite prominent and popular in fraternal circles, being a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 49, F. & A. M .; of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 36, K. of P., of Xenia, and of the Uniformed Rank: Xenia Lodge. I. O. O. F .: Xenia Lodge of the Red Men: Xenia Lodge. No. 668, B. P. O. E. In politics he is a Republican, and for the past eight years has served on the board of equalization for the city of Nenia. In office as in private life he is trustworthy, reliable and energetic in the performance of duty. His chief attention, however, has been given to his law practice. His logical grasp of facts and principles and
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of the law applicable to them has been a blessed with two children, Ambrose and potent element in his success, and the re- markable clearness of expresison, an ad- equate and precise diction, which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument, but his every fine graduation of meaning may be ac- counted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.
CHARLES H. SULLIVAN.
Charles H. Sullivan, a farmer and stock- raiser of Sugarcreek township, is a west- ern man by birth and possesses the true en- terprising spirit so characteristic of this section of the country, leading to its rapid development. He was born in the city of Decatur, Illinois, January 24. 1876, and is a son of Taylor and Elizabeth ( Wright ) Sullivan. The mother was a native of Greene county, Ohio, and the father had where he had followed carpentering. They were married in Greene county and during the infancy of our subject they returned to this place so that Charles 11. Sullivan was here reared to manhood. The public school system afforded him his educational priv- iieges. lle was only six years of age when his parents died and he made his home with his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Charles Wright.
After arriving at years of maturity Mr. Sullivan sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life and on the 12th of March, 1896, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth King, of Warren county, Ohio, in which place she was born October 28, 1876, a daughter of H. H. and Frances ( Cooper ) King. This marriage has been
Mulburn. The young couple have the warm regard of many friends, having been so many years residents of this part of the state. Their social qualities have made their home a hospitable one and it is the resort of many who entertain for them high re- gard. Mr. Sullivan gives his political sup- port to the Republican party, but does not seek public office, preferring that his time and energies should be given to his business interests and to the establishment of a good home for his little family. He is meeting with creditable success in his undertakings and is accounted one of the most progress- ive and prosperous of the younger farmers of this county.
JOIIN ORR. 1
Leen a resident of Illinois and Missouri, official interests of Greene county, John
Long connected with the educational and Orr was widely and favorably known and when he passed away the community mourned the loss of a valued citizen, one in whom patriotism, integrity and reliabil- ity were numbered among his chief charac- teristics. Ile was born in Chester district. South Carolina, on the 12th of August, 1820, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage, the family being founded in America by John Orr, the grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from county Antrim, in the north of Ireland, to the new world, taking up his abode in Chester district. South Car- olina. There he lived for many years, but on account of the slavery conditions exist- ing in the south he left that state and with a colony made his way to Indiana, settling near Princeton. At the same time another
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colony from the same neighborhood set- tled near Cedarville. Greene county, Ohio. William Orr, the father of our subject, was also a native of South Carolina, and throughout his business career carried on farming. He spent the greater part of his life near Princeton, Indiana, and at length passed away at that place.
John Orr was the eldest of the five chil- dren born to his parents. He, too, was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during his boyhood, and in the district schools ac- quired his early education, which was aft- erward supplemented by a college course in Hanover, Indiana. He was graduated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in the class of 1845. After his graduation he be- gan teaching and within a short time be- came president of a college at Macon, Ten- nessee, where he remained until a few years prior to the Civil war. Northern men were unwelcome in that section of the country at that time and he returned to Princeton. In- diana, where he was engaged in teaching for several years. Hle next came to Cedar- ville, Greene county, Ohio, and was prin- cipal of the public schools for several en- suing years. In 1863 he was elected clerk of the court of Greene county and filled that position for eighteen consecutive years, his term of service being unparalleled by any other incumbent of the office in recent years. He discharged his duties in such a prompt and capable manner that he won the highest commendation of the bar and of the gen- eral public and over the record of his of- ficial career there falls not the least shadow of wrong.
In 1850 Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Kiloh, a native of Aber- deen, Scotland, and a daughter of John and Maria Kiloh. They were natives of Eng-
land and were making their home in Aber- dene at the time of their daughter's birth. When she was a maiden of nine summers they crossed the Atlantic to the Unite .! States and located in Cincinnati, where she married Mr. Orr. Eleven children were born of this marriage: May, the wife of Judge H. L. Smith, of Xenia; Eva, the wife of Thomas G. Brown, of Ironton, Ohio: William F., an attorney of Xenia : Charles, who is librarian of the Case library in Cleveland, Ohio, and is also a member of the state library commission; J. Frank, of Nenia: Annie, the wife of James R. Hale. of Cleveland : Rose, also of Cleveland ; Ger- trude, the wife of the Rev. Charles Rice. of Michigan: Blanche, the wife of E. W. Curry, of Cleveland: Olive, the wife of Clyde Horton, of the same city ; and Harry E., also a resident of Cleveland. Mrs. Orr is also living in the same city at the age of seventy-one years.
In his religious faith Mr. Orr was a Presbyterian, belonging to a church of that denomination in Xenia. His political sup- port was given the Republican party and the cause of education found in him a warm friend. For several years he was a mem- ber of the school board of Xenia and did all in his power to advance the standard of education here. He was himself a man of scholarly attainments and broad general cul- ture and his wide information rendered his conversation not only entertaining, but in- structive. He passed away December 30. 1883. at the age of sixty-three years, and his remains were interred in Woodland cem- etery. Nenia, Ohio, but though nineteen years have since passed his memory is en- -hrined in the hearts of scores of his old friends and associates, to whose interests he was ever faithful. sacrificing his own rather
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than theirs. Could his service as a capable hood. When the Civil war was in progress official always be equaled the best interests of town, state and nation would always be conserved and the welfare of the country greatly advanced.
MELVILLE F. BARROWS.
Melville F. Barrows, who is agency in- structor for the New York Life Insurance Company, having supervision over twelve counties, is an enterprising business man. whose success is attributable to his own et- forts. lle is numbered among the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Xenia township. July 8. 1864. his parents being John 1. and P. R. ( Butler ) Barrows, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. The ancestry can be traced back to Sir Isaac Barrows of England, but at an early day the family was founded in the new workl.
Isaac Barrows, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, but in early life removed to the Empire state, where he spent his remaining days, engaged in farming, in dealing in grain and in op- erating a sawmill. In his family were six children, including John I. Barrows, who acquired a college education and in early manhood came to Greene county, where he engaged in teaching school for a number ' of years. Later he followed farming for a number of years and when he sold his land became a dealer in agricultural implements in Nenia. where he carried on business for fifteen years. Severing his business relations with the city, however, he is now living in Xenia township, and is numbered among the highly respected citizens of his neighbor-
his patriotic spirit was aroused and he of- fered his services to the government, be- coming a member of Company E. Seventy- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until a short time before the cessation of hostilities, when on account of ill health he resigned. He was second lieu- tenant of his company and took part in a number of engagements.
In Xenia township John 1. Barrows was married to Miss Providence R. Butler, a daughter of Joshua S. Butler, a native of Virginia, who came to Greene county at an carly day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barrows were born two children :, Melville F. : and Mamie E., who is living with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows hokl membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
In the schools of Xenia Melville F. Bar- rows obtained his education and Inter en- gaged in farming for a time in Xenia town- ship. but later took up his abode in the county seat and accepted the position of a solicitor for the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Company, with which he contin- ued for seven years. Ile then became iden- tified with the New York Life Insurance Company as agency instructor for central Ohio, his territory embracing twelve coun- ties. Ile is well versed in every department of life insurance and the different kinds of policies, and is most capably representing the corporation in the position which he row fills.
On the 14th of February, 1889. Mr. Barrows was married to Miss Lulu H. Kline, a native of Greene county, and a daughter of Emanuel Kline, a resident of Salem, Ohio. They have three children : Glenna M., John Freddie and Gracie E.
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Mr. Barrows' name is upon the member- ship rolls of several civic organizations. He belongs to Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & .1. M .: Xenia Chapter, No. 666. R. A. M., and is a member of Trinity church of Xenia. His political support is given the Repub- lican party, and he has served as a member of the city council. He has a very wide acquaintance in this city and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
DANIEL H. MARSHALL.
Daniel H. Marshall, who has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is now living retired in Cedarville, was born in Clinton county, this state, on what is called Buck's Run, about three and a half miles from Burlington, April 23. 1828, his parents being Robert and Sarab ( Huffman ) Marshall. The father was a native of Virginia, born in June, 1801. and about 1812 became a resident of Ohio. so that he was reared here amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. Here he was mar- ried and about 1833 he removed with his family from the farm in Clinton county to Greene county, settling on what is known as the James Barber farm in Cedarville township. There he lived for four or five years, when he removed to Clark county. When several years had passed be removed to a small farm near his first home there. and afterward to the John Nelson farm in Clark county. His next home was three miles east of Clifton, and after seven years there spent he was called to his final rest. He was a mechanic and followed his trade
until about forty years of age, when he turned his attention to the cattle business, which was the means of bringing to him a livelihood until his death, which occurred in 1846, when he was forty-five years of age. In his religions faith he was a Methodist and in political belief a Whig. His wife survived until 1898, passing away at the a .!- vanced age of eighty-five. . After the death of her first husband she married Elijah Harper. of Greene county, who was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
Mr. Marshall of this rev vas one of nine children : William, eti ed farmer "i Otter Bend, Indiana ; Daniel 11. ; Solo- mon. a blacksmith and coal and grain dealer of Lafayette, Indiana ; Jesse W., a farmer of Cedarville township; Delila, the wife of Thomas E. Stewart, a farmer of Clark coun- ty, who is also filling the office of justice of the peace; George W., who resides in Se- attle, Washington; and three that died in infancy.
Mr. Marshall of this review accom- panied his parents on their various removals during his youth and remained upon the home farm until he had attained his major- ity. He was then married and removed to a rented farm near Courtsville, Ohio, and also engaged in blacksmithing. In 1849 he emigrated to Jowa, settling in Louisa coun- ty, at Hope Farm postoffice. but he remained for only a short time. returning to Ohio by ox-team. Jle then located on a farm in Clark county, where he remained for a num- ber of years, after which he came to Greene county, purchasing land in Cedarville town- ship, upon which he remained until ten years of age when he retired from active business life. He had successfully carried on general farming and stock-raising and his unre-
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