USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 77
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had attained his majority, never at any time receiving more than nine dollars per month, but from that meager salary he managed to save a small amount. When he had reached man's estate he walked all the way to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he boarded a trading boat for Cincinnati, receiving his passage and fifty cents per day for labor performed on board. From Cincinnati he went to Hamilton, where he had two uncles living, and after visiting with them for a day or two he made his way to Alpha. Greene county. On Christmas day he began working at Harbine's mill, receiving nine dollars per month and his board. Added to what he had saved at the Whitmore mill. he succeeded in accumulating one hundred dollars, and in company with his cousin. Jacob Herr, he rented the flouring mill and sawmill, operating them successfully during the years 1830 and 1831. He was then of- fered one-third the profits of the Snyder mill if he would become the manager, which po- sition he accepted, continuing as such until 1836, when he formed a partnership with Caspar Snyder, his employer's son. They purchased the mill and operated it for a num- ber of years under the firm name of Baugh- man & Snyder. Mr. Baughman was man- ager of the mill until 1853. In the mean- time it had been enlarged and good brick houses replaced the log huts that were about it when he took charge.
In 1853 he sold his milling interests and bought a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, which he at once began to improve. Hle still continued a business connection with Mr. Snyder, who at this time took charge of both the Oldtown mills, which they had purchased and in which Mr. Baugh- man still had a half interest up to the time
of his death. The first real estate which he possessed was a farm in Greene county, which he had purchased while still en- ployed by the elder Snyder. In addition to this he bought seven acres within the limits of the city, now included between King and Galloway streets and Church and Shawnee streets. In 1871 lie erected on this site an elegant residence, which is surrounded by a beautiful lawn and is still one of the tasteful and attractive abodes in the city.
For many years Mr. Baughman was a most prominent figure in the financial circles of the city. He was first elected a director of the Xenia Bank, which afterward be- came a branch of the State Bank of Ohio. and on the passage of the national bank law was changed into the First National Bank of Xenia. In each of those organiza- tions he had been a director and the vice- president, and upon the death of the presi- clent of the First National Bank he was elected to that position, which he filled until the expiration of the time of the charter. A reorganization was then effected under the title of the Xenia National Bank, the government permitting them to take the first name of the institution. Of this Mr. Baugh- man became the first president and contin- uled to hold that office until failing health compelled him to resign. He still retained his financial interest in the bank and the office of director up to the time of his death. which occurred in September, 1891. He also did a real-estate, banking and private loan business. He possessed keen sagacity and unusual foresight, which coupled with untiring industry and resolution enabled him to advance steadily to success.
In political circles Mr. Baughman was also a well known factor. For twelve years
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he served as county commissioner and was alderman for a long period. during which time he served as president of the board for three terms. Many times he was solicited to run for higher offices, but he cared not for political preferment other than when he could serve the people of his immediate dis- trict. He cast his first presidential vote for General Andrew Jackson and continued to affiliate with the Democrat party until 1856. when he voted for John C. Fremont and afterward gave all his influence and effort of a political character to the Republican party.
In 1846 he became a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1833 he united with the Reformed church. in which he served as a deacon, also as Sun- clay-school superintendent and as a delegate to the synod and classis. He was treasurer of the classis and board of church erection. He was also a member of the peace com- mission and for many years one of the board of trustees of the Heidelburg University. Generous in support of all departments of church work, he is particularly remembered on account of the gift of twenty thousand dollars whereby was established the Bangh- man professorship of the Latin language, literature and Biblical instruction in the Heideiburg University of Tiffin, Ohio. He gave other large sums of money to charitable and intellectual work and his name will long be revered because of his mimificence and particularly for his deep interest which he ever manifested in Heidelburg. That he enjoyed in an unusual degree the confidence of the public and those with whom he was associated is shown by the fact that he was appointed guardian for fourteen children and that he settled ten large estates.
On the 7th of February, 1833, Mr. Banghman married Miss Mary Snyder. who was born in Washington county, Maryland, September 7. 1814. a daughter of Jonathan Snyder, one of the pioneers of Greene coun- ty, locating here in 1816. when his daughter was scarcely more than an infant. He built the first mill in the vicinity and it was after- ward purchased by our subject and his part- ner. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Baughman reared several, to whom they became greatly attached, giving them all the advantages which they would have bestowed upon children bound to them by ties of blood. Mention should also be made of their two neices, Henrietta and Magdalena Krepps, who cared for them dur- ing their later life and who reside in the home on North King street. They were daughters of George and Nancy ( Baugh- man) Krepps. Their father was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1802, and was one of a family of seven children. There lic was educated and grew to manhood, and . after his marriage he immediately located in Nenia, becoming one of the honored and prominent residents of this city. He had learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for two years, and then removed to Trebein Station, where he carried on the same pursuit until 1851. He then turned his attention to farming in Spring Valley town- ship, where he made his home until his death, which occurred August 9. 1873. His wife passed away January 13. 1856, leaving nine children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. Krepps was a Democrat in his polit- ical views and was a member of the Meth- odist church. The surviving children of the family are: Jeremiah; Eliza A., the wife of J. A. Stillings; Nancy A., who mar-
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ried William L. Fulkerson; and Henrietta and Magdalena, who reside in Xenia. They belong to the Methodist church and are most highly esteemed in Xenia.
Mr. Baughman, their uncle, was truly a self-made man, but the most envious could not grudge him his success. so honorably was it won, so worthily used. He was most liberal in his benefaction and while it is known that he gave twenty thousand dollars to one institution and other sums almost as large he was never ostentatious in his giv- ing. and his private charity probably amounted to much more than that of which the world knew. His love for his fellow men was deep and sincere, and surely the world is better for his having lived.
JOHN B. LUCAS.
Progress and improvement are never the work of one man alone, but public advance is the result of aggregate endeavor and the county owes its advancement to those men who in the various walks of life are reliable in business and trustworthy in citizenship. All such are worthy of mention on the pages of the county's history and among this num- ber in Greene county is John Bassett Lucas, who was born June 15, 1842, in Xenia township, upon the farm which he now re- sides, his parents being Thornton and Mary ( Blessing ) Lucas. The father was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, in 1798. and the mother's birth occurred in Shenan- doah county. Virginia, June 5, 1797. her parents being Lewis and Mary Elizabeth ( Beardshire) Blessing, both of whom were natives of Germany and with a party of nine
emigrants came to America. Mrs. Blessing had one brother and three sisters who came at the same time. The Blessings settled in Pennsylvania. This was about 1760. Later they removed to Berkeley county, West Vir- ginia, where both the grandfather and grandmother of our subject died. The mother of our subject was one of five chil- dren: Jacob: Abraham: John, who served as a private in the war of 1812: Mary and Elizabeth.
Thornton Lucas, the father of our sub- ject, came to this county in 1824. and took up his abode upon the farm where his son John is now living, there spending his re- maining days. The house which stands upon the place was commenced in 1824. Abont a year after his arrival Mr. Lucas married Mary Blessing, and to them were born three children, of whom one died in infancy. The others are John B. and Lewis Morton, who died in 1861, at the age of seventeen years. The father gave his polit- ical support to the Democratic party until the time of the Civil war, after which he espoused the Republican party. He was a very strong religious man and a worthy meniber of the Baptist church, who con- tributed liberally to the support of the church and also labored in other ways for the spirit- nal upgrowth and the extension of the in- fluence of the church. Both he and his wife were laid to rest in the cemetery of Nenia.
In the schools of the township the sub- ject of this review was educated, and dur- ing his youth he assisted in clearing and developing the home farm, always residing thereon. He was married. August 18, 1864. to Miss Alice Quinn, who was born in Xenia township, a daughter of Amos and Jane ( Goe) Quinn. The father came from Ken-
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tucky to this county in 1803, and settled at Ludlow Creek. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and there prepared for the church. expecting to become an Episcopalian clergy- man. He came to this country to complete his studies and afterward decided to devote his attention to some other calling than the church. He was the third in order of birth in a family of nine children : John. Sam- nel, Amos, Elias, Harvey, Rosa. Ann, Hetty and Narcy. Amos Quinn served for many years as justice of the peace and was every- where known as "squire." He also served as sheriff of the county from 1832 until 1837, represented his district in the legisla- ture for two terms and was a very prominent and influential citizen. He married Jane Goe, who was born near Pittsburg. Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Alice (Van Horne) Goe. Her father was a na- tive of the Emeraldl Isle, and, having emi- grate'l to this country in colonial days, he served as a member of the American army in the Revolutionary war. In the early days he carried salt over the hills to Greene coun- ty. He was married in Pennsylvania, and in 1811 came to this county. settling near where the Powder Mill is now located. His wife was a sister of Barnett Van Horne, who was the first glassblower that ever came to America. By the marriage of Amos Quinn and Jane Goe were born three chil- dren : Elias, who died in 1900: Sarah, who is living with Mrs. Lucas, who is the third of the family.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas was blessed with but one child, Thornton, who died in 1889. at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Lucas is a lady of culture and refinement who engaged in teaching school in carly life, having followed that profes-
sion for nine years. Both our subject and his wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church, and politically Mr. Lucas is a Republican. He has been a member of the infirmary board for fifteen years and for twenty years was the president of the Agricultural Society. He to-day owns a valuable farm of five hundred acres and is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, in which his enterprising efforts are followed by gratifying success.
FRANK A. MCCLURE.
It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate as far as is possible the mem- ory of an eminent citizen-one who by his blameless and honorable life and distin- guished career reflected credit not only upon the city in which he made his home, but upon the state. No man was ever more re- spected in Xenia or ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people than Frank .A. McClure. At the time of his death he was serving as cashier of the Citizens National Bank, and he bore an unassailable reputa- tion in financial circles. He was but a young man, yet he accomplished much during his earthly pilgrimage, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished1 name, while his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
Frank A. McClure was born in Bell- brook on the 12th of July, 1836, and he was one of seven children whose parents were John and Mary ( Cramer) McClure. His father was a native of Virginia and came to Bellbrook. Ohio, where he was in- terested in both farming and merchandising.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
At the early age of fourteen years the sub- ject of this review started out to make his own living, securing employment in the mer- cantile house of General Merrick, with whom he remained for a few years. Later he returned to Bellbrook, being employed in his father's store. In the year 1862 he was appointed by the county commissioners to fill the office of treasurer of Greene county, made vacant by the death of General Lewis. In that office he displayed marked business capacity and an accommodating and pleasant disposition that won for him the high re- gard of the public and led to his selection for the important position of teller in the First National Bank. When Mr. Trader re- signed Mr. MeChire was appointed his suc- cessor, and thus served until his life's labors were ended in death. A local paper said of him after speaking of his business con- nections : "Such are a few brief outlines in the life of Mr. McClure, but how crowded during the past twelve years, with all the multifarious incidents and details of business that associated him inimitably with a large proportion of the people of the county, with the rich and the poor, the man struggling against adversity and the widow with her mite. To none of these did Mr. McClure ever turn a deaf ear, listening patiently to all they had to say, entering confidently into their own personal perplexities, freely giv- ing all the advice and information pos- sessed of, and frequently putting himself to great trouble to meet the desires of people and to assist them in various ways without the slightest expectation of pecuniary com- pensation. And it can be said of him that whatever he promised to do in the way of purely disinterested accommodation he never failed to perform to the best of his ability.
To do this required a wonderful command of business resources, a marvelous memory, and a disposition that was not to be soured by mere selfish considerations. Indeed it seemed that business was a second nature to him: with such case and facility did he per- form not only the duties strictly connected with the institution over which he had charge, but the other self-imposed ones, that redounded so much to the credit of his heart as well as his head-to his high qualities as a man as well as a bank officer. In his ca- pacity as cashier Mr. McClure displayed a remarkable knowledge of human nature and penetration, almost intuitively separating the true from the false, the worthy from the unworthy. He was the farthest removed from a machine officer, adapting himself to every shade and variety of circumstance in- cident to business exigencies, and to all the mutations that credit is always liable outside of the large cities, at the same time not sacrificing, but on the contrary promoting the interests of his bank by a wise and just leniency. He would have filled the same po- sition in any of the largest city banks with halt the display of the peculiar mental qual- ities that he so largely possessed. Speaking of Mr. McClure's intimate knowledge of the business of the people at large, we might say that nothing was more remarkable than this peculiarity. Let who would enter the bank. and Mr. McClure would generally know the nature of his business before a word was spoken, and would be prepared with an an- swer quick and decisive, as though he had just been thinking about that particular case. A gentleman of this city, engaged in large and intricate business operations, has ex- pressed to us his frequent astonishment at the manifestation of this characteristic as
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respects his own business, without reference to any record and with so much cleainess and precision."
On the 23d of July. 1857. in Bellbrook, Mr. MeClure was united in marriage to Sarah J. Steele, a daughter of James and Sarah ( Bush) Steele. Her father was a native of Virginia and in that state carried on farming on an extensive scale. He also operated a sawmill. His birth occurred in the early part of 1793, and on the 16th of October, 1836, he was called to his final rest. His wife, who was born on the 24th of March, 1791, died August 3. 1860, both being buriedl at Bellbrook. In their family were two daughters, but Rachel E. died at the age of cleven years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClure were born five children, but only two of the number are living: Nettie A., now the wife of M. C. Williams, a resi- dent of Lowell, Massachusetts ; and M. Ger- trude, the wife of Dr. William Gordon Dice, of Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. MeClure was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family and their wel- fare. He rejoiced in his business advance- ment because it gave him greater oppor- tunities to provide comfortably for his loved ones. He was never happier than when dis- pensing the hospitality of his own home, as- sisted by his wife and children. He was a man who had deep regard for his fellow men in general and it is doubtful if few men of his years and opportunities have done more for those among whom they have lived. In addition to his duties of the bank Mr. McClure had charge of the settlement of several large estates. He also performed the duties of various minor offices, which were unremunerated but required much at- tention. He was often applied to in the mat-
ter of a loan or an investment and would frequently say that he would give the matter thought. He always aided these and if pos- sible gave the assistance asked. He never failed to fulfill a promise or keep an en- gagement, thus he had the unlimited confi- (lence of his fellow men, who knew that his word was as good as any bond ever sol- emnized by signature or seal. He gave his political support to the Republican party and was as loyal to it as to every other cause in which he believed. It was on the 13th of March, 1877. after a brief illness that he was called to his final rest, his remains be- ing interred in Woodland cemetery. All of the business houses of the city were closed during the hours of the funeral services- a token of respect which is only shown to men of prominence and worth. Frank .A. McClure possessed all the qualities of man- hood. He was not only reliable in business and loyal to a trust, but he was genial and kindly and had a personality which was at- tractive, winning for him warm friends be- cause of his genuine worth.
JOHN F. HARSHMAN.
John Fremont Harshman, who is suc- cessfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Beavercreek township, his home being upon the Beaver Valley road, was born in this township on the 22d of September. 1856. His father, John C. Harshman, was also a native of this township, born in 1807, a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of this portion of the state. His parents were Philip and Frances Harshman, both of whom were natives of Maryland,
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whence they came to Greene county in 1833. Theirs was a long and tiresome journey across the country, for the roads were in poor condition and oftentimes there was scarcely more than an Indian trail to mark the path through the forest. They located first near Zimmerman and lived in a wagon until a log cabin could be built. Upon that piace they spent their remaining days, and the grandfather cleared and developed three hundred veres of land. transforming it into a good farm which returned a valuable in- come. The cabin home which he erected is still standing as one of the land marks of the county and a mute reminder of the great changes which have occurred as pioneer con- ditions have given way to the encroachments of civilization. In the family of Philip and Frances Harshman were six children : George: John C .: Jacob: Elizabeth : Polly, the wife of John Brown: and Betsy, the wife of John Sipe.
John C. Harshman, the father of our subject, remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and ac- quirel his education in a typical log school house of the time. When of age he pur- chased fifty acres of land north of Zimmer- man and at different times he added tracts of eighty, fifty, thirty and forty-five acres. He also bought another farm of well im- proved land of ninety-five acres and still an- other of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, so that his realty holdings were quite extensive at the time of his death. He started out in life without capital. and his education was also limited, his training in arithmetic being only to the rule of three. lle was, however, a great reader and be- came one of the best posted men in his town- ship. In his business affairs he also pros-
pered and his capable management and sound practical judgment brought to him merited prosperity. He was married on the 28th of October. 1841, to Ann Maria Mil- ler, who was born in Bath township April 25. 1819. a daughter of Daniel Miller. This worthy couple became the parents of nine children. of whom seven are yet living. Samuel Henry, the eldest, born October 10. 1842, died May 16, 1866. He enlisted for one hundred days' service as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio In- fantry, remaining at the front from May until September, 1864. In the spring of 1865 he re-enlisted and continued at the front until the close of the war. Sarah Elizabeth, born October 10, 1844, married Andrew J. Tobias and is living in Beaver- creek township. Mary Catherine, born March 13. 1846, became the wife of Jacob Shoup and died February 28, 1868. Ann Maria, born December 28, 1847. is the wife of W. W. Ferguson. Ephraim Franklin was born November 11. 1849. Martha El- len. born December 25, 1851. is the wife of Ed. C. Gerlaugh, of Beavercreek township. Reuben M., born January 29, 1852, resides in: Dayton. Jolin Fremont is the eighth of the family. AAbraham Lincoln, born Jan- uary 4. 1861, is the youngest and resides in Dayton. The father was called to his final rest January 27. 1880, and his wife passed away October 5. 1895. their remains being interred in the Hawker cemetery in Beavercreek township. Mr. Harshman gave his early political support to the Whig party. and upon its dissolution joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He was a man of such well known reliability that he was often appointed guardian of children and executor of estates. His wife was a faith-
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ful and devoted member of the Union Re- formed church.
John Fremont Harshman was educated in the common schools of the township, con- tinuing his studies through the winter months until nineteen years of age, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the farm. He was thus engaged until his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-three years of age, the wedding cere- mony being performed on the 22d of July, 1879. The lady of his choice was Alethea Ann Lafong, a daughter of O. B. and Re- becca LaFong. the former now deceased. Mrs. Harshman was born in Beavercreek township, June 10, 1861, and by her hus- band was taken as a bride to the old family homestead, where they remained for eight years, after which they spent one year upon her father's farm. In 1888 Mr. Harshman purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land where he is now living. There were no buildings upon the place, but he has since erected a fine residence, a large barn and other substantial structures for the shelter of grain and stock, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits along progressive and practical lines.
The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Harshman are as follows: John Buneth be- gan his education at the age of eight years and completed the district school course at the age of twelve. He was graduated in the Beavercreek high school when sixteen years of age with the class of 1899 and then took a special course of one year in Dayton. after which he entered the Columbus Uni- versity, where he is pursuing a Latin and philosophical course as a member of the class of 1904. Anna Viola, born Septem- ber 2. 1887. died May 10, 1900, and was
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