USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 91
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HARRISON S. STAMETS.
One of the oldest citizens of Washington township, Union county, Ohio, is Harrison S. Stamets, who has lived in this same township and in the same house since 1851. Born in this county eighty-two years ago, he has spent his whole life within its limits, and consequently is well known throughout the county. His parents were among the first settlers in York township, and the family have been prominent factors in the development of this county for more than four score years.
Harrison S. Stamets, the son of John and Ally (Coons) Stamets, was born May 20, 1833, in York township, Union county, Ohio. His father, who was a son of George Stamets, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. George Stamets came to Fairfield county, Ohio, from Pennsylvania with his family when John was a small boy. When he was only twelve years of age John Stamets made the long overland trip back to Pennsylvania on horseback alone, and ever afterwards had an inter- esting story to tell of his trip.
After his marriage John Stamiets located in Union county, in York town- ship, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying in his ninety-third year.
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He entered government land in this township, which was covered with a dense forest, and had to clear away a spot large enough on which to build a log cabin for his first home. He entered one hundred acres, and with the as- sistance of his sons as they grew up, he cleared a large part of this and put it under cultivation. John Stamets was a good man in the truest sense of the word, moral and upright, and always interested in the development of his community. Three daughters and five sons were born to John Stamets and wife, and five of them are still living: Harrison S., of Washington township; Matthew, a veteran of the Civil War and now living in Richwood ; Malchus, a farmer of York township; Cyrus, a farmer of York township, and Sallie, the wife of William Hamilton.
Harrison S. Stamets was reared to manhood in York township and re- ceived such education as was afforded by the schools of his boyhood days. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-six years of age, when he married and began farming for himself. He had been working out since reaching his majority and had saved enough money to make a payment on a farm of his own. His first wife, whom he had married in 1859. died two years later and after his second marriage in the same year, he located in Washington township on his present farm of seventy acres, and has lived in the same house since that year. Devoting himself to general farming and stock raising he has met with much success, and has laid by a sufficient com- petency for his declining years.
Mr. Stamets was married in March, 1859. to Mary Robins, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, a daughter of Fra and Mary Robins. She came with her parents to Union county, Ohio, when a girl, and was a woman of unusual attainments and taught school for some years before her mar- riage. The first wife of Mr. Stamets died in 1861. leaving a little daughter, Mary, who died in childhood. Mr. Stamets was married a second time to Hope Haines, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. To this second union four children have been born, three of whom are living: Claudia, Attie and Frankey. Claudia M. was born July 5, 1863, and became the wife of For- est S. Hager, and to this union have been born four children: Cora B .. wife of Orlo Figley: Braton, a real estate and insurance man of West Mans- field. Ohio; Florence D., wife of James Hamby, and Neva B., wife of Frank Harger. Attie. the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stamets, is the wife of Ira Chaney, while Frankey, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Earl Baker.
Mr. Stamets is a member of Mt. Carmel Lodge No. 303. Free and Ac- cepted Masons, at Richwood. He has been a life-long Democrat and has
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served as assessor and land appraiser for many years. After he had ap- praised the land in Washington township, the valuation was not changed, a fact which speaks well for his sound judgment of land values. He sat on the last jury in the third court house in Union county, and in the first jury in the present court house. While serving on this last jury in the old court house, the present court house was built and the grand jury changed quarters while it was in session. Mr. Stamets is a quiet man with a cheerful disposition and kindly manner, and during his long life in this county has won the unre- served regard and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM M. WELLWOOD.
In the summer of 1845 there arrived in the city of New York a small Irish lad of twelve years. He came to this country alone and upon landing in New York he went directly to the emigrant office, where he was able to secure employment with a contractor cleaning brick. This same poor little youngster, friendless and homeless, is now one of the wealthiest and most highly respected citizens of Washington township, Union county, Ohio. Sev- enty years have elapsed since he came to the United States, and sixty years of this time has been spent in Union county, Ohio, where he arrived in 1855. His career has been little short of remarkable, and the success which has come to him has certainly been well deserved.
William M. Wellwood. the son of John and Catherine ( Cooper ) Well- wood, was born in Kings county, Ireland, near Birr, in July, 1833. His father was a small farmer in Ireland, a poor man, who was not able to give his children many advantages. There were seven children in the family of John Wellwood, five brothers and two sisters, and it was all the father and mother could do to take care of this little flock of children.
William M. Wellwood was only twelve years of age when he left the family fireside and came across the broad Atlantic to seek his fortune. He probably never dreamed when he went to the emigrant office in New York city, after arriving in this country, that he would one day be a substantial citizen of the state of Ohio. So well did he work for the first man who gave him a job that he remained with him for about ten years, and each year found him receiving better wages. Eventually .he became the foreman for the man who first employed him and had charge of the stables and horses.
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In this way Mr. Wellwood gained his first knowledge of horses, and ever since that time he has been interested in the breeding of high-class horses.
In 1855 Mr. Wellwood was getting nine dollars a week, and by this time had saved up enough money to start out for himself. In that year he went to Columbus, Ohio, and drove through to Plain City in Union county, and has made his home in this county since that year. He first bought fifty acres, for which he paid fifteen hundred dollars, which he had made by buying and selling horses. His land was all covered with a dense woods, but he set to work to make it into a fine farm. He married after coming to this county, and he and his young wife started in to make a home for them- selves in the wilderness of Washington township. He not only had nothing when he started in after his marriage, but a man owed him fourteen hundred dollars which he was never able to collect. Despite this handicap he has prospered and now has two hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which he and his family have made by their own well directed efforts. His farm is well equipped for modern farming and he keeps high-grade live stock of all kinds, but has always been especially interested in the raising of horses. There is no better judge of horses in the county than Mr. Wellwood, and his sons are experts along the same line.
Mr. Wellwood has always taken an active interest in everything in his community. The Wellwood pike, which runs by his farm, was built and named in his honor, because of the fact that he was largely instrumental in getting it done. He has always been foremost in urging public improve- ments which would benefit his community and he has been a frequent peti- tioner for ditches and gravel roads. In politics he has always adhered to the Republican party, and while deeply interested in everything pertaining to good government, yet has never been a candidate for office.
Mr. Wellwood married Catherine Vetter, who was born in Adrian, Ohio, and to this union have been born five children: Joseph, Ernest, Flor- ence. Harry and John, who died at the age of two years and two months. Harry married May Middlesworth and has two children, while the rest of the children are still single and living at home. The children have all taken an active interest in the development of the paternal estate, and Mr. Well- wood is free to give his children much of the credit for the success which has come to him. His wife has been a faithful and constant companion dur- ing all of these years. He was reared in the Protestant Episcopal church and this denomination has always received his support. Mr. Wellwood is one of the pioneer farmers of Washington township and no citizen of the community is held in higher respect and esteem.
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LESTER W. CLINE.
Although Lester W. Cline was not born in Union county, Ohio, yet he has been a resident of this county since the year 1857. He has spent his active life as a farmer and his two hundred and one acres in Allen township bears ample witness to the fact that he has prospered. He has taken a leading part in the civic life of his county, has held various township as well as county offices, and rendered faithful and efficient service to his fellow citizens in every capacity where he has served:
Lester W. Cline, the son of Jonas C. and Elizabeth (Ware) Cline, was born in Utica, Licking county, Ohio, September 29, 1853. His father, who was a son of Michael Cline, was born in Knox county, Ohio, the family originally coming from Pennsylvania. Jonas Cline was married in Cham- paign county and moved to Union county about 1857, where he followed his trade as a carpenter and farmer. Jonas C. Cline enlisted as first lieutenant in Company K. Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was later made captain of Company C, of the same regiment. He served about two years at the front and then returned home and farmed the remainder of his life. Five children were born to Jopas C. Cline and wife, four of whom are now living: Lester W., of Allen township; Ira B., a ranchman, living near Colorado Springs, Colorado; Allie F., the wife of F. J. Robin- son, of Marysville, and Adelia, the wife of Asa Switzer, of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Lester W. Cline was about four years of age when his parents came to Union county. Ohio, and the remainder of his life has been spent in this county. He attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age. and then started out for himself by working on the farms in his neighbor- hood. At the age of twenty-five he married and began farming on his farm in Allen township. Year after year found him more prosperous and with a gradually increasing acreage, until he now owns two hundred and one acres of well improved land in Allen township.
Mr. Cline was married December 5, 1878, to Nettie Poling, a native of this county and a daughter of Henry Poling. To this union one child has been born, Chester, born May 20, 1881. Chester married Lottie Epps and is now farming in Union county. The first wife of Mr. Cline died April 27, 1882, and on December 14. 1884, he was married to Anna E. Lary, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio. May 4, 1858. To this second union four children have been born: Glenn L., born May 7, 1886, who took a business
S
HOME AND BUILDINGS OF L. W. CLINE.
MR. AND MRS. LESTER W. CLINE
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course at Delaware. Ohio; Burl W., born October 21, 1887, who married Grace Thompson June 5, 1909; Howard L., born August 1, 1889, who mar- ried Mary Epps December 23. 1913; and Joseph E., born March 2, 1895, who is still single and living at home with his parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Cline is a member of the Marysville Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias. In politics, he has long been a stanch supporter of the Republican party and served as trustee and assessor of Allen township. He has also filled the office of county commissioner for two terms, being an in- cumbent at the time when the first children's home was built.
DR. STANLEY JAMES BOWN.
That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number, and though all do not reach to the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can reach success and make life a blessing to their fellow men. The physician of today is in a position to be of incalculable benefit to the community in which he resides, and if he is conscientiously devoted to his profession, he becomes one of the most im- portant factors in the life of his community. The career of Dr. Stanley James Bown, who is now following his profession in Richwood, Ohio, for- cibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. Although still a comparatively young man, yet he stands in the front ranks of Union county's professional men, and has established a sound reputation for medical skill, while at the same time he has built up an enviable record for himself as a man of upright character in all the relations of life.
Dr. Stanley J. Bown, the son of Charles and Catherine ( Burgess ) Bown, was born in Lymmington, England, August 14, 1872. His parents, who were natives also of England, reared a family of ten children, most of whom were born in England: Charles F., of Albany, Oregon; Frederick S., of Charles- ton, West Virginia : Rev. Frank A., of Spokane, Washington ; Dr. Harry H., of Pleasant City, Ohio; John E., of New Dover, Ohio; Arthur, of Monterey, Tennessee ; Margaret, the wife of John Easton, of New Dover, Ohio; Dr. Stanley J., of Richwood; Ernest. of Marysville, Ohio, and Norman C., of Marysville.
Charles Bown was a school teacher for many years in England, and in (60)
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1873 came to America with his wife and children and located in the northern part of Dover township, Union county, Ohio. Here he bought a farm of fifty acres, which he improved and later added twenty acres to the original farm. He died a few years after coming to this country, at the age of sev- enty-three. His wife survived him about five years and was seventy-six years of age at the time of her death. Charles Bown and his wife were both members of the Congregational church in Marysville until the Blue's Creek church, near their home, was organized, and then they changed their mem- bership to that congregation.
The paternal grandfather of Dr. S. J. Bown was Samuel Bown. Sam- uel Bown died in middle age and his widow lived until she was about ninety years of age. Samuel Bown and wife were the parents of a family of eight children: Jane, Benjamin, Ann. James, Mary, John, Charles and Seward. The maternal grand father of Dr. S. J. Bown was John Burgis, who lived all of his days in England, dying there at an advanced age. They reared a fam- ily of eight children : Margaret. Mary, Catherine, John, Fred, Frank, Esther and Eliza.
Dr. Stanley J. Bown was a babe in arms when he came from England with his parents. He grew to manhood in Dover township on his father's farm, attended the district schools and was a member of the first class which graduated from the Dover township high school. Immediately after gradu- ating he began to teach and for three years was a successful teacher in the schools of Union county. He then entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and graduated in the spring of 1898. He at once began the practice of his profession at Claibourne, Ohio, and remained there until the fall of 1908, when he moved to Richwood, where he has since made his home.
Dr. Bown was married December 27, 1899, to Blanche Ritchie, the daughter of Jerome and Sarah Jane (Gardner) Ritchie, and to this union three children have been born, Harold, Gladys and Ruth.
Mrs. Bown was born in Taylor township, Union county, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Licking county, Ohio, and moved to Union county, where her father died in 1899 at the age of about sixty-three years. Her mother is still living. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie, Ettie, Herbert, Joseph and Blanche, the wife of Doctor Stanley J. Bown. Ettie is the wife of Cassius McAllister.
Politically, Dr. Bown is a Republican, and has always been interested in local political matters. He is now serving his third term as county coroner.
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He is a member of the Union County and Ohio State Medical Associations. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and is past master of the Mount Carmel lodge at Richwood. He is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Bown and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and Dr. Bown is the choir leader of the church.
ARLAND T. COONS.
The Coons family represented by Arland T. Coons, a prosperous farmer of Washington township, Union county, Ohio, have been residents of this county since 1834, when the grandfather of Mr. Coons came here from Fairfield county, Ohio. During these eighty years which have elapsed since the first member of the family came to this county, they have taken a promi- nent part in the development of the community in which they have resided. Mr. Coons taught school for a time after finishing his education and since then has devoted himself to farming, and now owns two hundred and forty- one acres in Washington township.
Arland T. Coons, the son of George W. and Mary ( Elliott) Coons, was born in York township. Union county, Ohio, December 24, 1874. His father was born in this same township, the son of Thomas F. Coons, who came from Fairfield county to Union county and located in York township about 1834. George W. Coons was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company H. Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and lost his left leg in the second battle of Bull Run. He now lives in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in the summer, and winters in Florida. Mary Elliott, the wife of George Coons, was a daughter of Wilkinson and Abigail (Taylor ) Elliott, and was born in Portage county, Ohio, and came to this county with her parents in 1854. There were three children born to George W. Coons and wife: Orville F., deceased: Arland T., of Washington township, and Bird- ella Z .. the wife of Walter C. Boggs, of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Arland T. Coons was reared on his father's farm in York township. After completing the course of education provided by the common schools of his home neighborhood he became a student of the Ohio Northern Uni- versity at Ada. Ohio, and later taught school for one year in York town- ship. However, he preferred the life of a farmer to a professional career. and left the school room in order to take up agricultural pursuits. That he
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has been successful is shown by his fine farm where he is living. This farm, known as the "Walnut Ridge Farm," consists of eighty-seven acres and lies about one-half mile south of Byhalia. In addition to this farm he owns one hundred and fifty-four acres in this same township. In addition to farming his own land he has charge of two hundred and twenty-one acres owned by his father. Mr. Coons is a large stock raiser and markets several carloads of stock from his farms each year.
Mr. Coons was married January 9, 1902, to Ethel L. Horton, a daugh- ter of Frank and Jennie (White) Horton. Mr. Horton was born in Licking county, Ohio, and his wife in Jackson township, in this county. Mr. Hor- fon and his wife are the parents of four children, Ethel, Blanche, Ralph and Gladys. They are residents of Essex, Ohio. Mr. Coons and wife have two children, Herbert H., who is eleven years of age, and Helen E., who i., seven years old.
Mr. Coons and his wife are members of the Friends church at Byhalia Fraternally, he is a member of the York Patrons of Husbandry, and has been the lecturer of his lodge. In politics, he has given his hearty support to the Republican party for many years, and was nominated by his party for the office of county commissioner in the spring of 1914. In the fall of the same year he was elected commissioner of Union county and is now filling this position in a very satisfactory manner. He is a director and stockholder of the First National Bank, of Richwood, Ohio. Mr. Coons is a man of sterling ability and upright in character and his long residence in this county has served to endear him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM HENRY CONBOY.
One of the most prosperous business men of Richwood, Ohio, is William Henry Conboy, who deals in buggies, implements and automobiles. He started in life at the foot of the ladder and by his own unaided efforts has arisen to a place of prominence in the commercial life of his village and county. He has that concentration of purpose, patient industry and foresight which characterizes the successful business man, and the success which has attended his efforts has been richly deserved.
William Henry Conboy, the son of James H. and Lucy (Bagby) Con- boy, was born in Pike county, Illinois, near Pittsfield. April 25, 1866. His parents, natives of Ireland and Illinois, respectively, reared a family of seven
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children : John W., of Hamilton, Ohio; William H., of Richwood: Philip, a farmer living near Pittsfield, Illinois: Ella, the wife of Dr. D. L. Connor, of Phoenix, Arizona ; Vina, who died at the age of fourteen; Raymond D., of Pittsfield, Illinois, and Roy, a farmer living in Pike county, Illinois.
James H. Conboy was reared in Ireland and came to America when a young man and settled near Germantown, Ohio. At that place he learned his trade as a shoemaker, and afterwards worked in Cincinnati and Hamil- town, Ohio, and eventually drifted west to St. Louis, where he worked a few months. He then went to Lima, Illinois, where he started a shoe shop, and as he prospered from year to year, he invested his money in farm lands, and died in Illinois in 1894, at the age of sixty-two. His wife is still living in Time, Illinois, on the farm. She is now about seventy-five years of age.
The paternal grandparents of William H. Conboy died on board the ship coming to America and were buried on the high seas. They had four sons and three daughters, Michael, James H., John, Philip, Mary, Kate and Ella.
William H. Conboy was reared on a farm in Illinois, and received a good common school education in the district schools of his home township. He lived at home until grown and then went to Hamilton, Ohio, and learned the machinist trade in the Nile Tool Works. He remained there three years learning the trade, and then returned home and went to school for a time. Later he went to Dayton, Ohio, and worked a year, after which he went to Springfield, Ohio, and worked in the shops of the Champion Company. Some time later he went on the road for the latter company and a few years later became a traveling salesman for the Walter A. Woods Harvester Com- pany. He worked in Columbus, Ohio, in the shops during the winter sea- sons, and in the summer went on the road for the firm selling machines. He left the employ of the Woods Harvester Company to become the foreman of the machine shops in the Ohio State Penitentiary, filling this position for two years.
In 1893 Mr. Conboy came to Richwood, Ohio, and in partnership with John Blair, started in the buggy and implement business in the building known as the town hall. This firm dissolved partnership a year later and Mr. Conboy then went into partnership with J. M. Sanders, with whom he continued for two years. He then erected the building which he now occu- pies on North Franklin street. and has since then been in business alone. He is one of the largest buggy dealers in central Ohio and also handles a large amount of farming implements and automobiles. His business is constantly
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increasing under his skilful management and he is now one of the substan- tial business men of Richwood. In addition to his interests in his particular line of business, he is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Richwood.
Mr. Conboy was married August 23, 1902, to Frances Beem, the daugh- ter of B. F. and Laura (Walker) Beem, and to this union two sons have been born, Roy Beem and Robert William.
Mrs. Conboy was born in Richwood, and her parents, who still live in Richwood, are natives of this county. Mr. Beem and wife are the parents of five children, Frances, Ada, Ivolon, Gilbert and one who died in childhood.
Politically, Mr. Conboy is a member of the Republican party and has served three terms as treasurer of Richwood. Mrs. Conboy is a member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. Conboy holds his membership in the Wayne Lodge No. 10, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dayton, Ohio. He is also a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 71, Knights of Pythias.
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