USA > Ohio > Clark County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Greene County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
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In the advancement of the cause of education Mr. Williamson has been active, serving as a mem- ber of the School Board of Spring Valley Township since its organization thirty years or more ago, and being its President; in his own district he has served as Trustee for forty years. To the duties of Town- ship Trustee he has devoted his energies for ten years, and he was Treasurer of the Board that raised funds for troops during the late war. His continuance in office affords the best proof of his upright character, intelligence, and good judgment, and is a striking manifestation of the opinion which is held of him by his neighbors. In the furtherance of church work he is also energetic, holding mem- bership in the United Presbyterian denomination.
On April 8, 1838, the marriage ecremony was performed which united Mr. Williamson and Miss Isabella Collins. The bride was born in York County, Pa., in March 1815, being a daughter of William and Lydia Collins, latterly of Xenia. Her father is a farmer and distiller. The union resulted in the birth of six children: David W., and the
Rev. William C. of Keokuk, Iowa, served in the Union army during the war; Henrietta R. is the wife of the Rev. James W. McNary, of La Crosse, Wis .; Leamon Wilson is a minister, now located at North Bend, Neb .; the fifth child is Rolly D .; Clarkson died at the age of nineteen montlis. The mother of this household band was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church, active in good works in her own home and among her neighbors and highly respected by all. She was removed from her family by death in September, 1870.
Mr. Williamson contracted a second matrimonial alliance May 14, 1872, his chosen companion being Miss Elizabeth S. Barr, who was born in Washington County, Pa., August 8, 1828. Her grandparents, William Barr and his wife (who was formerly a Miss Dickey ) and Hugh and Elizabeth ( Seott) Boyd came from Ireland to America in the same ship in 1810, both families settling in Washington County, Pa. There a son and daughter from cach family were united in marriage and lived upon a farm. To this couple, William and Mary (Boyd ) Barr, the present wife of our subject was born. She belongs to the Presbyterian Church and is one of those women whose disposition, habits and training fit them to preside over a happy household and en- courage its members in every laudable enterprise.
Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of our subject were natives of the Emerald Isle and both parents were born in York County, Pa. David Williamson was a tailor, but a short time before leaving Warren, Ohio, where he had resided thir- teen years, he abandoned his trade and turned his attention to farming. On coming to this county in 1836 he located six miles east of Xenia, on the Jamestown Pike. There he owned about three hundred acres of land which he improved and oe- cupied for ten years, after which he removed to Xenia, in which eity he spent the remainder of his days, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Po- litieally he was first a Whig and later a Republican. In religion his belief coincided with that of the Presbyterian Church, his wife also belonging to that denomination. The widow, in lier girlhood Miss Catherine Duncan, survived until about 1882, attaining to the advanced age of ninety-three
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years. She was one of a family comprising four sons and two daughters, born to Andrew Duncan, a Pennsylvania farmer, the other members of the cirele being Andrew, Robert, John, Jonathan, and Elizabeth. Her own family included ten sons and daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third in order of birth. Of the others we note the following: William Williams lives in IIancoek County ; Ann Duncan, who is now dead, was the wife of Andrew Richie; following our subject on the roll is John S .; David, Sampson and Margaret are dead; the next on the roll is Jonathan D .; Es- samiah K. is the wife of the Rev. David Dunnon of Pennsylvania; the Rev. Robert D. lives in Troy, N. Y.
UDGE JAMES E. HAWES, Attorney-at-Law and occupying a prominent position among the legal lights of this county, was for a period of ten years, from February, 1879 to 1889, Judge of the court of common pleas. He possesses talents of no mean order, is a close student and an extensive reader and thoroughly experi- enced in the intricacies of his profession. He was Prosecuting Attorney from 1869 to 1871, and when a young man was for some time the City Solicitor. He has just passed the fifty-second year of his age, having been born February 18, 1838, and is a na- tive of Mt. Holly, Warren County, this State.
The Judge is the representative of an cxeclient family, being the son of Edmund and Huldah (James) Hawes. Edmund Hawes was born in Con- necticut whence he emigrated to Ohio when a youth of nineteen ycars, with his parents, and there- after spent the greater part of his life in Warren County engaged as a physician and surgeon. He died, however, in this county in 1849. The wife and mother died in November, 1888, aged seventy- nine years; their family consisted of four children. James E. in his boyhood took kindly to his books and at an early age gave indications of rare in- tellectual ability. When sufficiently prepared he entered Antioch College and upon emerging from this institution repaired to Ann Arbor, Mich., and entered the law department of Michigan University
from which he was duly graduated and shortly af- terward, in 1863, was admitted to the bar. He eom- menced the practice of his profession in Xenia, but his plans, like those of many others, suffered an interruption by the vicissitudes of war, which was then in progress, and that same year he became eon- nected with the Quartermaster's department at Nashville, with which he remained during that and the following year. He established himself as a resident of Xenia in 1865, and has been connected with many of the important cases being tried in the courts of this county and district.
On the 8th of February, 1871, Judge Hawes was united in marriage with Miss Amanda, daughter of James Weleh, then a resident of Xenia and one of the pioneer settlers of this county. Mrs. Hawes was born May 22, 1848, near Yellow Springs, this county. She received careful parental training and a good education in the common schools. There have been born of this union two children-Win- ifred and Paul, to whom their father proposes giv- ing the best advantages in his power. The family residence is pleasantly located on King Street, and Judge Hawes and his estimable wife occupy no secondary position in the social world.
G EORGE DODDS, one of the leading busi- ness men of Xenia and one of its most highly respected eitizens, located in the young and growing city as early as 1864, and en- gaged in the marble business which he has since successfully conducted. His high character as a inan and a citizen are too well known to need an extended notice here, as his name is practically a household word among nearly all classes in this part of the county.
The subject of this notice who is the son of George and Isabel (Taylor) Dodds, was born on the other side of the Atlantic at Primside Mill, near Yetholm, in County Roxburgh, Scotland, February 19, 1837, and comprised one of a family of six children, who were reared to mature years, four of whom were sons and two daughters. The eld- est, Andrew, died about 1872 in Florence Heights,,
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N. J. while there for his health; he was engaged in business in St . Louis at the time; James is a resident of Dayton, this State; Margaret lives in Toronto, Canada; George, our subject ,is the next in order of birth; Mary is a physician at St. Louis, Mo., con- ducting a hygienic institute; William is a resident of Xenia. The parents were of pure Scotcli ances- try and spent their entire lives in their native land.
Mr. Dodds emigrated to America when a youth of seventeen years, landing on this side of the water in July, 1854. He proceeded westward to Madison, Ind., where his eldest brother was carry- ing on a marble shop, having come to the United States three years previously. George thereafter employed himself at Madison, Ind., until the spring of 1859 when he and his brother Andrew established a marble shop at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where the latter had located soon after his mar- riage which occurred in 1857. The latter and his wife had been studying medicine and the wife subsequently attended Dr. Trall's Hygienic institu- tion in New York City; she is now with Mary Dodds in St. Louis, Mo.
The partnership spoken of above was dissolved July 1, 1868, when Andrew Dodds who had already opened a branch establisliment at St. Louis, went there and remained. George, our subject, has since given his close attention to his business licre, at times employing a force of from twelve to fifteen men. He was first married in October 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Ferguson of Madison, Ind., and they became the parents of one son, George Fre- mont, who is now in London, this State. Mrs. Elizabeth Dodds departed this life at her mother's in Madison, Ind., while on a visit in thic summer of 1865. Mr. Dodds was subsequently married October 11, 1866, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (McKnight) Brown. Mr. Brown removed from Troy to Xenia and is now deceased. Of this union there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom a daughter, Carrie B., completed hier education in Delaware, this State, and is now undergoing a course of training as a hospital nurse in Chicago, Ill .; Frank W. is also in that city; Leslie J., Charles J., Earle C., Ralphi C. and Jessie Kate are at home with their parents. The latter
with the four eldest children are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 202 West Second Street, and its inmates enjoy the ac- quaintance and companionship of the most cul- tured people.
G EORGE W. REICHARD, M. D., of New Moorefield, Clark County, although still quite a young man, is classed among the prominent physicians of the county, and enjoys quite an extensive practice. He is thoroughly versed in therapeutics, as understood and practiced by the Eclectic School of Medicine, has also an adequate knowledge of surgery, and is an affable and courteous gentleman, with whom it is a pleas- ure to meet and converse. His life has already been marked with a more than ordinary amount of determination and self reliance, and the educa- tion which lie possesses is but the stepping-stone to knowledge, which will grow as his own researchi and that of others shall open a wider field in com- ing years.
Dr. Reichard was born March 1, 1854, in Wasli- ington County, Md., where his rudimentary edu- cation was obtained. He is a son of Dr. Valentine and Catherine (Wolf) Reichard, the latter of whoin is deccascd. Both parents were born in Maryland, the Reichard family being of German stock. The father is a physician and surgcon of the Eclectic school, who practiced for some years in the town of Fair Play. At the age of seventeen years he of whom we write began teaching in the district schools of his native county, spending tliree suc- cessive winters in pedagogical labors. He spent about two years in attendance at one of the Penn- sylvania State Normal Schools, located at Millers- ville, his attendance being in periods which alternated with his own work as an instructor. He taught five winter terms, and during that time be- gan reading medicine with his father as opportu- nity afforded.
In the fall of 1876, young Reichard entered the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, which he
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.
attended during all the regular sessions until he was graduated in May, 1878. Upon receiving liis diploma he came at onee to New Moorefield, where he has sinee carried on his professional labors. His higher education in the ordinary branches, as well as in medicine, was seeured by his own exertions in earning the money with whieh to pay his way. He has aeeumulated village property in New Moorefield, and his home is one of the most pleas- ant ones in the place.
In Miss Cora A., daughter of Samuel Mumma, Dr. Reichard found the qualities of intelligent and eultured womanhood which won his regard, and his feelings being reciprocated, they were united in marriage October 19, 1882. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Christel, whose natal day was October 9, 1884. Dr. Reinhard is a member of the National Eclectie Medical Association, and also of the State and County Associations. In the Clark County Eelee- tie Medieal Association he has held the office of President, and filled all the other Chairs at differ- ent times. He is a firm believer in the principles embodied in the Republican platform, and favors all enterprises which tend to the good of the pub- lie. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are not only active among the members of that religious body, but prominent in the society of the town and see- tion in which they live.
LBERT GARINGER is one of the largest land-owners of Greene County, his home being in Silver Creek Township, adjoining the boundary line of Fayette County. Here lie owns a magnificent property consisting of more than thirteen hundred aeres of well-improved land. The land lies well for farming and stoek- feeding to which purposes it has been devoted, the eropping being well and carefully done, and the stoek of exeellent breeds, a goodly number being kept upon the place at all seasons.
In the southern part of Fayette County, March 21, 1834, Mr. Garinger opened his eyes to the light,
being reared to manhood near his birthplace. He was made acquainted with agricultural affairs in his boyhood, also acquiring a good fundamental education upon which he has reared an exeellent structure of knowledge in various lines of thought. In 1856 he came to the seetion in which he now lives, his first labor here being to elear up two hundred and fifty aeres of heavy timber land, after which he began to purchase other lands, making large improvements upon the various traets, until the estate had reached its present fine condition and extensive aereage.
In Jefferson Township, Fayette County, Mr. Garinger celebrated his marriage to Miss Angeline Little, who was born in that eounty in 1841, and who is of Virginia parentage and ancestry. Her parents, Adam and Mary (Ballou) Little, came to that county from the old Dominion when quite young and at an early period in the history of this seetion. There they were reared and married and have lived to the age of about seventy-five years, their present home being in Jasper Township. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chureli and are good old people who are thoroughly respeeted by those to whom they are known.
The Garinger family is of the old Virginia stoek, David Garinger, the father of our subject, having been born in that State. He was brought to Ohio by his parents when quite a small child, and in Fayette County grew to manhood. There he mar- ried Miss Serena Yeoman, who had also become a resident there when quite young. They beeame the parents of nine children, all born in that county and all yet living, the subject of this sketeh being the fourth in order of birth. David Garinger died when sixty-six years old, his widow surviving to the age of eighty- three years. Both were members of the old school Baptist Church.
To our subjeet and his estimable wife twelve children have been born, all yet living but Sophiro- nia A. Five of the survivors are married and liv- ing in homes of their own: David A., Ida M., Stephen, James W., Louie I., and Mary, yet dwell under the parental roof. Simeon married Rebecca Straley and lives on a farm in this county; William F. married Ella Rittenour and their home is a farmi in Silver Creek Township; Flora is the wife of
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William Rittenour, a farmer in the same township; Oliver O., married May Straley and occupies a farın in Fayette County; Albert B. married Jenny Johnson and oceupies a farm in Siver Creek Township, this county.
In his politieal opinions and affiliations Mr. Gar- inger is a Democrat. He and his wife are active members of the old school Baptist Church. The edifiee used by that society in this section, was built by Mr. Garinger on his farm. The splendid estate owned by our subject has been accumulated by him through honest industry, unflagging zeal and wise economy since lie became a resident in this county. It affords a striking example of the results that may be obtained by persistent effort, and should encourage all who are laeking in energy to rencwed exertions. Mr. and Mrs. Garinger are numbered among the best class of citizens and have a reputation second to none in the vieinity.
OSEPH N. DEAN. The Dean family has been one of note in Greene County since its early settlement, and the subject of this bio- graphical outline is one of the worthiest rep- resentatives of an honorable race. Xenia does not contain a more reliable citizen or one who is held in more general respeet. He was born in the southeastern part of this county, August 22, 1844, and is the son of Joseph and Hannah (Boggs) Dean, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio. His early years were spent in a comparatively un- eventful manner on a farm, where he attended the distriet school. Later, before the war, he was a student of Xenia College and attended the same institution afterward. Hc afterward took a course in the Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1869. He then eom- menced the study of law in the office of Thomas Scroggy. Later he was with R. F. Howard, and in 1878, he entered the law school at Cincinnati from which he was graduated in 1879.
Mr. Dean began the practice of lis eliosen pro -. fession at Mt. Sterling, Ky., but only remained there a short time, locating in Xenia. His career
thenceforward was marked by success and in 1882 he was clected Prosecuting Attorney, holding the position two terms. He has been quite prominent in the affairs of the Republican party, serving as Chairman of the Senatorial Convention which was held at Wilmington, Ohio, and holding other posi- tions of trust and responsibility.
After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Dcan enlisted as a Union soldier September 17, 1861, at Wilmington in Company B, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, and first saw the smoke of battle at Prestonburg, Ky. Later he fought at Franklin, Tenn., Chicka- mauga, Shelbyville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold, Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain and Atlanta. At Chickamauga he was struck in the right cheek with a ball, but fur- ther than this he escaped injury. Mr. Dean had thirty-six relatives in the service, all of whom re- turned home and thirty-four are yet living. Mr. Dean received his honorable discharge at Kingston and returning to his home in this county, lived there until 1878. He took up his residence in Xenia in 1879.
Joseph Dean, the father of our subject, was born near Mt. Sterling, Ky., December 30, 1804. In 1812 his parents removed to a point five miles southeast of the present site of Xenia and there spent the remainder of his days. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Dean, was born in County Down, in Londonderry, Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days, locating in Penn- sylvania. Later he removed to Virginia where he married Jenny Steele, and thence to Mt. Sterling, Ky. There were born to them five sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to marry and rear large families-an average of eleven children eael, making in all one hundred and ten children. On the maternal side, Grandfather Anthony Boggs, eame from the North of Ireland and settled in Virginia. After the Revolutionary War he re- moved to Jackson County, Ohio, where he lived until 1818, and thenee removed to Blackford County, Ind., where he became a prominent citizen and a Judge.
Joseph N. Dean was first married in Wilming- ton, Ohio, in 1867, to Miss Lydia. daughter of James and Mary Cleaver, who spent their last
yours Truly Rev. Charles Stroud
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years in Greene County, Ohio. One child was born of this union, a son, Walter P. Mrs. Lydia Dean departed this life at Wilmington, Ohio, in 1874. His present wife, to whom he was married at Adamsville, Ohio, in 1887, was Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Mabala Gaumer. Of this union there have been born no children. Mr. Dean votes the straight Republican ticket and is quite prominent in politics.
R EV. CHARLES STROUD. Few people so- journing in the city of Springfield, if only a short time, fail to notice the home owned and occupied by the subject of this notice and which is one of the most beautiful within its limits. The residence, a handsome modern structure of Queen Anne style, is surrounded by ornamental grounds upon which have been expended a large amount of time and labor and which indicate in a marked degree the ample means and cultured tastes of the proprietor. The dwelling is finely finished and furnished, and occupies the gentle elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding coun- try.
Mr. Stroud has long been looked upon as one of the most liberal and public-spirited men of Spring- field and one who has contributed in a large meas- ure to its growth. Some years ago he purchased twelve acres of land on West High Street which he has since laid out into an addition to this city and besides this has platted two other additions. Hc has four hundred acres of valuable farming land in Clark County, and fifteen hundred acres in the vi- cinity of St. Louis, Mo., besides valuable property at Mt. Ayre, Ringgold County, Iowa. For twenty . years he was connected with the ministry of the Lutheran Church and during his later labor in the Master's vineyard held the pastorate of St. John's at Springfield, resigning about 1871. Subsequently he preached at Lebanon seven years, also at Butler- ville and Dodsonville.
The native place of Mr. Stroud was in Reading, Berks County, Pa., and the date of his birth Janu- ary 4, 1822. His father, Jonathan Stroud, was like-
wise a native of Reading, but the paternal grand- father, Edward Stroud, was a native of England and born in the city of Bristol. The latter cmi- grated to America after reaching manhood and set- tled first in Montgomery County, Pa., whence later he removed to Reading where he followed mer- chandising and died at the age of about sixty years. He was a peaceable and law-abiding citizen and a member of the Society of Friends.
The father of our subject was reared in his na- tive State where he learned the business of a mer- chant and carried on business at Reading where he died at the early age of thirty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Eisenbeisc. She was likewise a native of Reading and the daughter of George Eisenbeise, a native of that city and of German ancestry. The latter went to Sussex, N. J., where he was married and then returning to his na- tive city resided there until his death. The mother of our subject like her husband died in her prime at Reading in 1843. The parental family consisted of six children, two of whom are living and Charles was the fourth in order of birthi.
Mr. Stroud attended school quite regularly dur- ing his boyhood and youth, and at the early age of eighteen years became connected with the Lutheran Church. At the age of twenty he became a student of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg,and in 1849, came to Springfield and prosecuted his studies at Wittenberg College. He commenced the study of theology in 1850, was graduated in 1851, and was licensed to preach by the Miami Synod. He com- menced his ministerial labors at Springfield, Ohio, and not long afterward became the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, with whose people he re- mained for nearly a period of twenty years.
The marriage of the Rev. Charles Stroud and Miss Clara Keever was celebrated at the bride's home near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, August 28, 1851. This lady was born in Warren County, this State, November 27, 1830, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Rogers) Keever who were natives respectively of Franklin County, Pa., and Georgetown, Ky. The paternal grandfather was John Kecver, a substantial Pennsylvania farmer who died in the Keystone State.
John Keever cinigrated to Ohio when a young
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man, purchased large traets of land in Warren County and superintended the improvement of it so that it proved a fortune. He constructed a fine homestead and died in 1834. The mother survived her husband for several years and passed away at the advanced age of seventy-two. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Stroud was next to the youngest. Together with her brothers and sisters, she was given a practical train- ing in the common schools. Her education was completed in the seminary on East High Street, while she remained with her parents until her mar- riage. No children have been born of this union. Politically, Mr. Stroud has always been identified with the Republican party and during the war was a staneh Union mań.
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