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 100

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918

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 100
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 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In his duties in connection with the removal of the Union soldiers, Mr. Drury, for whom the mat- ter possessed unalloyed interest, met with many in- teresting incidents. Upon one oeeasion he was desired to find the bodies of six Union soldiers who had been killed by rebels for capturing an engine, and trying to run away with it. He succeeded in his search, and the heroes now sleep in graves marked by monuments telling the story of their valor. During those days he made the acquaint- ance of LeCaron, the noted French spy. As a testi- mony of friendslup, LeCaron one day drew Mr. Drury's salary and disappeared.

The life of Mr. Drury if written up in detail, would make an interesting volume. He was well known to nearly all the residents of Springfield, and a familiar figure on Center Street, where, dnr- ing almost every afternoon in the summer, he would be found sprinkling the roadway. He was a man of high conrage, and during his migrations to the South frequently traveled under the guise of a minister-a "hard-shell Methodist" as he called himself, and whose doetrine he told the people, was to "mind his own business, and to let other people's business alone." By adopting this policy, he es- eaped unmolested, although frequently engaged upon most dangerous missions, Ile was one of the

most trusted employes of the Government, and faithfully did he fulfill the duties committed to him. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of people among whom his name will be remembered for many years to come.

R OBERT N. ELDER. There is probably not within the limits of Green Township, Clark County, a more prominent or popular man than he with whose name we introduce this notiee. Nature has endowed him with more than ordinary capacities and the genial disposition which makes for him friends wherever he goes. Liberal and publie-spirited, no man is more warmly inter- ested in the material welfare of his township and none have contributed more generously of their time and means with this end in view. Ile thor- ouglily believes in progress and reform and keeps himself posted in regard to current events all over the world, taking satisfaction in every evidence of the improved condition of mankind, morally, in- telleetually and financially.

Mr. Elder, in the fall of 1888, was elected one of the Commissioners of Clark County for a term of three years and is discharging the duties of his offiee with eredit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He has always taken a very active in- terest in educational affairs and has been a Sehiool Director for a period of over twenty years. He served as Road Supervisor several terms and for six consecutive years was Trustee of Green Town- ship. He east his first Presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, in Cass County, Ga. While in the army and sinee becoming a voter, he has steadfastly maintained his allegianee to the Republican party. Probably no man has been more active in its coun- cils in this part of the county, he having been fre- quently sent to the County, State and Congressional conventions and has at various times been a mem- ber of the County Central Committee. The greater part of his life has been spent in farming pursuits. Ile has maintained a uniform interest in the Grange movement of which he was at one time a member, serving as Master and Secretary and in other posi-

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tions of trust and responsibility. In his religious views he is a stanch Presbyterian, officiating as Trustce one year and is looked upon as one of the pillars of the chinrch at Clifton. It will thus be seen that the sphere of his usefulness is a broad one and it may safely be said that he reaps unal- loyed satisfaction in contemplation of the fact that he has not only endeavored to be a useful member in his community, but therein has fairly succeeded.

The subject of this notice was born April 10, 1843, at the old homestead in Green Township and was the ninth in a family of cleven children, the offspring of Robert and Nancy T. (Elder) Elder, who were natives of Dauphin County, Pa. The paternal grandfather, Robert Elder, emigrated to Oho in 1813. He purchased a tract of land on section 10, Green Township, and the patent which he received from the Government at that time is still in the possession of the family, being preserved as one of the old relics with which they would not willingly part. The country at that time was very thinly settled and mostly a forest. Grandfather Elder, with the aid of his sons, Thomas, Robert and John, cleared a farm from the wilderness and there spent the remainder of his days.

The parents of our subject were married early in the twenties at the bride's home in Green Town- ship, Clark County, and settled upon the farm en- tered by the grandfather, where Robert Jr., effected additional improvements and put up the residence which is now owned by his nephew, a son of John Elder. He was a hard-working, industrious man, more than ordinarily intelligent, and became prom- inent in local affairs, holding various positions of trust and responsibility and serving as Justice of the Peace for the long period of twenty years in succession. le was active in the establishment and maintenance of schools, believing that the educa- tion of the young was one of the most important adjuncts to the well-being of society.

The mother of our subject was the daughter of David Elder, who upon cmigrating to this State settled in Butler County, and like most of the men about him followed agricultural pursuits. He like- wise built up a home from the wilderness. Robert and Nancy Elder reared seven danghters and six of them became school teachers and followed their

profession successfully. Of the eleven children comprising the household circle, nine are still liv- ing: Ann is the wife of J. P. Garlough, and they . are residents of this township; Elizabeth became the wife of J. E. Stewart and died at her home in Green Township; Martha J. is the wife of J. J. Tuttle and they live in the city of Springfield ; Margery A. married Hugh Cowan and they also live in Springfield; Mary A., Mrs. N. L. Griffith, is a resident of Cass County, Mo .; Susan and Har- riet are unmarried and are living in Springfield; David N. is senior member of the firm of Elder & Tuttle and is engaged in the hardware business in Springfield; lic is unmarried. Thomas J. married Miss Fanny Harris and they live in Vincennes, Ind. The mother died at the homestead in Green Town- ship in 1876, at the age of seventy-two years, having been born in 1804. Robert Elder was born March 20, 1802, and died March 13, 1886.

Mr. Elder, of whom we write, was trained to habits of industry and economy and required to make himself useful about the homestead at an early age. Ilis education was conducted in the district school and he remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 13th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Union service as a member of Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, and in due time was promoted to Corporal. He went with his regiment which at first was independent, to Lexington, Ky., where they came in conflict with the troops of Kirby Smith. Mr. Elder soon afterward was captured but paroled the following day and sent to Camp Chase where he remained until exchanged.

Joining his regiment then at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Mr. Elder thereafter remained in the service until the close of the war. About that time the regi- ment was made a part of the First Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps and Mr. Elder took part in all the battles of the campaign, namely : Hoover's Gap, the siege of Chattanooga, and was at Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge and in the four month's campaign from Chattanooga to At- lanta. Thence he went on the famous march to the sea and had the satisfaction of witnessing the surrender of Gen. Joseph Johnston near Raleigh, N. C., in 1865. The war now being practically

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ended he went with his comrades up through the Carolinas to Washington, D. C., taking part in the Grand Review, which occurred in May following. Upon that occasion the troops passed in grand array before President Andrew Johnson, Gens. Grant and Sherman and other famous men of that time. The boys were mustered out at the Capital and repairing thenee to Camp Chase, Ohio, Mr. Elder received his honorable discharge, June 5, 1865, after a faith- ful service of thirty-four months.

Mr. Elder had a remarkable experience, escaping wounds and maintaining his usual good health al- though taking part in all the active operations of his regiment. Ile experienecd many hairbreadth escapes, but returned home safe and sound and at once prepared to resume his old occupation of farm- ing. He rented the homestead on seetion 10, Green Township and remained there until the spring of 1885. Thence he removed to the C. A. Estle place where he sojourned the following summer and in the fall of that year purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies. This embraces two hun- dred and twenty-seven acres of choice land, all of which is under a good state of cultivation and which is devoted to general farming and the raising of high-grade stock. Here as in all other transac- tions of his life, Mr. Elder maintains that persever- ing and methodical course which seldom fails of success. He has gathered around himself and fam- ily all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life while at the same time lending a helping hand to those around him as opportunity presents.

For a period of twenty-one years there has trav- eled beside Mr. Elder one of the most estimable of women, who in her girlhood was Miss Julia A. Stewart and to whom he was married at the bride's home in Green Township, March 31, 1869. Mrs. Elder was born July 3, 1847, at her father's home- stead in Green Township, Clark County, and is the daugliter of Capt. Perry and Rhoda A. (Wheeler) Stewart, further notice of whom appears on another page in this volume.

Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Elder three died in infancy. Stewart, the eldest son, on the 6th of February, 1889, was thrown from a horse, suffering a compound fracture of the ankle joint and died from lockjaw on the 15th of Feb-

ruary following at the age of eighteen years; Robert was born January 16, 1872, and is now at home; Rhoda, September 15, 1873; Ellis W., December 14, 1877; IIoward, September 27, 1879, died March 14, 1880; Walter .N., born February 8, 1881; Anna, November 23, 1882, died April 28, 1883 ; Eula, born May 10, 1884; baby boy, unnamed, born February 23, 1888, and died two days later; and Carric, born July 8, 1889. Mrs. Elder, like her husband, be- longs to the Presbyterian Church and has always been warmly interested in Sunday-school work, fre- quently acting as a teacher therein and giving much time to the religious instruction of the young. Their children are being carefully trained and are regular attendants at the Sunday-school. Mr. and Mrs. Elder enjoy the acquaintance of hosts of friends and represent the best element in their community.

ALVIN VANNIMMAN. The family to which the subject of this sketch belongs is one of the oldest and most highly respected in Jefferson Township, Greene County. In this township Calvin was born September 3, 1837, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the common schools and becoming familiar with the art of plowing, sowing and reaping. His life passed in comparatively un- eventful manner until he was a man of twenty-five years. Then desirous of establishing a home of his own he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Ellis, and they commenced the journey of life to- gether on a farm in Jefferson Township, where they labored with the mutual purpose of building up a comfortable home and accumulating a com- petence. In this they have succeeded admirably, having now the warrantee deed to five hundred broad acres of well tilled land which yields abund- antly the richest crops of the Buckeye State. The farm is improved with good buildings and the whole forms one of the most attractive pictures in the landscape of that region.

In noting the antecedents of our subject we find we find that his paternal grandfather, Benjamin

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Vannimman, was a native of Pennsylvania and the seion of an old and eminently respectable fam- ily. He followed farming all his life, in the mean- time emigrating to Illinois, where he spent his last days. To him and his estimable wife there was born a family of two sons and two daughters, one of whom, Benjamin, Jr., the father of our subjeet, it is believed, was born in the State of Pennsylvania and later emigrated to Clinton County, this State. He settled in the dense forest when the country was principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals. Ile built a log cabin and eommeneed felling the trees around him, grubbing out the stumps and bringing the soil to a state of eultivation. He was greatly prospered, invested his surplus eapital in additional land and in time beeame the owner of seven hun- dred aeres, all of which he brought to a productive condition. He ereeted thereon good buildings and gathered about himself and family all of the eom- forts and many of the luxuries of life. He then retired from aetive labor and departed this life at the home which he built up in 1879, at the ad- vaneed age of eighty-four years.

Benjamin Vannimman, Jr., like his father before lim, was a hard-working industrious man, full of energy and usually made it a point to aeeomplish what he set about. He visited Illinois where his father had settled before loeating in this State, but decided that Ohio was good enough for him. Not only was he suceessful in his own personal affairs but he was liberal and publie-spirited and eontrib- nted as far as in him lay to the general advancement of the community around him. In politics he was a sound Republican, after the organization of this party and in religion he was a devoted member of the Methodist Protestart Church.

The mother of our subjeet was in her girlhood Miss Sophia Hussey and they were married in Jef- ferson Township. Mrs. Vannimman was a native of Ohio and removed to Greene County with her husband, to whom she proved an efficient help- mate in the building up of a homestead and the aceumnlation of the property. She died in 1844, at the birth of her thirteenth ehild, and when forty-four years old. She had been reared in the Quaker faith and to this she adhered all her life. She fulfilled all life's duties as a wife, mother and

friend and her name is held in tender remembranee by her children. The parental family of our sub- jeet included five sons and eight daughters, five of whom are living.

Mrs. Mary A. (Ellis) Vannimman was born Jan- mary 27, 1840, in Wilson Township, Clinton County, this State, and is the daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Stilling) Ellis, who were natives of Vir- ginia, and who emigrated to Clinton County, this State at an early day. The mother died at her home in Cedarville in 1871, when sixty-three years old. She was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues and greatly beloved by her family and her friends. Mr. Ellis is still living, being abont eighty-two years old and makes his home in York, Neb. They were the parents of a large family, five of whom are living.

To Mr.and Mrs. Vannimman there have been born no children. Both are members in good standing of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Vanni- inman east his first Presidential vote for Lineoln and is a staneh supporter of the principles of the Re- publiean party.

AMES HI. CRAWFORD. This gentleman was born September 23, 1828, in Cedarville Township, Greene County, on the farm where he now resides. His father died about a year after his birth, leaving a widow and three children, and although in poor health Mrs. Craw- ford managed to keep the family together and save the farin of one hundred aeres which her husband had left. With her own hands she spun the thread, wove the cloth, and made their garments, and suc- eeeded in sending the children to sehool until all had obtained fair educations. She lived to see the fruits of her efforts, as each one of the children settled well in life. Our subjeet being the young- est of the household band he remained at home with his mother, even after his marriage, until her death in 1868.

James Crawford, the father of our subjeet, was a son of Miehael and Elinore (Leael) Crawford, of Roekbridge County, Va., where the first of the

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family located on coming from Ireland many years ago. He was born in that county, July 23, 1798, living until September 9, 1829. His wife was Miss Martha Leach, a daughter of James Leach, also of Rockbridge County and a granddaughter of John Leach, who was the father of Mrs. Elinore Craw- ford. The Leach family are of Seoteli-Irishi lineage, and are among the first families of Virginia. Judge J. II. Leach of Iowa, who died in 1878, was an uncle of our subject. The only sister of our sub- ject is Elinore, Mrs. Henry Owens, who opened her eyes to the light in 1834. His only brother is Thomas, who was born in 1826.

A little incident in the life of Michael Crawford, grandfather of our subject, is worthy of preserva- tion as illustrating the characteristics of the man. While still young and living in Virginia, he had purchased his brother's share in an old family slave named Bob, whom on one occasion he took with him to Tennessee. There Mr. Crawford was work- ing at his trade of brick laying and attended by the negro, for whom he was offered a fancy price. The young man told Bob of the offer, but the negro said he thought it would be wrong for his master to sell him among strangers, after he had spent his life in their service and raised all of his master's mother's children, having taken care of them from infancy. Mr. Crawford told the man if that was the way it looked to him, he should not be sold, but if he would go with him to Ohio he should be a free man. They came to this State in 1830, where Bob received his freedom and was married to the daugli- ter of the Rev. Godfrey Brown (colored). Ile settled south of Xenia, on Caesar's Creek, raising a family and living to be very old. He took the name of Robert Baker, but was better known as Bob Crawford.

The lady whom Mr. Crawford of our sketch chose for his life companion was Matilda, daughter of James and Sarah (Seldomridge) Patterson. Mrs. Crawford is an estimable woman whose domestic habits and virtnes have been a blessing in her home. The union has been blessed by the birth of five children, four of whom survive. The oldest child is Martha J., a young lady who is now at home and is one of Greene County's best known teachers, taking a commendable pride in the profession which

she has chosen. The second born was Sarah Amanda, who died in 1882, at the age of twenty-two years. Following her in order of birth are John T., James W. and D. Leighi, who have received fine educa- tions at the High School at Cedarville, and the younger of whom aspires to a thorough collegiate course. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford and daughter be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cedar- ville. Mr. Crawford is numbered among the stanch Republicans of the county, always ready to do his share to insure the success of that party as he feels that the spirit of justice is interwoven in its politi- cal fabric and that the National welfare largely de- pends upon its success. It would be hard to find a family better deserving representation in a volume of this nature than that of James H. Crawford, or one whose history the biographical writer would take greater pleasure in recording.

R. JOHN W. HULICK. The medical firm of Bell & Inlick is familiar to most of the residents of Springfield as one having its full share of business, and which has attained to a good position in the medical fraternity of Clark County. They have a fine office, thoroughly equipped with everything pertaining to the profession, while their prompt attention to the calls made upon them and their conscientious methods of practice have fully established them in the esteem and confidence of the people.

Dr. Hulick was born in Batavia, Clermont County, this State, August 2, 1858, and is the son of Will- ianı W. and Mary J. (Dial) Hnlick, who are also natives of Batavia. The father was born December 24, 1824, and the mother November 20, 1828.

William W. Hulick was a stock dealer and farmer. He spent his entire life in his native town, and died in 1884. The paternal grandfather was James Inlick, a native of Virginia, and of English de- scent. He spent his last years in Clermont County. On the maternal side of the house Grandfather David Dial, was a native of North Carolina, and he spent his last years in Clermont County. To William and Mary Hulick there were born three

your Very Zumby Wolney A Fair

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children, one of whom, David W., dicd in 1880; Emma L. is living at Batavia, Ohio; John W., our subject, was the youngest of the family. He attended the public sehools of Batavia during his younger years, and later became a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the Class of '79.

Dr. Huliek began the study of medicine in the office of J. C. Kennedy, M. D., of Batavia, and later entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1882. He began the practice of his profession in Milford, Ohio, and later went to New York City, and took a post- graduate course in Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1883.

We next find Dr. Hulick located in Springfield, where he commenced the practice of his profession which lic has since followed with unqualified suc- cess. Hc associated himself in partnership with Dr. Read L. Bell in 1885. Dr. Hulick belongs to the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society ; the Southwestern Ohio Medical Society; the Clark County Medical Society, and lie is an honorary member of the Clermont County Medical Society. Socially, he belongs to Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F .; the Knights of Pyth- ias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 51.

OLNEY A. FARR. Aside from looking af- ter his property, this aged and respected resident of Springfield, is living mostly re- tired from the active duties of life. HIc has by a course of industry and prudence, acquired a com- petence, and is fully entitled to the ease and comfort which attends him as he quietly passes down the sunset hill of life. He is a native of Vermont, and was born on the 13th of May, 1813, in Brandon, Rutland County, being the son of Solomon and Mabel (Dcan) Farr. Solomon Farr was a native of Brighton. Vt., of Irish extraction, and for many years labored as a foundryman, botlı in his native State and elsewhere. The mother was likewise born in Vermont, and traced her ancestry

to Scotland. The parental family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters; only three of the sons are living, two of them being resi- dents of the Green Mountain State.

The subject of this notice spent his youthful days in his native place, and obtained a practical educa- tion in the public schools. When of suitable years he began learning the trade of a moulder, but upon the completion of his apprenticeship, not liking the business, he abandoned it. Being of an adventur- ous turn of mind, he resolved upon going to sca, and accordingly boarded the whaling vessel "Ama- zon," under command of Capt. Smith, making a two years' voyage. This completed, he next went out on the bark "Harvest," which was also a whal- ing vessel, and was gone another two years, hav- ing an interest in the boat, and sharing the profits. During both voyages the vessels encountered terri- fic storms, and for hours the crew expected that their time had come, and many were the resolves made that if ever they reached terra firma, they would stay there.

The third and last voyage of Mr. Farr was on the "Harriet" from Frectown, Mass., under the com- mand of Capt. Durphy. The voyage was an ex- tended one, and they sailed over the Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Upon one occasion Mr. Farr was one of the crew which left the vessel in three whaling boats, and with his comrades suc- ceeded in capturing one of the monsters of the deep, the men on each boat killing and capturing a whale. At the same time they were struck by a terrific storm suddenly, became separated from the vessel, and drifted at the mercy of the waves for a number of days, nearly starving, and enduring un- told suffering for want of water. They were fin- ally picked up by a German vessel. The boat that Mr. Farr was in, lost their whale during the storm, and two of the eighteen men, on account of their sufferings, had entirely lost their reason. Mr. Farr was now thoroughly convinced that the land was the safest place for him, and as soon as he reached it, made his preparations to stay there. IIe took up his abode in New Bedford, Mass., remaining there until January, 1849.

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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 100

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918