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 101

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 101
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 101

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At this time the California gold excitement was attracting large numbers of men to the Pacific Slope

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and thither Mr. Farr determined to repair. Not- withstanding the dangers he had encountered, he again took to the water, making the trip to the Golden Gate via Cape Horn, and experiencing as before considerable rough weather. Soon after his arrival at San Francisco, he entered the volcano mines, where he occupied himself one year in searching for the yellow ore, and was fairly suc- cessful. Subsequently the prevalence of cholera at Sacramento, and the breaking out of a fire, was the means of great loss, and he returned to the mines, where he spent two more years, which were fairly profitable. Returning then to Vermont, he sojourned there six months, and in the meantime took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Eme- line Barnard, of Brandon, Vt., the marriage occur- ring October 9, 1853.

Mrs. Emeline Farr was born in Brandon, Vt., and was the daughter of Barzilla and Susan (Crossman) Barnard. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Farr came to Springfield, Ohio, on a visit, and while here, Mr. Farr decided to remain in Springfield. He purchased a dairy in company with Joel Barn- ard, and this they conducted for eigliteen months, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Farr then for four years thereafter was engaged in the scutch- ing of flax, which was used in the manufacture of rope and twine, shipping to Eastern markets. They also manufactured tow, which was utilized in mak- ing paper. That enterprise not proving profitable, he therefore turned his attention to dealing in pro- duce, and subsequently became a large buyer and shipper.

The next enterprise of Mr. Farr was the manu- facture of the Middlings Purifier, in company with James Rigby, which involved him in a loss of over $5,000. He then withdrew from business, and has since lived retired. The family residence is a fine brick structure, built in 1877, and pleasantly lo- eated on West High Street.

To Mr. and Mrs. Farr there were born two chil- dren, a daughter and son: Mabel D., the wife of A. P. Trout, a grocer of Springfield; and Leslie E., who is assistant steward in the Kimball House at Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Farr departed this life at her home in Springfield, September 14, 1883. She was a most estimable lady, a faithful wife, and devoted

mother, and was deeply mourned, not only by her immediate family, but by a large circle of friends. Iler remains were laid to rest in Ferncliff Ceme- tery. She and her husband many years ago joined the Universalist Church. Politically, Mr. Farr was a Republican until six years ago, when he identified himself with the Prohibition party.

A portrait of Mr. Farr appears elsewhere in this volume.

AMUEL HUFFMAN. That well-known establishment, the Palace Livery Stable, lo- cated at No. 173 West Main Street, Spring- field, is an institution largely patronized by the leading residents of the city and is acknowl- edged to be first class in every respect. The pro- prietor with whose name we introduce this sketch, is a widc-awake business man with a thorough un- derstanding of his calling, and whosc promptness in meeting his obligations and courteous treatment of his customers, has built up for him a large pa- tronage which is steadily increasing.

Mr. Huffman was born July 26, 1832, at the country home of his parents in Bethel Township, five miles west of Springfield, and is the tenth child of Jacob and Cathicrine (Farmwood) Huff- man, natives of Virginia. Jacob Huffman came with his parents to Clark County, this State, in 1802, the same year that Ohio was admitted into the Union as a Statc. He entered a tract of Gov- ernment land, the patent of which is still carefully preserved in the Huffman family.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Henry Huffman, a native of Germany, who upon coming to America, engaged in farming and spent his last years in Bethel Township, Clark County, this State. The maternal ancestry of Mr. Huffman was also of German origin. Jacob Huffman, his father, was reared to farm pursuits and learned the trade of a stone mason, becoming skilled in his calling and laid the foundations of many of the houses and barns in Clark County. Hc built for himself a substantial stone residence, the stone being dressed for the interior and requiring no plastering. The partitions were also of stone and

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the whole formed a very solid structure, capable of withstanding the storms of a century. The first dwelling of the parents of our subject was a hewed log house, one of the best in the county, and within which the greater part of their large family of ten children were born. Thesc com- prise six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to mature years but of whom there are now only four living, two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Henry, died at the advanced age of eighty-five years; Samuel, our subject, was the youngest born.

Mr. Huffman pursued his early studies in a log school house in what was familiarly known as the Keifer district and at an early age was taught to make himself useful around the farm. He was but thirteen years old at the time of his father's death, and he remained with his mother until his marriage. This interesting and important event occurred March 17, 1854, the bride being Miss Margaret Ilelfrick. Mrs. Huffman was born in 1835, in this county, and is a daughter of Michael and Barbary HIelfrick, who were of German birth and parentage aud cmigrated from the Fatherland at an early day. 'They settled in this county and spent their last days here.

Mr. and Mrs. Huffman after their marriage lo- cated in Springfield Township where Mr. Huffman occupied himself at milling, operating the Rock Point Mills on Mad River, about six years. Later he assumed charge of the Tecumseh Mills in Mad River Township with which he was connected seven years. He next returned to Rock Point Mills which he operated two years morc and upon leaving these he removed to the site of the Perue Mills. Later he built and operated the same mill and finally as- sumed the sole proprietorship, continuing to oper- ate this inill for about seven years. Then selling out, he removed to Springfield and invested a por- tion of his capital in a stock of hardware. He was in trade two years and then established himself in the grocery business at Springfield. We next find him dealing in coal and lumber and from this he drifted into the livery business, becoming owner of a lot of fine stock and equipages.

Mrs. Margaret Huffman departed this life at her home in Rock Point Mills in 1863, leaving three

children, two daughters and a son. Catherine is the wife of William Stickney, of Springfield Town- ship; Effie is the wife of Forrest Zirele, and they reside in Springfield; Stephen J. operates a meat market in Springfield. In 1865, Mr. Huffman con- tracted a second marriage with Barbara Hertzler, who was then a resident of Bethel Township, but who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1832. Her father, Daniel Hertzler, was a prominent farmer, miller and distiller of Clark County, this State, and is now dead (was murdered in 1867). Of this union there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mattie, is the wife of H. C. Story, of Springfield; Daniel H. is the chief assistant of his father in the livery business; Harry M. also makes himself useful in a like manner. The family residence is a substantial brick structurc, pleasantly located on West Main Street. Mrs. Huff- man is the owner of a good farm in Springfield Township, one and one-half miles west of the city. Mr. Huffman, politically, supports the Democratic party and socially, belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A.M; Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R.A.M. and Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F. He has become well-to-do by his own energy and industry, and has been no unimportant factor in advancing thie business interests of his adopted city.

W ILLIAM M. NEELD. The results of in- tegrity and sqnarc dealing are exhibited in the business career of this gentleman, who is one of the most enterprising of the younger business inen in Spring Valley, Greene County. He was born in that village, and has been identified with its business interests during the greater part of the time since his youth, with the exception of a short time spent upon a farm, having been en- gaged in some line of trade, and having taken charge of his father's business prior to his major- ity. He is now manufacturing caskets and all kinds of ornamental finishing work for houses, to- gether with furniture of various kinds.

The natal day of our subject was August 10, 1849, hc being the second son and child of his par-

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ents, the other members of the group being Ben- jamin F. and Mary E., the latter of whom died at the age of thirty years. Young Neeld was reared in Spring Valley, obtaining a good common . school education, and at night and on Saturdays working at the shoemaker's trade with his father, beginning his apprenticeship when about fourteen years old. The elose confinement affeeted his health, and in his sixteenth year he went on to a farm, where he remained until nineteen. He then returned to the village, carried on his father's busi- ness for a year, and then embarked as the pro- prietor of a meat market and buteher shop. A few years later he returned to the manufacture of boots and shoes, adding to their sale that of hats and eaps, and following that business some fifteen years. He then sold the establishment to J. D. Moon, from whom he bought baek the store a year later, disposing of it in August, 1888, to F. C. Cary. For two or three years prior to abandoning the mereantile business he had also carried on a livery and undertaking establish- ment, and during the past two years he has been engaged in the brick business. That in which he is now occupied was opened by him in January, 1890, and while still in its infancy gives promise of a steady growth.

Mr. Neeld owns considerable village property, his home being a fine briek residenee on the hill, which was ereeted under his direction, and which is supplied with every comfort. It is presided over by an estimable young woman, formerly Miss Maggie E. St. Jolin, who became his wife November 17, 1880. She is a daughter of Will- iam and Martha (Smith) St. John, of Cæsar's Creek Township. A bright and interesting group of childish faces have come to bless their union, the children bearing the names of Ralph M., Edith, l'aul and Charley. In the training of these youtli- ful intelligenees the parents take great delight, and are endeavoring to instill into their minds in their early ehildhood sueli principles as will insure their honorable manhood and womanhood.

Mrs. Neeld belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The political suffrage of the husband is given to the Democratic party. He has served ten years as a member of the School Board, and

for four years as a member of the Board of Trus- tees. He was the originator of the movement to construct a township and corporation building, the village now having as one of its ornaments a fine three-story briek structure, the lower floor occu- pied by township and village offices and a store roomn, the second floor used as a town hall, and the third owned by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is searcely needful to state that by the citizens of the village, and the surrounding country, Mr. Neeld is regarded highly, and looked upon as one of the most reliable and trustworthy eitizens.

Jason M. Neeld, the father of our subjeet, was born in Bueks County, Pa .. July 7, 1818, and died in this eounty in 1869. He had eome to Spring Valley Township in the fall of 1839, while still a single man, and in this township married Miss Susannalı Allen, who is still living. She is a na- tive of this township, and a daughter of Benjamin and Rebeeea (Campbell) Allen, of Virginia and South Carolina respectively, who eame to this county in an early day. She is now quite ad- vaneed in years, having opened her eyes to the light April 2, 1818. Jason Neeld was a manu- facturer of boots and shoes from his youth until his last illness. In politics he was a sturdy Demo- crat, and by the members of the party and other eitizens was known as a man of honesty and busi- ness integrity. He filled the office of Township Treasurer. He was a son of Joseph and Martha Neeld, of the Keystone State.

ILLIAM H. BREWER. One of the finest farms in Miami Township, is that oeeupied by the above named gentleman, whieli eom- prises three hundred and eighteen aeres of fine land, all improved in first-class style. It is now farmed by Mr. Brewer and his two sons, but in previous years, while under his own sole management, se- cured to him good financial standing, and all the eomforts of life.

Near Trenton, N. J., on the 19th of August, 1794, John G. Brewer was born. Although he laeked

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some years of man's estate when the War of 1812 began, he entered the army, serving with as much energy as those who were men in years. In 1814 he eame to the Buekeye State, where he carried on his oeeupation, first as a carpenter, and later as a farmer. In Greene County, he met and married Sarah Ann Miller, who was born on the Blue Ridge in Virginia, in 1798. They settled on what is now the old Isaae Baker farm southwest of Yellow Springs, rearing a family of nine children, eight of whom are now living. Both were members of re- ligious bodies, the husband being a very prominent inan in the Presbyterian Church, in which he bore the office of Trustce, and the wife a member of that braneh known as Seceders. Mrs. Brewer died November 20, 1883, having then reached the age of eighty four years, and her husband surviving until January, 1886, became ninety-two years old. Their family comprised George ; our subject ; Beeca, now deceased; Paulina, wife of Charley Winters; John, Charles; Sarah, wife of David Dickson; Louisa, wife of John D. Heller; and David Russell.

The subject of this sketch was born in this county, August 26, 1826, and received a common- school education, having no school privileges after he was sixteen years old. He worked hard on the farm during his early years, then spent two years as a carpenter, worked in a tanyard a short time, and in a stillhouse for six months. He followed a threshing machine for twelve years, for the past thirty-two years he has lived on his present farm.

On June 12, 1856, thie rites of wedloek were cele- brated between our subject and Saralı Ann Bell. This estimable lady is the only surviving child of Adam and Rebecca Bell, natives of Kentucky, who came to Ohio in 1849, and who held large land in- terests here. She was born in 1824, received a good education, and was well reared by her parents, ac- quiring much useful knowledge of domestic arts. Her father died January 3, 1874, and her mother July 10, 1881, the other two children having also been called from time to eternity. She lias borne her husband four children, two sons and two daughters: Adam married Miss Ella Wilson, and is the father of two children; John B. married Miss Nettie McHatton, who died leaving two ehil- dren; Florence became the wife of William Gregg,

of Xenia, and died leaving a daughter, Ada; Re- beeea is deceased. The two sons live on the home farm in the conduct of which they are assisting their father.

While financial sueeess has attended the efforts of Mr. Brewer, he has been in some respects un- fortunate. When twenty-four years of age a horse ran away with him, and he received serious injuries ; in 1885, he was caught in the main driving belt of a threshing machine, and had his right hand badly cut and erushed. He lias always taken an interest in politics, and votes the Republican ticket. IIe has been Supervisor of this distriet, and though he served creditably, is not one of those whose forte is public life. His personal interests, neighborly associations and domestie life are sufficient to oc- eupy his thoughts and fill up the measure of his en - joyment, and keep him sufficiently occupied.

S AMUEL MCKNIGHT. Perhaps no man in Greene County is better enabled to en- joy life than the gentleman above-named, who, with an income of some $2,000 per year, and the freedom to spend the whole or a por- tion of it in reasonable pleasures, has also a dis- position to see and learn by travel, and the gener- ous, liberal nature which prompts him to bear a hand in the good work going on about him. The farm which he owns and occupies consists of three hundred acres of fine land in Spring Valley Town- ship, the dwelling being a beautiful and well-fur- nished one, erected since the marriage of his brother Jolın.

Mr. McKnight was born September 10, 1816, two miles east of Spring Valley village, on a farm adjoining the one he now owns. His parents were William and Jane (Fulton) McKnight, whose his- tory contains many items of interest. Ile is a sturdy Republican, whose first vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and who has not sinee missed a Presidential election. He has no political aspirations and would never aecept an office.

The father of our subject was born June 29,

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1777, in Rockbridge County, Va., and in his early days was a teacher in his native State. He after- ward adopted the occupation of a farmer, having by his professional labors earned money enough to bring him West. In 1801 he went on horseback to Woodford County, Ky., where a brother was living. There he hired as a hand on a flat-boat and made a trip to New Orleans in the spring of 1802, walking back to the Ohio Valley. He then made a trip through the Buekeye State, passing over the land he afterward purchased and stopping at Cæsarsville for a day or two. Thenee he journeyed through the wilderness to Chillicothe, carrying feed for his horse as none could be procured on the road. In the fall of 1804 he and his brother Samuel came to Ohio and purchased one thousand acres, more or less, on the banks of Cæsar's Creek east of Spring Valley, paying $2,500, or $2.50 per acre, for their purchase. When surveyed it was found to measure thirteen hundred acres.

In 1807, William McKnight, with his mother, three brothers and three sisters, came from Augusta County, Va., with two teams of fine horses and set- tled on this land, camping on the banks of the creek until a shanty could be put up. The names of those forming the party were David, Samuel, William, Robert, Hannah, Mary and Isabella, all of whom died here except Mary, the wife of William Young, of Chillicothe. Their first cabin was built where Jolin MeKnight's residence now stands.

In 1808 William McKnight returned to Virginia and married Jane Fulton, a daughter of William and Margaret (Lusk) Fulton, who was born in Augusta County. Mr. Fulton was a large planter and slave owner. He had a family of nine chil- dren, namely: Sarah, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Hugh, William, Martha, Jane and David. He was of Irish extraction, both his parents having come from the Emerald Isle and made their settlement in Augusta County, Va. His mother was a Miss Boggs. Returning with his wife to Greene County, William McKnight erected another cabin, in which they took up their abode. They reared six chil- dren-Hannah, John, Margaret, Mary, Samuel and David. Mr. McKnight served in the War of 1812, being connected with the militia. In the early days he was elected Justice of the Peace, but after serv-

ing one term declined further honors. lle was a stanchi Whig and active in behalf of the party in- terests. He was a Presbyterian in his theological views and a liberal-minded man, giving largely in proportion to his means. At his death he left an estate of four hundred and fifty acres of as fine land as can be found in the county. His wife breathed her last August 6, 1825, and he survived until July, 1853.

Going back another generation, we find John McKnight, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., who in 1755 married Mary Patterson, who was also born in that county, and who was seventeen years old when she became a bride. She was a daughter of William Patterson, who was born in Ireland and had learned the trade of a weaver. After settling in Pennsylvania, he married Mrs. Hannah Wausin, who had lost her husband and only child on the ocean during their passage from Ireland to Amer- ica. Her maiden name was Montgomery. She bore William Patterson four or five sons and three daughters, the latter being named Mary, Hannah and Jane. Hannah married A. Montgomery, who removed to North Carolina prior to the Revolu- tion; Jane married a Mr. Brown. Mrs. Hannah Wausin was accompanied to America by a brother and sister; the sister married a Mr. Ramsey, whose son David was the author of "Ramsey's Universal History."

After his marriage, John McKnight removed from the Keystone State to Virginia, where he died, in 1801, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow, having come to Ohio, died here in July, 1825, at the age of eighty-seven years. In religion Mr. McKnight belonged to the Associate Reformed Church, and he was decidedly opposed to slavery. To him and his wife ten children were born, five of them being natives of Pennsylvania and five of Virginia. Their names were: James, David, Han- nah, Mary, Jolm, Andrew, Samuel, William, Rob- ert and Isabella. All lived to maturity.

John MeKnight was the oldest of four sons and two daughters born to his parents, his brothers being Andrew, David and Robert. His father, James MeKnight, came from Scotland with a col. ony of Covenanters that settled in Lancaster County, Pa. He married a Miss Andrew, an

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English lady. He was selected by the colony to return to Scotland with a cargo of flax seed and bring back a minister of their faith. He disposed of the cargo to good advantage, but failed in his efforts to secure a minister. He was again sent across the ocean, on the second trip taking a cargo of cherry lumber, which he lost; he succceded, however, in securing a preacher for the colony, who is said to have been the first minister of the Covenanter Church ever in America. James Mc- Knight was a carpenter, and the foot adz he nsed is now a relic in the hands of his great-grandson, our subject.

ACOB HAYNES is a leading citizen of Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, and we may say of Bellbrook, as his finc farm lies partly within the corporate limits of that village. His character is a strong one, where good judgment and an abundance of common sense, together with a kcen sense of honor and a just pride, arc prominent traits. The family from which he derives his descent is an honorable and loyal one, and its members have left a worthy record wherever their path in life has led them. His grandfather Haynes was a very early settler in Hoop Pole Township, Ross County, and his body now lies beside that of his wife in the front yard of their old homestead near Chillicothe. Capt. Jacob Haynes, an uncle of this gentleman, was an officer in the Revolutionary Army, and was buried at Shepardstown, Va., with the following inscrip- tion upon his tombstone: "In memory of Capt. Jaeob Haynes, who was born July 30, 1761, and departed this life April 16, 1835, aged seventy- three years, eight months, seventeen days. His widow lies buried beside him."

The father of our subject bore the same given name as his own. He was born in Pennsylvania, February 16, 1787, but for many years lived at Harper's Ferry, Va., where he was employed in the Government Armory for twenty-six years. In that city he married Miss Mary Reed, a native of the Old Dominion, whose father had emigrated

from Ireland, and now lies buried in the cemetery at Harper's Ferry. He was a well-known and a very popular miller. Mrs. Mary Haynes died in the city in which her marriage took place in 1827, after an illness of nine weeks, when in the twenty- ninth year of her age. She possessed an amiable character, was kind and affectionate in all her rela- tions of life, and her death was a sore bereavement to many friends. She left a family of four chil- dren, two of whom are yet living, namely: our subject and a brother, Robert P., whose home is at Perry, Jefferson County, Kan. The father again married, choosing as his companion Mrs. Sarah Marinaduke, a widow, who bore him one child- Virginia S., who is now living at Dayton.

The Haynes family came to Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1837, and Jacob Haynes, Sr., bought a farm in Montgomery County, remaining there until 1857. He then removed to Bellbrook, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, closing his eyes to earthly things April 6, 1874. While in Montgomery County he was numbered among the prominent citizens and held all the township offices. During the War of 1812 he served gallantly in the American army, taking part in the battle of Bral- densburg, and when the eity of Washington was burned by the British army, walking from Harper's Ferry to a point where he could witness the con- flagration.

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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 101

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