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 102
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 102
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The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born September 12, 1824, at Harper's Ferry, Va., passing his youth in his native place, obtaining a good common-school education there, and continuing his studies after reaching this State. He remained with his father until 1856, when he eamc from Montgomery County to Bellbrook, cn- gaging in mercantile business and farming. He re- mained in business for a couple of years, when he traded out, obtaining the Haynes and Harner mill, which he rented and finally disposed of, devoting his whole attention to husbandry. During the war, from 1861 to 1865, he was again engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village, sciling out to Messrs. Austin, and giving close attention to the cultivation of his farm, on which he yet remains, and to which his time is still devoted. The estate comprises over fifty acres of valuable land, and
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was formerly the home of old Stephen Bell, the original proprietor of the village of Bellbrook; the house, which is still fit for occupancy, was built prior to 1817. The land opposite formerly be- longed to John McLean, Chief Justice of the Su- preme Conrt.
The marriage of Mr. Haynes and Miss Charlotte Adams was celebrated November 5, 1860. The bride was born at Newbury, Vt., September 15, 1837, her ancestral line being one of the best in the country, and many of her connections notable in literature, the learned professions, and for their loyalty and publie spirit. She attended the High School at Cambridge, Mass., the Female College at Oxford, Ohio, and also studied in Lyman, N. Y. Not only did she acquire a liberal educa- tion, but she also received instruction in various accomplishments in which her talents fitted her to excel. She is a very fine musician, and lias mani- fested a high degree of talent in art, many oil paintings done by her hand adorning the walls of her beautiful home. Although the house in which she lives has been built for many years, it has a look of comfort and home-likeness, and is finely furnished, the works of art and a well-selected and large library giving evidence of the culture of those who reside within its walls.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes included eight children, six of whom are now living: Ade- lina is proficient in music and is thoroughly edu- cated, one year of her time having been spent at the High School at Washington, D. C. The sec- ond son, Maurice P., has a very fine tenor voice and has received good instruction in voice culture; he now belongs to the Bostonians' Opera Company, which is traveling to the Pacific Coast. The other members of the family circle are: Adelina, Eloise, Rosalie and Mary Emma Cheney. Although the talents of this bright group vary, all manifest de- cided ability and intelligence, and having been given the best advantages which their years would warrant, they are well fitted to fill an extended sphere of usefulness in life. All of the family ex- cept the father and the baby are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The father of Mrs. Haynes was Dr. Charles Adams, who was well known throughout New
England and in this State, both as a teacher and as an educator, and was also a prominent writer and the author of many books. He died January 19, 1890, in Washington, D. C., where he was living with a daughter, the widow of Prof. Barnes, a celebrated educator and the author of the " His- tory of the Thirty-ninth Congress" and "The Body Politie." The mother of Mrs. Haynes is still liv- ing, is now eighty-one years of age and quite feeble. She bore the maiden name of Sarah Emery Porter, and is the daughter of a Congregational minister who had been in active work over half a century, and belonged to the old New England family of Porters Dr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of seven children. One of them, Capt. Edward Adams, a very young man, was killed at the re-taking of Jackson, Miss., by Gen. Sherman, and was referred to most eloquently by Gov. Yates in a public address. Another son, Charles, was a Lieutenant Colonel under Grant at Cairo, and is now living at Washington, D. C. Another son, George II., is a graduate of Ilarvard College and Law School, and is practicing his profession in New York City; he has recently been Assistant United States Attorney there. He married into the Holmes family.
Mr. Haynes has been a member of the Board of Education in Bellbrook for twenty years. In 1862 he planted the trees that now adorn the school grounds. IIe was Appraiser of Real Estate in 1870, and while living in Montgomery County was Township Clerk and Township Assessor. During the term of Gov. Allen he received the five-years appointment as one of the managers of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home. His asso- ciates were: Gen. Durbin Ward, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, Dr. George Keifer, of Troy, and Dr. O. White, of Toledo, and upon the organization of the Board he was appointed Secretary, Gen. Ward becoming President; from 1870 to 1876 he was a Director, Secretary and Treasurer of the Dayton & Wilmington Turnpike Company, having been the unanimous choice for these positions. He is actively interested in politics, and is a leader in the Democratic party, and as the township in which he lives is Republican by about fifty majority, his incumbency of any public office in-
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S. Thompson
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dieates his fitness of mind and character for places of trust. He refused the appointment to the Na- tional Democratie Convention at Baltimore in 1872, although he has attended other National Conventions, having been present at those which nominated Buchanan, Douglas, Greeley and Han- cock. He has been identified with the Odd Fel- lows fraternity. His mind being thoroughly stored and his memory very retentive, he is an encyclopædia of faets and events, and the time spent in his society is by no means lost.
ILLIAM S. THOMPSON. This name is familiar to a large portion of the leading residents of Clark County, as he who bears it is the well-known owner of "West View Farm," and looked upon as one of its most useful and enterpring citizens. He has been successful in life, both as a farmer and business man, and makes his headquarters at an attractive homestead on see- tion 31, Moorefield Township, where for the past few years he has given much attention to the breed- ing of fine stock. He is a native of Clark County, and was born September 25, 1832. His parents, Christopher and Mary (Wintersgill) Thompson, were natives of Yorkshire, England, and of English ancestry as far baek as the recordsgo. They emi- grated to America in the summer of 1831, and eame directly to Clark County, this State, where they were subsequently married.
The father of our subject located first in Ger- man Township, where he lived one year, then re- moved to what is now the flourishing city of Springfield, but which was then only a village. He occupied himself in various pursuits for a few years, and finally purchased a stone quarry on Buek Creek, which he operated profitably, furnishing large quantities of stone for the building up of the city. He also liad lime kilns, and shipped burnt lime in every direction, although his principal market for this commodity was Cincinnati. In one year alone he put out one hundred and eighty thousand bushels. He ever maintained a warm interest in the growth and prosperity of the city,
and is looked upon as having contributed largely to the promotion of its best interests. He became well-to do and assisted in the organization of the Lagonda National Bank, of which lie was Presi- dent at the time of his death. He departed this life at his home in Springfield, in February, 1880. Politically, Christopher Thompson was originally a Whig, and upon the abandonment of the old party became an ardent Republican. A man liberal and publie-spirited, he was the encourager of every worthy enterprise, and his name is still held in kindly remembrance by those who knew him.
The father of our subject landed upon Amer- iean soil with a capital of four English sovereigns, and from that small beginning lie amassed a for- tune of $150,000. His honesty was unimpeachable and he filled many positions of trust and responsi- bility. In religious matters his views conformed to the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi, of which he was a faithful and consistent member for many years. He assisted in the organization of the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributed liberally both to the support of the society and in the erection of the church building. The poor always found in Christopher Thompson an unfailing friend, he looking upon those less fortunate than himself as having a claim upon him which he was always conscientious in fulfilling.
To the parents of our subjeet there was born a family of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: William S., our subject; Dorothea A., tlie wife of Richard Johnson, of Springfield; Richard R., a resident of Story County, Iowa; Mary, Mrs. J. A. Hayward, of Springfield, this State; Emma, the wife of the Rev. Lucian Clark, D.D., a minis- ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City, and assistant editor of the Christian Advocate; and Alice the wife of Lieut. F. S. Rice, of tlic United States Army. John P. died at the age of fourteen years.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood in his native county, and remembers the time when the city of Springfield was in its infaney. Until about 1881 he occupied himself as a stone contractor, and at lime burning, and like his father before him was very successful. He ac-,
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quired his education mostly in the schools of Springfield, conducted mainly under the auspiees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and under the instruction of Prof. Solomon Howard, D.D., who was Principal a number of years. Prof. Howard subsequently became President of the Ohio Uni- versity at Athens, and has gained a wide reputa- tion among the educators of the Buckeye State.
Mr. Thompson contracted matrimonial ties April 24, 1860, with Miss Matilda C. Layton. There have been born to them three children-Ralph P., Mary B., who employs herself as a musie teacher in San Diego, Cal .; and Earl W. Mr. Thompson pur- chased most of the land constituting his present farm in 1876, but did not locate upon it until 1881. He is now the owner of three hundred and fifty-six acres, the most of which is under a good state of cultivation. Besides Short-horn cattle, Mr. Thompson makes a specialty of Shetland ponies, which is proving a very profitable indus- try. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and be- longs to the Masonie fraternity at Springfield. In January, 1890, he was elected Vice-President of the Lagonda National Bank at Springfield, in which he has for some time been a stockholder. To the various enterprises calculated for the growth and prosperity of the city, he has always, like his father before him, been a liberal contributor, and he is one whose name will be held in kindly re- membranee long after he has departed hence.
A portrait of Mr. Thompson is shown on another page of this volume.
OHN KAY. A goodly proportion of the residents of Greene County are native-born citizens-the sons of those who came hither in the primitive days, and hewed out for themselves a home from the wilderness. Mr. Kay may be properly mentioned as among these, and was born in Spring Valley Township, January 19, 1852. Of this township his parents, Samuel and Millie (Peterson) Kay, were also natives, where they were reared and married October 28, 1847. There were born to them three children-Mary,
who died young; Martha, the wife of John De- Haven, of Taylor County, Iowa, and John, our subject.
Samuel A. Kay was a farmer by occupation, and departed this life in his prime, December 12, 1863. His wife died a year later, and thus at the early age of twelve years the subject of this notice was left an orphan. The parents were both members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father, politically, was a sound Republican. The paternal grandfather, John E. Kay, was born in New Jersey, whence he emigrated to Philadelphia, and when a young man came to Harveysburg, this State, with his grandfather Bates. In this vieinity he spent the remainder of his life. After coming to Ohio he was married to Miss Marinda Haynes, and there was born to them one child only, a son, Samuel A., the father of our subject.
After his marriage Samuel Kay settled in Spring Valley Township, locating, in 1854, on a farm just north of New Burlington. This comprises ninety- seven aeres of land, which he cultivated until his death, August 31, 1882, at the age of seventy- four years. The wife survived her husband less than a year, her death taking place May 19, 1883; she was seventy-two years old. Mr. Kay voted for Lincoln the first time he ran for President, but after the war allied himself with the Democratie party. Both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they re- mained consistent members until their death. The family is of English origin.
The subject of this notice acquired a common- school education, and after the death of his par- ents made his home with his Grandfather Kay. There fell to his portion ninety-six acres of land. lle was married September 29, 1875, to Miss Alice E. Rowe, who was born in Ross County, this State, October 3, 1851. Mrs. Kay is the daughter of William P. and Sarah (Baird) Rowe, the foriner of whom was born September 19, 1815, in Vermont. Ile came to this State, settling at Washington Court-House when a young man, and was subse- quently married. He first settled near Green- field, then removed to the vicinity of Wilmington, and in 1869 changed his residence to New Burling-
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ton. There his death took place October 28, 1889. The wife and mother had preceded her husband to the silent land, her death taking place in October. 1883. Five of the seven children born to them lived to mature years, viz .: James, who served in the Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry during the late war, and is now a resident of Hillsboro; Jennie, who beeame the wife of Witworth DeWolfe. of New Burlington, and died January 27, 1876 ; John, who died in the hospital at Baltimore during the late war; Adolphus, a resident of Xenia, and Alice E.
William Rowe was a carpenter by trade, and traeed his aneestry to England. Mr. and Mrs. Kay are the parents of one child only, Carrie C., who was born in September, 1876. Another mem- ber of their family is a young girl, Esther Morris, who has made her home with thein for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Kay arc members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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G EORGE W. HADDIX, proprietor of the Haddix Lime Kiln, is one of the oldest set- tlers of Mad River Township, Clark County, and in all respects a representative citizen. IIe came to this region during the early days and had a full experience of life on what was then the fron- tier. By the exercise of unflagging industry and perseverance, he accumulated a competence and is now independent, financially, solely through his own exertions. Besides the industry mentioned, he is the owner of one hundred and ninety-nine and one-half acres of choice land, occupying a portion of sections 23 and 29.
In noting the parental history of the subject of this sketch we find that he is the offspring of a substantial old family and the son of John Haddix, a native of Greenbrier County, in what is now West Virginia. The latter was born in 1791. The paternal grandfather, Nimrod Haddix, likewise a native of the Old Dominion, emigrated to the Ter- ritory of Ohio, in 1801, and located in Mad River Township. He, however, spent the most of his time with his son, John, on the farm which the
latter entered from the Government. He enlisted in the War of 1812, but was compelled to return home on account of illness. He met his death acci- dentally in 1816. While pitching a load of hay the horses started and he fell backward to the ground, breaking his neck, from which death en- sued at once.
The father and paternal grandfather of our sub- ject traveled mostly on foot from Virginia to Ohio, having two pack horses to carry their cooking utensils and goods. John Haddix took up a tract of Government land comprising a farm, now occu- pied by his son George. He constructed a rude log house and commenced life in true pioneer style, tilling the soil with rude implements and per- severing through every difficulty until at last he found himself on the high road to prosperity. He subsequently served in the War of 1812 and fought the Indians under Capt. Shingledecker. In the early days the nearest trading point and depot for supplies was the unimportant hamlet of Cincinnati. Mr. Haddix, in addition to farming, gave consid- erable attention to stock-raising. He was a skilled hunter, and when first coming to this section kept the family supplied with choice wild meats.
The father of our subject was successful in the accumulation of property and became the owner of four farms in Mad River Township, these ag- gregating in all four hundred and forty-four acres, besides eight hundred acres in Jasper County, Ind. As a result of a temperate life and correct habits, he was healthy and vigorous, with an iron constitution. His industry and energy scarcely forsook him until his death, in the spring of 1888, at the age of nine- ty-seven years. Until three months before this event he maintained his usual place with the fam- ily. He was a Whig until the abandonment of the old party and then identified himself with the Re- publicans.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Cox. She was born in New Jersey and was the daughter of Judge John Cox, further men- tion of whom is made in the sketch of Mrs. E. S. Wallace on another page in this volume. Grand- father Cox spent his last years in Osborn. Mrs. Sarah (Cox) Haddix departed this life at her home in this township in 1869. She performed all
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her duties in life faithfully as wife, mother and friend, and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The seven children of the par- ental family were named respectively: Malinda, now Mrs. McCullough, and residing with her sons in Texas; William, Jolin R., Nimrod, Sarah Mona and Maria, all deceased.
George Haddix, the subject of this notice, was next to the youngest of his parents' children, and was born at the homestead where he now resides, September 16, 1828. He obtained such education as the primitive schools afforded, and at an early age was taught to make himself useful around thic farın. Ile drove an ox-team, assisted in clearing the land and remained a member of the parental household until a young man of twenty-threc years. He then began doing for himself, renting a portion of his father's land, which he farmed on shares. He was taught by his father the art of hunting and brought down many a finc deer in his boyhood days, besides running foxes and treeing coons. He admits that he would rather hunt than eat any time.
Young Haddix, in 1854, leaving his native haunts, emigrated to Jasper County, Ind., and purchased two hundred acres of wild land. He operated upon it until 1861, making various im- provements and bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation. Then selling out, he returned to Clark County, and locating upon one of his father's farm, sojourned there for seven years. Then he removed to the old homestead, which fell to his share in the division of his father's estatc. Here likewise he has effected many improvements and has now three tencment houses, besides his own dwelling. The land is very fertile and Mr. Had- dix has constructed a levee along Mad River, which at times was inclined to overflow its banks. This river is a never-failing stream, watered by three springs, which have been never known to run dry. The farm is located within one quarter of a mile of Osborn, being thus convenient to market, and Mr. Haddix makes a specialty of grain and stock, the latter comprising mostly graded cattle and swinc. He utilizes four teams in the operations of the farm, and is now the father of four sturdy boys, who relieve him of much
care and labor, by looking after the farm. In 1882 Mr. Haddix contracted with the Dayton Gas Com- pany to furnish lime and has in operation a good kiln with a capacity of four hundred bushels.
One of the most interesting and important events in the life of our subject was his marriage, which was celebrated July 18, 1853, with Miss Harriet Casad, at the bride's home, in Fairfield. Mrs. Had- dix was born in Fairfield, and is the daughter of Reuben Casad and wife, who were natives of New Jersey and early settlers of Clark County. Mr. Casad was a blacksmith by trade, which he fol- lowed during his younger years, but later hc turned his attention to farming. The nine chil- dren born of this union are recorded as follows: Clara B. became the wife of Frederick Thayers, who is now deceased, and she resides in Omaha, Neb .; Martin lives at the homestead and works a part of the farm; Lillie married Joseph Naden, and lives in Columbus, Ohio; Charles, Emma, Frank and George remain on the home farm; Jennic died when fourteen years old, and John died at the age of one year.
Mr. Haddix, politically, like his honored father, is a sound Republican. He takes an active inter- est in local affairs and frequently officiates as a delegate to the various conventions. He cares very little for office, although serving as Road Supervisor two years. Religiously, he belongs to the Lutheran Church.
RANK C. RUNYAN, a worthy member of the dental profession of Springfield, has been a life-long resident of Clark County, which is the county of his birthi, this event tak- ing place in Pleasant Township, May 5, 1838. He comes of substantial stock, being the son of John Runyan who was born near Clarksburg. W. Va., July 4, 1812. His paternal grandfather, George Runyan, it is believed, was a native of the same State, where he was reared and married.
Grandfather Runyan remained a resident of Vir- ginia until 1814, thien removed with his family to Ohio, locating in what is now Pleasant Township,
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Clark County. The country was thinly settled and Indians were frequently to be seen prowling around. deer, bear, wild turkeys and other animals were plentiful. Grandfather Runyan bought a tract of land upon which he built a log house, commenced clearing the forests around him and in due time built up a comfortable home in the wilderness. No railroads were built for many years afterward and the farm products of the pioneers were drawn to Cincinnati overland with teams.
Upon the farm which he thus opened up, Grand- father Runyan spent the remainder of his life. He was married in early manhood to Miss Susanalı Lynch, a native of his own State and who also died at the old farm. Both the grandparents were de- vout Christians and religious meetings were often held at their house. In politics, Grandfather Run- yan was a stanch Whig. He was a man respected in his community, honest and upright in his deal- ings and made for himself a record of which his descendants may be justly proud.
John Runyan, the father of our subject spent bis early years amid the quiet pursuits of farm life in the new country and when reaching man's estate was married April 13, 1837, to Miss America M. Skillman. They located on a part of the father's farm to which he added by subsequent purchase and resided there until his death, November 4, 1886. Mrs. Runyan is still living at the old home- stead. Her father, David Skillman was born in New Jersey where he attended the public schools and later bceame a student at Princeton College. When leaving the college he learned the trade of a tailor, and was a pioneer at this business at Springfield, being in fact one of the first men pur- suing this calling in the town. He finally re- moved to Indiana, locating in Connorsville where he resided a few years, then returned to Spring- field and about 1835 purchased a farm in Pleasant Township. He operated this a few years, then removed to Catawba where he spent the remainder of his life.
The paternal grandmother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah C. Cary. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a daughter of Abraham Cary, an uncle of Alice and Phoebe Cary, who will be remembered as literary women of more than or-
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dinary talent and who died a few years since. Abraham Cary was a pioncer of Hamilton County, this State, and its first Sheriff. He owned a farm at Walnut Hill. In 1804, he removed to what is now Clark County, and purchased a large tract of land, a part of which is now included in the city limits and the balance is the well-known Perren farm. He there spent his last days. Grandmother Cary died a short time later. Mrs. Skillman was quite young upon coming to Clark County, and after the deaths of her parents lived with an older sister, Mrs. Shipman, until her marriage at the age of fifteen years. She spent her last years with her children.
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