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 104
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 104
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opened on his farm as early as 1812, and from which he has sold a large quantity of fine building stone. Ile has erected four frame houses and a brick house on his land, in one of which he dwells. He has his farm rented and his quarry leased, as before mentioned, and simply looks after his in- vestments.
Mr. Hughes was married January 20, 1870, to Miss Katc Howard, in whom he finds a true wife, and to them have come four children, namely: Ada, Mabel, Howard and Irene. Mrs. Hughes is a native of King's County, Ireland, born January 7, 1843. Her father, Thomas Howard, was from Queen's County, but died in King's County, his death occurring in 1849. The maiden name of his wife was Julia Quinlan. She was of Irish birth and died in King's County in 1848. About a year after her father's death Mrs. Hughes came to this country with a neighboring family, and re- sided in Toronto until 1858, when she came to Springfield, and has lived here ever since.
Nearly a life-long resident of Clark County, Mr. Hughes is well known, and in his career as a prac- tical agriculturist, as a thrifty business man, and as a citizen who has thus materially benefited the home of his adoption, he stands well in the estima- tion of his fellow-citizens.
OHN P. MARTIN. Passers-by seldom fail to notice the pleasant liome of this gentle- man, which is a commodious and conveni- ent farm structure located in the west part of Xenia. The exterior arrangements display the taste of the proprietor, while within the neat and cosy rooms prove that the wife is alive to the in- terests of her department. M.r. Martin stands high both in social and political circles, and is a leader in both, rather than a follower. Success has met him almost uniformly in his undertakings, and he is awake not only to his own interests, but to what- ever tends to elevate and improve his cominmun- ity.
In politics, Mr. Martin is a strong and uncom-
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promising Democrat, and in religion, is a devoted member of the Catholic Church, the faith of his progenitors. He has served in many positions of trust, and has faithfully discharged all dutics ac- companying the same. In 1883 he was nominated on the Board of Public Works, and was elected in October, the same year. After serving out that term, he declined re-election.
John and Bridget (Toohey) Martin, the parents of our subject, were natives of the Emerald Isle, where they were born in County Galway. In 1849, they resolved to seek a home in the United States, coming to Ohio via New Orleans and Mississippi River. The father was a laborer and dicd August 17, 1866, in Ohio. The mother still lives in Xenia, making her home with her daughter. They had a family of seven children, of whom our subject was the fifth in the order of birth. He was born at Loveland, Clermont County, Ohio, May 5, 1852, and was there reared, receiving the larger part of his education in the public schools of that town. Later he became a student in the parochial school of Dayton, Ohio.
At an early period of his life our subject started out for himself, and his first engagement was as a newsboy on the old Marietta and Cincinnati Rail : road, which is now a branch of the Baltimore & Ohio system. When fourteen years old he ap- prenticed himself to Brooks, Light & Co., Plumb. ers, Steam and Gas Fitters. After serving a three years apprenticeship, he went to Indianapolis, where at the early age of seventeen years, he took charge of a plumbing and gas fitting establishment. At the urgent solicitation of his former employers he returned to their employ, and was soon sent to the County Infirmary (Greene County ) to do a job of work. With the consent of his employers he remained there for two and one-half years super- intending the steam and gas fitting of that estab- lishment.
In 1873, Mr. Martin embarked in the same line of business in Xenia, and was thus engaged for six years. Upon retiring from this occupation he devoted his attention to the manufacture of some inventions in hydraulics which he had devised and constructed in Cincinnati. He was interested principally in the Red Jacket Force Pump, a line
of ten or twelve patterns. After successfully op- erating the same for about thirty months, he sold out and went to Mexico as a prospector, to exam- ine a gold mine in Durango. After a few months residence there he returned to the Buckeye State, where he has since made his home.
May 5, 1873, was the date of Mr. Martin's mar- riage, his bride being Miss Kate Brodie, a daugh- ter of Michael and Kate Brodic, natives of County Clare, Ireland. Thence they cmigrated to the United States and settled in Massachusetts, where their daughter, Mrs. Martin, was born. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were the parents of five children, four of whom are living and one deceased. The children are named respectively : John, William, Margaret and Nellie. They arc intelligent and bright and are receiving thorough educations, which will prepare them for whatever positions in life await them.
OHN W. McLEAN. There are few men more widely or favorably known through- out the county than Mr. McLean who, for many ycars has occupied himself as a builder and contractor and who has thus formed a wide ac- quaintance in this section of the State, making many warm personal friends while in the transac- tion of his legitimate business. Hc is a native of this State, having been born in Warren County, March 23, 1836, and thence was brought by his parents to Greene County in 1845. His father that year had taken a contract on the first road in the county running through Yellow Springs, where the family sojourned until 1849. That year they re- moved to Cedarville and young McLean, now a man grown, pursued the same business as that in which his father was engaged, being concerned in the opening of the road through Cedarville.
Mr. McLean pursucd his early studies in a little old frame church at Yellow Springs which is still standing, and now a part of the hotel of that place. When approaching manhood he began learning the and carpenter's trade, but the outbreak of the Civil War broke in upon his plans,as it did upon those of thousands of others, and he laid aside his personal
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interests to proffer his services toward the preser- vation of the Union. A few weeks after the attack upon Ft. Sumter he enlisted in Company D), Forty- fourth Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and fought at the battles of Lewisburg, Va., Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, Dut- ton's Hill, (Ky.) and others. He had left at home his young wife and child and he served until af. ter the close of the war, receiving his final dis- charge in September, 1865. In the meantime he had enjoyed a two months' furlough and had vet- eranized after the expiration of the first term of his enlistment.
Upon leaving the army Mr. McLean returned to Cedarville and shortly afterward made a trip west, visiting Illinois and Iowa, but finally came back to Ohio and worked as a carpenter until 1867. He then purchased the business of a firm of contractors and builders which he has since conducted with re- markable success. Nearly all the finc buildings in this section have been put up under his supervision including the town building and opera house at Cedarville, the large school-house, the Methodist Church and the residences of D. S. Erwin, S. K. Mitchell, George W. Harpen and Thomas Craw- ford, besides many others equally as fine. He also put up among many others, the residence occu- pied by the mother of Whitelaw Reid, the fam- ous editor of the New York Tribune, whose na- tive place and whose real home is near Cedar- ville.
Politically, Mr. McLean since his voting days commenced, has been a straight Republican and he has held many of the local offices. IIc served as Postmaster of Cedarville when the office was located in the town building. Ile is a member in good standing of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic and of the Encampment and Subordinate Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He finds his religious home in the Methodist Church. When twenty-three years old he was joined in wed- lock with Miss Margaret Jane, daughter of Jacob Ford, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Cedarville, in 1859. This union resulted in the birth of eleven children, three of whom-John, Olive and Clara, died in infancy ; Schnyler Colfax at the age of fifteen years was thrown from a horse
receiving fatal injuries; Lucy died when an inter- esting maiden of sixteen years of typhoid fever. The survivors are Jennetta, the widow of J. J. Bar- ber, and the mother of three children; Rollin P., a lad of sixteen years; Esty, fourteen years old; Lavina, a little miss of twelve years and Asa W., the baby. The parents of our subject were Frank- lin and Amy Ann (Durfey) McLean, natives re- spectively of Ohio and Rhode Island. The Mc- Lean family originated in Scotland and was first represented in the United States probably during the Colonial days. .
LBERT O. FEIRSTINE. Among the
younger members of the farming commun- ity of Mad River Township, Clark County, Mr. Feirstine occupies no unimportant po-
sition. He owns and operates one hundred and twenty-five acres of choice land on section 28, where he has good buildings and is supplied with the modern machinery required by the enterprising and progressive agriculturist. He is an Ohio man by birth, first opening his eyes to the light in Mad River Township, Montgomery County, Sep- tember 7, 1853. He there spent his boyhood days and removed with his father to Mad River Town- ship, Clarke County, in 1863, where he pursued his studies in the district schools. He remained at home, working for his father until 1874, then in partner- ship with his brother, began operating the home farm where the latter now resides. They continued in partnership until the spring of 1883, when Albert O. located on his present farm which was pur- chased by his father some years previously. In addition to general agriculture he raises grain and stock to a large extent, keeping good grades of cattle and swinc. He uses two teams in the farm operations and his surroundings indicate that he has a good understanding of his business.
When ready to establish a fireside of his own, our subject was married at the bride's home in Yellow Springs, January 10, 1882, to Miss Delia, daughter of Dennis and Mary (Mitchell) De Wine. Mr. De Wine was born in County Galway, Ireland,
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where he was reared and married. . Soon after- ward he emigrated to America and coming to this county. located at Yellow Springs and has now a valuable little farm within the corporation. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Mitchell, and she is a native of the same county in Ireland as her husband. They belong to the Catholic Church and arc the parents of three children. The eldest son, Thomas, is farming near Fairfield, this county; Delia, Mrs. Feirstinc, was the second born; Dennis Jr., is farming near Yellow Springs.
Mrs. Feirstine was born at the homestead in Yellow Springs, January 16, 1860, and was reared under the parental roof attending in childhood the district school. Later she attended the Union school where she made good use of her time and completed her studies in Antioch College. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, viz: Anna, George, Charles and Wil- liam. They are all at home with their parents. Mrs. Feirstine belongs to the Catholic Church at Yellow Springs. Our subject cast his first Presi- dential vote for Samuel J. Tilden and remains a stanchi adherent of the Democratic party. He has a pleasant home, a nice family, and the outlook for the future scems unusually fair.
R OBERT T. SNELL is an old settler of Xenia and one of its highly-respected eiti- zens, well known as the proprietor of Snell's Hotel. He came here in 1845 and engaged at his trade as a plasterer, but in 1851 embarked as an hotel keeper at the stand he now occupies. He carried on this enterprise until 1885, when he took his son Edward in with him, the style of the business now being R. T. Snell & Son.
The place of nativity of Robert Snell is Phila- delphia, Pa., where his birth oeeurred October 20, 1812. When sixteen years old he went to New Jersey, where he remained until 1836, when he changed his residence to Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. There our subject learned the trade of a plasterer and first began work for himself, re-
moving from that place to Xenia at the time be- fore noted.
The first wife of Mr. Snell was Miss Hannah Cafferty, who died leaving two children, Tamsen and James, bothi now deccased. Subsequently the widower married Miss Jane Sherrit, who was born in Bath County, Va., April 15, 1823, and is the daughter of John and Anna G. (Berry) Sherrit, na- tives of Virginia. The maternal grandfather was a member of the Virginia Legislature and Senate for thirty years. She bore four children, namely : Benjamin, an engineer on the Pennsylvania Rail- road; Robert, now deceased; Priscilla, now the wife of Benjamin Knecht, of Dayton; and Edward, in Xenia. Mr. Snell is a member of the Republican party, with no political aspirations of a personal nature. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and the Episcopal Church.
Edward Snell, now interested with his father in the hotel business, and also connected with the Adams Express Company at the depot, was born in the same house in which he now lives, May 14, 1861. After having pursued a course of study in the common schools of the city until he had en- tered the High School department, he entered the employ of N. & G. Ohmer, who were carrying on a restaurant at the depot, remaining with them until he took charge of the railroad restaurant at Mor- rowtown, which he ran for two years. He then re- turned to his native place and became interested in the Snell House, and for the last three years has been night clerk for the Adams Express Com- pany.
Although a young man, Edward Snell has been Assessor for his Ward (the 5th), and also served in the Council during 1889. He casts his vote with the Democratie party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, and the Ancient Order of United Workinen. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, and possesses the manly and upright char- aeter which wins for him the respeet of all who know him.
While in business at Morrow, Mr. Snell met, wooed and married Miss Carrie Abell, of Zanes- ville, Ohio, the wedding ceremony taking place in 1883. The charming and intelligent bride is a
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daughter of Marcus F. Abell, and lived in her na- tive city until the time of her marriage. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of three daughters-Lillian, Florence and Ethel.
Benjamin Snell, father of the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, was born in England, and when thirteen years old went to sea, following a sailor's life until seventy three years old. He married Miss Ann Guy, of Philadelphia, where he made his home after retiring from a sea- faring life. While pursuing his calling he once took sixteen Swedish noblemen off a wreck and carried them safely to Philadelphia; for this ex- ploit the King of Sweden bestowed upon him a gold medal, which lic left to his granddaughter, Mrs. Knecht. of Dayton, Ohio.
AVID S. SMITH. One of the most valuable farms in Silver Creek Township, Greene County, and one of the most attractive in appearance, is that owned and occupied by David S. Smith. It comprises one hundred and fifty-two acres of very fine land bordering on the Bowersville Pike, is well-stocked and furnished with improve- ments above the average. The residence is of brick of a pleasing architectural design, and evidences the prosperity and good taste of the owner. Sub- stantial barns and other outbuildings are conven- iently disposed upon the land, while fences and trees divide and adorn the fields, and add to their value.
Going back two generations in the ancestral line we find Jacob Smith, a Virginian by birth, and a farmer by occupation. He married a Virginia lady, Miss Betsey Kimball, who was of German lineage. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Ilardin County, where several children were born to them, among the number being a son Daniel. Ile was but a few months old when, in 1814, the family left their old Virginia home, and crossing the country with teams, landed in Greene County, Ohio. In the forests of New Jasper Township, they made a good farm which was their home from that time until they were called hence. They
worked hard to obtain a start in life in the new country to which they had come, manifesting great activity and thrift in their worldly affairs. Jacob Smith lived to be more than seventy years of age, and his widow passed the age of four-score years.
Daniel Smith grew to manhood amid pioneer sur_ roundings, beginning life for himself as a farmer boy and following his father's footsteps as a hard-work- ing man. After his marriage to Miss Lucinda Spahr, he began his wedded life with but a small amount of this world's goods, in New Jasper Town- ship, but lived to secure a fine home with more than four hundred acres of landed estate. He died at his home in 1884, being then seventy years of age. Politically, he was a Republican, and religiously, of the Methodist Episcopal faith. His widow is yet living on the old homestead, and although she has reached the allotted age of man, she is yet smart and active. She is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and numbered among the good old ladies of the township.
The birth of Mrs. Daniel Smith took place in New Jasper Township, in a settlement which was new, and like her husband she was reared amid pio- neer scenes. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Spahr had come hither from Virginia in an early day, and were well known among the early settlers of the township as people of excellent character, good habits, and those who became prosperous through industry.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, is the fourthi in a family of nine chil- dren born to Daniel and Lucinda (Spahr) Smith, his natal day having been June 14, 1844. The seven sons and two daughters are yet living, all with homes of their own and families; a remark- able incident-a mother reaching the age of scv- enty-one years without a deatlı among her progeny. The early life of our subject was spent at his birth - place in New Jasper Township, where he learned the details of agricultural life, and obtained a good common-school education. He remained under the parental roof until after he had become of age, and in the same township until 1878, when he took pos- session of the fine farm which he now occupies, and which he has considerably improved since that date. The fact of his ownership of so fine an estate, is a
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proof of his ability in agricultural affairs, while its appearance indicates his possession of progressive ideas and good taste.
The home of our subject is presided over by a woman of intelligence, housewifely skill, and fine character, with whom he was united in marriage in Silver Creek Township, this county, November 29, 1871. Her maiden name was Sarah E. Sutton, her birthplace New Jasper, and her natal day December 2, 1850. She is a daughter of William G. and Martha E. (Hagler) Sutton, natives of New Jasper Township, whose parents were early settlers in the connty. After spending some years of their mar- ried life in that township, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton cama to Silver Creek Township in 1854, purchasing a farm of more than two hundred acres, which they made their home until 1882. At that time they re- tired to Jamestown, where they are yet living, re- tired from an active participation in their former dnties, and devoting their time to social and relig- ious matters. Both are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family in - cluded eight sons and daughters, one of whom is now deceased, Mrs. Smith being the eldest.
The family of our subject and his estimable wife includes five living children, and two deceased: Frank Adelbert died at the age of ten years and six months, and William Daniel when seven months old. The survivors are Stella, Viola, Cyrus B., Nora, and Eva, whose presence around the family fireside gladdens the parental hearts. Mr. Smith gives his allegiance to the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In addition to the fine estate on which they live, they own another improved farm near Jamestown, which is seventy acres in extent.
E NOCH G. ARBOGAST, a native-born citi- zen of Clark County, now residing in Springfield, has for many years been closely connected with its industrial interests, and is at present doing a prosperous business as a black- smith, having opened a wagon and blacksmith shop in this city in 1876. He is well known as a man
of honorable reputation, and during his long resi- denee here he has won the high esteem and confi- dence of all. IIe was born in Moorefield Town- ship, December 23, 1825, the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Arbogast. For parental history see sketch of Eli Arbogast on another page of this volume. ITis early education was acquired in the pioneer schools of this region, which were eon- (lucted on the subscription plan in a rude log house, provided with rough, home-made furniture, slabs with wooden pins for legs serving for seats. In the winter season the boys used these benches for sleds, when there was snow on the ground sliding down hill on them, thus utilizing them for two purposes, There were no desks in the school- house, but holes were bored in the logs, into which wooden pegs were inserted, and the board laid on the top of these was used by the larger scholars to write on.
Our subject assisted his father in the farm work until he was seventeen years old, when he com- menced to learn the trade of a wheelwright, at which he served about two years, and then was employed as a journeyman in that capacity a few years. After that he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, buying the timber standing and manufactur- ing it into lumber. He built up quite an extensive and paying business in that line, which he carried on successfully until 1873. In 1876, as before mentioned, he turned his attention to his present business. He has considerable mechanical skill and ingenuity, re-enforced by a thorough knowl- edge of his calling in all its details, so that he has attracted a great deal of custom and controls quite a large trade.
Mr. Arbogast was united in marriage to Miss Lavina J. Harmon, in 1851. She is also a native of Ohio, born in Bellbrook, Greene County, and a daughter of Henry and Mary Harmon. Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast have eight children living-J. Os- car, Schuyler C., Emma J., William E., Nettie C., Charles H., Walter H. and Mary C. Annie, the fourth child, died at the age of twenty-two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast are valued members of this community, where so many years of their lives have been passed. They are quietly and un- ostentatiously liberal, never withholding their
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James on
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hands in cases of need, and showing in their every- day lives that their religion is not a mere form, . but is deeply seated within their hearts. They are faithful and zealous members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views, Mr. Arbogast is a staneh Republican.
OHN JAMESON. A pleasantly located and valuable farm of one hundred and forty- seven acres in Cedarville Township, Greene County, is the home of the above-named gentleman, who is one of the oldest native eitizens of the county. He has placed his land under a high state of cultivation and has bimself built upon it an adequate number of barns and other farm buildings, all of which are well eonstrueted and sufficiently commodious for their purposes. The dwelling is an attractive frame house of pleas- ing architectural design and excellent workman- ship, so situated as to overlook a wide expanse of surrounding country, with Cedarville lying two miles away. It was ereeted in 1873, and it is a monument to the mechanical skill of the owner and builder.
George Jameson and his wife, Rebecea (Rankin) Jameson came with their family to this county early in the nineteenth century, their former home having been in Washington County, Pa. Among the mem- bers of this family was a son, John, who was a young man at the time of their removal, and who after- ward married Miss Elizabeth McCoy and located on a farm known as the old Turnbull farm on the Xenia Pike. Miss McCoy was a daughter of Alex- ander MeCoy, who when a young man had crossed the ocean from Ireland, locating in Pennsylvania, whenee hic had removed to Kentucky and in 1800 came to this county. The parents of our subject belonged to that branch of the Presbyterian Church popularly known as Seeeders, and are buried in the cemetery of that ehuren on Massie's Creek, both having died near Cedarville, where they lived for years. The father died when our subject was about
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