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 105
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 105
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six years old, he being the third child of the six who were left to the widow's care.
The natal day of the subject of this sketeh was August 8, 1815, and while still a small boy he was put to work at such labors as his strength would admit of, the little schooling that he had, being obtained in an old log cabin. The family were elothed by the product of his mother's hands, their winter garments being made from wool taken from the baeks of their own sheep and spun and woven by her. They raised flax from which their summer garments were made, the entire work being aecom- plished by the family from the sowing of the seed until the garment was completed. The plants were pulled from the ground and thrown out loosely to dry, after which they were broken over a machine which was merely a board driven into the ground, leaving the edge about eight inches wide; on this edge a handful of the dried plants would be held and beaten on the other side of the board with a scutching knife-a dull wooden blade-which would break the outer coating of the plant and free the lint, making it ready for the further processes of spinning, weaving, etc. Indians were quite numer- ous in the neighborhood and our subject has heard his mother tell many stories of their habits, of the willow baskets which they made, and the manner in which the pappooses were carried in them.
When the gentleman of whom we write grew to manhood he was employed as a earpenter, having learned that trade and carried it on for some years, before devoting himself to a farm life. On April 5, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Ha- dassah Townsley. Her parents were Inis and Saralı (McCoy) Townsley, her mother being a daughter of Capt. James MeCoy, of Cedarville, who belonged to the same family as did our subject's mother. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Jameson was John Townsley, one of the first pioneers in this county. Indians used to camp on Inis Townsley's land and when they came to the house the squaw would set the baby, which was fastened to a board, up against a tree.
Mr. and Mrs. Jameson belong to the United Presbyterian Church of Cedarville. In politics Mr. Jameson is a Republican, the principles of that party having been the belief of his family in former
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generations. His first Presidential ballot was given to Gen. W. II. Harrison, and the first vote of his oldest son went to Gen. Benjamin Harrison, our present President.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jameson eight children have been born, one dying in infancy. Elizabeth is the wife of Addison Nash, of Monmouth, Ill., and is a lady of culture and more than ordinary worth of character. Addie is the wife of David McCullough, a carpenter, and who formerly resided at Cedar- ville but now lives in Denison, Tex .; they have two children, Katie and Andrew. Etta is the wife of William McMillen, who is engaged in the gro- cery business in Cedarville. Ella, a young lady, is yet at home. Anna Belle married G. U. Lloyd, who is now the operator on the Mackinaw Railroad at Farmersville, Ohio. John Rankin, a young man, is now farming near Monmouth, Ill. Inis Earl, a lad at home, is yet attending school and is being qualified for future usefulness in whatever position awaits him.
The many friends of Mr. Jameson, by whom he is held in high esteem, will be pleased to notice in connection with his biographical sketch, his litho- graphic portrait. The family moves in the best circles of society, and are universally respected for worthy traits of character and refinement.
EVI M. JONES, M. D. Althoughi but fourteen years a resident of Jamestown, Greene County, Dr. Jones is regarded by the people of that vicinity as a member of the commu- nity almost indispensable, and who by a strict at- tention to the duties of his profession, has fully established himself in their confidence and csteem. IIe established his office at Jamestown in the sum- mer of 1876, coming to this place from Mechan- icsburg, where he commenced his practice imme- diately after being graduated from the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, in the spring of 1871.
Dr. Jones commenced reading medicine under the well-known Dr. J. H. Clark, of Mechanicsburg, one of the favorite practioners of Champaign
County. Our subject was born in Union Town- ship, that county, September 20, 1844, and lived there with his parents on a farm until a young . man of twenty-two years. He acquired his early education in the district school, and in 1866, liav- ing decided upon the profession of medicine, en- tered Miami University, at Delaware, Ohio, in which he spent the junior year, after which he en- tered upon the study of his chosen profession. He lias for some time been one of the pension ex- aminers of Greene County, and is a member of its Medical Association. He is regarded as a public- spirited and liberal-minded citizen, and has always maintained a warm interest in the enterprises cal- culated for the upbuilding of the town. He has been for some years a member of the School Board and has filled other positions of trust and respon- sibility.
The Doctor was married January 8, 1873, in Mechanicsburg, to Miss Mary S. Williams, a na- tive of that town, who was born in 1845. Mrs. Jones was carefully reared and educated, com- pleting her studies in the Female College at Springfield. She is a very intelligent and estima- ble lady, and the mother of one child, a son, Clement L., who was born April 29, 1876.
Politically Dr. Jones affiliates with the Republi- can party. He and his wife are members, in good standing, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and move in the best social circles of Jamestown. The Doetor comes of a good family, being the son of Jolin Jones, who was born in Champaign County, and was the second white child born in the vicin- ity of Buck Creck, that county, this event occur- ring November 16, 1804. The paternal grand- father was Abraham Jones, a native of Virginia and of Welsh extraction. Hle was reared to man- hood in the Old Dominion, and was there married to a lady who sprang from the F. F. V's. Imme- diately after the wedding they emigrated to Ohio, and Grandfather Jones secured land from the Gov- ernment, comprising a part of what was then known as the Military Tract, and which is now in- cluded in Union Township, Champaign County. There he and his wife built up a home from the wilderness, became well-to-do and there spent their last days. They lived to be very aged, and Grand-
-
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father .Jones passed away in 1816. It is believed that both were connected with the Primitive Meth- odist Church. There were born to them only two children: John, the father of our subject: and Hannah. The latter, like her brother, lived to a ripe old age.
The father of our subject was only twelve years old at the time of his father's death, and he re- inained with his mother, assisting her in the man- agement of the farm until his marriage. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Lafferty. She was born in Union Township, Champaign County, in 1808, of parents who were natives of Virginia, and who emigrated to Ohio early in the present
century. After their marriage, John Jones and his wife settled down on the old homestead, which was taken up by Abraham Jones from the Govern- ment, and there, like Grandfather Jones and his wife they spent the remainder of their lives. John Jones departed this life July 17, 1876. Ilis wife, Mary, survived him ten years, passing away in 1886. Both were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. There had been born to them a family of seven children, six sons and one daugh- ter, all of whom are living, married and have fam- ilies of their own.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were William and Anna (Cleggett) Williams, natives of Maryland, who were reared and married in that State. Thence they emigrated to Ohio, settling in the embryo town of Mechanicsburg, where Grand- father Williams engaged in general merchandising until his death, which occurred in February, 1887, when he was quite aged. His wife had preceded him many years to the silent land, dying in mid- dle life; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Jones, politically, votes the straight Repub- lican tieket. In 1864, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Uuion service, from Urbana, Ohio, under the last call for troops, be- coming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, under command of Capt. James Robinson and Col. Armstrong. They operated mostly in Virginia in the vicinity of Appomattox, but saw very little active service, simply skirmishing and holding themselves in
readiness to go wherever called. The Doctor was in the army one year, at the close of which he re- ceived his honorable discharge, and returned home without a scratch.
R ICHARD J. NELSON, Principal of the Nel- son Business College at Springfield, has met with marked suceess as an instructor and en- joys a standing and reputation second to none in this State. His school is one of the most worthy enterprises in this section of the country and is well patronized by the younger portion of the community who may desire to fit themselves for an active, intelligent, business life.
The subject of this notice was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, October 29, 1858, and is the son of Richard and Ellen (Higginson) Nelson, who were both na- tives of Ireland, the father born July 9, 1822, at Castle Ward, County Down, and the mother near the city of Belfast. This branch of the family is related to that of Lord Nelson, who was so promi- nent in the naval history of England. One of the Wards attained distinction on the sea and the title of Lord Viscount Bangor. He possessed large landed estates and was one of a family of high re- pute. The Nelsons, Wards and Moores were con- nected by marriage and included many personages of note.
The father of our subject was a man of liberal education, possessing superior intelligence and busi- ness tact. At an early age he exhibited that self- reliance and independence of character which proved his mainstay in after life. When a lad of eight years he attended the village school at Castle Ward, two miles distant from his home. When eleven years old he began the study of navigation with an elder brother whose acquirements in this important and useful profession became quite nota- b.e. At twelve he sailed on a vessel with his father, and when fifteen years old engaged as a cabin boy with his brother, Horatio, whose first vessel, "The Britannia," bore the same name as that on which Lord Nelson sailed.
When a youth of seventeen years the father of
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our subject began an apprenticeship at sail-making, at which he served seven years and became master of the business. At the expiration of this time, however, his plans and inclinations underwent a thorough change and he resolved to study for the ministry. For this purpose he placed himself under the instruction of the Rev. Dr. Campbell, of Trin- ity Church, but after two years abandoned this pro- jeet also and commenced teaching school. This profession lie followed successfully up to 1849. He now resolved upon emigrating to America and landed at Philadelphia, Pa., in August of that same year.
While engaged as a teacher the elder Nelson made the acquaintance of a Miss Higginson, a very estimable young lady, also a teacher and a graduate of the Columbia Institute. They were married in due time and the young wife proved of great as- sistance and encouragement to her husband in his subsequent career as an educator, of which he made a specialty. A year after his arrival in America, Mr. Nelson was appointed Principal of the public schools of Wheeling, W. Va., which position he held until 1853. Then going to Cincinnati he en- gaged as a book-keeper for J. C. Smith. In 1856 he opened the Nelson Business College in that city and inaugurated the actual business method of which he was the author.
This was a new and valuable step in instruction, the old method having been simply theoretical, or a copy from older works. The Nelson system lias proved of great valne and has been extensively adopted by schools throughout the country. Richard Nelson and his estimable wife became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. The parents make their home in Cincinnati.
The subject of this notice attended the public schools of Cincinnati and was also a student of Chickering Institute in that city. It may be said with truth that he was a born teacher, although his general intelligance, good judgment and correct habits would probably have won him success in any ealling le miglit have chosen. Not only is he a first- class tutor, but personaliy and in the social circle, is agreeable and courteous in demeanor and bearing, making friends wherever he goes. He came to Springfield a stranger without influential friends
and through his own perseverance and industry, together with his high character as a man, has built up a useful, honorable and profitable business. He is peculiarly well fitted as the companion and in- structor of the young, obtaining a strong hold on the affection of his pupils. He has hosts of friends who bespeak for him all the success for the future which he so richly deserves.
In religion, Mr. Nelsou is a Methodist and in pol- ities a sound Republican. Socially, he belongs to the Society of the Elks, with which he became identified in 1886. He was married June 1, 1881, to Miss Carrie M. Mitchell. Of this union there have been born two children, sons, Charles II., Au- gust 28, 1882; Richard C., October 29, 1889. Mrs. Nelson was born in January 1859, in Marion, Ohio, and is the daughter of James L. and Louise Mitchell.
OHN BECKER. In the spring of 1848 there started out from Lancaster County, Pa., a courageous emigrant accompanied by his wife and seven children, for the purpose of seeking a home in the farther West. Their outfit consisted of two teams, a covered wagon, and a covered carriage. The journey began May 16, and the travelers arrived at their destination in Clark County on the 3rd of June following. The coun- try was thinly settled, and they stopped wherever night overtook them, camping and cooking by the wayside. They spent the following summer on the Humphrey farm, and in November of that year Mr. Becker purchased from the Government the land now owned and occupied by his widow. At that time the country was very thinly settled, and the wagon track which was dignified by the name of a road, was at times almost impassable, the mud be- ing very deep.
Mr. Becker, however, possessed all the elements of a hardy pioneer, and set about the improvement of his property, with his characteristic energy and perseverance. He was, however, cut down in the midst of his plans, dying six years later, September 13, 1854, and leaving his family to struggle on as
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*
best they could without his counsel and assistance. Although his residence in the county was eompara- tively a brief one, he beeame widely known for his honesty and uprightness, and the qualities by which he was recognized as an honest man and a good citi- zen. During the years which have passed sinee then, Mrs. Becker has maintained her residenee on the farm, which, under her careful management, and the assistance of her children, has been the means of a competenee. Fifty acres of the land is under good cultivation, while the buildings and other appurtenanees are creditable as evincing in- dustry and good management. Although now quite aged, Mrs. Becker still attends to her houschold duties assisted by her daughter, Lydia, who re- mains with her. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a lady highly respected by a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances.
Mrs. Elizabeth Beeker was born September 14, 1814, in Dauphin County, Pa., and is a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Greiner) Zimmerman, who were likewisc natives of the Keystone State, and who spent their last years in Pennsylvania. She was reared in her native county, receiving an ordi- nary education in its country schools. When a young woman of twenty-one years, she was joined in wedlock with John Becker, the wedding taking place at her home in Pennsylvania, October 21, 1835. Mr. Becker was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May, 19, 1805, and was the son of Henry Becker, a farmer by occupation, and who lived and died in Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Beeker commenced their wedded life together in their native State, remaining therc until after the birth of seven children. After their removal to this State, three more children were added to the household eircle. Of this large fam- ily eight are living: Solomon is a resident of Cow- ley County, Kan .; John is farming in German Township, Clark County, this State; Susan is the wife of John Beard, and with her brother Amos, the next younger, is also a resident of Cowley County, Kan .; Lydia has already been mentioned as the main stay of her mother; Joseph is a resi- dent of Springfield Township, this State; William lives near his brothers in Cowley County, Kan .; Emma is the wife of Lewis Miller, of Tremont City,
Ohio; Louisa and Mary died at the ages of twenty- one and three. Louisa was married to William Irwin, of Clark County, and died about three years her marriage, leaving one child named Allace.
OSEPH D. ST. JOHN. This young gentle- man is the owner and oceupant of a pleasant estate four miles south of Xenia, which was purchased by him in 1886. It adjoins his father's former home, and though not so large as many in the township, containing but sixty-two acres, furnishes a comfortable maintenance, and forms an attractive place of abode. Mr. St. John is a dealer in horses, and is becoming well known to the lovers of cquines in this locality. He was born in the eastern part of Caesar's Creek Town- ship, March 19, 1856, was reared on a farm, and received an excellent education in the common schools of the town.
On March 20, 1876, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. St. John and Miss Luvinia Ruth Anderson, a young woman whose intelligent mind and estimable character had won his regard, as they had the respect of many more. She is a daughter of John and Charity (Stanfield) Ander- son, of Spring Valley Township. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Dellorise C. Both Mr. St. John and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he enjoys the es- teem of his fellow-men, by whom he is considered honorable, energetic and capable.
Going back to the third generation prior to our subject, we find Joseph St. John, of New York, who was one of the first settlers in Warren County, Ohio. One of the members of his family was Dan- iel Wood St. John, who was born near Lebanon, where he married Elizabeth Bone. Immediately after their marriage, they came to this county, set- tling on one hundred and fifty aeres of land in Cæsar's Creek Township. During the war they removed to a location south of the Orphans Home near Xenia, where Mr. St. John operated two hun- dred acres of land. There he breathed his last in 1873, his widow dying two years later. His fam-
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ily eonsisted of nine sons and two daughters: Jo- seph M., the father of our subjeet having been born in Cæsar's Creek Township, in December, 1829.
Joseph St. John adopted farming as his life-work, about 1870 locating on one hundred and fifty aeres adjoining the property of our subjeet. In 1886, he removed to Coffeeville, Montgomery County, Kan., where he breathed his last in January, 1888.
His widow still survives. She was also born in Cæsar's Creek Township, the date of her birth be- ing in July, 1831. Her maiden name was Juley Ann MeNair, and she is a daughter of Ward and Cathe- rine (Haines) MeNair, whose family ineluded four sons and six daughters. Mr. MeNair eame to this county from Virginia in an early day. The mother of our subjeet is the fourth in the family cirele, which ineludes also William, Martha, James, Ed- ward J., Jane, Mary C., Eveline, David, and Esta- line. She is the mother of four children, namely: William Ward, of Dayton; Eliza Catherine, the wife of Zero Anderson, of Pittsburg, Kan .; our subjeet; and Mary Pearl.
OHIN K. BRADFUTE. The substantial Scoteh nationality finds an admirable repre- sentative in the subject of this notice, who by his energy and perseveranec has built up one of the finest farms in Miami Township, Greene County. Not only has he a good home and a plenti- ful supply of this world's goods, but is more than fortunate in his domestie relations, having a very pleasant family and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confidenee of his neighbors. He has never considered labor a hardship-in faet, seems to enjoy himself at his work.
In noting the antecedents of our subjeet we find that his father, also named John Bradfute, was a native of Scotland, and born November 3, 1796. Ile came to America with his father in 1800, set- tling near Lexington, Ky. Thence they came to this State in 1806, and located near the embryo town of Clifton, Greene County, upon a traet of heavily timbered land from which they eut away the forest trees, brought the soil to a good state of
cultivation and instituted a comfortable home. The mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Laug- head. She was born in Kentucky in 1802, and was married to John Bradfute in 1828, the wedding taking place in Greene County, this State.
The parents of our subject after their marriage settled in Xenia, now Cedarville Township, where they lived one year then purchased the land now owned and occupied by John K. There they spent the remainder of their lives. Of the six children born to them four are living, namely, Elizabeth, the wife of James J. Johnston of Frank- lin County, Iowa, and the mother of seven chil- dren; John K., our subject; Jane, the widow of James C. Stormont and the mother of two children, and Ellen Mary, the widow of J. B. Knox, who also has two children. The deceased are an infant, who died unnamed, and Sally, who died when thirty-two years old. The mother departed this life in 1866 and the father in 1870.
The subject of this notice was born May 21, 1833, at the farm where he now lives and acquired his early education in the district sehool. Later he attended an academy for two years, being under the instruction of Rev. J. B. Smart. He assisted his father in the labors of the farm until the latter's death. In the meantime he married, May 24, 1854, Miss Cornelia Ann, daughter of James and Margaret (Mitehell) Boal. Mr. Boal was born in Pennsylvania and was of Seoteh descent. His wife was a native of Union County, Ohio. They were the parents of ten children only three of whom are living.
Mrs. Bradfute was born January 11, 1832, in Union County, Ohio, and was earefully reared, re- ceiving a good education. Mr, and Mrs. Bradfute after their marriage lived on the home farm one year and then our subject purchased a farm one and one-half miles south, which they oceupied for a period of sixteen years. After the death of his father he purchased the homestead where he has since lived. To him and his estimable wife there have been born nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Ora E., Lilly M., Martha J., the wife of Robert P. Benham, of Miami County, this State, and the mother of two children; John A., who married Miss May Marshall, occupies the
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old Knox farm and is the father of one child; Anna and Mary are at home; William is living in New . Mexieo.
Mr. Bradfute has always taken an active inter- est in polities. In former years he voted the straight Republican ticket, but is now a Free Trader. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the School Board of his district and has offieiated in other minor offices. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Brad- fute has been Trustee. From early manhood he has been interested in Sunday-sehool work and for many years has been a teacher in the Sunday- school. He keeps himself posted upon current events and formerly belonged to the Miami Grange. His farm is ninety acres in extent, all under a good state of cultivation and very productive.
BRAHAM COY. The subject of this notice may be properly numbered among the most prominent and successful farmers of Beaver Creek Township, Greene County. He was born within its limits November 7, 1820, and is the son of Adam and Catherine ( Martin) Coy, who were natives of Frederick County, Md. Adam Coy was born in 1783, and seventeen years later emigrated to this county with his parents, they settling in Beaver Creek Township, where both they and himself spent the remainder of their days, the latter dying at the advaneed age of cighty-one years.
The father of our subjeet did good service as a soldier in the War of 1812, and subsequently settled down to farming, being successful and be- coming the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of land; he was twice married. His first wife was Catherine Costler, and there was born to them one child only, a daughter, Catherine, who became the wife of William John. The mother of our subject was the second wife of Adam Coy, and to theni there was born a family of eleven children, of whom only five arc living, viz .: David, Abraham, Henry, Adam and Nicholas. The deceased are:
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