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 11

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 11
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 11

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

In connection with his biographical sketeh, a lithographie portrait of the Rev. Charles Stroud is presented elsewhere in this volume.

E MANUEL M. KISSELL. The main inci- dents in the life career of this well-known resident of Springfield are essentially as follows: He was born in Chambersburg. Franklin County, Pa., April 1, 1822, and is the son of Jacob Kissell, a native of Laneaster County, that State. Ilis paternal grandfather, George Kissell, was born in the town of Litetz, Laneaster County, and the latter's father was a native of Germany and emi- grated to America as early as 1718, being a mem- ber of the Moravian Colony which founded the town of Litetz. The hill just south of the place upon which he first settled is still ealled "Kissell Ilill," and there the great-grandfather of our sub- ject spent his last days.

Grandfather George Kissell was reared at his father's homestead and after his marriage resided there a number of years. About 1800 he removed to Franklin County, Pa., where he purchased a tract of land, engaged in farming and remained there until his death. He was a devout member of the Lutheran Church, of whose doetrines he was a warm defender and in which he carefully reared his children. His son, Jacob, the father of our subject,

spent his early years in Lancaster County, Pa., where he learned the trade of a miller and was married. He, however, preferred farming to mill- ing and devoted himself to the latter the greater part of his life. A few years after his marriage he removed to Franklin County and purchased a farm three miles south of Chambersburg upon which he lived until 1857. That year witnessed his advent into the Buckeye State, when he sold out his inter- ests in Pennsylvania and transferred them to Clark County, Ohio. He bought a farm three miles south of Springfield and taking up his abode resided there until ealled lience in 1863.

The mother of our subjeet bore the maiden name of Sarah Line. She likewise was a native of Lan- caster County, Pa., and the daughter of Jacob Line who died there. She survived her husband some years and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eliza Allen, in Springfield, in 1869. She, like her husband, 'belonged to tlic Lutheran Church. There was born to them a family of nine children, all of whom lived to mature years and three are still sur- viving.

The subject of this notice was icared in his na- tive county and remained under the parental roof until a youth of eighteen years, when he commeneed learning the trade of a harness-maker. He served an apprenticeship of three years and then worked as a journeyman four years. In 1851, leaving bis native haunts he eame to Springfield, this State, and embarked in the grocery business in which he continued seven or eight years. He then turned his attention to farming for a time, but later was employed as a traveling salesman, handling agri- cultural implements and introducing new ma- chinery in the cultivation of the soil. In the pur- suance of these duties he traveled through the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, New York and Kentucky. He thus secured a competence and for the past two years has lived in retirement from the active labors of life.

Mr. Kissell was married September 20, 1847, to Miss Abigail Day. This lady was born in Clermont County, this State, April 1, 1823, and is a daughter of Daniel and Phebe (Broadwell) Day who were natives of New Jersey. Her parents eame to Ohio

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in 1798, and settled near Cincinnati. There have been born of this union two sons only -- Cyrus B. and Daniel D. The first-mentioned married Miss Lucretia MeCune and has two children -- Ilarry S. and Blanche A. Mr. and Mrs. Kissell are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church and are people greatly respected in their community. They occupy a pleasant home at No. 68 West Washing. ton and enjoy the society of its leading people.

R OBERT B. ELDER. Among the many solid citizens of Green Township, Clark County, none are held in higher respect than Mr. Elder, of Clifton, who is a member of a very numerous family that figured prominently in the carly history of this part of the State. The Elders from arst to last have been people of emni- nent respectability, careful, conscientions in their dealings with their fellow-men, honest, upright, intelligent, industrious, and, in fact, possessing all the qualities of good citizenship. Robert B. has been a most worthy representative of an honorable ancestry, and after years spent in industrious toil, was successful in accumulating a competence, and now, retired from active labor, is spending his declining years in a pleasant home at Clifton. He has watched with warm interest the growth and development of the Buckeye State, wherein his progenitors settled at an early day and which has been the scene of his labors his entire life. He was born July 31, 1824, at his father's old home- stead in Green Township, and has thus far spent his entire life in his native State.

In reverting to the antecedents of Mr. Elder, we find that he is the son of Thomas Elder, who was born in 1796, in Dauphin County, Pa. The pa- ternal grandfather, also named Robert, was likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to the young State of Ohio in 1813. He purchased a tract of land which was all of section 10, in Green Township, Clark County, whereon he settled with his family and from which he opened up a good farm. To him and his estimable wife there was born a family of seven children, three sons and

four daughters, and all the daughters married men by the name of Stewart. Grandfather Elder was one of the earliest pioneers of Green Township, and spent the closing years of his life upon the farm which he had opened up from the wilderness. He lived to a ripe old age, and passed away over sixty years ago.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margery Anderson. She was a native of Glen- isla, Scotland, and came of substantial Scotch an- cestry. She cmigrated to America in 1820, and in 1823 was married in Green Township, Clark County, this State, to Thomas Elder, and they settled on a farm comprising a part of section 10, where they constructed a comfortable home. The father of our subject occupied himself in farming pursuits, and departed this life in 1872. The motlier survived her husband for a period of fif- teen years, her death taking place at the old home- stead in 1887. There was born to them a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are living and are residents of this State.

Mr. Elder, of whom we write, acquired a practi- cal education in the common school, and at an early age was taught to make himself useful around the homestead. Later he learned the trade of a car- penter, at which he worked a number of years, while at the same time assisting in the labors of the farm as required. He remained a bachelor until over thirty years old, and was then married, October 19, 1855, to Miss Ruth Funston. The newly wedded pair removed to Marion County, this State, and settled on a tract of land included in what was known as Sandusky Plain, where they sojourned for a period of eight years. Then re- turning to Green Township, they located on a part of the old Funston farm, and there spent another eight years.

In the meantime Mr. and Mrs. Elder had lived economically and labored with a mutual purpose in view of securing a competency for their later years. They now wisely retired from active labor, and renting their farm, removed to Clifton, of which they have now been residents for sixteen years. They have become widely and favorably known to the people of their community, and are held by them in universal respect. There were

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born to them two children only, one of whom, Ella May, died in infancy. The only surviving child, Effie Kate, is the wife of Henry R. Corey ; they live on the Wilberforce Pike, and are the parents of one child, Elder R.

Mr. and Mrs. Elder identified themselves with the Presbyterian Church carly in life, and Mr. Elder for the past twelve years has officiated as a Trustee. He has always been warmly interested in the training of the young, and is a regular attendant at the Sunday-school, whose progress he watches with more than ordinary interest. In poli- tics he has declined to be governed by the opinion of other men, but has done his own thinking and aims to support those principles which commend themselves to his conscience, and those men whom he considers best qualified to be entrusted with the interests of the people. When first becoming a voting citizen, he identified himself with the Free- Soilers, and after the abandonment of the old party wheeled into the Republican ranks. In the days gone by he and his father frequently visited the polls together, the latter casting his vote with the Democratic party, while Robert B. sturdily main- tained his principles by polling a Republican ticket.

Mr. Elder has always enjoyed in a marked (legree the confidence and esteem of his fellow- citizens, who have entrusted him with most of the offices within their gift. He has been a member of the District School Board, was Treasurer of Green Township for two years, Township Clerk the same length of time, and also Township Trustee. He keeps himself posted upon current events, is in full sympathy with the laboring man and farmer, and for a time was a member of the Grange. His landed possessions include one hundred and eleven acres under a good state of cultivation and im- proved with substantial buildings. He also has thrce acres of ground at his home in Clifton.

Mrs. Elder was born in Green Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Keziah (Scott) Funston, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, and who emigrated to America early in life. The mother was a native of Ken- tucky, in which State the parents were married, and whence they came to Ohio in the pioneer days. The mother died when comparatively a young

woman. Mr. Funston survived his wife many years, and spent his last days in Green Township, passing away at the age of sixty-four. The par- ental honsehold included ten children, seven of whom are living and all residents of this State but two, who reside in Kansas.

ENRY L. FEIRSTINE, a well-to-do farmer of Mad River Township, of which he is a Trustee, operates one hundred and forty-three acres of land, and occupies no secondary position in the community. He is a native of this State and was born near the city of Dayton, October 30, 1849. He lived at home with his parents until a young man of twenty-four years, assisting his father in the farm work, and only attending school during the winter. In 1874 he took full charge of his father's farm, the family in the meantime having removed to Clark County, when lie was a boy of thirteen years.

Three years later Mr. Feirstine was married, March 20, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Rockafield. He thereafter worked the home farm in partnership with his brother, Albert ()., until 1883, when they dissolved partnership, and since that time Henry L. has operated it singly and alone. The property will probably come into his possession in due time. It is thoroughly improved with good buildings, and Mr. Feirstine avails himself of modern methods and improved machinery. The land is amply sup- plied with running water from a branch of Mad River, and as fine a spring as there is in the country. The present residence was erected in 1881, and with its surroundings forms a very attractive fea- ture in the landscape. Mr. Feirstine makes a spe- cialty of high-grade cattle, general purpose horses and Poland-China swine.

The subject of this notice is the offspring of a good family, being the son of George Feirstine, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. He learned car .. pentering in early manhood, becoming a skilled workman, and later operated extensively as a con- tractor and builder in both Lancaster and Berks Counties. He made his home near the town of

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Lancaster while remaining in his native State, but prior to his marriage emigrated to Ohio and worked at carpentering near Dayton. After his marriage, in that vicinity, he followed his former business for some years, then began farming on his father-in-law's land and was very successful.

The father of our subject in 1863 removed to Mad River Township, Clark County, and purchased the farm which his son, Henry L., now occupies. Here he lived and labored until quite well advanced in years, then moved back to the old farm which had now become the property of his wife, as her share of her father's estate. There he still resides, and has a fine body of land, one hundred and sev- enty-six aeres in extent, lying two miles outside the city limits of Dayton. He is now nearly eighty years old, but possesses much of the activity of his younger years. Politically, he is an uncom- promising Democrat. The paternal grandfather of our subject was an hotel-keeper, and also carried on farming in Lancaster County, Pa.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah E. Lewton. She was born in Frederick County, Md., and is the daughter of Henry Lewton, also a native of that county, who learned carpentering in his youth, and followed it until coming to Ohio. He made the journey over- land, bringing with him his family, and landed in Mad River Township, Montgomery County, with a capital of $30 in his pocket. His first business was to erect a small log house in the woods, and as soon as possible he secured work at his trade. By the exercise of industry and economy he accumu- lated a fine property, including a valuable farm near the city of Dayton. During the War of 1812 he laid aside his carpenter and farming tools, and shouldering his musket, gave his time to the ser- vice of his country until the British were a second time driven from American soil. Some of the first buildings in Dayton and vicinity were the work of his hands, but later in life he turned his attention to farming. Finally retiring from active labor, he took up his abode with his son-in-law, the father of our subject, and died at the home- stead in Clark County at the age of seventy-two years. Ile likewise was an active Democrat.

Mrs. Sarah A. (Lewton) Feirstine was reared

under the parental roof in Montgomery County, and died at the old home in October, 1889, at the age of seventy years. The parental household in- cluded five children, the eldest of whom. D). P., lives on the home farm in Montgomery County ; Martha A., Mrs. Fairchild, a widow, makes her home with her father; Henry L., our subject, was next in order of birth; Albert O. is farming in Mad River Township, Clark County; Alice is the wife of J. Fulkerth, and they are living in Mad River Township, Montgomery County; Priscilla died when three years old.

Mrs. Henry L. Foirstine was born December 29, 1860, in Fairfield, and is the daughter of Martin and Mary (Cox) Rockafield, both natives of Batlı Township, Greene County, and who are numbered among the oldest and most highly respected fam- ilies of that region. Mr. Rockafield is a carpenter by trade, and occupies a pleasant home in the vicinity of Fairfield. To our subject and his esti- inable wife there have been born three children- Cora, Maude and Laura-all of whom are at home with their parents. The latter are members in good standing of the Reformed Church at Fair- field, and Mr. Feirstine, like his honored father and paternal grandfather, uniformly votes the Democratic ticket. He is one of the Trustees of Mad River Township, Clerk of the District School Board, and a member of the Township School Board. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Enon. Mr. and Mrs. Feirstine have a comfortable home, and enjoy the esteem and con- fidence of hosts of friends. They are very pleas- ant and hospitable, and move in the highest social cireles of their community.

C HARLES HOOK. One of the leading men and most substantial farmers of Greene County is the subject of this sketch. He was born August 27, 1814, on the place where he now resides, three miles southeast of Xenia. He is a son of James and Mary (Lewis) Hook, who were both born in Angusta County, Va., which was also the

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place where their marriage was celebrated. They lived for a few years in Rockingham County, Va., whence they removed to Greene County, Ohio, in the fall of 1812. They made the journey in a wagon and met with the usual delays and trials in- cident to that method of travel in those days. They were six weeks on the road and were glad, indeed, to reach the end of their trip. They bought land and settled on the place where our subject now resides. Their farm embraced some four hun - dred and eighty aeres and the first house was the usual log cabin of the pioneers. It stood about seventy-five rods east of where the spacious dwell- ing of our subject now stands. The father of our subject cleared one hundred and fifty acres and made a comfortable living for his family. He died in October, 1844, in his seventy first year. Polit- ically, he was a Whig. His wife survived until 1861, when she, too, crossed to the "great beyond," being in her eighty-sixth year. They were the par- ents of nine children, whose names are: William, Rebecca, James C., Robert, Sarah, Lewis, Anna, Charles and Martha. Charles, the subject of this notice, is the only one living at the present time. The parents were members of the Associate Re- formed Church. They inereased their original farm of four hundred and eighty acres to some five hundred or more before their death.

The grandfather of Charles Hook was one of a family of two sons and five daughters, of Irish an- cestry. Ilis grandmother Lewis, was twice mar- ried; her second husband was a Mr. Carr. They located in Woodford County, Ky., where she died, at the age of ninety-six. Our subjeet has passed his entire life on the farm where he was born and is highly respected by all who know him. Ile re- ceived such an education as the common sehools of the time afforded, and has added to what he learned in school by a wide course of reading, so that he is now an intelligent and well-informed man.

Mr. Hook owns three hundred and twelve acres of land, all but one hundred acres being an heri- tage from his father. For some years he was en- gaged in the business of raising Short-Horn eattle, but is now living more retired. He has prospered in his chosen voeation and in the summer of 1873 erected a substantial and elegant brick residence,

in which he and his family live. Politically, he is a Republican. Ile has been honored by his fel- low-citizens with the position of Township Trustee.

Mr. Hook has been three times married. His first wife was Clarinda Johnston, a daughter of James C. Johnston, who was married to Miss Paulin, of Ross Township. By this union our sub- ject became the father of four children, three of whom grew to maturity. Their names are: HIar- vey C .; Mary J., who is the wife of Henry H. Couk- lin; and Thomas C. The second wife was Mrs. Lucinda Heath, a sister of the first wife. There were no children by this union. The third mar- riage was contraeted with Miss Prudence Dilling- ham. She is a daughter of Levi Dillingham and an estimable lady in every respect. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, of whom two are living, named respectively: Minnie and Bertha E. They are bright and intelligent, and will be given every advantage in the way of education.

E LISHA BALES. This name is recognized as belonging to one of the most solid citizens of Jefferson Township, Greene County. Ile has improved one of the finest farms within its limits and has been no unimportant factor in bring- ing this section of country to its present condition, socially, morally and financially. Within this county he has spent his entire life and was born December 1, 1826, in Cæsar's Creek Township. He comes of a good old family, being the son of John Bales. a native of Pennsylvania and born March 6, 1789.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Elisha Bales, Sr., likewise a native of the Keystone State, and whosc ancestors like himself were Quak- ers in religious faith. He was reared to farm life and married a lady whose first name was Rebecca. She also was of similar parentage and of the same faith. They lived for a few years in their native State, then removed to Virginia where they so- journed until 1806. They then decided upon an- other change of residence and set out with teams overland for the young State of Ohio, and after a

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tedious journey of several weeks arrived in Greene County and located on land ineluded in the mili- tary traet and in what is now Cæsar's Creek Town- ship. There Grandfather Bales improved a farm and spent the remainder of his life, dying when quite aged. He maintained his adherence to the Friends' Church to the last. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, a man who kept himself thor- ouglily posted upon leading events and a man whose opinions were generally respected. His wife also lived to be quite aged.

Among the ehildren born to Elishia Bales. Sr. and his exeellent wife, was Jolin, the father of our subject, who was the second of four sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to mature years and all are now deceased. John was a youth of seven- teen years when his parents removed from Virginia to Olio and he was married about 1812. He, how- ever, later enlisted as a soldier in the war which was then in progress, being in a company under the command of Capt. Joseph Lueas. Soon afterward oceurred the battle of Lake Erie under the fanious Commodore Perry. There was also in his same regiment his brother Jonathan, who was the first one to discover that the battle was raging by hearing the noise, as he was lying in camp with his head on the ground, of the eannonading that jarred the earth. Soon afterward the troops were put in mo- tion and started for the fray, but before reaching the seene of conflict found that the British had sur- rendered. This practically wound up the war and the Bales boys returned home.

The father of our subject now resumed farming and in common with his neighbors labored early and late in the building up of a home and the ae- eumulation of a competenee. In due time he be- came the owner of two hundred acres of choice land, lying along the waters of Caesar's Creek, where be made his permanent home. There he spent the remainder of his life, passing away March 11, 1864. He was a hard working man, honest and upright in his dealings and one who was intrusted with many positions of responsibility in this town- ship. He served as Justice of the Peaee fifteen years and from first to last maintained his allegi- anee to the Democratic party, casting his first Presi- dential vote for Gen. Jackson. He was at one time

the nominee of his party for Representative to the State Legislature, running against Judge John Fudged and being defeated as his party was in the minority. He, however, made a fine race, enougli to indicate his popularity among the people.

The father of our subject was married in Caesar's Creek Township, about 1811, to Miss Sarah Lucas. Mrs. Bales was born in 1795 at Maysville, Ky., and was the daughter of Jolin and Frances ( Rains) Lucas, a prominent family of the Blue Grass State. Her Unele Simon Rains served as a soldier in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson and fought at the battle of New Orleans. John Lucas and his wife, after the birth of a part of their family, removed from Virginia to Ohio, settling in Cæsar's Creek Township, Greene County, before the Indians had left the country. Mr. Lucas cleared a farm from the forest, building up a good homestead where he spent the closing years of his life, surrounded by every comfort. He made for himself a good record as a man and a citizen and died in 1851, at the ripe old age of eighty years. Mrs. Lucas survived her husband a number of years and then she too passed away when quite aged. Both were members of the Old School Baptist Church. Mrs. Sarah Bales died at her home in Caesar's Creek Township June 8, 1874. She was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues and a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

The subject of this notice was reared to man's estate on the home farm, receiving a good educa- tion and developed into a successful teacher which he followed until about 1860, mostly during the winter season. The balance of the year he was em- ployed upon the farm. He contracted matrimonial ties April 15, 1852, with Miss Margaret Keiter, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Cæsar's Creek Township. Mrs. Bales was born May 18, 1831, in Hampshire County, Va., to Frederick and Mary (Weaver) Keiter, who were likewise natives of the Dominion and representatives of its first families. Mr. Keiter was a blacksmith by trade which he followed after coming to Ohio until 1835. He settled on a farm in Cæsar's Creek Township where he and his wife lived comfortably the re- mainder of their lives, both attaining to more than threescore and ten years. They had been since their

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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 11

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