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 111

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 111
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 111

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).

No wonder that they felt estranged.

They looked about, but so dumbfounded, By the destruction which surrounded Them on right and left, that they Declared "they hadn't time to stay, But must go back to town again" Both Unele Joe and dear Aunt Jane.

It was "too much." They both "broke down" Before they reached their home in town; But not one word did either say,

Except Aunt Janc, who (by the way) Remarked, as they came down the lane:

"Well, Joe, you can't blame this on Jane."

-W. A. PAXSON, Jamestown, O.

Mr. Paxson has not confined himself in his liter- ary efforts to the leadings of the muse alone, but has written some very forcible articles upon varions themes, such as politics, religious subjects, and agri- cultural topics, having at one time secured the first prize in a contest for the best article upon the sub- ject of "Tile drainage of farm lands," and the sec- ond prize in a similar contest upon the subject of

"System in farming," conducted by two of the lead- ing agricultural papers in the United States, both of which were hotly contested. Although Mr. Paxson was reared a Methodist, and still holds a nominal membership with that denomination, he is extremely liberal in his religious belief, not by any means subscribing to the striet orthodox tenets of that sect. He has always been a great reader, and an original thinker, and has not confined his investigations to one narrow channel, but has launched out upon the broad sea of thought and investigation, having more faith in the nineteenth century, than in the dark days of the superstitious and ignorant past. He has always been liberal in his support of religious and charitable purposes, and not obtrusive of any peculiar doctrine or be- lief that he may have, saying "that what he may believe or not believe, is the result of his own in- vestigation, and the effect of evidence upon his own mind, and if the evidence convinces him, or fails to convince him, that is the result of his or- ganization, and he does not care to impose it upon others unsolicited, as it might seem insufficient to base the same conclusions upon, and would then do neither them nor himself any good." "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them," each one for himself.

Mr. Paxson has one of the very best selected private libraries in the community, which shows upon examination that it was not selected for the binding on the volumes, but for the intrinsic mer- its of their contents, and its pages show that they have been perused by one who does not subscribe to all he reads, but has the courage of his convic- tions, and is not afraid to express upon the margin either his approval or rejection of the context. Mr. Paxton has lain aside, if he ever did have, any political ambition. Although a stanch Republican ever since he has been a voter, so far as National and State affairs are concerned, because he believes as he says "that there is more good mixed with less evil in that party, than cither of the others, and because it advocates more practical methods of dealing with affairs as they are," yet he does not hesitate to condemn that in the party of his choice which he does not approve. He is outspoken in his convictions, too much so to lead the popular

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rabble in a race for the spoils of office, therefore, he says he prefers to retain his liberty to speak his sentiments, to being trammeled, and thereby be- come elevated to political preferment." He is so- cial in his habits, and belongs to the Masonie and Odd Fellows fraternities, in all of which he has held high official position, both with credit to him- self and the orders.

In addition to his professional duties, Mr. Pax- son also conducts two farms, one in Greenc and one in Fayette County, of which he is the owner, and he there exhibits the result of his scientific research and knowledge, in the various departments of that line. He has adopted several very important sys- tems thereon, that show study, and that have proven very productive. He has his own system of rota- tion of crops, also his own system of drainage, both of which, having been in use now for several years, have demonstrated their advantages over the ordi- mary routine of that community, and are being adopted by the more advanced farmers, who ob- serve them, and as they say, with marked suceess. He keeps up with the times in the various appli- ances and implements ; believes in the most humane treatment of his live stock, and will not winter more stock than he has both shelter and provision for. His specialty in the way of live stock, is, in fin- ishing off for the best prices, fancy beef cattle, and Cheshire swinc, being the only pure breeder of that class of swine in this locality. He is not a difficult man to do business with, as he keeps his servants, if they are at all worthy, a long time, the · superintendent on one of his farms, having been with him now for over thirteen years. He is not grasping or miserly in his habits, as all he says he desires is a competenee, and to live well, and edu- cate his family. He is somewhat of a traveler, hav- ing visited more than two-thirds of the States of the United States and Canada. He takes his fani- ily with him, when seeking pleasure, and upon the whole, he enjoys life fully as well as it seems possi- ble for one in his condition in life to do so. We subjoin in his own language what he terms his creed :

"I want not gains begot by pelf.

But what I honest earn myself.

I crave not piles and hoards of wealth,

But I do wish for strength and health,

My family good and true and pure, Endowed with virtues that endure.

No honest debts unliquidated No reputation overrated,

Uncursed amidst the harpy tribe,

Untainted by the guilty bribe.

A faith in God, who doeth right

Unmoved by wrong, though baeked by might,

No orphans' cry to wound my ear,

My conscience and my honor clear. Thus may I calmly meet my end, Thus, to the grave in peace descend, And when I'm gone, I'd have it said

"We're sorry that our neighbor's dead."

It will comfort me in dying, to feel that it is true, That the world is someway better for my having traveled through."

ENRY HYPES. Could the frontiersman, who years ago penetrated the wilderness of unsettled territories and paved the way for advancing eivilization, have seen the wonder- ful change which time has made in the face of the country, he would have undoubtedly rejoiced be- cause of his share in the development of the re- sources of the State. Of the few who went in advance of the tide of emigration, prominent men- tion certainly belongs to Mr. Ilypes, who came here in the fall of 1811, when Ohio was considered the far-away West, and few could be prevailed upon to leave the comforts of their homes and cn- dure hardships and trials innumerable, to found homesteads here.

At the time of his arrival here, Mr. Hypes selected as his home some unimproved land, part of which is included in the city of Xenia, the remainder lying at the edge of the town. The now flourishing village, wherein each day rises the smoke of many manufactories and the busy hum of toil is heard, was then almost a wilderness, the streets being full of trees and stumps, while only a few log cabins were to be seen.

Rockbridge County, Va., was the native place of our subject, and he was born five miles from the Natural Bridge, one of America's scenic wonders,

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on the 12th of June, 1775. As may be imag- ined his education consisted more in learning the various duties associated with farm life than in gleaning knowledge from the pages of history and science. Nevertheless, he received, mainly through his own efforts, a substantial education, and ac- acquired a good training under the home roof. He was united in marriage when eighteen years of age with Miss Patience Reynolds, likewise a na- tive of the Old Dominion.

After engaging in farming in Virginia until 1811, he camc then overland to the Ohio River, and there took a flatboat to Cincinnati. Imine- diately after his coming to this county, he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of Government land, heavily timbered and unimproved. The first improvement he made was the building of a log house, in which he and his family lived for a few years. In 1823 his wife dicd, leaving a fam- ily of six sons and two daughters, of whom two alone survive, namely : Benjamin, who has been a citizen of Lebanon, Ill., since 1829; and John W., of the same town.

Mr. Hypes contracted a second marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of George and Sophia Wright, who came to Xenia from Brunswick County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Hypes became the parents of four children, all of whom are living and named: Maria H., Mrs. Drees; S. H., who is engaged in the fire insurance and real-estate bus- iness in Xenia; W. L. pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Cincinnati and Fletcher, also a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and located at New Boston, Clermont County, Ohio.

In all the departments of agriculture Mr. IIypes kept himself thoroughly posted, and advocated the introduction of modern machinery as well as everything else tending to improve and elevate farming. Politically, he cast his first vote in the Democrat party. This was in Virginia, and the party elected to the Legislature a man who could neither read nor write, an occurrence which so displeased Mr. Hypes that he left their ranks, and ever after supported the Republicans. In relig- ious matters, he was an active and strong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for forty- five or fifty ycars led the singing in that organiza.

tion. of which he was one of the founders. Much of the present prosperity of Xenia is due to his untiring efforts, and he was considered one of the leading men of the place. He passed away Octo- ber 1, 1854, universally mourned by the people among whom so much of his active existence had been spent.

D AVID R. HOSTERMAN is prominent among the influential men of brain, character and ability who have devoted their best energies to the upbuilding of the city of Springfield, and to the development of Clark County, and his financial and business tact and unbounded enterprise have been potent in extending their industrial and com- mercial interests; he is President of the Springfield Metallic Casket Company, and has for several years been one of the leading insurance men of this city, and is now Secretary of the local board of under- writers of Springfield. He was formerly engaged in the profession of teaching and is still identified with the educational interests of the county and State as a member of the Board of Directors of Witten- berg College.

Mr. Hosterman is a native of Pennsylvania, the town of Shippenville, Clarion County, the place of his birth, and April 2, 1837, the date thereof. His parents, David and Susan ( Reeser) Hosterman, were also born in the Keystone State, the father in Cen- tre County, June 6, 1803, and the mother in 1793. The former carried on the business of a tanner in Shippenville for many years, and he was held in high consideration by all about him for those manly traits of character that marked him as a good citi- zen and a man of genuine worth. His wife pre- ceded him in death, dying in 1873, and his death occurred January 31, 1875, bothi being life-long residents of their native State. They reared five children to honorable and useful lives.

Their son who is the subject of this brief bio- graphical review passed the early years of his life in his native county, and was the recipient of ex- cellent educational advantages in the public schools, and at the age of eighteen was amply fitted for

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teaching, and entered upon the duties of that pro- fession in his native State. He taught three terms, and then being desirous of extending his education he came to Springfield to take a course in Witten- berg College, and in this excellent institution of learning he devoted himself to his books and rapidly acquired a thorough knowledge of the studies that he pursued, which were interrupted only when he engaged in teaching to secure money to pay his expenses. At the expiration of three years be left college, and soon after was married to Miss Harriet A. Chatterton, their union taking place in July, 1859. She was a most amiable and cultured young lady, and their marriage has proved a happy one, and has been blessed to them by the birth of Arthur D. (of whom see sketch), Frank C. (teller Second National Bank), Hattie May and Harlan C., all of whom are at home. Mrs. Hoster- man is of pioneer antecedents, and was born in Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of David and Doretha ( Aspinwall) Chatterton.

After marriage Mr. Hosterman settled on a farm in his native county, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, excepting in the winter when he taught school. During his sojourn in this city when a college student he had acquired a liking for the place and had been impressed with the excellent advantages it offered for a live business man, and in January he returned to this eity to avail himself of its opportunities and accepted a position as book-keeper and general elerk in the office of the Springfield Republic, which position he retained a year, when he gave it up as he was elected to the responsible position of Deputy County Treasurer for a year. He was then elected Secretary of the Springfield Fire Insurance Company, and he acted in that capacity until 1870, when he withdrew front the company to establish a general insurance office on his own aecount, representing a number of dif- ferent companies. He was engaged in that business very profitably until 1889, when he disposed of it to a good advantage to Wallace & Dye, and at the death of H. M. Shepard in the same year, he was elected to fill his place as Secretary of the local board of Underwriters. In 1889, he was elected President of the Springfield Metallie Casket Com- pany, which was organized in 1884, and is one of

the important industries of Springfield, and under the able management of our subject its business is increasing rapidly. Since becoming a resident of Springfield, Mr. Hosterman's ambition in settling here has been more than gratified from a financial point of view and in other directions, and he is now one of the moneyed men of the city, and has built up a beautiful home for himself and family, his handsome and tastefully furnished residence at No. 180 South Limestone Street being the centre of a refined and generous hospitality. Mr. Hosterman is a sincere and manly Christian, and is among the foremost members of the English Lutheran Church of this city, in which he has held the offices of Deacon, Elder and Secretary of the Board. A man whose fine intellectual powers have been developed by education, and who possesses in more than an ordinary degree those traits that make him quick to perceive and prompt to judge and act in business matters, he is prominent in all the walks of life wherein his vigorous mind has led him, and the financial, commercial, literary, educational and re- ligious interests of his adopted eity and county have been augmented by his wise labors.

A. BROADSTONE, of the firm of Moore & Broadstone, undertakers, of Xenia, is a native of the county in which he is build- ing up an excellent reputation among the business men. He was born in the western part of the county, October 30, 1852, and was left an or- phan when quite young. He worked on a farm and attended the common schools, finally becom- ing a student in the Female Seminary at Xenia. He then taught at Cedarville and in the western part of the county. for several winters, husbanding his resources until he had saved the means which would enable him to complete a course of studies at Leb- anon.

After being gradnated from that place, Mr. Broadstone entered the employ of L. H. Everts & Co., Philadelphia, for whom he traveled for about eight years. He then, in 1882, returned to Xenia and engaged in business with Jolin Shearer, in the

yours Truly beletimunes

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undertaking line. About three years later the pres- ent firm was established.

An important step in the life of Mr. Broadstone was taken March 8, 1881, when he became the hus- band of Miss Ella Critors. She was born and reared in this city but at the time of her marriage was employed as a teacher in the State school at Coldwater, Mich. She is a daughter of Samuel Critors, of this city, was graduated from the Xenia Female Seminary, and is a cultured, refined and loveable woman.

In 1883, Mr. Broadstone was elected to the City Council and has served two terms during both holding the office of President of that body. In 1890, he was appointed Coroner to fill a vacancy. His agreeable manners, intelligence, good citizen- ship, and honorable character gain him their de- served meed of respect from his fellow-men.

C HRISTIAN C. FUNK. This gentleman, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, is well known in Springfield and vi- cinity as a contractor of great ability, and one whose business engagements are met with the utmost promptness, and whose work is executed in a thoroughly reliable manner. He has been emi- nently successful in the labor to which his facility in the use of edged tools inclined him, and for which he was naturally adapted. He has also manifested excellent judgment in the investments he has made, and is numbered among the capital- ists of the city. At this writing he is interested in clearing a new booming town, called Harriman, and located in Roane County, Tenn. Thus his reputa- tion is being extended far beyond the limits of the city where he resides.

In the paternal line Mr. Funk and his immediate progenitors were natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Henry Funk, a model farmer, ended his days in the Keystone State. Thence Jolin and Martha (Kauffman) Funk removed in early life to Greene County, Ohio; from there, in 1843, to Springfield, Clark County, where they spent the remainder of their days.

The subject of this notice was born January 25.

1842. In 1871 he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Ida O. Corbley, the wedding ceremony being per- formed at the residence of Mrs. John Corbley, in Springfield. Mrs. Funk is a native of the Buckeye State, and was principally reared and educated in Springfield. She possesses many virtues, and looks carefully to the ways of her household, making her home the center of attraction for husband and children. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Funk com- prises two daughters-Blanche E. and Mattie I. In 1885 Mr. Funk erected, on West High Street, Springfield, a substantial brick residence, which is of fine architectural design and construction, ele- gantly finished and richly furnished throughout.

In political belief Mr. Funk is a Prohibitionist. His social and benevolent qualities find a certain outlet through his membership in Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F. He is a stockholder and di- rector in the Springfield Coffin Company, and has thus thoroughly identified himself with the business and social interests of the city. He possesses to a large degree those principles which are so essential to success, and by careful attention to the details of his work, punctuality and accuracy in applica- tion, has made for himself a name which will be remembered long after he has passed hence. As a meteor flashing across the sky leaves behind a path of soft and creamy white, so the deeds of such a man remain after he has gone into the great un- known.

HOMAS E. STEWART, Mayor of Yellow Springs, Greene County, had previously filled other offices of public responsibility and is well known as an official, an enterprising farmer, and a man of Christian character. His par- ents were John K. and Ann (Elder) Stewart, both natives of Dauphin County, Pa. The father came to Ohio in 1806, settling in the midst of a heavily timbered country on the Little Miami River, three miles cast of Clifton. Indians were still numerous in the section through which no roads were yet laid out, the few settlers finding their way from point to point by following Indian trails or a route marked by blazed trees. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs.

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Stewart settled on the homestead where they spent the remainder of their lives, the former passing away in 1850, and the widow surviving him thirty years. He was a mau of promise whose name will long be remembered in this section of Ohio as that of a capable and honorable public servant. He was a Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, and also served on the bench as County Judge. Both he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living.

The seventh member of the family was Thomas E. who was born in September, 1830, received a good common-school education, and had instilled into his youthful mind the principles of right living. He began his personal career in life at the age of twenty years and has followed farming the most of the time. He spent one ycar in the livery business at Charleston, Clark County, but returned to his farm which is located one and a quarter miles north of Clifton. It comprises one hundred and thirteen acres of well-improved land which is now rented. Mr. Stewart embarked in the livery business in Yel- low Springs a year ago and has the largest patron- age in that line'in the placc. On May 2, 1864, he became First Lieutenant of Company D, One Hun- dred and Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, with which he served in West Virginia until his discharge Septem- ber 7, 1864.

The wife of Mayor Stewart bore the maiden name of Delilah Ann Marshall. She is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Huffman) Marshall, whogre- moved from the Old Dominion to Clinton County, Ohio, a number of years ago. Her father was a farmer and a prominent business man. He died at the age of forty-two years; his widow is still living and is now eighty-two years of age. Of the eight children born to them, six arc now living. Mrs. Stewart was born in 1838, and received an excellent education and the training which fitted her for use- ful womanhood. She has borne her husband five children-Sarah Ethel, Anna May, Lucy M., Ed- ward Earle and Bertha. The oldest daughter is the wife of R. F. Corry, of Springfield, and the mother of two children.

Mr. Stewart has always taken an active part in politics and given his vote at all times to the Re-

publican party. He has been Clerk and Trustee of Green Township, Clark County, and Justice of the Peace in the sainc. He has also been a member of the School Board at Clifton for several years, and lias been a Trustee in the church to which he be- longs. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and both he and his wife are members in high standing in the United Presbyterian Church.

G EORGE TRUMAN. One of the leading citizens of Spring Valley, Greene County, and a man whose success in life is due to his own ability and efforts, with a reputation which has led to his being elected to responsible positions in the community, is the above-named gentleman, a native of this county, and who has served as Mayor of Spring Valley. He is now carrying on the hardware business, in which he has an excellent trade, and owns good town property together with one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Pocahontas County, Iowa.

The Truman family is of the old Welsh stock, former generations having belonged to the Society of Friends. Joseph Truman, the grandfather of our subject, was born and died in Philadelphia, Pa. He was a coppersmith. He married a Miss Llewel- lyn, who was also of Welsh blood, and they reared a large family, among whom was a son, Jeffrey, who was born in Philadelphia in 1793. In 1819 this son came to Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching and merchan- dising. He spent two or three years at Bellbrook, this county, and then, in 1827, located and laid out the town of Transylvania, across the river from Spring Valley, and erected the first house there, which he ran as a tavern, also carrying on a store and being the first Postmaster. During the rest of his life, with the exception of four years during the '30s, his home was in the town which he had founded. The time of his absence was spent at Franklin, Warren County, and devoted to his trade of a silversmith. After returning from that place he again carried on the hotel, also working at his trade and teaching school. In the fall of 1850, he

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went to Waynesville to open up a shop, dying there on New Year's Day, 1851. At the close of the Mexican War he was Assistant Paymaster.

Jeffrey Truman" was the husband of three wives, the first being a Miss Lake, by whom he had one son, Thomas H., who died in Vermillion County, Ind. Ilis second wife was Dorothy Ann Isham, who also bore one son, Joseph M., who died in California, leaving a family. The third wife was Jane, daughter of Josiah and Sarah A. (Porter) Elam, who became the mother of thirteen children, four of them dying in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were: Angeline, now deceased, who was the wife of Job Lashley; Isabella, who died at the age of fourteen years; George; Elvira, now living in Montana; Corilla, wife of W. M. Scarff; Arthur, now of Montana; Henrietta, wife of William Adams; Jane, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Elam L., of Waynesville, Warren County. Mrs. Jane Truman was one of five sons and five daugh- ters born to her parents, who removed from Penn- sylvania to Kentucky and thence to this county in 1802. Mr. Elam had selected a location in Spring Valley Township the previous year, and upon his farm two and a half miles east of the town of Spring Valley, his daughter Jane was born in April, 1810. Mr. Elam took part in the Revolutionary War, and in the French and Indian War held a Captain's commission under Gen. St. Clair. His demise took place about 1825.

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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 111

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