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 114
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 114
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His report to his own synod of the action of the memorable convention of the General Synod at Ft. Wayne in 1866, was republished in the Lutheran Observer as a "elear and thorough" statement of that eventful case. He delivered the annual ad- dress before the Alumni of the Wittenberg College in 1868. Subject, "Men of Ideas." His reports to the different State Departments of Pennsylvania, are in the public documents. Besides, he wrote frequently for the press.
Mr. Ehrenfeld is a member of the Dauphin County Historieal Society, of Pennsylvania. He was cleeted in 1881, honorary member of the His- torical Society of Virginia, and is a member of the Modern Language Association of America.
AMES R. HALE, editor and publisher of the Spring Valley Blade. The ranks of the Republican party in Greene County num- ber among their mnost enthusiastie supporters this gentleman, who takes an active part in politi- eal matters, bothı local and national. During the Presidential and gubernatorial campaign of 1884, while in Springfield, he took a prominent part with the famous "Plug Hat Brigade," which num- bered some sixteen hundred members, and of which he was Secretary. He lias served as a member of Greene County Republican Central Committee, also of the Exeentive Committe.
Bellbrook, Greene County, was the birthplace of Mr. Hale, and he was born June 13, 1847, to Silas and Miriam (Opdyke) Hale, botlı natives of
Greene County, and the latter a relative of Maj. Gen. Opdyke of the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion. Our subjeet received his education in sehools near his father's home, and when old enongli became a student of Adrian Col- lege, Michigan, where he graduated in 1873.
Upon leaving college Mr. Hale followed the profession of a teacher until 1884, when he be- eame connected with thic Xenia Torchlight. In 1885, lie was offered and accepted the position of local editor of the Springfield (Ohio) Globe Republic. After remaining one year with this paper, lie accepted a position as reporter on the La Crosse Republican at La Crosse, Wis., after ward returning to the Buekeye State, and estab- lished the paper he now owns and edits. This paper is a four page, seven column quarto, is in- dependent in polities, and on publie questions, and has a weekly home circulation of five hundred eopies.
Mr. Hale was married in 1886, to Miss Anna Belle, a daughter of John Orr, of Xenia, who served Greene County as Clerk of Courts for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have one child, Ben Kenneth, a bright and interesting boy of six- teen months.
ON. THOMAS JEFFERSON PRINGLE. The legal profession of Clark County re- cognizes in Mr. Pringle one of its leading men. He is thoroughly acquainted with the intricacies of common law and has been more thian ordinarily successful as a practitioner, build- ing up an extensive and luerative business. He lias been a life long resident of Clark, wlieli is his na- tive eounty, and he was born in Madison Town- ship, Mareh 18, 1838. His father, William D. Pringle, was a native of the same township.
William D. Pringle, like his son, spent his boy- hood and youth in his native township engaged in agricultural pursuits and acquired sueli education as was afforded by the district sehool. After mar- riage lie bought a farm and remained a resident of Madison Township until 1855. Then selling out he
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removed to Madison County, of which he has sinee been a resident and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Bales. She was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and was the daughter of Thomas and Cathe- rine Bales. She died at Big Plains in Au- gust, 1888. Of the six children born to her and her husband, five are still living, namely: James A., a resident of Madison County ; Thomas J., our subject; Susan, the wife of Elijah Chenowith, of Madison County ; Mary E., the widow of James Lyons, and now residing with her father, and Charles W., who lives in Madison County.
Mr. Pringle, of whom we write, attended the dis- trict school during his boyhood, and in 1856 en- tered Oberlin College from which he was graduated in the class of 1862. He had in the meantime commenced the study of law in the office of Shel- labarger & Goode and in 1863, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus. He then spent one year in Indianapolis and at the ex- piration of this time he opened an office in Spring- field, where he has since followed his profession. Ile was married ] in 1870, to Miss Margaretta Poague. Mrs. Pringle was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1847, and is a daughter of Robert D. and Mary E. Poague. Robert D. was a native of Ken- tucky, and Mary E. of Warren County, Ohio, the latter surviving. The three children born of this union are named respectively : Catherine, Robert, and Mary.
In politics Mr. Pringle has always been a Repub- lican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abra- liam Lineoln. In 1888, he was a prominent candidate for Lieutenant-Governor with Gov. For- aker. He was elected State Senator in 1879, and again in 1885. During his first term he voted for Gen. James A. Garfield, for Senator, and when the latter resigned he voted for John Sherman during the first and second term. While in the Senate he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, also on the Common School Committee, School Lands, Mu- nicipal Corporations, Penitentiary, etc., and was a member of the non-partisan committee of six ap- pointed in 1885, to investigate the Hamilton County frauds.
Mr. Pringle is a member of the Bar Association
of Clark County and socially belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M., Springfield Chap- ter No. 48, R. A. M. and Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T. He is prominently connected witli the First Presbyterian Church. He has been more than ordinarily successful as an attorney, and as a citizen he is held in high esteem.
OHN HANES. The farming community of Beaver Creek Township, Greene County, is worthily represented by Mr. Hanes, who is successfully tilling two hundred and thirty acres of choice land on section 13. His na- tive place was in Washington County, Md., and the date of his birth May 16, 1824. His parents were Adam and Sarah (Tice) IIanes, both likewise natives of Maryland and of German descent. Adam Hanes was born November 14, 1791, and after his marriage, with his wife and children emi- grated to Ohio in the year 1831, and settled on a part of the farm where their son John now lives, and where they sojourned the remainder of their days. The mother departed this life June 12, 1858, and Adam Hanes was called hence June 6, 1865, when quite aged.
To Adam and Sarah Hanes there was born a family of eight children ; viz .: Samuel, John, Lu- cretia; Sarah J., who died when about nine years old; Ann M., David Luther and Mary J. The survivors are four in number. John, our subject, remained a member of the parental household until a man of thirty-six years, and then, on the 6th of March, 1860, took unto himself a wife and help- mate, Miss Mary Z., daughter of John Middleton, of Cæsar Creek Township. Mrs. Hanes was born in this county, February 7, 1830, and is the daugh- ter of John and Susan Middleton, who are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hanes have no children.
After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Hanes, in 1864, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Ohio National Guards, but saw no active service, the assistance of this regiment not being required in the field. He votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, and has held the office of Township
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Trustee one year. He was also Land Appraiser for the same length of time. Both lic and his estina- ble wife are members in good standing of the Re- formed Church. Mr. Hancs is a warin admirer of the principles of Odd Fellowship, and has passed all the Chairs in Lodge No. 52, at Xenia. As a man and a citizen lic is looked upon with approval by all who know him. Ile has been suecessful in his farming operations, and is well-to-do, being amply provided against want in his old age.
E DWARD W. KISER enjoys an extended acquaintance throughout Clark County, particularly in Moorefield Township, where he was born May 15, 1850. Hc is a man of ster- ling integrity, whose word is considered as good as his bond, and who manifests the interest which all intelligent men should take in the material, intel- lectual and moral good of the community. He owns and occupies one hundred and sixty aercs of land on section 33, the cstate being carefully and intelligently tilled and bearing adequate improve- inents. A comparatively young man, Mr. Kiser is suceecding in worldly affairs, and is able to sur- round his family with all the comforts of life, besides making provision for his declining years.
Mr. Kiser is descended from old Virginia fam- ilics, being the son of Mieliael M. and Sarah (Wise) Kiser, of the Old Dominion. His father was born in Rockingham County near the close of the last century, and reared to manhood in his native State, where he was married. He emigrated to Olio in all probability in the '20s, settling on the farm now occupied by our subject. The land of which he took possession was not cleared, and he placed it in a tillable condition, doing muell of the labor which belongs to pioneer life. He put up a log house, in which his family was sheltered for many years, tlie structure being enlarged and improved some years after it was built. In it hc passed away July 4, 1869, his wife surviving him until 1874. The hospitality of the couple was well known, and the honesty and liberality which characterized the husband gained him the respeet
of all who enjoyed his acquaintance. His industry and perseverance were rewarded by the accumula- tion of an estate valued at about $12,000. During the Civil War he was a member of the Home Guards at Bellefontaine, in which town he resided for three years. The balance of the time, during which he was a citizen of Ohio, he spent on the farm. His political adherence was given to the Republican party. He was the father of a large family, of whom the only survivors arc: Mary A., Mrs. Baker, a widow, whose home is in Illinois; and he of whom we write.
Edward Kiser received his early instruction in the public and select schools of this county, and acquired a good practical cducation therein, al- though he had not the opportunity of attending the higher institutions of learning. He has been a life-long farmer, and is successfully pursuing his chosen calling. In polities, he is a stanch Repub- lican. He is now serving as School Director in his district, performing the duties of that office in a satisfactory manner.
The marriage of Mr. Kiser and Mrs. Mary C. Brandle took place September 15, 1875. and has been blessed by the birth of four children, who werc named respectively: William, Elva, Bessie and Charles. Mrs. Kiser is a daughter of Landron and Margaret Bumcrots, now of this county but formerly of Virginia. Her first husband was John Brandle, of this county, to whom she bore two children-Ada, the wife of Robert Wilson, and Emma, wife of James Morse, both living in Spring- ficld.
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J G. SNIDER, M.D., a rising young physi- cian of Cedarville Township, Greene County, is in connection with his practice operating a well-regulated farm. This lies about four miles north of the city, and it would seem that the proprietor has little to complain of in the distri- bution of fortune's favors. Hc is the offspring of a good family, being the son of J. C. and E. M. (Thomas) Snider, and the grandson of Adam Sni- der, the latter a native of Little Briton, Md.
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The paternal great-grandfather was George Snider, who traced his ancestry to the North of England.
The subject of this notice was born in Jefferson County, this State, August 24, 1862, and re- mained a resident of that county until reaching manhood. He was in delicate health during his younger years, but obtained a good education, attending school at Hopedale, and later being graduated from the University of Scio. He en- tered upon the study of medicine under the in- struction of Dr. A. Beresford, and later became a student of the Medical College in Cincinnati and the Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Sur- gery of Chicago, from which he was duly gradu- ated.
Dr. Snider commenced the regular practice of his profession in partnership with George W. Abbott, who was Commander-in-chief of the or- der of Sons of Veterans. About that time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Ella Houser, of Xenia, to whom he was married March 30, 1887. Soon afterward the newly-wedded pair removed to the farm which they now occupy, and which is familiarly known as the old George Brown home- stead. It embraces one hundred and fifty acres of choice land, and is amply furnished with all the modern improvements. Dr. Snider is a stirring, energetic young man, somewhat prominent in local affairs, and a member in good standing of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Xenia. He was admitted to this church by letter from the Third Presbyterian Church of Chicago, of which his brother was pastor.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was William McDowell, who married Miss Nancy Dob- · bins, and John Dobbins, father of the latter, mar- ried a sister of William Penn. Grandfather Dan- iel Thomas married Elizabeth McDowell, and was the son of Daniel and Fannie (McCrea) Thomas. Father and son werc powerful men physically, and blacksmiths by trade. The McCrea family was of Irish origin, and settled in Virginia at an carly day. Grandfather Thomas served as a soldier in the War of 1812. One of his uncles was in the Revolutionary War, and went over Niagara Falls in a vessel which the British had captured and which they sent over the falls with all on board.
Grandfather Thomas was at the battle of Balti- more in 1814, to which he marched barefoot a long distance. From these few facts it may easily be imagined that if the history of the Thomas and McCrea families could be fully gathered and written out it would form a tale full worthy of perusal.
AMES McMILLEN. The live stock inter- csts of Cedarville and vicinity recognize a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who makes a business of buying and feeding for the market. His long experience in the business has resulted in a thorough understanding of all its details, and there are few men able to operate with better judgment or more satisfactory results. Mr. McMillen has spent his entire life in Greene County, in fact, now lives on the placc where he was born. This latter event took place December 16, 1833.
The subject of this notice is the son of David McMillen, who came to Greene County accompa- nied by a number of his brothers, in 1831. David McMillen, taking up a tract of land, erected the homestead now occupied by his son, and after a well-spent life passed to his final rest. The house which he first built was destroyed by fire in 1858, everything being demolished except the walls, which were left standing, and from the ruins James erected the present residence the same year, and lived there with his mother until her death. It is now a large, substantial structure, and if no other disaster overtakes it, will remain for ycars to come, proof against the ordinary ravages of time. It is situated about three miles from Cedarville, on Massie's Creek, surrounded by two hundred and forty-four acres of good land, which David Mc- Millen, with the assistance of his children, re- deemed from the primitive forest. The parental family consisted of six sons and six daughters, of whom James was the youngest born. The mother bore the maiden name of Nancy Wright.
James McMillen grew to manhood on the pioneer farm, and obtained such education as the district schools of Cedarville afforded. When a little over
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twenty- three years old he was married, January 15, 1867, to Miss M. E., daughter of Robert and Eliz- abeth (Richards) Murdock. Afterward Mr. Me- Millen oceupied himself in general farming until becoming interested in live stock. Originally he was a staneh Demoerat, but of late has been in- clined to support the Prohibition tieket. His religious beliefs conform to the doctrines of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which his es- timable wife is also a member.
To Mr. and Mrs. MeMillen was born a family of nine children, two of whom died in early child- hood. Fanny, the eldest, completed hier studies in Monmouth (Ill.) College, which she attended two years; she is a lady of fine attainments, oeen pies herself as a teacher, and makes her home with her parents. Frederick is at present a student of Mon- mouth College, from which he expects to be grad- nated in due time; Harlan is now attending the Commereial College at Springfield, this State; Ho- mer is his father's chief assistant on the farm; Clara, an interesting young miss of fourteen years, Clayton and Jason remain under the parental roof. The family oeeupies a high position socially, and is widely and favorably known throughout the township.
R OBERT JOHNSON, Vice-President of the Mast, Foos & Co. manufacturing eoneern and also of the Superior Drill Company of Springfield, is one of its prominent and lead- ing eitizens, a gentleman of the highest character and of potent influence. He and his wife are mem. bers of the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church and are both highly esteemed and loved for their many excellent personal qualities and sterling Christian worth. Mr. Johnson was born in Clark County a few miles south of the city of Springfield on the old Johnson place, a well-known locality, January 20, 1832. He is the second son of the late James and Ellen Johnson, natives of Ireland and of Scoteh-Irish blood.
The parents of Mr. Johnson came to Clark County in 1824, settling down upon the farm where
they spent the remainder of their lives. Eight children-four boys and four girls-were born on the place, all of whom are still living (1890). In 1849, Robert repaired to the eity and eommeneed learning the trade of a earpenter and joiner at which he worked three years. He then became a partner with his brother James, and they adopted the busi- ness of contraeting and building which they carried on until 1864, in which year he went to the Penn- sylvania oil regions during the excitement incident to the opening of the rich oil field. After operat- ing there about three years he returned to Spring- field.
In 1867, Mr. Johnson joined with others in or- ganizing the Champion Machine Company, whieli subsequently became the Amos Whiteley Reaper & Mower Manufacturing Company,and was a lead- ing and most efficient member of the company un- til the year 1881, when he disposed of his interest in the concern. To Mr. Johnson's ability as a man- ager and worker in the company's operations must be aseribed a goodly portion of its marked sueeess. Whatever he has undertaken in any department of business has been well and efficiently done.
Soon afterward Mr. Johnson purchased property opposite the First Presbyterian Chureb, on West Main Street, Springfield, demolished the old and unsightly structures standing upon it and ereeted a fine, five-story business block, finishing off on the fourth and fifth floors one of the most elegant Masonie halls in the country. In 1884, he acquired an interest in the celebrated manufactory owned by Messrs. Mast, Foos & Co., and was chosen Viee- President of the company. In December of that same year he assisted in the re-organization of the Superior Drill Company and was elected Viee- President of this also; he now divides his time and energies in assisting the management and operations of both the companies named.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1859 to Miss Ade- laide Humphreys, a daughter of the late William Humphreys, an esteemed citizen and a pioneer of Clark County. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, viz .: Effie A., Charles S., Nellie M., Frank C., Clara B., Jessie J., and Benjamin P. Mr. Johnson has always taken a prominent and use- ful part in public affairs and has invariably been
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recognized as a good citizen. He was elected to the City Council from the old Third Ward in the spring of 1882, serving four years and was Presi- dent of the Council one term. He is one of the stockholders and Directors of the Springfield Na- tional Bank and a Trustee of his church. His residence at No. 197 South Fountain Avenue, is beautifully situated and forms one of the many very handsome and comfortable homes of Spring- field. Mr. Johnson has acquired a substantial fortune through his industry and enterprise, me- chanieal abilities and rare qualities as a manager of large enterprises and makes good use of the means he has accumulated.
OBERT MENDENHALL. The subject of this notice, a gentleman of fifty-five years, was born four and one-half miles south of Xenia near the Burlington Pike, October 12, 1834, and lives five and one-half miles in the same direction from the city, where he owns two hundred and seventeen acres of choice land. His life-long interests have centered in this county, in which he has grown up from infancy, and he has naturally become identified with its advancement and prosperity. He is the scion of an excellent old family, being the son of Benjamin and Ann (Simison) Mendenhall, the former of whom was born April 26, 1804, also at the place where he now resides south of the city. He has lived on the farm of his birth all his life. There were born to him and his estimable partner eight children, viz .: William, Robert; John, who served in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio In- fantry during the Civil War and is now deccased; Rebecca E., Mary Ann, these two also deceased; Smith, a member of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, who died in the service; Margaret, the deceased wife of David Adams, and Nancy, who died when a child of six years.
The father of our subject was reared a Quaker, to which faith he still adheres. He was a strong Whig during the existence of that party, and afterward identified himself with the Republican
party. The wife and mother died at the home- stead in 1861, strong in the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Mendenhall was subsequently married to Betsey A. (Thornburg) Compton. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Mendenhall by name, was a native of North Carolina, and came to this county about 1802. He settled .on a large tract of land, three hundred acres in extent, this lying in Spring Valley Township, and there spent the balance of his days. He likewise was a Quaker in religious belief. His wife bore the maiden name of Ruth Brown, and they reared a family of six sons and four daughters.
The subject of this notice spent his boyhood and youth under the parental roof. acquiring such education as the primitive schools afforded, and upon reaching his majority struck out for himself. His first purchase of land was a part of the farm where he now resides and upon which he settled in 1862. Prior to this, December 22, 1859, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Jane Elam, who was born July 7, 1838, and was the daughter of Isaac B. and Mary (McKnight) Elam. This union rc- sulted in the birth of two children --- Mary Ann, now the widow of William E. Ferguson, and Kelley, who remains under the parental roof. Mrs. Ferguson has a son and a daughter-Leon K. and Mildred J. Mr. Mendenhall lives the life of a quiet and peaceable citizen, meddling very little with matters outside his farm, and uniformly gives his support to the Republican party.
G EORGE R. BURROUS. This gentleman, who is highly spoken of by all who know him, is now the proprietor of the old Fifer livery, feed and sale stable, at No. 30 East Second Street, Xenia, and doing a good business. He embarked in this enterprise, in 1887, in company with his brother, J. R. Burrous, under the style of Burrous Bros. In the spring of 1889 he bought out his partner's interest, and has since been carry- ing on the enterprise alone.
A Mr. Burrous, one of the early settlers of this
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county, reared a family one of whom, Riehard, is the father of our subjeet. This Riehard was born about three miles from Xenia, grew to maturity in this eounty and took for his companion in life Miss Elizabeth Harner, also of this eounty. He engaged in farming in Bath Township, and there his son, George R., was born, May 18, 1849. They were the parents of two sons and five daughters by the first marriage, and of these five are still living. Mr. Burrous was twiee married, of the second mar- riage there were two children, both living. The parents are both deceased, the mother dying May 25, 1849; the father survived her until February 5th, 1882, when he passed from earth.
The subject of this sketeh grew to maturity in his native township, having the advantages of the good sehools which abound in the Buckeye State, and remaining under the parental roof until he was almost of age. He learned telegraphy, and was in the employ of the Atlantie & Great West- ern Railroad Company, and then in that of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton road, at Dayton. His stations were generally in this State, and he continued in the business until the spring of 1883. Since that period he has spent most of the time in this eity (Xenia), for one year having been en- gaged in the coal and lime trade. He brings to his business enterprises a zeal and energy that is commendable, while the principles which govern his transactions are sueli as to give him the eonfi- denee of all with whom he has to do. He votes the Democratie tieket.
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