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 117

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 117
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 117

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).

The refined woman under whose care Mr. Lud- low's dwelling is a home in decd and in truth, be- came his wife in 1866. Prior to that time she was known as Miss Ella R. Spencer, having many friends in Springfield, which is her native city and the place in which she received her education. Her parents, Richard S. and Ellen Spencer removed

from Lynn, Mass., to this city, her father having been a native of his former place of abode. Mr. and Mrs. Ludlow have three children-Frederick R. B., Ellen S. and Charles R. The elder son is a partner in the store.

EV. SAMUEL F. BRECKENRIDGE, Sc. D., Professor of Exegctical Theology in the Theological Seminary of Wittenberg Col- lege, Springfield, Ohio, was born in Kisha- coquillas Valley, Mifflin County, Pa., Decem- ber 1, 1833.

His father, Rev. John Brown Brackenridge, was born in Franklin County, Pa., October 30, 1806, was married in 1831 to Miss Sophia M. Ehrenfeld, oldest daughter of Dr. Augustus Clemens Ehren- feld of Mifflin County, Pa. The subject of this sketch is their oldest child. Ilis parents, at this writing, July, 1890, are both living, the father in his eighty-fifth, the mother in her seventy-ninth year.

It will be observed that Prof. Breckenridge spells his name with an "e" in the first syllable, as just given, while his father's name is spelled with an "a"-Brackenridge. The son changed the ortho- graphy of his name at the suggestion of his father, who had become convinced, upon tracing his an- cestry, that Breckenridge was the more correct form of the name, although he did not think it wise to attempt a change of the form of his own name, under which he had become known profes- sionally and as a citizen.

The Breckenridge family owes its origin to Scotcli-Irish stock. The late H. M. Brackenridge, of Tarentum, Pa., upon visting Scotland some years since, traced the genealogy of the family to a period prior to the time of Jobn Knox, the great reformer. It was thus found that one of the early representatives of the family, a Scoteliman of the " clan Campbell," went from Scotland to Ireland, and settled near Londonderry. In the latter place was born the great-grandfather of Prof. Brecken- ridge. He, while yet a child, accompanied his father to America early in the last century. At

920

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

the time of Braddock's defeat he was employed as a teamster hauling provisions on the frontier. While thus engaged he was captured by the Indians and taken near to the present site of Coshocton, whence he made his escape, and of which a lengthy account is given in the Pennsylvania Colonial Records.

From this ancestry descended Samuel Bracken- ridge, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who was born at Half-Way House, Chester County, Pa,, and to whom he of whom we write is said to bear a striking resemblance. He was possessed of a splendid physical development, was of a more than ordinarily bright mind, and of a genial tempera- ment that drew around him many friends. For many years he was connected with the Presbyterian Church. He spent the closing years of his life near Brownsville, Pa., dying in 1840. His wife was likewise of Scotch-Irish birth and a woman re- markable for personal beanty and commanding presence. She lived to probably the age of ninety years.

To the parents of Prof. Breckenridge there was born a family of twelve children, six of whom are still living ..

On his mother's side the records of his ancestry are official, full and continuous to A. D. 1601. Of this no more will be given here than to say that this line of his ancestry has, as far as the records run back, been an educated people, a majority of its male members in the different liberal professions, and some of them particularly eminent. It is an interesting fact that on his mother's side also he had a great-grandfather in the Colonial military service in Braddock's expedition. He was over- taken by death and buried near Braddock's field. He also was employed as a teamster in hauling sup- plies. Not improbably those two men, whose blood was to commingle so many generations afterwards, met in that little army and were acquainted. Be- sides these, two others of his maternal ancestors, in direct line, served under Washington in the War of Independence. Both of Prof. Breckenridge's parents have been of very marked intellectual and moral characteristics. His father, while well versed in other branches and particularly skilled in mathe- matics, had a peculiar ardor in the study of lan-

guage, and for a command of choice English in conversation he has had very few equals. IIis mother, from her early life, was marked by a terse power of thought and speech that not only made her a powerful opponent in argument, if argument arose, though lier disposition did not invite it, but enabled her often to sum up and end a whole line of discussion in an unexpected epigram. It is not too much to say that Prof. Breckenridge largely in- herited the above mentioned qualities of both his parents.

To the parents of Prof. Breckenridge there were born twelve children, six of them still living. The survivors are mostly residents of Rochester, Pa. One of his brothers gave his life to his country at Vicksburg, in the war for the Union.

The subject of this sketch entered Wittenberg College in 1854, with the purpose of preparing to study law. His father had prepared him for entrance into college, but was not able to meet the expense of his collegiate course. But young Breckenridge had already from his fourteenth year supported him- self. This he did thenceforth. The history of his course through college would make an instruc- tive and profitable chapter. He battled with and overcame difficulties and discouragements that would have entirely broken the resolution of most young men. Through all the trying ordeals of his college years he kept his eyes to the front, and came out of the campaign a victor and a strong inan. While in college he passed through a reli- gious experience that changed the plans of his life and determined him to enter the ministry of the gospel. He graduated in 1860. After his gradua- tion he was an instructor in Mendota Female Col- lege, at Mendota, Ill., and subsequently became its principal. While there he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Northern Illinois synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In the same year he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of John Garver, of Pecatonica, Ill. Dur- ing a number of subsequent years he was principal of the Leechburg, Pa., Academy; afterward was pastor of congregations near that place. Thence he was called to Ohio, where he was pastor at Belle- fontaine and Plymouth. From this last pastorate he was called in 1874 to the chair of mathematics

921

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

in Wittenberg College, which he occupied until ealled, in the fall of 1888, to the chair of exegetical thcology iu Wittenberg College, which he now holds. His sueeess in the ministry as well as his recognized qualifieations infineneed his election as college professor. Prof. Breckenridge has few, if any, superiors as a teacher. He undertakes to teaclı nothing which he has not first made himself master of as thoroughly as it is possible for his faculties to eompass and penetrate it in its faets and principles ; and he is not satisfied with any- thing less on the part of -his students. He already bids fair to become as famous with his pupils in his new chair, as he had beeome in the chair of mathematics and logic in the college. He received the degree of Doctor of Science from Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., in 1887.

Prof. Breckenridge is widely read in history, in the sciences, in political economy, and especially in the field of controversial theology as raised by the enemies of the Christian faith. His critical read- ing in ancient sceular as well as ecelesiastical his- tory is shown in the luminous use he is now making of it in the chair of exegesis. It is earnestly de- sired by those who know him and his methods of study most intimately, that he will give the theo- logieal and religious world the benefit of his re- searches and acquirements.

Prof. Breckenridge is possessed of a very bright wit and as genial a humor. His company is sought for his entertaining social qualities. He is notably gencrous and kind-hearted, and is one of the truest and most conscientious of men.

To Prof. and Mrs. Breckenridge have been born born three children, one son and two daughters, all living. Their family residence is a very pleas- ant one on Ferneliff Avenue, and is the center of a happy eircle of refined and cultured people.

C HARLES E. ARBOGUST. This gentleman has a high reputation in the business circles of Xenia and wherever his trade extends, as one who is strictly honorable in all business transactions and possesses a high moral character. He is engaged in the manufacture of blank books and office stationery, making a specialty of the lat-

ter and having an extensive trade, his goods selling in seventy-four of the eighty-eight eounties of the State. He was born in Xenia, September 22, 1862, and in this eity has spent the greater part of his life. His father, Charles Arbogust, a native of Springfield, there grew to maturity and learned the trade of a blacksmith. He married Miss Rebeeca W. Sellers, of Xenia Township, daughter of John and Elizabeth Sellers, whose farm lay one mile southeast of Xenia. Her father was an early settler of the county, in which his sons, George, Luthier and Addison, still reside.

The parents of our subjeet resided in Springfield until a short time before his birth, when they re- moved to Xenia. The father died when our subject was about a year old, but the mother is still living. Both parents held membership in the Baptist Church, and the mother has eonseientiously en- deavored to bring up her son in the way he should go, the result being that he is living a useful and honored life. He grew to maturity in the city of his birth, finishing his education in her schools and identifying himself with her business men.

In 1879, in connection with W. B. Chew, our subjcet started the bindery, the association between the two gentlemen continuing two years. Mr. Arbogust then purehased his partner's interest, and since that time has been eondueting the business himself. He is also interested in the millinery and faney goods store of C. B. Arbogast, and holds considerable eity property. He likewise has a eor siderable interest in the Building & Loan Associa- tion, of which he was one of the organizers. It was incorporated September 1, 1885, with a capital stock of $500,000.

Mr. Arbogust has for many years been an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a member of the Board of Directors, of the society whieli was organized in this city in July, 1884. They have a free lease for five years, with the privilege of holding it ten years, with a strong membership and good rooms in which to assemble and carry on various instruetive and useful ocen- pations. The members' parlor and prayer meeting room can be thrown into one when occasion requires. A pleasant reading room, private office, complete gymnasium-over which a competent

922

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

physical director has charge-and complete batlı rooms with shower and tub bath and hot and cold water at all times, complete the establishment. The annual fee is $5, which admits to all the privi- leges and benefits. The fine furnishings of the Association rooms were secured entirely through the individual efforts of the members.

January 22, 1883, the interesting ceremony took place which transformed Miss Lida Robinson, of Xenia, into Mrs. Charles E. Arbogust. The bride is a daughter of George F. and Jennie Robinson, the former of whom is still living. She was born in this city in 1863, secured a good education in its excellent schools, and acquired the graces of manner and virtues of character which secure her the regard of many friends and acquaintances. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of two sons -George Elwood and Charles Orin. The family attend the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Arbogust is an honored member. He also belongs to the social order of the Knights of Honor.

W ILLIAM R. BAKER was elected Auditor for Greene County in November, 1883, and has served continuously since that time, a fact which speaks highly for his character and the estimation in which he is held by the people of his county. He is one of the old soldiers whom all lovers of the flag delight to honor, and in remem- brance of the years during which he hazarded life itself in battle's front, he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic at Xenia. For some years prior to his election to his present responsible posi- tion, he was identified with the business interests of the eity in the capacity of a dealer in groceries, and in financial circles was held in excellent repute.

Mr. Baker was born near Jamestown, August 31, 1841, being a son of John W. Baker, whose settle- ment in this county dated from 1828. The father was a native of Kentucky, whither he came across the Ohio River when a boy of fourteen years with his father, William Baker, who kept one of the early public houses of Jamestown. Amid the pio-

ncer surroundings the father of our subject grew to maturity, being engaged as a teamster until liis marriage, when he turned his attention to farming. In the spring of 1848 he abandoned that enterprise and returning to Jamestown, engaged in the grocery business, continuing in that occupation until 1857.

In the schools of his native placc and in the store kept by his father, he of whom we write received his education, being enabled to make practical use of the principles learned from the text books and so realized the object of his schooling. During his youth his father resumed his farm work and con- tinning it until after his boy's had grown to man- hood, they became well acquainted with that occupation also. The father finally removed to Grape Grove and four or five years later to Colum- bus, where he still lives. The mother to whom our subject and the other members of the parental family owe much for good counsel and loving care, also survives.

Our subject left the parental roof in the fall of 1861 to enlist in Company A, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry. The regiment spent six months at Camp Todd and Camp Chase, preparing for the duties which awaited them at the front, and then going to Nashville, were placed under the command of Gen. Thomas, in the Fourteenth Corps, Army of the Cumberland. They bore a gallant part in the mo- mentous battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and after- ward participated in the scenes of the Atlanta cam- paign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. During this period they were under fire nearly every day, bear- ing their part in all thic battles of the campaign. At its conclusion our subject was discharged, his term of service being completed, and was mustered out October 17, 1864.

Returning to his home Mr. Baker became a clerk in the grocery store of Eavey & Co., Xenia, re- maining in the establishment until 1869, in a eleri- cal capacity and then assuming a half interest in the house. The firm did both a wholesale and re- tail trade and was well known in this section of the Buckeye State as one of the most reliable establish- ments of Xenia. For sixteen years Mr. Baker was connected with the house, during the various changes it underwent, owning from one-half to the

923

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

entire interest. When elected to the office in which he is now serving his third term, he sold out his business in order that he might devote himself fully to his public dutics.

Mr. Baker votes the Republican ticket, no stancher supporter of the party being met with than he. He is a Chapter Mason and is also iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His family consists of a wife and two children, the latter bearing the names of Florence H. and Jessic R. Mrs. Baker bore the maiden name of Anna P. Harrison, and was born and reared on a farm near Cedarville, this county, of which her father, James Harrison, was an early settler. The rites of wed- lock between herself and our subject were cele- brated at her home March 1, 1876. She is a noble woman, true to her family and friends, and intel- ligently interested in the affairs of mankind.

OHN L. CONKLIN. For a number of years, Mr. Conklin, who is now deceased, was num - bered among the business men of Spring- field, Clark County, and he was possessed in a marked degree of those traits of character which made him universally popular among the young and old. Affable, generous and high minded, no man could point to an unworthy act of his, and when passing away he was mourned not only by his im- mediate family, but by hosts of friends. As a business man he was more than ordinarily success- ful, and left to his family a fine estate, including an elegant home, with all of the comforts and luxuries of modern life.

A native of Morris County, N. J., Mr. Conklin was born February 2, 1842, being the son of Will- iam Conklin, a native of the same county, and a descendant of one of four brothers who were early settlers of Spring Valley, N. J. William Conklin was one of four sons, and was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, which he followed in his native State, and remained a resident there until about two years before liis death. He then sold his farm

and went to Springfield to visit his sons, and died at the home of his son William.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Cornelia Galtra. She survived her husband many years, and died at the home of her son, John L., at the advanced age of eighty-two. Mr. Conk- lin, of whom we write, was reared and educated in his native county, and when a young man entered the employ of the Government as a clerk at the Brooklyn navy yard. He held that position until 1871, then removed to Springfield, and embarked in the grocery business. He was possessed of sound judgment and fine business abilities, was courteous to his customers, and thus made many friends, ac- quiring a large trade. In fact he became the lead- ing groceryman of the city, and continued the business until the illness which terminated in his derth, January 5, 1885.

The marriage of John L. Conklin and Miss Helen Parcells, was celebrated at the bride's home in Brroklyn, N. Y., April 25, 1870. Mrs. Conklin was born in the latter city, September 24, 1850, and is the daughter of William Parcells. a native of Mor- ris County, N. J. Her paternal grandfather was born in Mendon, that State, where his father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his last years. Grandfather James Parcells, also followed agricul- tural pursuits, and died at Mendon. William Par- cells was reared in his native State, and when leaving there went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and became a wholesale dealer in building stone, remaining there until his death. He married Miss Catherine, daughter of William Willis. The latter was a na- tive of England, and a son of John Willis, likewise of English birth and parentage, and who upon emi- grating to New York City engaged in the mercan- tile business.

Grandfather Parcells followed in the footsteps of his honored father, and also became a merchant of New York City, where he spent his last years. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin became the parents of five children, namely: Augusta, William R., John L., Roscoe, deceased, and Ilelen E. Mr. Conklin as is also his widow, was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church, which has received liberal benefactions from them, and of which Mrs. Conk- lin is still a regular attendant. Mr. Conklin was

924

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

prominent as a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M., and Palestinc Commandery, No. 33, K. T. Mrs. Conklin occupies the beautiful home left her by her husband, and is a lady who holds a high position in the community.

HE HOOVEN & ALLISON COMPANY, manufacturers of twine and cordage, at Xenia, Ohio, has one of the leading facto- ries of this kind in the country. A company was organized in 1869 for the purpose of making what is known as handmade twine, which enterprise was being successfully prosecuted when Robert A. Kelly came to the city and became connected with the concern. He had worked with the American hemp fibre with which he had experimented quite largely regarding the production from it of twine by machinery. In the spring of 1876, he sug- gested the feasibility of this to Messrs. Hooven & Allison, who being convinced that a better and cheaper twine could thus made than by the hand process which they had been using, at once set to work to get appropriate machinery for the purpose. From the beginning made on the evening before Christmas, 1876, when the first spool of hemp twine was manufactured in Xenia, the plant of the above company has grown to great proportions.

Mr. Hooven died in 1881, after which time Mr. Kelly formed a partnership with Mr. M. C. Alli- son, the firm name continuing Hooven & Allison until the death of the latter, May 3, 1888. Two months thereafter a stock company was organized, the incorporators being Jacob Harbinc, J. D. Stcele, W. B. Ilarrison, R. A. Kelly and Mrs. Fanny Allison. The capital stock is $150,000 and the officers are J. H. Harbine, President; W. B. Harrison, Vice-President; J. D. Steele, Secretary; R. A. Kelly, Superintendent. The officers still retain

the same positions,controlling a business which furn- ishes employment to from two hundred and twenty- five to two hundred and fifty hands, sending goods to all parts of the United States. They manufac- ture hemp, jute, manilla and sisal goods, as well as cotton goods, and besides their large establishment in Xenia, operate a cotton mill in Zanesville under the same charter. This mill was purchased by Hooven & Allison in 1879.

R. A. Kelly, Superintendent of the mammoth concern above mentioned, was born in Guilford, County Down, Ireland, October 16, 1838. He was brought up in the flax and linen concern of Dun- bar, McMaster & Co., leaving his native land in 1855, to enter the employ of Finlayson, Bonsfield & Co., manufacturers of linen thread at Johnston, Renfrewshire, Scotland. In July, 1859, he emi- grated to che United States, his first employment here being with the Dolphin Manufacturing Com- pany, of Patterson, N. J. He was also engaged in the manufacture of flax, sisal and manilla rope ma- chinery in the same city. In 1864, he was sent to Delaware, Ohio, by Messrs. Todd & Rafferty to erect and superintend the works of the Delaware Manufacturing Company. They manufactured twine and seamless bags during the war, afterward converting the flax mill into a bagging mill for the manufacture of bagging for covering cotton.

Mr. Kelly built the first five laying machines and finishing machines for laying and finishing hemp twinc in Delaware, Ohio, which machines he brought to Xenia in the fall of 1876, placing them in the factory of the Hooven & Allison Company. The further history of that establishment has been al- ready given, in so far as our brief notes can tell the story of a mammoth business concern whose in- stigators and managers are constantly proving their possession of the powers of combination and com .. mand necessary for the successful prosecution of an enterprise in which many men must be employed.

- -

Abell, J. B

742

Ackerson. T. C. . 447

Adams, John

Adams, John Quincy

Adams S. N

.191

Albin, C.

.175

Alexander, J. S

633

Alexander, W. J

.861

Allison, B. F

.467

Alt, George W

.488

Anderson, James

.729

Anderson, James R

.152

Anderson, Joseph .

438

Anderson, M. W

716

Andrew, J. H.

.606

Berryhill, M.

.337

Andrew, T. B

. €06

Arbogust, C. E

.921

Arbogast, E. G

. 832

Arbogast, Eli M

295

Arnold, Lester

.315

Arthur, Chester A

.. 99

Austin, J. M., M. D

.. 368

Bahb, J. S. 887

Babb, J. W. .703

Baird, W. J. 710

Baker, A. J

318

Baker, Adam

.138

Baker, Dan ... .714

Baker, David L .. 466

Baker, Brinton .. .. 314 Baker, Emanuel. .613 Baker, George W 646 Baker, William G . 425 Baker, W. R. .922 Baldwin, Henry, Jr., M. D .. 192

Baldwin, John .. 372 Baldwin, Hon. William. . .. 767 Baldner, Jacob 610

Bales, Elisha

.136

Bales, Silas

. 395

Ball, Mary E

. 264

Barber, John A

- 352

Barber, J. M

715

Barkman, J. H.

667

Barratt, D. S.

.231

Barrett, Hon. I. M

181

Barrett, T. S

.238

Barrere, D. M.

.914

Bauer, Charles A

494

Baughman, A. H

.119

Baumgardner, J. A

177

Beal, Thomas L

'38

Bechtle, Henry

492

Becker, John

.838

Bell, Read L., M. D

.. 658

Benham, P. O

.167

Coffield, George W

.556

Berger, Willianı H

.692

Collins, J. W.

.351

Compton, Wilson

645

Confer, George

. 820

Confer, William G

.217

Conklin. John L

923

Conklin, H. H

.595

Cooper. Judge J. H

. 408

Cooper, Samuel

.234

Copeland, William

699

Cost, George T

.. 666

Coy, Abraham .841

Crabill, David

.468

Crabill, James

. 426

Crabill, J. F

.726

Crabill, Milton

. 474

Crahill, William, Jr

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 117

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