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 12
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 12
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youth members of the Old School Baptist Church in which Mr. Keiter officiated as a Deacon.
To the parents of Mrs. Bales there was born a family of five sons and seven daughters, nine of whom are yet living: Margaret A., was, like her brothers and sisters, subjected to careful parental training and obtained a fair education in the com- mon schools. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, of whom Mary E. died at the age of fifteen months and Frederick K. when an interesting child .. of seven years. The survivors are recorded as follows: Susan became the wife of Joseph O. Avy, a fariner of Gage County, Neb .; William married Miss Lordelia Jane Faulkner and they live on a farm in Clinton County, this State; Silas R. took to wife Miss Laura Cline and they live on a farm in Jefferson Township, Greene County; Sarah E. remains at home with her parents. Mr. Bales like his honored father, votes the straight Democratic ticket. No man can point to a dishonest act of which he has ever been guilty and he is looked upon as one whose word is as good as his bond.
DAM BAKER. This genial citizen of Ger- man Township, Clark County, is well-known to a majority of its people among whom he is a general favorite. Ile makes his head- quarters at a well-regulated farm on section 8, where he operates successfully as a tiller of the soil, and deals quite extensively in live stock. A man still in the prime of life, he was born April 26, 1841, where he now lives, and is the son of Adamn, Sr., and Susannah (Klineselter) Baker, who were both natives of York County, Pa.
Mr. Baker was reared to manhood in his native township, and remembers the time when the eoun- try was comparatively new, and the opportunities for social intereourse and education were quite lim- ited. He attended the district schools during the his boyhood, and at an early age eommeneed to to make himself useful around the farm. He was a lad fond of his books, and after leaving the com- mon school, entered the Commereial College at
Springfield, under the tutorship of Prof. Edward Harrison, and was duly graduated. Then return- ing home he worked for himself until ready to es- tablish a fireside of his own.
The marriage of Adam Baker and Miss Amanda E. Wilson, took place at the bride's home in this township, October 10, 1869. Mrs. Baker was born January 28, 1846, in Champaign County, and is the daughter of John and Sarah A. Wilson, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia, are now resi- dents of Tremont City, this State. Of this union there have been born no children. Mr. Baker is the owner of three hundred and twenty-three aeres of choiee land in Clark County. This home farm comprises one hundred and sixteen acres, and is improved with good buildings including a neat frame residence, and the structures necessary for the shelter of stock and storage of grain. Mr. Baker, without making any great stir in the world, pursues the even . tenor of his way as a peaecable and law-abiding citizen, and gives his unqualified allegianee to the Republican party. Ile is classed among the representative citizens of his township, and through his own industry and good manage- ment, has accumulated a competence. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member in high standing, having attained to the thirty-second degree.
Adam Baker, Sr., the father of our subjeet, was born about 1796, and departed this life at his home in German Township, in 1863. He was reared to manhood in his native State, whence he emigrated to Ohio in 1836, settling in Clark County, and the following year secured the land which constitutes the present farm of his son Adam. He also pur- chased mill property and operated a flouring-inill and distillery for about eleven years. Later he sold the mill property. He was a prominent man in his community, serving as County Commissioner, and after the organization of the Republican party, was one of its warmest adherents.
The mother of our subject died in August, 1879. The parental family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living: Cornelius, William B. and Elinora, are residents of Springfield; Joana is the wife of Alexander Baker, of Moorefield Township; John W. is a resident of Topeka, Kan .; Adam, our
Um. Indulton
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subjeet, is the youngest living of the family. The father at his death left a large estate, which he had accumulated mostly by his own industry and per- severance. The family maintains a highly respect- able position in the community, standing second to none in point of intelligence and sterling worth.
ILLIAM G. SUTTON. The Sutton family flourished in New Jersey during the Co- lonial days and were a worthy racc of peo- ple of whom their descendants have reason to be proud. The subject of this notice, who is widely and favorably known throughout Silver Township, Greene County, is the grandson of William G. Sut- ton, Sr., and was born in New Jersey, of American parents, who traced their ancestry to Ireland.
William G., Sr., was reared to farming pursuits and chose these for his life vocation. When reach - ing manhood lie was married to a lady of his own State, by name, Miss Lois Sutton, who was of an- cestry similar to his own. They lived in New Jer- sey until after the birth of several children, then, in the early part of the present eentury, emigrated to Ohio and made settlement in what is now Cæsar's Creek Township, Greene County. He took up land on the military tract south of the present site of the city of Xenia, when the now flourishing town was scarcely marked by a building. Grandfa- ther Sutton began at first principles in the open - ing up of a farm and bore the distinction of being not only one of the first settlers of the township, but in fact of the whole county. IIc broke his land with a wooden mould-board plow and used hickory bark for reins to guide liis team. He, like the other pioneers, was very poor and it. required the closest ceonomy and good management to keep the family fed and clothed and carry on the im- provements of the farm. The nearest market and mill were at Cincinnati and they encountered un- told bardships and privations in their struggle to build up a home and seeurc a competence.
In due time, however, Grandfather Sutton and his estimable wife began to reap the reward of their labors and found themselves surrounded by all of
the comforts of life. The latter passed away sev- eral years prior to the decease of her husband and when quite well advanced in years. She was a de- voted wife and mother and bore the vicissitudes of pioneer life bravely and hopefully, and like the woman of seripture, "looked well after the ways of her household." Grandfather Sutton after her death repaired to Jay County, Ind., and spent his last days among his children, dying at the home of lis son Isaiah when an old man. He was a Whig, politieally, but held to no religious creed, making it the rule of his life to do unto others as he would be done by. There were born unto him and his excel- lent wife four sons and threc daughters, of whom Daniel, the father of our subject, was the eldest. The latter was born in 1802, it is believed in New Jersey, or if not there, at the place where they first settled near Chillicothe, this State.
The father of our subjeet was a young child when he removed with his parents to Greene County, this State, and he assisted in the develop- ment of the home farm, remaining under the home roof until reaching his majority. He was then married in New Jasper Township to Miss Elizabeth: Spahr. This lady was born in Virginia in 1804, and was quite young when she accompanied her parents, Philip and Mary (Schick) Spahr, to Greene County, they settling south of the present site of Xenia. In Greene County they spent thic remainder of their lives and bothi lived to be quite aged. Mr. Spahr died at the old homestead and his wife afterward died at the home of her son in Ross Township. Boti were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They reared a family of ten children and were among those whose names have always been held in kindly remem- brance.
After their marriage Daniel Sutton and his wife commenced the journey of life together on a farm two miles north of the old Sutton homestead, on Cæsar's Creek, where Mr. Sutton improved two hundred and twenty aeres and gathered around himself and family many comforts. There his death occurred in 1860. He was a prominent man in his community and looked upon as one of the best citizens in the county. Politically, lie was a sound Republican, and in religion, a devoted mem-
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ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Physi- cially he was a powerful man, being considered the stoutest man in the county at that time. His wife survived him a number of years and also died at the old homestead in 1884, being then eighty years old. She was a large-hearted Christian woman, kind and charitable in all her impulses and was one of the most active workers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this notice was the second born of fifteen children comprising the parental family and including seven sons and eight daughters. It is a remarkable fact that they all lived to mature ycars. One son, Jacob, entered the Union Army during the Civil War, and met his death while in the servive of his country. One daughter, Nancy is deceased; Nehemiah G. is also deceased; the remainder were married and had families of their own, excepting one daughter. Twelve are still living, all thrifty, honest and industrious and oc- cupying a good position in their community. The youngest living member of this large family is forty-five years old.
William G. Sutton shared with his parents the hardships and privations of pioneer life and as- sisted them as he was able in building up the homestead and accumulating a competence. After reaching man's estate he was married January 11, 1849, at the bride's home in Caesar's Creek Town- ship, to Miss Martha Hagler. This lady was born in that township April 25, 1830, and under careful home training developed into an intelligent and at- tractive womanhood. Her parents were Samuel and Anna (Fudge) Hagler, natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. Later they came to Ohio and were among the earliest settlers of Greene County, locating in Caesar's Creek Town - ship. The father secured a tract of land from which he opened up a good farm and there with his good wife spent the remainder of his days. They were people greatly respected in their community and consistent members of the German Reformed Church. They were also parents of fifteen chiil- dren, of whom their daughter Martha was the sixth in order of birth. Two of thesc died young, but the most of them are still living, married and have families of their own.
To our subject and his good wife there have been born eight children, one of whom, a daughter, Jennie, died unmarried at the age of thirty-two. The survivors are recorded as follows: Allen married Miss Emma Hatch and they live on a farm in Silver Creek Township; Elizabeth is the wife of David S. Smith, a biography of whom appears on another page of this volume; A. Samantha, mar- ried Jacob Smith, and they live on a farm in New Jasper Township; Mary R. is the wife of John P. Wilson and they live in Hamilton, this State, where Dr. Wilson successfully follows the profes- sion of a veterinary surgeon; Moses A. married Miss Alice Harness and they are residents of New Jasper Township; J. Elliott married Miss Kittie V. Glass, and operates one of the farms belonging to his father in Silver Creek Township; Luella re- mains at home with her parents.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sutton lived one year at the old Sutton homestead, then our subject purchased a farm in New Jasper Town- ship where they lived three years. Thence, in 1853, they removed to Silver Creek Township where Mr. Sutton has improved one of the finest farms in the county and upon which they lived un- til 1882. Then wisely retiring from the active la- bors of life he removed to Jamestown, where he and his estimable partner occupy a pleasant home on East Xenia Street. Mr. Sutton is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres of choice land which is the source of a handsome income. Polit- ically, he is a sound Republican and in religious matters, he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. A portrait of Mr. Sutton ac- companies this sketch.
AMES L. MCKINNEY is descended from two old pioneer families of Clark County -the Mckinneys and the Lammes. The patriotism which he has exhibited, and the musical talent of himself and children, are an inher- itance from the paternal line, Samuel Mckinney, his grandfather, having been a soldier in the War of 1812, and a pioneer music teacher in this vicin-
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ity. Grandfather Mckinney died in 1836 when his son Cyrus, the father of our subjeet, was but little past his majority, he having been born in Clark County in 1814. Cyrus MeKinney married Melinda E. Lamme, who was also born in Clark County, and there they made their home, rearing a family of four children, all of whom are yet liv- ing. The father breathed his last in 1870, the mother surviving until 1881.
Capt. MeKinney, our subjeet, is well known in Clark County where he lived for many years, and also in Greene County, in which he has been a resident since 1883. At that time he took up his abode in Yellow Springs, which has since been his home, and where, as in his former place of resi- denee, he has been quite active in matters of pub- lic import. He has received the appointment of Land Appraiser for Miami Township, for the com- ing ten years, a position for which his knowledge of values well fits him. He was born April 29, 1839, in Clark County, being the first-born of his parents' children, and receiving good advantages in the way of home training and school privileges. After completing the studies taught in the common schools, he attended the High School at New Car- lisle, becoming well versed in all the branches on the curriculum. He remained at home assisting his father until twenty-six years of age, with the exception of the time spent by him in the service of his country.
The attack upon the Nation's life aroused in the breast of young MeKinney a fervid desire to assist in the preservation of the Union, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Artillery. He was sent to St. Louis, and ere long was at the front, bearing a gallant share in various severe contests, among them being the battles of Pea Ridge, Thompsons' Mills, Round Hill, Cash River, Duvall's Bluff, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, ( Miss.) and Champion Hills. He served faithfully until February, 1863, when his time of en- listment expired and he returned to his home. The struggle still continuing, however, he was not content to pursue the arts of peace, and in May, 1864, he prepared again to take the field. Raising a company, he joined the One hun- dred and Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, receiving the
appointment of Captain of Company E, which he had organized. The command was attached to Grant's army and saw[some very severe service, prior to their discharge September 9, 1864. One of the hardest battles of Capt. Mckinney's experi- ence was at Green Spring Run, where he lost six- teen men of his company. Another severe struggle was an engagement between his company and a part of Gen. Inboden's command, where the com. pany being intrenched, was able to beat off the enemy, and save a bridge which they had been as- signed to guard, losing but two men.
After his meritorious serviees in behalf of his country, Capt. MeKinney returned to his father's home where he remained until late in the fall of 1865, when he set up a home of his own upon a farm in Bethel Township, remaining there until his removal to Yellow Springs. He still owns a farm of eighty-two aeres in Mad River Valley, all im- proved, and of considerable value. While oceu- pying his rural home, Capt. MeKinney served upon the School Board of the township, and he also holds a place in the Educational Board of Antioch College, having been Secretary of that body for five years. He has always taken an active interest in politics, and adheres strongly to the principles of Republieanism. Of temperance he is an carnest advocate. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Yellow Springs, and has held office in the lodge. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republie, in which at present he holds the position of Junior Viee Commander, and has been Officer of the Day for years.
On November 28, 1865, the rites of wedloek were celebrated between Capt. MeKinney and Miss Lizzie Lowry, an educated and refined young woman, and the possessor of many womanly and Christian virtues. She is one of three children born to D. W. and Eliza (Layton) Lowry, natives of Clark County, and of old pioneer families. Her grandfather, David Lowry, was one of the original surveyors of that county, in which he lo- cated a home and beemne well known. She was born in September, 1841, received a good eduea- tion in the schools of the vieinity, and was herself a teacher prior to her marriage. She had borne her husband two children: Carena and Athella.
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The former was graduated from Antioch College in 1888, having completed a full course at the age of twenty years. She is now a member of the fae- ulty of that institution, having been elected a teacher of voeal music. Athella, who is a member of the junior class in the same institution, is also a fine musician, and has a decided talent for painting. She works in both oil and water colors, and has beautified the parental home with many products of her pencil, the mantels and walls being lined with her works.
The Mckinney family belong to the Christian Church, of which our subject is a Trustee. The musical talent of the Captain and his daughters is recognized by the membership, and adds to the attractiveness of the church services, all being members of the choir, which Capt. Mckinney has led for seven years.
C OLUMBUS BIERCE HAUK. A familiar figure in Springfield is that of Capt. Hauk, who for a number of years has been enjoy- ing the fruits of his former industry in the free- dom from anxiety or toil which his abundant share of this world's goods allows. He moved to this city early in the '70's, buying property at the eor- ner of East High Street and Belmont Avenue, where he and his cherished companion still live. He erected a fine brick house, under whose hospitable roof good cheer for body and mind are found by all who enter there. Although both Mr. and Mrs. Hauk are on the shady side of life, they enjoy quite good health, and are still capable of an act- ive interest in current events and all worthy enter- prises. For forty-six years they have shared each other's joys and sorrows, and a retrospective view of these years gives them no eause to regret their union.
Capt. Hauk is of German ancestry, his grand- parents having been born in the Fatherland, whenee they emigrated to Pennsylvania. There their son Conrad was born and grew to man's estate. He went to Virginia, in which State he married a Miss Reed, the couple coming to Ohio about 1808. Mr.
Hauk bought a farm in Athens County and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits as a pioneer there, living but abont a decade after his arrival. The natal day of our subject was July 23, 1819, and he was but two weeks old when his mother died. Ile was taken into the family of Judge Abel Miller, who resided on a farm one and one-half miles from Athens, and there remained until 1833, when he started out in life for himself.
Going to Cincinnati, which was then a city of about thirty-five thousand inhabitants, young Hauk secured a situation on a river steamer, liis inten- tion being to learn the business of a pilot. In three years he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the business and become acquainted with the channels of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, upon which he acted as pilot and commander until 1865, liis home during those years having been in Cin- cinnati. During the perilous times of the Civil War he commanded a boat, the trips of which were attended with considerable danger to the officer in charge. After the Rebellion Capt. Hauk resigned and settled on a farm he had previously purchased in Clark County, near South Charleston. After living upon it seven or eight years, he removed to his present home, believing that he and his wife merited a more restful life than their past had been.
The companion of Capt. Hawk, with whom he was united in marriage February 4, 1844, was born in Cincinnati and bore the maiden name of Joanna Norton. She is a daughter of Elijah and Joanna (Lyon) Norton. Her father was born at Edgar- town, Mass,, and when but a boy began sailing be- fore the mast. His last voyage was on a whaling cruise, and while away the War of 1812 began, and in order to reach home the vessel had to run the gauntlet of pirates and bloekaders. This de- termined him to abandon the sea and he settled in Cincinnati, which was then a small eity. After hav- ing followed the trade of a carpenter for a time, he embarked in the ice trade, being the first in the city to follow that business and for a time supply- ing the entire population. The infirmities of age finally compelled him to abandon it and his last years were spent in retirement, his mortal remains being finally deposited in Spring Grove Cemetery.
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His wife was a native of New Jersey and daughter of James Lyon, a Cincinnati pioneer. She died when her daughter, Mrs. Hank, was an infant. Mr. Lyon at one time owned five hundred acres of tim- ber land, including the locality known as Walnut Hills, a great part of which is now in the city of Cincinnati. IIe cleared a farm, crected good build- ings upon it, and made it his home until his death.
Capt. and Mrs. Hauk are the happy parents of four children. James Norton, the oldest son, re- sides on a farm near South Charleston; Charles D. lives in Chicago; Ella married Gomer Highley and lives in Chicago; Henry resides in Springfield. James was attending college when the late war broke out, and was anxious to enter the army, but as he was only seventeen years of age, his parents would not give their consent. Finding, how- ever, that his patriotic ardor did not abate, in 1862 they gave their consent to his enlistment and he became a member of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry. He served in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, participating in the Atlanta campaign under Sher- inan, and gallantly discharging his duties until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged with his regiment and returned to his home. The first political affiliation of Capt. Ilank was with the Whig party, but he has been a Republican since the party of that name was organized. Both he and his wife belong to the East High Street Metliodist Episcopal Church and both are highly respected for their Christian character, intelligence and long years of usefulness.
C HASE STEWART. The name of Chase Stewart is well known throughout Clark County as that of her Prosecuting Attor- ney, and his reputation as a rising young lawyer is not confined to the county in which he lives. He was born in Yellow Springs, Greene County, Octo- ber 26, 1858, and is therefore but little more than thirty years old. In the paternal line he is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his remote ancestors liav- ing left Scotland in the times of the persecutions and settled in thic Emerald Isle, intermarrying with
natives of that land. His grandfather, John T. Stewart, settled in Clark County in 1806 and is numbered among its sturdy pioneers. Here his son Samuel was born and became a prominent farmer and dealer in live stock. In 1860 he removed to Hardin County, where he settled on a farm and lived the rest of his days. His death took place about the year 1888. For a time he filled the of- fice of County Commissioner. His wife, Mary A. Marshall, was a danghter of William Marshall, an carly settler in Clark County, where she was born in 1825, and reared to womanhood. She bore her husband two sons and four daughters, all yet liv- ing in their native State. The Marshall family to which she belonged were remotely connected with the late Chief Justice Marshall.
The early schooldays of Chase Stewart, who was the third of the parental family, were passed in the log schoolhouse in Hardin County, and dur- ing the intervals of study he assisted his father on the farm. After leaving the common school, he entered the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he pursued his studies about three years. He then entered Chicago University, from which he was graduated in the class of '80. His taste lead- ing him to the study of law, he went to Washing- ton, D. C., and became a student under Judge William Lawrence, at that time Comptroller of the Treasury.
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