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 16

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 16
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 16

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

In 1836 Mr. Williams removed to the farm which he now owns and occupies. With the ex- ception of about seven aeres it was a dense forest, and the only improvement upon it was a small log cabin. By the exercise of great industry he has succecaed in bringing the whole to a good state of cultivation. In the meantime he has been em- ployed considerably in the manufacture of pumps. He contracted a second marriage, June 27, 1854, with Miss Margaret J., daughter of George and Martha (Erwin) Junkins.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams was

Lancelot Junkins, who married Martha Galloway. The latter was the daughter of James Galloway, who moved from Kentucky about the year 1800, settling on what is now known as the Xenia Pike. Mr. Junkins eleared a farm and carried on blacksmithing in Cedarville Township, where Mrs. Williams was born January 11, 1822. He was a lively Abolitionist, and nothing gave him greater satisfaction than to assist fugitive slaves to Canada on the underground railroad. He and his estimable wife spent their last years in Jasper Township. They were most excellent and worthy people, and enjoyed in a marked degree the confidenee and es- teem of their neighbors.

To our subjeet and his present wife there was born a family of five children, the oldest of whom, a daughter, Sarah R., died unmarried in 1886. Martha Eliza, an interesting young lady, remains at home with her parents; James A. died in 1863, when three years old; Maggie Althea remains under the parental roof; Mary Agnes died in Missouri in 1884, at the interesting age of eighteen years.

P ETER O. BENHAM., with whose name a large number of people in this eounty are thoroughly familiar, and who is now a resi- dent of Xenia Township, was born in Beaver Creek Township, Greene County, November 8,1839, and is the son of Peter and Catherine (Beek) Ben- hamn who were natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Peter Benham was born in 1795, twelve miles north of what was then a mere hamlet, upon whose site has since arisen the flourishing city of Cincinnati. He was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life and at the age of twenty-one years was married, in Centerville, to a lady who became the mother of twelve children. Eight of these were reared to mature years, viz. : Benjamin, Joseph; Eliza, who married Isaac Bumgardner; Sarah, Mrs. Leonard Coy; Mary J., Mrs. Joseph P. B. Johns; Lydia A., Mrs. George W. Huston; Peter O., and Samuel.

Peter Benham married for his second wife Catlı- erine Nave, a native of Pennsylvania and the

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danghter of John Nave, of Spring Valley Town- ship. Both of Grandfather Benham's wives were members of the German Reformed Church. After his marriage he, in 1814, settled in Beaver Creek Township, about six miles east of Dayton. Taking up a tract of land. he engaged in farming after the primitive methods of that time and there resided nntil his death after he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Catherine, died in January, 1864.

The paternal grandparents of our subjeet were Richard and Lydia Benham, the former of whom emigrated from New Jersey to Kentucky at a very early day and participated in many a struggle with the Indians. Later he emigrated to the present site of Cincinnati and built the third cabin on the ground. At one time he owned ten aeres which is now in the heart of the city. At the time of his death, which oceurred near Todd's Forks, he was the owner of one hundred and fourteen aeres of land there. He had four sons: John, Richard, Peter and Benjamin, the latter of whom is the only one living and a resident of Indiana. One of his brothers, David Benham, was the friend and companion of the famous Indian fighter, Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentneky. Col. Joseph Benham, a brother of David and Richard, was a distinguished attorney at Cincinnati at an early day. Grandfather Benham served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

Mrs. Catherine (Beck) Benham, the mother of our subjeet, was born at Waynesville, Ohio, in 1800, and was the daughter of Samuel Beck, a na- tive of New Jersey and one of the pioneer hotel keepers of Waynesville. He came to Warren County, this State, about 1795, and married a Miss Galyard. They reared four sons: John, Samnel, Benjamin and Joseph, also four daughters. The Beck family traced its origin to Seotland.

The subject of this notice was reared in his na- tive township and attended the district sehools during his boyhood, while later he entered Beaver Creek High School, which at that time was con- sidered one of the best in the State of Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until after the outbreak of the Civil War, then enlisted October 8, 1861, in Company E, Seventy fourth Ohio In-

fantry and was at the first battle of Ft. Henry. Afterward he met the enemy at Neal's Bend, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge. Tunnell Hill, Dalton, Dallas Gap, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Monn- tain, Chattahoochie River, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Savannah. He was shot through the right hip at Stone River and for gallant conduct was promoted to the rank of second Duty Sergeant. At the ex- piration of his first term he re-enlisted, January 1, 1864, and in October following was transferred as an Orderly to the Staff of Gen. Jeff C. Davis, where he remained until being captured, February 22, 1865, at Chesterville, S. C. He was confined in Libby Prison from March 1 to April 10, then sent to Annapolis, Md., and from there to Camp Chase, where he received his honorable discharge July 27, 1865.

Returning now to the peaceful pursuits of agri- eulture, Mr. Benham remained thus engaged until the present time. He has been an active member of the Republican party sinee becoming a voting citizen and has all his life, with the exception of three years spent in Warrensburg, Mo., been a resi- dent of this county. He was married in Xenia, February 22, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Stemble. This lady was born June 6, 1843, in Xenia and is the daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Iler) Stemble, who came from Hagarstown, Md., at a very early day. The father was a tanner by trade which he followed all his life. He died about 1850 at the age of forty-nine years. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Benham was John Frederick Stemble, a large slave owner and a manufacturer of hats in Hagarstown, Md. To him and his wife, Elizabeth, there were born four children. He was one of the earliest settlers of this county, to which he eame overland with a two wheeled eart drawn by oxen.

Mr. and Mrs. Benham are the parents of three children: Blanehe S., Harry F. and George Wash- ington. Mr. Benham belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with his estimable wife is prominently connected with the German Re- formed Chureli, The family residence is pleasantly situated just east of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home. He is also connected with Lewis Post, 347, G. A. R., in Xenia.

S.F. WOODWARD.

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S AMUEL F. WOODWARD. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find another man in Greene County so thoroughly contented with his lot in life as the subject of this sketch, who is one of the most prominent residents of Osborn, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He has abundant reason for his contentment, being blessed with the means which enable him to surround himself with every comfort and with all the reason- able luxuries of life, and allows of his retirement from business cares, excepting in so far as he de- sires, while his lovely home is presided over by a lady of cultured tastes and charming manners, whose companionship is a continual delight. Mr. Woodward is thoroughly well-informed on all gen- cral topics, is finely educated and has the happy faculty of making his knowledge pleasing to those around him, being a fine conversationalist and the soul of hospitality. Ilis memory is a storchonse of useful knowledge, and an hour spent in his so- ciety is a pleasure at any time. Having a leading position in the affairs of the municipality, he looks well to the interests of the taxpayers, and while desirous to improve the place, endeavors to dis- play ceonomy in its government.

The Woodward family is of English extraction, the first of the aneestors whom we note being John Woodward, a native of Massachusetts. IIe removed to Vermont when a young man, and open- ing a farm there, operated it until 1809. He then went to Cortland Connty. N. Y., and about seven years later to Crawford County, Pa., purchasing land in Spring Township. There also he opened a farm, becoming prominent, influential and well- to-do. While yet a very young man, he entered the Revolutionary Army, serving a year with the Green Mountain Boys under the renowned Ethan Allen. He died at the age of about eighty-three years. He had married into the Washburn family, of the Green Mountain State, descendants of which have become so well-known throughout our eoun- try

To the above-mentioned couple, near Rochester, Vt., in 1795, a son was born, who was given the name of John. He went to the Empire State with his parents when fourteen years old, and when they

removed to Pennsylvania he remained behind, re- siding in Genesce County a year. lle then joined his father in Spring Township, Crawford County, Pa., where he engaged in farming and was quite successful, becoming the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. He held several township offices; in polities he was a Republican, and in religion a member of the New Light Chris- tian Church. He resided on his farm until he was four-seore years old, when he sold his estate and spent two years with a daughter in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He then came to live with his son, our subject, with whom he remained nine years, after which he took up his abode with another son, at Girard, Erie County, Pa. There he breathed his last February 24, 1888, his mortal remains being deposited in Spring Township, Crawford County, where he had so long resided.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Foster. She was born near Pittsburg, Pa., in 1794, and was reared there to the age of eight years, when she was taken by her parents to Crawford County, where she grew to womanhood, and in 1819 bceame the wife of John Wood ward. She possessed great activity of both mind and body and could turn her hand to anything-weav- ing, housework, or any of the arts known to womankind. She was a natural mathematician, computing mentally with great aeeuracy, and our subject has undoubtedly inherited from her his decided bent in that direction. She entered into rest in 1856, at the age of sixty-two years. Her father, George Foster, was born in the North of Ireland and was married near Belfast. His occu- pation was that of a farmer. About 1792, having left his native land, he settled in Shermans Val- ley, Pa., the next year removing near Pittsburg. About 1802 he settled in Spring Township, Craw- ford County, to which his son William had gone the year before on foot. The son had selected a traet of land, bought four hundred acres, and re. mained there during the summer, clearing a por- tion of it and construeting a rnde log house. He was but sixteen years old at the time, and onee a week walked six miles to an aunt, from whom he so- eured bread, cooking for himself the other neces- saries of life. The family ineluded six brothers

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and two sisters-William, Thomas, John, George, Robert, James, Isabell and Mary, the mother of our subject. John taught the first school in Spring Township and was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving as Captain in two different companies.

The subject of this sketch is the fifth in a fam- ily of six children. The first-born, Mary J., Mrs. Nicholson, died in Hamilton County, Iowa; Char- lotte, Mrs. Huntley, died in Erie County, Pa .; Jolm, who was Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania militia, resides in Erie County; Caroline is the wife of H. P. Nicholson, of Winnesheik County, Iowa; George, who died in 1863, six months after his marriage, possessed a decided talent for portrait painting, and studied that branch of art in Dayton.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born December 15, 1830, in Spring Township, Crawford County, Pa., and being reared upon the farm, acquired a rudimentary knowledge of agri- culture in early boyhood. He had good common- school advantages and displayed more than ordin- ary ability for learning, all branches of study seeming to be easy for him, but mathematics being his special forte. At the age of nineteen he began teaching in his own township, conducting the school during two winters and spending the sum- mers in attendance at Kingsville Academy, Ashta- bula County, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1853. The previous winter he had taught near Girard, Erie County, and the winter after his graduation he filled the Chair of Professor of Mathematics in his Alma Mater during the ab- sence of the regular professor for four and a half months. He was well advanced in that particular branch of study and has never found his superior, being still one of the finest mathematicians in the country.

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Woodward started westward, journeying on the canal to the Ohio River at Beaver, and thence taking passage to Maysville, Ky., on a river steamer. He had thought of remaining at that placc and continuing his professional labors, but being dissatisfied, made his way to Iowa, where he remained a couple of months, investing the money he had saved in Gov- ernment land in Black Hawk County. Some two years later he made a second investment, buying

in Webster County, his landed possessions in the State being then over four hundred acres, which he disposed of in after years. After the sliort so- journ in the Hawkeye State, he returned to Penn- sylvania, where he remained until August, and then took up his abode in Montgomery County, Ohio. He continued his work as a pedagogne, his first school in that county being two and a half miles from his present home. He resided there until 1859, being employed in various pursuits during the summer, and teaching in winter. Upon locating in Osborn, he taught school for a time and then became principal of the schools at Fairfield.

In 1862 Mr. Woodward abandoned pedagogical labors and became a dealer in fruit trees, continu- ing in the business twelve successive years. During the first five years he traveled with his men, and always came in at the end of the week with the largest list. This gave his employes confidence in him, and they did their best, his success being due to his ability to lead them and to his excellent knowledge of human nature. He followed bnt one thing at a time and pushed the tree business with all his might, demonstrating the worth of the old problem, "One thing at a time and that well done." He sold extensively both in the East and West, doing a business of from $20,000 to $60,000 per year. The trees were bought by large contracts from a Geneva nursery, and he thus made a nice profit each year. On one occasion he delivered $7,300 worth in a day, receiving $6,500 in cash on the first day of delivery.

Feeling the severe strain upon his nervons sys- tem which the oversight of so large a business had produced, and having made enough to allow him- self the desired rest, Mr. Woodward retired from the business in 1874, investing his means in lands. The following year he bnsied himself with the erection of the handsome residence which he now occupies, the ground for which was broken the 1st of April. He was constantly on hand to oversee the work until the edificc was completed and ready for occupancy, November 24. The architectural design is Mr. Woodward's own, and reflects credit upon his taste and judgment. The building is by far the finest residence in Osborn; it is built of brick, is large and conveniently planned, the rooms

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being commodious and airy and the home furnished in finc style. It was erected at a cost of $10,000, and its value and attractiveness are further en- hanced by the beautiful lawn and tasteful adornings which surround it. The library contains a fine se- lection of books, including the works of the lead- ing authors on literary and scientific topics, and whatever branch may be the favorite, a visitor is sure to find works at his hand which will afford him enjoyment.

Mr. Woodward finds as much occupation as he desires in attending to his farms and other invest- ments. He owns two places in Bath Township, summing up about two hundred acres, and he also owns three hundred and twenty acres in Fremont County, Iowa, near the county seat, the latter piece of property being an improved stock farm. In 1876 he and his wife attended the Centennial Ex- position. Their social traits draw around them a a large circle of acquaintances and friends, and they find abundant enjoyment in the society thus af- forded them, in dispensing the hospitality of their beautiful home and in quiet pursuit of the recrea- tions to which their tastes lead. Mr. Woodward is temperate in all things and never has used to- bacco or liquor in any form. In religious views he is a rationalist and agnostie, while his wife is a spiritualist. In politics he is a Republican, but not an active partisan. He belonged to the Repub- lican Central Committee for five years, and has at varions times been a delegate to county and State conventions, this being the extent of his political activity. He cast his first vote for John P. HIale. He was a member of the first School Board of Os- born, holding the position fifteen successive years, and having been Clerk when the sehoolhouse was built. IIe was also a member of the first Town Council, and has been a member of the Board for about twenty years, ineluding his entire residence here except two years. He is undonbtedly one of the most influential members, and to his shrewd- ness and sympathy the taxpayers owe much. As would be naturally supposed, he is interested in the social orders; he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Osborn, and a member of the Royal Arch Mason lodge, at New Carlisle, and has been a delegate to three different Grand Lodges.

It is needless to multiply words regarding the in- fluence which he possesses and the respect which is felt for him by his fellow-men.

The marriage of Mr. Woodward and Miss Mary C. Sloan took place at the bride's home, in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, November 10, 1856. The lady whom our subject had chosen as his companion in life was born in Lycoming County. Pa., July 3, 1833, and was but a year old when she came to Ohio with her parents, the entire journey being performed in a one-horse covered wagon. As she grew toward maturity, she rc- ceived good educational advantages and became well informed in an extended curriculum, while her home and social training was such as to pro- mote in her the fine manners which lend an added eharm to cultured womanhood. She began teach- ing at the age of eighteen years, but not finding the profession to hier taste, abandoned it after nine months' labor.

The father of Mrs. Woodward was Alexander Sloan, who was born in Lebanon County, Pa., in the part that was afterward ent off for the forma- tion of Dauphin County. His father, John Sloan, was also a native of that county, and was of Scotch-Irish deseent. He was a farmer, and became well-to-do through his thorough understanding of his occupation. Abont 1833 he left his native State and located on a farm in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. The son followed his father's occupation successfully, but being a nat- ural meehanic and able to make anything in wood- work, he beeame a fine eabinet-maker as well as a carpenter and builder. At these occupations he labored at times, also doing coopering on his farm at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pa. In 1834 he also came to Ohio, locating in the township where his father had taken up his abode, and there occupying himself in the pursuit of agriculture, and afterward in money loaning. In addition to his Ohio property, he owned two hundred and forty acres of land in Jay County, Ind. In poli- tics he was a Whig. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The wife of Alexander Sloan borc the maiden name of Elizabeth Crook and was born in Somer- setshire, England. She came to America with her

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parents when four years old, their settlement being made in Lycoming County, Pa. Her father, Mal- aelli Crook, operated a farm until his death, which Was occasioned by the accidental discharge of his gun when he was getting over a fence. Mrs. Eliza- beth Sloan died at the home of one of her daughi- ters in Champaign County, Ohio. She belonged to the Methodist Church and was the mother of seven children, five of whom are still living. Eliz- abeth, who was the first-born, is the wife of the subjeet of this sketch; James S. is living in Wayne 'Township, Montgomery County ; Elizabeth S. lives with our subjeet; Lueinda R., Mrs. Powell, lives near Urbana, Champaign County; William H. is a farmer in the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- ward have never been blessed with any children.

J ACOB KIBLINGER, deeeased. When the carly pioncers of German Township are be - ing mentioned, he with whose name we in- troduee this biography, is invariably re , membered. He possessed all the reliable qualities of his substantial German ancestry-those qualities which are most needed in the settlement of a new country-and right well did he meet the demands upon him, both as a tiller of the soil, and as a mem - ber of the community. He came to this section when the country was in its primitive condition, labored faithfully and well in bringing a portion of the soil to a state of cultivation, and acquitted himself in an admirable manner as an honest man and a good citizen.

A native of Rockingham County, Va., Mr. Kib- linger was born about 1783, and was reared to man- hood in his native Statc. Then desirous of better- ing his worldly condition, he emigrated, in 1801, to the Territory of Ohio, and looked over the coun- try considerably, but did not purchase at that time. In fact he traveled back and forth a number of times before he could find a satisfactory location. Finally, in 1805, he returned to Clarke County, and seleeted a tract of land in German Township, that upon which his son John now resides. He pur- chased first eighty acres from the Government, pay-

ing therefor $1.25 per acre. Later he bought one hundred and eight acres more for which he paid $4.75 per acre. He made a permanent settlement on section 2, building first a log cabin in the woods 12x16 feet in dimensions, laying a puneheon floor, and constructing rude furniture for the use of the family.

Although not by any means an elegant dwelling, this cabin furnished a comfortable home for the family for a period approaching twenty years. Then Mr. Kiblinger put up a more modern dwel- ling. He performed a large amount of pioneer work, felling trees, digging out the stumps, burn- ing brush, building fences, and bringing the soil to a state of cultivation. In due time a family of eleven children gathered around the hearthstone, but of these only three are now living-John, of German Township; Ely, who is living in Kansas, and Jemima, the wife of William Young, of Ken- ton, this State. Mr. Kiblinger was an early mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the faith of which he died in February, 1860. He became widely and favorably known throughout the county and the confidence and esteem of the people he possessed in a remarkable degree. He was noted for his kindness of heart and hospitality, and the wayfarer was never turned empty from his door. In politics he was an Old-Line Whig.

John Kiblinger, the son of Jacob and Mary (Pence) Kiblinger, was born September 11, 1816, in German Township, and was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of pioncer life. He has been an eye witness of the gradual growth of the eonnty to its present position, and has formed no unim- portant factor in changing a portion of the wilder- ness to the abode of a civilized and prosperous people. He assisted his father in the arduous la- bor necessary to the opening up of a farm, and when the father was incapacitated for labor, John became practically the manager of the farm, and the main stay of the family.

When finally starting out for himself, Mr. Kib- linger was equipped with such education as could be obtained in the subscription schools, at which his attendance probably aggregated not over six months altogether. He chose agriculture for his life vocation, but for the last twelve years has been

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interested in bee eulture, making of this a specialty and meeting with fine suceess. He was first mar- ried February 23, 1837, to Miss Mary Jane Pence. She was born in Champaign County, this State, and was the daughter of Ilenry and Eva Penec, who were early settlers of that county. This union resulted in the birth of four children, two of whom are living, viz: Eva A., Mrs. Wilson Myrick, a widow, and a resident of Springfield; and Mary C., the wife of Jacob Ilatzog, of German Township. Jacob, who served in the Union army during the late war, was a member of the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, and died in the hospital at Jefferson Bar- raeks, near St. Louis, Mo., of measles, which lic contracted at Milliken's Bend. Zachary died when less than a year old. The mother of these children departed this life in German Township, July 4, 1847.

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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 16

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