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 17
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 17
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Mr. Kiblinger was married a second time, Deeem - ber 12, 1847, to Mrs. Elizabeth Riegel, wife of the late David Riegel, of Clarke County. Of this union there have been born four children, three of whom are living, and residents of Springfield, namely: Lu- einda, the wife of Cooper Ludlow; Sylvanus, and Joana, who married Charles Myers; Cornelius died when about nine months old. Mrs. Elizabeth Kib- linger was born January 25, 1823, in Lancaster County, Pa., and is a daughter of Jacob and Eliza- betli (Buckwater) Groob, who were likewise na. tives of the Keystone State. Her paternal great- grandfather was born in Germany.
The Groob family emigrated to Ohio in 1837, loeating in Moorefield Township, Clarke County, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Groob died in 1841, in the prime of life. The mother survived her husband for thirty years, dy- ing in 1871. Their daughter Elizabethi was first married to David Riegel in 1842. Of this union there was born one child, a daughter, Sarah E., who died when young. Mrs. Kiblinger spent her early years in Clarke County, where her parents settled when it was comparatively a wilderness. Their family consisted of five children, only three of whom are living, naniely : Nancy, who is Mrs. Erter, of Moore- field Township; Simon, of St. Paris, this State; and Mrs. John Kiblinger.
John Kiblinger is a member in good standing of
the Baptist Church, with which he united in 1842. The enterprises ealeulated to upbuild the commu- nity, have uniformly received his cordial support. His farm comprises one hundred and eighty eight acres of elioice land, improved with good buildings, and which under good cultivation yields to the pro- prietor a generous ineome besides enabling him to lay by something for a rainy day. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and voted for Van Buren in 1836. In those early days people were not so par- tieular as now to wait until exactly twenty-one. For the last eighteen years he has been a member of the Agricultural Board of Clarke County, and is- now one of the Directors. He was one of the originators of the Fair, and has done much to pro- mote its growth.
C YRUS ALBIN, a native of Clarke County, born here in pioneer times, the son of an early pioneer family of this region, is elosely identified with the industrial interests of Springfield, where he established himself in busi- ness as a contraeting painter more than forty years ago. Twice he has laid aside his vocation at the call of a higher duty. At one time during the late war he served his country as a soldier, and he abandoned military life only to accept a civic position, filling the important offiee of Sheriff of Clarke County with signal ability for two terms.
August 2, 1825 our subjeet was born in Mad River Township in a log cabin which his father had built in the primeval forests on the homestead that he had bought from the government a few years previously. His grandfather, Jolin Albin, and his father, George Albin, who was a native of Win- chester, Va., removed from the Old Dominion to this state in 1810, the removal being made with teams. Ohio was at that time very sparsely pop- ulated, the rich soil was covered with forests of primeval growth, or open woodlands, prairies and meadows, and in all the land, where the Indian still lingered, and deer, bears and other kinds of wild game were very plentiful, there was but little sign of the approaching civilization that was to
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make this one of the proudest commonwealths of this great country. The grandfather of our sub- ject settled in the Southwestern part of Mad River Township, where he made his home till death closed his life at a ripe old age.
George Albin, the father of our subject selected a tract of heavily timbered government land in Mad River Township, and at once built a log cabin on the place to shelter the family. His wife had no stove and used to cook over the fire in thic rude fireplace that served to heat the humble abode, and as an adept in all the housewifely arts of the day she used to spin and weave all the cloth used in the family. Mr. Albin cleared quite a tract of land there, and resided on it some years, and then bought a farm four miles west of this city, and in the home that he established there his life was terminated at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a man of excellent character and firm principle, was greatly respected by his neighbors and other friends, and was a help in developing the agricul- tural interests of Clarke County, occupying a worthy place among its pioneers. He had not been in Ohio long when the War of 1812 broke out and he volunteered in the defense of his country, doing good service in the army. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth West. She died on the home farm many years ago.
Cyrus Albin passed his carly life on the old homestead where he was bred to the life of a far- mer. He wished to gain an education and took every opportunity offered to attend winter school. At the age of eightcen he came to Springfield to learn the trade of a painter, and served two and one half years for that purpose. After that he worked under instruction in Cincinnati, remaining there a few months and then returned to Springfield and did "jour" work a short time. His next move was to establish himself as a contractor in the line of his trade, and he continued to carry on that business very profitably till May, 1864. In that month he laid aside his work to go into service to aid in sup- pressing the rebellion, enlisting in the Fifty-see- ond Regiment, Capt. Bushnell's company, for one hundred days and went at once to the front in West Virginia, and was with his regiment in much
hard service till the expiration of the term of en- listment when he was honorably discharged, having done his duty faithfully at all times whether in camp, or on the march or on the battlefield, and showing excellent qualities for a soldier. While he was thus honorably engaged he was not forgot- ten at liome by his fellow-citizens, who placed his name on the Republican ticket for Sheriff of the county, to which responsible office lie was elected in the same fall. By the zeal and sound judge- ment and wise discretion that he displayed in the discharge of the numerous duties devolving upon him while holding that position he showed himself to be the right man in the right place, and in the fall of 1866 he was re-elected, and served two full terms with distinction. After his retirement from public life Mr. Albin engaged as traveling sales- man for the Champion Reaper Company, was with them three years, and at the expiration of that time resumed his old business as a contracting painter, which he has continued to the present time, and has thereby accumulated a comfortable competencc.
Mr. Albin's success in life is due in part to the fact that he has a good wife, to whom he was united in marriage in 1850. Her maiden name was Charlotte Wilkes, and she is, like himself, a native of this county, and is a daughter of pioneer parents, Charles and Delitha Wilkes, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Albin have four children-Belle, Bruce, Rodney and Elmer.
Mr. Albin was a well-known figure on our streets, and his whole course throughout a blameless life that has passed its sixty-fifth milestone lias been such as to entitle him to the cordial respect and esteem accorded to him on all hands. It has been his privilege to witness the wonderful growth of this county and of the whole State since his birth, that has transformed the ancient wilderness into a pop- ulous and wealthy community, with thriving cities, towns, and villages, and fruitful farms where once stood primeval forests in all their glory, inter- spersed with open woodlands and beautiful prairies and meadows that were as nature made them when his parents first took up their abode here. Mr. Albin is a popular member of Clarke Lodge, No.
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101, A. F. & A. M., Springfield Council No. 17, and of Springfield Chapter No. 48; he is also con- nected with the G. A. R. as a member of Mitchell Post, No. 45.
A. BAUMGARDNER. In reviewing the history of the past fifty years and noting the many improvements which have been made in various departments of seience and art, that which preserves the lineaments of our loved ones should not pass unnoted. A marked change has taken place in this art and the country is now flooded with photographs, where not many decades since but a few daguerreotypes and ambro- types were to be seen. It requires mechanical skill and artistic talent to produce pictures which will satisfy the taste of the public in these days, and when we state that the gentleman above named has a fine patronage, it is scarcely necessary to add that he is a master of the art of photography. His studio is pleasant and well furnished, every means being taken by the proprietor to keep up with the times in the conveniences for carrying on this work to the best advantage and adding to the comforts of his patrons.
Mr. Baumgardner is of Swiss lineage, his grand- father having been a native of Berne, Switzerland, in which city he was reared and married. He emi- grated to Amcriea, settling nine miles north of Lancaster, Ohio, where he was numbered among the pioneers. There his son Henry, the father of our subject, was born. Grandfather Baumgardner died a short time after his settlement in America and his widow ere long removed to Fairfield County, purchasing a tract of land in Berne Township, where she reared her family. She contracted a sceond matrimonial alliance, becoming the wife of a Mr. Caley. She lived to the age of eighty-five years, dying in the township in which she had resided so long.
The father of our subject was reared on a farm but learned the trade of a blacksmith which he fol- lowed some years. He then purchased a farm and is still engaged in farming in Fairfield County. He
married Miss Catherine Crook of that county who has borne him seven children-our subject, Agnes, Hunter H., William, Lizzie, George and Talmage. Both parents are members of the German Reformed Church. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Jolin Crook, who was born in 1800 and who dicd April 27, 1890. He was but a boy when his parents came to the wilds of Ohio and he became one of the pioneers of Berne Township, Fairfield County, where he bought land and tilled the soil. He was very industrious, possessed of sound judg- ment, and for these reasons accumulated a large amount of this world's goods.
J. A. Baumgardner was born in Berne Township, Fairfield County, January 25, 1851. He was reared on the home farm, like other farmer's sons assisted in farm work and attended the common schools. He remained with his parents until he had reached man's estate and in 1873 went to Iowa, in which State he spent a year. Returning to Ohio he entered a studio at Laneaster in order to learn the art of photography. After serving there eight months his employer sent him to New Lexington, Perry County, to open a gallery. This he did, operating it in their interest sixteen months, after which he engaged in the business on his own aeeount. He remained in that place seven years, after which he came to Springfield, opened a studio and began a business career in this city which has proved ie- munerative and given him an excellent reputation as an artist and a man of honor in business rela- tions.
ACOB H. HARBINE. This well-known rep- resentative of a prominent family in this county, was born at his father's old home- stead in Beaver Creek Township, Greene County, and is the son of John and Hetty (Kauff. man) Harbine of whom full mention is made in the biography of J. D. Steele which will be found on another page in this ALBUM. He was carefully reared by wise and excellent parents and obtained a good education, attending the High School at Xenia and completing his studies in Oxford Uni- versity. When twenty-two years of age he and his
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brother Daniel R., suceeeded their father in the distillery and grain business eombined with whieli was also pork-paeking, and in this manner aecu- mulated a competenee.
Mr. Harbine is the owner of four hundred aeres of fine farming land in this eounty, besides a saw- mill and warehouse, and is looked upon as one of the most enterprising men of this eounty in whose development and prosperity he has borne a leading part. He still retains his bachelor freedom, making his home in Harbine, Beaver Creek Township. He is liberal is his religious views and politieally, a sound Republiean. He has, however, refrained from mingling with public affairs, preferring to give his time and attention to his business inter- ests. He is at present one of the leading grain dealers buying at Harbine, and in all respects, as a business man and a citizen, refleets honor upon the name of one of the oldest and most respectable families in Greene County.
AMUEL R. HOCKMAN. The Eagle City Mills located on Mad River, in German Township, are owned by Mr. Hockman, and the business is conducted under the firm title of S. R. Hockman & Sons. The building is 65x45 feet in dimensions, and thirce and one-half stories in height. It was originally built for a grist mill, later converted into a distillery, and finally reconstrueted into a grist mill. It is operated by water-power exclusively, by means of two turbine wheels with a fall of water of about seven feet. The mill is equipped with the latest improved roller machinery, furnished by the Case Manufacturing Company of Columbus, and was put in at a cost of about $6,000.
These mills turn out the best grade of flour in- cluding the Bismark brand, also the Eagle brand, which is a second grade, although ninety per cent of the output is of the former. The trade is mostly local, although the firm does a large amount of eus- tom work among the farmers. Besides flour they grind quantities of eorn for feed. The mill has a eapaeity approaching fifty thousand bushels of
wheat per annum. Samuel R. Hockman is at the head of the concern, and is assisted most of the time by four sons and one son-in-law, George Swartz. The Bismark brand especially finds a large sale inl Springfield and adjoining towns.
Samuel R. Hoekman, a native of Shenandoah County, Va., was born September 26, 1821, to Peter and Rebeeea (Rhodes) Hockman, who were like- wise natives of the Old Dominion. His aneestry on both sides of the house was originally from Ger- many. He was reared on a farm in his native county, but when reaching his majority, began an appren- ticeship at the miller's trade, serving two years, and then started out on his own hook as a journeyman. Thereafter he operated from time to time several mills in Shenandoah County, beginning as head miller in 1847, and sojourning in that region after- ward for a period of twenty years.
Mr. Hockman, in 1867, left his native State, and coming to Clarke County, Ohio, operated as head miller for Parker Bryan two and one-half years at Rhorertown, Champaign County. At the expira- tion of this time he rented Gabriel Kenton's mill on Mad River, and operated this six years. His next move was the purchase, in 1876, of the Eagle City Mills, where he has built up an extensive busi- ness. It is one of the most valuable mill plants in the county, and under the present able management will doubtless in the near future require to be en- larged for a still more extended business.
The subject of this notice received only a limited education in his youth, but by his habit of reading and observation of what is going on around him in the world, has become thoroughly well-informed, while as a business man his abilities are unques- tioned. He formed matrimonial ties January 29, 1852, being wedded to Miss Eliza Cochenour, who bore liim ten children. Of these but eight are liv- ing, viz: Milton, John, William, Benjamin, Sam- uel, Lydia, Emma, and Betty.
Mr. Hockman gives his political support to no party, and has held the office of Postmaster several terms at Eagle City, the office being in the mill. His religious views coineide with the doetrines of the German Baptist Church, of which he has been a member sinee early manhood. He came to the Buckeye State, praetieally without means, and owes
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his success solely to his own persevering industry and good management. Personally he is affable and courteous, most nearly approaching the type of a gentleman of the old school, and bears a striking resemblance to the venerated Horace Greeley, both in personal appearance, and in various characteris- ties. He is recognized as an able financier, and the uniform supporter of those measures caleulated to advance the people, socially, morally, and finan- cially.
ON. ISAAC M. BARRETT. He whose name stands at the head of this biographical rec- ord may properly be termed one of the most enterprising and progressive men in Spring Valley Township, Greene County. A life- long manufacturer and merchant miller by occupa- tion, he possesses not only a theoretical but a practical knowledge of the art and seienee of mer- chant milling, the result of which is the building up and equipment of one of the finest milling plants of Southern Ohio. Mr. Barrett fairly obtained his title of lIonorable by a service of three terms in the Ohio Legislature, being in the Lower House from 1876 to 1880, and a member of the Senate in 1888-89. He had the honor of being elected the first Mayor of Spring Valley, served as Assessor of Internal Revenue four years under President Lin- coln, commencing in 1862, and has held various other positions of trust and responsibility.
The native place of Mr. Barrett was in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga County, N. Y., and the date of his birth May 2, 1827. His father, George Barrett, was born in Danby, Vt., on the 6th of De- cember, 1796, and his mother, Mahala ( Merrett) Barrett, was born on the 15th of October, 1805, in Saratoga County, N. Y. The elder Barrett was a woolen manufacturer, owning and operating his own mill and in religious belief belonged to the Society of Friends. About 1837 he removed from his native place to Middletown, Vt., where he like- wise operated a woolen mill until 1839. That year he changed his residence to Delaware, Ohio, still pursuing his occupation of a woolen manufacturer,
and placed in various mills sets of improved machin- ery, operating then as an expert in the latter.
Sojourning in the above-mentioned locality until 1843; the father of our subjeet, coming then to this county, erected a woolen mill in Spring Val- ley Township, the first within its limits, and there spent the remainder of his days, his decease taking place in 1874. He was a man of decided ideas, one of the original members of the old Whig party and a stanch Abolitionist. The wife and mother had preceded her husband to the silent land January 30, 1870. Ten children had been born to them, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Maria, married Dr. A. B. Butler, now deceased, and lived in Rich- mond, Ind .; Isaac M., our subjeet, is the second child; Sarah died when quite young; Sloeum died "after reaching the age of manhood; Mahala M. be- came the wife of E. H. Swyne, of Chicago, Ill .: John R. is also sojourning in that city ; Merritt II. died in childhood; Calista A. is a resident of Xenia; Mary L. died at the interesting age of twenty years; Rosanna S. became the wife of William II. Ingram, of Xenia, and is also deceased.
The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was Jaazamiah Barrett, who was born January 21, 1752, in New Hampshire. He married Rhoda, daughter of John and Hannah Reed and removed to the vicinity of Danby, Vt. There he prosecuted farming until resting from his earthly labors, Oc- tober 10, 1834. His wife survived him nearly ten years, her death taking place February 2, 1844, when she was a little less than eighty-four years old, her birth taking place May 24, 1760. Their children were named respectively, John, Hannah, Jonathan, Jaazamialı, Abijah, Elchia, Wyman, George, Luey, Rhoda and Stephen.
Jaazamiah is the son of John Barrett and the lat- ter was born in Ireland, April 13, 1728. He died in 1756. His wife was Luey Ormar and she was born likewise in 1728. The inother of our subject was the daughter of Joseph and Cynthia Merrett, of Saratoga County, N. Y, The grandfather was a farmer by oceupation.
The Hon. Isaae M. Barrett, of this sketch, re- ceived a good education, being first a student of the High School at Springfield, and later attended Delaware College. He entered upon his business
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career in the woolen mills of his father with which he was connected for ten years. In the meantime he also engaged in mercantile pursuits and was considerably interested in poik-packing. In"1858, still 'engaged in mechandising, he also became in- terested in mill property, purchasing the De Haven Mill, which was destroyed by fire on New Year's Day, 1860. Purchasing then the mill site he erected upon it the Spring Valley Mills, which he has since successfully operated, and he also deals largely in grain. He and his sons are now the largest ship- pers on the Little Miami Railroad.
Mr. Barrett was first married to Miss Rebecca Swyne, a native of Clarke County, this State, and the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Swyne, who spent their last years in Spring Valley, Ohio. The two children born of this union were Thomas S, and Isaac M., Jr., the latter of whom died in childhood. Mrs. Rebecca Barrett departed this life at her home in Spring Valley, January 31, 1854.
Our subject was a second time wedded in March, 1856, to Miss Mary Evans, who was born in South Carolina, and when a child came to this county. This lady was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Evans, and of this union there were born eight children, viz: Robert E .; Clara B., the wife of Thomas Harrison, of Richmond, Ind .; Ella, Mrs. R. H. Dolliver, of Chicago, Ill .; John R., Hattic, Don Carlos and Clifford. Isaac M., Jr., the fourth in order of birth, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- rett belong to the Society of Friends. Mr. Barrett is the patentce of an improved method of burning crude oil in stoves, which is apparently destined to be adopted extensively in the near future.
A portrait of Mr. Barrett may be found in con- nection with this sketch.
ILLIAM ELDER. In the early settlement of Clarke County the Elder family repre- sented the best elements of its population in as marked a manner as they do at the present time, and a goodly number of them are written up for the BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM of Greene and Clarke Counties. He who is especially represented in this
sketch is a worthy offshoot of the family tree-one who performed faithful service in the late Civil War and who is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. He has been a reader all his life and is well informed upon the leading events of the day. His occupation from his youth has been that of a farmer, in which he has been successful, accu- mulating a comfortable home and a competence. The parents of our subject were Thomas and Mar- gery (Anderson) Elder, due mention of whom is made on another page in this volume. IIc was the tenth child and was born April 22, 1841, at the farm which he now owns and occupies. He spent his boyhood days in attendance at the district school and in the performance of the lighter duties around the home, remaining under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil War. In Au- gust, 1862, he entered the Union Army as a mem- ber of Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry under the command of Capt, Perry Stewart, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this ALBUM. He went with his regiment to Kentucky after the the rebel general, Kirby Smith, and later fought at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Per- ryville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mis- sion Ridge. Subsequently he was detailed to report for duty at Columbus, Ohio, and was engaged in guard duty until receiving his discharge with his regiment in June, 1865.
Upon leaving the service Mr. Elder returned to the parental roof and remained there until after his father's death. Then he and his brother Russell bought out all the heirs except the widow, and later our subject purchased the interest of his mother and brother. He is thus owner of the original homestead, which possesses for him a far more than moneyed value. He brought a bride to the old rooftree in 1877, being married on the 15th of March, that year, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Michael Bower.
Mrs. Elder was born September 7, 1847, in Wy- andot County, this State. to which her parents had emigrated at an carly day and where the father still lives. Of her union with our subject there were born four children, viz: Margery; Carrie, who died when six years old; Kate, who is at home; one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Martha J. Elder
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