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 18
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 18
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departed this life at her home in Green Township, October 16, 1887. She was a lady of many estima- ble qualities and a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
Politically, Mr. Elder is a solid Republican and has been quite active in the counsels of his party, serving as a delegate to the county conventions and occupying other important positions. His landed estates embrace two hundred and twelve acres with good improvements and all his surround- ings indicate the perseverance and industry which are characteristic of the man. The fact that he is well spoken of by his neighbors is sufficient indica- tion of his standing in the community.
R RANKLIN II. McDONALD. The subject of this notice was born in the plaec where he now resides, four miles southeast of Xenia, September 21, 1839. He is a son of Wil- ford and Martha (Lyon) McDonald, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. Wilford MeDonald was born in 1798, and in 1800, when only two years of age, was brought by his parents to Greene County, Ohio, where they settled on a farm adjoining the one now in possession of our subjeet. They remained there one year and then removed to the one upon which the subject of this notice now resides. The parents of our subject spent their last days on that farm, the father dying in 1883. They were the parents of seven children, named respectively : Hampton, Sarah E., Frank H., Willaee, Columbus, America J., and Melvin. Wilford McDonald was a Whig at the time that party was in power and afterward east his influence into the seale with the Republican party.
The Lyon family located in Greene County about the year 1816. The mother of our subject was a daughter of John and Catherine (Hook) Lyon. The ancestors of John Lyon eame from England. Catherine Hook was a daughter of Will- iam Hook who was a native of Ireland and emi- grated to this country in the last century.
Franklin H. MeDonald is living on the old homestead, which is now his own property. It em-
braces one hundred and ninety-five aeres of good land under a high state of cultivation. Our sub- ject is also the owner of a fine stone quarry which is in a paying condition. He has made his home during all his life on the place where he now re- sides, but in 1862, on the 15th of August, he left his father's house and went forth to do battle for the honor of the old flag which had been so foully dishonored by the rebellious hosts who were seek- ing to destroy its unsullied purity. IIe enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infan- try. He served in some of the most severe battles of the war-notably those of Spottsylvania, Wil- derness, Cold Harbor, Monacacy Junction, Mine Run, the Rapidan, Petersburg, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomatox. He was dis- charged in June, 1865, as Second Sergeant and at once returned home. He was wounded at Mona- caey in the left thigh.
In 1875, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Heath. Mrs. McDonald is an intelli- gent, cultivated lady and an ornament to the so- ciety in which she moves. She is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Hook) Heath, of Greene County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are the parents of one child, Thomas Shem. Mrs. MeDon- ald is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a regular attendant upon its services.
UTHER NEER. Among the well developed farms of Pleasant Township, Clarke County, that of Luther Neer should not be passed unnoticed. It is under the able management of a gentleman who, though quite young in years, was reared with a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and possesses the natural intelligence and judgment which understandingly apply information gained. The farm comprises one hundred and seven fertile aeres, and in connection with the work of general agriculture the owner raises the best of stock.
The subject of this sketch is a member of a fam- ily which has been well known in this township for nearly three-fourths of a century, and which had
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been previously numbered among the respectable families of Virginia. The arst representative of the family in this county was Amos Neer, who came hither about 1818, settling near Catawba, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was born in Loudoun County, Va., being a son of Henry Neer, a farmer in the Old Dominion. His wife was Naney A. Cunnard, of the same State. They belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Neer was a member of the Whig party. He left an estate of one hundred and twenty-five acres. His family consisted of the following named sons and daugh- ters: Jonathan, Nathan: Elizabeth Ann, wife of Daniel Wynant, of Kosciusko County, Ind .; Susan, wife of Thomas Runyan; Jane, wife of Joseph Fer- guson, and Matilda, wife of Andrew B. Runyan.
The second of the above-named family was born in Pleasant Township, August 5, 1822, and, begin- ning his career in life with about $180, accumu. lated a landed estate of five hundred and twenty- five acres of valuable land. IIe was liberal in his support of public improvements, had served his fellow-men as Towuship Trustee, and by his per- sonal character won respect. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a believer in the doc- trines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died November 13, 1886. His wife was Mary J. . Hun- ter, who was born May 2, 1823, and who breathed her last June 23, 1889. Their family consisted of seven eliildren-Levi, William, Miranda, Luther, Charles F., Alonzo W. and Laura J. Levi died when twenty-two years old, and Miranda is also deceased. She was the wife of James H. Engle.
Luther Neer was born two miles southwest of Catawba, November 12, 1855, and received a com- mon-school education. When he became of age he began life on a farm, in the spring of 1882, locat- ing where he now resides. Doing honor to the teaching which he had received and in which his judgment concurred, he identified himself with the Republican party and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the home of the bride September 11, 1879, be was united in mar- riage with Miss Mollie J. Loveless. This lady was born in Loudoun County, Va., but has lived in Ohio sinee her childhood. She is intelligent, well-bred,and well-versed in the practical duties of life. Like
her husband she belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Two interesting children have come to bless the union, named respectively: Olive L. and Nathan L.
In the Old Dominion Charles and Frances (Lowe) Loveless lived upon a farm for some years. In 1868 they removed to Ohio, settling in Cham- paign County, whence they subsequently removed to this county. Here they made their home in Pleasant Township, where their daughter became the wife of our subjeet.
LFRED M. POTTER, M. D. Although of New England birth and ancestry, the sub- ject of this notice has been a resident of Ohio since a child of eighteen months, at which time his parents emigrated from Connecti- cut and took up their residence in the town of Troy. His father, the well-known Dr. Alfred Pot- ter, followed his profession in Troy for a number of years, and then removed to Springfield, where he pursued his chosen calling, and built up an exten- sive business. He departed this life at his home in Springfield, January 9, 1875. The mother had pre- ceded her husband to the silent land a little over a twelvemonth, her death taking place December 12, 1874.
Dr. Potter, Sr., was born March 24, 1814, in Connecticut, and prosecuted his medical studies first in Bellevue Ilospital, after which he entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1857. The Potter fam - ily is of English ancestry. The mother of our sub- jeet bore the maiden name of Lovina Murphy, and she was the daughter of Keiskue Murphy, who was of Irish extraetion, a native of Ireland, and who spent his last years in Ripley, N. Y. After their marriage the parents of our subject settled in Bris- tol, Conu., and there their son Alfred M. was born September 17, 1850. The latter pursued his early studies in the publie school, and then entered the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Upon leaving this he took up the study of medicine under the direction of his father, and subsequently entered
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the Eelcetie Medieal College of Cincinnati, from which he was duly graduated in 1872. He com- menced the practice of his profession at Springfield, and here he has sinee remained, meeting with un- qualified sneeess. He keeps himself thoroughly posted upon all the new theories and methods of practice, and besides his regular ride, has a thriv- ing office business.
Dr. Potter was married in 1878, to Miss Lilly M., daughter of Madison Obenochain, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and of this union there have been born five children, three daughters and two sons, one son be- ing deceased. The family residence is located at No. 304 South Fountain Avenue, and with its surround- ing forms one of the attractive homes of the city.
C
S OLOMON PENTZ. During the early set- tlement of Ohio the sons of the Old Dominion came hither in goodly numbers and contributed their full quota to the growth and development of the Buckeye State. The subject of this notice forms one of Virginia's most worthy representatives and operates a well- developed farmion seetion 8, German Township, where, besides prosecuting general agriculture, he makes a specialty of stock-raising.
Mr. Pentz was born August 17, 1817, in Shenan- doah County, Va. and is the eldest son of Philip and Catherine (Bowers) Pentz who were likewise natives of that State. The parental family eon .. sisted of a large number of children and when but a lad, Solomon, like his brothers and sisters, was re- quired to make himself useful about the home farm, while he obtained only a limited education in the common schools. He remained a member of the parental household until a man of twenty-five years and was then married, in December, 1842, to Miss Caroline Zirkle. Mrs. Pentz was born in the same county as her husband, in April, 1819, and is a daughter of Lewis and Catherine ( Brener) Zirkle, who were likewise natives of Virginia and spent the closing years of their lives in Ohio. To Mr. Pentz and his estimable wife was born a family of six children; the oldest of whom a daughter,
Anne, died when eighteen years old. Malinda is the wife of William Bayler and they live in Mad River Township, Clarke County. William makes his home in the city of Springfield; Lewis is a ros- ident of Champaign County; Catherine is the wife of William Lurton of German Township; Effie re- mains at home with her parents.
The two eldest children of Mr. and Mrs. Pentz were born in Virginia, from which State they cmi- grated about 1847, settling first in Champaign County, of which they were residents for nine years. They came to Clarke County about 1856, and set- tled on the farm where they now reside. Mr. Pentz is the owner of one hundred and five aeres of land which with the assistance of his faithful and devoted wife he has accumulated by his own industry and good management. He is a man enjoying the es- teem and confidenec of his fellow-citizens and has served as Trustee of German Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Pentz are both members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. Politieally Mr. Pentz is an uncompromising Demoerat, and socially belongs to the Grange at Tremont City. The pa- ternal grandfather of Mr. Pentz was a native of Pennsylvania, whenec he removed to Virginia. and there spent his last days.
2 ORACE N. TAYLOR, Postmaster at New Carlisle, is also a Notary Public and in fact, a prominent man generally in his commu- nity. Among the people where he now lives lie has spent his entire life. He was born in this town May 20, 1847, and is the son of Ezra G. and Elinor (Neely) Taylor, the former of whom was a native of Winehester, Va., and born in 1806.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Stephen and Mary Taylor, natives respectively of England and Virginia. After marriage they set- tled in the Old Dominion where Grandmother Taylor died. About 1829 Grandfather Taylor emigrated to Ohio and settled in New Carlisle where he spent the balance of his life, dying in 1855, at an advanced age. He lived in his native Nottinghamshire probably until after his marriage,
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emigrating then to America. Both he and his wife were Quakers in religion. Ezra G., the father of our subject, after coming to this State, occupied himself as a merchant in New Carlisle for more than fifty years. Several times he accumulated a fortune but met with financial reverses. He estab- lished the first banking concern in New Carlisle this being known as the Exchange Bank conducted by the firm of E. G. Taylor & Co. He was rcared by his parents in the Quaker religion to which he hield firmly during life. He was a member of the old Whig party during its existence, later was a strong Republican and all the time an uncompro- mising Abolitionist.
The mother of our subject was born at Carlisle, Pa., about 1818 and died when a young woman in New Carlisle, this State, in 1847. Her parents were Major James and Sarah ( Brandon) Ncely, who emigrated to Clarke County, this State, during its carly settlement. Grandfather Neely honorably earned his military title by serving in a Pennsyl- vania regiment during the War of 1812. Ezra and Elinor Taylor were the parents of two children only: M. Corwin, a tinner by trade and living. in Indianapolis, Ind., and Horace N., our subject.
Mr. Taylor of whom we write spent his boyhood and youth in his native town, attending the coin- mon school and assisting his father in the store. Hc thus at an early age gained a good insight into mercantile business and was associated with his father until 1877. He then formed a partnership with another well-known resident of New Carlisle and under the firm name of Garver & Taylor they conducted a successful mercantile business until 1886. Mr. Taylor then became interested in fruit trees and dealt in them until June, 1889. In the May of that year he received the appointment of Postmaster and still holds the office. For eighteen years he has been the Clerk of Bethel Township and for sixteen years has served as the City Clerk of New Carlisle. For twenty years he has acted as Notary Public.
During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Taylor, in 1863, entered the Union Army as a private, enlist- ing in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Ohio Infantry, serving until March, 1864. He then entered the one hundred days' service as a mem-
ber of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Infantry. After being honorably discharged from this he, in September, 1864, re-enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Battery of Light Artillery and served until the close of the war. He received his final discharge at New Orleans June 10, 1865. His field of operations was in Kentucky, Tennessec. Virginia, Maryland and Louisiana. He was the youngest man in the service from Clarke County and acquitted himself in a very creditable manner. For five years after the war closed he was Captain of a company of Ohio National Guards of New Carlisle.
When a young man of twenty-two years Mr. Taylor chose for a wife and helpmate Miss Clara R. Garver, a very estimable young lady and the danghter of a prominent family in New Carlisle, the wedding taking place December 23, 1869. Mrs. Taylor is a native of the same town as her husband and was born July 16, 1851. Her parents were John and Catherine (Fuller) Garver, natives of Virginia who emigrated to Clarke County, this State, during its carliest settlement and who are now in New Carlisle. There have been born of this union two children, viz .: Clifford, September 20, 1870, and Mary G., March 11, 1874.
Mr. Taylor obtained a good education, attending first the schools of his native town and completing his studies at Grier's Commercial College, Dayton, Ohio, from which he was graduated with honors. He is a man of decided business ability, very pop- ular in his community and occupies an enviable position socially and financially.
HIEODORE HIOHL, senior member of the firm of Hohl & Lyon is, with his partner, carrying on a lucrative trade in groceries and other commodities of the kind in Springfield, where he is looked upon as one of the leading business inen. He is comparatively a young man, having been born November 14, 1854, and is a na- tive of Newark, N. J., the son of John G. and Anna M. (Hofman) Hohl, who were born in the
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Kingdom of Bavaria. The latter were of pure German antecedents and grew to mature years in their native country where they were married.
The parents of our subjeet emigrated to America in the early part of 1854, locating in the city of Newark, N. J., where the father followed black- smithing for a number of years. In 1868 he came with his family to Ohio, locating in Springfield, and entered the employ of the old firm of Whitely, Fassler & Kelly, with whom he remained until a change in the business and the firm became War- der, Bushnell & Glessner. Mr. Hohl was then em- ployed by the latter as foreman in the rolling department, where he still remains. The mother died in Newark, N. J., in 1865. There are living of the parental family three children, all boys, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others, Albert and Wilber J., are residents of Springfield. John G., Jr., died at the age of seven years.
The boyhood days of Mr. Hohl were spent in his native city, where he attended the public school and made himself useful around the home as re- quired. Upon the removal of the family to Spring- field he began clerking for the hardware firm of Baker & Brown, with whom he remained three years. Subsequently for the same length of time he also was in the employ of Whitely, Fassler & Kelly. Returning then to the hardware business he was occupied as a clerk for a period of ten years. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Har- vey C. Lyon, embarking in the retail grocery trade which they have since prosecuted successfully. The house is located at the corner of Main and Center Streets, and the firm carries a well-selected stock of staple and fancy groceries. By good management, promptness in meeting their obliga- tions and courteous treatment of their customers they have' attained to a leading position in this branch of business and are considered entirely re- liable in all respects.
Mr. Hohl was married October 10, 1889, to Miss Carrie G., daughter of J. C. Lyon, of Springfield. Mrs. Holil was born November 21, 1859, in Cin- cinnati, and was there reared and educated, remain- ing under the parental roof until leaving it to be come the mistress of her own home. Politically, Mr. Ilohl affiliates with the Democratie party. He has
been a member of the Board of Education for the past three years and, socially, belongs to Anthony Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M. ; Springfield Chapter No. 48, R. A. M .; Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T., and K. of P. No. 205, Red Star. Mr. and Mrs. Hohl have a neat and attractive home at No. 103, South Race Street, and enjoy the society of a large circle of friends.
ACOB HENRY ZELL. Prominent among the more successful farmers of Spring Val- ley Township, may be mentioned Mr. Zell whose energy and perseverance have resulted in the accumulation of a fair share of this world's goods, including two hundred and four acres of thoroughly cultivated land. His native place was Harrison County, Va., and the date of his birth Mareh 16, 1827. His parents were John P. and Mary (Tyson) Zell, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania.
The paternal grandmother of our subject, de- parted this life when her son JJolin P. was an infant of three weeks, and he was then taken to Virginia by a relative, where he was reared and married. He served in the War of 1812, and was present at the battle of Ft. Meigs. Later he followed farm- ing in the Old Dominion, and also occupied him- self as an hotel keeper. He finally resolved upon seeking his fortunes in the West, and accordingly, in the fall of 1828, when Jacob H. was an infant of eighteen months, set out overland by wagon, and coming to Warren County, settled near Clarksville. He sojourned there, however, but a short time, re- moving thence to the vicinity of Blanchester. From there, in 1836, he removed to a point a mile and a half south of Waynesville, where he spent his last days, dying in 1851. His wife, Mary. had preceded her husband to the silent land in 1845.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to mature years: George M. is a resident of Waynes- ville; Ruthanah is the wife of Harlan Jones, of Jackson County, Kan .; Olive married Jonathan Jones, of that county, and is now deceased ; Ze-
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linda who was the wife of David Bonnell, died in Mitchell, Ind .; Mr. Bonnell is also deceased; Oli- ver is a resident of Dayton; Edgar lives in War- ren County ; Jacob H., our subjeet, was the next in order of birth; Thornton died in Dayton; and Mortimer in Lebanon, Warren County, the latter holding the office of County Reeorder; James HI. is a resident of Dayton City ; Benjamin F. lives in Springfield; Enos died when a child of three years. Nine of these children were married, and had fam- ilies of their own.
The father of our subject, politically, was a staneh Democrat. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Zell, was the child of German parents, who emigrated to America at an early day. He was twiee married, and by the first wife became the father of three sons and one daughter, John P. being one of the sons. His second wife bore him children, among whom was T. L., the famous author of Zell's Encyclo- pedia.
On the maternal side of the house, Grandfather Enos Tyson was a native of Pennsylvania. His wife bore the maiden name of Ruth Thomas. There were born to them four sons and five daughters, viz .: Isaac, John, Thornton, Oliver, Lacy, Mary, Elizabeth, Milly, and Permelia. Grandfather Ty- son was a blacksmith by trade, but also followed farming, and upon leaving his native State, settled near Clarksburg, Harrison County, W. Va., where he purchased seventeen hundred aeres of land. He was then on his way to Ohio, but did not reach his destination, dying in the Old Dominion. In relig- ious belief he was a Quaker. After her husband's death, Grandmother Tyson, at the age of sixty years, came to Warren County, this State, on horse- back. She died at Rochester, near Morrow, in that county.
The subject of this notice was reared as a farm- er's boy, acquiring his edueation in the country sehools, and after his mother's death, made his own way in the world, working first on a farm at $7 per month. He oeeupied himself as a farm laborer, until a man of twenty-five years. then for one year operated on rented land on his own account. In 1853 he made his first purchase of land-one hun- dred and thirty-eight aeres, lying two and one-half miles south of Waynesville. He oeeupied this for
a period of twenty-three years, then removed to his present place, which comprises two hundred and four acres. This under his eareful management, has beeome one of the finest farms in Greene County. The land is highly productive, and Mr. Zell has ereeted good buildings, and availed him- self of the most approved machinery in the culti- vation of the soil. Politically, Mr. Zell votes the straight Republican ticket. With the exeeption of serving two years as Township Trustee, he has held aloof from the cares and responsibilities of office.
The 11th of March, 1852, was a memorable day in the history of onr subject, as he was then wed- ded to Miss Mary A. McKinsey, the ceremony tak- ing place at the bride's home in Warren County. Mrs. Zell was born July 23, 1831,in Warren County, to Patriek and Elizabeth (Bowman) MeKinsey, who were natives of South Carolina and Virginia. Mr. MeKinsey was born November 3, 1805, and was brought to Warren County, this State, by his parents in 1807. Ile there spent the remainder of his life, and died near Waynesville on the 27th of August, 1863. He was a man of considerable prominence in his community, serving as Township Trustee many years, and was also Land Appraiser. To him and his good wife there was born a family of seven sons and three daughters, and one daughter died in infaney. Patrick McKinsey departed this life in August, 1863. Ilis wife survived him nearly twelve years, her death taking place in February, 1875.
Mrs. Zell's paternal grandfather, George MeKin- sey, was born Mareh 26, 1762, in South Carolina. The children by his first wife were named re- speetively, David, Mordecai, Samuel, Nehemiah, George, Abigail, Naomi, Mary, and Sarah. Grand- father MeKinsey emigrated from South Carolina in 1807, and settled on three hundred aeres of land near Waynesville, this State. Ile built up a good homestead, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying June 11, 1840. He was of Scoteh- Irish ancestry, and served in the War of 1812. A number of his children settled in Indiana.
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