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 20
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 20
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John R. Rankin was reared amid scenes of pio- neer life, receiving his education in the early sub- scription schools of the county, which did not afford the advantages presented to young men of the pre- sent time. He has, however, kept himself well- posted on current events and general topics, by means of reading and observation, and is better fit- ted for the practical work of life, than many who have received more schooling of a theoretical na- ture. For the past thirty-five years Mr. Rankin has been engaged in farming and fruit-raising.
On April 25, 1858, Mr. Rankin was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Davey, who ably dis- charged her duties as a helpmate and companion until July, 1870, when she was called from time to
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eternity. She was born in Hampshire County, Va., and was a daughter of Thomas and Naney Davey. She bore her husband five children: Belle; Fidelia, wife of Joseph Kearns; Henry, Joseph, and John W. After having remained a widower for more than a deeade, Mr. Rankin contracted a second matrimonial allianee, being married November 4, 1880, to Mrs. Barbara A. Zirkle. This estimable lady was born in Champaign County, on the 9th of Mareh, 1839, and is a daughter of Joseph and Amelia Printz, early settlers of that eounty. By her first marriage, with George Zirkle, she became the mother of three children: Charles D .; Mary E., wife of George Andrew; and Elijah. She is an able housewife, a kind neighbor, and possesses the intelligence and amiability which makes her a pleas- ant companion, and wins regard from those about her.
OHN AMBLER SHIPMAN is the worthy deseendant of a noble pioneer ancestry, and it gives us pleasure to insert in this volume an outline of his life. He is one of Spring- field's favorite and favored sons, who "native and to the manner born," has been untiring in liis ef- forts to aid his associates in the business world to place this eity of his birth in the front ranks with its sister municipalities of this Commonwealth, as regards its eommerce, its varied industries, its government, its publie improvements, and in all else that go to the making of a progressive, enter- prising and thriving eity. While he has thus la- bored he has advaneed his own interests and has acquired a handsome competeney, which he enjoys in the beautiful home that he has established on Yellow Springs Street, where he lives in retirement, free from all business cares, excepting the manage- ment of his property and investments.
The subject of this biographical review was born in this city August 11, 1829, his father, Clark Shipman, having been an early pioneer of the place, eoming here from his native Kentucky when this eity was but an insignifieant hamlet. In the forest wilds of this region and on the uncultivated prairies, deer, and other wild game were plentiful,
and he being a fine marksman, was a successful hun- ter and kept the family larder well supphed with tempting game. He was an intelligent, wide-awake man, and held the rank of Brigadier-General in the State Militia, and his death in 1830, while yet in the prime of life, was a blow to the interests of the little community of pioneers who had settled in wilderness. His wife survived him for more than fifty years, her death finally occurring in this city in the home of our subjeet in 1884, at the venera- ble age of eighty four years. By her husband's death she was left a young widow with the eare of three children, but nobly did she take up the task that thus devolved upon her and trained them earefully to good and useful lives, so that they might be worthy members of any community wheresoever their lots might be cast. Our subjeet is now the sole surviver of the family, his brother Warren and sister Annie having both departed this life. His mother, whose maiden name was Ruth Ambler, was the daughter of one of the most noted and active of the early pioneers of Springfield and of Clark County.
John Ambler was one of the earliest settlers of of this eity, coming here from New Jersey in 1808, and ever after that he was a prominent figure in the annals of eity and county until death rounded out a life that was an honor to himself, his family and the entire community. Soon after coming here he bought a farm in Mad River Township, but agriculture was not to his taste, and he soon sold out and settled in Springfield, buying a large traet of land here, which is now ineluded within the corporate limits of the eity. He engaged in the mercantile business and also kept a hotel, beside taking a part in the management of publie affairs. His bold enterprise and large public spirit were moving powers in many a seheme for the advance- ment of the eity and county, and he was always ready with hand and purse to do whatsoever he could for the infant colony. He donated the land for the Presbyterian Church, and contributed largely towards the ereetion of a house of worship. When the county seat was removed to Springfield he was elected County Treasurer, and had his office in his kitehen, and as a valuable memento of those early days in the pioneer history of Clark County,
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our subject has the bookcase in his possession in which he kept the books and moneys collected for public use.
John Ambler Shipman, of this sketch, was but one year old when his father died. He remained with his mother and attended school as opportunity offered until he was fifteen years old, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker. Ile subsequently established himself as a furniture dealer on Main Street, and one year later bought a building on the corner of that and Center Street. A year after that his business had so increased that he was justified in building for himself, so as to obtain more commodious quarters, and buying a lot on Market Street, between Main and High Streets, he erected a substantial, conveniently ar- ranged, roomy building, in which he carried on a large and steadily increasing trade, carrying a fine lot of furniture of all kinds to meet the demands of all puises and tastes. In January 29, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster by Gen. Grant, having sc- cured the recommendations of Senator Sherman and Gen, Keifer. He was reappointed by President Hayes, and continued in office until 1885, giv- ing entire satisfaction to all concerned, showing his eminent fitness for the position by his business- like and methodical management of the affairs of the office, by his close application to his duties in that connection, and by his invariably courteous treatment of those under him and of all with whom he came in contact. Since leaving the office lie has lived retired, attending only to his private affairs. Among other desirable property he owns the fine brick residence in which he lives on Yellow Springs Street. He is, as we have noted, liberal and public-spirited, and is generous with the wealth he has acquired, spending money freely in any cause that appeals to his warm heart. He has grown up with the city, and has a large circle of friends, and is of high social standing in this com- munity where he is so well-known and esteemed. ile is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a member of Springfield Lodge, No. 33, and belongs to Lagonda Lodge, No. 61, Improved Order of Red Men.
This sketch of our subject would be incomplete without reference to his devoted wife, the true
home-maker, who has shared the joys and sorrows of life with him for thirty years. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Grant, who is like himself, a native of Springfield, and a daugh- ter of pioneer parents, William and Nancy (Mc- Cormick ) Grant, of whoni see sketch on another page of this volume. The felicities of their wed- ded life have been enhanced by the birth of three children-Warren, Annie and Earl.
ILLIAM H. ESTLE. Among those who spent their earlier years in industrious toil, and who are now enjoying the fruit of their labors, may be properly mentioned the sub- ject of this notice and his estimable wife, who are now retired from active labor and enjoying the comforts of a pleasant home in Miami Township. They are looked upon as comprising a portion of its best element-people conscientious and upright in their lives, devoted to the interests of their children, and who have always lived at peace among their neighbors, doing kindly acts as they had opportunity. They are eminently worthy of representation in a work designed to perpetuate the names and deeds of the oldest and most solid citizens of Greene County.
The subject of this sketch, a son of one of the oldest pioncers of Green Township, was born at his father's old homestead September 3, 1828. He was the sixth child of the family, and like his brothers and sisters, acquired his education in the .district school. His boyhood and youth were spent after the manner of farmers' sons at that time, when no drones were allowed in the busy hive at home, and he acquired those habits of thrift and industry which have been the secret of his success in later years. Ilc at an carly age commenced to lay his plans for the future, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married, October 29, 1850, to Miss Rachel A. Far- row. The young people began the journey of life together on the old Estle farm, and sojourned there until 1882, removing thence to Clifton.
To our subject and his estimable wife there was
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born a family of six children, the eldest of whom, a son, William J., died in 1853, when two years old; Charles Edwin is unmarried and remains at home with his parents; O. D. married Miss Harriet Anderson, and occupies the farm of his uncle, Squire James Anderson; he is the father of three children ; William D. J. married Miss Enola Beck- ett; they have two children and live at the Estle homestead ; Phebe J. died when one and one-half years old; Henry R. is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Estle have for many years been identified with the Presbyterian Church, in which both were teachers of the Sunday-school in years gone by. Mr. Estle was formerly a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanehest adherents. He has served as a member of the School Board of his district, and was at one time a member of the Clif. ton Council.
During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Estle, in 1864, enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served in West Virginia until the close of the war. He belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Yellow Springs. Ilis farm comprises one hundred and seventy acres of well- tilled land,improved with good buildings, including a substantial residence, two good barns and the other structures necessary for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock; the farm is operated by the two sons, who have inherited in a marked de- gree the industry and application of their parents.
The father of our subjeet was William Estle, a native of New Jersey and a wheelwright by trade, but who in the latter years of his life engaged in farming. The mother bore the maiden name of Abigail Little. She was born in Pennsylvania, where the parents were married, and thence eame to Ohio, settling first in Greene County. Later William Estle purchased land in Indiana, but never moved there. He afterward bought a farm in Green Township, Clark County, this State, where he made his permanent home and died in 1859. The mother survived her husband ten years, dying in 1869. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Phebe J., the widow of the Rev. Moses Russell, is a resi- dent of Clifton; Marian is the wife of the Rev.
William White, and they live in South Carolina; Charles A. is a resident of Osborn, this State; William H., our subjeet, completes the list.
Mrs. Estle was born May 15, 1832, in Kentucky, and is a daughter of Orson D. and Elizabeth (Brewer) Farrow, who were natives of Mason County, Ky., where they were reared and married. Thence they removed to Indiana, prior to the Civil War, loeating in Putnam County, where the father died in 1863. The mother survived until 1884, spending the closing years of her life in Clark County, Ohio. Of the six children born to them four survive-William Henry is a resident of Indiana; Jolin B. lives in Kentucky; Hannah E. is the wife of Robert Gilmore, and makes her home in Iroquois County, Ill. The paternal grand- father of Mrs. Estle was Col. William Farrow, of Kentucky, who commanded a regiment during the Revolutionary War. He lived to a great age, spending his last years in Kentucky. Several of Mrs. Estle's uncles fought as Union soldiers in the late Civil War.
ILLIAM FOOS. In the honored class of self-made men, America ean boast of some names as illustrious as make glorious the history of any nation. In the career of the subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be noticed on the opposite page, is finely illustrated that of a man who, beginning life without any means and dependent upon his own resources, has made his way upward, step by step, until he now occupies an enviable position among his fellow-men. Mr. Foos is in many respects a remarkable man, and at an early period in his life gave indication of the mettle of which he was made. He began life's bat- tle for himself at the age of fourteen years as the manager of a farm which he rented from his ma- ternal grandfather. He was successful in his under- taking, and from that time on his career has been one of which he and his descendants may well be proud. He is owner of one of the finest estates in Southern Ohio, this including large landed in- terests, while in the city of Springfield, to which
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lie came in August, 1837, he operates as a banker, and is otherwise prominently identified with its most important interests.
About 1861 Mr. Foos was engaged in private banking, and when the law creating national banks went into effect he changed the institution which he inaugurated, into the Second National Bank, of Springfield, and operated it very successfully for a period of twenty years, each year declaring a divi- dend of from 10 to 12 per cent. At the expira- tion of this time he sold his stock at 100 per cent. premium on its par value, having decided to dis- pose of liis banking interests on account of ill- health. Ile was at that time President, and his son, F. W. Foos, was Cashier. He is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the country, and is acknowledged as having con- tributed in no small degree to the growth and prosperity of this country.
In reverting to the antecedents of the subject of this notice, we find that he was born in Franklin County, this State, July 14, 1814, and is the son of Gen. Joseph and Margaret ( Phifer) Foos, who were among the earliest residents of Franklin, then the county seat of that county, and whio spent their last days in Madison, Ohio. Gen. Joseph Foos was a man of great energy, and took an act- ive part in public affairs. Ile received the appoint- ment of Brigadier-General of militia, and agitated the matter of a ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien. The project was considered wild and im- practicable, and was spoken of in those days as "Foos' Folly."
Gen. Foos investigated the feasibility of the canal across that isthmus, and published a pamphlet set- ting forth the great benefit which would result to the world of commerce from such a canal. He at the same time prepared maps and plans to further illustrate the design. Later, and after the death of Gen. Foos and when Tom Corwin was Senator from Ohio, the question of the canal was brought up in the Senate and a senator in his remarks stated that, owing to the right of discovery of the plan, England claimed the right to construet and control the canal. Senator Corwin retorted that such was not the case, but that the credit and honor of being the first originator of that enterprise belonged to
the late Gen. Joseph Foos, and he substantiated the statement by sending back to Ohio and getting a copy of the pamphlet ..
Gen. Foos was a member of the Ohio Legislature for eighteen years while living in Franklin County, as a representative of the Whig party. The State Capital was then at Chillicothe, and it was in a large measure due to the influence of Gen, Foos that the Capital was changed to Columbus. The citizens were so well pleased with the efforts of Gen. Foos on their behalf that they presented him with a choice lot on High Street. Columbus, as a slight testimonial of their regard.
By a sensible application to his studies during the limited time which he was permitted to spend in school, our subject acquired a fair education, and after the age of fourteen years was required to labor for the support of the family. After carry- ing on the farm above spoken of a few years, as- sisted by two younger brothers, he decided upon a change of occupation, and began his real business experience at the age of nineteen years, at Pekin, Ill., being employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store. He furnished his horse and saddle and rode through the entire journey. At the age of twenty- three (1837) he, with a partner, opened a dry-goods store at Springfield, but finding that the partner was not wholly reliable, he sold out and changed the scene of his operations to Logan and Madison Counties, continuing in the mercantile business.
Leaving Logan County two or three years later, Mr. Foos established himself at London, Madison County, still engaged in the dry-goods trade, but during his stay in that county he purchased and improved a farm near London. In 1846 he re- turned to Springfield and again engaged in mer- chandising, at which he continued until 1854. During this time he also became interested in a number of outside business enterprises, buying wool, operating a cotton-mill, and in connection with his brother, laid out ninety acres of land in city lots, making an addition which now contains some of the handsomest residence property in the city.
In 1859 William and Gustavus Foos established a private banking house, which, in 1863, became the present Second National Bank. Of this, Mr.
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Foos was President, and his son, Fergus W., was Cashier. For a period of cleven years, from 1866 to 1877, Mr. Foss was a member of the firm of James Leffel & Co., manufacturers of the celebrated Leffel Turbine water wheel and other mill ma- chinery. It is a recognized fact that all concerned in this enterprise realized large profits,and it is but just to say that the success attained was largely due to the energy and ability of Mr. Foos and his son, Lamar, the latter of whom was in charge of the branch house in New York City.
Disposing of his mercantile interests in 1854, Mr. Foos purchased four thousand acres of wild land in Champaign County, Ill. He then put up a neat and substantial residence on Highi Street, in Springfield, and concluded to retire from active business. Only a short time had elapsed, however, until he became convinced that he was too young to retire from active life, and so the banking house of Foos & Bro. was established. About this time Mr. Foos began developing the plan for the im- provement of his Illinois lands, and in this enter- prise spent thousands of dollars. The result of this was fully in accordance with his expectations, and the great farm thus opened is probably one of the finest and best conducted of any in the West, not excepting any east or west of the Mississippi. It is cut through the centre by the Wabash Railroad, and upon it is located the station and village of Foos- land, laid out and built up mostly by the means and enterprise of the projector.
The above-mentioned farm is furnished with an abundance of water by Lone Tree Creek and San- gamon River, which pass through it, and which also affords excellent drainage. Further drainage has been secured by fifteen miles of open ditch, and in addition to this, several thousand dollars worth of tile drains. The farm has thirty-six miles of fence, twenty-five miles of which is fine osage orange hedge, which at all seasons of the year presents a beautiful appearance, being neatly trimmed, and like everything else about the place, kept in the best of order. The ground is so systematically laid out and the fields are so numbered that, in connection with a system of monthly reports, Mr. Foos is able at all times to liave a thorough knowledge of the proceeds and expenses, and thus, although he can
only visit it a few times during the year, he is en- abled to understand fully where he stands financi- ally in regard to it.
This farm is largely devoted to stock-raising, accommodating usually $40,000 worth, constantly cared for by a Superintendent. On the place are ten houses, also ten barns located at convenient points. Mr. Foos, in the spring of 1880, sold two hundred head of fat cattle at $7.56 per hundred in his yard, and their average was seventeen hun- dred and forty pounds. That same year fifteen hundred acres of ground was subjected to careful cultivation, while five hundred acres in meadow and pasture land furnished abundant food for the live stock. During some seasons five hundred tons of hay are cut and cured. Thus, it must be ac- knowledged, in addition to being a business man of more than ordinary capacities, Mr. Foos is also a first- class farmer.
The marriage of William Foos and Miss Sarah Mark was celebrated at the bride's home, in 1837. Mrs. Foos was born on September 21, 1817. in Madison County, Ohio, and is the daughter of James and Nancy (Van Kirk) Mark. The father was a native of Lexington, Ky., and the mother of Bourbon County, Ky. Mr. Mark and Walter Dunn entered lands in Madison County at Government prices, and after Mr. Mark moved on his land a tribe of Indians were on the land and held pos- session for six months. They lived and died in Madison County, Ohio-the father aged sixty- seven, and tlie motlier aged ninety-seven and one- half years.
In April, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Foos purchased the ground and built upon it the handsome edifice known as the Church of Heavenly Rest. It is Gothic in style, built of brick with stone trim- mings and slate roof, and finished and furnished in the most complete manner. The entrance is on Plum Street and the building forms one of the at- tractions of the city, being in point of architecture second to nothing of the kind in Springfield. In the rear of the main building is a room for Sunday- school purposes, which is neatly and handsomely furnished, and the study is situated between this and the main audience room. Every comfort and convenience is afforded the rector for the pursu-
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anee of his studies. The present pastor is the Rev. C. Young. Mr. Foos and his wife also purchased the house and lot adjoining for a parsonage. The total amount expended in this manner by them has not been less than $20,000, all of which lias been bestowed as a free gift to the church, with the furniture contained therein. They also paid $1.000 toward the purchase of the magnificent pipe organ. It is hardly necessary to say that both Mr. and Mrs. Foos are devoted members of this church, whose progress and growth they have watched with the warmest solicitude, and in their substantial aid have signalized their interest in its prosperity and welfare. Politically, Mr. Foos is, and always has been, a stanch Republican.
OHN WALLACE. This gentleman is num- bered among the leading citizens of that section of Greene County in which he re- sides, as he was formerly in Enon, Clark County, where he held the office of Postmaster and other positions of public trust. He is now oecu- pying one of the most pleasant estates in Bath Township, which comprises one hundred and thirty acres on section 28, which property belongs to his wife. The farm lias been finely improved and bears every necessary and convenient arrangement in the way of farm buildings, together with orch- ards and shrubbery and such adornments as befit the property of persons of taste and comfort- able fortune.
The father of our subject was Thomas Wallace, a native of England and an officer in the British army. IIis father had come to America and loeated at Newville, Pa., where he died, leaving property. Thomas Wallace obtained a leave of absence and came to America to secure his fortune, bringing with him his wife and infant son. Upon reaching this country, he found that city lots did not mean as much as in his native land at that time, but, nevertheless, he forgot to return to England, pre- ferring to become a citizen of the United States. After working at various occupations, he became overseer of a seetion of the Cumberland Valley
Railroad, and later, a conductor, running for years between Newville and Philadelphia. He made his home in the former place, becoming a prominent man in the town, where he died in June, 1843. He was a believer in the tenets of the Episcopal Church. His first wife, Mary Donaldson, a native of Scotland, died in the Keystone State, leaving five children. The first-born, Eliza, lives in Phila- delphia, Pa .; Sarah, Mrs. Huston, resides in New Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio; the third child and oldest son is hc of whom we write; Thomas is de- ceased; Grizella, Mrs. Johnson, lives in Washing- ton County, Kan. The second marriage of Thomas Wallace resulted in the birth of a son, Samuel, who now lives in Philadelphia; he belonged to a Pennsylvania regiment at the time of the Civil War, until discharged on account of a shot received through the neck.
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