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 23

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 23
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 23

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).

A native of Hagerstown, Washington County, Md., Mr. Confer was born December 29, 1823, and eame with his father to Ohio in 1834, when a lad of ten years. His early education was acquired in a log cabin schoolhouse, with puncheon floor, greased paper for window panes, and slab seats. He was at an early age taught to make himself useful and remained the assistant of his father on the farm until the latter's death. He still remained there afterward until his marriage. This most im- portant event in his early manhood was celebrated December 29, 1857, the maiden of his ehoiee being Miss Mary Jane, danghter of P. F. and Elizabeth (Wolf) Cost.

The young people commenced their wedded life together on their own farm in a manner eorres- ponding to their means and labored together with the mutual purpose of getting on in the world and acquiring a competence. Their first dwelling was a log eabin which they oeeupied until 1866, and then Mr. Confer was enabled to put up a more modern residence, expending thereon about $5,000. Subsequently, in 1876, he erected a large bank barn, 72x44 feet in dimensions, at a cost of about $2,000. He has also another bank barn, 30x50 feet in di- mensions, which eost him $800. Numerous other structures on the premises indicate in a marked manner the enterprise of the proprietor. These include a stone milk-house, a eider press, a corn- shed, also a straw-shed and all the other structures necessary for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain.

In addition to the improvements on his farm Mr. Confer has invested considerable capital elsewhere,

putting up a livery barn at Yellow Springs, eost- ing $1,500, also the post-office building there, 32x22 feet in dimensions, costing $465, and a small stable, costing $200. In 1864 he put up a house on the west part of his farm at a cost of $300.

Mr. Confer is the offspring of an exeellent family, being the son of George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer, the former a native of France and the latter of Hagerstown, Md. George Confer emigrated to America with his father who settled in Maryland, eoming in 1802 to Greene County, this State, and settling on the land now owned and oceupied by his son, William G. This land, two hundred acres in extent, he seeured from the Government at $1.25 per aere. His farm labors were at one time inter- rupted by his enlistment as a soldier in the War of 1812. With the exception of this he followed agriculture all his life. The parents were married in Hagerstown, Md., and after living in Ohio for a time they went baek to Maryland and resided in that State until 1834. That year they returned to Ohio where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1857, and the mother in 1870. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living, namely, George, Jr., Hannah, Elizabeth, the wife of Diek Partington who was a lawyer of Xenia, now deceased, leaving one child, a son, Edward; and William G., our subject. The parents were people highly respected in their com- munity, living honestly and uprightly and leaving to their children the heritage of a good name.

The parents of Mrs. Confer removed from Maryland to Ohio at an early day, where the father operated a distillery and amassed a large fortune. He is still living, being now eighty years of age and making his home in Osborn, this county. The mother departed this life at the old home in 1878. Of the six children born to them five are now liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Confer are the parents of four children, the eldest of whom, a son, George B., who beeame an expert telegraph operator, died in Oc- tober, 1887, at the age of twenty-eight years; Eliza Jane is the wife of Jacob S. Cosler; they live at the home farm and have two children; John P. and Frank are also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Confer are members in good standing of the Reformed Pres- byterian Church, in which Mr. Confer has served

Jours Junky CHShahr

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as an Elder and Deacon since 1856. He became identified with this church at the early age of four- teen years. He takes an active interest in politics, affiliating with the Republican party, and for two years has been a member of the School Board of his district. He has also served as Supervisor several terms.

The landed possessions of Mr. Confer embrace three hundred and thirty-one acres of choice land, all under a good state of cultivation and with first- class improvements, including two residences. His property in Yellow Springs is valued at $5,000. IIe remembers many incidents of the early times. From 1809 to 1812 his father hauled flour to Cincinnati, six barrels making a load. A barrel of salt cost what he would get for the six barrels of flour. He saw the first ferry-boat plying from New Orleans to Cincinnati, when the trip occupied seventy-five days and it took seventy-five men to pull the boat up the river.

ON. CAMARALZA H. SPAHR, M.D. Dr. Spahr is not only well known as a leading physician of Greene County, but his reputa- tion has extended throughout this part of the State. He began the practice of his profession as early as 1849, in Jasper Township, where he so- journed four and one half years,and then, in Febru- ary, 1854, established himself at Jamestown, where he has since been a resident. He has been more than ordinarily successful, very nearly coming up to the standard which he reared at the outset. IIe received a thorough education for the profes- sion, being graduated from Columbus Medieal Col- lege in 1853. Ile worked his own way through college and is the architect of his own fortune, rceeiving no assistance from anyone, financially or otherwise. He has devoted himself to his profession, and after commencing practice, returned to his studies, taking a partial course of lectures at Cincinnati.

Dr. Spahr is prominently connected with both the County and State Medical Societies, in which he has been prominent for many years. He com- nienced his medical studies under the instruction

of Dr. Owen, of Mechanicsville, and later was with Dr. Newkirk, of Jamestown, probably three years. He is a native of Greene County and was born January 30, 1826, less than three miles east of Xenia. His father, Gideon Spahr, was born May 21, 1788, in Hardy County, Va. The paternal grandfather, Jolin O. Spahr, was a native of Swit- zerland. The parents of the latter were natives respectively of Switzerland and Holland. They were married in Switzerland, and after the birth of seven sons and two daughters emigrated to Amer- ica when John O. was a lad of ten years. They set- tled in what is now Hardy County, Va., prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and there spent the remainder of their lives. They were reared and trained in the doctrines of the Lu- theran Church, to which they ever afterward ad- hered. The great-grandfather Spahr was a farmer by occupation and his son, John O., followed in his footsteps. The latter was married in Virginia to Miss Judith Regar. She was a native of Holland, and came with her parents to America when a young ehild. The Regar family also settled in Hardy County, Va., where the parents died at an advanced age.

After his marriage John O. Spahr settled on a farm in his native State, and there spent the re- mainder of his life, dying when quite aged. His widow subsequently came to Ohio with her chil- dren, settling in Greene County, and died when ripe in years. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. Their son Gideon, the father of our subjeet, was the next to the youngest born, and remained a resident of his native county until a man of twenty-eight years. Then, in 1818, still unmarried, he came to Ohio, and settled in the wilds of Greene County. He took up a tract of timber land, from which a small portion of the forest had been cut away, this com- prising one hundred acres in Xenia Township, and lying three miles east of the present site of Xenia. He labored industriously to open up a farm and lived to see the country around him settled up by an intelligent and prosperous people. After many years spent in arduous labor, he left the farm and removed to Silver Creek Township, where his death took place in June, 1856, when he was sixty-

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eight years old. He was a fine speeimen of man- hood, morally, mentally, and physically. After coming to Greene County, he was married, about 1821, to Miss Phebe Hagler.

The mother of our subjeet was born in Hardy County, Va., August 26, 1798. She was of Ger- man ancestry and the daughter of Leonard Hagler, who married Mary Peterson, likewise a native of the Fatherland. The latter emigrated to America with their parents, they also settling in Virginia. Later, they came to Ohio with their family, settling in Cæsar's Creek Township, Greene County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying at an advanced age. Mr. Hagler was an industrious man, a good manager, and accumulated a fine property. The mother of Dr. Spahr died at her home, near Jamestown, in July, 1867.

The subject of this notice was the second son and third child of his parents, whose family eon- sisted of four sons and five daughters. With the exception of two sons, all are living and married. Camaralza H. on the 11th of March, 1858, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Sarah ( McDaniel) Peters. The parents of Mrs. Spahr were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. They were married in the latter State, where Mr. Peters engaged in the manufacture of pig iron. Later, they came to Ohio and settled in Lawrence County, where Mr. Peters prosecuted the same business and beeame wealthy. He still remains a resident of that eounty and is numbered among its prominent and highly respected citizens. Although seventy-six years old, lie is still hale and hearty, retaining mueh of the vigor of his younger years.

Mr. Peters has been twice married. His first wife, the mother of Mrs. Spahr, died while com- paratively a young woman. He then married Mrs. Mary C. Dudui, a French lady, who is yet living, and is still active like her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are prominently connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, at Ironton, to which they give a liberal support. Mrs. Spahr received a lib- eral education, completing her studies in the Wes- leyan College, at Cineinnati. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, three of whom-John, Mary and Homer-died

when young. John and Mary were twins. Phebe R. is the wife of C. C. Hosier, and they live in Jamestown; S. Fanny and George R. remain with their parents. The Doctor's children have been well educated and oeeupy a good position in so- eiety.

In religious matters the Doctor and Mrs. Spahr are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former officiates as Steward. For many years Dr. Spahr has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, being now connected with Blue Lodge, No. 352, at Jamestown. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 181, at Jamestown, and also to the Encampment, in which he has passed all the chairs. He takes a warm interest in local polities and earned his title of "Honorable" by representing the Republican party of Greene County in the State Legislature, to which he was elected in 1863. He was a member of the Assembly during the passage of the Fourteenthi Amendment, for which he voted, and he assisted in the passage of other important bills, among them the donation of lands for the Agricultural College. He is a Repul)- lican of the first water, and has rendered efficient serviee to his party in Greene County. A portrait of Dr. Spahr is shown on another page.

G FORGE BRAIN. No other elass of men has done more to promote the rise and pro- gress of Clark County than its shrewd and energetie real-estate dealers who have in every way pushed forward its interests. As an able repre- sentative of these, it gives us pleasure to place in this volume dedicated to the citizens of this part of Ohio, an outline of the life of the gentleman whose name is at the head of this biographieal sketch. Through his extensive business connections he is widely and favorably known throughout this and adjoining counties, and no man is held in greater honor and respeet in financial eireles than he. By his large enterprise, keen vision, prompt and careful business methods, he has been a potent faetor in the upbuilding of the city of Springfield, making it the

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metropolis of a rich and prosperous country. The son of a family of early comers in this region, though he was of foreign birth, Mr. Brain was reared amid the pioneer scenes that obtained here during his childhood, youth and early manhood,and on a part of the old homestead, in Springfield, that his father hewed from the primeval forest, he has erected a beautiful residenee, replete with all the modern eomforts and convenienees in which he and his family have a charming home.

Our subjeet was born in Staffordshire, England, Mareh 2, 1827, to George and Mary (Whitehead) Brain, who were also natives of that country. His father learned the trade of a wool-eomber in his youth, and later that of a malster, at which he was industriously employed in his native land until 1829. In that year, with his wife and seven chil- dren, he emigrated to America and, coming to Clark County, making the journey from New York by the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence on Lake Erie to Sandusky, and from there with hired teams to convey the family and household goods to this region, he selected this place as a suitable spot for location. Ohio was then in the first half-century of its existence as a State, and was but sparsely settled, and the roads from the lake to this place were bad in the extreme, three or four weeks being consumed in reaching this point, where the village of Springfield, with a pop- ulation of two hundred and fifty inhabitants, was in the first stages of its growth. There were no railways or eanals in this State, and Dayton was the nearest market, though several made a business of teaming from here to Cineinnati with from four to six horses. Mr. Brain immediately invested in a tract of wild land that is now included within the eity, though at that time it was a mile away from the town. On his homestead, for which he paid $7 an acre, there were two log houses and a log barn, and a few acres were in eultivation. He did not, however, settle there then but rented a house in the village, in which he resided for a time, and then removed into one of the log houses, while he superintended the construction of a commodious brick house, which he made his home after its com . pletion, until he was called to a higher. He was a man of sterling worth, possessing a well-balanced

mind, frugal and industrious habits, whereby he acquired a competence while aiding in the devel- opment of the country, and he was regarded as a most desirable citizen. His wife spent her last years on the farm in the liome that she had assisted him in making. She bore him eight ehildren, all of whom were reared to manhood and womanhood, and were trained by their parents to sober, honest, and lionorable lives. Their names are Mary, Jo- seph J. W., Anna, Lydia, Martha, Luey, George and William G.

The son of whom we write was two years old when his parents brought him to this eountry, and he was reared and edueated in this county. He attended the early village schools, where he applied himself to his books with great diligenee, and at the age of seventeen Dr. John Ludlow engaged him as clerk in his drug-store, and he remained in his employ twenty months, gaining a clear insight into the drug business, and then had to give up his position on account of ill health. He returned to his home in 1852 and embarked in the drug busi- ness in Cincinnati in partnership with his brother, who managed the business. They continued to- gether until 1855, when they dissolved partnership, and our subject entered upon his long and success- ful career in the real estate business, which he is still profitably carrying on, dealing largely in land and in building and selling houses. In 1889 he formed a partnership with his sons, Willard and George H., to engage in the lumber business, which they are conducting very successfully. He built his present substantial and elegant residence, one of the hand- somest and most attractive in the eity, in 1881 and has besides much other valuable property.

Mr. Brain was happily married, in 1861 to Miss Sarah M. Willard, of Decatur, DeKalb County, Ga., and in her has a devoted wife who looks well to the comfort of her household. They have six children- Willard, Jessie A., George H., Mary, Bessie W. and Graee. Mrs. Brain and children are all members of the First Presbyterian Church, and are active in its work to elevate the moral and social status of the community.

Our subjeet may well take pride in the part that he has taken in developing this country, which he ean remember when it was scarecly more than a

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wilderness, and he can look back over the long years and trace the wonderful changes that have taken place since, as a child, he played in the fields and woods on his father's farm where now the hum and bustle of a busy city are heard on every hand. He is a man of pronounced characteristies, of an active temperament, with business qualifications of a high order, and his life record is an honor to himself and reflects credit on his adopted eity. In his political views he is a sound Republican and uses his influenee for the good of his party.

OSEPH SAVILLE. Among the many farm- ers of Greene County whose lives afford an excellent example of persevering industry, thrift, and uprightness, the above-named gentleman deserves mention. He is one of the prominent farmers of Cæsar's Creek Township, owning a pleasantly located farm of one hundred and seventy five acres, which bears such improve- ments as are usually to be found upon the estates of men of enterprise, and indieate to the passer-by that it is a home of comfort and enjoyment. The owner of the estate possesses the Christian charae- ter, liberal spirit and intelligence which win respect from his fellow men and his worthy wife has her share in their regard.

The subject of this sketch is one of seven chil- dren reared by Samuel and Ann (Saville) Saville, to whom twelve children were born. The parents were natives of Rockbridge County, Va., their natal days being November 29, 1791, and July 5, 1792, respectively. They came to Greene County, Ohio, in the fall of 1827, loeating about six miles east of Xenia, in which neighborhood they continued to re- side until called from time to eternity. The death of the father took place March 22, 1851, and that of the inother in May, 1872. Of the children whom they reared to maturity, Martha became the wife of William Cherry and died in Washington County, Iowa; Margaret is also deceased; Elizabethi is the widow of John MeDonald; Samuel died in Iowa; Narcissa A., Mrs. Humiston, lives in Iowa; James A. lives in the same State; the subject of

this sketch is the oldest of those now living. The parents belonged to the German Reformed Church and the father was a Demoerat in polities.

The maternal grandparents of our subjeet were Abraham and Margaret (Kibler) Saville. The former was a farmer in Rockbridge County, Va., and also a shoemaker. Their family comprised six sons and one daughter, named respectively, George, Robert, Samuel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Margaret.

The natal day of Joseph Saville of this sketeli was February 15, 1817, and his birthplace his father's farm in Roekbridge County, Va. There he was reared in a manner customary to farmer's sons, acquiring a practical knowledge of farm life and a good cominon-school education. He began his own career in life with a capital consisting of $100 and a team of horses, and from this beginning has grown his present financial standing. In the fall of 1842 he located upon forty-four aeres of his present estate, to which he added as opportunity offered and which he has mostly improved. He has been a liberal giver to all publie enterprises, being much interested in everything that promises to promote the welfare of the country. His first Presidential vote was east for Martin Van Buren and he continued to vote with the Democratic party until the war, sinee which time he has been a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

The marriage of Mr. Saville and Miss Hannah Ketteman was celebrated August 6, 1840, and has been blessed by the birth of ten children, and sad- dened by the loss of four. The survivors are: Emiline, wife of Henry Fudge; Mary J., wife of David F. Conklin; Margaret A., wife of Robert S. Spahr; Sarah E., wife of I. H. Smith; Ellen K., wife of P. I. Wilkin; and Florence B., wife of Frank Antram.

Mrs. Saville, who was born in Hardy County, Va., October 4, 1819, is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Peterson) Ketteman who were also born in the Old Dominion. They came to Ohio in 1830, settling five miles south of Xenia, where Mr. Kette- man operated a farm and a tannery. He served as Justiee of the Peace for many years. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion, a member of the

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German Reformed Church, to which his wife also belonged. She opened her eyes to the light in January, 1793, and departed this life in August, 1873. Mr. Ketteman is now living with a grand- daughter in Xenia and although advanced in years, having been born June 9, 1795, his mind is still active and his bodily health quite good. He is of Duteli origin, being a son of Jacob and Margaret (Bergdoll) Ketteman of Virginia.

ARRY B. MOUK, a young and enterprising business man of Medway, Clark County, has in the few years that have passed sinee he attained his majority, exhibited a degree of energy and business taet that promises to give him an advanced position among the capitalists of the county ere many years. He is engaged in a general mereantile business, being the principal member of the firm of Mouk & Schatz, and he also superintends a farm of sixty-two aeres which he owns on the Valley Pike. His mercantile business was begun in January, 1889, when a new stock of goods was put in, and the firm is already doing a large trade, their location being a good one and their position the leading one among the merchants of the town.

The natal day of our subjeet was June 16, 1862, and his birthplace in Bethel Township. His father dying when he was about six months old, his mother removed to her father's home where the ehild was reared, learned farming and was well educated at the Helmer Sehools. When twenty-one years of age he came into possession of liis present estate where he engaged in farming, attending the Dayton markets, and dealing in provisions. He became very sueeessful at his first business as he did in raising tobacco, which enterprise he began in 1878, raising from four to five aeres per year. Ilis farm has been improved in first-elass style, a barn 40x60 feet, a tobacco barn 30x72 feet, and a large, residence having been built, all substantial and well designed. In addition to these business enterprises, Mr. Mouk is a shareholder in the Os- born Bank. He has belonged to the Democrat

County Central Committee three years, and has been a delegate to eounty conventions. He is very popular, moves in the best society, and is a worthy representative of a respectable family.

The Mouk family is of Swiss extraction, and the home of former generations in this country was Pennsylvania. Near Marietta, Lancaster County, Harry Mouk was born and reared, carrying on his father's farm, which after his marriage lie pur- chased. In 1851 he eame to Ohio to find a location and the next year brought his family to Clark County, purchasing two hundred and forty aeres of land for $40 per aere. It was located on Mad River, the residenee being built on the Valley Pike about one and a half miles from Osborn. The place was well improved and successfully operated by the owner, who was also the possessor of one hundred and sixty aeres a mile and a half north of his home farm. He passed away February 13, 1875. His wife was Esther Hershey, like himself a native of Laneaster County, Pa., and of Swiss aneestry. Her father, Andrew Hershey, was a sueeessful farmer in that county, in which he spent his entire life. He was a descendant in the third generation of Andrew Hershey, wlio was born in Switzerland about 1702 and came to America with his father in 1719, buying land from William Penn, and settling where the family was represented for several gen- erations. The last-named, Andrew Hershey, and three brothers were Mennonite ministers, and the family left their native land on account of relig- ious persecutions against the sect to which they belonged.

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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 23

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