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 25
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 25
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Mr. Stark was married, February 19, 1851,in Mid- (Iletown, Ohio, to Miss Mary Ward, of that place. Mrs. Stark was born May 2, 1832, and is the daugh- ter of James H. Ward, one of the pioneer merchants of Middletown and who spent his last years in Nauvoo. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Stark- William and Walter C .- are residents of Xenia.
OHN M. HOFFA. Through Clark County and far beyond its limits the New Carlisle Sun and the Buckeye Farmer are well known, being found in many households and their columns being perused by thousands of readers. It affords pleasure to the biographical writer to incor- porate in this volume a sketch of the genial editor and publisher of these slicets, who demonstrates the fact that editors, like poets, are born, not made. The qualities which make a successful journalist are inbred and no amount of study can supply the laek of a keenness of observation, acnte perception of the tastes of the public, and accurate judgement on matters treated in various departments of a newspaper. Beginning his editorial career with neither money nor experienec, Mr. Hoffa has made
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it a success; in fact every dollar which he has and that which he is, are the results of his own natural abilities and the use he has made of his talents, and his life should encourage other poor boys in a man- ful determination to be "somebody."
Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pa., is the birth- place of him of whom we write and his natal day was December 9, 1854. His father, Levi Hoffa, a native of the same county, died at the carly age of twenty-nine years, when his son John was but two years old. He was a tailor and carried on business in Myerstown for a number of years. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and a son of Phillip and Elizabeth (Belcher) Hoffa who also lived and died in Lebanon County. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan Meily. She also is a native of Lebanon County, Pa. She is still surviving being now about fifty- nine years of age. She is the mother of three chil- dren-Mary A., John M. and William G. The first is the wife of George Umberger, a tailor at Bismark, and the youngest son is a dealer in bar- ber's supply at Harrisburg, Pa.
The carly life of the subject of this sketch was spent in his native place and his education obtained in the Palatinate College at that place. Early in life he began clerking and later was engaged in business for himself a short time. The field of journalism attracted him and he abandoned his former occupation to start the Londonderry Weekly Gazette, at Palmyra, a shect which he conducted a year. He then sold out, and removing to Larue, Ohio, bought the Larue News, running it two years before selling. His next enterprise was to buy the Now Carlisle Sun in 1883, which sheet he has since owned, managed and edited. In 1887 he started the Buckeye Farmer, which now has a circulation of over five thousand copies.
The success which Mr. Hoffa has met with in his journalistic work has been merited by his close application to the details of his business and his earnest efforts to make of his publications newsy and popular journals. The columns are filled with interesting and instructive matter, adapted to the family circle, as well as to the man who desires to progress in the world and looks to the newspaper for information that will aid him in this effort. In
the editorial department one finds pungent criti- cisms, suggestions and applications, and encour- aging comment on all worthy enterprises.
On the 17th of July, 1875, Mr. Hoffa led to the hymeneal altar Miss Ida J. Zimmerman, of Pal- myra, Pa., a young lady whose bright mind, cul- tured manner and fine character had won his csteem, as they have the respect of many friends. She was born in Palmyra and is the daughter of Abraham and Maria (Henry) Zimmerman, natives of the same place. Her happy union with our subject has been blessed by the birth of four interesting chil- dren-Mary J., Meily V., Harry L., and Abram Z.
Mr. Hoffa is quite interested in the social orders, and has taken all the degrees of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and ten degrees in Masonry. He is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church.
AMUEL COOPER. Among the late solid residents of New Jasper Township, Grecne County, Mr. Cooper usually was found at his headquarters, where he had two hun- dred and seventy-two acres of choice land whichi under his careful management had undergone a thorough course of cultivation and is now the source of a comfortable income. Without perhaps being the hero of any thrilling event, Mr. Cooper had signalized himself as an honest man and a good citizen, voted the straight Republican ticket and was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this church his estimable wife and their children also belong. The family is highly respected in the community, being numbered among its most reliable elements.
A native of Hardy County, now West Virginia, the subject of this notice was born April 29, 1829, and came with his parents to Greene County when a lad nine years of age. His father, John Cooper, rented a tract of land three miles east of the present site of Xenia and lived upon this five years. He then removed one mile further east, lo- cating on the Janaston Pike and occupied himself as a tiller of the soil until his death. The mother
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bore the maiden name of Sites. She passed away in 1850. Their family consisted of seven children.
Samuel Cooper resided in Xenia and Jasper Townships since coming to Greene County, and occupied himself altogether with agricultural pur- suits. He was married November 4, 1852, at the farm, ever since his home, to Miss Mary, daughter of the late George Fudge, who was likewise a pio- neer settler of this eounty, locating in Jasper Township where he spent the remainder of his days. Mr. Fudge was born in Rockbridge County, Va., wlience he removed first to Warren County, this State, and subsequently to Greene County. Mrs. Cooper was born in Warren County, Jannary 15, 1830. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper there have been born eight children, four of whom died young. The survivors are Jolin M .; Sarah E., the wife of C. Whitmer; Naney E., Mrs. John R. Sutton ; and Clara L., the wife of Lewis B. Stingley.
Our subject and his good wife commenced their wedded life on the farm where they have since lived and which was formerly the property of Mrs. Cooper's father. This fact increased its value to them and it is to be hoped that the old homestead will long remain in the possession of the family. The Coopers have formed no unimportant factor in the growth and development of the county and are fully worthy of representation in a work of this kind.
Samuel Cooper died April 12, 1890, mourned by all who knew him.
W ARREN LEDBETTER. This substantial farmer and worthy citizen oceupies one of the valuable farms of Greene County, it being situated two and a half miles south of Xenia, in Xenia Township, and consists of one hundred broad aeres. IIc was born in Allen County, Ky., January 28, 1822, and was brought by his parents to Greene County during his childhood. He was therefore reared and educated here, beginning work for himself when he had reached man's es- tate. On April 2, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Laner Adams, a native of Pennsylvania, but at the time of their marriage a resident of
Greene County. She is a woman of estimable qual - ities, who has devoted herself untiringly to the com- fort and welfare of her household and proved a true helpmate to her husband.
For some five years Mr. Ledbetter lived on the Cincinnati Pike, but about 1853, removed to his present location where he had purchased fifty aeres of land. To this he has added, making up the present acreage and placing it all in a state eredita- ble alike to his energy, thrift, and good judgment. He and his wife have reared a family of seven chil- dren, named respectively: John S., Arabella, Joseph W., Catherine E., Emma V., Thomas II., and Ida E. Both parents are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and by their neighbors and fellow-citizens are esteemed as those should be who live upright and industrious lives.
The parents of Mrs. Ledbetter were Thomas and Dorothea (Linkhart) Adams, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. After having lived in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Adams was occupied at his tiade as a carpenter, they came to this State in 1833, and he then took up the vocation of farm- ing. He reared five sons and four daughters. His father's name was David Adams.
Warren Ledbetter is the youngest of nine chil- dren born to Hamlin and Disey (Wright) Ledbet- ter. Ilis parents were natives of Brunswick County, Va., where they were married, removing to Allen County, Ky., about 1820, and in 1828 coming to this State and Greene County. They settled three miles southwest of Xenia and after residing there eight years sold and removed to another part of the township. The brothers and sisters of our subjeet bore the names of Stephen, Naney, Elizabeth, Mar- tha, James, John, Robinson and George. The pa- rents belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and the father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The eldest son and child of the subject of this notiee was born December 23, 1849, on his grand- father's old homestead three miles southwest of Xenia. He has lived on the same farm with his father or on an adjoining one all his life. On No- vember 25, 1878, the rites of wedlock were cele- brated between bim and Mary E. Parlett, with whom he lived happily until March 20, 1889, when the devoted wife and mother was removed by the
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hand of death, leaving three children-Francie E., Carrie L., and Georgie A. She was born near Ridgeville, Warren County, March 16, 1850, and was a daughter of James and Rebecca Parlett, her father being a farmer in her native county. John S. Ledbetter belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his deceased wife was also a mem- ber. He possesses an upright character, an intelli- gent mind, and the energy and perseverance which leads to success in business life.
OHN S. CLICK, a well-to-do and respected citizen of Springfield, within whose limits he owns a valuable and highly-improved tract of land, where he and his wife have es- tablished a pleasant liome, comes of a worthy pio- neer family who located in Clark County among its early settlers in the '30s, and identified them- selves with its agricultural interests, assisting in developing the land from the primeval wilderness.
Rockingham County, Va., is the birthplace of our subject, and June 28, 1831, the date thereof. His father, Samuel Click, was born, reared and married in that State, Mary Garber, also a native of the Old Dominion, becoming his wife. In 1838 they started Westward with their three children, having decided to build up a new home in the forest wilds of Ohio. They made the entire jour- ney overland, taking their cooking utensils with them, and when they camped by the way cooked their food, and after traveling thirty-one days they arrived in Clark County. Mr. Click bought a tract of land in German Township, of which a small part was cleared of the heavy timber that covered it, and in the dense forest that stood on the re- mainder, wild turkeys, deer and other game were plenty, and richly furnished the larder that in those pioneer times might otherwise occasionally have been scantily supplied with food. The family resided in that place some years, and during that time the father by hard and skilful labor cleared and cultivated quite a number of acres. He finally disposed of the whole at a good price, and buying elsewhere in the same township, was a resident
there until his death deprived the community of an industrious and useful citizen. His wife also spent lier last years on the home farm. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom were reared to maturity.
The son of whom we write was seven years old when he came to this county with his parents, but he still has a vivid remembrance of the long jour- ney from his early home and of the incidents of their pioneer life here. There were no railways or canals here for some years after their removal to this State, and all transportation was with team over rough roads. Settlements were scattered, and the country generally was in a wild condition, and it has been our subject's privilege to witness the gradual upbuilding and to promote its prosperity in a measure. He lived with his parents until he had attained to manhood, and then started in life on his own account. He first visited Indiana and in- vested in a tract of wild land in Clay County. He never located on it, however, but returned to Ger- man Township, Clark County, where he engaged in farming until his marriage. That important event in his life took place in 1864, when Miss Sarah Hyer, a native of Greenfield, Ohio, joined lands with him in matrimony and became his active assistant in the upbuilding of a home. After his marriage Mr. Click resided in Mad River Township, Clark County, one year, and then traded for property in this city and engaged in the grocery business the ensuing year. At the expiration of that time he bought the place where he now resides. Here he has twenty-three acres of finely-improved land, all included within the city limits, which has greatly increased in value with the growth of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Click's pleasant home circle is completed by the three children that have blessed their union- Austia, who is the wife of Beecher T. Black; Samuel and Mary, who are at home with their parents.
Coming to this county when it was still in its primeval state, our subjeet has seen farm after farm hewn from the forest wilds, by the industrious and persevering labors of the hardy, intelligent pioneers who laid the foundations for the present prosperity and high standing of this glorious Commonwealth. During the fifty and more years
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that he has lived here as a boy and man he has seen thriving villages and busy towns spring up where once the Indian chased the wild game through the forests and over the uncultivated prai- ries; and the city of Springfield that he chose for his abiding place, has grown from an insignifi- cant hamlet with but few inhabitants to a large and enterprising metropolis, with evidences of wealth and prosperity on every hand, and a population of nearly forty thousand people. Our subject has led an honorable, upright life that entitles him to the estecm in which he is held by all about him. By the exercise of those inherent traits of thrift, prudence and a capacity for intelligent labor, with which he is so well endowed, he has, as we have seen, placed himself far above want, and with his wife, to whose active co-operative labors he is greatly indebted, he is quietly passing his declin- ing years in peace, plenty and comfort. He and his wife are working members of the German Bap- tist Church, and by the example of their daily lives show the reality of their religion. Politically, he is a Republican.
NDREW JACKSON CHRISTOPHER. Among those whose labors are ended, but who, by their worthy lives still claim re- membrance, may be properly mentioned Mr. Christopher, an carly resident of Jamestown, Greene County, and who departed this life at his home in that city, January 18, 1888. He was onc of its best-known citizens, liberal and public-spirited and prominently connected with many enterprises tending to its growth and development. He was born June 4, 1826, in Fayette County, Pa., being one of a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, the offspring of Gidcon and Sarah Chris- topher, who were natives of Pennsylvania.
When Andrew J. was a lad of six years he was taken by his parents to Clinton County, this State, and a few years later to Greene County, where he spent the remainder of his life. When approaching manhood he served an apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade and followed this, more or less as
long as he lived, with the exception of ten years during which he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was a man remarkably conscientious in his dealings and was never known to engage in an enterprise which compromised his integrity or his manhood. Sober, frugal and industrious, the guiding rule of his life was to do unto others as he would be done by. These principles, coupled with firmness and decision of character, enabled him to withstand the many temptations which beset man- kind and he was held in peculiar confidence and respect by all who knew him. He was from a young man, prominent in his community and was called to various positions of trust and responsibil- ity, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.
When a youth of eighteen years Mr. Christopher made a public profession of religion and identified himself with the Christian Church at Jamestown, of which he ever afterward lived a faithful and consistent member. He was a liberal contributor to the support of the society and rendered sub- stantial assistance in the erection of the church building. A man of deeds rather than of words, he made it the rule of his life to make no promises which he could not fulfill. In 1865 he identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, of whose principles he was a warm admirer and with which he continued to the end of his days.
The last illness of Mr. Christopher, during which he suffered six weeks with typhoid fever, vibrating between life and death, was borne with unexampled patience and resignation. It is true he was sur- rounded with every comfort which money could buy and which affection could procure and was watched over by his devoted wife and anxious children as well as the many friends who sadly missed him from their cheerful social circles. The best, medical treatment, however, was without avail and his emaciated body yielded to the fell destroyer at last, when he was suffered to pass quietly away, finally without pain and as though falling asleep. His age was sixty-one years, seven months and fourteen days.
The marriage of Andrew J. Christopher and Miss Eliza J. Johnson was celebrated at the bride's home in Silver Creek Township, Greene County, June 6,
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1851. Mrs. Christopher was born near Jamestown, December 4, 1831, and was the daughter of John D. and Martha (Johnson) Johnson, who were na- tives respectively of Campbell County, Va. and Highland County, Ohio. The father was born April 19, 1800, and the mother December 22, 1808. In 1807 the parents of Mr. Johnson leaving Vir- ginia, removed to Highland County, this State, and Mr. Johnson lived with them there until reaching. manhood. He then located in Greene County, where he met and married his future wife.
Mrs. Christopher was a child of three years, when, in 1811, her parents removed to Jamestown, where she was reared to womanhood. She was the daughter of James L. and Louisiana ( Moorman) Johnson, who were among the earliest settlers of Greene County. They lived to be quite aged, being permitted to witness the development of the wilderness into the abode of a prosperous and in- telligent people. They resided first in Silver Creek Township, when later they removed to Jefferson Township and there spent their last days.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson after their marriage set- tled on a farm cast of Jamestown, and for many years labored carly and late in the building up of a homestead. After the removal to the village of Jamestown, Mr. Johnson was for twenty-one years a Justice of the Peace. He died in August, 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. He was for many years an active member of the Christian Church and prominent in all good works. The wife and mother is yet living making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Christopher, and although over eighty-two years old, is still bright, active and intelligent. She also belongs to the Christian Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there was born a fam- ily of five children, of whom Mrs. Christopher was the eldest. She and her brother, Samuel T., are the only survivors. The latter was the youngest and is now a resident of Paulding County, Ohio, where he occupies himself as a general mechanic. Mrs. Christopher was reared and educated in Greene County and by her union with our subject became the mother of six children, all of whom are living. Cyrus T. married Miss Lucinda Thornburg, and in partnership with his brother, Jaincs, is engaged as
a grain buyer in Jamestown; Ella is the wife of Frank C. Pease, a railroad engineer and they make their home in Dayton; James above mentioned, married Miss Mary Tilden and they live in James- town; Stephen A. Douglas, a railroad man, mar- ried Miss Ida Pence, and they make their home in Jamestown; Lilly is the wife of John Hamilton, a railroad agent and they reside in Jamestown; An- drew J. C. Jr., is agent and telegraph operator for the Dayton, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad Com- pany ; he married Miss Sally Wymer and they live in Jamestown. Mrs. Christopher is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church - and greatly respected by all who know her.
SWAYNE BARRETT, a miller and farmer of Spring Valley Township, although yet in early manhood, has gained an enviable reputation among the early citizens of Greene County for industry, intelligence and successful business management. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty aeres of fertile land, mostly under cultivation.
Not only is Mr. Barrett successful as an agricul- turist, but he is a practical miller, and has been en- gaged in that business since the age of twenty-one years, with the exception of six years passed in the grain and pork business and tilling the soil. The mill operated by Barrett's Sons is known far and wide for the quality of the flour it produces, as well as for the courteous treatment the custom- ers are always sure of receiving from the pro- prietors. By his genial manners and honorable dealings with everyone, Mr. Barrett has gained for the mill a wide patronage, and is still further in- creasing its trade and its facilities for accommoda- ting friends.
A native of Spring Valley Township, Greene County, Mr. Barrett was born September 1, 1852. His parents were the Hon. Isaac M. and Rebecca (Swayne) Barrett. The former was a man of some prominence in political cireles, and uniformly voted the Republican ticket. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife being the mother of our subject.
٠٠٠ .
yours truly EG larson
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She was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Smith) Swayne, the former born in Philadelphia, whenee he removed to the northern part of Ohio, and later came to Clarke County, the same State. Ilis death oceurred in Spring Valley in 1864, after a resi- denee there of about five years. He had, however, lived in Clarke County about twenty years. His wife passed away in Springfield. Their daughter Rebecca was one of a family of five children, namely : Joshua, a prominent physician of Spring- field; Thomas, of Los Angeles; Mary, Rebeeea and one who died in infaney. Politically, Mr. Swayne was originally a Whig, but after the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, believ- ing its principles to be more nearly correct than those of any other party. He was a brother of Chief Justice Noalı Swayne, and by an upright life reflected credit upon the honorable name he bore.
At the age of three years our subject was de- prived of a mother's care, but her place was to some extent filled by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Swayne, who took their orphaned grandson into their home. Later Isaac Barrett was again married, and took his son into his own home. There he was given still more .extended facilities for knowledge, attending the schools of Spring Valley, Springfield and Antioeh. Being of a prae- tieal and independent spirit, he early commenced to make his own way in the world, and has succeeded in aeeomplishing many of the hopes cherished in youth. He has the hope of many years of life yet before him, and these will be filled with continued efforts in behalf of his family and his community.
Mr. Barrett, when twenty-five years of age, wishing to establish home ties of his own, was united in marriage, December 25, 1877, with Miss Carrie, daughter of William and Martha L. (Young) Weller, of Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. William Weller followed the oeeu- pation of a farmer during almost the entire period of his life, whiel covered three-seore and four years. IIe died in 1882; his wife yet survives, making her home in Spring Valley, Greene County. Relig- ionsly, both were members of the Baptist Church. Their family comprised one son, Samuel, and three daughters, Sallie, Mellie and Carrie, the latter being the wife of our subject, She was born
September 15, 1855, in Centerville, Montgomery County, and received a good education in her na- tive place and Springfield, Ohio. Her intelligence, refinement and winning ways have won her many friends in this community. She has borne Mr. Barrett three children-Mary Swayne, who died at the age of three years; Fred W., and Hazel C. The two survivors are bright children of ten and three years. Mr. Barrett, together with his wife, holds membership in the Society of Friends.
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