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 32

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 32
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 32

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).

The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Leahow, who was born in Northumberland County, Pa., in March, 1783. He followed the busi- ness of a piano-maker in his native county, doing a large business and acquiring an enviable reputa- tion in his line. IIe invested his capital in lands, and died December 5, 1844, leaving a fine estate. In religion he was a Unitarian. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wymer, was of German and French descent.

The mother of our subject was reared and educa- ted in her native county of Northumberland, and became a fine musician. She also assisted her father in his business, and taught both music and the com- mon school. In 1846, she came to Fairfield, Ohio, and engaged in teaching school and music, both be- fore and after her marriage, and until sixty years of age. She died in Fairfield, Batlı Township, in 1881. She was a woman of many estimable quali- ties, and a member in good standing of the German Reformed Church.

The subject of this notice was the only child of his parents, and was born at the homestead which he now owns and occupies, April 22, 1853. He was taught to make himself useful at an early age, and acquired his education in the district school. When twenty-three years old, he rented his father's farm, and operated it successfully until the fall of 1874. Then deciding upon seeing something of the Western country, he crossed the Mississippi, and going into Colorado, was employed on a ranch. In the winter of 1875-76 lic returned home, and once more taking charge of his father's farm, oper-

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ated it until the death of the latter, when it became his as the only living heir.

While sojourning in the city of Denver, Mr. Ful- ton made the acquaintance of Miss Emma Shella- barger, and the mutual attachment thus formed, was followed by their marriage in that city, De- cember 28, 1875. Mrs. Fulton was born in Mad River Township, this State, February 15, 1853, and the year prior to her marriage, went to Colorado on a visit, remaining there until after her marri- age. Her father, Martin Shellabarger, was born in Clark County, and was the son of Ephraim Shella- barger, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. The latter left Pennsylvania at an early day, coming to Clark County, this State, before his marriage. Af- ter that event he located on a tract of land in Mad River Township, from which he opened up a farm and became well-to-do.

Martin Shellabarger was a natural mechanic, es- pecially handy with tools, and an expert wood- worker, turning out many fine articles for various uses. He had a cooper-shop on his farm in Mad River Township, and in connection with this, car- ried on farming many years. He is still living at the old place, and has arrived at the age of seventy years. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. The paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Rebecca Wingett. She was born on a farm near Cincinnati, of parents who were among the carly settlers of that region. The great-grandfather Win- gett became a large landowner, and financially, was well-to-do.

The mother of Mrs. Frank Fulton, was in her girlhood Miss Elizabeth Sheller. She was born near Fairfield, Bath Township, and was the daughter of Adam Sheller, a native of Frederick County, Md. He came to Ohio during the pioneer days, settling about 1815, in Fairfield, whence he removed later to Clark County, and lived to be about ninety- seven years old. He belonged to the River Breth- ren Church. Mrs. Elizabeth (Sheller) Shellabarger is still living, and is now sixty-seven years old. She is the mother of eight children, the eldest of whom a daughter, Mary, Mrs. Leahow, lives at Yellow Springs; George is ranching on the Platte River, Colo .; Adam is a prominent cattle man of the San Luis Valley, Colo .; William, also operates

a ranch along the Platte River, in Colorado; Annie died when an interesting maiden of seventeen years; Emma, Mrs. Fulton, was the next in order of birth ; Edith and Ethel are both deceased.

The landed possessions of Mr. Fulton aggregate four hundred and seven aeres, all under a good state of cultivation. The home farm is supplied with two sets of farm buildings, and he has a wind- mill, water tanks, hay scales, and all the other con- veniences for the prosecution of farming and stock- raising after the most approved methods. He feeds annually large numbers of cattle, swine and sheep, and utilizes four teams in the operation of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are the parents of eight chil- dren, viz: Charles, William, Edgar, Clifford, Frank, Jr., Bessie, Ralph, and Nellie, who forin a very bright and interesting group, and all at home with their parents. Mr. Fulton, like his honored father, affiliates with the Democratic party. He has been a member of the School Board of his distriet for the past three years, and is frequently sent as a dele- gate to the various conventions of his party.

OHN M. JACKSON. There are many whose lives apparently pass quietly along, who make comparatively little stir in the world, but who when they are gone are sens- ibly missed from the circles which they have been in the habit of frequenting and whose names the survivors hold in tender rememberance. These thoughts involuntarily oceur in recalling the ca- reer of Mr. Jackson, who was one of the most highly respected citizens of Moorefield Township, Clark County, and who departed this life July 24, 1890. He was a good man in the broadest sense of the term and was not only mourned by his im- mediate family but by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

The subject of this notice was born in Loudoun County, Va., March 4, 1833, and was the son of John and Mary (Braden) Jackson who were also natives of the Old Dominion, where they spent their entire lives, dying at an early age. When

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John M. was a lad of four years, he was brought to Ohio by his brother Charles and placed in the care of his unele, William Moore, who had secured the land which is now occupied by Mrs. Catherine R. Jackson, the widow of our subject. John M. was reared to farm pursuits and received a prac- tical education in the common schools. This with his habit of reading and observation conspired to make him a well-informed man. He was naturally industrious and prudent and in due time began preparations for the establishment of a home of his own. With this end in view he was married No- vember 22, 1864, to Miss Catherine R. Kraft and immediately afterward the young couple settled upon the farm which thereafter remained the home of Mr. Jackson until his death. Here also were born the eight children who eame to bless their union and of whom but four are living: Edith is the wife of Jolin Fryberger of Springfield; Charles, May and Nellie remain at home with their mother. As a husband and father Mr. Jackson ful filled his obligations in a most ereditable manner, as a member of the community he was looked upon as having contributed largely to the welfare of the people around him. Politically, he was a staneh Democrat, a man of decided views and one who when he believed he was right, was not easily turned from his convictions.

Mrs. Catherine R. Jackson was born August 31, 1846, in Baltimore, Md., and is a daughter of George and Anna (Hackenburg) Kraft, both of whom were also natives of that State and who traeed their aneestry to Germany. Mr. Kraft served in the War of 1812 and emigrated to Clark County, this State, about 1848, when his daughter Catherine was an infant of twenty-two months. Settling in the young city of Springfield Mr. Kraft ocenpied himself as a machinist and for a number of years conducted a shop of his own. He died there about 1872. The mother survived her hus- band several years when she too passed away in 1878. Their family consisted of nine children and Mrs. Jackson is the only survivor. She was reared to womanhood in Springfield, obtaining her eduea- tion in its public schools and by an attendance of five years at the Methodist Female College. She and her son Charles are now principally engaged

in dairying and fruit-growing, running one milk wagon and raising large quantities of the different fruits for the Springfield markets, They number their customers among the best people of their community wherein they oceupy a good social position. Prior to the Civil War Mr. Jackson crossed the Atlantic and traveled pretty much all over the world, arriving home a short time pre- vious to the attack upon Ft. Sumter.

AMES C. PRINGLE. A visitor to Clark County, particularly if he were a lover of horse flesh, would not long be in ignorance of the name with which this sketch is intro- duced, nor long unacquainted with him who bears it. Mr. Pringle has for some time devoted himself to horse breeding, his specialties being the cele- brated Clydesdale and Percheron stock. The ani- mals which comprise his stud are standard bred and among them may be found some beautiful equines. . Standing at the head of the stud is Pride, jr., a draft. Beside his interest in horse flesh, Mr. Pringle is a dog faneier and possesses some handsome can- ines of fine breeds.

The subject of this sketch is deseended in the paternal line from James and Sarah (Vanee) Prin- gle, who were among the very carly settlers of this county, whenee they came from Crab Orchard, Ky., in the beginning of this eentury. To them in 1811 was born a son, D. V., his birthplace being the farm adjoining that now occupied by our subject. He was reared in the neighborhood and upon reaching maturity married Miss Margaret Davisson, who was born near where the village of South Charles- ton now stands. The couple at onee settled in the house where the widow is now living, the husband buying a well-improved farm along the Washington Pike, and devoting himself to agricultural labors. His father had purchased the place across the road from him, which was at that time all wood land. Mrs. Pringle for many years made her clothes from the wool and flax produced upon their own place, and carded, spun, and woven by her own hands. D. V. Pringle died March 10, 1882, at the

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age of seventy-one years; his father had lived to be eighty-five and his mother eighty-seven.

Mrs. Pringle is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Curl) Davisson. Her father was born in Harrison County, Va., in 1790, and was about six years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio. He was a soldier during the War of 1812 and his widow drew a pension for a number of years. She sur- vived to the age of ninety-four years. The Pringles were Presbyterians and the Davissons Methodists, and the male members of each family were pillars in their respective churches.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Pringle was made up of four sons and three daughters, the sub- ject of this sketch being the fourth on the family roll. Hle was a soldier during the late war and a brother also was in the Union serviec. Of the other members of the family we note the following: Sarah E. is the wife of Peter Murray, of South Charleston, and the mother of four children; they now reside in Kansas City, Mo., Mr. Murray being in the wholesale grocery business in that city and also the proprietor of a cattle ranch in the West. Mollie C. is the wife of James M. Lolir, of London, this State; he is engaged in the livery business and is also proprietor of the wonderful medical well at that place. Thomas F., a widower with one son, is at home. Isaae D. lives on the old Pringle homestead, his family including three children. W. W. is married and living in South Charleston, being employed in the Farmers' National Bank. Annie, widow of Robert Collins, resides in Kansas City, Mo.

M ELYN M. LAYTON. Among those whose names are held in kindly remem- brance by a large number of the people of Clark County, may be properly mentioned the subject of this notice, who was born in this county August 8, 1806, and who departed this life at his home in Moorefield Township, December 25, 1887. While perhaps not the hero of any thrilling event, he pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good eitizen and left to his chil-

dren the heritage of an untarnished name. By a course of industry and prudence he accumulated a comfortable property, leaving to his widow seventy- four acres of choice land, where she is spending her declining years amid all the surroundings calen- lated to smooth her pathway down the sunset hill of life.

The subject of this notice was the son of John and Elizabethi Layton, who were natives respeet- ively of Virginia and New Jersey. A brother of Melyn M. became a prominent man in the affairs of Clark County and was the first Judge of the county court. John- Layton came to this county at an carly day, being numbered among its earliest pio- neers. He took up a traet of Government land from which he opened up a good farm and there spent the remainder of his days. Young Layton remained a member of the parental household until reaching manhood and made good use of his time in school, acquiring a fair education and availing himself of the instruction of good books, also keeping himself posted upon current events by thic reading of the weekly newspaper. He chose farm- ing for his occupation and was content to follow this all his life.

Mr. Layton was twice married, his first wife being Miss Hattie Braughton, of Clark County. She be- came the mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Erastis, Doane, Thomas, Susan, now Mrs. Goodfellow ; Cordilia, Mrs. Hawks; Mary A., Mrs. Light; Matildia, Mrs. William S. Thomp- son, and Martha, Mrs. Marquart. Mr. Layton was married the second time on November 12, 1850 to Miss Mary Scorse. This lady was born in Berkely County, Va., May 6, 1823, and was the daughter of William and Catherine Seorse, the father a native of Baltimore, Md., and the mother of Berkely County, Va. On her father's side Mrs. Layton is of Seoteh-Irish ancestry while her mother's family originated in Germany. Of her union with our subjeet there was born a family of six children, only two of whom are living: Hattie, the wife of William Wentworth, who resides with her mother, and Scott who is living at home with his mother. The deecased are Homer, Clarenee B., Lillie, and a son who died in infancy.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Layton first

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settled in Mad River Township, near the stream of that name, and resided there fourteen years. They then removed to a point called Silver Lake, one and one-half miles west of New Carlisle and re . maincd there twelve years. Their next move was on a farm in Pike Township, where they lived six and one- half years. Their next removal was to the farm now owned and occupied by Mrs. Layton. Upon this they effected many improvements and while labor- ing for the material welfare of his family, Mr. Layton, also by his integrity of character, estab- lished himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. He was especially the friend of tem- perance and illustrated in his own life the princi- ples which he professed. Politically, lie was a sound Republican and a warm defender of the principles of his party.

Mrs. Layton's father died when she was a child of eleven years and in 1850, with her mother, she emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, of which she has since been a resident. The mother settled at New Carlisle where she lived until her death, which oc- curred August 3, 1865. The parental family in- eluded six children, of whom four are living and residents of Ohio.

C HARLES C. JACKSON, Cashier of the Bank of Osborn, although quite a young man, has manifested such remarkable business quali- fications and energy in affairs, as to gain a high standing in business circles throughout Greene County. The shrewdness and faithfulness displayed by him in his former positions, led to his election to that in which he is now acting, and proved that his character and qualifications are known and ap- preciated.

From honored ancestors, Mr. Jackson derives the qualities which have brought him to the front, and it will not be amiss to make brief mention of former members of the family. His paternal grandfather, Gen. Robert Jackson, was born in Virginia, and located in this part of the Buckeye State in a very early day, operating a farm near Cedarville. He became quite well-to-do, and after selling his farm

and moving into Xenia, he operated a mill, and run a flour exchange, doing an extensive business. Later he purchased another farm, near the city, upon which he lived until death, that event occur- ring in 1873, when he was four-score years old. He was the first Representative from Greene County, to the State Legislature, in which lie served two terms about 1850. His title was derived from the Ohio militia rank. He had a fine physique, was strong and active, and of firm constitution; his life was an energetic one, and his influence not sur- passed in this county. He belonged to the First United Presbyterian Church of Xenia, and was a Republican in politics.

Joshua Jackson, a son of Gen. Jackson, and father of our subject, was born in Cedarville, and upon reaching manhood, became a farmer, locating in Xenia Township. Twice during the Civil War he entered the service, having the rank of Sergeant. After the war he returned to his pursuit of agri- culture, and is now the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land bearing good improve- ments. In politics he is a firm Republican, and in religion a stanch member of the United Presby- teriam Church. His wife was in her girlhood Miss Mary M. Gowdy, whose father, Alexander Gowdy, was one of the first settlers of Xenia Township. He was born in the Blue Grass State, and began his residence here in a log cabin, into the door of which Indians would often peep. He helped fight the savages in the North. Mrs. Jackson is a mem- ber of the same church as her husband. She is the mother of four children, the gentleman of whom we write being the eldest. The second son and child, J. C., is at home; J. E. is a member of thic firm of Cretors & Jackson, dealers in wall paper, paints, and oils at Xenia; Mary A. is yet at home.

The gentleman with whose name this biography is introduced, was born in Xenia Township, Feb- ruary 2, 1857, and reared upon the farm, receiving his schooling at the common schools until sixteen years old, when he entered the High School at Xenia. He attended there three years, afterward entering A. D. Wilts' Commercial College at Day. ton, continuing his studies until graduation. Soon after receiving his diploma, in 1880, he became book-keeper in the Second National Bank in Xenia,

Pour , July, 1. 20. Greene M. D.

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so faithfully discharging his duties, and displaying sueh shrewdness in business affairs, that he rapidly worked his way up to the position of teller. Dur- ing Grover Cleveland's administration of the Na- tional Government, he was Deputy Internal . Rev- enue Collector under Mr. Newman.

In January, 1889, with the aid of J. II. Bark- man, and under his adviee, he started the Osborn Bank, which is ineorporated under the State laws, and does a regular banking business. The institu- tion is established on a firm basis, having for its stockholders and direetors some of the best men in the community, and is doing well financially, gaining reputation and business. Mr. Jackson is a Director and has been Cashier sinee the bank was organized, also owning stock.

Mr. Jackson, on April 22, 1886, led to the hy- meneal altar Miss Cora Stewart, an educated, re- fined. and noble young woman, who was born in Yellow Springs, and finished her education at Smith's College in Xenia. Her father, James M. Stewart, was born in Clark County, made an early settlement in Greene County, and is now Deputy Probate Judge, and is also the nominee for Pro- bate Judge, and a nomination in this eounty means eleetion to the Republican candidate, of which he is one. Mr. Jackson is a strong Demoerat, has been a member of the Central Committee, and delegate to eounty and State conventions. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, of Osborn, in which he now oeeupies the second Chair. Ile belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and manifests the same activity in promoting religious interests that he does in business affairs.

ON. JOIIN W. GREENE, M.D., one of the oldest practicing physicians of Greene County, has been a resident of Fairfield sinee his birth, which oceurred February 24, 1825, in Bath Township, and he has been ae- tively engaged in the practice of his profession sinee 1845, a period of forty-five years. He started

out well equipped for the duties of his profession, as his father, Dr. Randolph R. Greene, was likewise a physician and surgeon, and the first physician of Fairfield, locating there when it first began to assume the proportions of a town.

George Greene, the grandfather, an Englishman by birth, was left an orphan early in life with the care of two sisters. At the age of thirteen years having heard much of the New World, he in 1757- 58, resolved to seek his fortunes there. Being without means he eonecaled himself in the hold of a ship about to sail for Baltimore and was not dis- covered until the vessel was out at sea three days. When the vessel landed at Baltimore he was put up at auction, in order that his time might be sold for a period long enough to pay for his passage. It was purchased by one John Derth. who was a eousin of Grandfather Edward Derth, who took him to his house and finding commendable quali- ties in the boy adopted him into his family. A few years later young Greene married Mary, the daughter of his benefactor, by whom he had eight ehildren, one of whom, Randolph R. Greene, be- came the father of the subjeet of this sketch.

Randolph Greene was born in Pennsylvania in 1787. He removed to Fleming County, Ky., when a boy , with his father and was there reared to manhood, spending his early life among the pioneer seenes of the Blue Grass State. His brother, Ilenry Greene, was also a physician and with him he learned the first princi- ples of the profession. In early manhood he eame to Warren County, this State, where he was mar- ried, but later he removed to Logan County, and located at a point on Maeajaek Creek. He prac- tieed there until 1820, and was the first practicing physician in that region. He became widely known throughout the country around and was not only a prominent physician, but a eitizen held in high repnte. He filled various local offiees and was ae- tive in politics, a member of the old Whig party and a warm admirer of Henry Clay. He eon- tracted cholera while attending railroad employes along the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, from the effects of which he died in 1849.

The mother of our subjeet borc the maiden name of Priscilla Derth. She was born in Browns-

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burg, Pa. in 1795, and was the daughter of Edward Derth, a substantial Pennsylvania farmer, living on the Allegheny River. In 1798, after Wayne's treaty with the Indians, Grandfather Derth loaded his family and worldly goods on a flatboat and proceeded down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. He there landed and followed Wayne's military road to Clear Creek and to a point near the present site of Franklin, Warren County, this State. There he purchased wild land to the extent of fourteen hundred acres. This was the year prior to the Simms land purchase. Grandfather Derth settled in a wild region remote from civilization, being one of the carliest pioneers of the county, and sub. sequently he assisted in laying out the town of Franklin. About 1810 he carried the chain for a . cemetery and selected a family lot. He occupied his place in this in 1816. His wife, Elizabeth, sur- vived him many years, and in 1837 was laid by his side as also were two of her sons. In 1871 a short line railroad was built through the old bury- ing ground and our subject in connection with other relatives purchased a lot on a hill in that vicinity and to it removed the remains of his par- ents and brothers, and erected a beautiful marble shaft to their memory which bore the following inscription "Edward and Elizabeth Derth with their sons, Basil, James E., Asael, Isaac, Samnel, and daughter Priscilla, landed in Cincinnati from Pennsylvania on the 16th of April, 1798, when it. was a village of less than thirty honses; thence threaded their way along Wayne's Military Road to the waters of Clear Creek and struck their tents in that vicinity before Ohio became a State or War- ren County had an organization. The first and many subsequent elections for what are now Franklin and Clear Creek Townships, were held at their house. In 1827, the remains of the father and two sons were removed from the present site of the Miami Canal and they, in 1871, with their friends who had followed, were again removed to provide space for railroad facilties. Their descendants have now selected for them a beautiful spot in the cem- etery of Springboro, Warren County, Ohio, ad- jacent to the surroundings of their busy life, as a suitable retreat from further encroachments inci- dent to the wants of commerce and travel for their

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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 32

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