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 34

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 34
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 34

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).

In 1831, Thomas Merritt with his family, which consisted of a wife and four children, left his na- tive State to found a home in the Mississippi Val- ley. Beginning their journey on the 2d of May, they reached the home of Mr. Merritt's brother near Circleville, Ohio, on the 2d of June. The caravan consisted of two covered wagons each drawn by two horses and in addition to the family mentioned, the party contained a maiden sister of Mr. Merritt and a man who drove one of the teams. Miss Mer- ritt afterward became the wife of Isaac Engle of Warren County. During their journey the party, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Merritt, slept in the wagons.

The summer was spent near Circleville while Mr.

Merritt looked round for a location, his first pur- chase being one hundred and seventy acres of land which forms a part of the present home of our sub- jeet. The next year he purchased forty aeres ad- joining where the fine residence now stands. Of the two hundred and ten acres but twenty were under the plow, but the father and sons cleared the balance, which now forms one of the finest farms in the section. In 1852, one of the finest brick houses in the county was erected, which still stands as a monument to the energy and forethought of the original owner, and which even at this day is numbered among the best homes in this vicinity. When first built it was 36x42 feet in dimensions, with a kitchen 16x16 feet and a wing, 16x36 feet. Thomas Merritt breathed his last in 1868, being then in his eightieth year; his widow survived until May, 1871, reaching the age of seventy-five years.

Edward Merritt was about eleven years of age when his parents came to this county, in which he attained to man's estate. On February 22, 1844, he took a companion in the person of Miss Susan Little of Madison Township, who lived but a short time after their marriage. She had given birth to two children who followed her to the grave in a few months. She was the daughter of Ilamilton and Mary Little, and was born a few miles west of Philadelphia. Her parents removed thenee to this county where they lived to a good age, her father dying about 1850, and her mother surviving many years after.

In 1847. Mr. Merritt contracted a second matri- monial alliance, his bride being Mrs. Myra Borton, widow of James Borton. She had one child, Eliza- beth Ann Borton, who afterward became the wife of William T. Haley of this county and has a fam- ily of six children. Mrs. Myra Merritt was called from time to eternity about five years ago, mourned by many old acquaintances who sincerely sympa- thized in the bereavement that had befallen her husband and children. The union of this lady with our subject resulted in the birth of four children of whom we note the following : Charles H. married Alice, daughter of Peter Buffenberger, who has borne him three children ; his occupation is that of a farmer; Thomas E., who was unmarried, died at the age of thirty-six years; Susan M. is the wife of

Reuben Miller

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Reuben M. Roberts, who now has charge of the farm of our subject; they have one son, Merritt E; S. Ella is the wife of Edwin B. Michener, a farmer of Warren County.

The Merritt family are of the Friends religion, holding membership at Green Plain. The deceased wife and mother was also a member of that religious body. Until recently Mr. Merritt had been a Re- publican but he now votes the Prohibition ticket. He has been County Commissioner three years,and has also held the offices of Road Supervisor and School Director. He was Appraiser on the Pikes which were bought from the county.

R EUBEN MILLER. Among all the worthy citizens of Greene County, none can be found more thoroughly deserving of rep- resentation in a volume of this nature, than he whose name stands at the head of this notice, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. His prominence is not due alone to the fact of his being an old settler, but to the excel- lent habits which he has maintained, to the resolute will and persevering industry which has secured for him a competence, and more than all to his up- right Christian elaraeter. From his position as a poor boy, he has worked out a successful carcer, the capital with which he began, being the in- struction which he had received to be studious, industrious and neat, and that which he thinks most important of all, to live a godly life.

The paternal ancestors of our subject were Ger- man, and in the maternal line he traces liis ances- try to old England. His grandfather, Andrew Miller, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania when a young man, and during the first great strug- gle for American Independenee he gave his services to the cause of freedom. From the forest on the Big Canawhia Creek lie cleared a farm, upon which he spent the later years of his life. His son John was born in York County, and determining to devote himself to farm life, bought the old home and en- gaged in agriculture upon it, but lost it after the War of 1812, During that struggle bis eldest son,

then seventeen years old, entered the army as his substitute. John Miller was a great reader, and an active member of the Lutheran Church, in which he was an exhorter.

The maternal grandparents of Reuben Miller were David and Hannah (Smith) Ramsey, of Eng- land, both of whom lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years, the former never being ill until his death. Having come to America prior to the Revolutionary War, Grandfather Ramsey took part in that struggle, receiving two wounds while fighting for freedom. During the cannonading at the battle of Bunker Hill, the dishes in his home, which was but two miles distant, were thrown from the shelves and broken by the concussion. After the war he removed to York County, Pa., being one of the carly settlers. He cleared a farm in the mountains and made shingles, burned charcoal, and followed other occupations suited to the loeal- ity. His landed estate amounted to three hundred acres. The family were Quakers and prominent in the work of the society.

Jane Ramsey, daughter of David and Hannah (Smith) Ramsey, was born in Chester Connty, Pa., and married John Miller, to whom she bore seven children. David, who went to the War of 1812, when seventeen years old, died in Clark County, Ohio, at the age of sixty-two years; John died when two years old; Hannah, Mrs. Sultzenbarger, died at the age of seventy-five years; Mrs. Mary Welty died aged eighty-two years; Sam- uel died in Pennsylvania when sixty-eight years old; the next on the family roll is our subjeet, who is the only survivor; Benjamin died at the age of sixty years.

Reuben Miller was born in Conawanka Town- ship, York County, Pa., September 25, 1810, and was reared on a farm. When five years old he was sent to his grandparents, who were getting old, in order that he might watch over them, and their home being across the mountain from that of his parents, he could call the latter in case of need. He remained under their roof until ten years old, when he returned to his old home, taking up such a share in the labors of the farm as a boy of his years eould endure. His school privileges were incager, and the carly education which he obtained

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was secured in the subscription' schools, which were held during a small portion of the year. The clothing which he wore was home-made. He hunted some, running foxes and other game, and remained at home until twelve years old, when he was hired out on a farm at $3.50 per month until seventeen. He then began an apprenticeship at the trade of a shoemaker with his brother Sain- uel, and after serving three years started a shop of his own. He carried it on for nine years, work . ing almost day and night, determined to secure a home and surround himself with some degree of comfort.

.When twenty-three years old he secured a com- panion in life, being married in September, 1833, to Miss Margaret Mittman, who nobly bore her share in his labors and anxieties, assisting him by her counsel and prudent home keeping. She was born in Dover Township, York County, and died in Ohio, in 1846. After their marriage the young couple went at once to housekeeping, the husband buying a farm of eighty acres on the mountain side, making an initial payment with money which he borrowed :t 6 per cent. He remained upon the place four years, after which he sold it and came to Ohio, the journey being accomplished in a two-horse covered wagon, which also conveyed a few housc- hold goods. The river was crossed in flatboats, and twenty-one days after leaving their Pennsyl- vania home the family settled near Dayton, Mont- gomery County, Ohio. For three years they lived upon rented land there, after which they settled in Clark County, spending one year in a cabin in the woods.

Although Mr. Miller had been put back by sick- ness, he had succeeded in saving about $250, with which he came to Greene County and made ar- rangements for the purchase of one hundred acres of land on Mud Run, going in debt for a large part of its price. A few years later he borrowed money at 10 per cent., and purchased one lun- dred and sixty acres adjoining, paying $30 per acre, and continuing his resolute efforts, succeeded in paying for both farms. The only indebtedness which he ever assumed was for land. He was lo- cated on the Springfield and Dayton pike, where he cleared and otherwise improved his estate. Hc

engaged in general farming and stock raising, also dealing extensively in market produce. The early habits of neatness and order in which he had been instructed by his worthy parents, were carried out on the farm, where everything was carefully cared for, and nothing lost by heedlessness or ill-usage. The best of stock was kept, Mr. Miller being one of the first men in the county to keep full blooded Short- horn cattle and Southdown sheep. His horses also were of good grades, while he endeavorcd at all times to keep his erops above the average in quality.

After having lived upon the estate, which he - had secured by unremitting toil, for forty-two years, Mr. Miller sold it at $95 per acre, and re- moved to Osborn, retiring from the work in which he had so long been engaged. He bought the home in which he now lives, and has invested the - remainder of bis means in bank stock and in va- rious loans. He is the largest and one of the original stockholders of the Bank of Osborn, his interest being $5,000. He has given each of his children a start in life, bestowing upon them the educational and business advantages which they desired.

Mr. Miller contracted a second matrimonial alli- ance, choosing as his companion Miss Hester Sny- der, with whom he was united in wedlock, in 1847, the ceremony taking place in Clark County. The bride was born in York County, Pa., and was a daughter of John Snyder, an early settler of Bethel Township, Clark County, where she was reared and educated. After many years of useful life, in which she had shown her devotion to hus- band and family and kindliness to all with whom she came in contact, Mrs. Miller departed this life May 6, 1880.

The sons and daughters of Mr. Miller are seven, their record being as follows: John A. attended Lebanon College, and was subsequently graduated from Wilts Commercial College, in Dayton, and he is engaged in farming and the fruit business in Clark County; Ellen M. is a graduate of Granville College, in Licking County, and taught school until her marriage to O. P. Hardman, a farmer of Clark County; Laura J. is the wife of Henry Corn, of Fairfield, a retired farmer and a soldier in the

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Civil War; Cylnira C. is the wife of George Kep- linger, who is a farmer and the operator of a green- house in Bath Township; Lee is an engineer at Springfield; Curtain was in a shop in Springfield but is now at home, having had his leg ent off by a train. Alice is the wife of William Rol, who works in the knife and bar shop of- the Reaper and Mower Manufactory in Springfield.

The first Presidential ballot of Mr. Miller was cast for Andrew Jackson at his second election, and he has never since missed a vote, continuing his acheranec to the Democrat party. He has always paid his fine when put in office, declining to serve except in school affairs. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, in which he has had mem- bership since he was six months old, and in which for thirty years he has taken a very active part. He is a charter member of the society at Osborn, belonged to the building committee and has given as liberally as any one to its support. He has been a Trustee for years and is now an Elder. He belongs to the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons at Osborn. He has been called upon to exercise his judgment as a jnryman, and in other ways has been prominent among his fellow citi- zens. His memory is a remarkable one, he being able to recall events as far back as 1813, when his brother went to the war. Self-made in finances and in personal reputation and character, he gives the credit of all that he is to the teaching which produced in his mind the determination to be a gentleman in the deepest sense of that word, and to the natural abilities which God gave him.

R RANCIS M. HAGAN is not only one of the foremost lawyers of Clark County, but he is intimately associated with its business in- terests and eivic life as President of the Springfield Board of Trade. He is a fine representative of Ohio's native-born citizens, his birth taking. place in this eounty, in Mad River Township, June 10, 1844, he being a descendant of two of the early pioneers of this part of the State. Hugh Hagan, his father was born in Northumberland County, Pa.,

in 1803, and was a son of Denny Hagan, who was born in the North of Ireland, and was of Scotch an- teeedents. He was reared and married in the land of his birth, and in 1801 emigrated to this country, and settling in Northumberland County, utilized his excellent edueation in teaching school and in surveying. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1815. and then eame with teams to Ohio, and cast in his lot with the early pioneers of Clark County, and here his well-spent and honorable life was brought to a close. Mrs. Hagan was born in Ire- land, and died in this country at the home of her son Hugh, and now lics beside her husband in Muddy Run Cemetery. They reared four children -John, Hugh, James and Margaret.

Hugh Hagan was a lad of twelve years when his parents removed to this county, and he was bred to manhood under the primitive conditions of pioneer life, and in his turn took up the work of a pioneer. When a young man he taught school until he had saved enough money to give him a good start in life, and he then bought a traet of timber land Dear Enon, and in the log house that he built there the subject of this sketch was born. There were no railways here for many years, and he used to team to Cincinnati, seventy-five miles distant. The country was then in a wild condition and dcer and other kinds of game were plenty for some years. He did his share in developing the county by clear- ing a tract of land and improving it into a fine farm, as he was an able practical agrieulturist, and prosceuted his calling with characteristic energy that brought success. He resided on his homestead until his death, in 1879, rounded out a long and well-spent life that had passed its seventy-sixth milestone. Of a clear, discerning mind and of a forceful character, well-endowed with truthfulness, self-reliance and competence, he was a fine type of the men, who, hardened by the struggle that has founded our National character, were instrumental in hewing out the foundations of a commonwealth from the primeval wilderness. The maiden name of his wife was Aun Furay. She was a native of this State, born in Ross County, and a daughter of pioneer parents, Peter and Marianne ( DuPlissy ) Furay. Her father was a native of Philadelphia, and her mother of Canada, coming of French an-

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tecedents. Both grandparents lived to the vener- able age of ninety years. The mother is now a welcome inmate of the household of her son, our subject. She has reared four children to lives of usefulness and houor, namely: Francis M., James A., Edward O. and Laura A.

The carly youth of our subject was passed on the home farm, assisting in its labors and varying the monotony of his work by attendance at the district school, where he laid the basis of a sound educa- tion. Eager for more learning, and being without the means to gratify his ambition, at the age of seventeen he commenced teaching to gain the wherewithal, and taught in the common and select schools, and even after he entered Antioch College, he did not drop that vocation, but continued to teach whenever college was not in session. His constant application to his studies and to teaching impaired his health, and he was obliged to leave college with his course uncompleted, to his great regret. In 1869, he began the study of law in the office of E. S. Wallace, but his devotion to his books caused his health to give out once more, and he was compelled to lay aside his studies for awhile. After that he traveled in different parts of the United States two years, and with reinvigorated powers resumed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Bench at Columbus, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in this city, and has been thus actively engaged here since, with the exception of the time that he was Postmaster of the Springfield post-office. During these years of hard and urremitting labor he has risen to eminence in his profession, and his brilliant talents and legal acumen have brought him a large clientage, to whose interests he is con- scientiously devoted. He was appointed Postmas- ter in 1887, and served in that capacity with credit until April. 1890. The grandfather of our subject voted for Thomas Jefferson for President, the fa- ther of our subject, was a sound Democrat and supported Gen. Jackson, and their descendant of to-day scems to have inherited their political views, presumably somewhat modified by the exigencies of the times, and is a leader of the Democracy in this part of his native State, casting his first Presi- dential vote for Seymour, His fellow-citizens ad-

miring his intellectual force, his aptitude for affairs, his executive ability and his personal char- acter (which is above reproach) have honored themselves and him by calling him to public life. He has been twice elected City Solicitor, first as an inde- pendent candidate, and the second time on the reg- ular Democratic ticket, his great popularity being attested by the fact of his being called to fill that important position by the suffrage of a people largely Republican, as this city is one of the strong- holds of that party. He showed that he was de- serving of the great compliment that he then re- ceived by his careful and impartial administration of the affairs of that office. He is an active mem- ber of the Associated Charities society, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the City Hos- pital. He is President of the Springfield Board of Trade, which under his able leadership is a power- ful influence in advancing the business, manufac- turing, commercial and general financial interests of the city, and he and his associates, besides thus promoting the growth of the city, are forwarding its welfare in other directions. .

By his marriage in 1881, to Miss Justina F. Bevitt, an amiable and cultured young lady, of fine character and attributes, Mr. Hagan has been en- abled to establish a pleasant and attractive home, to whose comforts he can retreat from the cares of business. Mrs. Hagan is a native of St. Charles, Mo., and a daughter of the well-known Dr. Bevitt of that city. Three children have come to fill the wedded life of our subject and his amiable wife- Francis M., Hugh and an infant.

ETER A. SCHINDLER, senior member of the firm of Schindler & Coles, undertakers, occupies a leading position among the business men of Springfield, and is ac- credited with having a thorough understanding of all the details connected with his calling. He is a veteran of nearly seventy years, having been born October 15, 1820, and he first opened his eyes to the light on a farm in Frederick County, Md., eight miles north of Middletown, and at the old

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Leatherman Mills. His father, John Schindler, was born in Germany in 1790, and started for America with his parents when a lad of twelve years. He was orphaned, however, before reaching his desti- nation, his parents dying on the occan, and being consigned to a watery grave. Not only was he bereaved of his parents but all his family, lie being the only one surviving the voyage. He made his way to the home of his uncle in Frederick County, Md., the latter having paid his passage, and he re- maincd there until reaching manliood. Hc learned the miller's trade, and when reaching man's estate was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Peter and sister of Jacob Leatherman, the latter of whom was a prominent preacher in the Dunkard Church, now known as the German Baptist Church.

The father of our subject spent the most of his life at his trade of a miller, but finally turned his attention to farming. He left Maryland for Ohio in 1852, and purchased land three miles north of the present site of the city of Springfield. Subse- quently, however, he removed to a farm three miles south of the city, where he spent his last days, dying in the seventy-third year of his age. The mother survived her husband a few years, and died at the home of her daughter, Miss Louisa Schindler, in Miami County. She was a lady of many estimable qualities, and a consistent member of the Dunkard Church. John Schindler, father of our subject, had been reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which he steadfastly ad- hered all his life.

To the parents of our subject there was born a family of five children, three sons and two daugli- ters, of whom Daniel is a prominent minister of of the Lutheran Church in Loudoun County, Va .; John occupies himself as a miller in Miami County, Ohio; Mary became the wife of M. K. Biser, and died at her home near the city of Springfield about 1852 or 1853; Louisa, ahove spoken of, is un- married; John is a resident of Miami County, this State, living in the town of Alcony and retired.

The subject of this notice was the eldest child of his parents, and spent his early years in his native county, attending the common school and assisting his father in the mill, and later on the farm. After reaching his majority he set about the establisli-

ment of a home of his own, and was wedded in October, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Shafer. He had at an early age evinced considerable musical talent, and he now started out as a teacher of singing, removed to Hagerstown, Md., and there resided until the death of his wife in 1850. Of this union there are no children living. Mrs. Mary A. Schind- ler was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and a lady possessing all the Christian virtues.

In October, 1850, Mr. Schindler, leaving his na- tive State, came to Ohio, and locating in Spring- field, occupied himself for a time as a teacher of vocal music throughout Clarke County. At the expiration of three years he embarked in the furni- ture business, associating himself in partnership with M. K. Biser, and under the firm name of Schindler & Biser they continued with various changes of partners until 1865. In that year Mr. Schindler disposed of his interest in the business and he also met with great loss on account of en- dorsing notes for other men, which practically ruined him.

We next find Mr. Schindler engaged in the manufacture of Milwaukce brick near the city of Springfield, and he was thus occupied two years. In 1873 he associated himself in partnership with J. L. Coleman, under the firm name of J. L. Cole- man & Co. He purchased the interests of J. W. Coles. J. L. Coleman & Co. carried on the busi- ness until 1884. Mr. Schindler then purchased the interest of Mr. Coleman, and subsequently took his son into partnership, the firm becoming P. A. Schindler & Son, and continued thus for some years.

In 1886 J. W. Coles re-entered the firm, which now became Schindler & Coles, and which has operated successfully since that time, having their headquarters at No. 53, West Main Street. They keep a full supply of horses, vehicles and all the other appurtenances required in their business, while their promptness and reliability have gained for them an extensive patronage.

In 1852 Mr. Schindler contracted a second mar- riage with Mrs. Caroline Keller, widow of the Rev. Ezra Keller, D.D., and who was the first President of Wittenberg College. Mrs. Schindler was born in August, 1819, in Frederick County, Md., and was a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Routzahn,

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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 34

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