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 36
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 36
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In 1832 Abraham and Barbara (Weaver) Neff cinigrated to Ohio, traveling the entire distance from the Shenandoah Valley to Clark County in a covered wagon drawn hy four horses. They brought with them two sons and five daughters, and their son-in-law, Samuel Ryman, also accompa- nied them with a two-horse team and wagon. They were about nineteen days en ronte, halts being generally made where night overtook them, and the wayside camp being their abiding place.
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Mr. Neff settled in German Township, the first home of the family being a log house, which sheltered them for several years. The residence in which our subject now lives was then erected, and was the home of Abraham Neff until his death, which took place many years ago. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the township, and his name will long be remembered as that of one who aided in the development of this prosperous region. His political adherence was given to the Demo- eratic party.
The natal day of Christian Neff was February 28, 1816, and he was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this State. He shared in the pioneer labors in which his father engaged, and from his early youth has been engaged in farming. The carly subscription schools of Vir- ginia and Ohio were those in which he obtained his instruction, and the surroundings amid which he grew to manhood strengthened and developed the sterling traits of his character. In the efforts to elevate society and advance the welfare of the county, he has manifested the interest becoming a public-spirited citizen. His political adherence is given to the Democratic party. He and his wife belong to the Reformed Church, and she is a mem- ber of the Home Missionary Society of that de- nomination. Both are highly respected members of society.
The first marriage of Mr. Neff was celebrated in 1842, his bride being Miss Christiana Carn, sister of Adam Carn, of German Township, which union resulted in the birth of two children-Adam, whose home is in Springfield, and Elizabeth, wife of John Becker, of German Township. The second mar- riage of Mr. Neff took place in 1863, when he was united with Mrs. Sarah Flickinger, of this county. The present Mrs. Neff was born in German Town- ship, November 18, 1821, being a daughter of David and Margaret (Venus) Maggert. She was carefully reared by her worthy parents, and after reaching maturity married Reuben Flickinger, the marriage rites being celebrated November 4, 1842. Mr. Flickinger died April 20, 1861, after having seeured the high esteem of all who knew him. Hc was a native of Pennsylvania. He was the father of two children -- John, who is now in Tremont
City, and Margaret E., deceased. After having remained a widow some two years, Mrs. Flickinger nnited her life and fortune with our subject, with whom she has since lived happily.
The parents of the present Mrs. Neff were born in the Old Dominion, and some time after their marriage removed to Ohio, this being quite early in the present century. Mr. Maggert settled in German Township, whose forests were yet the haunt of wild animals and still more savage red men Like all pioneers he endured various hardships, in all of which his good wife shared. He passed from time to eternity in 1846, his wife dying in 1840.
B RINTON BAKER. Among the men known throughout the county as old settlers, few, if any, now living, can claim a longer resi- dence here than Major Baker, of Xenia. He came to the county in 1812 and has therefore been a citizen of it seventy-eight years. For sixty-one years he has owned a saddlery shop, which is still conducted by the family, the present firm name being B. Baker & Son. Maj. Baker has held some official positions and only his dislike of public re- sponsibilities prevented his more extended public Ilfe. Honorable in his business relations, genial in his social life, kindly in his home, and upright in his character, he has enjoyed the esteem of his fel- low. men and is looked upon as an honor to the city in which he has so long resided.
Maj. Baker was born in Chester County, Pa., July 5, 1807, his father having been a native of the same county. Thomas Baker married Sarah Wood- ward, and some years after their marriage they removed to this State. Driving to Brownsville, Pa., they took a flatboat to Cincinnati, coming hence by team, arriving in March, 1812. Buying a tract of land in what is now Clark and Greene Counties, Mr. Baker continued his former occu .. pation of tilling the soil; he also built a sawmill a mile west of the falls of the Little Miami, that was one of the first erected in Greene County. He sawed the lumber for his dwelling and for the first schoolhouse that was built in the neighborhood.
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He was actively interested in school work and in the efforts of the settlers to have good advantages for their children. He was one of the large land- owners of the section and a prominent man of the period. For quite a long time he served as Town- ship Trustec. His death took place in 1817, when he was sixty-two years old, and his widow survived until 1820. The parental family comprised nine sons and three daughters, all natives of the Keystone State. George, Joshua, Nayl, Thomas, William and Richard are now dead; as also are Lydia, wife of Thomas Suplec; Rachel, wife of Samuel Jones; and Phobe, who married Simon Kenton.
The subject of this sketch was attending school in Xenia. at the time of his father's death but con- tinued his studies there but a short time afterward. Ile then staid on the farm with his mother and brothers until he was eighteen years old, when he came back to the city and apprenticed himself to Samuel Gano to learn the trade of a harness-maker. His apprenticeship lasted until he was twenty-one years old, and he remained in the employ of his former master a short time afterward. He then bought out a saddlery shop and embarking in that business, has followed it from that day.
For many years Maj. Baker was a member of the City Council, but he declined all other city offices. IIe held the offices of County Treasurer and Town- ship Treasurer; and was Director of the Infirmary for fifteen years, or until his resignation. In poli- tics he was first a Whig and then a Republican, the whole family standing by that party. He belongs to Xenia Lodge No. 52, R. A. M., in which he was initiated in 1854 ; and to the Odd Fellows fraternity, which he joined in 1845. He is a birthright Qua- ker, but having married outside of the fold, is not looked upon as a true Friend.
A well-constructed brick residence of tasteful de- sign, situated at No. 35, Detroit Street, is the home of Mr. Baker and his estimable wife, to whom he was united October 4, 1831. Mrs. Baker was in her girlhood, Miss Eliza Hivling. She was born in Washington County, Md., October 3, 1806, hier parents also having been natives of the same State. John Ilivling and his wife, Sarah Ankeney, came to Xenia when their daughter, of whom we speak, was a child of two years, settling on what
is now Trebein's Mills. The father bought and operated the mills there and during the War of 1812 also kept a tavern on the corner of Main and Detroit Streets. He afterward bought a large tract of land, removed into the city, into the corporate limits of which the farm extended, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. IIe had sold goods for many years and was quite a prominent pioneer and one of the carly sheriffs of the county. Ilis demise occurred in Xenia, November 5, 1860. Mrs. Baker spent her girhood in the city that has been the scene of her long and happy married life, her housekeeping having been begun the December after her marriage, on the ground that is now occupied by her pleasant dwelling.
Although Maj. and Mrs. Baker are parents of six children, but one is left to gladden their hearts by his presence and manly worth. That dread scourge, scarlet fever, removed from them Saralı, John A., Joshua, Eliza Jane, and an infant. Abram HI., after completing his education, learned the trade and de- tails of his father's business, and for some time has been a member of the firm and interested in the continuation of the work which his father carried on alone so many years. IIc married Miss Sallie Miller, a worthy young woman who has borne him three children-Mary E., Ankeney and Rachel. The title of Major, by which our subject is famil- iarly known, is derived from his connection with the militia, in which he held that office.
ESTER ARNOLD. Some of the distin- guishing traits in the character of Mr. Ar- nold may be readily guessed from the statement of one of his fellow-citizens to the effect that he has scarcely an enemy in the world, An honorable business career in the city of Xenia has made him well known to a large portion of the res- idents of Greene County. In addition to his regu- lar business as a dealer in boots and shoes, he is also the junior partner in the well-known firm of Walton & Arnold, who are quite extensively en- gaged in the manufacture of linseed oil. Ile has had an experience of thirty years in the milling
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business, and in addition to his other interests is prominently connected with the famous Spring Valley ham-curing establishment, which reecives orders from all parts of the country. It will thus be seen that Mr. Arnold must naturally spend few idle moments and that he has been no unimportant factor in promoting the business interests of Greene County.
Mr. Arnold was born in Westfield, Mass., De- cember 2, 1828, and is the son of William Arnold, a native of New York State, who, departing from the usual direction of emigration, went East instead of West and, locating in Westfield, there met and married Miss Clarissa Loomis. This lady was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier and the off- spring of a fine old family. Soon after his marriage William Arnold set out on horseback for Erie County, Ohio, where he purchased one thousand acres of Government land, intending to settle there and establish a permanent home. The young wife, however, was reluctant to go thus "out of the world," as it were, and Mr. Arnold finally settled on a farm near Westfield, where all of his chil- dren were born and reared. When Lester, our subject, was a lad of fifteen years, the family re- moved to Dayton, Ohio, where one of the sons, William, had already established himself. There the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father prosecuting his farm labors until his decease in 1876. The mother survived her husband six years, dying in 1882. Mr. Arnold was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church from his youth. The parental family consisted of mine children: of these are William Arnold (de- ceased); Franklin E., of Xenia; Clarissa, Mrs. Granger, also of this city; Lester, our subject; Julia and Amelia (Mrs. Dalson), both of Miami City.
The subject of this notice was a youth of sixteen years when his parents settled, in 1845, in Dayton. They traveled by rail to Buffalo, thence by the lake and canal to Dayton. Lester soon afterward en- tered upon his business career as a elerk in a mercantile establishment at Dayton, for the eonsid- eration of $10 per month and boarded himself. On the 1st of January, 1850, we find him in Cin- einnati, where he was engaged as a clerk until 1857. Then in company with a Mr. Marvin, formerly of
Westfield, Mass., he repaired to St. Anthony Falls, Minn., and, in the dead of winter, opened up a new stoek of goods.
This experiment proved a little too much for the heroism and courage of young Arnold and he, in 1858, was glad to return to the bounds of civiliza- tion. Going back to Cineinnati he purchased a stock of goods and established himself at No. 65, Pearl Street. Soon afterward he associated himself in partnership with his brother, W. I. Arnold, of Dayton, and they carried on a successful business. Later they admitted another partner into the firm, which then bore the style of Lockwood, Arnold & Co., and they did a general commission business at the corner of Pearl and Walnut Streets until 1859. In the fall of that year the partners came to this county and rented the Frost Distillery, at Frost Station, which they conducted until 1861, when they purchased the entire property and op- erated under the firm name of W. & L. Arnold with warehouses at Xenia. Our subject became interested in milling and feeding of swine. They thus operated until 1867, doing a very heavy busi- ness. In the meantime they paid $1 per bushel for corn, $3 for wheat, and upon one occasion they paid as high as $3.10 for five thousand bushels of wheat which they purchased from one inan.
In the meantime, in 1865, Mr. Arnold becoming interested in Xenia real estate, purchased property in the city. Notwithstanding his extensive busi- ness interests he found time to devote to publie and politieal affairs, and after filling other positions of trust and responsibility was, in 1875, elected by the Republicans as Treasurer of Greene County, and gave such good satisfaction that in 1877 he was complimented with a re-election and served in that capacity until 1880. In 1881 he took an in- terest in the aforesaid mills again.
In 1888 he severed his connection with the mill, and in 1889 took an interest in in the Spring Val- ley ham-curing establishment and also became in- terested in the boot and shoe business in Xenia. He is a Director of the First National Bank and in all the enterprises tending to promote the general welfare of the city is found in the front rank.
In 1864 Mr. Arnold purchased the fine home of Mr. Drake on Spring Hill. The residence was
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originally a seminary building, and under a process of remodeling is now, with its surroundings, one of the most clegant homes in Greene County. It occupies a gentle eminence and the grounds are laid out tastefully, and in consonanee with the re- fined tastes and ample means of its proprietor. By a course of strict integrity Mr. Arnold has made for himself an honorable name in the business world, while his natural generosity and courteous bearing to a.l has gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens in more than an ordinary de- gree. He has for many years been connected with the Odd Fellows, being at present a member of Magnolia Lodge in Cincinnati with which he en- rolled his name as early as 1851 and in which he has pass. .. all the Chairs. His religious views co- incide with those of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a prominent member in Xenia.
Mr. Arnold was first married in Dayton in 1858, to Miss Fidelia Gleason, of Ithaca, N. Y. This lady was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier and there were born to them no children. The second wife of our subject was Lina, daughter of Jacob Herring, of Beaver Creek Township, who died in 1874, leaving two sons-Harry L. and Frederick W. The elder is now in the store with his father and the younger is engaged in the insurance business in Xenia. The present wife of our subject was Miss Pauline, daughter of Jolin Croft, of Clark County, where she was born in April, 1848.
7
OWETT BROS. The Howett Stock Farm is rapidly attaining to prominence among the agricultural interests of Ohio. It is finely located in Mad River Township, Clark County, and is devoted to the breeding of full- blooded Short-horn cattle and Percheron horses. It was purchased by Howett Bros., in 1884, at $95 an acre, and embraces two hundred and forty-seven acres of some of the choicest farming land in Soutlı- ern Ohio. Under the management of the present pro- prietors, valuable improvements have been effected, including a commodious new barn and a windmill.
They are amply provided with all facilities for the prosceution of their business, and are possessed of the energy and perseverance which is necessary to success. At the head of their stables is the stal- lion, Eclipse, imported by Dunham, and of great valne. He is a fine black two-year old, weighing cven at this early age seventeen hundred and twenty pounds. They also have Galardin, a large gray ten-year-old Percheron, weighing eigliteen hundred and ninety, and Brillette, a fine black three-year-old mare, these likewise imported by Dunham. Besides this they have forty-two head of graded horses, and have probably more money invested in this manner than any man in Mad River Township. They are both natural stockmen, tak- ing pride in their calling, and determined to excel.
The father of the above-mentioned firm, was Daniel Howett, a native of Coleraine Township, Lancaster County, Pa., in which county the pater- nal grandfather was also a substantial farmer. Dan- iel Howett about 1838, leaving the Keystone State, emigrated to Ohio, bringing with him his family, and making the journey overland with a team and wagon. He settled first in Beaver Township, Greene County, where he resided several years, then rented the old Funderburgh Farm, in Bath Township. Later he removed to the Sloan Farm, in Montgomery County, also renting this. Ilis next removal was to the John Cox place in Bath Township, where he carried on farming, and dealt quite extensively in horses. Ilis death resulted from the kiek of a two-year-old colt, in the face and eye, from which lockjaw ensued and caused his death ten days afterward. This was in 1856, and he was forty-nine years old. He was a member of the Lutheran Church at Osborn.
The mother of this family bore the maiden name of An Eliza Hastings. She was likewise born in Lancaster County, Pa., and was the daugh . ter of a well-to-do farmer, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who there spent his entire life. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Howett made her home with her two sons of this sketch, until her death, which oceurred in 1883. She also died firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. The parental house- hold comprises eight children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Rachel, (Mrs. Maxton), dicd in Bath
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Township; Maris P. is senior member of the present firm; John A. and Peter H. are farming in Bethel Township; Mary makes her home with her broth- ers; Joseph R. is junior member of the firm; James T. is farming in Bethel Township; Bertie, Mrs. Snyder, is a resident of Springfield. John A. and Peter H. served about four months each in the army during the Civil War.
Maris P. Howett, senior partner of the firm of Howett Bros., was born in Lancaster County, Pa., October 8, 1835, and was about three years old when his parents eame to Greene County, this State. Among his first recollections are the big woods of Beaver Creek Township, wherein wild animals hid themselves, and near which the primitive residence of the family was located. The parents were in limited circumstances, and the boys were required to make themselves useful as soon as large enough. Their education was consequently extremely lim- ited. Maris P. was only a little over twenty years old at the time of his father's death, and he there- after assumed the charge of the farm and the fam- ily, remaining at home thereafter for eight years. He assisted his mother in the training and educa- tion of the younger children, remaining with them until they were able to look out for themselves. In 1864 they removed to the Harnish farm near Medway, Bethel Township, and remained there four years. Their next removal was to the vicinity of Carlisle, where they farmed until 1873, and then Maris P. moved upon the Stephen Ilagenbangh farm, in Bath Township, where be operated one year. He then rented the Wilson farm, remaining there until the marriage of his younger brother, when he returned to the Cox farm, remaining there until 1884, when he formed a partnership with J. R., and they purchased the old Reuben Miller place, whereon they are now operating. He remains a bachelor, and votes the Republican tieket.
Joseph R. Hlowett was born in Bath Township, Greene County, June 23, 1845, and remained at the farm and attended the distriet school until a youth of eighteen years. Then in the fall of 1863, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted in the Eight Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close, participating in many important battles. He re- turned home in safety, and began farming on his
own hook. Thereafter he operated various farms in Bath Township, and was uniformly successful. His Christmas gift of 1878, was a wife and help- mate, he being married, December 25, to Miss Clar- issa Moulder. This lady was born in Bath Township, in 1852, and is the daughter of Michael Moulder, a native of Germany. Mr. Moulder was one of the early settlers of Bath Township, where he improved a farm, and became well-to-do. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Coke, and the parental household consisted of eight children. Mr. Moulder departed this life at his homestead in Bath Town- ship; his wife is also deceased. Of this union there have been born four children, viz: Harry, Grace, Ralph, and Lloyd. Joseph R. is an active member of the Reformed Church at Fairfield, in which he offi- eiates as Deaeon. Politically, he is a sound Re- publican. He is a great admirer of the principles of Odd Fellowship, and belongs to the lodge at Fairfield, and the Encampment at Osborn.
J. BAKER, the popular Sheriff of Clark County has been known to a large portion of its people since his birth, which took place in German Township, November 9, 1856. Hle at an early age became familiar with the duties of this office, of which his honored father, William Baker, had been the ineumbent previously. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early pioneers of German Township; he is now in Springfield. The mother bore the maiden name of Huldah Baker.
Sheriff Baker was given a good education, at- tending first the schools of his native township and completing his studies in Wittenberg College, Ohio. Hle eommeneed his business eareer as clerk in the hardware store of Baker & Brown, with whom he remained two years. He was next employed as bookkeeper for a commission house two years, and later was with the Express Companies of Spring- field as an express messenger, his duties taking him through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York State. He was thus occupied eight years and then resigned his position to accept that of Deputy Sheriff under
1
Jours Truly
A Grant Grinnell
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
James Foley. In the fall of 1888, after seven and one-half years faithful service he was elected Sheriff and discharged the duties of this office in a manner so acceptable to the people that he was renominated in 1890 for a term of two years.
Mr. Baker was married November 14, 1888 to Miss Sarah V. Blackmer, of Springfield. Mrs. Baker was born in Erie County, Pa., February 12, 1867, and is a daughter of Truman H. and Jane Blackmer; the father is deceased, the mother is living in Springfield. Of this union there is one son, Ralph B., who was born August 25, 1889. Sheriff Baker is prominent among thie orders and brotherhoods, being a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M .; Springfield Chapter, No. 301; Knight Templars, No. 33; Scottish Right, Thirty-second degree; Red Star Lodge, No. 305, K. of P .; the Knights of Honor and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He is an car- nest supporter of Republican principles and an ardent admirer of James G. Blaine.
F6 RANK GRINNELL, a miller and farmer in Miami Township, Greene County, is the occupant of one of the handsomest resi- dences in the country round about, and the owner of a valuable piece of real estate. The farm com- prises three hundred and thirty-five aeres in one body, nearly all under cultivation and bearing the improvements which are commonly effected by men of enterprise and ambition. The dwelling now occupied by the family was completed in the fall of 1858 at a cost of about $10,000. Since 1862 Mr. Grinnell has also owned and operated the mill property, displaying in the management of both it and his farm the shrewdness, energy and perseverance which are characteristic of the natives of New England.
The Grinnell family is of French origin, the first settlement of the family in America being in the neighborhood of New Bedford, Mass. The grand- father of our subject was Cornelius Grinnell, a captain in the merchant marine service, who sailed from New York City principally. His family com-
prised seven sons and a daughter, named respect- ively, Cornelius, Jr., Joseph, Abram, Henry Will- iam, Silvia, Moses HI. and James. Henry fitted out the first Arctic expedition to search for Sir John Franklin; Moses H. was the business manager of the firm of Grinnell, Minturn & Co., ship owners; Joseph was a member of Congress from New Bed- ford, Mass. ; he was present in the House when John Quincy Adams fell over, dead, and caught the fa- mous statesman in his arms.
Cornelius Grinnell, Jr., was a man of great busi- ness ability, who amassed a fortune prior to his death, which occurred at the carly age of forty years. He entered the counting house of Post & Grinnell as a boy and worked up a position in the firm, but after a time sold ont and invested his money in sperm oil and shipping, by means of which he made rapid accumulations. Although his own death occurred at so early an age, he belonged to a long-lived family, his father having lived to the age of ninety-three years, and his brother Jo- seph lived to be ninety-six years, three months and twenty days old. In the maternal line, also, our subject traces his ancestry to an old and honored family. Ilis mother was Eliza T., daughter of Gil- bert and Lydia (Morton) Russell. Of the ten chil- dren born to her five are now living. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was Joseph Rus- sell, in whose honor the city of New Bedford was named, as he bore the same name as the Duke of Bedford.
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