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 42

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 42
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 42

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).

357

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Miami line of railway, establishing a route for the sale of daily papers, he accepted a position as book-keeper in Davenport, Iowa, where he remained for nearly two years. After his return to Spring- field he went into business as a bookseller in 1859 buying out a store, and managed it until Septem- ber, 1861, when he removed to Lima, Ohio, where he engaged in the same business. During his resi- denee there his first wife, a lovely and beloved woman, died, her death occurring in Springfield, June 1, 1865.

In 1869, our subjeet, in company with his step- brother, W. G. Niehols, repurchased his old book store, and united with it a job printing office, which they managed sueeessfully for nearly two years, when Mr. Woodward retired from the firm. In 1877 the City Conneil, through the Board of Trustees, appointed him City Librarian. Mr. Wood- ward found the library in a "pi-ed" ecndition when he first took charge of it, but with characteristie vigor he at onee entered upon its improvement, and by his devotion to his duties and his practical and systematie methods of work he has evolved order out of confusion, and has made it one of the best eondueted libraries in the State. In order to give the reader an idea of the work accomplished by himself and faithful assistants, we append the following from the last annual report :

" As in the lives of individuals, so with public institutions there are periods which lead on to sue- eess, or mark the beginning of retrograde move- ments. Thirteen years ago this library stood on the eve of such a period with its 4,797 volumes, without catalogue, proper elassifieation or system- atie methods. A change was deeided upon and re- moval to present quarters made. Without speei- fying in detail the difficulties that had to be overcome in establishing plans of modern improve - ment, the extra unrequited toil the work required, the criticisms while the work was in progress that often brought diseouragement to those employed, let me briefly review what has been accomplished. For another period of the library's history has come, when the library again is to be removed, and take possession of a most royal gift wherein the library, if wisely condueted, will oeeupy broader fields of usefulness and give still rieher mental feast to all the inhabitants of our city. Among the grand results thus far attained may be justly mentioned an inerease of nearly 10,000 earefully

selected books, making a total of nearly 14,000 vol- umes, with 6,000 eard holders, and an annual eir- eulation that has reached 80,000; the adoption of a unique classification which requires fewer figures and less work than usually found in libraries of this size; a delivery system for receiving and issuing of books, which has been highly complimented for its rapidity and aeeuraey ; a great card catalogue with its ample index, in which are recorded on cards, the title, author and full deseription of every volume; the uniform observanee of rules and the ease and regularity of the system employed in the work, receiving appreciation and praise from pa- trons and visitors, and plaeing this library on the list of the best condueted of similar institutions in our country."

Mr. Woodward has been twiee inarried. He was first wedded, April 10, 1860, to Miss Abbie Eliza- beth Crooker, a native of Chelmsford, Mass. She was well educated and taught in the Springfield sehools five years with great efficiency. During the war she was actively and prominently identified with the Women's Christian Commission, at Lima, and many a poor soldier had cause to bless her kindness and charity. A woman of large heart, re- fined sympathies, and of lovely personal qualities, her death, in 1865, was deeply mourned by a large eirele of friends.

Mr. Woodward's marriage to his present wife oeeurred October 10, 1876, and to her devotion and sympathy he owes much of the comfort and happiness of his life and he finds her of great as- sistanee in his duties as a librarian. Mrs. Wood- ward's maiden name was Harriet De Witt, and she is a native of this State, born in Wyandot County, a daughter of John C. and Artemnesia (Mason) DeWitt. She is finely educated, possesses strong mental endowments and a high eharaeter, and as a teacher in the Springfield sehools, which position she held for several years previous to her mar- riage, she showed a special fitness for that profes- sion. The only grief of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Woodward has been the death of their only child in infaney.

Wherever his lot has been east Mr. Woodward has always identified himself with those who are most earnest in advancing the highest interests of the community. While in Lima he was a leader among the Presbyterians, and was for some time

358

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the church of that denomination. In his na- tive city hc has been elosely identified with the Congregational Church for many years, assisting as its youngest member in the organization of the church in 1852. In his political views he was a Free-Soiler in his early years, and cast his first Presidential vote for John P. Hale, and he has been a member of the Republican party since its forma- tion.

B ENJAMIN SEEVER. This aged Christian and veteran in the work of spreading the Gospel, has been a resident of Clark County sinee 1855. For a time he resided in Enon but at the elose of the Civil War he purchased a home in Springfield, where he is still living. He still preaches occasionally, although he has praeti- cally abandoned ministerial labors in which he has been engaged for upwards of forty years. During that extended period he has organized societies in different parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, and by the blessing of God has been the means of bringing many souls from dark- ness into the glorious light and liberty the gospel truth proclaims.

The Rev. Mr. Seever is of German ancestry, his grandfather having been either born in the Father- land or of German parentage. Peter Seever, the father of our subject, was born in Shepherdstown, Va., and being left an orphan at a very early age, accompanied his oldest brother, Henry, to Ken- tueky when he was eight years old. There he re- mained until of age when he came to Ohio and identified himself with the pioneers of Liberty Township, Fairfield County. This was long before the era of railroads or canals in this country and the frontiersman was surrounded by wild animals, among whom were many foes to man. A tract of timber land was purchased by Mr. Seever, and a hewed log house erected in which the subject of this sketeh was born, September 10, 1814. His mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Keller, and was also of German descent,her birthplace being near York, Pa, She rested from her labors Decem-

ber 17, 1857, the husband and father surviving un- til February 20, 1859, when he too laid down the burdens of life. Both parents were interred in Ref- ugee Baptist burying ground, in the township where they resided. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom thirteen reached ycars of maturity. The maternal grandparents of the Rev. Mr. Secver, werc Henry and Catherine (Sitz) Keller, who were also pioneers of Fairfield County, their home being in Pleasant Township.

There were no free schools during the boyhood of our subject, and he attended those whichi were conducted on the subseription plan in the tra- ditional log schoolhouse. At an early age he began to assist his father in clearing the land and tilling the soil, and until he had reached man's estate re- sided under the parental roof. When about twenty years old, he had attended a eamp meeting on Pleasant Run, and there beeame persuaded of the truth of the Gospel and obedient to it. He united with the Christian Church and ere long had de- termined to devote his talents to the promulgation of the glad tidings of salvation. From that time until he had passed some distance down the hill of life he continued his beloved work in the sections before noted.

Upon becoming a resident of Springfield, Mr. Seever purchased twelve acres of land extending from Main Street south to Washington Street, a greater part of which has since been sold by him in town lots. The first Presidential vote which he east was for Martin Van Buren, and at the formna- tion of the Republican party he became identified with the new political body with which he lias sinee acted. His life has been that of a devout follower of the Master in whose service he was engaged, and all who know him, or are acquainted with his labors, acknowledge that he has ever endeavored to make his practice correspond with the precepts in which he believed and which he ineulcated in the minds of others.

The marriage of Mr. Seever and Miss Mary J. Johnson took place July 1, 1851, and has been blessed by the birth of two children-Isaac New- ton and Mattie Pearl. Mrs. Seever was born in Hampshire County, Va., December 18, 1820, her father, David Johnson, having been a native of the

yourstruly

361

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

same county. He was the son of a Scotchman who came to America in Colonial days and spent the later years of his life in the Old Dominion. The father of Mrs. Seever was a farmer whose entire life was spent in his native county, where his mor- tal remains repose in Timber Ridge Cemetery. His wife, Catherine Bruner, was born in the same county and was a daughter of George Bruner of German ancestry. Her body was deposited by the side of her husband,to await the resurrection morn. Both she and her husband were members of the Christian Church, and their daughter was early taught the great principles and Christian virtucs which make life honored, useful and happy.

ON. ROSWELL FENTON HOWARD. Xe- nia is the home of many attorneys, whose varied knowledge and keen perceptive qual- ities have rendered them conspicuous in the bar of the State, but perhaps the most promi- nent among them is this gentleman, who commenc- ing to practice here in 1837, has not only been in active practice longer than any other lawyer, but is, doubtless owing to his long residence herc, also the best known of all those conspicuous in this profession. The senior member of the firm of How- ard & Howard, his legal ability is unquestioned and his forensic talents have been often displayed before judge and jury. His extended knowledge has won for him the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, while his service in the legis- lative halls have won for him the title of Honorable, by which he is familiarly known. A worthy scion of a family that has given this nation men of brains and upright character, he enjoys the estecm of those to whom he is known, and has gained a a worthy position in life.

The immediate progenitor of our subject was Cyrus Howard, a native of Vermont, whence he removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, at an early period in its history. As one of the pioneers of that section he carried on the labor incident to de- veloping a farm from the heavy timber of the pri- meval forest, making for himself and family a

comfortable home in the midst of the surrounding wilderness. He married Miss Lucy Fenton, whose home was near North Bend, and they became the parents of a large family of children. The cause of common schools found in him an ardent advo- cate, as it did among all those sturdy residents of New England, and he aided in introducing the first school into that locality. The people out of their scanty means subscribed a sufficient amount for the erection of a good brick building, and after its erection, the school was maintained an entire year, a very unusual circumstance even in older commu- nities. Mr. Howard was a strong Whig, and voted for John Quincy Adams and William Henry Har- rison. His ideas were quite in the advance of those times, and his influence was great, although he avoided public honors. His death occurred in February, 1851, his widow surviving him until April 25, 1885, when she passed from carth at the extreme old age or ninety-two years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The eldest son of this worthy couple was Solo- mon, who was a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and a distinguished scholar and educator. He received his diploma from Augusta College, Ky., after which he was elected l'rincipal of the Grammar school. He taught school at St. Charles, Mo., in the Academy at Springfield, Ohio, and in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. For more than twenty years he was the honored President of Ohio University at Athens, and while there received the degree of Doctor ofDivinity from Miami University and the degree of Doctor of Laws from Iowa State University. He died August 11, 1873, at San Jose, Cal., mourned by the many to whom his talents and upright character had en- deared him.

The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch was born in what is now College Hill, Hamilton County, Ohio, July 20, 1814, and was in his youth the recipient of more than ordinary advantages in the way of culture. He was a student of Latin and Greck while still at home, and while acquiring a good understanding of the usual branches taught in the lower grades of bis home school. Hc en- tered Miami University but left in his junior year,

362

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

and going to Augusta, Ky., completed the college course at the school there, from which he was grad- uated in 1832, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He afterward received the degree of Master of Arts from the same college.

After leaving college Mr. Howard taught for a time in the Woodward High School, at Cincinnati, later taking up the study of law under Daniel J. Caswell and Jacob Piatt. Entering the law school at the same place he was graduated in 1837 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and at once estab- lished himself for practice in Xenia. This city at that time contained a population of about fifteen hundred, to whom the young lawyer was totally unknown. Without money, friends or influence, he located here and has made his way to prominence in a court that was attended by brilliant attorneys from adjoining counties. He has been in practice here for fifty-three years, the longest period of any living resident.

Although he has given most of his time to his profession, Mr. Howard has held some public offices. Ile was a member of the Council and Mayor sev- eral years, as well as a member of the Board of School Examiners. In 1866 he was elected to the Legislature on the Whig ticket, serving one term under the old constitution and two under the new, While in the legislative body he was appointed on several important committees, among them being the Judiciary and Penitentiary. He still continues his professional work, and although one of the the veterans, is yet energetic, kcen and discrimi- nating.

In Miss Margaret Stcele, of this city, Mr. Howard found the qualities of mind and heart that he thought desirable in a companion, and to her he was united in marriage May 2, 1848. She was a daughter of Prof. Thomas Stcele, who taught here until old age compelled his withdrawal from such arduous duties as accompanying the profession of a teacher. Mrs. Howard was the recipient of an excellent education, and was a lady of culture. To her and her husband were born nine children, of whom two are yet living. Charles Fenton, the eldest, was educated for the bar, but owing to poor health, has not practiced actively. He is, however, a man of high legal ability. He is now Mayor of

Xenia, having been elected in 1888, just fifty years after his father received the same honor; he was re-elected in 1890, and is serving to the entire sat- isfaction of the community. His administration is characterized by the active interest he takes in all publie measures relating to the social and com- mercial prosperity of the city. Another son, Will- iam Steele, was cducated in this city and after reading law with his father, entered the law school at Cincinnati fifty years after his father had cu- tered the same school and was graduated from that institution just fifty-two years after our subject re- ceived his diploma. He is now a member of the law firm of Howard & Howard.

Subsequently to the death of his wife our sub- ject married Miss Mary Hanna Pollock, wliosc home was near Belle Center, Logan County, Ohio. She is the daughter of William and Fanny Pol- lock, and was born in Carrol County, this State. She possesses the estiniable character and cultured mind that fits her for the position she occupies in society and at the head of the family. The hand- some home over which she presides is adorned by one of the finest libraries in this part of the State, comprising volumes that embody the best thoughts of the sages, poets and scientists of different centu- ries, and is a source of recreation as well as instruc- tion to Mr. Howard, his family and friends.

A lithographie portrait of the Hon. Mr. Howard appears elsewhere in this volume.

AMUEL NAWMAN. This life-long resi- dent of Clark County is one of those ener- getie, public-spirited and worthy men who gain the esteem of their fellow-citizens and who are pointed out as excellent representatives of the farming communities. His home is located on section 7, German Township, and comprises a part of the old Nawman estate. It includes sixty-four and seventy onc-hundredths acres of productive land under good cultivation, and bearing such im- provements as are usually made by men of ability.

Mr. Nawman is of respectable German lineage in both ancestral lines, and in his veins flow the

363

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

blood of patriot soldiers. Both Grandfather Naw- man and Grandfather Baker were Revolutionary soldiers, and his father participated in the War of 1812. His parents, Thomas and Catherine (Baker) Nawman, were born in the Old Dominion, whence they emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, in 1806. They were among the very first settlers of German Township, in which Grandfather Nawman also made a permanent settlement in 1809. He died about twelve years afterward. A house was built of small round logs, a puncheon floor put in, and the Nawman family took up their residence in this primitive structure, which was subsequently replaced by a better dwelling made of hewn logs. On Jan- uary 28, 1863, Thomas Nawman joined the "sheeted nations of the dead," an excellent citizen and in- distrious pioneer being thereby removed from the midst of his fellow-inen. He was a Republican during the latter years of his life, and had form- erly been a Whig. Of the children born to him and his good wife, the only survivors are the sub- ject of this sketch and Magdaline, now Mrs. Birks, whose home is in Springfield Township.

On February 3, 1819, the eyes of Samuel Naw- man opened to the light of day, and amid the scenes of pioneer life he grew to manhood. In the labors of development which were going on around him he bore a part as his strength increased, and many a scene of pioneer life does he recall. A great change has taken place in the country with which his childish eyes were familiar, and he takes a just pride in the development of which he has been an eye witness and to which he has contributed. In common with his companions he attended the sub- scription schools which were held in the traditional log schoolhouse, also enjoying some of the public- school privileges which are one of our nation's pride at this day. The pupils of those early schools almost invariably became anxious to keep step with their county, and by reading and observation have increased the store of knowledge which they ac. quired in boyhood. This is the case with our subject, who is well posted on general topics of information.

The estimable companion of Mr. Nawman bore the maiden name of Louisa M. Rhonemus. They were united in the bonds of wedlock August 26,

1855. Mrs. Nawman was born September 28, 1838, on the Blue River in Indiana, her parents being William Rhonemus (now deceased) and his wife, Matilda. During her girlhood her parents removed to Clinton County, Ohio, and after residing there a few years took up their abode in Clark County. She is a notable housewife, a kind neighbor, and devoted to her family. She united with the Chris- tian Church when thirteen years of age, and her life has been marked with a consistent endeavor to walk worthy of her high vocation. Mr. Nawman is a believer in the principles laid down in the Re- publican platform.

A large family has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nawinan, the survivors being Thomas W., Henry B., Emma, Charles C., George W., Jasper G. and Ollie. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Irvin By- master.

EV. ADAM HAWKER. In addition to being an efficient minister of the Reform Church, the subject of this notice is also recognized as one of the leading farmers of Beaver Creek Township, Greene County. Of this he lias been a life-long resident and is approaching the seventy- seventh year of his age,having been born November 1, 1813. His father's old homestead was the farm ad- joining that which he now owns and occupies. He has thus grown up with the county, becoming one of its solid landmarks and has contributed in no unworthy manner to its growth and development.

Andrew and Susan (Coy ) Hawker came to Beaver Creek Township with the well-known Coy family in 1800, two years before Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State. They settled on a half sec- tion of land in the western part of the township, where Andrew Hawker spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1850, at the advanced age of eighty- two years. He served in the War of 1812, and lived to see Southern Ohio transformed from a wilderness to the abode of a civilized and prosper- ous people.

To the parents of Mr. Hawker there were born family of ten children, viz: Elizabethi, the wife of

364

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Abram Morgan; Mary, Mrs. John W. Wolf; Jacob who died near LaFayette, Ind .; Frederick ; Catli- erine the wife of Emanuel Retter; Susannah, Mrs. John Arey ; Eve the wife of John Weaver of Day - ton and now deceased; Adam, our subject; Barbara Mrs. William S. Vancleaf; Abraham and Otto. The mother was the daughter of Jacob Coy and survived her husband a number of years, dying in 1868, in the ninety-third year of her age. In mak- ing the journey hither the two families setting out from Guilford County, Tenn., traveled overland to Wheeling and then took a flatboat to Cineinnati. Thenee they came by teams to this county. Indians were numerous, also wild animals. When Mr. Hawker harvested his first erop of eorn, the wild turkeys and squirrels ate it nearly as fast as lie eould husk it and throw it on the ground.

The Hawker family is of German origin. The subject of this sketeh spent his early days amid the wild seenes of pioneer life, receiving only the ad- vantages of a limited education and remaining at home with his parents until his marriage, at the age of twenty-three years. This event oeeurred No- vember 10, 1836, the bride being Miss Hannalı Westfall. She likewise was a native of Beaver Creek Township and was born June 15, 1819. Her parents were John and Mary (Shinepp) Westfall who spent their last years in Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, one of whom -Susannah, died in infaney. Mary C. is the wife of Valentine Costler; Harriet J. is the wife of Joseph H. Kable of Clark County ; Permelia, Mrs. Christopher Haverstiek; David W .; John A. of Dayton; Jacob L. and John A. The mother of these children departed this life at the homestead October 11, 1883.

Mr. Hawker contraeted a second marriage in Carroll County, April 8, 1887, to Miss Martha S. Hamm, a native of Maryland and the daughter of Henry and Hannah M. Hamm who are now de- ceased. Mr. Hawker commeneed his ministerial labors as a local preacher of the Reformed Church and was regularly ordained in October, 1871. He identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows twenty-five years ago and is a warm admirer of the principles of the order. In polities, he is an uncompromising Demoerat. He held the

offiee of Township Trustee five years. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty aeres of choice land which yields lim a comfortable income. He is recognized as one of the leading eitizens of bis township and his name will be held in remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.

B ENONI NESBITT. Xenia is honored in being the dwelling-plaee of a man whose ability is recognized and whose character is established to the extent which is true of the Hon. Mr. Nesbitt. It is now forty-three years sinee lie opened a law office in this eity, sinee which time he has gained a high rank among the members of the bar in this vieinity and has demonstrated his understanding of legal lore, his skill in the management of causes. and his taet and aeuteness as a pleader. He is one of the oldest attorneys in Greene County. He has held various positions of publie responsibility, and had he been desirous of publie life, might have held still more.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 42

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