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 43
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 43
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The father of our subjeet was Jacob Nesbitt, one of the pioneers of Greene County, who settled on Beaver Creek, in 1815 or 1816. Jacob Nesbitt was born in Washington County, Md., near the foot of North Mountain, in 1781. There he mar- ried Miss Catherine Tyler, who was born in Vir- ginia about 1785. Some years after their marriage they drove to Ft. Pitt, now Pittsburg, whenee the family household goods, farming utensils, etc., were taken by a flatboat to Cineinnati. The fa- ther with the horses came overland through Zanes- ville and Chillicothe to Cincinnati, where by a strange coincidence he arrived on the same day that that the flat boat did.
The family spent the first and probably the see- ond year of their residenee within this State on a farm on the Big Miami, near a village then ealled Colrain, in Hamilton County. Thenee they re- moved to a farm now oeeupied by David Gray, seven miles northwest of Xenia, which was then alinost a wilderness. There were but few settlers in this part of the county and but about six fami- lies within two or three miles of the Nesbitts, The
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father continued the improvements which had pre- viously been begun, and by dint of energy and hard labor brought the three hundred acres which he occupied to an excellent state of productive- ness, and it ranks to-day as one of the finest farms in the county. There the father lived until 1845 or 1846, when he retired from active life, sold his farm and removed to Xenia, then a town of twenty-five hundred inhabitants. The five sons and daughters who comprised the family of Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt having married, the father and mother lived alone until the death of the mother in 1849, her deeease having been occasioned by cholera. Soon afterward the father went to live with his daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Bal- entine, in Kenton, Hardin County, where he sub- sequently died about 1856. In polities he was a sterling Whig. He was a Deacon in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and for fifteen or twenty years had eircuit preaching in his house, as there was no church edifice in the neighborhood.
The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch was born October 18, 1814, and was a babe in his mother's arms when the family changed their residence to this county. Although there were no Indians in this vicinity at that time, game was abundant, from bear, deer and wolves down to the various classes of small game. His father was one of the prime movers in getting a subscription school located on his farm, and there the subject of . this sketeh obtained the greater part of his schooling. The school was held but three months in the year, but this length of time was sufficient when well spent to instill a desire for greater knowledge and lay a good foundation.
At the age of twenty-two years young Nesbitt left the parental roof, going to Springfield, where he embarked in a mercantile pursuit with his brother-in-law, John B. Carrick. who had married his eldest sister, Nancy. He also continued his reading and studying, adding to the knowledge which he had obtained in the school-room a con- siderable fund of information. He remained at Springfield until March, 1837, when he sold out his business interests and came to Xenia, where lie has sinee resided. He engaged in merchandising here until 1843, when he sold and read law with
R. F. Howard. In 1845, at Springfield, he was admitted to the bar, being examined at the same time with John Sherman and with him becoming a full-fledged lawyer.
In his early life, the Hon. Mr. Nesbitt was a Whig and on the disintegration of that party be- came a Republican. He wrote one of the first Re- publican platforms in the State of Ohio at a Congressional Convention at Xenia, which was adopted by it as well as by the surrounding coun- ties. He has been a member of the State Board of Equalization for the landed property of this Sena- torial District, and was Mayor of Xenia for many years, holding that office during the terrible cholera epidemie of 1849. He was a delegate to all the State conventions for about twenty years, when he was more actively engaged in political work. With these exceptions he has confined himself strictly to his law practice, which has been sufficient to de- mand all his energies and has afforded him a com- petence.
In August, 1864, Mr. Nesbitt was commissioned by President Lincoln a Captain of Cavalry, and as- signed to the duty of Provost Marshal of the Sev - enth Congressional District, with headquarters at Columbus. He retained his official station until six months after the close of the war and sometime after the troops were mustered out of service, being the last Provost Marshal mustered out, and elosing up all their business before he returned to his former home. The title which he then received is one by which he is familiarly known to this date.
At the home of the bride, January 16, 1839, Mr. Nesbitt was united in marriage with Mrs. Rachael B. Crosby, nee Maden, their union being blessed by the birth of six children, of whom three are still living. Their son, William B., volunteered four days after Ft. Sumter was fired on, becoming a private in the Twelfth Ohio Infantry, in which he served three years. He went to the field in May, participating in the memorable battles of the Second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam. After the second battle he was promoted . for gal- lantry on the field, first becoming a Second and then a First Lieutenant. He was mustered out of the service in 1864, and soon after Gov. Brough tendered him the commission of Lieutenant-Col-
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onel of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, which had enlisted for a year. With it lie again went to the field, joining Thomas at Nashville and participating in the battle with Gen. Hood, one of the last contests of the war. At the end of the year he was mustered out and returned to his home. Shortly afterward, Secretary Stanton tendered him a Lieutenant's commission in the regular army, and accepting, he was assigned to one of the new regiments, with which he served two years. Having married he then resigned, came to Xenia and went into the hardware and ag- ricultural implement business, in which he is yet engaged.
Albert J., another of the surviving sons of Cap- tain and Mrs. Nesbitt, resides in Dayton, and Walter L. is traveling for the Peninsular Stove Manufactory, in Minnesota and Dakota. The lov- ing mother and faithful companion was removed from her loved ones by death in 1882, at the age of sixty-five years.
DARWIN EDWARDS, M.D. This gentleman is an old resident of Xenia, where he first located for practice in 1860, and where he continued actively engaged in his profes- sion for twenty-five years, having since gradually withdrawn from it. He has been eminently sue- cessful, both in establishing a fine reputation as a physician and in his financial accumulations. He has been called to many distant points, and during seasons when diseases were prevalent, he has not been able for weeks at a time to obtain a night's sleep. Ile is President of the Citizens' National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, that being the first business enterprise outside of his profession, which he had engaged in since he was graduated.
The father of Dr. Edwards was born in New Jersey about the year 1772, marrying Miss Betsey Meeker, and removing to Ohio about 1806, loca- ting in the new country of Clermont County. Caleb Edwards hewed a home from the wilderness, working hard to clear enough land for a farm,
which he put under good improvement and made his home until his death in 1859. His widow sur- vived until 1876, five of their children being yet living at the time of her death.
The natal day of Dr. Edwards was September 16, 1820, and his birthplace Bethel, Clermont County, Ohio. He lived on the farm until his fif- teenth year, when he left the parental roof to begin work at a trade. During his boyhood he had ac- quired a better education than was usual to those of his age, and in acquiring his trade also he pro- gressed rapidly and became proficient. He finally entered Augusta College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1839, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He engaged in teaching for a short time, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. Edwards, of Greenfield, Ind., taking his medical lectures at Cincinnati, and there receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine.
In 1850 Dr. Edwards crossed the plains from St. Joseph, Mo., via Salt Lake, going through from the Missouri River to Sacramento in ninety days with mules. The only stopping places where they found people, except the city before named, were Fts. Bridger and Kearney. Dr. Edwards located in Sacramento, but was afterward at Michigan Bar, Stockton ard at Angels. He became interested in mines, but also had a drug store and practiced his profession. He continued in practice as long as he was in California, his fees being good and en- abling him to buy an interest in a quartz mine that had many fine pockets. He returned to the States in 1859, intending only to spend a short time in visiting, but after receiving his diploma from the medical college, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Ruth MeFarland, February 2, 1860, and in the spring located in Xenia.
The bank of which Dr. Edwards is President, opened its doors for business November 15, 1881, J. W. King being President, and Dr. Edwards Vice-President. Upon the death of Mr. King, in July, 1883, the Doctor was elected to succeed him and has held his present position continuously since that time. Since youth he has belonged to the Republican party, in which he has been an active worker, although not an aspirant for political hon . Against his will he was made a member of
ors.
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the City Council, representing the Second Ward two years. He has been Vice-President of the State Medical Society, and for many years Presi- dent of the Greene County Medieal Society and tlie Xenia Academy of Medieine.
While thoroughly practical in his ideas and his qualifications for a business eareer, Dr. Edwards possesses an artistie nature, and a decided talent in re-producing luis ideals. His skill in manipu- lating elay has been demonstrated by a very fine bust which he modeled from clay taken out of his eellar, and which shows in a marked degree his artistie taste. The most wonderful work which he has accomplished, however, is a statue, three and three-fourths inelies high, weighing six grains, and eut from the pith of a cornstalk. It is ealled the Catholic Missionary Presenting the Cross to the Heathen, and represents a man in priestly garb holding out a eross in a very natural position, ev- ery detail being perfeet, and the pose of the figure, as viewed from every side, being easy, natural and graceful. This wonderful little work of art re- eeived very favorable mention from artists at the Ohio Centennial at Cincinnati, and was pronounced by all to be of nearly perfeet eonformation.
Dr. Edwards was first married to Miss Doreas Edenfield, who died, leaving one son, Frank, wlio is now living in Xenia, and has a family of his own.
S AMUEL DINGLEDINE. A snug little farm of forty-seven aeres, in German Township, Clark County, is the home of the gentleman above named, and under his thorough tillage is producing a better ineome than many estates of greater extent but less eare- ful management. Botlı grain and stoek are raised upon the estate, every part of whielt bears evidence of the taste and thrift of its owner. In connection with liis agricultural labors Mr. Dingledine is en- gaged more or less in teaelling voeal and instru- mental musie, of which lie formerly made a specialty. He is a native of Clark County, in which he was born October 22, 1837, but was reared to manhood and educated principally in the
schools of Champaign County. Having a love and talent for musie he took a special course of in- struetion at an institution in Xenia, in 1872, and for a number of years taught both instrumental and voeal musie. His reputation as a teacher and performer is widespread, and he will long be re- membered throughout this seetion of the country for the sweet strains with which he has charmed his auditors.
Mr. Dingledine eliose for liis wife Miss Cather- ine A. Myers, with whom he was united in mar- riage January 22, 1863. This estimable lady is a daughter of Jacob N. Myers, of Dialton, and pos .. sesses those qualities which make womanhood lion- ored. She is the mother of five children, two of whom have left the parental roof for homes of their own. Lida A. is the wife of Charles V. Blose; Sarah C. married W. E. King. The other mem- bers of the family are: Mary B., Charles A. and Edson G. Mr. Dingledine belongs to tlie Re- formed Church at Tremont City, and to the Grange Lodge at the same place. His political adherence is given to the Prohibition party.
In the Shenandoalı Valley, Va., lived Phillip Din- gledine and his good wife, to whom, on July 13, 1810, a son was born, who was given the name of Jacob. This son grew to manhood in his native place, receiving but a limited education, as his ad- vantages were not equal to those of the present day. He acquired an excellent knowledge of farm pursuits, which he made useful in securing a eom- fortable estate as years rolled by. In 1832 be emi- grated from his native State to Clark County, Ohio, where for a short time he was in the employ of a Mr. Gard, on Mad River, as a farm hand and laborer in a sawmill. Having purebased land near Terre Haute, Champaign Connty, lie settled upon it, remaining there a number of years, but return- ing permanently to Clark County in 1863. He settled in German Township, on the farm now oe- cupied by Henry Roekel, and resided there until 1877, then selling this lie purchased the William Baker farm, where he lived .until 1887, when he removed to Tremont City, where he died JJanuary 16, 1889. He was ever a hard-working man, and during his earlier life did more or less of the labor ineidental to the development of a comparatively
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new country. He was noted for his hospitality and kindness toward the poor, while the interest which he took in the advance of civilization was equally well understood. He served as Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor, and as a public officer and private citizen endeavored to discharge every duty in a worthy manner. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Reformed Church, in which he served as an Elder a number of ycars. His death removed from the county a reliable citi- zen, and from his family one who had been affec- tionate and kind to wife and children.
The first wife of Jacob Dingledine was Elizabeth Baker, a native of this State, who bore him seven children. Of these the survivors arc: John E., whosc home is in Darke County ; Rachael A., wife of Simcon Jones, of Tremont City; and he whose name introduces this sketch. The second wife was Sarah Baker, who still survives, her home being in Tremont City.
AMES M. AUSTIN, M. D. The medical fraternity of the Buckeye State embraces many men of marked talent, and among them may be properly numbered Dr. Aus- tin, who since 1881 has been pursuing a profitable and extensive practice throughout the city of Springfield and vicinity. His native place was ncar Wilmington, Clinton County, this State, and the date of his birth December 24, 1848. IIis immediate progenitors were William R. and Eliza- beth (Darby) Austin.
The father of our subject was born in North Carolina, in 1808, and removed with his parents to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1812. The paternal grandfather, William Austin, Sr., was one of the early pioneers of Ohio, and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He spent his last years in Clinton County. The mother of Dr. Austin was born in Maryland, in 1809, and is still living, making her home with her daughter in Clinton County. Her father, William Darby, be- came a resident of Clinton County in 1820, where his daughter was reared to womanhood and mar-
ried. Of her union with Willian Austin there was born a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters. Five of these are still living, the youngest being James M., our subject.
Dr. Austin spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, in his native county, pursuing his early studies in the district school. Later he at- tended a graded school for two years and after- ward occupied himself as a teacher. He at an early age decided upon the profession of medicine, and commenced his studies with this end in view, in the office of Dr. Jonas Watkins, of Blanchester, Ohio. When sufficiently advanced he repaired to the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, from which he was gradnated in 1874. Returning then to his native county he commenced the practice of his profession in Westboro, remaining there eight months. Thence he removed to North Hampton, Clark County, where he condneted a successful practice from 1874 until 1881.
In the above mentioned year Dr. Austin decided upon another change of location, and accordingly established himself in Springfield, where he formed a partnership with Dr. Reynolds, which continued two years. Since 1883 he has practiced singly and alone. He has fully cstablished himself in the confidence of the people, and enjoys a liberal pat- ronage in a city where good physicians arc the rule instead of the exception. The Doctor be- longs to the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Associa- tion and the Central Ohio Eclectic Medical Association. He occupies with his family a neat and comfortable residence at No. 76 Yellow Springs Street. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, but is too much interested in the matters pertaining to his profession to be- come an office seeker.
The marriage of Dr. Austin and Miss Florence Hodson was celebrated at the bride's home in Westboro, in 1874. Mrs. Austin was born in Scp- tember, 1853, in Clinton Connty, and is the daughter of Simeon and Mary L. (Cunningham) Hodson, who were natives of Ohio, and are now at Westboro. The Doctor and his estimable wife are the parents of three children, one of whom, a daughter, Pearl, died at the age of two years. The survivors are Grace D. and Howard H. Dr. Aus-
yours truly John Wellen
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tin, socially, belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M. He stands high in both business and social circles, and may be properly classed among the representative men of Springfield, one who is contributing his quota to its material wel- fare, and who may be uniformly found on the side of the enterprises calculated to promote the best interests of the city.
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OHN WELLER. In the biographical record of John Weller and his estimable wife, who are well-known residents of Green Township, Clark County, we traee the results of unflag- ging industry and perseverance through many ob- stacles, hardships and privations, during the early days of their settlement at their present homestead. They commeneed the journey of life together with limited means, dependent upon their own resourees and having no capital but their honest endeavor, their resolnte wills, and the good health with which Providence blessed them. The wife assisted her husband in the field when necessary, in addition to attending to her household duties and spinning and weaving wool and flax, and making up the gar- ments for the family. Neither paused to consider the magnitude of their labors at that time, but pressed right onward, keeping steadily in view the purpose of making for themselves a home and ac- cuniulating a reasonable amount of this world's goods.
In looking to-day upon the surroundings of Mr. and Mrs. Weller, the observer is compelled to ad- mit that they have done well, and they themselves acknowledge with satisfaction the result of their labors. We find them surrounded by all the eom- forts and many of the luxuries of life, with a suffi- ciency for their declining years, while at the same time they enjoy in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of those around them. In their tastes there is illustrated in an admirable manner, that which may be accomplished by a resolute will and the energy which admits of no such word as "fail."
The Weller family has made for itself a good history in this country. It probably originated in
Germany, and one of the carliest representatives in this country, was the great-grand father of our sub- jeet, who settled in Maryland. In that State was born his son, Jacob, the grandfather of our subjeet, who, upon reaching manhood, signalized himself as a soldier and a patriot, carrying a musket on the side of the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. After the elose of the struggle, he settled on the Shenandoah River, in Virginia, but later removed to Augusta Connty, that State. He occupied him- self as a farmer, and beeame a man of property, owning a large estate, and remaining there until his death, which oceurred about 1839.
Joseph Weller, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Maryland, and born in 1791. Like his father before him, he too, followed farm- ing pursuits. In early manhood he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Steffey, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of parents who were born in Germany. The latter settled in Virginia, but later removed to Southern Indiana, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Weller after their marriage, lived in the Old Do- minion until 1830, then came to Ohio, and settled on the farm now owned by Robert Tyndall. Prior to this the father had served in the War of 1812. After a year's residence on the above-mentioned farm, Josephi Weller purchased eighty aeres of seliool land just south of the river, but after he had elcared about twenty acres, another claimant ap- peared who maintained his rights in such a vigor- ous and outspoken manner, that Mr. Weller with- drew from the property. He then leased John T. Stewart's farm, upon which he remained until 1836. That year he rented the farm now owned by his son, our subject, and a year later became the pur- ehaser of a farm near Pitchin, this township.
Joseph Weller maintained his possession of this farm until 1851, when it was purchased from the Jones heirs by his son, John Weller, of this sketeh. Only a small part of the land was cleared, and the only building was a log house. Mr. Weller set himself industrionsly to work to increase the cultivated area, and put up sueh buildings as were immediately necessary, including a new residenec. This was destroyed by fire in 1859, but that same year the present dwelling was substituted. The barn which is still standing, and in fairly good con-
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dition, was built in 1855. The orchard is all of his own planting. From it he has gathered bushels and bushels of luscious fruit, sufficient to supply not only the family, but furnishing something also for the markets.
The father of our subject departed this life in Allentown, this township, in 1879, outliving the mother eleven years, she having died in 1868. Of the ten children born to them, five are living: Sam- ucl, Joseph and Lucinda, the latter the wife of Mil- ton Dudley, are all residents of Indiana; Savilla became the wife of Thomas Dudley, and now is a widow, and lives in Springfield, Ohio; John, our subject, who is next to the eldest living, was born in Augusta County, Va., December 11, 1817, and was thirteen years old when his parents emigrated to Ohio. Many times prior to this he had crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains in his native State, and still remembers many of the scenes and incidents connected with his boyhood's home. He attended the district school a brief time, mostly during the winter season, and after coming to Ohio, assisted in the maintenance of the family until after reach- ing his majority. When twenty-two years of age he began to do for himself, working on his uncle's farm in Champaign County, until his marriage.
The above-mentioned important event in the life of Mr. Weller was celebrated January 9, 1845, thie bride being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Metz) Wiant. The parents of Mrs. Weller were both natives of Virginia, and emi- grated to Ohio with their respective families when young people, prior to their marriage. John Wiant distinguished himself as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and Mrs. Weller frequently recalls the stories which he told about his great commander, Gen. Washington. Afterward he followed farming, and spent his last years in Champaign County, Ohio, dying in 1854. The mother only survived her hus- band five years, her death taking place in 1859. There are living only six of the ten children com- prising the parental family.
Mrs. Weller was the fifth child of her parents, and was born May 13, 1823, in Jackson 'Township, Champaign County, this State. She was trained by her excellent mother to all useful household duties, and was fully qualified to become the partner of a
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