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 46

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 46
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 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The father of our subjeet, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., was born in Market Township, April 28, 1823, and was the son of Christian Hebble, likewise a native of that county and born on the Susquehanna River. Grandfather Hebble was reared to farming pursuits which he followed all his life, with the exception of the time spent as a soldier in the War of 1812. IIe passed the closing years of his life in Market Township. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, likewise a native of the Keystone State, was a substantial farmer on the Susquehanna and lived to be about one hun- dred years old.

Joseph Hebble was reared in his native township and worked on the farm when not attending school, until a youth of eighteen years. He had always been studiously inclined and now engaged in teaching, which profession he followed until 1846. Resolving then upon a change of location, he started for

Fairfield, Ohio, traveling on foot and by boat and eanal. Upon reaching his destination he followed teaching in that vicinity during five terms and in the meantime employed his leisure hours in the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. J.W. Greene, who subsequently became a member of tlie Legislature. When sufficiently advanced he re- paired to Philadelphia, Pa., and attended Jefferson Medieal College until being graduated in 1852.

Returning now to Fairfield, Ohio, the father of our subjeet entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, but a year later removed to the vicinity of Milton, Miami County, where he practiced until 1860. We next find him in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, where he built up a good practice and where he sojourned until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry and was mustered in at Columbus as regimental sur- geon. In the fall of that year he received promo- tion, becoming Major Surgeon, and remained with his regiment until the close of the war. He went with Sherman on his march through Georgia and to the sea, and after the surrender of the Confed- erates was sent to Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- ceived his honorable discharge.

Upon leaving the service Dr. Hebble located in Bath Township, Greene County, this State, but in a very short time removed to Enon, where he en- tered upon a successful practice and where he still resides. He is now quite well advanced in years and is practically retired. His business will natur- ally fall into the hands of his son. He is the owner of considerable property, consisting of his residence and a number of lots and is fairly well-to-do. In religious matters he leans toward the doctrines of the Christian Chureli. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Enon, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.

Dr. Joseph Hebble was married in Dayton, No- vember 30, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Casad. This lady was born in that city and is the daughter of Aaron and Charlotte (Curtis) Casad, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey, whenee he emi- grated to Ohio at an early day. He established the first fulling mill in Dayton, which he operated sue-

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ecssfully until his death, in 1849. Mrs. Hebble received a good education, completing her studies in the city of Dayton and remained under the pa- rental roof until her marriage. Of this union there have been born nine children: Frances M. died in infancy; Emma S., Mrs. Dellahunt, resides in Mad River Township; Rosa J., Mrs. Sheeley, is a resi- dent of Springfield; Katic E., Mrs. Swadner, is a widow and resides with her parents; M. Elizabeth follows the profession of a teacher and makes her home with her parents; Irene Gertrude, also oecu- pies herself in teaching and lives with her parents; David W., our subject, was the next in order of birth; Maude Blanche and Robert Casad continue to reside under the parental roof.

Dr. David HI. Hebble was born in the town of Enon. July 6, 1869, and was given the best of school advantages. He has been familiar from his boyhood with medieal works, always having a lik- ing for the profession, and he found that this feel- ing grew upon him as his years inereased. Hc learned mueh under the instruction of his honored father and when fully qualified entered Sterling Medieal College at Columbus, from which he was graduated March 6, 1890, with the degree of M. D. Returning then to his native place he naturally be- came the assistant of his father and they are prac- tically in partnership. It is safe to say that they hold the leadership of the profession in this local- ity. Dr. Hebble, Jr., is a sound Republican, polit- cally, and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon current events. Hosts of friends are watching his carcer with interest, a carcer which they predict will be more than ordinarily suecessful.

IMROD MYERS. Among the solid men of Springfield who have reaped success from a course of persevering industry and prudent living, may be properly mentioned Mr. Myers, who is now retired from active business and living amid the comforts of one of the best-regulated homes of the city. He has been a resident of the Buckeye State for a period of forty years, and in watching its growth and development has contributed ma-

terially in bringing it to its present condition. Every man who has acquitted himself honestly and as a good eitizen has thus been a factor in the pros- perity of the place where he makes his home.

A native of Frederick County, Md., the subject of this sketch was born near Frederick, the county scat, September 29, 1813. His father, John H. Myers, was a native of England. The mother died when her son Nimrod was only two years old, and he consequently knows little of her family history. They were the parents of five children-three daughters and two sons-of whom Nimrod was the fourth born. - Hc and his sister Margaret are the only survivors. The latter is a resident of London, this State. After his mother's death Mr. Myers was taken into the home of his uncle, David Mor- gan, with whom he lived until a youth of seven- teen years. Going then to Boonesboro, Md., he commenced learning the earpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three and one-half years. Afterward he went to Hagarstown, where he worked at his trade for a period of eigliteen years.

In 1851 Mr. Myers, leaving his native State, eame to Springfield and put up a small cottage, which he oecupied with his family four years. In the meantime he followed his trade and operated as a contractor, superintending the ercetion of many of the most important dwellings and business houses of the city of Springfield. For the long period of thirty-five years he was thus engaged, and aeenmulated a competenec, so that in 1878 he wisely retired from these arduous labors and now employs his time in looking after his property and farming lands. He has in German Township two hundred and seventy-seven acres, in a high state of cultivation and supplied with modern farm build- ings. The family residence was built in 1859, and is pleasantly located on West High Street. It is a solid brick structure, and the fact that it has stood the storms of over thirty winters testifies to the skillful and thorough manner in which it was built under the superintendenec of its present owner.

Mr. Myers was married in 1837, over fifty-three years ago, to Miss Mary A. Lnshhaugh, of Hagars- town, Md. Mrs. Myers was born in that town in 1816, and is a daughter of John Lushbaugh, who

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was of German descent. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, all of whom are living: Ann; William, who lives in Springfield ; Edward, in Omaha; Amelia; Mary; Maria Louisa; Ellen, and Mattie. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members in good standing of the First Lutheran Church, with which our subject has been connected for the long space of forty-five years. In politics he is a sound Re- publican and an ardent defender of the principles of his party. In the early days he was a Democrat, easting his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren; then became a Whig, and subsequently a Republican. For six years he has been a member of the School Board of his district, and has served on various important committees in connection therewith, and was generally Chairman of the building committee.

AMES D. SCIINEBLY. The valuable and attractive farm of one hundred and ninety aeres, two miles north of the village of Spring Valley, Greene County, which is the home of the above-named gentleman, is also his birthplace, and upon it he has spent his entire life in farming, milling and stoek-raising. His natal day was May 29, 1822. He received a common- school education, and under the tutelage of his father,he became a practical farmer and miller,capa- ble of continuing the work which his parent had begun. He now ranks among the leading and most substantial agriculturists and stoek-raisers of the eounty. In polities he was originally a Whig, his first Presidential vote having been cast for Henry Clay in 1844, and he has voted at every Presi- dential election since, being identified with the Re- publiean party since its formation.

The gentleman of whom this biographieal sketeh speaks, is a direet descendant of one John Sehnebly, of Switzerland, who crossed the ocean accompa- nied by a brother Jacob, and settled in Maryland, the descendants being slave owners while they lived in that State. They had come from the vicinity of Bear, Switzerland, settling near Hagerstown, where the next in the direct line of deseent spent his life.

This was Leonard Schnebly, who was born on the ocean, and who upon reaching man's estate married Elizabeth Mclaughlin, a native of Maryland. Their family comprised three sons and a daughter, named respectively: James, John, Henry and Naney. The latter beeame the wife of David Bar- nett.

The above mentioned James Sehnebly opened his eyes to the light September 18, 1792, in Fred- erick County, Md., and learned the trade of a ear- penter and joiner. During the War of 1812 he held a captain's commission under Col. Barnett. On July 25, 1813, he was united in marriage with Catherine Dunn, a native of the same county as himself, whose natal day was November 11, 1792. Some three years after their marriage they removed to the neighborhood of Harrodsburg, Ky., but a year latter changed their abode to Lebanon, War- ren County, Ohio. The same year Mr. Sehnebly purehased one hundred and forty-three acres where the subject of this sketch now lives, and built a sawmill, removing to the place in 1819. He cleared and improved the farm, and a few years after tak- ing possession of it purchased an additional two hundred and forty aeres, but subsequently sold two hundred acres, leaving an estate of the acreage it still comprises. This he retained until his death, July 15, 1879. In 1833 he built a gristmill with three burrs, just below his house, and this mill was operated until 1887, sinee which time it has been idle.

James Sehnebly and his wife were active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which they contributed liberally. Mr. Schnebly was a Jackson man until the veto of the United States Bank Bill by that famous General and President, when he became a Whig, and quite as a matter of course, still later identified himself with the Republican party. He and his wife had eleven children. John L., is a miller; Elizabeth, married Adison Talbert, a teacher; Susan R., is the third born; James D., the next, is the subject of this sketeh ; Mary S., is the wife of Williamson Miller, of Glasgow, Mo .; Hiram H., a miller, lives near Ripon, Wis .; Joseph G., is a physician in Topeka, Kan .; Frederick B., is a earpenter in Kansas City, Mo .; Ellen F., is the

of ours Oliver, S, Kelle

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next on the family roll; George F., served in the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, and died at Mur- freesboro, Tenn., in his country's cause; Peter R., is an attorney at Xenia. Frederick was also a Union soldier, having been First Lieutenant in the Twelfth Ohio, and subsequently holding the same rank in a signal corps.

The maternal grandparents of our subjeet, were George and Susannah (Rentch) Dunn, who reared a family of three sons and four daughters, named respectively : Jolın, Jacob, James, Elizabeth, Kezia, Catherine and Mary. The father was a native of Maryland, and a farmer. Ilis daughter, Catherine, the mother of our subject, died October 11, 1870.

ON. OLIVER SMITH KELLY. The ad- vantages of a Republican Government are nowhere more finely illustrated than in the career of those who, dwelling under its protection, have been enabled to rise from an hum- ble position in life to one of prominence and afflu- ence, solely by their own efforts; and the career of such a one should furnish to all those who are struggling up through many difficulties the strong- est incentive to diligence and perseveranec. A position thus gained is of far more value than all the honors and emoluments which can be thrust upon a man without any effort of his own to ob- tain them, for he possesses the foundation stone of a character that is not likely to be undermined by the vicissitudes of fortune which will sweep from a sandy foundation the whole structure of a life, leaving nothing whereon to rebuild.

The subject of this notice, who is well known as the President of the Springfield Engine and Thresher Company, and Vice-President of the Sec- ond National Bank of Springfield, is a native of Clark County, and was born on his father's farm four miles south of the city, December 23, 1824. Of substantial Scotch and Irish ancestry commin- gled, he inherited from his forefathers their ster- ling worth, honest integrity, and the industry which has enabled him to make for himself a worthy and honorable position among his fellow-men. His immediate progenitors were John and Margaret

(McBeth) Kelly. John Kelly served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in the prime of life, when his son Oliver S. was but an infant of ten months. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Ireland, but came to America while quite young, and settled in Pennsylvania, and upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary War shouldered his musket and did valiant service in the cause of the Colonists.

Mrs. Margaret Kelly remained a widow about five years, and was then married a second time. Oliver S. lived with his mother and stepfather un- til past his fourteenth year, and then, on account of cruel treatment by the latter, was forced to leave the place which he had called home, and thus driven out without money or friends, he was com- pelled to seek the means of a livelihood. In due time he found employment with a Mr. MeIntyre, who lived on a farm a few miles distant, and with whom he remained probably three and a half years. Hle finally decided to learn carpentering, and ae- cordingly engaged, April 13, 1842, with Joseph and John MeIntyre, brothers of his former em- ployer, and served an apprenticeship of three years, the first two years at the munificent salary of $4 per month and board, and the third year at $6 per month, giving thus the labor of three years for $168, out of which he elothed himself.

At the expiration of this time, starting out as a journeyman, Mr. Kelly entered the employ of James Leffel, the inventor of the wonderful Tur- bine Water Wheel, his wages being $1 per day, and he boarding himself and furnishing his own tools. Later he engaged with Daniel Wessenger at $16 per month and board, and with him le re- mained nine months. In the meantime such was his economy that with the exception of $8, he saved all his earnings, and in the spring of 1846, having t e necessary money, with a thorough knowledge of his trade, he was taken into partner- ship with J. A. Anderson, who carried on a general earpenter and building business, and with him he continued for six years.

The next most important and interesting event in the life of Mr. Kelly was his marriage, which oe- cnrred December 23, 1847, the bride being Miss Rnth Ann, daughter of Baker W. Peck. Mr. Peck

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was another soldier of the War of 1812, who sct- tled in Springfield in 1817, and was a brickmason. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly there was born in due time a family of five children, four sons and one daugh- ter. Of these there are now only two sons living: Edwin S., who was born April 17, 1857, in Spring- field; and Oliver W., born December 11, 1851, in the same place. These sons are now able and enterprising business men, and with their father comprise the O. S. Kelly Company, owning a controlling interest in the stock, and also manu- facturing engines, threshers, horse powers, feed mills, stackers, etc.

During the California gold excitement Mr. Kelly decided to scek his fortunes on the Pacific Słopc, and accordingly leaving his young wife and infant son in Springfield, started, March 29, 1852, for the new Eldorado. He spent his first three months at mining, and then, there being a deinand for skilled carpenters, he repaired to the city of Marysville,, and for nine months thercafter was in the employ of Daniel Sifford, with whom he finally went into partnership, and a few months later pur- chased the entire business. He remained in Cali- fornia nearly four years, employing himself as above stated until January 21, 1856. On the 21st of February, following, after a month's journey, he was re-united with his family at his old home in Springfield, and shortly afterward embarked in the wholesale grocery trade.

The above-mentioned enterprise proved dis- tasteful to Mr. Kelly, and as soon as the opportu- nity offered he sold out. In the fall of 1857 he became a member of the firm of Whitcly, Fasster & Kelly, and with them engaged in the manufacture of the Champion Reaper and Mower. That first year they turned out one hundred and twenty-one machines, and the business increased so rapidly that in 1868 the product of their manufacture aggre- gated twenty-seven hundred machines. The busi- ness had now become so extended that it was thought best to divide the United States into three territories, which necessitated the formation of three companies, namely: Warder, Mitchell & Co .; the Champion Machine Company ; and Whitely, Fassler & Kelly, the first two mentioned paying to the latter a royalty from that date.

The Champion Reapers and Mowers grew in favor and universal demand, until in 1881 the combined firms had turned out machines to the number of no less than fifty-three thousand. On the 12th of November, that year, Mr. Kelly sold his third interest in the business to Mr. Whitely, receiving as part pay the factory, buildings and grounds, these being necessarily abandoned for more extensive works, farther from the center of the city. Mr. Kelly tlen tore down and removed the old factory buildings, and upon the site erected, at a cost of $300,000, the famous Arcade. This is one of the most noticeable features of the city of Springfield, comprising tlic railroad depot, the cele- brated Arcade Hotel, innumerable offices, studios and stores, the post-office and the beautiful Arcade proper. All these buildings are models of archi- tecture, utility, convenience and comfort, and illustrate in a marked manner the enterprise and perseverance of one man whose progressive mind is always reaching out for something great to con- quer.

In October, 1882, Mr. Kelly purchased the Rineheart, Ballard & Co.'s threshing machine works at Springfield, and formed a stock company, under the title of the Springfield Engine and Threshing Company, of which he was unanimously elected President. It soon became necessary to double the size and capacity of the building, and to the industries prosecuted therein was added the manu- facture of portable and traction engines of various kinds. Within three years the business increased about 100 per cent. Through New York agents they began shipping to all parts of the world, and the value of their machines was indicated by the constantly increasing sales and a corresponding demand.

In the meantime, although having such extensive business interests, Mr. Kelly kept in view the ma- terial welfare of his adopted city, and became prominent in local affairs. He served as a mem- ber of thic City Council for a period of six years, and during the construction of the new waterworks was a member of the Board of Trustees. Originally a Whig, he identified himself with the Republican party later, and is an ardent advocate of protection for American industries. In his career has been

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largely illustrated the intelligence of the brain as well as the labor of the hand, and he generously acknowledges that during his years of struggle and toil he fonnd a true and noble helpmate in his honored wife, whose wise management of her house- hold, and whose industry and frugality, as well as her cheerful counsel and sympathy, proved of inesti- mable value to him, and he maintains that without this aid he would seareely have arrived at the point of his present prosperity.

Personally, Mr. Kelly is of modest and unas- suming demeanor, and while surrounded by all the applianees of wealth and culture, becomes the per- sonal friend of his employes, neither eringing to the wealthy or looking down on the poor. He is regarded as one of the fathers of his adopted city, and has contributed largely to her wealth and prosperity. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of hosts of friends, and is one whose name will be held in honored remembrance long after he has departed hence.

Mr. Kelly among his other beneficences erected, in 1889, a large fountain, in the centre of what is now called Fountain Square, at a cost of $6,000, donating it to the city of Springfield. It is a bean- tiful structure, adorned with numerous pieces of statnary, and proves one of the attractions of the the city. Mr. Kelly served as Mayor one term, filling the position acceptably and with the good judgment which has characterized all his transae- tions whether of a public or private nature. Else- where in this volume appears a lithographie portrait of the IIon. Mr. Kelly.

OHN FANSLER came to Ohio in pioneer days before he had attained to manhood, and for more than half a century has been a resident of this State, and has been an inter- ested witness of mueh of its development from the wild prairies and primeval forests of former days to its present prosperous condition as one of the leading commonwealths in the part of the United States which was known in the early years of this century as the Northwest Territory. By frugality

and energetie labor he has accumulated a compe- tence and established a comfortable home, which, when he purchased it thirty-five years ago, was iso- lated on the outskirts of Springfield, but is now in the heart of the city, surrounded by substantial buildings on every hand, sneh has been the pro- gress of this municipality since he settled here per- manently.

Mr. Fansler was born in Franklin County, Pa., May 6, 1818. His father, Henry Fansler, was a na- tive of the same State, and was there reared, and after his marriage with Mary Deulabaum, also of that State, he located in Franklin County. Resid- ing there until 1836, in that year, with his wife and six children, he emigrated to Ohio, the entire journey being made with one horse and a wagon. He located at Massillon, where he rented a farm. Four years later, in 1840, he removed from there to this county, and renting a home one mile front the center of this city, the closing years of his life were passed here, he being quite old at the time of his settlement here, and living in retirement un- til his death. The mother of our subject spent her last days in his home. The following is recorded of her six children: John is the subject of our sketch; James died here in 1887; Ann lives with our subject; Mary is deceased; Margaret lives in California; Madeline lives in this county.

John Fansler was the second son in the family, and was eighteen years old when he accompanied his parents to this State. He assisted his father in the management of the farm that he rented in Stark County, and came with the family to this county in 1840. Soon after he entered the employ of John Lanec as a teamster, there being no rail- ways in this section at the time, and all transporta- tion was with teams. He worked for Mr. Lanee one year and then David Shaffer hired him to drive a six-horse team between Springfield and Cin- cinnati, and also between the former eity and Co- lumbus. The charge for drawing merekandise from Cincinnati to Springfield was from fifty to seven- ty-five cents per one hundred pounds, and was was quite a profitable business. Mr. Fansler, while thus engaged, had a fine opportunity to see a good deal of the country embraced in Southwestern Ohio and to witness its gradual development, and ean

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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 46

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