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 47

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 47
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 47

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).

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have a keener perception of the wonderful changes wrought here by the hand of man within the last half a century. The country hotels, which abounded when he traveled over the road, are now things of the past. They were not more than four or five miles apart on the main thoroughfares,and good entertain- ment for man and beast was provided at reasonable priees. Thus for lodging, supper and breakfast for the driver, and feed and stabling for six horses the entire bill was but $1.50.

Our subject continued teaming until the railways were built, and then bought a team for himself, and was employed by Mr. Shaffer to draw stone the succeeding ten years until the latter's death. He then engaged with William Thompson the fol- lowing fifteen years, and that gentleman elosing his business at that time, he was employed by different persons. He judieiously saved and invested his earnings, and was thus enabled to establish himself comfortably in his present home on West Main Street, where he has lived for the last thirty-five years.

Mr. Fansler lives in retirement, enjoying the well-earned fruit of his early toil, gladly sharing his home with his sister, who materially contributes to his eomfort. In the community where so many years of his life have been passed, our subject is well known, and is held in general esteem for those qualities of head and heart that make him a good neighbor and a desirable citizen.

OHN MIDDLETON. The results of indus- try and perseverance are well illustrated in the life of John Middleton, of Xenia Town- ship, Greene County, who is looked upon as one of its substantial citizens. His early surround- ings were such as to implant within him the stability and self-reliance which are essential in the forma- tion of a complete character. He was at an early age inured to hard work, and with only a limited education, started out on the highway of life, com- meneing the journey entirely dependent upon his own resources. Years of labor and the practice of

a prudent economy finally brought their legitimate reward. Mr. Middleton is now the owner of a fine home in the shape of a farm consisting of three hundred and eighty-three broad aeres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and which are the source of an ample income. His fields are enelosed with neat and substantial fencing, while the residence and outbuildings indicate in a marked degree the enterprise of the proprietor. Every- thing about the premises is kept up in good shape, and there is an air of thrift and prosperity sur- rounding them which is delightful to contemplate. The traveler passing by this attractive homestead, invariably pauses to look a second time, and ear- ries away with him a picture which he will often think of afterward.

The subject of this notice, a son of one of the earliest pioneers of this county, was born January 14, 1827, in Cæsar's Creek Township, at the home- stead whiel his father had practically built up from the wilderness. There he spent the first thirty-five years of his life, confining his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, and becoming thoroughly familiar with the arts of plowing, sowing and reaping, and the multifarious duties always attending a well-eon- dueted farm. About 1864 he changed his residence to Xenia Township, of which he has since been a resident. It is hardly necessary to state that he is widely and favorably known throughout the county, as forming a part of the bone and sinew of its material interests, and he has contributed largely to its growth and development. Its treasury each year receives from him a fine revenue in the shape of taxes, while his influence has always been cast upon the side of progress, education and morality.

The marriage of John Middleton and Miss Rose Ann Huffman, was celebrated at the bride's home in Xenia in June, 1851. Mrs. Middleton was born March 6, 1829, in Clinton County, this State, and is the daughter of Daniel and Mary Huffman, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio. The mother is deceased, and the father resides on the old home- stead in Clinton County, Olio. Mr. Middleton at the time of his marriage was a young man of twenty-two years. He settled with his young wife upon the old homestead, and lived there until his removal to Xenia Township. They have labored

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together in the aeeumulation of their property, and side by side have established themselves in the es- teem and confidenee of those around them.

The father of our subjeet was James Middleton, who emigrated to Ohio from Martinsburg, Va., about 1825, and settled in Cæsar's Creek Town- ship. Taking up a tract of wild land, he proceeded with its cultivation and improvement, and there established a comfortable home for his family. There he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1887. The maiden name of his wife was Angeline Mussetter. She likewise died at the old homestead soon after the elose of the late Civil War. The parental family consisted of eleven ehil- dren, nine of whom are living. Mr. Middleton while keeping himself posted upon events of gen- eral interest, has wisely held himself aloof from politics, simply easting his vote at the time of gen- eral elections in support of the Demoeratie party. He is one of those men whose name will be remem- bered throughout the county long after they have been gathered to their fathers.

ILAS BALES. The old pioneers are fast passing away, comparatively few being now left to tell the tale of their early struggles and privations. Among those now deceased and whose names are worthy of being held in remembranee, may be most properly mentioned liin with whose name we introduce this sketch. He was one of the most substantial men of Jefferson Township and died at his home there July 15, 1882. He was born in Cæsar's Creek Township, Greene County, June 11, 1814, and was the son of John Bales and the grandson of Elijah Bales, a history of whom will be found on another page in this volume.

Silas Bales spent his boyhood and youth in his native township, being trained to habits of industry and receiving a good education in the common sehools. He made good use of his time with his books and developed into a successful teacher, which profession he followed from the time he was quite a youth until after his marriage. Then, on

account of failing health, he decided to turn his at- tention wholly to agricultural pursuits, and first purchased a small farm of sixty-two aeres in what is now Jefferson Township. He commeneed with very little means but he found a brave assistant in his wife, who spun wool and flax and wove eloth and earpets, while he taught school during the win- ter season and thus by their united efforts, they succeeded in paying for their home. Thereafter they were prospered and added to their possessions by the purchase of one hundred and eighty aeres of land near by. Mr. Bales brought the whole to a good state of cultivation, improving it with good buildings, and at the time of his death was free from debt, leaving to his family an estate unincumbered and valuable.

Mr. Bales was an honest, hardworking man, firm in his convictions and one in whom his neighbors had entire confidence. He 'always maintained a warm interest in the building up of his adopted township, socially, morally and financially. He at an early date identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served for many years as a Steward and Class-Leader and gave to it a liberal support. In polities, he was a staneh Dem- oerat, but steadily deelined assuming the responsi- bilities of office.

The subject of this notice was married in Caesar's Creek Township, October 15, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Smith. She was born in this township, April 30, 1818, and is the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Kimel) Smith, who were natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were reared and married in their native State and remained there until after the birth of one child. Thenee they emigrated to Ohio overland on horseback, bringing with them their family, having shipped their goods by water. Their goods, however, were lost or stolen as they never recovered them and could hear nothing from them afterward. This was a great drawback, but they made tlie best of circumstances and finally weath- ered the gale and by the exereise of great industry and economy sueeeeded in plaeing themselves in comfortable eireumstances. They settled in what is now Cæsar's Creek Township, about the time of the outbreak of the War of 1812. Mr. Smith se -. cured one hundred and thirty aeres of land which

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he brought to a good state of cultivation and whereon he and his estimable wife spent the remain- der of their days. They lived to be quite aged, Mr. Smith having attained to the age of over eighty years. His wife died when past sixty-five.

To the parents of Mrs. Bales there was born a family of nine children, six of whom are living. They were all taught habits of industry and econ- omy, and Mrs. Bales at an early age became famil- iar with the arts of housewifery and was thus fully fitted to become the partner of a good man's home. She was not only the means of saving money for her husband, but assisted him in making it and the eomforte which she now enjoys are no more than that to which she is justly entitled. She is the mother of two children only, the eldest of whom, Sarah, is the wife of Moses Mckay and they are living on a farm in Clinton County, where they are well known and in good circumstances. Martha married Joseph P. Hollingsworth, who is repre- sented on another page in this volume.

For fifty-eight years Mrs. Bales has been a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although seventy-two years old, she is still licarty and active and enjoys the esteem and confidenee of hosts of friends. She has weathered the storms of adversity and misfortune, but through them all pre- served the same cheerful and courageous spirit which is one of the marked characteristies of her raee, of which she is a most worthy representative.

B ENJAMIN F. PRINCE, Professor of Greek and History in Wittenberg College, Spring- field, exemplifies in his life the truth of the poet's words, "He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." He is of German lineage, and is a grandson of Adam and Eve (Buroker) Prince, who removed from Vir- ginia to Kentucky in the year 1805, and thenee to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1809. They were devoted members of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which their children were reared. Their only son, William, was born in the Blue Grass State in 1807, but grew to manhood on the farm

in Ohio. Although reared amid the arduous toils and privations of pioneer life, he became well ac- quainted with the more useful branches of knowl- edge. His business talents were marked, and lie excelled as a mechanic without having served an apprenticeship. Ile became a farmer, prosecuting the labors of that occupation until he was forty years of age, when he was called hence by the angel of death.

The maternal grandparents of Benjamin Prince were Christian and Mary Magdaline (Zimmerman) Norman, who, like the Prinee family, removed from the Shenandoah Valley, Va., taking up their abode in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1805. Their home was the headquarters for Lutheran, Reformed and Methodist preachers, their Christian hospitality and fraternal spirit being manifested toward all believers with whom they came in contaet. Their daughter Sarah, who beeame the wife of William Prince, was taken, with a brother and sister, eight or nine miles to receive the ordinance of baptism at the hands of a Methodist preacher, no Lutheran preacher having yet visited the county. This broad and fraternal Christian spirit was a charac- teristic of both families of ancestors of our subjeet, and has been inherited by their descendants. They had come to Ohio not only to buy cheap lands, but to get away from slavery and its evil effects upon society. Mr. Norman became possessor of large tracts of land. Adam Prince, the grand- father of Prof. Prinee, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and for a short time was kept in a block house near the present site of Tiffin, by the dan- gerous proximity of the enemy.

In Champaign County, December 12, 1840, the family of William and Sarah (Norman) Prince, which already comprised two sons and three daugh- ters, was inereased by the birth of a son, whose history it is our purpose to reeord. His early school days were passed in the traditional log schoolhouse, and after the age of twelve years his schooling did not average more than forty days per year. Having a thirst for knowledge, he studied at home, among the branches which he pursued being Natural Philosophy, Physiology and His- tory. At the age of seven years he was left father- less, his training from that time being in the hands

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of a pious motlier, under whose tutelage tlie relig- ious clement of his character was developed, and tempered his ardent love of knowledge. At the age of twelve years he became a subseriber to the Evangelical Lutheran, and when that paper went out of existence his name was transferred to the Observer. This fact indicates the hold which re- ligion had upon his youthful mind and was a bright prophecy of Christian manhood.

In the fall of 1860 young Prinee was able to enter Wittenberg College, and beginning in the preparatory department, he completed the course of study and was graduated in 1865. During his Freshman year he was elected essayist to represent the Excelsior Society in a public anniversary. In his Sophomore year lie represented the same so- ciety in a contest between it and the Philosophian, and in his Senior year he was debater in another contest between those soeieties, which were a re- cognized power in the educational influences of the college. After his graduation he began the study

of Theology, and in 1869 was ordained to the ministry. In the meantime, in April, 1866, he had been appointed tutor in his Alma Mater, serv- ing with commendable success until 1869, when he was promoted to be Principal of the Preparatory Department and Professor of History, three years later becoming Assistant Professor of Greek.

In 1879, Mr. Prinee was elected to the Chair of Greek and History, which he is still ably filling. He also leetures considerably upon Political Eeon- omy, United States Constitution, and Constitu- tional Development, while during his professorship he has given instruction in various branelies beside those mentioned, among them being the Latin of the regular course and English Literature. Prof. Prinee has served for a number of years as Chair- man of the Prudential Committee, which is eleeted by the Board of College Direetors, and nis splen- did business abilities have been used to the advan- tage of the institution. He has also served the college as Librarian, and as a member of the Build- ing Committee in 1883, the duties of Superintend- ent of Construction devolved upon him and he rendered valuable serviee.

The usefulness of Prof. Prinee has extended be- yond the college, and embraces municipal, literary

and religious labors. He has been a frequent con- tributor to the Lutheran Evangelist and Witten- berger, and has also prepared an article on Dr. H. HI. Muhlenberg in "Lives of the Leaders of our Church Universal." He has been a member of the City Board of School Examiners for nearly fifteen years, and in 1881, after earnest solicitation, permitted his name to be used as a candidate for the City Council, in which he represented the Second Ward for six years. As one of the city fathers he was enabled to secure much-needed improvements of the north side of the eity. He has been prominent in the Sunday -school work in the county, and for four years has been President of the Clark County Sunday-school Union. He has also held office in the First Lutheran Church, in this city, of which his wife is also a member.

In 1869, Mr. Prince was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Sanderson, an intelligent and accomplished young lady of this city, who was born in Lebanon, Pa. She is a daughter of Col. J. P. Sanderson, of the regular army, who, on being assigned to the Western department, brought his family to Springfield in order to better edu- cate his children. Mr. and Mrs. Prince are the parents of three daughters and one son, named respectively : Grace, Flora, Walter N. and Mabel. In politics, he is a Republican.

C HARLES A. HARRIS, Seeretary and Treas- urer of the Citizens' Street Railway, of Springfield, was one of the original incor- porators of this company about the time of its or- ganization, in 1883, and was at once elected to his present position. He is well fitted, both by nature and acquirements, for pushing an enterprise which is naturally calculated to be of great value to the publie. His native place was at Port William, Clinton County, this State, and the date of his birth November 5, 1841. His parents were Joel and Charlotte (Compton ) Harris, the former a na- tive of Giles County, Tenn., and the latter of Fair- field, Greene County, this State.

This branch of the Harris family traces its de-

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scent from English ancestry and the father of our subjeet was one of tlic early settlers of Clinton County, Ohio. Subsequently be removed to Champaign County, of which he was a resident ten years. Thence he went to New Carlisle, Ind., and spent the closing years of his life, dying in February, 1887, in the seventy-third year of his age. For more than fifty years he had been a prae- ticing physician and became widely and favorably known both in Ohio and Indiana. The wife and mother is still living and makes her home at New Carlisle, Ind. The parental family ineluded five sons and one daughter, the latter being Catherine, the wife of Ellis Taylor, a resident of New Carlisle, Ind .; Edward H., is engaged in the grocery trade, William F. is a dealer in boots and shoes, Joseph C. is a groceryman, and Ralph W., occupies him- self as a banker; all are residents of New Carlisle, Ind.

The subject of this notice was the eldest son of his parents and pursued his studies in a country school in the vicinity of King's Creek, Ohio. When seventeen years old he entered the grocery store of his uncle, J. C. Coulson, of Urbana, with whom he remained as a clerk until approaching his majority. Going then to La Porte, Ind., he employed himself as a elerk in a dry-goods store for six years. Desirous now of brightning up his business knowledge he entered Duff's Commercial College, at Columbus, Ohio, where he took a fulll course of study which proved of great benefit.

We next find Mr. Harris in the employ of the Merehant's Express Company at Urbana, with which he remained until it was consolidated with the American. In 1872 he came to Springfield and entered the employ of P. P. Mast & Co., as book- keeper, a position which he filled acceptably five years and at the expiration of this time he was elected Cashier of the Springfield National Bank, which was organized in 1882. This position he held three years.

The marriage of Charles A. Harris and Miss Lydia Mast was celebrated at the bride's home on May 5, 1865. This lady was born June 27, 1842, in King's Creek, and is a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Byers) Mast. Of this union there have been born four children, namely: Herbert M., Lot-

tie M., Ada C. and Hettie. The family residence is pleasantly situated at No. 197 West Jefferson Street. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members in good standing of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church in which Mr. Harris officiates as Steward and is looked upon as one of its chief pillars. He cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln and is a fer- vent supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

AMUEL T. REMSBERG. It gives us pleasure to include in this volume a bio- graphieal notice of one whose life has been spent in the quiet performance of duty, and who, without filling any prominent position in public affairs, has gained the esteem and confi- dence of neighbors and friends. Clark County has been the liome of this gentleman for less than a de- cade, but success has crowned his efforts since coming here, and his home in Moorefield Town- ship is one of comfort, neatness, and pleasant home life.

Mr. Remsberg was born in Frederick County, Md., November 6, 1845, his parents being Benja- min and Charlotte (Zimmerman) Remsberg, who were born in the same State, and who still live in the county which was his birthplace. Their family consisted of thirteen children, three of whom are now deceased. Elizabeth V. is the widow of Ed- ward Mobley, and her home is in Dayton ; the next in point of age is our subjeet; Marizilla is the wife of George W. Toms, of Indiana; Susan C. is the wife of J. II. Rice. of Arkansas; Ora is the wife of Charles W. Shafer, of Maryland; Jennie, Mrs. Hoak, lives in Virginia; Ida is the wife of J. H. Routzahn, in Maryland; Sylvester G., John E. and Laura are living in their native State.

The subject of this sketeh received but limited school privileges, and is principally self edueated. He was reared to manhood in his native State, spending a part of the time on a farm, and a part in labor in a woolen mill, of which his father was proprietor. From early years he has been a hard worker, having even assisted his father in the sup- port of the family, and giving his parents his entire

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Respectfully

Atotsenpiller

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time until twenty-seven years of age. He may well be called self made in his financial standing, tlie information which he has acquired, and the habits of industry and uprightness which characterize his life. He and his estimable wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Moorefield, and he is a member of the Republican party.

The lady who ably presides over the liome of Mr. Renisberg was known in her girlhood as Mar- tha J. Selsam. and became his wife Nov. 10, 1874. She was born in Maryland, and is a daughter of David and Catherine Selsam, of that State, her father being now deceased. She has borne her husband six children, named respectively: Benja- min D., Katie M., Hattie E., Frank C., Arthur S. and Myrtle H. In 1882 the family removed from their native State to their present home, where prosperity has awaited them, and where they hope for still greater results from their efforts in the years to come.

E DWIN RITENOUR HOTSENPILLER. There is probably not a citizen of Clark County more widely or favorably known than he with whose name we introduce this bio- graphical outline, and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. He is practically indepen- dent, financially, being an extensive landowner, and having one farm of seven hundred acres, be- sides other choice land in Clark County. In 1879 there was discovered in Union County the famous magnetic springs, now a popular resort for a large number of individuals, especially those afflicted with rheumatic and other ailments. for which the springs furnish an almost certain eure. The pro- prietor has erected convenient buildings, thoroughly equipped with everything necessary for the comfort of patrons, and the springs have attained a wide reputation throughout this and adjoining States. .

The subject of this notice was born in the city of Chillicothe, Ross County, this State, and is the son of Charles and Amelia (Ritenour). Hotsenpil- ler, both of whom were born and reared in Fred- eriek County, Va. The paternal grandfather was

Jacob Hotsenpiller, who traced his ancestors to Prussia, and who was a regularly ordained minis- ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The fam- ily was represented in America probably during the Colonial days, and were numbered among the early pioneers of the Old Dominion. The first transfer made in real estate, in the State of Vir- ginia, was in the name of Hotsenpiller.

The father of our subject accompanied his par- ents from Virginia to Ross County, this State, in 1830, they locating in the then infant town of Chillicothe, where Charles embarked in mercantile business, also carried on farming and became an extensive grain dealer. Owing to the dishonesty of those with whom he was associated in partner- ship, he lost heavily. His death took place in 1872. The wife and mother is still living and, notwithstanding she is quite aged, is active in mind and body. The five children of the parental family. are recorded as follows: Mary E. is the wife of J. W. Coles, junior member of the firm of Schindler & Coles, undertakers; Edwin R., our subject, was the second born; Charles W. for many years was a Captain in the United States Army, and is now retired; Eliza II. is the wife of John B. Crain; Kate I. makes her home with her mother, in Springfield.

Mr. Hotsenpiller pursued his early studies in the common schools of his native eity, and later entered the Ohio Conference High School, after which he became a pupil of the Cincinnati College, from which he was graduated in 1852. His father's failure in business threw him upon his own resources, and he learned the printer's trade, also stereotyping, during the intervals of his at- tendance at college in Cincinnati. After com- pleting his studies he went to Sandusky. this State, and purchased the Sandusky Register, of which pa- per he was editor and publisher two years, and whiel under his good management became a great finan- cial sueeess. Owing to ill-health, however, he was obliged to retire from the ardnous duties of a morning daily paper.

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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 47

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