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 50
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 50
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The wife of Dr. William Marquart is a native of Bethel Township, Clark County, who bore the maiden name of Martha Layton. She is a daughter of Maline Layton, an Eastern man who was an early settler in Ohio, where he entered land and was a very suceessful tiller of the soil. She possesses a bright and aetive mind and a noble character, is a member of the Christian Church, and has always endeavored to live in accordance with her profes- sion of belief. She has borne eight children, three of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the survivors; the next is Alice,
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whose home is in Springfield; William is studying dentistry in that city; Ella, Mrs. Beard, resides there, and Florence is attending Wittenburg Col- lege.
Dr. Marquart of this notice was born June 5, 1858, and reared on the farm near Springfield, re- ceiving his fundamental education in the town schools. He then entered the High Schools in the eity to which his father had removed, and after completing the course of study there and iceeiving a diploma, he entered Wilts Commercial College at Dayton, from which he was graduated with a thor- ough business training. He took up the profession of pedagogy but after a time beeame a book-keeper for a Springfield firm. Having always had a liking for the medical profession he finally obtained his father's consent to adopt it, and began the study of Therapeutics with his parent.
In the fall of 1881, young Marquart entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, from whichi lie was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Doe- tor of Medicine. Locating at Enon, Clark County, he practiced there some sixteen months, when, see- ing a better opening in Osborn, Greene County, he removed to this place in 1885, and opened an office here. He stands at the head of his profession, the secret of his success being perseverance, energy, hard work, and a determination to keep himself thoroughly well informed in all that pertains to his profession. His skill has been recognized by so- cieties and he is Examining Physician for the Union Central Insurance Company of Cincinnati, and for the Mutual Benefit Company of Newark, N. J., and the Equitable of New York .. He owns town lots, his own office building, and a niee home which is presided over by a young lady of grace and re- finement.
Ths companion with whom Dr. Marquart was united in marriage at Lawrence, Kan., September 22, 1886, was formerly Miss Fannie Dunlap. She was born in Greenfield, Ross County, and is a daughter of Shepherd Dunlap, who removed to Lawrence, Kan., a few years ago, and is now living there retired from the agricultural work in which he was formerly engaged. Mrs. Marquart received a considerable part of her education in Springfield, this State, but completed her studies at the Kansas
State University at Lawrenee, after which she be- eame a teacher in the city sehools, continuing her professional labors until her marriage. Her intelli- gent Christian womanhood wins for her unbounded respect and friendly esteem. Her happy union with our subjeet has been blessed by the birth of two children-Ruth and Robin.
Dr. Marquart is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias organization in Osborn, and holds the office of Chancellor Commander. He belongs to the Greene County Medical Society and the South- western Ohio Medical Association. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Marquart belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
OHN SWONGER. As a pioneer of Clark County, and one who by his well-directed labors has promoted its agricultural devel- opment, it gives us pleasure to represent this gentleman, a resident of Springfield for more than half a century, in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. Born April 15, 1818, the birthplace of our subject was in Cumberland County, Pa. His father, Mich- ael Swonger, was a native of the same State, born in Lancaster County. His father bore the same name as himself, and but little else is known of his history, except that he was a farmer, who carried on his vocation for sometime in Lancaster County, and thence removed to Cumberland County, where he died and was gathered to his fathers.
The father of our subject was young when his parents removed to Cumberland County to live. and there he was reared and married, Mary Alburt, a native of the county becoming his wife. He al- ways followed farming, and spent the most of his life in Cumberland County, where he closed his useful eareer at a ripe age. The mother of our subjeet lived in her native county until she was ad- vanced in years, and then came to Ohio and passed the remainder of her life in the home of a daugh- ter in Logan County.
He of whom we write was quite young when his father departed this life, and he was obliged to earn his own living from a very early age. From the
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time he was eight years old until he was fourteen, he was given $1 a month and his board for . his services, and in those days boys worked from day- light until dark in the long days of the year. After he was fourteen his wages were advanced until he earned $7 a month. He continued to work out by the month for some years, and in the meantime he married and established a home, his wedding with Miss Mary A. Stayman taking place in January. 1838. Mrs. Swonger's father, Josepli Stayman, was born near Carlisle, Pa., and his fa- ther, bearing the same name, was, so far as known, a life-long resident of that State, where he carried on the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. Swonger's father learned the trades of a miller and distiller, and after coming to Ohio, operated a flourmill west of town for a time, and then removed into Springfield, and opened a hotel on Main Street, between Limestone and Market Streets. He man- aged his hotel a few years and then took up his residence in Clermont County, where he engaged in farming until his busy life was rounded out by death. The maiden name of his wife was Barbara Myers, and she was born near Carlisle, Pa., a daughter of a United Brethren preacher. She spent her last days with her daughters in Springfield and Wooster, and died while a resident of the latter city. Mr. and Mrs. Swonger's marriage has given them eight children-Joseph, William, Emma, Anna, John W., Chrissic, Eddie and Susan. Joseph married Ilattic Pennell; William married Margaret Walters; John died when quite young; Chrissie married Henry Fenstermacher; Susan died in in- fancy ; Anna became the wife of R. C. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Swinger have ten grandchildren and three great-grandehildren living.
In 1838, our subject, who had been prudent and had labored hard, and had carefully saved his carn- ings, determined to try life in a pioneer country in the hope of bettering his condition, and in the month of November he started with his wife and their first-born, and his wife's parents, for Ohio, making the journey with a wagon and a pair of horses and a carriage with one horse attached. Af- ter traveling fifteen days they arrived in Clark County, and from their remembrance of the coun- try as it then appeared, they can have a just appre-
ciation of the marvelous changes that have occurred to make Springfield, then a village, a large and flourishing city, the metropolis of a wealthy and finely developed county. Our subject at first rented land in the southern part of the county for a few years, and then bought the land that he now owns and occupies. At the time of purchase it was heavily timbered, and though only one mile from the center of the village, wild turkeys and other game was to be found on it. Since then Springfield has spread out until the boundary lines extend far beyond liis homestead, which is now in the centre of a densely populated community. By his practical skill as an intelligent agriculturist, backed by incessant toil, he cleared his land and developed a desirable, well-improved farm, which has become very valuable with the rapid growth of the city. Ilere he and his wife who have lived together more than half a century, are passing the declining years of their virtuous and well-spent lives in a comfortable home, enjoy- ing the competence that is the result of their united labors. Their quiet beneficence and unostentatious charity, neighborly helpfulness, and other pleasant traits have gained them a warm place in the hearts of all about them, and they command universal re- spect from the community where they have lived so long. They are both devoted members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined when quite young, and have always been consistent in their professions of religion.
OHN HAUSE is an carly settler of Clark County, his home being on section 21, Moore- field Township. The estate comprises one hundred and twenty acres of excellent laud, well improved and carefully cultivated, and is a standing monument to the industry, prudence, and integrity which have characterized the life of the owner. In a financial sense he is a self-made man, and it is but just that after the arduous labors of carlier years, he should now be able to spend his days in comfort and a degree of rest, although he is not ready to give up all share in life's labors.
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It would be easy for those acquainted with national traits to trace his aneestry to Germany, whence his paternal progenitors eame, and to find in him some characteristics of the Irish raee from which his ma- ternal ancestors are said to have sprung.
The subject of this sketeh is a native of Lan- caster County, Pa., where he was born July 8, 1811. IIe is the third son in a large family of children born to Daniel and Elizabeth ( McNeal) Hause, who were also natives of the Keystone State. He grew to manhood in his native county, with but meager educational advantages in his boyhood and cireum- stanees compelled him to begin hard work when quite young. His father died about 1825 and our subject then became the mainstay of the family. In 1832 he came to Clark County, Ohio, in company with David Rigel, who afterward became his father- in-law. The journey was performed in a covered wagon, over rough roads, more than five weeks being occupied en route. The journey was some- what lengthened however, by the death of a daughter of Mr. Rigel, while they were on their way.
Mr. Hause and a brother found their first occu- pation in the Buckeye State in eutting eighty cords of wood, for which they received twenty-five eents per cord and two meals per day. This labor was performed for Henry Beektle for whom our subject afterward repaired a mill in Springfield Township. For about five years he worked at carpentery, after which he devoted himself to agricultural labor, taking possession of his present farm about 1855. Ile also owns property in Springfield. As will readily be seen by the date of his arrival in this State, he has been identified with the pioneer work of the county to a considerable extent. After the old Barnett road, running east from Springfield, was laid out, he was the first man to pass over it with a team of horses, In 1840, he helped to build a log cabin which was hauled on a wagon in the Harrison Campaign, the wagon also containing thirty-two men, representing the States in the Union. A span of black horses belonging to him was hitehed to it, as were also the teams of some of the neighbors.
Mr. Hause has continued to support the political principles to which he first gave his vote and for
some years past has been a member of the Repub- lican party, which embodies the old Whig doctrines in its platform. For many years he has acted as Road Supervisor and he has also served his fellow men in the capacity of School Director. His in- fluence is ever given to that which tends to the elevation of society and in his daily life he endeav- ors to carry out the doetrines of Christianity, both he and his wife being consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Few couples in this section of country have spent more years in wedded life than Mr. and Mrs. Hause, who were united in marriage October 25, 1832, and who have therefore shared each other's joys and sorrows for nearly sixty years. They have had fourteen children, of whom five are now living. These are: Mattie; Barbara, wife of Joshua Smith, whose home is in Springfield; Louisa, wife of O. Smith of the same city; Sarah, wife of John Ober, also of Springfield; and Harriet, wife of A. H. Kitchen, of this county. Mrs. Hause was born in Laneaster County, Pa., November 14, 1812, to David and Elizabeth (Smith) Rigel, and bears her mother's given name. She is of German deseent. Her grandfather Rigel shod horses for the American army during the Revolutionary War, and a hammer which he then used is carefully preserved by the granddaughter and her husband. Another heir- loom which they prize very highly, is a history of the Bible, published in 1660, in German, and which was also handed down in the Rigel family.
HE FIELD CORDAGE COMPANY. This enterprise, which holds an important posi- tion among the business interests of Xenia, was organized in June, 1876, with Samuel M. Alli- son as President; Jolin Little, Vice-President; C. L. Spencer, Secretary; A. F. Frazer, Treasurer, and Jacob Baldner, Superintendent. Mr. Baldner is one of the stockholders, and interested in the concern is J. M. Field, of the firm of Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago, and who resides in Manchester, England. Mr. Field is a relative of Mr. Allison, through whose influence the latter was led to invest in this
yours Truly Ihn Maddem UD
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enterprise, and largely through his efforts the company was organized at this place.
The Field Cordage Company since its first es- tablishment has added a number of buildings to the plant, including a large mill for the manufact- ure of jute and American hemp, and gives employ- ment probably to three hundred men. The concern at once assumed a sound basis, its product being in great demand, and the facilities which they were enabled to take advantage of enabling them to place their produet upon the market at a very saleable priec. The business has been chiefly under the management of Mr. Allison, who gives to it his en- tire time and attention and who has signalized him- self as the right man for the place.
W ILLIAM P. MADDEN, M. D. The sub- jeet of this notice became a resident of Xenia in 1885, and for two years there- after was engaged in the drug business, as a sort of partial relief from a long and arduous practice as a physician, during which time his health had become greatly impaired. He began the study of medicine, in 1873, with Dr. J. H. Wesher, of Kirksville, Mo., and in due time entered the Ec- lectie Institute, of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1875. He then located in Cedarville, this county, which remained his home until his re- moval to Xenia.
A native of County Galway, Ireland, the sub- ject of this sketch was born March 14, 1842, and is the son of Michael and Joana (Flemming) Mad- den, who were also of Irish birth and parentage. Michael Madden came to the United States about 1844, stopping for a time in New Orleans and thence coming to Cincinnati, this State. He finally located in Springfield, Ohio, in the vicinity of which he has since resided. In the fall of 1847 he sent for his wife and family, the latter compris- ing two sons, and occupied himself thereafter as a farmer. IIe was a distiller in the Old Country. After the removal of the family to America two more children were born, and the mother passed away in 1859, William P., of this sketch, was the
eldest child; Thomas died in Ireland; Michael is a resident of Marion County, this State; Anna is the wife of William Laybourn, of Springfield.
Young Madden spent his boyhood days on the farm, and pursued his early studies in the common school. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a youth approaching the eighteenth year of his age, and on the 9th of October, 1861, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company I, Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry, being mustered in at Springfield. After serving his first term he re-enlisted in the same regiment, but was transferred to the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, and mustered in for three years, January 31, 1864. On account of the close of the war, he served less than a year, being mustered out May 30, 1865, by special order of the War Department, as one of the survivors of the ill- fated steamer "Sultana," which was blown up near Memphis.
Dr. Madden first saw the smoke of battle at Floyd Mountain, W. Va., and subsequently was at Lewisburg, Somerset and Knoxville under Gen. Burnside; he was also in the battles of Strawberry Plains, Stanton and Lynchburg, Va., being cap- tured at the latter place June 18, 1864. He was confined in Andersonville prison nearly a year, being exchanged April 1, 1865, at Big Black River. With others he boarded the "Sultana" which was to convey them to Cairo, Ill., and at the time of the melancholy disaster which has be- come a part of war history, Dr. Madden was one of the few to escape with his life by jumping from the boat. Out of twenty-three hundred and thirty-four men, seventeen hundred perished, all of whom had previously suffered in Anderson- ville prison. In the leap for life which he made, Dr. Madden received considerable injury, from which he suffered long afterward, but on account of the difficulty in securing evidence he never asked for a pension. On his return home he en- gaged in farming for a short time, and then de- cided to take up the study of medicine.
Dr. Madden was first married January 28, 1868, near Springfield, Ohio, to Miss Zeruiah J., daugh- ter of Reed and Mary (Skillins) Laybourn, and there were born to them three children, namely : Anna B., born January 28, 1869, died August 17,
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1869; Pearl Reed, born August 11, 1870, is now living, and at home with his father; Whitlaw L., born May 21, 1877, died January 29, 1878. Mrs. Dr. Madden died January 28, 1883, and the Doc- tor contraeted a second marriage May 6, 1885, with Miss IIattie, daughter of Nixon G. and Han- nah (Wilson) Brown; they have no children. The Doctor and his estimable wife are highly respected in social circles; religiously, she is a Hieksite Friend, and both worship at the Presbyterian Church. Under their hospitable roof their many friends are always welcomed and pleasantly enter- tained.
A lithographie portrait of Dr. Madden is shown elsewhere in this work.
G EORGE KRAPP, one of the leading grocers and provision dealers of Springfield, has made his mark in the business world by his untiring energy in the prosecution of his work and by his financial ability, and has placed himself among the substantial moneyed men of the city. He is a fine representative of the sturdy, intelligent German clement that has done so much in the building up of the commercial, agricultural and in- dustrial interests of our country, though he has been a citizen of the United States for so many years, eoming here ere he had attained his majority, that he has beeome thoroughly Americanized.
Our subject was born in the city of Baden-Hausen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 13, 1833, a son of Andrew Krapp, born in the same eity in 1800. He, in turn, was a son of another An- drew Krapp, who was a native of the same city, and was a weaver by oceupation, and spent his en- tire life in the Fatherland. In accordance with the laws of his country he was obliged to serve as a soldier, and during the American Revolution he was in the Hessian Army, and his regiment was hired by the British Government, and was de- spatched to this country, but before it arrived the war closed and it was ordered back.
The father of our subject was reared and edu- cated in his native land and early learned the trade
of a weaver, which he followed many years, spend- ing his whole life in the land of his birth, his death oceurring in 1886. His wife, whose maiden name was Katherine Kern, was a native of the same city as himself, and a daughter of Peter Kern, also a native and life-long resident of that eity, where he earried on the trade of a shoemaker. The mother of our subject died in 1877. His three brothers, Peter, Joachim and Balthaser, passed their entire lives in the old country, George being the only member of the family who ever eamc to America.
Mr. Krapp passed the early years of his life in the eity of his birth, and in its schools gleaned an excellent education, and as soon as old enough learned the trade that his father and grandfather had followed before him. He inherited musical talent, which was earefully cultivated, and he was given lessons on the cornet and violin and bceame a proficient performer on both instruments. He had heard much of the United States of America, and of the many superior advantages for making money and building up a comfortable home, and he deter- mined to avail himself of them, to go forth from his old home and see something of the world and find out what life held for him here. Aeeordingly, he set sail from Frankfort August 26, 1852, and proceeding to Liverpool, embarked there on a ves- sel bound for New York, where he landed on the 3d of October, a stranger in a strange land, with no knowledge of the English language, and with but $5 in his pocket. He was full of courage, how- ever, and was undismayed at the prospect before him, and soon found friends in that city, from whom he borrowed money enongh to take him to Pittsburg. There he wisely apprenticed himself to learn the trade of an upholsterer, as he thought he could do better at that than at his old calling. After serving six months, he went to Louisville, Ky., and as he did not find work at his newly-ac- quired trade, he sensibly took employment of a different kind, and for three months busied himself in a brickyard, receiving $12 a month. We next find him utilizing his talent as a musician, engag- ing with a traveling troupe in Indiana, but at the end of six months he was obliged to give that up and return to Louisville sick. As soon as he re- covered, he engaged at his trade in that city two
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months, and was then employed at carpet weaving six months. After that he learned the trade of a cigar-maker, and followed it there until 1861. In that year he came to Springfield, and followed his trade here until 1864, when he established himself in the grocery business. He had been very indus- trious and had prudently saved his earnings so that he had accumulated sufficient capital to make him independent, and he did well in that venture. In 1871 he sold out his business, as he had a strong desire to see once more his old home and the onee familiar faces of relatives and friends, for in every true man's heart the land of one's birth and the ties of kinship are saeredly cherished. He crossed the water, and for six monthis gave himself up to the enjoyment of once more treading his native soil, and revisiting the scenes of his youth, and to the pleasure of seeing old friends. He then re- turned to his adopted country to recommence his busy life in this city. He opened a grocery and meat store, and has since devoted himself assidu- ously to carrying on the business, which under his skillful management has grown and flourished to a remarkable degree, his efforts having been followed by more than ordinary success. He has so pros- pered that he has been enabled to creet a fine building for his business. It is a substantial three- story briek, with a frontage of ninety-nine feet on West Main Street, at the corner of South Plum, and is divided into five ample, well-appointed stores. His dwelling, which is attached to his store, and faees on Plum Street, is comfortably and conve- niently arranged, and is one of the most desirable in the vicinity.
To the lady who shares this pleasant abode with him, and has so cheerfully aided him in its upbuild- ing, he was united in marriage in 1855. She is a native of the same city as himself, and her maiden name was Susanna Altvater. To them have come four children : Matilda, George, Jr., Kate and Harry.
Mr. Krapp is a fine type of the genus homo known as a self-made man, who, while working for his own interests, lias forwarded those of his adopted city, as every man who is successful in business must of necessity materially promote the welfare of the community where he resides. In all his dealings he has ever been guided by the principles of hon-
esty and truth, and his business has flourished ae- cordingly, and his position in financial circles is of the best. True to the religion of his fathers, St. Luke's German Chureli finds in him a faithful mem- ber and a generous supporter. In his political views he sides with the Democratie party, believing its policy the safest to be pursued in the government of this great nation.
R EV. JAMES FOYIL MORTON, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Ced- arville, assumed charge of this pastorate in May, 1863, having been recently gradu- ated from the Monmouth, (Ill.) College. The fact that he has since remained with the congregation through the vicissitudes of nearly twenty-seven years, attests the fidelity with which he has la- bored and the sueeess which has erowned his efforts. The church through his instrumentality has in- ereased largely in numbers and influence, becoming a power in religious cireles in Southern Ohio.
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