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 57
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 57
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
A young lady who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this county with her parents when quite young, won the regard of our subject and after a successful wooing he became her husband September 13, 1875. She bore the maiden name of Mary E. Kunkle and is a daughter of Andrew and Amclia Kunkle, the former of whom is now deccased and the latter living in Springfield. She possesses many excellent qualities and much useful knowledge. She has borne the following children : James A., Irvin A., Emma A., Harvey A., and Walter H .; Stella and Delbert D., are deceased.
The son of Christian parents, he of whom we
467
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
write became imbued with good principles and fol- lows the example set him by his father in favoring such projects as will tend to advance the material prosperity of the region or increase the intellectual and moral standing of the community. He is now serving as School Director of District No. 2, cred- itably discharging the duties of the office. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat. In this he also following the example of his deceased father.
The parents of our subject were Jacob and Su- sannahı (Lander) Baker, who bore a part in the pioneer work of development which has brought this county to its present high state of prosperity. In his younger days the father was a teamster, and he also followed the trade of a blacksmith for a number of years, the remainder of his days being spent as a farmer. Like most of his contempora- ries the educational advantages which he enjoyed were very inferior to those of the present time, but such as they were he improved, adding to liis store of knowledge by reading and observation. Both he and his wife were identified with the Lutheran Church and held in good repute by their associates. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living. These are Zachariah, whose home is in Indiana; Melissa, wife of Samuel Mag- gert, of German Township; Barbara E., wife of Andrew Seitz, now living in Kansas; and he of whom we write. The father departed this life in March, 1863, while the mother survived until April, 1885.
B ENJAMIN F. ALLISON, a highly esteemed citizen of Springfield, is a veteran of the late war, where he won a good record for faith- ful service, though he sacrificed his health for his country. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in Drytown, Lancaster County, November 21, 1830. He is derived from sturdy Scotch ancestry. His father, Abraham Allison, was born in Scotland, but when he was young his parents took him to Ireland, and there he was reared. Ambitious to improve his condition, with a sister and his brother Joseph, he came to this country and located in
Pennsylvania, where he married Susan Kauffman, a native of Lancaster County, that State. He be- came a stone-mason and carried on his trade in Lancaster County about twenty years. He then turned his attention to farming, and buying a farm four miles from Drytown actively engaged in its cultivation,and made his home there until death him called to a higher. His wife died at the home of her daughter in her native county. To those worthy people were born seven children, of whom the fol- lowing five were reared and are still living-Bar. bara, John, Abraham, Susan and Benjamin F.
The son of whom we write spent his early years on his father's farm until he arrived at the age of fourteen, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a shoemaker in Maytown, Lancaster County. He was bound for five years, but served only two years and then worked a year under in- struetion in Carlisle, Cumberland County, gaining a thorough mastery of his calling, and he then did "jour" work for awhile. In 1856 he came to Obio and started in business for himself in London, Madison County, and carried it on profitably until 1862. In the meantime he had been watching the course of the war with intense interest, and as soon as he could arrange his affairs he offered his services to his country and, enlisting on the 11th of August, that year, actively assisted in raising a company, which was designated as Company A, and was at- tached to the One hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and then sent to Camp Chase, where the officers were chosen and the regiment was organ- ized. It was then dispatched to Camp Dennison, where the men were thoroughly drilled in military taeties for three hours each forenoon and afternoon and each man in turn did guard duty. The bar- racks were comfortable and were provided with wooden bunks and plenty of good straw and blan- kets. The regiment was sent from there to Louis- ville the same fall, where the men were furnished with tents and for the first time slept on the ground.
The members of Company A were found to be men of resource and self-reliance, and obtained all the conveniences and comforts to be had, and if there was any straw to be procured for beds they ·
generally appropriated it. Our subject and his comrades were posted in Louisville about two
468
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
months and then went to Muldrow Hills to guard trestles on the Louisville & Nashville Railway. They were stationed there two months, and their next destination was Franklin, Tenn., where they arrived the day after the battle and did good serv- iee in assisting in the burial of the dead. Mr. Al. lison was taken sick at that point and returned to Nasliville to enter the hospital. His health did not improve, and six weeks later he was sent to Louisville. He still continued grow worse, and wrote a letter to Gov. Todd to know why the or- ders for the removal of siek soldiers to the hospitals nearer home were not carried out. The Governor was very prompt in his reply, which our subjeet received by return mail, and five days later he was on his way to the hospital at Camp Dennison. He remained there until his discharge, August 9, 1863, HIe was suffering from heart disease and elironie diarrhea, and as his soldier days were over he re- turned home, and as soon as able resumed the shoe business. IIe resided in London until 1871, when he took up his abode in Springfield, and has ever sinee made his home liere, and for some years was foreman in a shoe store, a position for which his knowledge of the business and experience thor- onghly qualified him. While other men gave their lives on the field of battle and in the eamps and hospitals of the South during the Rebellion, our subject gave that without which life is seareely worth living, his health, as he has never been able to regain his old-time vigor since those trying days in the army. Yet, who shall say that he has not made life a success, although the plans and ambi- tions with which he started out in the world have not all been brought to fruition. He made a willing saerifiee, las borne his sufferings'cheerfully, and by industry when he was able to work, by frugality, and excellent business tact, he has aeeumnlated a sufficient amount of this world's goods for a com- fortable competenee.
Mr. Allison has been blessed withi a good wife, a true, unselfish helpmate, to whom he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, April 22, 1850. Her maiden name was Charlotte E. Smith, and Balti- more, Md., was the place of her birth. They have three children living, of whom the following is re- corded : Levi A. married Arabelle Neff, and they
have four children,-Daisy, Etna, Henry and a baby; Smith E. married Nettie Long, and they have two children-Nettie and Glenna; Benjamin F. married Arabelle Morrell.
Mr. Allison has always been trne in all the rela- tions of life, as son, husband, father, neighbor and eitizen, and is in all respeets worthy of the eonsid- eration and esteem accorded to him by all who know him. In commemoration of his career as a soldier he has identified himself with Mitehell Post No. 45,G. A. R. Ile is a sound Republican in polities and east his first vote for Fremont, and has been in the ranks of the party almost from its formation. In him the Second Lutheran Churchi finds one of its most consistent members.
AVID CRABILL. The Crabill family is well represented in Springfield Township, Clark County, several brothers of the name having their homes there. None are more worthy of representation in this volume than the one whose namne introduces this sketeh, and who is the second child of the late Thomas V. Crabill and his respceted wife. Ile was born in Champaign County, Ill., March 14, 1836, and was about a year old when his father returned to Clark County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and has since resided. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and a visitor to his home would at once conelude that the owner thoroughly understands his ealling. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty-nine aeres, eare- fully and intelligently tilled, well feneed, and sup- plied with adequate and substantial buildings of various kinds, the dwelling being particularly attrae- tive.
The marriage of Mr. Crabill took place at the bride's home in Green Township, December 2, 1862, his companion being Miss Naney C. Rock. She was born in the city of Springfield June 17, 1840, and possesses many virtues and graees of mind and heart. Her parents were Thomas R. and Leah (Kelly) Roek. She has borne lier husband
yours truly Co. L. Gerlaugh
471
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
two children-Emma J. and Thomas V. The daugh- ter is the wife of Albert T. Garlough and the mother of one son, David C. The second child of our subject is a graduate of Wittenberg College, Springfield, in the class of 1890.
Being public-spirited and liberal minded, Mr. Crabill takes a deep interest in educational affairs and in the political outlook of the country, as well as in all movements which are made for the good of the county. He has held the office of School Di- rector for a long term of years and for three years has been a member of the Republican Central Com- mittee for Springfield Township. The Republican party has no stancher supporter than he is and has been since he began to vote. Mrs. Crabill and her two children belong to the Second Lutheran Church.
C HARLES L. GERLAUGH. Although still a young man the above-named gentleman is one of the most prominent and public-spir- ited residents of Bethel Township, Clark County. He belongs to a family whose representatives are numbered among the early settlers of Greene County, and who in former times sent pioncers into Pennsylvania, the remote ancestors being Ger- man. He is a shrewd business man, a fine manager of the land which he operates, and personally is hospitable, good natured, and every inch a gentle- man. He commands the respect of his fellow-men, his prominence among them being due as much to his personal character, as to his ability in worldy and public affairs. His home is a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-six acres on sections 31 and 36, which although held by his father has been largely improved by himself, and is under his sole control. He is a shareholder in the Osborn Bank, and an ex-President of that institution, having been at its head the first year of its life.
The first of the Gerlaugh family to make a home in the Buckeye State was Adam, a native of Fred- erick County, Md., who came here about 1810. He was poor and empty handed, but locating on a new piece of land in Beaver Creek Township, Greene
County, he set to work with right good will to carve out his fortune. He cleared and improved the farm, and so successfully prosecuted his labors that he became the owner of some one thousand acres of land, all lying within five or six miles of Dayton. In the early days his market was Cincin- nati, to and from which city he hauled produce with teams. IIc was still a young man when he came to this State, where he married and reared a family, one of whom a son, Arthur, was born in Beaver Creek Township, in 1819. There Adam Gerlaugh breathed his last, respected by his fellow- men.
Arthur Gerlaugh bought and located on his father's original homestead, where he is now living, having some three hundred acres of land in the farm. He is one of the oldest settlers of the com- munity, being now about seventy-one years old, and is numbered among the most prosperous farm- ers of this vicinity. He also owns two good farms in Bath Township, Greene County, and after the marriage of his son, our subject, purehased the property upon which the latter is located. In poli- tics he is a thorough Republican. As a citizen he is public spirited, reliable and prominent, while his private character is that of an honorable, kindly and upright man. His wife, formerly Miss Cath- erine Rockafield, was born near Fairfield, Bath Township, and was educated there; she is the pos- sessor of an intelligent mind, a Christian character, and many useful accomplishments. She has now reached the age of some fifty-six years, and belongs to the United Brethren Church. The family in- cludes two sons-Charles L., the first-born; and John, who is farming on the home place in Greene County.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (Cost) Rockafield, both of whom were born in the Keystone State, and came to this section when young with their parents, who were early settlers of Bath Township, Greene County. Grandfather Roekafield took up his resi- dence there about 1825, and began working ont on the farm of Peter Cost, whose daughter he after- ward married. He then rented the place, afterward buying it, and continuing to reside upon it until his death.
472
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
The gentleman whose name introduces this bio- graphical sketch was born March 6, 1855, in Beaver Creek Township, Greene County, five miles from Dayton. There he grew to manhood, learn- ing the rudiments of farming when a boy, and en- joying excellent educational advantages, together with the best of home training. He remained un- der the parental roof until twenty-seven years old, when he was married and located upon the farm which his father had purchased for him. The en- tire acreage is tillable, and the estate is well im- proved, having all necessary and convenient farm buildings upon it, being well fenced, and supplicd with fruit of various kinds. There are two tenant houses for the use of workmen upon the estate, which is devoted to general farming, and in the carrying on of which three teams are constantly employed; the whole is under the efficient super- vision of Mr. Gerlaugh. He is now raising thor- oughbred Short-horn cattle, of which he has some fine specimens on which he has taken premiums at the fairs; he also raises full-blooded Poland-China swine. He feeds about a car-load of cattle per ycar also, while his crops are not neglected but are equal to any in the county in amount and quality.
The hospitable and attractive home of Mr. Ger- laugh is presided over by an intelligent and accon- plished lady, whose gracious manner prepossesses strangers in her favor, and whose virtues endear her to many hcarts. She comes of an excellent family, being a daughter of John Hower, whose sketch found on another page in this volume, fur- nishes an account of her ancestry. She is a native of Bath Township, in which her marriage took place February 1, 1882. For a time she was a student at Wittenberg College, Springfield. Four bright children have come to bless her union, their names being Arthur, Howard, Ella and Bertha.
The Clark County Agricultural Society numbers Mr. Gerlaugh among its patrons. According to his judgment the principles embraced in the Re- publican platform are those best calculated for the needs of the people, and he never fails to support them by his vote, and he has also served his party as a delegate to county conventions. He is a mem- ber of the School Board, and takes a deep interest in educational affairs, and in the improvement of
the schools. He belongs to the Lutheran Church. We invite the attention of our many readers to a portrait of Mr. Gerlaugh on another page.
E RNEST BURKHARDT. Among the various industries which spring up in a community and which have a vast influence upon the hicalth of its people is that of pork packing and which if not properly carried on may become the source of a vast injury and frequently fatal in its effects. The subject of this notice makes of this industry a specialty, also combining with it the manufacture of sausage, in which he has been very successful, employing men who understand their business and dealing only in first-class material. The products of his factory are in demand all over this part of the country, bnt cspecially in the city of Springfield where the enterprise was inaugurated in 1884.
A native of Wittenberg, Germany, Mr. Burk- hardt was born November 28, 1847, to Louis and Caroline (Leibrandt) Burkhardt, whose family con- sisted of twelve children. The father was a butcher by trade, also followed farming besides grape cul- ture and was a wine seller. He and his excellent wife spent their entire lives in their native land. Ernest, in accordance with the laws and customs of his native land was placed in school when a lad of six years and pursued his studies until fourteen. He then began an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, serving three years. At the expiration of this time he began traveling and followed his trade as a journeyman in different cities for three years. Then in 1867 he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City after an ocean voyage of cighi- teen days. Thence he procceded to Centreville, this State, where he followed his trade six months and then entered the employ of his brother Louis, a butcher, and with whom he learned the business thoroughly.
This secming to be a profitable industry Mr. Burkhardt in 1870, started in business on his own account at Cincinnati, conducting this until 1884. Then selling out he removed to the vicinity of
-
473
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Springfield and soon afterward purehased a little farm of thirty acres just outside the city limits upon whiel he ereeted buildings suitable for butchering and pork packing, also the manufacture of sausage and sinee that time has prosecuted this business with uniform suceess. He has met with losses, however, as in April, 1889, several of his buildings were destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $15,000 with but $7,000 insurance. He immediately re- built, however, putting up more substantial struc- tures of briek and added a large iee-house. He kills about fifty hogs and three beeves per week, the greater part of which is manufactured into sausage.
Mr. Burkhardt occupies with his family a eom- inodious briek residence on the same farm and is looked upon as one of the most energetic and thrifty business men of his county. He was married November 24, 1881, to Miss Emma Oehler. This lady was born in May, 1860, in Cineinnati and was the daughter of Frederick Oehler, a prosperous citizen of Cincinnati, and also of German antece- dents. There have been born to them five children -Lulu, Clara, deceased, Emma, Elmer and Ernest. In politics, Mr. Burkhardt is independent, aiming to support the men best qualified to serve the in- terests of the people. He is a member in good standing of the Knights of Pythias. A self-made inan in the broadest sense of the term, he has, from a small beginning, aceumulated a handsome property and occupies no unimportant place among the busi- ness interests of his adopted city.
W ASHINGTON H. WILSON. The large and highly respected Wilson family, of which the subject of this sketch is a most worthy representative, has for many years been widely and favorably known in this part of Ohio and is looked upon as belonging to its best elements. He with whose name we initiate this notice is one of the substantial farmers of Harmony Township, Clark County, where he operates sueeessfully as a tiller of the soil and a breeder of fine stock. He is a native of this township and was born June 26, 1850, within a mile of the homestead which he now owns
and oeeupics. His father, Michael Wilson, was born in Greene County, this State, in 1814, and married Miss Vina Henry, who was born in Springfield in Deeember, 1816.
Michael Wilson, when a comparatively young man, eame to Clark County and took up his resi- dence in the eastern part of Harmony Township, which remained his home until his death, February 11, 1880. He was shrewd and eapable as a finan- cier and aeeumulated over one thousand acres of land, leaving to his heirs a fine estate. The paren. tal family included twelve ehildren, viz: Jasper, who served during the Civil War in the Ninety- fourth Ohio Infantry; James, Elizabeth, Jefferson, who served in the same regiment as his brother Jasper, and was killed at Chickamauga; Johnson, who was a member of the Forty fifth Ohio Infan- try ; Michael; Lavina, who was the wife of Edward West, and who is now deceased; Washington II., our subject; Emma D. and Anna, both deceased; Fremont and Stillman. Both parents were mem- bers in good standing of the Christian Church. The elder Wilson was an extensive sheep-grower, an industry from which he realized handsome returns.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Michael Wilson, who was born in Kentucky and who emigrated to Greene County, this State all an early day. Thenee he removed to Clark County where he spent his last years. He was a farmer by occupation and aceumulated a comfortable prop- erty. His three sons were named, Washington, Michael and Hiram. The latter died young. Both father and sons originally belonged to the old Whig party but later joined the Republicans.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject came from England and his wife from Ireland. Hle died in Greene County. this State. Washington II., of whom we write, spent his boyhood and youth on the farm with his parents attending the distriet school and assisting his father until reaching his majority. He then began farming on his own ac- count, locating where he now resides. He makes a specialty of sheep and eorn, having of the former about six hundred head.
On the 11th of February, 1875, Mr. Wilson took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Franees L., daughter of James and Mehitable (Girard) Porter.
474
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Madison County, this State, February 1, 1852, and spent her early life in a comparatively uneventful manner under the pa- rental roof and receiving such education as was af- forded by the common schools. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, viz: Porter M., Charles B., Nina E. and Washi- ington G. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are prominently connected with the Christian Church and Mr. Wil- son belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant and remains an earnest supporter of the Re- publican party.
ILTON CRABILL. This young gentle- man has been rapidly coming to the front among the stock-raisers of Clark County, his home and place of business being a fine farm on section 7, Springfield Township. He also owns valuable property on South Yellow Springs Street, Springfield. He makes a specialty of raising sheep, his flocks being Merinos, either full-blooded or crossed with Shropshire Downs; of Poland-China hogs; of breeding and raising English Shire and Norman colts. During the year 1889, he sold over twelve thousand pounds of pork of his own raising. He takes quite an interest in his live stock and is well posted regarding the merits of different brecds.
Springfield Township has been the home of Mr. Crabill during his entire life, his birth having taken place on a farm therein, August 19, 1856. He is a son of the late Thomas V. Crabill, several of whose sons are now following in their father's footsteps in developing the resources of the soil and advancing the prosperity of the county. The subject of this sketch has lived in the country all his life except one year which he spent in the city of Springfield. He was educated in the common schools, where he acquired a good store of information and laid the foundation for more extended knowledge to be obtained through other means. He owns a snug farm of one hundred and thirty-eight and a half acres on section 7, on which good improvements have been made, the residence and other buildings
being such as one would expect to find upon the land of a man of enterprise. Overwork has caused Mr. Crabill some suffering and weakness, his health not having been good since 1886.
At the home of the bride's parents November 18, 1880, Mr. Crabill was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Cosler) Leffel, of Springfield Township. The bride was born in that township, April 2, 1857, and is the sixth in a family of eight brothers and sisters. She is a well-informed woman, with useful habits and Christian character. She has borne her husband two children-Chester B. and Milton W.
Botlı Mr. and Mrs. Crabill are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, of Springfield. Mr. Crabill is a believer in the principles of the Republican party and to its candidates he gives his vote and influence. Upright and honorable in his dealings with mankind, kindly in domestic life, and exhibiting intelligence and good judgment in the management of his worldly affairs, he deserves and obtains the respect of all to whom he is known.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.