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 60
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 60
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down the river to Columbia, a point on the Ohio River a short distance above the present site of Cincinnati. Indians were numerous and not always peaceable, and the few white families there at the time erected a block-house, into which they gath- ered for protection from their savage foes. The mother of our subject was thus nearly a life-long resident of the Buckeye State, her death having taken place in Dayton, in February, 1877.
G EORGE W. ALT is the owner and occu- pant of a snug farm in Springfield Township, Clark County, comprising eighty acres of section 14. Although not so large as many estates in the township, it is sufficient to produce a com- fortable income and afford an outlet for the phy- sical energies of the owner. The reputation of this gentleman is a most excellent one, and, what is not always the case, is borne out by his sterling qualities, his firm principles, and the part which he bears in political, educational and benevolent movements in the county. Anxious to advance the interests of the section which has been his home for many years, he takes an active part in movements which promise success in that direc- tion, while not neglecting his more personal affairs.
The parents of our subject were born in Harper's Ferry, Va., and were Adam and Maria (Drew) Alt. About the year of 1816 they came to the Buckeye State, a few months later settling in Moorefield Township, Clark County. They had a family of ten children, of whom George W. is the eldest. They continued to live in the county until their deatlı, but removed from Moorefield to Springfield Township.
George W. Alt opened his eyes to the light Janu- ary 19, 1820, in Moorefield Township, accompany- ing his parents to Springfield Township about the time he entered his teens, and growing to manhood herc, where he has since resided. He learned the trade of a carpenter, but after following it for fourteen years, gave his attention to the pursuit of agriculture.
Those wilson
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Mr. Alt has held some of the school offices, and was a Director of the Infirmary for nine conseen- tive years. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and active in his efforts to promote the growth of the party. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church, with which he became identified in 1870, and among whose members he holds highi stand- ing.
The first marriage of Mr. Alt was celebrated at the home of the bride, Miss Jane Woods, in Springfield Township, January 9, 1845. Mrs. Alt was a native of Clark County, a worthy woman with whom our subject lived happily until 1860, when she was called from time to eternity. She had borne her husband six children, two of whom -- Joseph and Martha-are deceased. Amanda is the wife of Charles Woods; John is an engineer in Springfield; Frank is a farmer; and Charles is a resident of Springfield.
Some years after the death of his first compan- ion Mr. Alt became the husband of Mrs. Mary Jane Moody, widow of Peter Moody, who died while in the service of his country in 1863. The present Mrs. Alt was born in Greene County, No- vember 8, 1825, and by her first husband became the mother of three children, two of whom are now dead. The living ehild, Sarah, is the wife of Ogden McCord. Mrs. Alt belongs to the English Lutheran Church; in mind and disposition she is a fit companion for our subject, and her nseful habits and Christian principles redound to her credit wherever she is known.
6 HOMAS C. WILSON. This aged veteran of eighty- four years forms one of the land- marks of Moorefield Township, and one whose industry and frugality have enabled him to accumulate a reasonable amount of this world's goods. As a fitting reward for a life of labor we now find him surrounded with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life-the owner of an elegant residence and spending his declining years in one of the finest homes of Clark County. IIe
has made for himself a good record as a man and a citizen, whose name will be held in kindly remem- brance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.
The native place of onr subject was Mercer County, Ky., and the date of his birth September 11, 1806. His immediate progenitors were James and Anna (Cleland) Wilson, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Maryland. This branch of the great Wilson family was originally of Scotch- Irish descent and the paternal grandfather of our subject distinguished himself as a gallant soldier of the Revolutionary War. His son James was reared and married in his native State and after becoming the father of several children emigrated with his little family to Ohio, traveling the entire distance with a wagon and horses and locating in Greene County. He brought with him his household goods and his cattle, swimming the latter across the river and camping ont wherever night over- took them.
After a residence in Greene County of about three years the father of our subject removed to Champaign County, where the mother died in 1833. Mr. Wilson only survived his wife about four years, his death taking place in 1837. There had been born to them a family of eleven children, five of whom are living: Rebecca, the widow of John Osborn, is a resident of Champaign County and is now in the eighty eighth year of her age; Elizabeth, also a widow and who married Edward Osborn, likewise lives in Champaign County and is eighty- six years old; Thomas C. was the next oldest; Philip S. is also a resident of Champaign County ; David songht the farther West and is now located in Dubuque, Iowa.
James Wilson was one of the earliest pioneers of this part of the State and endured many hardships during the first few years of his settlement in Clark County. As a boy he was studiously inclined and managed to obtain a very good education in the primitive schools. He finally· developed into a teacher and was one of the first pedagogues of the Buckeye State. He was a man of strong character and decided views and exerted a sensible influence in the affairs of his community.
Thomas C. Wilson of whom we write spent his
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boyhood amid the wild scenes of pioncer life and grew up healthy in mind and body, well fitted for the duties which lay before him. While deprived of the advantages enjoyed by the young men of to-day lie, at an carly age, learned self-dependence and as soon as reaching his majority struck out for himself and began working as a farm hand at $7 per month and his board. During the winter season he worked and boarded himself for $11 per month. He was thus occupied for several years and then began renting land following this suc- cessfully until 1842. Then having accumulated a little capital he settled on a small farm near the present site of Moorefield village which remained his home for a period of seventeen years. He then took possession of the land which he now owns and occupies, settling upon it in 1856. It presented then a widely different appearance from that of to- · day and under careful cultivation and good man- agement has become one of the most valuable and productive farms in this part of the State. Mr. Wilson labored assiduously for many years in de- vcloping his land, making fences, setting out fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings, gathering to- gether his farm machinery and providing his family with a comfortable living besides cducating his children.
On the 19th of March, 1835, Mr. Wilson took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Jane Bald- win, the wedding being celebrated at the bride's home in this township. Mrs. Wilson was born in Berkeley County, Va., December 19, 1801, and was the danghter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Baldwin. Of this union there were born three children, all of whom are living, viz .: Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Kennedy, of Moorefield Town- ship; James B. living with his father and Mary J., the widow of Evan Price. Mrs. Price has two sons : Evan and James B.
The landed cstate of Mr. Wilson comprises three hundred and forty acres which property he has ac- cumulated largely by his own unaided efforts. Mrs. Wilson after remaining the faithful and affectionate companion of her husband for over forty years, departed this life at the homestead November 20, 1875. She was a devoted wife and mother and greatly respected among the people of her commu-
nity. Mr. Wilson, politically, is a sound Republi- can. Before the organization of this party he was an old-line Whig and in 1840 cast his Presidential vote for Gen. William HI. Harrison. He has never missed voting for President since reaching his ma- jority and almost withont exception has fulfilled his duty at the polls upon the occasion of every election in his township. In religion he is a Pres- bytcrian and in bygone years held the office of Deacon in his church. While uniformly successful as a financier and a farmer, he has in common with most men, experienced some losses, the heaviest be- ing May 28, 1878, when his residence, with most of its contents, was destroyed by fire. Soon afterward, however, he erected that which he now occupies. This is built in the modern style of architecture, is handsomely finished and furnished and with its surroundings indicates the cultured tastes and amn- ple means of the proprietor. A portrait of the venerable Mr. Wilson is shown on another page of this volumc.
ENRY BECHTLE, deceased. This name is known and honored throughout Clark County as that of one of the foremost of the pioneers of this section of Ohio, who had a hand in laying the solid foundation upon which has been erected the superstructure of its present wealth and prosperity, and though his carthly carcer closed more than half a century ago his memory is still held in reverence in Springfield, of which he was an carly settler, and for which he did much. His mantle has fallen upon worthy successors, and it gives us pleasure to represent the family in this biographical volume.
A native of Maryland, Mr. Bechtle was born four and one-half miles from Hagerstown, May 27, 1782. Hc was of German antecedents, and the first of his progenitors to come to this country was Jacob Bechtle, a native of the city of Manheim, Germany. He came to America in Colonial times, while yet a single man, and settled on the banks of the Schulkill River in Pennsylvania, casting in his lot with the early settlers of that vicinity, and there .
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he was married and reared a family of three sons and one daughter. The next in line of deseent was his son Samuel, who married and reared a family of four sons-Jaeob, Samuel, Martin and Christian. Martin, the grandfather of our subject, was born near Philadelphia, August 28, 1742, and December 7, 1764, married Veroniea Sehnaub- lin. Her father was a native of Switzerland, and her mother, whose maiden name was Everly, was a German by birth. Martin Bechtle and his wife reared a family of nine children. He was a farmer, and spent his last years near Hagerstown, Md., where he died from the effects of the bite of some venomous insect May 15, 1801, at the age of fifty- nine years and nine months. His wife did not long survive him, but died October 5, 1802, in her sixty-first year, and both now lie sleeping their last sleep on the old homestead in Maryland.
The father of our subject was reared and educa- ted in his native State, and in 1802 started on horsebaek with Gen. Bronson for a westward tour, traveling through the intervening wild country to Arkansas. He had studied civil engineering, and in that State was engaged in assisting in laying out the counties. After stopping there a few months he returned to Maryland, but was not contented to stay there, however, after having experieneed the excitement of life on the Western frontier, and seen so much of the country, with which he was very favorably impressed, and in 1804 he took up his abode in Cineinnati. He established himself in business as a dealer in flour and country produce, building or buying barges, and loading them with produce and then floating them down to New Or- leans. After disposing of his freight in that city he would sell his barges, and buying a horse, would make his way home on horsedaek, that, being the most expeditious mode of travel in those days. In 1816 Mr. Beehtle took an important step in his life, which contributed much to his after happiness, as in that year he was united in marriage withi Miss Elizabeth Perry, a most estimable woman, who was born near Lexington, Ky., and was a daughter of Capt. Perry, a near relative of Commodore Perry. She inherited a good share of the patriotie spirit of her gallant relative, the brave Commodore, and when the War of 1812 broke out did all she could
to animate those who went forth to do battle with the foreign invaders. She and another young lady, Miss Margaret Wallace, a sister of David and Rob- ert Wallace, of Cineinnati, made a flag, worked their nantes in the corner of it, and presented it to a company of soldiers, and it undoubtedly inspired them to deeds of valor. The flag is now pre- served as a sacred relie by the Pioneer Association of Cincinnati.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Bechtle engaged in the wholesale and retail dry-goods business at Cineinnati. In 1818 he bought about one thousand acres of land- in Springfield Township, a part of which is now ineluded in the city, but he still con- tinued his business in Cincinnati till 1826, when he removed to Springfield, and from that time de- voted himself to the improvement of his land, and the operation of his mill which was located thereon, and he there made his home till death closed his busy life February 9, 1839. Clark County was thus deprived of one of its most valued citizens, a man whose energy of character, keen foresight, and rare judgment in business affairs gave him great influenee, and made him an important element in the upbuilding of this seetion of the country. He accumulated a handsome fortune, and besides the large and valuable estates he owned here he was interested in landed property in Illinois, he having entered from the Government the land upon which Mound City, Pulaski County, is now built, and a portion of which is still in the possession of his heirs. Mr. Beehtle was an influence in loeal politics, was a stanch adherent of the Democratie party, and was an ardent admirer of Gen. Jackson. He was a gen- tleman of mueli eulture, of great geniality, was very hospitable, and had a large circle of friends, and entertained most of the noted men of his day at his home, Henry Clay and Gen. Harrison being among his friends and frequent guests. His devoted wife survived him many years, her death occurring at a venerable age in 1869. Eight children were born of their marriage, six of whom were reared to ma- turity, as follows: Sarah; Mary, who married Guy H. Kineaid, and lives in Ripley, Brown County; Eliza, who married James O. Edwards, and is now deceased; Perry; Henry, the youngest, who is deceased. Sarah, the oldest of the family,
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inherited fine personal qualities, a pleasant disposi- tion, generous habits, and kindly manners, and is in every way worthy of the respect accorded to a lady of lier position and social standing. She owns a part of the old homestead, and here she and her brother have built up a beautiful and sightly home.
Perry Bechtle was born in Springfield Township, March 10, 1827, and received an excellent educa- tion in the city schools. He inherited in a full de- gree liis father's financial talent and shrewd busi- ness capacity, and under his excellent management the property that descended to him from liis father's large estate lias in no wise deteriorated in value. In 1857 he sold the present site of Mound City to a stock company for $100,000, with char- acteristic foresight retaining $40,000 worth of stock in the company, and he still owns quite a number of lots there, which have greatly increased in value with thic growth of the city. Mr. Bechtle takes an active interest in politics, and uses liis in- fluence in favor of the Republican party, as he deems its policy the safest in the guidance of Na- tianal affairs. As before stated he occupies a part of the old homestead with his sister, and here he erected a handsome brick residence, in 1857, which is beautifully located on a high point of ground in the southwestern part of his estate, and commands a lovely view of the city and surrounding country. He has one son, Harry Perry Bechtle, who is a resi- dent of this city.
C HARLES A. BAUER, General Manager of the great Champion Reaper, Mower & Binder Works of the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company at Springfield, and a partner in the con- cern, is one of Springfield's mnost valued citizens. Hle is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and in 1852 his father's family, consisting of the father, mother and four children (Charles A. being the third in order of birth and at the time five years of age) sailed for New Orleans in which city, after a lapse of but ten months, the father fell a victim to yellow fever. Thus Mrs. Bauer, the mother, a stranger in a strange land, found herself in pecu-
liarly trying circumstances, the situation being ag- gravated by the depressing influences of a raging and devastating epidemic, the little means originally possessed by the family having wasted away by the expenses of travel and illness; but with that true courage and fortitude which have ever been characteristic of the German people, she resolved to scek a healthier home in the North and in 1853 arrived in Cincinnati, this State, where she yet resides.
At the age of eleven years Mr. Bauer was given employment in the pyrotechnic manufactory of H. P. Diehl. In 1861 he became an apprentice to the gunsmithing business. In 1864 he entered the shops of Miles, Greenwood & Co., as a practical machinist, devoting his leisure hours to the study of mathematics and applied mechanics. So rapid and substantial was his progress in these lines that in 1867 he was called to the Ohio Mechanics' In- stitute as a teacher of mechanical drawing and applied mechanics. In 1871 he vacated this position to become Superintendent of the great Niles Tool Works at Hamilton, Ohio. Resigning this position in turn, in 1873, he assumed the duties of consulting engincer for Lane & Bodley at Cin- cinnati.
In 1875 Mr. Baucr was tendered the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Champion, Bar & Knife Company's Works at Springfield and in 1878 lie was promoted to full superintendency of the same concern. In 1883 he became General Man- ager of the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Reaper & Mower Works at Springfield, and in 1886 when the concern was incorporated, he became one of the partners and stockholders, retaining his position as General Manager. He has served for several years as a Trustee of the Water Works and Spring- field Savings Bank, and is a Director in other cor- porations.
In 1868 Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Louise Haeseler who came to America with her parents from St. Goar, Prussia, in 1851. Mrs. Bauer is a lady of refinement and culture and of superior social qualities. They have three children : Charles L., William A. and Louis E. and reside in a very beautiful and commodious home at No. 383 East Highi, Springfield's finest residence avenue.
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Charles L. is a graduate of Wittenberg College and a young man of genius and fine accomplishments, including music, and is Conductor of the Spring- field Grand Orchestra. William, a student of Wit- tenberg College, is also a talented musician.
Mr. Bauer is a close and thorough student and occupies a high position as a mechanical engineer. He has in his home a fine large library of technical and standard works. Few men in the country equal him in that peculiar faculty which enables him to grasp and analyze great mechanical prob- lems. He occupies a place in the front rank among Springfield's citizens and is universally esteemed and honored.
B ENJAMIN G. RIDGEWAY. This name represents one of the most popular young business men of Cedarville, Greene County, who is conducting a successful drug business, and stands high both in social and business circles. He is the son of the well-known Charles Ridgeway, of Yellow Springs, and was born there April 22, 1860. He acquired his early education in the com- mon school, but later attended Antioch College, of which his grandfather, Charles Ridgeway, was one of the founders in company with Horace Mann, and he was one of the first trustees. Hle thus ob- tained several scholarships, one of which was util- ized by our subject.
Grandfather Ridgeway for many years was cn- gaged in general merchandising in Ripley, this State, and was also in the shipping trade to New Orleans, before the days of railroads. He emigra- ted from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early day, having been a resident of Ridgeway, which was named in honor of the family.
From the time of leaving school the subject of this notice was a clerk in his father's drug store until 1878. That year and the next he attended the College of Pharmacy at Cincinnati. In 1880 he occupied himself at Johnson's, in Middetown, and the year following was engaged in traveling for a wholesale house. He was married September 27, 1881, to Miss Marian, daughter of James B. Boyd,
of Cincinnati. Mrs. Ridgeway was born Septem- ber 23,1860, in Philadelphia. Mr. Boyd upon leav- ing Philadelphia settled in Cincinnati. The Boyd family was originally from New York State. Mr. Ridgeway after his marriage, traveled until Febru- ary, 1882, and then established himself in the drug business at Aberdeen, on the Ohio River. The floods of the two succeeding years nearly ruined them, they losing much of their stock in trade, besides their household furniture, including a piano which had been presented them by the mother of Mrs. Ridgeway.
Mr. Ridgeway now concluded to settle where he would not be molested by an overflow, and accord- ingly removed to Cedarville and established his present business. He carries a stock of about $8,- 000, and has a fine trade. His store is handsomely equipped, including one of the finest soda fountains in the county. Ilis thorough understanding of his business, and courteous treatment of his patrons, have fully established him in the confidence and es- teem of the community. The Ridgeway family has always leaned toward Republicanism since the organization of this party, but our subject and his estimable wife are sound Democrats-Mrs. Ridgeway keeping herself posted upon political matters, and being a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. Mr. Ridgeway was once nominated for County Recorder and made a splendid race,running much ahead of his ticket, which was in the minority. He has served as President of the Cleveland Club, and a delegate to the State Conventions. He was Chairman of the delegation sent to Dayton, and which threw a solid vote for Campbell. Mr. Ridgeway was a Campbell man from the start, and worked falthfully for the candidate. He identified himself with the Inde- pedent Order of Odd Fellows in 1887, and is a member of Cedar Cliff Creek Lodge, No. 630. He is also a member of Grace Encampment, No. 161, Knights Militant, of Jamestown, and the Canton Valor of that place.
Mr. Ridgeway's drug store has the reputation of being the finest in the county, and he has an ad- mirable system of keeping stock, largely his own invention. His business occupies three floors, and he purchases all liis goods in their original pack- ages, using liis cellar as a storc-room for heavy
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good-oils,liquors, etc., which are mostly in barrels. A hall overhead is utilized for keeping all other goods in their original packages, including glass, paints in cans, and each in a department by itself. In addition he has a small room especially fitted up for the display of lamps, of which he keeps a fine assortment. His retail stock is artistically arranged with a place for everything, and everything in its place. No patent medicines are to be seen on the shelves, they occupying well-filled cases with glass doors, back of the counters, and each ease contain- ing but one kind of medicine.
Mr. Ridgeway has an able and efficient assistant in his spirited and intelligent wife, who forms a faithful and reliable elerk and cashier, whom he can trust at all times, and who is perfectly competent to conduct the business during his absenec-a busi- ness which is rarely undertaken by a lady. They are the proud parents of a bright and interesting boy of six years -- Benny-wlio is named after liis father, and to whom he bears a striking resem- blance.
ACOB VOLLMER, wagon-maker and far- mer combined, and a man widely and fav- orably known throughout Harmony Town- ship, Clark County, owns and operates one hundred and thirty-two well-tilled acres on section 35, and occupies a comfortable dwelling which was formerally the old stage tavern of the publie high- way, built in the primitive days. By additions and remodelings it constitutes a snug dwelling and with its surroundings forms one of the attractive country homes of Clark County.
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