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 64
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 64
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Mr. Harper was married September 18, 1860, in South Charleston, Ohio, to Miss Vinna M. Murray. Mrs. Harper was born in 1834, in Sonth Charleston, and is a daughter of George and Lovina Murray, who were natives of New York and Kentucky, and both are deceased, having died in South Charleston. She is a lady of fine appearance and strong charac-
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ter and in all respects the suitable partner of such a man as her husband; they have no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members in good standing of the Methodist Church, to which they contribute a generous support. Mr. Harper cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Taylor and since becoming a voting citizen has steadfastly main- tained his adherence to the Democratic party. He has been quite prominent in local affairs and was at one time the nominee of his party for State Trcas- urer, besides other minor offices. The party being in the minority, he suffered defeat as he expected.
OHN E. PERRIN was born on a farm in Springfield Township. Clark County, Octo- ber 4, 1850. He is the only son of William and Dorothy (Sturgeon) Perrin, who spent their entire married life on the farm now owned by their son. His carly education was obtained in the district schools, and he was subsequently graduated from a commercial college in Spring- field. His taste and carly training led him to adopt farming as his occupation, and he has fol- lowed it successfully, ranking among the best of the younger agriculturists in this section. The homestead comprises two hundred and eighty-nine acres, one hundred and sixty four of which lie within the city limits, and the remainder adjoining the same. The family dwelling is a fine brick structure, substantially built and of pleasing archi- tectural design, while the interior is supplied with all the comforts of modern and progressive farm life. The barn and other ontbuildings, of which a full line arc to be seen, are built of wood. Gen- cral farming is carried on upon the estate, through- out which the evidences of good judgment and prosperity arc everywhere manifest.
The subject of this sketch is a direct descendant of one of two brothers, John and William Perrin, who were early settlers of Maryland, and he now has in his possession a well-preserved decd to a tract of land in Frederick County, which was dated April, 1763. The next in the direct line of des- cent was John Perrin, who was born in Hagers-
town and there reared to manhood. He married Amelia Ingram, a native of Washington County, Md., and both spent their last years in the Buckeye State, the wife dying in 1847, and the husband in 1848. This John Perrin had paid a visit to Ohio in 1804, making the journey to and fro on horse- back, carrying with him a flint lock rifle, which is now carefully preserved by our subject. In 1806 he removed with his family, the journey being made with teams, as was the primitive custom. A large tract of Government land in what is now Springfield Township, Clark County, was purchased, and as there was no lumber to be had, a cabin of round logs was put up as a temporary shelter. This was replaced by a double hewed-log cabin, which at that time was considered a very fine housc.
At that time Clark was a part of Champaign County and was but sparsely settled, the greater part of the Territory being owned by the Govern- ment and still inhabited by numerous Indians. At Springfield there were but three houses. and Cin- cinnati, seventy-five miles distant, was the nearest depot for supplies. Wild animals of many kinds were still plentiful, and the life of the settler was attended with many dangers and hardships.
To the worthy pioncer couple six children were born, who were named respectively: Edward, Jo- scph, John, William, Minerva and Emory. Mi- nerva married Samuel Cooper. William, who was born January 22, 1815, on the farm now occupied by our subject, was reared and educated here, at- tending the pioneer schools, which were taught in a log schoolhouse, and as soon as his strength would permit beginning to assist his parents in the various labors which belonged to their life. IIe remained with them until their death, and in 1849 set up his own houschold upon the estate, where he continued to reside until called hence March 30, 1890, since which time the estate has been owned by his son, of whom we write.
The mother of our subject was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, to which her father, Jere- miah Sturgeon, had removed from Scotland, his native land. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Phobe Andrews, spent their last years in the Emerald Isle. Mrs. Perrin, a brother John,
Nuts Kinsman
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and a sister Ellen, were the only members of the family who came to America, whose shores Mrs. Perrin reached when a young lady. After a well- spent life, she breathed her last October 27, 1878.
ATIIANIEL KINSMAN. For more than thirty years, and until his recent retirement from an active business life, Mr. Kinsman, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, has been intimately connected with the interests of Springfield. He has acquired a fortune amply suf- fieient to gratify all of his wants, and in his beau- tiful residence, finely located on the southwest corner of North and Factory Streets, he and his family have established a home where eomfort abides and hospitality abounds.
Mr. Kinsman comes of fine old Massachusetts stock, and is himself a native of the Bay State, born in the pleasant town of Ipswich, Essex County, June 6, 1819. His father, John Choate Kinsman, was born in the same town, July 5, 1789, a son of Nathaniel Kinsman, also a native of that old town. Ile was a scafaring man, and after pass- ing many years in the merchant marine service, spent his last days in the place of his birth. The father of our subjeet learned the trade of a eabinet- maker in his youth, but soon disearded it for the life of a sailor, and was shipmaster in the merchant marine service for about thirty years. In 1838 he removed to Salem, Mass., and subsequently en- gaged as elerk in the railway repair shops in Bos- ton. Ile had general charge of the shop, buying supplies, cte., and making daily trips from his home in Salem, where he died in September, 1877, closing an honorable and well-spent life at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. The maiden name of his wife was Annie Lord, and she was the daughter of Nathaniel and Luey (Smith) Lord. She bore lıim seven children, namely: Jolın, Elizabetlı, Lucy A., Susan C., Nathaniel, Mary and Martha.
The subject of this biographieal review attended school quite regularly until he was fourteen years old, gaining a good practical education. He then went to Salem and served an apprenticeship of
seven years to learn the carpenter's trade. He thoroughly mastered his calling in its every detail, and after doing "jour" work one year, entered the employ of the Eastern Railway Company, and re- mained with it in various capacities the ensuing sixteen years. In 1857 he came to Springfield to aeeept the position of Superintendent of the Spring- field Gas Light and Coke Company, of which his brother was proprietor. Under his judicious man- agement the affairs of the company flourishied greatly, and its rapid growth was coincident with that of tlie eity. Springfield had when he came here about six or seven thousand inhabitants, and the gas company had but three retorts. While he had charge of the works they were twice rebuilt, each time on a larger seale to meet the constantly growing demand, and at the present time there are as many as sixty retorts, the most approved methods and applianees being nsed in the manufacture of the gas, which is of a superior quality, possessing fine illuminating power. In Mareh, 1890, Mr. Kinsman was obliged to resign his position on ae- count of ill-health, much to the regret of the eom- pany with whose interests his own had been so closely bound for a period of thirty-three years.
Mr. Kinsman has been three times married. April 24, 1843, he was united in marriage to Cla- rissa K. Hodgkins. She was born in Salem, Mass., March 30, 1820, and was a daughter of Jolm and Mary ( Rogers) Hodgkins. Her happy married life was of brief duration, as she died December 1, 1844, leaving a little daughter, Clara E., now the wife of Samuel K. Statler, of Piqua, Ohio. They have two children-Elizabeth K. and George II. The sceond marriage of Mr. Kinsman took place October 27, 1847, to Miss Mary Kimball, who was born in Salem, Mass., March 12, 1821, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Kimball. December 22, 1858, Mr. Kinsman was a second time bereaved of a good wife. Mr. Kinsman was married to his present wife August 15, 1859. Her maiden name was Phobe S. Parker, and she was born at Blue Hills, Hancock County, Me., January 4, 1818, to Marble and Hannah (Lovejoy) Parker.
Mrs. Kinsman's paternal grandfather was a pio- neer of her native place, where he improved a fine farm, on which he spent his last years. Her father
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was born in Andover, Mass., and was quite young when his parents removed to Maine. Ile early learned the trade of a boot-maker, and was engaged at it a part of cach year, devoting the remainder of his time to his farm, where he spent his last days.
Mr. Kinsman is well endowed with pleasant per- sonal qualities that merit and receive the highest esteem. His probity, high sense of honor, prompt and exact business methods, tact and large capacity, were traits of inestimable benefit, not only to the company with which he was so long identified, but have been useful to the community at large, and have given him a high standing among its business men. Hlis generosity and benevolence arc well known, as he is always ready to extend his sympa- thy to the needy and suffering, and his purse is subject to their demands. He and his family are people of a high order of intelligence and true re- finement, are prominent in social circles, and the respect and friendship of many is accorded to them. Mr. Kinsman has always taken an interest in poli- tics, as every true citizen should, and has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles ever since the formation of the party.
TEPHEN S. KIRKHAM. In making men- tion of the leading farmers of Harmony Township, Clark County, the name of Mr. Kirkham appears rightfully prominent as that of a man who has been no unimportant factor in developing its agricultural resources. Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, energetic, per- severing and progressive in his ideas, he has always set his mark high and has never been content with ordinary attainments. In addition to general agri- culture, he has made a specialty of stock-raising and has managed both his farming and business affairs with that sound judgment which seldom fails of success.
The subject of this notice commenced the battle of life at the early age of eight years and since that time has fought his way unaided in the world. He furnishes an admirable illustration of the results of persevering industry and resolution under difficul-
ties and drawbacks. Ile was fortunate in obtaining a good education -- largely through his own efforts -- and at an early age chose farming for his life vo- cation. He has resided on his present farm since April, 1868, when there fell to him by inheritance from the estate of his cousin, John Mattinson, one hundred and sixty-two acres on section 33. Sub- sequently he purchased forty-five acres. To this lie has since given his undivided attention, effecting . most of the improvements upon it, repairing the old buildings and erecting new ones and proving the truth of the adage that there is fully as much credit in being able to keep property as there is in earning it.
Mr. Kirkham was born in Green Township, Clark County, this State, April 14, 1844, and is the son of John and Ann (Slee) Kirkham, both of whom were of English birth and ancestry and born near Appleby Parish, Bougate, Westmoreland County, the father June 8, 1815, and the mother, January 4, 1816. They were married May 3, 1837, and nine days later started for the United States. In July, that year, they located at Lisbon, this county, where they lived four years. They then removed to Green Township, where the father died September 13, 1846, leaving six children. These were named re- spectively, John J., Ann, Anthony, Ellen, the wife of Clark Whiteley, Stephen S., onr subject and William M. The maiden name of the paternal grandmother of our subject was Ellen Jaques and John was her only child. After the death of John Kirkham his family returned to the vicinity of Lis- bon where they lived until 1850, and then removed to the western part of Harmony Township which has since been their home.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of Stephen and Ann (Mason) Slee, who were natives respectively of Westmoreland and Cumberland Counties, England. Grandfather Slee was a car- penter by trade and to him and his good wife there was born a family of six children, viz: Sarah, the wife of Thomas Watson; Jane, Mrs. Nicholson ; Anna, Mrs. Kirkham ; Mary, Elizabeth and Anthony. The only son came to the United States after the close of fhe Civil War. Four of the daughters re- main residents of their native England.
John Mattinson, the cousin of Mr. Kirkham be-
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fore spoken of, was the son of John and Elizabeth (Jaques) Mattinson who accompanied the Kirkham family to Clark County. Besides the property al- ready spoken of Mr. Kirkham received a goodly amount from his father's estate, which included eighty acres of land. Mr. Kirkham is noted for his liberality and bears the reputation of being one of the most public-spirited men of his township. He is a sound Republican, politically, but has too much self respect to become an office-seeker. He, how- ever, in the fall of 1889, was elected Land Appraiser, a position unsolicited by him and is discharging the duties of this office in a manner creditable to hiim- self and satisfactory to all concerned.
W ILLIAM OTSTOT. One who has never visited an unbroken or slightly cultivated section of country can scarcely estimate the amount of toil required to bring it to a condi- tion such as meets the eyes of a traveler in Clark County. It is therefore hard to understand how much the present generation in this section owes to the pioneers and old settlers, who began their work here when the land was covered with heavy tim- ber, communication difficult, and neighbors and markets quite distant. Only those who possessed a sturdy perseverance and an unusual degree of en- ergy werc willing to endure the toil and privation neccessary in making a home from the wilderness, although they found many pleasures in the midst of their trials and rapidly developed the more noble, if somewhat rugged, traits of character.
The subject of this sketch had not attained to his majority when he accompanied his parents to this county in 1831, and since that time he has resided upon the same farm on section 20, Springfield Township. The land was covered with timber and was cleared by his own strong arm and placed in a condition second to none in the vicinity. He has been successful in the agricultural labors to which he has devoted his life, and now owns an es- tate which any man not undnly mercenary might well be pleased with. It comprises one hundred and eiglity-one acres marked with thic usual im-
provements made by an enterprising farmer, the dwelling being a comfortable and commodious one, and the entire set of farm buildings excel- lent.
Mr. Otstot is a native of Lancaster County, Pa .. where he opened his eyes to the light December 25, 1811. He is the fourth in a family of nine children, born to Adam and Sophia Otstot. His father was born in Germany, and his mother in York County, Pa .; their wedded life began in the bride's native county, but they afterwards removed to Laneas- ter County, whence they came to Ohio. Adam Otstot was a miller, and at one time, while living in the Keystone State, was very wealthy, but, like many another man he lost through having to pay debts which he had secured. Both the parents died in Springfield Township, where they had earned the esteem of their fellow-citizens.
'The gentleman whose name introduces this sketeh chose for his companion in life Miss Rebecca Knaub, who was born in Little York, Pa., November 10, 1822. Her father, George Knaub, was a native of the same town and her mother, whose- maiden name was Mary Ann Jacobs, was born in Baltimore, Md. In 1834 they removed from Pennsylvania to this county, locating in Springfield Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of thirteen children, Mrs. Otstot being the fourthi, and about twelve years old when they came to this State. Her marriage to our subject was celebrated in the city of Springfield, July 11, 1842. The years that have passed since tliat time have proved the wisdom of Mr. Otstot's choice, his wife manifesting more and more as the years go by the noble traits of character, the pleasing disposition and active mind which won his re- gard.
A large and intelligent family has blessed the union of our subject and his wife, and they have been called upon to mourn the loss of but one- Eleanor A., who died when twelve years old. Mary Ann is the wife of Jolm A. McBeth; Joseph is a farmer in Springfield Township; George S. married Ann Hinkle; John II. married Sarah Kershner; Eliza J. is the wife of Lewis Batdorf; Saralı C. lives at home; Rebecca is the wife of Thomas Crabill. All these preceded the deceased daughter in date
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of birth. Clara, is the wife of William G. Tuttle; William is a farmer in Springfield Township; IIenry C. married Fannie Yeazell; Charles mar- ried Alice Garlow ; Florence is the wife of Wilber F. Tuttle.
Mr. Otstot is a Republican and has taken a good degree of interest in all political affairs. He stands high in the esteem of of his neighbors and towns- men, not simply on account of his successful worldly career and the labors which he accom- plished among the carly settlers, but because of his personal character, his upright life, his genial dis- position and the fact that he and his helpmate have reared their family to fill honorable positions in the community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Otstot have been members of the Baptist Church for many years.
ILLIAM J. STICKNEY, one of the younger farmers of Harmony Township, Clark County, is recognized as one of the most successful men of his township, having a thorough knowledge of his calling and being largely interested in stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of Poland-China swine. He has spent his entire life in Clark County, and was born in Springfield Township, September 27, 1852, at his father's homestead, four and one-fourth miles southeast of the city. He comes of substantial Buckeye stock, being the son of Ilenry and Isa- bella J. (Baird) Stickney, who were also natives of Clark County, and who formed a part of its most reliable element-people who were honest and in- dustrious, and who enjoyed in a marked degree the estcem of those around them.
To the parents of our subject there were born two children only, himself and sister Sarah, the latter now the wife of Robert Rogers. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject was John Stickney, a native of England, who upon emigrating to the United States brought with him his wife and two children -- John and George-and located in Clark County, where he spent the remainder of his days. Later the family was increased by the birth of two more children-Henry, the father of our subject,
and a daughter, Mary A. Henry Stickney was a stanch Union man during the late Civil War, and a warm supporter of the Republican party. His brother John was married and became the father of two children-Harriet, the wife of the Rev. Henry Stokes, and Mary, the wife of II. Newlove.
The subject of this sketch was reared in a man- ner common to the sons of farmers in the early days, attending school mostly during the winter season, and assisting his father until his marriage. This event occurred November 25, 1886, the bride being Miss Catherine Huffman. Mrs. Stick- ney was born June 8, 1857, in Springfield Town- ship, and is the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Huffman, who were natives of Ohio and Germany ; the father is now living in Springfield, and the mother is deceased. Of this union there have been born two children-Baird and Howard.
In politics, like his father before him, Mr. Stick- ney gives his unqualified allegiance to the Repub- lican party. He settled at the farm where he now lives in the spring of 1887, this comprising three hundred and fifty acres of prime land belonging to his mother. He avails himself of modern methods and the most improved machinery, and besides his comfortable residence, has all the outbuildings necessary for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. Fruit and shade trees add to the beauty of the place and the comfort of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Stickney are members of the Reformed Church, attending services at Fletcher Chapel. Henry Stickney and wife reside on their homestead in Clark County.
OHN PERSON, late a resident of Springfield Township, and who departed this life at his homestead March 6, 1889, was born at Mar- ston, between Leeds and York, in Yorkshire, England, July 21, 1823. Ile was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. His parents were Jolin and Mary Person who spent their entire lives in their native England.
When the subject of this sketch was twenty-two years old he was married to Miss Sarah Burnley.
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This lady was born Mareh 26, 1826, two miles from the birthplace of her husband, and in 1850, a year after their marriage, they emigrated to Amer- iea. Before the end of the year they settled on a tract of land in the southeast part of Springfield Township, Clark County, where they lived four years. Mr. Person then determined to seek the farther West and removed to Iroquois County, Ill. After a four year's sojourn in the Prairie State, he returned to Ohio and resumed his residenee in Springfield Township, purchasing eighty aeres of land, whereon he lived with his family for a period of twenty years. Thenee they removed to the pres- ent residence on High Street, just east of the cor- poration limits which has been the home of the . family sinee 1876.
Mr. Person was a man unusually ambitious and energetie,industrious and frugal, and by the help of his estimable wife accumulated a good property. There were born to them nine children, the eldest of whom, William B., formed the third member of their little family while they were still in their na- tive England, and died when a promising youth of sixteen years; John died at the age of eleven months; George Edward was married and died in 1889, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving four children : Eliza married Franeis Sultzbaugh and they live at the homestead being the parents of two sons and one daughter; James is married and lives a half mile east of the old farm; he is the father of one daughter; Mary, Mrs. Joseph Hinkle, has one child, and her home is near the old place; Martha Ann married William H. Snyder, has one child and lives in Springfield; Willie J. died when six years old; one infant died unnamed.
Mrs. Person was born March 26, 1826, and is a daughter of John and Hannah (Bust) Burnley, of Lineolnshire, England. Her parents with their family of several children set sail for Australia when Miss Sarah was but five years old. There is now living in Australia only one of her family, her sister, Mrs. Mary Appleton. The mother, one sis- ter and an aunt died on shipboard before reaching their destination. The father subsequently re- turned to England and died at Weathersby some years after Mrs. Person had come to Ameriea.
Mr. and Mrs. Person had very little means when
beginning the journey of life together, but by the exereise of great economy and the most unflagging industry they managed to keep the wolf from the door and finally built up a good home and aceumu- lated a competenee. Mr. Person was a public- spirited citizen and had a hand in many of the early improvements at Springfield, among other things assisting in building the Charleston Pike and the London Railroad. Mrs. Person is the owner of nearly four hundred acres of land adjoining her homestead and two hundred and eight aeres in Moorefield Township, besides other farm property probably aggregating thirteen hundred acres of land. She is an attendant and member of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church at Fletcher.
ONATHAN S. KITCIIEN. The agrieultu- rists of Clark County are well represented by the above named gentleman, who is an excellent example of intelligent and upright manhood, and of the enterprising, progressive la- borer in the ranks of husbandmen. To be sure he has now retired from the labors in which he was so long engaged and taken up his abode in Spring- field. to spend his deelining years in the enjoyment of reasonable pleasures and merited repose, but he still owns a farm whose appearance proves his in- dustry and ability as a tiller of the soil. It eom- prises four hundred aeres of land, which is in an excellent state of produetiveness and cultivation and bears a complete line of excellent farm build- ings, together with such other improvements as mark a well-kept estate.
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