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 72

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States > Part 72
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 72

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The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch is a grandson of John and Rhoda (Wood) St. John, who came from New York to Warren County, Ohio, early in the present cen- tury. They reared a large family, among their children being Isaac, David, Daniel, Aaron, Will- iam, Joseph, Betsey and Phoebe. Grandfather St. John was a strong Whig, a substantial farmer, and was connected with the New Light Church.

Daniel W. St. John, the father of our subject, was born near Lebanon, Warren County, and reared on a farm. About 1828 he came to Greene County, settling on one hundred and thirteen acres in Cæsar Creek Township, to which he added until the estate comprised over three hundred acres, which he improved. In 1865 he purchased one hundred acres near Xenia, which he made his home during

the remainder of his life. He breathed his last in February, 1873, his wife, formerly Miss Eliza Bone, also a native of Warren County, surviving him about a year. He was a breeder of fine Short- horn cattle, and his financial success was due to his own efforts, as he began life without capital. He was a Whig and a Republican, and took a strong 1 stand against secession. He was a life member of the Methodist Episcopal Missionary Association, and both he and his wife were active members of that church. Their family comprised the following children : Cyrus B., of Jay County, Ind .; Joseph M., who died in Coffeyville, Kan .; John W .; Will- iam H., who was drowned in Cæsar Creek, leaving a widow and three children; Daniel M .; Sarah A., the widow of James McNair, of Dunkirk, Ind .; Charles W .; Jeniah F .; Eliza Jane, wife of Frank Peterson, whose home is near Coffeyville, Kan .; Isaac W., now of Dunkirk, Ind., who served in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth and Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry during the Civil War; and Lor- enzo R.

The subject of this biographical notice was born June 13, 1835, on a farm adjoining that which he now owns and occupies. He was reared upon the parental acres, obtaining a common-school educa- tion and a practical knowledge of the arts of agri- culture. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, locating on one hundred and fifty acres of his present estate, which he improved, and to which he has largely added. He has manifested a high degree of enterprise in the pursuit of his chosen calling, and throughout his life exhibited such sterling traits of character and fine principles as to give him a high standing throughout the community. He served his country during the late war, enlisting May 1, 1864, as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and being discharged with the rank of Corporal. The only battle of importance in which he took part was at New Creek, W. Va., although he performed the usual amount of arduous and dangerous campaign duties. In politics he is a Re- publican. In 1889 he was elected Township Treas- urer. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The estimable woman who, since January 23,

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1858, has been Mr. St. John's most highly prized counselor and true helpmate, bore the maiden name of Eliza Beam. She was born January 19, 1840, on the farm where she now resides, and is the only survivor but one in a family of seven children. Her brothers and sisters, William, Silas N., John C., Mary C. and Julia A., dicd within six weeks of each other, in 1846, of typhoid fever. The other living child is Daniel II. Beam. Mrs. St. John is a daughter of Daniel and Anna (Haines) Beam, both of whom were of German extraction. They were born February 16, 1794, and March 11, 1801, respectively, and married April 20,1820. Their home was in Augusta County, Va., whence they came to- Ohio about 1828, settling where their daughter now lives, on fifty acres of land. Before his death, which occurred November 11, 1846, Mr. Beam had accumulated one hundred and eighty-five acres of land. His widow survived him many years, dying April 26, 1882, at an advanced age.

To our subject and his estimable wife ten chil- dren have been born, of whom we note the follow- ing: Anna B. became the wife of David G. Ford, and died in Kansas, leaving a son and three daugh- ters; the second member of the family is Aba H .; Alletha L. is the wife of David Painter; William died at the age of two years; Ada J. is the wife of A. J. Thomas; Ella D. is the wife of Franklin Walker; the other members of the family are Ar- thur E., Dora B., Oscar E. and Bertha E.

ILLIAM M. KIRKHAM. The Kirkhams of Harmony Township, Clark County, are numbered among its most highly respected citizens and have contributed largely to its farın- ing and stock-raising interests. They have been uniformly successful, both as agriculturists and business men, and form a portion of the reliable ele- ment which has brought the township to its present status among the surrounding communities. Their fine farms invariably attract the attention of the passing traveler, and they have made for them- selves a record which will be handed down in honor to posterity.

The subject of this notice, who is one of the most worthy representatives of his family name, was born at his father's homestead, in the southeast corner of Green Township, Clark County, Novem- ber 2, 1845. He is consequently in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness. His father was the well-known John Kirkham and his mother bore the maiden name of Ann Slee. Both were natives of the county of Westmoreland, England, the father born in 1815 and the mother two years later. They were reared and married in their na- tive county and emigrated to America in 1837, settling in Madison Township, Clark County, this State, whence later they removed to the vicinity of Harmony Township. The father prosecuted his life oceupation of farming and rested from his earthly labors in 1846. The parental family con- sisted of six children, viz: John, Ann, Anthony ; Ellen, the wife of Clark Whiteley; Stephen and William M.

Mr. Kirkham has been a resident of Harmony Township since a child of four years. He was only given the education attainable in the country school, but he made good use of his time therein, and when approaching manhood occupied himself as a teacher three winters. He commenced doing for himself at the early age of ten years, and being thus obliged to "paddle his own canoe," acquired that independence of character and self-reliance which has served him so well in his later years. By a course of industry and prudence he was in due time enabled to establish a home of his own, and with this end in view, was married, Septem- ber 18, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Oates. This lady was born in Springfield Township, Clark County, September 18, 1852, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Simpson) Oates, natives of Yorkshire, England. They emigrated to America in 1850 and settled in Springfield Township, Clark County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Kirkham began the journey of life together in a manner corresponding to their means and by a course of industry and prudence have gathered around themselves and their family all the comforts of life. They are the parents of six children, viz: Harlan R ... Mabel Ann, Norah Ellen, William Roscoe, Oliver H. and Russell. The farm

yours Respectfully Ross Mitchell

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of our subject comprises one hundred and sixty- one aeres of well-tilled land, which he inherited from his mother's aunt, Mrs. Mattinson, which, with its comfortable buildings, constitutes one of the most desirable homes of Harmony Township. It lies five miles east of Springfield and forms a pleasant resort for the many friends whom Mr. Kirkham and his estimable wife have drawn around thiem since their sojourn in that vicinity.

R OSS MITCHELL. Probably in the career of no man in the city of Springfield has there been more forcibly illustrated the results of perseveranee, industry and resolution than in that of Mr. Mitehell, whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He now oeeupies the position of a retired manufacturer, a capitalist and an ex- tensive owner of real estate. His battle with the world commenced when he was a lad of twelve years as, by the death of his father he became the main dependenee of his widowed mother and her four children. The first $78 which he earned was lost through the breaking of a bank, but this in- stead of discouraging him, only ineited him to more determined effort, and he still pursued the habits of industry and frugality which enabled him in due time to plaee another sum at interest, until, in eom- pany with his brother James, he had thie snug amount of $1,500. From that modest nest-egg he aeeumulated the fortune which he now enjoys. He bears the reputation of a benevolent and public- spirited eitizen-one who never turns a deaf ear to the call of distress and who is always willing to as- sist those less fortunate than himself.

The native place of Mr. Mitehell was Landis- burg, Perry County, Pa., and the date of his birth November 14, 1824. His father, James Blaine Mitehell, was a native of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., and at an early age he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder. He followed this in his native State, for a few years, then in May, 1836, removed to Dayton. this State, where he so- journed two years, then removed to Woodbury

Mills, on Mad River, renting the mills which he operated until 1840. That year he removed to Midway, but in 1849, he changed his residenee to the vicinity of Hertzler's Mills and died that same year. The wife and mother survived her husband only about twelve months. Their family eon- sisted of eight children, only three of whom lived to mature years and of whom Ross is the eldest and the only survivor. James W. died in the fifty-sixth year of his age and a sister, Margaret, died in the thirty-fourth year of her age.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the substantial farmers of Cumberland County, Pa., where he passed his entire life. Ile was a man of strong eharaeter and prided himself upon his Scotch-Irish aneestry. The mother of our subjeet bore the maiden name of Cynthia Gowdy. She was born in Perry County, Pa., and departed this life at Hertzler's Mills.

Mr. Mitchell was a lad eleven years old when lie eame to Ohio with his parents and on aeeount of the death of his father was only able to attend school probably not to exceed one hundred and fifty days in all his life. He was determined, how- ever, to gain all the knowledge he could and studied his book by the uncertain light of the fire-place. using cooper shavings and hiekory bark to assist him in deciphering the lines, and in this way read all the books in the New Carlisle Library. His days were employed. while his father lived, in assist- ing the latter in the sawmills, in the operation of which he became quite an expert. After his father's death he secured the position of clerk in a country store and in the absence of a customer made hin- self useful at the sawmill near by.

Mr. Mitchell continued with his employer until the latter sold his stock of goods and mills and ae- companied him when he removed to Springfield. He then took charge of the books and the distil- lery business, being thus occupied probably eight months. In the fall of 1854, he accepted a posi- tion as assistant book-keeper with the firm of War- der, Brokaw & Childs, manufacturer of reapers, mowers and farm implements at Lagonda. The following year he beeamc head book-keeper of the concern, a position whieli he oceupied until 1865. Then, still on the advance, he was admitted to a

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partnership in the business, Mr. Childs having re- tired, and the firm became Warder, Mitchell & Co.

The following year the above mentioned com- pany admitted Gen. A. S. Bushnell to a partner- ship in the business, but the style of the firm re- inained unchanged, continuing as before until 1881, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Mitchell disposing of his interests to the firm which then be- came Warder, Bushnell & Glessner, whose main office is now in the city of Chicago, where they oc- cupy a handsome building in the business portion of the city. Mr. Mitchell at that time was suffer- ering considerable from ill health.

After a season of rest and recreation Mr. Mitchell began dealing in real estate and later commenced the manufacture of linseed oil in company with Messrs. Welsh & Dodson, and they subscquently sold their interest in the business to the National Linseed Oil Company. Prior to this time he had become inter- ested in the Springfield Metallic Casket Company, of which he is Director and one of the principal stockholders. He is similarly connected with the Mast Manufacturing Company, and is a Director and stockholder of the Philip Wiseman Hardware Company, and lie is also a stockholder and Director of the Gas Light and Coke Company, likewise a stockholder in the Kanopolis Land Company, of Ellsworth County, Kan. He is a stockholder and Director in the Royal Salt Company of Kanopolis, a stockholder and Director in the First National Bank at Springfield, a stockholder and President of the Citizens' Street Railway Company and a stock- liolder and Director of the Firemans' Insurance Company of Dayton.

In politics Mr. Mitchell is conservative, leaning toward the Republican party. He was for two years a member of the City Council, representing the Eighth Ward. In religion he is a Lutheran and one of the Elders of the Second Lutheran Church of Springfield. He put up in 1882-83 the Mitchell Block at the corner of High and Limestone Streets, which is one of the handsomest structures in the city, five stories in height, the lower part being used for stores and the floors above for offices. He is also the owner of six good farms in Clark County, besides a farm near Urbana of three hun- dred and ninety-seven acres, with a total of twenty-

five hundred and ninety-four acres, besides fifteen sections of land in Central Kansas. The family resi- dence stands in the midst of handsome grounds partially surrounded by native trees and ever- greens and is located on a rise of ground command- ing a fine view of the surrounding country.

Mr. Mitchell was first married October 7, 1852, to Miss Catherine Ann, daughter of Casper and Susan (Wirt) Miller. Mrs. Mitchell was born February 20, 1827, in Dauphin County, Pa., and died September 12, 1878, at her home in Spring- field. There was born of this union five daughters, of whom the eldest and youngest died at the ages of fourteen years and eight months respectively. Mrs. Mitchell was a lady greatly beloved by her family and friends and occupied a high position in the social circles. She was possessed of great good sense and modesty, an amiable disposition and more than ordinary intelligence. Effie J., the eld- est daughter living, is the wife of Prof. E. L. She- ney, of Dayton; Fanny married the Rev. G. P. Raup, a prominent business man of Moorefield Township, and now managing the farms of Mr. Mitchell; Anna Mary is the wife of the Rev. S. E. Greenawalt, who has charge of a congregation at Osborn, this State.

The present wife of Mr. Mitchell, to whom he was married in 1881, was formerly Miss Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Ezra Keller, the founder of Wittenberg College and its first President. No children have been born of this union. Mrs. Sarah Mitchell was born September 16, 1845, in Mary- land. Her mother bore the maiden name of Caro- line Routzahn, and lier parents are now both deceased. Mr. Mitchell, a few years since, became totally blind from a cataract, but had a successful operation performed which restored his sight.

AMUEL S. MILLER. This gentleman is one of those who, born in Clark County in an early day, have grown to maturity amid pioneer surroundings, and in boyhood and youth taken such a part as their advancing strength would allow in the work of development

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which was going on around them. In looking back upon the labors and privations by which the wilderness was made to blossom as the rose, we should not forget that to the class represented by our subject scarcely less gratitude is due than to their progenitors, the pioneers of the country. Mr. Miller is a man of intelligence, well posted re- garding events which are transpiring in various parts of the world, and the improvements which are being made in various departments of labor. In 1887 he published a pamphlet entitled "Early Settlers and Early Times on Donnel's Creek," an interesting volume which shows much care in its compilation.

Mr. Miller is of German lineage, his grandfather, Frederick Miller, having either been born in Ger- many or was the son of German parents. While a resident of Botetourt County, Va., in which he lived prior to 1818, he was a farmer. In that year be removed to Ohio, accompanied by his wife and seven children, the entire journey being made overland with teams. He located in Clark County, buying a tract of timber land in what is now Bethel Township, in which but little improvement had been made at that date, the county seat being bnt a small village. A cabin of round logs had been built on the land and a clearing of forty acres made, this being one of the largest clearing's in the vicinity. His purchase was a quarter-sec- tion, for which he paid $1,000.

For some time after the removal of Frederick Miller to this county, wild game of various kinds abounded here, deer, wild turkeys and bears being especially numerous. In 1822 Mr. Miller breathed his last, and there being no cemeteries here, his remains were deposited on his own farm. The place has since been set apart as a burial ground, and is called Bethel Cemetery.

The maiden name of Mrs. Miller was Elizabeth Peery. She was born either in Germany or Penn- sylvania, and spent her last years on the home farm, dying in 1844.

In the family of the couple above mentioned was a son, John, who was born in Augusta County, Va., in November, 1798. He was twenty years old when lie accompanied his parents to the Buck- eye State, and here he resided with his father

until the latter's death. He then bought the inter- est of the other heirs in the homestead and en- larged the farm by purchase, on which he contin- ued to reside until called hence, in April, 1863, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He married Miss Joanna Smith in 1824, who was born on her father's farm in the same township, December 27, 1806. She is still living, at the advanced age of eiglity-four years. She has reared eight children, named respectively: Harrison, Elizabeth, Samuel S., Milton J., Catherine, Charity, John Peery and Clinton.

In the maternal line the subject of this sketch derives his descent from the Rev. Peter Smith, who was born in Wales in 1753, and in early life came to America, settling in New Jersey, where he married Catherine Stout, whence he afterward re- moved to Georgia. In one of these States his son Samuel, grandfather of our subject, was born. Peter Smith practiced medicine and preached the Gospel. leaving his Southern home on account of his dislike to the institution of slavery. Turning his footsteps northward he located in Kentucky, the removal being made with pack-horses. Mrs. Smith had three small children, the youngest of whom she carried in her arms, tlie others (twins) traveling in baskets tied together and placed be- fore lier. After spending a short time in Ken- tucky they came into the Northwest Territory, in 1794-95, locating in Hamilton County. The rec- ords of the old Baptist Church at Duck Creek, Columbia Station, near Cincinnati, show that the Rev. Peter Smith and his wife Catherine united with that church by letter in 1795, and that the husband was ordained minister in 1801. In an account of the Centennial Celebration held June 21, 1890, of this the first Baptist Church in the Northwest Territory, the Cincinnati Commercial- Gazette says, "In 1801, under Elder Peter Smith's preaching, a great revival came, and in a few months over one hundred and fifty members were added to the church." In 1805 they came to Clark County, and near the present site of Donnelsville bought nine hundred and sixty acres of land, which Mr. Smith afterward divided among his children. He was one of the early ministers of the county, and at bis own home, where religious

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meetings were frequently held, be organized a so- ciety of Christ an believers. There he died in 1816, his remains being buried on his own farm, the place afterward becoming Donnelsville Ceme- tery.

Samuel Smith married Elizabeth McCleave, a lady of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of the United States. Ile settled on the tract of land given him by his father, and followed farming there during his entire life. He died in 1856.

The natal day of Samuel S. Miller was July 20, 1829, and his birthplace his father's farm in Bethel Township. In the early schools, which did not in- clude instruction in the varied branches taught to- day, with a couple of terms at Wittenberg College, he received his education, and as soon as his strengthi would permit he began to assist his father on the farm. When seventeen years old he began teaching, his first term being in the home district, and the labor of a pedagogue was pursued by bim several terms. He afterward turned his attention exclusively to farming, locating on a part of the homestead, which he subsequently sold, buying and building on the tract which he now occupies, near Springfield. On May 13, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Pal- mer, who has proved an efficient and loving help- matc, a devoted mother and a true Christian, for " lo, these many years." Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children-Orion P .; Cyrus I., who married Mamie Judson: Berthia A. and Milton. Both par- ents belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Miller was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the formation of the party.

Mrs. Miller was born in Miami County, being a daughter of John and Margaret (Hancc) Palmer. Her father was born in Bristol, England, Septem- ber 19, 1791, and her grandfather, Robert Palmer, was also an Englishman. The latter came to America in 1807, accompanied by his wife, Eliza- beth, and two children, and locating near Fishkill, N. Y., remained there two or three years. He then made an overland journey to Ohio, locating near Dayton, but after a short sojourn removing to Miami County, and settling in Lost Creek Town- ship. He bought a tract of land, which was partially cleared, and upon which a log cabin

stood, residing there until his death. The father of Mrs. Miller was sixteen years old when his par- ents brought him to America, and he resided with them until his marriage, in 1819. His wife was born in Kentucky March 11, 1800, and was a daughter of William and Margaret (Northcutt) Hance, who located on a farm in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, at which home William died in 1833, aged eighty-three, and Margaret in 1845, aged eighty-four years. John and Margaret Palmer inherited the farm of Robert Palmer, re- maining there until 1857. They then sold, and until August, 1881, made their home at Troy. They then came to Springfield, residing with Mr. and Mrs. Miller during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Palmer breathed his last December 11, 1882, aged ninety-one, his wife surviving until June, 1884, aged eighty-four.

AMES MOWATT. The city of Springfield has been built up like all other towns of note by a class of energetic and progressive men and among them may be properly men- tioned Mr. Mowatt, who owns and occupies a fine home pleasantly located on North Limestone Street. His financial and social standing are second to none in the community and he may be properly terined a self-made man-one who thrown at an early age upon his own resources, has made for himself a good record both as a business man and a citizen. By birth, parentage and ancestry, he is a genuine Scotchman and first opened his eyes to the light June 17, 1820, in the town of Crossmichael, Kirk- cudbrightshire, of which his father, George Mowatt, was also a native. His paternal grandfather, Alex- ander Mowatt, was born and reared in the same shire where he spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. The maiden name of Grandmother Mo- watt was Agnes Black, and both she and ber hus- band were devout members of the Reformed Pres- byterian Church. Their remains were laid side by side in the old churchyard at Crossmichael.

George Mowatt, the father of our subject, was reared to farming pursuits and remained a resident

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of his native Seotland until 1850. Then emigrat- ing to America with his family he located in Springfield, this State, where he resided some years. Thence he removed to Xenia where he spent the closing years of his life. He was buried in Fern- cliff Cemetery, at Springfield. His wife, the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Janet Miller. She was a native of the same shire as her husband and was a daughter of James and Mary (Clark) Miller; she died in 1856, in Springfield, Ohio. Her father and mother were buried in the churchyard at Loehrulton, near Dumfries, in their native eounty. She reared five sons, viz: James, our subjeet; Alexander, who died in Springfield in 1887; Matthew, who was one of the passengers lost with the steamer "Cambria" off the coast of Ireland ; George, who continues a resident of his native' Scotland, and William, of Springfield.

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Portrait and biographical album of Greene and Clark counties, Ohio, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county; together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, Part 72

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 918