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 75
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 75
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
At the age of fourteen years, William Burns emi- grated to the United States, landing at New York City whence he went to Buffalo. There he began work as a railroad bridge builder, his labors taking him into Canada. Abandoning the railroad busi-
Yours. July Other Ruciane
603
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM.
ness he came to Springfield, and found employment in the Warder, Brokan & Childs Agricultural Works, while attending the night school. In 1857 he was seized with the western fever, and going to Omaha, Neb., he worked at the carpenter's trade and contracting about one year. Later he returned to Springfield, and for a time was engaged in the manufacture of distilled spirits. He then became connected with the Architectural Iron Works as a stockholder and director, still holding his interest in that business. At present he owns a good busi- ness house, a substantial residence on East High Street, and other property.
The lady whom Mr. Burns chose as his life com- panion bore the maiden name of Marie Coleman, and at the time of their marriage she was residing in Springfield. She was born in the Emerald Isle and in her girlhood accompanied her parents, Peter and Bridget (Dunnigan) Coleman, to America. Her happy union with our subject has been blessed by the birth of ten children, three of whom have been removed from their sorrowing parents by death. The names of the living are Florence A .. Louisa E., Mary E., Catherine E. Alice A., Wil- liam T. and John Peter.
Mr. Burns was at one time a member of the City Council, representing the Fourth Ward. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. His religious belief is that of the Roman Catholic Church, and he and his family hold membership at St. Raphael's.
OL. JOHN KINNANE. In whatever he undertakes, Col. Kinnane may properly be termed a "hustler" among the most active business men of Springfield. IIe is at present en- gaged as a dry- goods merchant and attends strictly to business, being in his store carly and late with his coat off, metaphorically speaking, looking after his force of seventy-five clerks and seeing that his customers are waited upon with promptness and courtesy. He is practically a self-made man-one who has paddled his own canoe from an early period in his life, thus gaining those independent and self-reliant qualities of character which have
contributed in such a marked degree to his success in life. He is a prominent man is politics and justly carned his title of Colonel, by appointment on the staff of Gov. Campbell in 1890.
The lithographie portrait shown in connection with this sketch represents the lineaments of a gen- tleman yet in the early prime of life, for our sub- ject is less than thirty-six years of age, having been born September 29, 1854, in the town of Tarbert, Ireland. He is the youngest son of .James and Catherine (Odell) Kinnane, with whom he spent his boyhood days and obtained his education in the country schools. When fourteen years old he began his mercantile experience in the dry-goods store of Todd & Co., at Limerick, with whom he remained two years. In 1869 he determined to seek his fortunes in America and after several weeks spent on the ocean, landed safely at Castle Garden, N. Y. Thence he proceeded immediately to Springfield, this State, and established the busi- ness which he has since conducted so successfully. For a period of twelve years it was under the control of Kinnane Bros., and at the expiration of this time the firm became Kinnane & Wren, which is its title at the present time.
This store occupies Nos. 19, 21, 23 and 25 Lime- stone Street, and the stock consists of a complete line of dry-goods, carpets, drugs, wall paper and boots and shoes and gives employment to about ninety clerks. seventy-five of whom are salesmen. The firm does a wholesale and retail business, the most extensive of anything of the kind in the city. By strict attention to all the details of general trade and courteous treatment of their customers, they have become widely and favorably known to a large portion of the people of Clark County and there are very few homes within its limits to which their goods have not at some time or another found entry.
The subject of this notice was first married to Miss Sadie McGarr, of Springfield, who became the mother of one son, John James Kennane. She died at her home in Springfield, June 20, 1883. The present wife of Col. Kinnane was formerly Miss Molly Brady who at the time of their mar- riage was a resident of Tiffin, this State. The Colonel, politically, is a stanch Democrat and fully
604
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
as active in the councils of his party as he is in his business affairs. He was cleeted Alderman from his ward in 1880, serving one term and was one of the committee to select a site for the post-offiee. He oeeupies a neat and comfortable home and is well known to the people among whom he is a uni. versal favorite.
OIIN W. SHIELDS, L. L. B. The task of the biographer becomes a very pleasant one when the subject of whom he is to write possesses so many of the most noble traits of character that his heart is thrilled with admiration, and when to this is added uneommon talents or aequirements, the task is yet more pleasing. In such a mood as this the sketch of the late John W. Shields is undertaken, and although to those who knew him it is not necessary to recount his virtues. the recital may be the means of ineiting some to a better life, and eneouraging those who feel that their lot is hard.
4
In the Emerald Isle, many years ago, James Shields opened his eyes to the light of day, and emigrated to Virginia in 1805. There he married Miss Keziah Bain, and soon after came to this county, making a settlement two miles east of what is now the eity of Xenia. This was in 1812, while the country was still new and sparsely set- tled, and like others of the pioneers he eleared and improved a good farm. His original estate con- sisted of five hundred aeres, but at the time of his death he owned but three hundred and forty. Here he reared a family of seven ehildren, but two of whom are now living in this eounty. The eircle included Robert, who died in 1879; Jane, the wife of Judge J. W. Harper, of Xenia; John, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, who died young; James Harvey, who died in Kansas, in 1877; Mary B., now living in Xenia with a daugh- ter of our subjeet; and William, who died on the farm in 1852. The father breathed his last on the old farm, June 13, 1839, his widow surviving until 1869, her death also taking place on the
homestead. Mr. Shields was a member of the Associate Chureh, and a man of high moral ehar- aeter, honest, industrious and charitable. He had held the office of Sehool Director, and labored earnestly to advance the cause of education,
The subject of this sketch was born in Xenia Township, November 20, 1817, and grew to ma- turity on his father's farm. He completed his education at Hanover College, Indiana, failing to graduate on account of his near sightedness, which prevented his finishing Greek. He studied Latin and other branches, prior to his course in Hanover College, under the instruction of the Rev. Hugh MeMillan, who had the first academy in Xenia, it being in the house now oeeupied by Miss Shields, and in which our subject died. After leaving Hanover College, Mr. Shields read law with Aaron Harlan, of Xenia, and was graduated from the Cineinnati Law School in 1839, afterward practic- ing as a partner of the gentleman with whom he had previously read. He went to Mississippi, in- tending to locate in that State, but not being able to endure the elimate soon returned. For a few years he was in partnership with Judge Burney, in Cineinnati, after which he returned to Xenia and formed a partnership with the late Hon. J. G. Gest. During the exciting days of the Clay-Polk campaign he was a strong Whig.
Not long after this Mr. Shields began the study of theology under Dr. McMasters, in Xenia, and being lieensed to preach, in 1850 took charge of a Presbyterian Congregation at Bellbrook, but was compelled to resign on account of poor health. In 1849 he had an attack of eholera, for many (lays his life being despaired of, and the disease had so affected the system that he had to go South for two winters in order to ward off pulmonary troubles. During these winters he acted as agent for the American Bible Society, and his labors had such an effect that he became interested in the society, and organized many township auxiliaries. HIc is known as the father of the Spring Valley Bible Sveiety.
After his marriage, which took plaec September 30, 1855, Mr. Shields made his home on a farm near Spring Valley until the spring of 1869, when he became a resident of Xenia. He had beeomc
605
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
totally blind, but although forced to abandon some of his bright hopes for the future, he con- tinued useful to his fellow-men, and acted as their servant on the school board, while his example in private life afforded a striking proof of his Christ- ian faith and character. During his term of ser- vice on the school board, to which he was elected twice, the new High School building was erected, and in that work he was active and earnest, as he was in all that promised to benefit the community. He became so familiar with the streets of the city that he rarely missed the house or office of a friend. A thoroughly loyal man, the attempt to destroy the Union roused him to earnest efforts in behalf of the united nation, and he made many speeches throughout the contiguous country, his fervid utterances rousing the desire to sustain the government in the minds of those who were dis- heartened or whose zeal needed strengtlı. The death of Mr. Shields took place April 13, 1886. The noble old man entered into his rest, leaving one daughter, Mary, from whom these facts in his history are obtained.
The wife of Mr. Shields, in her girlhood Miss Margaret Mcknight, was born near Spring Valley, February 13, 1813, to the wife of William McKnight, an early settler there. The family came to this county in 1809, and the days of Mrs. Shields had been spent at her birthplace, where her marriage took place. Her demise occurred December 5, 1875. She was a good woman, whose chief aim in life was to properly fulfill the duties of wife, mother and neighbor, and she is yet re- membered by what she has done. She belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
The daughter of our subject opened her eyes to the light on the farm near Spring Valley, in 1856, but coming to Xenia in her early childhood she was educated here, being graduated in the class of 1875. She is a highly cultured woman, whose wisdom has been increased by travel and the knowledge gleaned from observation of the habits and manner of mankind in various localities, as well as by the perusal of the wise sayings of learned men. Following the teachings of her rev- ered parents, she is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is still living at the old home, hav-
ing the companionship of her aunt, Miss Mary B. Shields, who was born on the James Shields farm east of the city, and remained upon it until the death of its other inmates. In 1880, she came to the city and took up her abode with her brother.
ICHAEL SHAWVER. One of the most attractive homes in German Township, Clark County, is that of Mr. Shawver, who has resided on section 15 sinee 1864. His estate comprises one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, most of which is under cultivation, and which bears a full line of improvements, in- cluding a fine residence and other appropriate buildings.
The ancestry, both paternal and maternal, of our subject was German, the families having set- tled in Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. His father. Daniel Shawver, came from the Key- stone State to Ohio in 1803, and is numbered among the early settlers of Harrison County. There he married Mary E. Shultz, who had ac- companied her parents thither from her native State. They removed to Logan County in 1836, where Mr. Shawver spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1864. He was the father of a large family, of whom the survivors are: Solomon, Jonathan, Daniel, Michael, Catherine and Susan- nalı.
The birth of him of whom we write took place in Harrison County, May 30, 1832. The sur- roundings amid which he grew to maturity were of a somewhat primitive nature, and in early boy- lood he bore his share in the labors incidental to the development of a comparatively new country. Although his school privileges were quite limited, and the advantages which he had did not equal those of the present time, he laid a good founda- tion, and has by his unaided efforts kept himself well-informed regarding the world's work and pro- gress. Farming has been his life-work, although when about fourteen years old he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, also acquiring that of a black- smith sufficiently well to enable him to perform the labor required upon his farm in either trade.
606
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
The faithful and efficient companion of Mr. Shawver was known in her maidenhood as Miss Harriet Rockel. She is a daughter of Adam and Mary E. Roekel, pioneer settlers of this county. The rites of wedlock were celebrated between her and our subject April 1, 1854. Six children have been born of this union. They are named res- peetively: William H., Adam W., Joanna, Charles I., Alice A. and Viola. Joanna is the wife of R. Jenkins; Viola is now deceased.
The political adherence of Mr. Shawver is given to the Democrat party. He served as Township Trustee three years, and for a lengthy period as School Director of his district. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and his wife belong to the Reformed Church. The success which he has attained in worldly affairs is but the deserved result of his energy and prudence, while the reputation which he has among his fellow-men is due to one wliose life has been ruled by proper principles, and who has ever manifested an interest in the welfare of those about him, and been ready to aid them in their advancement.
NDREW & BRO., the leading dealers in grain and produce in Greene County, are also engaged extensively in the grocery, hardware and agricultural implement busi- ness, and for some years have been closely identified with the growth and importance of Cedarville. The brothers, James H. and T. Beveridge, are the sons of T. S. Andrew, who came to this county at an early day, and was married to Miss Jane Mc- Clellan, daughter of John McClellan, of Xenia, in which place various members of the family still reside.
James H. Andrew spent his younger years on the farmi, and when about twenty-six years old entered the employ of Charles Houston & Co., re- maining with the firmn until the death of Mr. Houston. The business then passed into the hands of David Beal, who conducted it six months and then sold out to Cleaver & Mormon, who
made an assignment in July, 1875. It then went into the United States Court, where litigation was carried on for over a year, when the assignees dis- posed of the goods, and in 1877 the Andrew boys, in company with Houston Bros., of South Charles- ton, opened up another stock of goods in the same place under the firm name of Andrew & Co.
The business was thus conducted until February, 1882, when Andrew Bros. purchased the interest of the other partners and have since controlled the business. At first they made a specialcy of grain, and later added to their transactions and now do a business of $150,000 per annum. This speaks well for their enterprise and push, as they com- menced with comparatively nothing. They are recognized as "hustlers," and have been phenome- nally successful. They own the brick building in which they do business, this being two stories in height and covering an area of 36x92 feet. The large hall over the store proper is utilized as a wareroom for their farm implements and carriages.
Andrew Bros., besides this property, have three hundred acres of land and a half-interest in the Cedarville Tile Works-a large enterprise which is extensively patronized throughout the county. Each of the brothers owns and occupies a fine residence in the village, and James has property in Findlay, this State. They likewise conduct a profitable loan business, and have realized large profits by being able to discount all their bills. 'Their carly partnership cost them $4,500, this being the profits accruing to the other members of the firm who never took any active part in the business.
In the fall of 1880 James Andrew was united in wedlock with Miss Nannie Barber. This lady is the daugliter of Martin Barber, an old resident of Cedarville. She was born in 1855. Of this union there are 119 children.
T. Beveridge Andrew was born in 1852, and like his brother acquired his edneation in the common school. They grew up together, and in their business relations have preserved a remarka- able harmony, which has contributed largely to their success. He was married in 1883, to Miss Mary White, and they have one child. J. H. leans toward prohibition, and I. B. is Trustee of Cedar-
607
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
ville Township, and adheres to the Republican party. While they stand pre-eminent among the best and most sueeessful young business men of the county, and attend strictly to business dur- ing business hours, they still wisely devote a proper amount of time and attention to recreation, and are among the most noted checker-players in this part of the State. James is especially expert at this game, and in a series of games played was seldom ever beaten. He is also an expert chess player.
LEXANDER O. KELLER has for several years actively identified himself with the business interests of Springfield, and as one of the leading insurance men of the city and one of its enterprising groeers lie is not only achieving sueeess for himself and advancing his financial status, but he is doing his share in promoting the welfare of his adopted eity mater- ially, socially and religiously.
He was born in Baden, Germany, November 14, 1846, a son of Nieholas Keller, and a grandson of John Keller, who were also natives of that country, their birthplace being the same as his own. His grandfather was an engineer, and spent his entire life in Baden. The father of our subject was an arehiteet of fine talent and great reputation, and was for many years in government employ. He was a life-long resident of his native land. The mother of our subjeet, whose maiden name was Verena Schmidt, is still living there in the land of her birth, at the venerable age of eighty-four years. She is a woman of more than ordinary foree of character and vigor of intellect, and, notwithistand. ing her advanced age, retains her mental faenlties to a remarkable degree, and writes to her son, our subjeet, every few weeks interesting letters, penned in a fine hand that betrays but little mark of the infirmities usual to a person whose head is frosted with the snows of more than four-score years.
Alexander Keller is the only member of his par- ents' family who ever eame to the United States, his brother August and sister Johanna still residing in Baden. Our subjeet was given the advantages
of a liberal cdueation in the foremost schools of Europe. His primary education was eondueted at Constance, and later he attended sehool at Carlsruhe, and was subsequently a student in the famous uni- versities of Heidleburg and Munich. Thus well equipped for the duties of life, after leaving college he became an architeet, and praetieed his profession at Strasburg, at Cologne on the Rhine, and had the advantage of a year in Paris. He returned from that city to his native land to attend to his father's business, and remained there until 1872. Ambi- tious to obtain a broader outlook on life, to see more of the world, and to take advantage of the opportunities offered skilled men of his profession in this country, in that year he came to America. He stayed a few months in New York, and then went to Philadelphia, where he was employed to draw plans for the Centennial buildings in Fair- inount Park. He remained there until 1877 and then returned to New York, where he invested in city property, but was unfortunate in his specula- tion, and lost all, and after that was siek in the Fifth Street Hospital for a year. In 1879, he de- termined to retrieve his fallen fortunes, he made his way to Cineinnati, and wisely taking any oppor- tunity that offered to turn an honest penny till he could find employment more eongenial to his tastes, he aceepted work on a farm near the city, with wages of $5 per month. He continued thus en- gaged until the fall of the same year, and then went to Paris, Ky., but did not find things to his liking there, and after a month's stay in that city, he eame to Springfield in the month of December, 1879, and here first found employment with Fred- eriek Holford, and remained with him six years. At the expiration of that time he had acquired sufficient capital to establish himself in business on his own aeeount, and he opened an insurance office, which he managed successfully, but for a man of his active temperament that was not sufficient to take up all of his time, and in 1887 he bought a grocery business, and has since carried on both branches of business with excellent financial results, more than ordinary good fortune following his ventures.
Mr. Keller has not only been successful from a financial point of view, but he has established a
608
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
happy home in our midst, and to her who has aided him in making it an attractive abiding place he was united in marriage in 1872, in Germany. One child, Annie Theresa, completes their pleasant household circle. Mrs. Keller's maiden name was Gertrude Majer, and she was born in Wittenburg, Germany.
Mr. Keller carries his force of character and high principle into all his transactions, and both his public and his private life are without blemish. A gentleman of his superior education and culture, capacity for business, and unswerving rectitude, is of inestimable value to our citizenship, and that his fellow-men appreciate his high qualities is shown by their calling him to aid in carrying on munici- pal affairs. In 1889 he was elected to the City Council, and so well did he serve the public inter- ests he was re-elected to the same position in 1890 for a term of two years. In him the Democratic party finds one of its most intelligent supporters. He is a prominent member of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, and has served as Trustee of the church. He is conspicuously identified with the following societies as a most liberal and active member of each: he belongs to the Knights of St. George and to the St. Joseph Benevolent Society, to St. Aloysius Orphan Society, and is Secretary of the St. Bernard Building and Loan Association. Mr. Keller is a fine linguist, having command of the German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek and English languages, and when he has occasion to address an audience can do so with grace and fluency. He is open-handed and warm-hearted, and the unfortunate and needy find in him a true friend.
W ILLIAM HENRY TUTTLE. It has been but a few years since Clark County ex- perienced the loss of one of her most active and successful farmers, and one whose life has done honor to the county in which he was born. This was W. H. Tuttle, who laid down the burdens of life March 8, 1885, in Aiken, S. C., whence be had gone to recruit his health. He pos sessed a large circle of acquaintances and was hon-
ored and respected by all who knew him as one whose Christian profession was not belied by his daily life. He had been a member of the Pres- byterian Church for many years and had mani- fested a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of Christianity, assisting in the good work of the church as well as setting an example of a de- vout life. In politics, he was a stanch Republican. He had been elected to positions of honor, among other ways in which he had served his fellow-men, being that of a Director of the public schools in whose progress he was deeply interested. He was one of the Directors of the Springfield and Clinton turnpike and at the time of his death was Treasurer of the Board.
In Virginia, May 14, 1799, Caleb Tuttle, the father of our subject was born. He accompanied his parents to Clark County, Ohio, in 1806, and in this county, March 21, 1822, became the hus- band of Miss Mary Prickett. Her family were early settlers of Clermont County and of German descent. The original Tuttle family who settled here while Ohio was a wilderness have been swept away by the billows of time.
The subject of this sketch was born in this connty, August 2, 1838, and was reared upon a farm, performing such labors as belong to the life of a farmer's son and taking advantage of such opportunities as the country schools afforded to ac- quire knowledge. At the completion of the course of study taught therein, he took a commercial course in a college in Springfield and thus better fitted himself for life's responsibilities. He then returned to the farm on which he remained until after he reached his majority, when he began work on his own account as the possessor of one hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land given him by his father. This he improved and tilled so thor- oughly that be soon acquired a competence.
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.