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 77
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 77
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Young Drees now took up carpentering under the instruction of the late firm of Crandall & Brown, of Troy, engaging with them in 1842. They had the contract for building the Greene County Court. House, and the families of the firm removing to Xenia, brought Mr. Drees with them, and he continned with the firm until completing
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his apprenticeship. He then started in business for himself in the same building which they oecu- pied. His beginning was a very modest one, but his strict attention to his own concerns and his promptness and reliability in serving his patrons, in due time secured him a large and lucrative busi- ness. He was thus oceupied until 1883, and then became interested in the manufacture of twine, and assisted in organizing the Xenia Cordage Com- pany, in which he became a prominent stoek- holder and acted as Treasurer until his death.
To whatever position Mr. Drees was called he gave to it liis conscientious attention, and his word was considered as good as his bond. He took a lively interest in the welfare and growth of his adopted city, and was foremost in encouraging the enterprises tending to this end. Ile served in the City Council two terms, and officiated as a member of the School Board. He invested a por- tion of his capital in some excellent farm property, and for the comfort and gratification of his family erected one of the finest residences in the city, this being pleasantly located on Second Street ncar the First Methodist Episcopal Church. In all the rela- tions of life lie preserved the same equable tem- perament which constituted him a kind husband and father, a hospitable neighbor, and a man who never turned a deaf ear to the call of distress, or failed to aid a philanthropic enterprise.
Under the ministry of the late Rev. John W. White, then stationed in Xenia, Mr. Drces was awakened and converted-so thoroughly and soundly converted that never once while he lived did his faith in Christ waver or falter. Although born and carefully trained in the Roman Catholic faith, he united at once with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which for nearly fifty years he was conspicuously wise as a leader, liberal as a sup- porter and exemplary as a Christian. There was no self-reliance, no boasting of great attainments, but rather a uniform piety working out practical results, producing genuine fruits, forming the character, regulating the life. His pleasant home was open night and day for the entertainment of ministers. As an official member of the church, holding at various times the offices of Steward, Trustee, Class-Leader and Sunday-school Superin-
tendent, he was always in his place, shirking no duty, cheerfully meeting every responsibility. To the great doctrines of the Bible as expounded by Wesley, he gave whole-hearted assent, and though by no means a narrow sectarian, he was very strongly attached to his own denomination. He was not ordinarily very demonstrative in his religious life, but there were times when his prayers and his testimony were accompanied by an unction that was quite remarkable. As he drew near consciously to the end of his pilgrimage, his testimony in the class-room and prayer-meeting was given with increasing assurance of faith and more and more in the tone of a victor. He was for a long time deprived of the public means of grace, and the nature of his affiiction was such that toward the last he spoke with great difficulty. When in February last he was thought one night to be dying, and he himself believed that the shin- ing shore was almost in sight, he requested his brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. W. L. Hypes, to write down his experience, which he gave in three texts of Scripture, as follows: " I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." "Great peace have they who love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, bc- cause he trusteth in thee."
Tobias Drees was married December 31, 1846, to Miss Maria Hypes. This lady was born in Xenia, April 25, 1825, and is the daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Wright) Hypes, who came hithier as early as 1811 from Virginia. Mr. Hypes was a native of the Old Dominion. and was born June 11, 1775. He was first married in his native county, and his wife died in Xenia a few years after their arrival here. On the 24th of March, 1824, he was mar- ried to Mrs. Sarah Wright, who became the mother of Mrs. Drees. Mrs. Hypes is now deceased. When settling in this county Mr. Hypes secured a tract of land, upon which he carried on farming a number of years, and which later became very valuable on account of the town extending that way, the latter now comprising a part of the old homestead, which lies on the south side of the city. After a well-spent life, Mr. Hypes departed hence, October 1, 1854, in the eightieth ycar of
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his age. His daughter, Maria, was reared and educated in her native place, where, up to this time she has spent her entire life. She was one of a family of twelve children, six of whom are living.
E DWARD NEWLOVE. This veteran farmer and stock-raiser, although approaching the seventy-ninth year of his age, is still act- ively engaged in his chosen calling, and is pleas- antly located on a well-developed farm in Harmony Township, Clark County. He presents an admir- able example of the results of industry and ccon- omy, and from a modest beginning in life has climbed np to a good position, socially and finan- cially, among his fellow-men. His native place was on the other side of the Atlantic, in Woldnewton, Yorkshire, England, and the date of his birth No- vember 26, 1811.
In noting the family history of Mr. Newlove we find that he is the son of Joseph and Ann (Horn- sey) Newlove, who were natives of the same place as their son, where they were reared and married. and lived until 1821. Edward was then a lad ten years of age. That year they decided upon emi- grating to America, and coming directly to Ohio located on the land he now owns and occupies. The parents endured many of the hardships incident to the carly settlement of the county, and the mother after a residence of twenty years in America, de- parted this life at the homestead, in 1841. Joseph Newlove survived his wife only seven years, dying in 1848. He was a life-long farmer by occupation, and became well-to-do, accumulating three hun- dred and twenty acres of land. Of this our sub- ject owns two hundred and forty five acres. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, all of whom with the exception of one daughter came to the United States. The lat- ter died in England, leaving one son, Joseph Ten- nock.
The subject of this notice attended school in his native England, where he received the most of his education. He was taught to make himself nseful
on the farm at an early age, and shortly after reach- ing his majority began making arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own. With this end in view he was married, in January, 1833, to Miss Ann Carter, danghter of Lewis and Sarah (Calvert) Wood. Mrs. Newlove was born in Vir- ginia, and emigrated with her parents to Ohio at an early day, they settling in Clark County. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, viz. : Edward Hornsey, deccased; Mary F., George B., Sarah J., Henry O., Robert W. and Benjamin W. Mr. and Mrs. Newlove have for many years been members of the Methodist Protestant Church. During the Civil War Mr. Newlove was an active supporter of the Union cause, and his son, Henry O., served three years in the Forty-fourth Ohio In- fantry and the Eighth Cavalry. Mr. Newlove is the only survivor of his father's family.
Mrs. Newlove's father, Lewis Wood, was the only child of John Ennis and Frances (Carter) Wood. They lived and died on James River. - After the death of John E. Wood, his wife made her home with her son Lewis until her death, which occurred while living in Thoroughfare, Prince Will- iam County, Va. The grandparents of Mrs. New- love on the mother's side were John and Winnefred (Smith) Calvert, natives of Virginia, near Dum- fries. The grandfather died in that State, but the grandmother emigrated to Portsmouth, Ohio. She married a second time after coming to Ohio a man by the name of Moore, and removed to Muncie, Ind., where she died.
C HANDLER ROBBINS. This gentleman, who is an honored resident of Springfield, and a native of that city, traces his ancestry to one of the Puritans who landed from the" Mayflower" at Plymouth Rock. Through all the years which have clapsed since that event, the stern integrity, industry even amid discouraging circumstanees, and sturdy self-reliance which characterized the first settlers of New England, have not been lacking in the Robbins family. Isaac Robbins, the grand- father of our subjeet, was born in New England,
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but resided for many years in Alexandria, Va., in which his death occurred. For years he was clerk in a bank, and he was also a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was Mary Douglas Howell, of excellent lineage.
The Rev. Chandler Robbins, son of this worthy couple, was born in Alexandria, Va., but educated in New England. He first attended school in Maine, working in a cabinet shop to earn the wherewithal to pay his expenses. From the Pine Trec State he went to Connecticut and entering the Wesleyan University at Middletown, was in due time grad- uated from that institution of learning. In 1841, he came to Springfield, Ohio, to take charge of the Methodist Episcopal High School, a position which he held about five years, when he resigned to ac- cept the chair of Ancient Languages at Augusta College, in Kentucky. After remaining in the Blue Grass State three years, he returned to Springfield and opened a select school, in which he taught the greater part of the time until his death in May, 1871. He was one of the best educators of his day, possessing a large degree of the enthusiasm which spreads contagion among students, and the tact necessary to present various topics in a manner suited to the varied mental capacities and needs of those under his charge. His store of knowledge was broad and deep, and he was not content with his early acquirements, but with progressive spirit continued his reading and study, keeping up with the times in history and science. Soon after com- ing to Springfield, he was ordained Deacon of Christ Episcopal Church, subsequently becoming Priest, and for several years having charge of the church. He was much respected, and many are the loving remembrances which his name evokes.
It is not alone from his paternal ancestors that the subject of this sketch derives his love of learn- ing and other fine qualities. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Laura Cooper, possessed a bright mind, and received as fine an education as the status of woman in her girlliood would allow. Reading and contact with cultured society added to her acquirements, and her family cares were not allowed to swallow up her mental activity. She was born in Middletown, Conn., being a daughter of Judge Samuel Cooper, and died at Suffolk, Va.,
where she had gone for her health, in December, 1887. She reared three children: Elizabeth, Chand- ler, and Mary D. The latter married the Rev. Mr. Hooff, of Alexandria, Va., an Episcopal minis- ter now located at Detroit, Mich.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, was born in February, 1844, and was not reared in idleness. He attended the city schools one year, with that exception receiving his educa- tion at the hands of his father, and becoming a man of high mental culture and extended knowledge. In the intervals of study he found employment of various kinds, among the occupations of his youth being clerking and teaming.
The spirit which led his Puritan ancestors to America, led young Robbins to devote his youth- ful strength to the Union cause, and in 1861, when but seventeen years old, he became a member of Company B, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry. After serving four and a half months he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home, whence he again enlisted in 1863 in the Seventeenth Ohio, Bat- tery. He served four months with that body, and was then transferred to Company I, Eightieth United States Colored Troops, with the commission of Second Lieutenant. In this regiment he re- mained gallantly fulfilling his duties until 1866, when the regiment was honorably discharged, and he left the army with the brevet of Captain.
When discharged, the regiment was in Louisana, and there Mr. Robbins rented a plantation which he operated until his crops were destroyed by the flood in 1867, when he returned to Springfield. He was engaged in various enterprises with fluctuating success until 1873, when he went to New Mexico to accept the position of civil engineer, and assist in the Government surveys of that Territory. In 1875 he was appointed United States Surveyor and Astronomer, taking the contract to survey and de- fine the boundary line between New Mexico and Arizona, and lay out the Mojave Indian Reserva- tion. Remembering that Mr. Robbins was but thirty years old at this time, wc see that he had made excellent use of his opportunities, and that his attainments and trustworthiness were recognized by those in authority. His labors being completed in 1876, he returned to Springfield, and in 1878
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bought a manufacturing plant known as the Lever Wringer Company. . In 1880 the buildings being destroyed by fire, others were crected, the present edifices of the establishment being located beside the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad track between Main and Florenec Streets. The business of the company has been lately cx- tended, their specialty being gray iron eastings. Associated with Mr. Robbins in business, arc J. A. Myers & C. F. McGilvray.
The pleasant home of Mr. Robbins is presided over by a lady who became his wife in 1877. She was known in her maidenhood as Miss Meta M. Hunt, is a native of Urbana, and a daughter of Maj. William Hunt. She is an educated, sym- pathizing, and altogether charming woman in whom the heart of her husband can safely trust. They have two children living, named respectively, Will- iam H. and Douglas. Their first-born, a son Chand- ler, died at the age of seven months. Mr. Robbins is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife belong to Christ Episcopal Church.
Le EFFARD H. PURSELL, Manager of the O. S. Kelly Company, at Springfield, has been connected with this enterprise since the year 1865, and is otherwise recognized as one of its most prominent citizens. He is well-to-do, financially, and occupies an elegant brick residence on West High Street, which, with its surroundings, forms one of the attractive homes of the city. Both socially and in business cireles he maintains an en- viable position, and is contributing his quota to the material welfare of the city.
A native of New Village, Warren County, N. J., the subject of this notice was born January 15, 1842, and is the son of William and Mary (Hance) Pursell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and who spent their last years in Lan- caster, Ohio. William Pursell was a blacksmith by trade, and a manufacturer of wheat drills. He left his native State in 1856, removing to Lancaster, Ohio, where he carried on the manufacture of wheat drills and other implements up to the time
of his death. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to New Jersey early in life. The wife and mother was born in the latter State, and died during the sojourn of the family in Lan- easter, Ohio. The household consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living, our subject being the youngest son born.
Mr. Pursell, of this notice, acquired his eduea- tion in the public schools, and also assisted his father in the factory until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then entered the Union Army as a mem- ber of Company I, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, his regiment being under the command of Col. John M. Connel, and the division commanded by Gen. Thomas. They joined the Army of the Cumber land, and Mr. Pursell took part in many of the bat- tles in which his regiment engaged, participating in some of the most important of the war, namely : Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and others of lesser note. At Chickamaugua, Sunday, Septem- ber 20, 1863, he was wounded, which disabled him however only for a short time. In October, 1864, at the expiration of his term of enlistment he re- ceived an honorable discharge, and returned to his home in Lancaster.
Desirous of a further knowledge of business methods, Mr. Pursell now repaired to Pittsburg, Pa., and took a full course in the Commercial Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1865. In February, that year, he emigrated to Springfield, this State, and entered the employ of McLennan & Bro.,manufacturers of threshers, as book-keeper, and with them he remained until the change of the firm, and was retained by their successors, McClen- nan, Cushman & Rinhart; Rinhart and Ballard were their successors, and he continued with the latter as a junior partner until 1882, when they sold out to the Springfield Engine & Thresher Company, which afterward was changed to the O. S. Kelly Company, which was organized in the early part of 1890, with Mr. Pursell as manager. He is also a stockholder in the business which is now confined to the manufacturing of threshers and engines.
The subject of this notice was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Myers, in April, 1868, at the resi-
John A. Ross
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dence of the bride's father in Springfield. Mrs. Pursell is a native of Maryland, and the daughter of Nimrod and Mary (Lushbaugh ) Myers. She remained with her parents until her marriage, and is now the mother of four children-Charles, Harry, Estella and Mabel.
Mr. Pursell spends very little time over politics, although keeping himself posted upon event of general interest, and giving his support to the Re- publican party. He is a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M .; Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T .; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 51. IIe represented the Third Ward in the city council one term. The family residence is pleasantly located on West High Street.
OHN A. ROSS. One of the most valuable farms of Jefferson Township, Greene County, is that which has been under the manage- ment of Mr. Ross since 1877, and which has now become a valuable piece of property and the source of a handsome income. It is two hundred and forty acres in extent and is pleasantly located. Mr. Ross settled upon this farm as early as 1848, and later became the owner. He has been more than ordinarily successful as a tiller of the soil, an oc- cupation with which he has been familiar since his boyhood. About the time of reaching his majority, he located on this farm with his father and here he has since maintained his residence.
Mr. Ross was born July 17, 1827, in Monroe County, located in what is now West Virginia. His father, Robert Ross, was a native of Montgomery County and born near the line of the old and new States. The paternal grandfather, John Ross, was a native of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
John Ross when a mere child, was orphaned by the death of both parents and crossed the Atlantic with an older brother and sister. They settled in Tennessee where Grandfather Ross developed into manhood but removed to Montgomery County, Va., prior to reaching his majority. He was there mar- ried to a Miss McDonald, who was born and reared in Virginia and was of ancestry similar to his own.
They settled on a farm in that county and there spent the remainder of their lives, dying when ripe in years. They were people remarkably kind and hospitable and became widely and favorably known throughout that region.
The father of our subject was one of the younger members of a large family and remained under the parental roof until reaching manhood. Then going into Monroe County, W. Va., he was in due time married to Miss Susannah Alexander. The latter was born and reared in Monroe County and is the daughter of Matthew Alexander who was of Irish parentage and wlio lived for many years in Monroe County, Va., spending there his last days. IIc was married in Virginia to a Miss Black, and later they settled in Monroe County, that State, and Mr. Alexander followed farming the remainder of his life. He and his wife died at the old farm when quite aged. They were members of the Seceder's Church.
Robert Ross and his wife lived for some years after their marriage at the farm belonging to his wife's parents, where he followed agriculture and also conducted a grist and saw mill. They became owners of a farm which they lived upon about ten years. Then selling out his property in Monroe County, the father started for Ohio with his family, making the journey overland with teams. They traveled after the fashion of that day, camping and cooking by the wayside and sleeping in their wagons at night. They finally arrived at their destination-Jefferson Township, Greene County- where Mr. Ross took up land and began in true pioneer style to cultivate the soil and build up a homestead. By great industry and perseverance he in time provided his family with all the com- forts of modern life. Ile made for himself a good record as a man and a citizen and departed hence in 1877 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The wife and mother had passed away ten years prior to the decease of her husband, at the age of sixty-five. Both were members of the Seceder's Church. Mr. Ross in early life was an old line Whig, but later identified himself with the Demo- cratic party whose principles he supported until his death.
John A. Ross of whom we write was the oldest
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of the four sons born to his parents, one of whom, James, died when twenty-four years old. William and Thompson are both residents of Greene County. Mr. Ross, religiously, follows in the footsteps of his honored parents belonging to the Seceders' Church and like his father, politically, he is a stanch Democrat. A portrait of Mr. Ross is shown on another page of this volume.
NDREW M. DUNN, proprietor of the Fairfield Mills, is recognized as one of the most intelligent and energetic men of Greene County. He was born in Lockland, this State, August 22, 1839, and was taken to Illi- nois by his parents when quite young, living there until a boy of seven years. They then returned to Lockland, traveling by wagon over corduroy roads and through swamps, and Mr. Dunn remained thereafter a resident of his native place until the outbreak of the Civil War. In the meantime he commenced the battle of life for himself at the age of ten years, finding employment in a flourmill and becoming master of the business at which he worked until a youth of eighteen.
In April, 1861, young Dunn entered the Union Army as a member of Company G, Sixth Ohio In- fantry, enlisting for three years and being mus- tered into the service at Camp Denison. He went to Virginia with bis regiment and met the enemy at Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford and Ft. Donelson and was continuously with his regiment, which was the first to enter the city of Nashville. His com- pany had the honor of taking the rebel flag from the court house and placing in its stead the stars and stripes. One Captain Driver presented them with a fine Federal flag which he had hid in a feather bed.
Subsequently Mr. Dunu fought at Shiloh, Perry- ville and Stone River. At the latter place his brother was wounded and he carried him a mile on his back. They were then captured and Mr. Dunn was permitted to care for his brother and succeeded in saving his life. He exerted himself to be agree- able, making the coffee and soup for the soldiers
and gained the good will of the surgeon, whom he induced to operate carefully on his brother with satisfactory results. In twenty-four hours he was rescued, and rejoining his regiment participated later in the battles of Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge, and went with the command through Georgia to Atlanta, soon after which his term of enlistment expired. Returning then to Cincin- nati, in June, 1864, he was mustered out and re- ceived his honorable discharge.
Mr. Dunn experienced many hairbreadth es- capes, his clothes at Stone River being pierced by bullets, but he returned unharmed to his old haunts. At Lockland he resumed the miller's trade and af- terward became foreman of his uncle's paper-mill where he remained until February, 1866. His next venture was the purchase of his present mill, which he bought from James M. Brannum, which was greatly out of repair and had not been regularly operated for some time. He effected many im- provements, put everything in good shape and prosecuted a successful business until 1884, when he enlarged his facilities by putting in the roller process. As water had become too scarce to oper- ate it to good advantage, in 1887 lie added more rollers and put in steam power. The mill has now a capacity of fifty barrels per day and is patro- nized by the people all over this section of the . country.
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