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 81
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 81
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the homestead and takes care of his mother. In polities, he is a sound Republican, and in 1889 was elected real-estate appraiser of Spring Valley Township. He was married January 10, 1867, to Miss Rachael A. Gaddis. This lady was born near Harveysburg, Warren County, this State, July 8, 1844, and is the daughter of Allen and Rachael A. (Mershon) Gaddis, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The mother died about 1845, leaving two sons and a daughter- George, William and Rachael. Mr. Gaddis was subsequently married and removed to Decatur, Ill., where he died November 8, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Compton arc the parents of two children- Rosa G. and Birdie. They are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The mother of our subject departed this life at his home, April 6, 1890.
G EORGE W. BAKER. The farming com- munity of German Township, recognizes in Mr. Baker one of its most worthy represent- atives. Ile has had a lifelong experience at his call- ing-a calling which has always been congenial to his tastes, and in which he has labored to excel. He owns and occupies a good farm on section 7, which not only is the source of a comfortable income, but whose well-tilled fields have enabled their owner to lay aside something for a rainy day.
Mr. Baker is a native of Clark County, and was born at his father's homestead in this township, September 15, 1847. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Underwood) Baker, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, and born in 1802. He cmi- grated to Ohio with his parents when a lad of twelve years, and they settled among the early pioneers of German Township. Grandfather Henry Baker secured a tract of land in the woods, and putting up a log cabin, commenced life in a primitive style, and battled with the difficulties and hardships which beset him until prosperity smiled upon him, and he had succeeded in building up a comfortable home in the wilderness. There, with his good wife he spent the remainder of his days. He was a quiet,
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peaceable and law-abiding citizen-a man who made comparatively little stir in the world, but who was . looked upon as possessing the sterling traits of ehar- acter which rendered him worthy of the esteem and confidence of those around him.
Samuel Baker, the father of our subjeet, grew up on the pioneer farm, and assisted in its develop- ment, remaining a member of the parental house- hold until establishing a fireside of his own. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but he possessed the sterling qualities which gained him the respeet of his neighbors, and which enabled him to make for himself a good reeord as a man and a citizen. To him and his good wife there was born a family of eight children, four of whom are living: Eliza, Mrs. Reader, is a widow, and lives in Springfield Township; Lutieia is the wife of Isaae Brougher,and they live in Champaign County ; William is a resident of Sheridan County, Mo .; George W., of our sketch, was the youngest child living. The father died at the homestead in Sep- tember, 1877. The mother had passed to hier long home some years previous to the decease of her husband.
Mr. Baker of whom we write, remained at home with his parents until reaching manhood, and when embarking in business for himself, engaged for three years at butchering. With this exception he has been a lifelong farmer. He attended the dis- trict sehool when a boy until old enough to be of service on the farm, and then pursued his studies for a few years during the winter season only. He was thus deprived of a classical education, but he has been a reader all his life, and is fairly well- posted upon events of general interest.
Not long after his twenty-third birthday, Mr. Baker was joined in wedlock with Miss Alice Thomas, this event oceurring at the bride's home in German Township, November 7, 1871. Of this union there is one ehild only, a daughter, Minnie, who was born October 7, 1872. Mr. Baker owns nearly eighty-three acres of choice land which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has effeeted modern improvements. He has accumulated his property by his own industry, and thus is under obligations to no man for the comforts with which he has been enabled to sur-
round himself and his family. In politics, Mr. Baker is a Demoerat, with independent proelivities. He is a member in good standing of the Masonie fraternity, being identified with the Grand Lodge at Tremont City.
OSEPH SHIGLEY. The results of a steady career of industry and frugal living are amply illustrated in the person of Mr. Shig- ley, who spent the greater part of his life in farming pursuits, but who is now retired from aetive labor, and enjoying the fruits of his toil at a pleasant home in Jamestown, Greene County. He removed to the eity in 1882, from Ross Township, where he had spent his entire life up to that time. He was born there September 19, 1821, and there spent the active years of his life, his labors being erowned with success. He was at one time the owner of more than six hundred acres of land, the most of which he sold and gave to his children in 1882. In addition to general farming he made a specialty of live-stock, mostly swine, of which he raised large numbers, and which yielded him hand- some profits.
Mr. Shigley acquired his early education in the district schools of his native township, and when a boy became familiar with the various pursuits of farm life. He chose this as his life vocation, and when ready to establish a home of his own, was wedded, in 1844, to Miss Anna Prugh. This lady was born and rearcd in Preble County, this State, and later, prior to her marriage, was for some time a resident of Montgomery County. She became the mother of seven children, and departed this life at her home in Jamestown, in August, 1886, at the age of sixty years. The second child of this mar- riage, a son, Henry F., was married, and died at his home in Ross Township, April 11, 1878; Mattie C. died when an interesting maiden of sixteen years; John W. married Miss Virginia Rakestraw ; David C. took to wife Miss Eliza Short; Viola C. became the wife of S. C. Collett; Lnella M. mar- ried Jasper L. Chapman; Elmer married Miss Min- nie Paulin. With one exception they are all
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residents of Greene County. John lives in Monroe County, Ind.
In 1887 Mr. Shigley contracted a second mar- riage with Mrs. Mary B. Atkinson, a native of Franklin County, Vt. She was born April 27, 1827, and came to Greene County with her par- ents, Seth and Nancy (Blake) Phillips, when a child of five years. The Phillips family settled first in Union County, where they lived for a num- ber of years, and where the mother died at the carly age of twenty seven. Although so young she had already given birth to ten children. Mr. Phil- lips survived his wife very many years, living to the advanced age of eighty-one, and spending his last days in Licking County, this State. Ile traced his ancestry to England.
To Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson there was born a family of six children, one of whom, Charles F., died at the age of five years. The survivors are recorded as follows: John O. married Miss Alice Wise, and lives on a farm in Clark County, this State; Ann M. is the wife of Charles B. Penning- ton, a retired farmer, and living in Jamestown; Laura A. is the wife of M. O. Larkins, and they live on a farm in Greene County; Seth M. is un- married, occupies himself as a traveling salesman for a watch company, and makes his headquarters in Chicago, Ill .; Guinn S. is the wife of James Armstrong, who has a wholesale millinery house in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
The subject of this notice is the son of George and Olive (Franklin) Shigley, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father of German ancestry. The mother was of English descent, and a descend- ant of the family to which the famous philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, belonged. Mr. Shigley came to Ross County, this State, in 1805, where he was married. In 1812 he removed to Greene County, and settled on a traet of new land in Ross Town- ship, from which he improved a farm. Later he enlisted in the War of 1812, participating in many of its important battles. After leaving the army he settled down upon his farm, and lived to be sev- enty years old. His wife died at the age of sixty- five. They were most execllent people, active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and sought to do good at every opportunity. They
were devoted to their children, and for their sakes endured toil and hardships in order that they might escape much of which they themselves were obliged to contend with. Their names are held in loving remembrance by their children, and to this day tears come into the eyes of Mr. Shigley as he re- members the sacrifices which those loving parents endured, and their uniform kindness to him from the time of his remembranee until they passed away.
Following in the footsteps of his honored par- ents, Mr. Shigley has for many long years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his estimable wife also belongs. They are both warmly interested in the success of the tem- perance movement, and strong advocates of prohi- bition. Their aim in life has been to perform kindly acts whenever they had opportunity, and to do the most good to the greatest number around them. In view of this it is hardly necessary to state that they have hosts of friends who are watch- ing them with kindly solicitude as they travel down the sunset hill of life, and who will hold their names in loving remembrance after they have de- parted hence.
W ILLIAM GRANT, a well-known citizen of Springfield, has been a resident of this city for more than fifty years, and thus having witnessed the most of its growth and aided in its advancement, he is in a position to appreei- ate the wonderful changes that have transformed the little hamlet of former days to the busy, flour- ishing metropolis of the present. Here he has been so fortunate as to secure to himself the comforts of a good home, where he can enjoy at his ease the competence accumulated by years of hard and well-directed toil.
Our subject is of English birth and antecedents, having been born in Yorkshire, England, Decem- ber 20, 1811. Thomas Grant, his father, was like- wise a native of that country, his birthplace having been in County Durham. He was reared and mar- ried in the land of his birth, Mary Powell, a native
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of Yorkshire, becoming his wife. In 1831, accom- panied by their eight children, they embarked for. Ameriea in the vessel "Experiment," Capt. Burke, setting sail from Hull in the month of April and landing at Quebee after a voyage of seven weeks and two days. They staid one night in Quebce, and then went by steamer to Montreal, and eon- tinuing from that place on the St. Lawrence River, Welland Canal and the lakes to New York State, whenee they proceeded to Ohio. They lo- cated in Marion County, and tlicre the family had the misfortune to lose its head in the year 1835. The mother, who was thus left a widow with eight children, did not long survive ber hus- band, but followed him to the grave in 1837. The names of the children were: Mary, William, Mar- garet, Sarah, Thomas, Jane, Ellen and Hannah. Thomas and Hannah arc deceased, and all the others are still living.
William Grant was nineteen years old when he came to this country, and still remembers well the long oeean voyage and the subsequent pioneer life in a newly-settled State. He had his own way to make in the world from an early age as his father was poor, and bravely did he take up the struggle for independenee. In 1832 he engaged with a butcher in Columbus, which was thien a small place. At first he was given but $7 a month, but soon his employer was so favorably impressed with his faithful and skillful labor that he readily advanced his wages to $25 a month. He remained in the capital city until 1836, when he took up his residence in Springfield, and has ever since made his home in this eity.
Mr. Grant has been twiee married. His first union was with Miss Nancy McCormick, in Colum- bus, in 1835. Her father, George MeCormick, was one of the early settlers of that city, and was the builder of the first State . House there. Mrs. Grant died in 1850, leaving the following chil. dren : William H .; Mary J., wife of John Mulhol- land; Fanny, wife of John A. Shipman, of whom see sketch; Lavinia, wife of Quincy Petts; Martin M. and Thomas P., who were twins. The marriage of our subject with his present wife was consum- mated in 1852. Her maiden name was Martha L. Darling, and she was born in Massachusetts. Mr.
and Mrs. Grant have by this marriage two chil- dren-George D. and Harriet B. Mrs. Grant's father, Darius Darling, was, like herself, a native of the old Bay State. When he was quite young he learned the trade of a whip-maker. Ile was given a good education and in early manhood taught school in Marlboro, Mass. At the age of twenty-two he abandoned that profession and turned lis attention to farming, buying a farm in Sterl- ing, Woreester County, Mass. He finally sold that place, and removing to IIolden, in the same county, bought a desirable farm there, and devoted himself to its cultivation, making his liome there until his death. The maiden name of Mrs. Grant's mother was Susannalı Fairbank, and she was a na- tive of Sterling, Mass., a daugliter of Jonathan and Susan Fairbank. She survived her husband a long time, and died at the home of Mrs. Grant at the advanced age of ninety-seven years.
Our subject is virtually a self-made man, his stalwart manhood, sagacious judgment, and good eapaeity for labor having been sufficient eapital for him to make life a success. A straightforward, plain-dealing man, he early earned the confidence and respect of all about him, and has retained them throughout the many years that he has been a member of this community.
ACOB YOUNG. Among the successful and intelligent agriculturalists of Clark County, Jacob Young has a high rank, while as a man of thorough integrity and striet honor in business affairs his reputation is not excelled. His word is considered as good as a bond, and he enjoys the confidence of all who know him. Among those who enjoy the acquaintance of his amiable wife, she also is highly esteemed, and it affords us pleasure to represent so highly respected a couple in this volume. Their home is on section 28, Moorefield Township, and comprises one hundred and twenty-six and one-third aeres of land, in the accumulation and improvement of which Mr. Young has been ably assisted by his wife. They also own a lot in the city of Springfield.
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The parents of our subject were Jacob H. and Mary Young, whose home was in Carroll County, Md. There our subject was born February 20, 1821, and lost his father by death when about fif- teen months old. His mother being poor, the child was reared in the family of Samuel Bollinger of the same county, with whom he continued to re- side until he had reached man's estate. When Ja- cob Young had just entered his teens, Mr. Bollinger removed to Ohio, of which State our subject has since been a continuous resident. His education was mostly obtained in the early subscription schools of this county, the temple of learning be- ing a log cabin with slab benches and other primi- tive furnishings. With a desire for knowledge, Mr. Young has taken advantage of the opportuni- ties afforded by books and converse with his fel- low-men, to become well posted regarding the more important topics of general information, and the current events in the world's history.
The youth of Mr. Young was spent on a farm, and in his twenty-first year he began to learn the business of grist-milling, which he followed some sixteen years. For over twenty years he was in the employ of Adam Baker, in German Township, working on a farm, in a gristmill, and at times in a sawmill. In the fall of 1859, he and his family set- tled at their present place of abode, their first dwel- ling being a log cabin. He afterward erected his present residence, and brought his estate to its pre- sent condition of improvement and productiveness. Ile and his wife have seen the country grow into a prosperous and well developed section, and rejoice in the progress which they have borne a share in securing.
The marriage of Mr. Young and Miss Melissa Hollinger, took place November 4, 1847. The bride was a daughter of Abram and Rosana (Mc- Intire) IIollinger, and was born in Champaign County, February 14, 1827. Her father was a na- tive of Virginia, and was brought to Ohio when about two years old. Her mother was a native of Champaign County, in which Grandfather MeIn- tire was an early settler. The family of our sub- ject and wife comprises the following sons and daughters: Samuel, who now lives in Springfield; Susanna, who is the wife of Samuel Finton, of
Springfield Township; John H. and Jacob, who live in Springfield; Albert and Luther, in Lagonda; Martha E., the wife of Harmon Krauss of Spring- field; Mary, the wife of George Snyder, of Moore- field Township; Oscar, Edson, Cora, and Elenora, who are yet at home.
Mr. Young has served as School Director, and has frequently been solicited to act in important township offices, but would not accept. In his po- litical views he is independent, believing that the best men should be elected to office, irrespective of party prejudices. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren Church, at Bowlusville, and he is at present filling the office of Trustee. The worthy couple are now enjoying the fruits of industrious and well spent lives, surrounded by children and friends, and manifesting as they ever have done, an interest in all that is elevating and uplifting, and which will advance the material prosperity of the county. Having had no financial assistance in early life, their success is more creditable, and all who know them rejoice in the prosperity which has at- tended their labors.
ENRY NAWMAN. This name will be re- membered among the early residents of German Township, as belonging to one of its most worthy citizens, who departed this life at his homestead therein June 24, 1870. He was born in Clark County, July 16, 1817, and was a son of Thomas and Catherine Nawman, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania. IIis early life was similar to that of most farmers' boys, during which he attended the district school and made himself useful as he was able at plowing, sowing and reaping. He grew up healthful in mind and body with a good knowledge of the va- rious employments of farm life, and by reading and observation kept himself posted as to what was going on around him.
Mr. Nawman remained a bachelor until approach- ing the thirty-seventh year of his age, and was then married. March 29, 1854, to Miss Ingebee J. Rhonemus. Of this union there was born a fam-
yours truly A. W. murker
Yours truly Sarah mumper
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ily of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Clara is the wife of John Konkle, and they live in Springfield; Samuel G. is a resident of Walla Walla, Wash .; Thomas is farming in German Township; William is in Minnesota; Louisa died when thir- teen and one-half years old; Webster remains at home with his mother; Mary died at the age of fifteen years; Catherine is the wife of Charles Wey, and they live in German Township; Matilda married Albert Green, and they are residents of Springfield Township, Clark County; Amanda is the wife of Jesse Belt, of Springfield; Andrew and Henry remain at the farm with their mother.
In all the relations of life Mr. Nawman acquitted himself with faithfulness and eredit. He was a good provider for his family, kind and hospitable to liis neighbors, and a man whose loss to the community it was difficult to replace. In polities he gave his nnqualified support to the Republican party. He left a snug farm comprising nearly seventy aeres of well-developed land, which makes a comfortable home for his family.
Mrs. Ingebee J. Nawman was born August 17, 1834, in Clinton County, this State, and is a daugh- ter of William and Matilda (Clark) Rhonemus, the former of whom was born in Clinton County, and the latter in Virginia. The mother of Mrs. Naw- man lived in Virginia until a young lady of eight- con years, and then accompanied her parents to Ohio, they settling first in Clinton County. Mrs. Rhonemus is still living and spends the most of her time with her son in the city of Springfield. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Nawman were among the earliest pioneers of Clinton County, and the grandfather carried a musket as a soldier in the War of 1812. He removed to Springfield in 1853, and died there several years ago. The parental household consisted of a goodly number of sons and daughters, five of whom are living, Mrs. Nawman being the eldest. The next daugh- ter, Louisa, is the wife of Samuel Nawman, of this township. The sons are named respectively : Mar- tin V., Andrew and Elwood.
Mrs. Nawman spent her childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner under the par- ental roof, attending the common sehool and be- coming familiar with all useful household duties.
She remained with her parents until her marriage, and has proved a most sensible and efficient help- mate to her husband, assisting him in the aceumu- lation of their property and looking well to the ways of her household.
BRAM W. MUMPER. There is proba- bly not a finer farm within the limits of Clark County than that which has been built up by our subject, who is one of Moorefield Township's most highly respected eiti- zens. He may usually be found at his headquar- ters on section 11, where he gives the most of his attention to general agriculture and stoek-raising. He was born in Miami County, this State, April 27, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Ann (Wag- oner) Mumper, who were natives of Pennsylvania.
Jacob Mumper was born, in 1810, in York County, Pa., and lived there until after his mar- riage. Then, in 1839, he emigrated to Illinois, but only remained there three years. We next find him loeating among the pioneers of Miami County, this State, but after a two years' residence there he removed to Champaign County, and settled per- manently in Urbana Township. He opened up a farm from the wilderness, and lived there until death overtook him in 1883. The widowed mother is still living, and is in the seventy-ninth year of her age, and she makes her home in Ur- bana. Jacob Mumper was well-fitted by nature and acquirements for life in a pioncer country, being a man of energy and perseveranec, great industry and good management. Although he had con- tributed generously to all church enterprises for a number of years, he was not a member of any de- nomination until about one year before his death, when he identified himself with the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was one of the most zeal- ous adherents of the Republican party. Ile pos- sessed strong individual characteristies, and in his field of labor took a front rank. Much has been said of the heroism of sailors and soldiers who face the cannon's mouth in their country's defense. But no less heroie are those pioneers in new lands,
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whose patient continuance in the rugged paths of labor teaches a lesson of devotion and bravery. As one of these, the descendants of Jacob Mumper are justly proud of the heritage of a worthy life which he bequeathed to them.
The parental family consisted of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Jane M., the wife of John E. Todd; Alcetta, Mrs. J. W. Raw- lings; Abram W., John J., Annie E., the wife of Dr. E. P. Kingsly; all of these, except our subject, are residents of Champaign County; Emma, the wife of Dr. Wolford, of Lima; and Ella, Mrs. Charles Nichols, of Portsmouth.
The subject of this notice spent his boyhood and youth amid the wild scenes of pioneer life and up to the age of twenty-eight years remained with his parents on the farm. His education was neces- sarily somewhat limited, being confined mostly to attendance at the district school during the win- ter season. During the progress of the Civil War he entered the Union Army, May 2, 1864, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Ohio Infantry, enlisting in the one hundred days' service. He was at Petersburg during the famous fight, engaged in some skirmishing and assisted in building the pontoon bridge, so that Grant's army could pass from the Wilderness to Petersburg. He saw much of the hardships and privations of army life, but escaped unharmed, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment re- ceived his honorable discharge, in September, 1864. Returning now to this county, Mr. Mum- per resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life, and was married October 1, 1868, to Miss Sarah Hut- ton. This lady was born in York County, Pa., to Elijah and Elizabeth (Lambert) Hutton, and by her union with our subject became the mother of five children, viz .: Elizabeth, who died when eigh- teen months old; Lulu G., who is attending Del- aware University; Oscar T., Edna; and Myrtle, who died when eleven months old.
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