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 82

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 82
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 82

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).

In 1868, Mr. Mumper removed to Clark County and took up his residence in Moorefield Township, where he now resides. About 1877 he began handling agricultural implements, and was the first inan to introduce the Osborn Binder into Chain- paign and Clark Counties. He was thus occupied

probably for a period of twenty years, but in the meantime superintended the operations of his farm, improved it with good buildings, and gathered around himself and his family the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He is looked upon as a public-spirited citizen, and politically, is a straight Republican. In his religious beliefs he conforms to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has officiated as a Deacon, and held other positions of trust and responsibil- ity. Mrs. Mumper is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have a pleasant liome, an intelligent family, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of hosts of friends.

Socially, Mr. Mumper is a member of the Will- iam A. Brand Post, No. 96, G. A. R., at Urbana. He is also one of the Directors of the Urbana Camp-meeting Association, and is in various ways identified with the history of the community. Thc difficulties which soon intimidate the timid, have been surmounted by him, and his present honor- able position in life is due to his own determined efforts. Perseverance and zeal; together with good business management, have been rewarded by pros- perity, which is well deserved.

Among the galaxy of portraits of citizens of Clark County, we are pleased to present that of Mr. Mumper and, in connection with it, that of his estimable wife.

ARON J. MOYER, Manager of the Spring- field Architectural Iron Works, is recog- nized as one of the leading business men of the city. The business is a partnership concern consisting of William Burns, R. Copenlia- fer, G. Sintz & A. J. Moyer, who were the succes- sors of the Hanika Fence Company, and was organ- ized November 1, 1889. The firm manufactures all kinds of iron fences, ornamental trimmings for buildings, and the Prince Lawn Mower. They are located at the corner of Murray & Main Streets, and give employment to thirty men.

The subject of this notice was born in Northum- berland County, Pa., January 25, 1847, and is the

657

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

son of John and Mary (Hartranft ) Moyer, who were of German and English extraction, respectively. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in England, and married a German lady who could not speak English at the time. John Moyer is still living, making his home in Tioga Center, and is now seventy-eight years old. Aaron J. of this no- tice was the seventh in a family of twelve children, ten of whom lived to mature years.

Mr. Moyer passed his boyhood days in Lycom. ing County, Pa., to which his parents removed when he was a mere infant. His father was a shoe- maker by trade, and also dealt in boots and shocs. 'The boy attended the common school during his younger years, and later pursued his studies at Dickinson Seminary in Williamsport, Pa. After- ward he taught school for three years in the coun- try districts. He then became a clerk and book- keeper in a hardware store in Williamsport, this occupying his time until 1872.

Going now to Freeport, Pa., Mr. Moyer entered the employ of a lumber firm as a book-keeper. and when this contract ended, he went into Mercer County and was similarly employed in the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company. In 1875 he entered the employ of the Chenango & Allegheny Railroad Company, with which he continued five years as telegraph operator and agent at New Hope and Pardoe. Thence he came to Springfield in 1880 as agent for the Ohio Southern Railroad, and in 1882 accepted a position with the Champion Bar & Knife Company as clerk under the general superintendent of employes.

In 1883 Mr. Moyer engaged with the Roger's Fence Company, and continued with this firm six years as Superintendent and Secretary. In the fall of 1889 he organized the Springfield Architectural Iron Works, of which he became manager, and whose affairs he is conducting in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to all con- cerned.

Mr. Moyer was married in August, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Weaver, of Freport, Pa. Mrs. Moyer was born in October, 1853, and is a daughter of Peter and Anna (Bowman) Weaver, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, and where Mrs. Moyer was reared to womanhood. Of her union with our sub

ject there have been born four children, namely: Aaron J., Jr .; F. Hughes, Rebecca, and Frederick. The family are all regular attendants of the Episco- pal Church. Their home is a neat and comfortable residence on East Grand Avenue, in the eastern part of the city.

AMUEL D. FOGLE. As a rule the man in the channels of trade who is uniformly courteous and obliging, upright in his transactions and upon whose word those who deal with him can depend, seldom fails to meet with success. Especially has this been the case with Mr. Fogle, who deals extensively in agricul- tural implements and harness in Fairfield, Greene County, who is enterprising and liberal and has thus secured a large and lucrative patronage. He also operates a fertile farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres in Bath Township. It is safe to say that he is one of the most popular men, both in social and business circles, in this part of the county.

A native of Frederick County, Md., the subject of this notice was born November 13, 1849, and lived there with his parents until 1866. He received such education as the common schools afforded and accompanied his father to Ohio when a youth of seventeen years. He remained a member of the parental household until the following year, then started out to explore the great West, traveling over the States of Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and occupying in this manner nearly eighteen months. Thence he cmigrated to Mexico and en- gaged as a cowboy for six months, driving cattle north to the Black River.

We next find Mr. Fogle on board a river steamer making his way to St. Louis, Mo., where he only sojourned, however, but a brief timc. Then, tired of roaming, he returned to his father's house and thereafter worked on various farms in that vicinity until 1869. In the spring of that year he repaired to Springfield and engaged as a painter in the Champion Reaper shops. He rapidly rose in favor with his employers, who conceived the idea that he

658

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

could represent them suitably on the road and he was consequently fitted out as a salesman, occupy- ing himself in this manner for nearly a year. In 1871, he located at Enon and established himself as a dealer in agricultural implements.

Mr. Fogle remained in the above-mentioned place until 1877, then selling out turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits and located on a farm which he now operates in Bath Township. He was thus engaged until 1885, when he established his present business in which he has been very success- ful, while the farm is carried on by hired help. Mr. Fogle also has a branchi house in Osborn and en- joys a monopoly of the territory of Greene, Clark, Miami and Montgomery Countics.

Mr. Fogle, on the 8th of September, 1870, was joined in wedlock with Miss Matilda Spath at the bride's home in Dayton, Ohio. This lady was born in Maryland, May 13, 1850, and is the daugh- ter of Michael Spatlt, a native of Germany, and who is now living in Fairfield. Of this union there have been born no children. Mr. Fogle affiliates with the Democratic party and belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fairfield, being a member of the lodge in that place and belong- ing to the Encampment at Osborn. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the German Reformed Church.

The father of our subject was Jolin Fogle, a na- tive of Frederick County, Md., and the son of Solomon Fogle, who was reared in that State and was of German extraction. The latter spent his last years in Maryland. John Fogle carried on farmning for many years in his native county, being located about seven miles from Gettysburg, Pa. During the war he experienced heavy losses, and in 1866 removed with his family to Montgomery County, this State. In 1877 he retired from active labor and has since made his home with his son, our subject, being now sixty-seven years old. He is a Democrat politically, and in religious matters belongs to the German Reformed Church.

Mrs. Elizabethi (Young) Fogle, the mother of our subject, was likewise a native of Frederick County, Md., and the daughter of Henry Young, who was a weaver by trade, but who, in later years, followed the occupation of farming. He served in the War

of 1812 and spent the closing years of his life in Maryland. The mother of our subject died in But- ler County, this State, in 1887. The parental fam- ily consisted of five children, the eldest of whom, a son, William, is a dealer in agricultural implements at Enon; Mary died when five years old; Samuel D. was the next in order of birth; Henry is farm- ing in Miami County, this State; Daniel makes his home with our subject.

R EAD LETTS BELL, M. D., a surgeon on tlie Staff of the Mitchell Thomas Hospital at Springfield, stands high among his profes- sional brethren in Clark County, of wliose medical society he is a prominent member. He was born in Knox County, near the village of Utica, this State, December 8, 1849, and is the son of Ja- cob Bell, a substantial farmer, and a native of Greene County, Pa. Jacob Bell departed this life at his home near Utica, in 1874, in the sixty-seventli year of his age. His wife, Mrs. Rachel (Letts) Bell, was a native of Washington County, Pa., and passed away in 1873, at her home near Utica, one year subsequent to the death her husband.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Ben. jamin Bell, also a native of the Keystone State, and one of the early pioneers of Knox County, Ohio. He was a prominent man in his day, and one of the inaugurators of what was known through the south- ern part of the county as the Bell Settlement, which was composed largely of English and Irish families. On the mother's side the grandparents of our subject were Nehemiah and Rhoda Letts, na- tives of Washington County, Pa., and who spent their last years in Knox County.

To the parents of our subject there was born a family of ten children, three of whom died in in- fancy. There are now living three sons and two daughters, making their homes mostly in Ohio. Read L. was next to the youngest of the family, and like his brothers and sisters received his prim- ary education in the common school, and was reared on the farm. After completing his primary studies, he entered Denison University at Grand-

659

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1872, taking the degree of A. B., and later, in 1875, the degree of A. M.

In the meantime in the fall of 1872, Dr. Bell en- tered the medical department of Harvard Univer- sity, at Boston, Mass., from which he was gradu- ated in June, 1876, with the degree of M. D. In June, 1876, Dr. Bell was elected a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Then going to To- ledo, he was made Secretary of the Toledo Medical Association, and held the position during the years 1876-77. About this time he was also elected to the Chair of Physiology and Anatomy in the North- western School of Medicine at Toledo.

Our subject located in Springfield on the 15th of October, 1877, and commenced the regular practice of his profession, to which he gives his entire at- tention, and in which he is meeting with uniform success. He was married July 18, 1877, to Miss Sarah J. Robinson, of Coshocton, Ohio. In May, 1889, he was elected President of the Clark County Medical Society, and in October following, Presi- dent of the South-Western Ohio Medical Society.

AVID MERRICK. A well-tilled farm of one hundred and eighty-tliree acres, representing the property of Mr. Merrick, indicates in a marked manner to what good purpose he has im- proved his time duringthe last twenty years or more. It is situated a mile and a half west of the town of Alpha, Greene County, and is provided with sub- stantial buildings and all the machincry necessary for the successful prosecution of agriculture. Mr. Merrick has been a life-long resident of Beaver Township, having been born at his father's old homestead, October 3, 1830. He lias assisted ma- tcrially in its growth and development and com- prises one of its most reliable and substantial citi- zens.

The subject of this notice is the son of Joseph D., and Susan (Boston) Merrick. The father was born in Kent County, Del., October 9, 1779, and the mother in Frederick County, Md., December 25, 1793. When a young man grown Mr. Merrick

repaired to Frederick County, Md .. where he fol- lowed his trade of a weaver and was in 1812, mar- ried to Miss Boston. In the fall of 1815 he came to Montgomery County, this State, settling on the land now owned by George Firestine, just east of the city of Dayton. In journeying there from Maryland he was seven weeks on the road, going in company with a number of others. He left Mont- gomery County about 1829, coming to Beaver Creek Township, this county, where his death took place March 3, 1857.

The father of our subject practically abandoned his trade after coming to this county. Politically, he was a stanch Whig, as the Republican party was only organized a few months prior to his death. To himself and his estimable wife there was born a family of five children, the eldest of whom, a daugh- ter, Mary Ann, died at the interesting age of four- teen years; Jolin is in Montgomery County; Elizabeth is the widow of David Stutsman and is a resident of this county. The others were Israel, and David, our subject.

The father of our subject was the son of the Rev. John Merrick, a native of Delaware and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While labor- ing in the Master's vineyard he also engaged in the mercantile business. He married Miss Sarah Dox- son and they became the parents of two children only, a son and daughter, Joseph D., and Elizabeth; the latter is deceased. The elder Merrick was a man of strong convictions and totally opposed to the institution of slavery. He died in Elizabeth- town, N. J., while Grandmother Merrick spent her last years in Delaware. The great-grandfather of our subject was Isaac Merrick, a native of England, who emigrated to the United States.

On the maternal side of the house Grandfather Michael Boston was a native of Germany and after crossing the Atlantic, settled in Frederick County, Md. He served in the War of 1812 and was the fa- ther of five or six children.

David, our subject, attended the common school and also a select school at Leighton, pursuing his studies mostly in the winter season. He took kindly to his books and at the age of twenty years began teaching school, first in District No. 24, Bea- ver Creek Township. He followed this profession

660

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

for a period of twelve years and in 1858, purchased sixty acres of land east of Shakertown. Thence he came to his present farm in the spring of 1865.

The 24th of March, 1859, was an interesting day in the history of Mr. Merrick, as he was then joined in wedlock with Miss Ann R. Kable. This lady was born April 21, 1837, in Osborn, this county, and is the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Gar- ver) Kable, who removed from the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, Jefferson County, Va., about 1831. They settled in Beaver Creek Township, this county, where the father dicd November 25, 1864, at the age of sixty-three years. The wife and mother survived her husband nearly nine years, her death taking place May 31, 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Kable there was born a family of seven chil- dren, viz: Anna R., Mary E. Joseph, Sarahr E. Martha J., John W. and Isaac N.

Mr. and Mrs. Merrick are the parents of ninc children, seven of whom lived to mature years. Sarah E. is the wife of William Coy and lives in Beaver Creek Township; William K. is a resident of Virden, Ill .; Joseph S., Emma H., Ellen C., Mat- tie J. and Benjamin D. complete the list. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the Reformed Church. Mr. Merrick com- menced in life with a capital of $1 and it must be acknowledged that he has been more than ordi- narily successful. He has built up a comfortable homestead and laid by something for a rainy day. Among his neighbors he is esteemed as a man whose word is as good as his bond.

S YLVANUS V. HARTSOCK, one of the most energetic and prosperous farmers of Greene County, is finely located three miles south of Spring Vally, on one hun- dred and eighty-eight acres of land, embellished with substantial modern buildings. He is a native of this county and was born at Claysville, March 5. 1847. His parents were David and Sarah Jane (Cornell) Hartsock, both likewise natives of this county, and the father a farmer by occupation. The latter died at the old homestead in Spring Valley

Township, July 11, 1885. The mother is still liv- ing and makes her home there. The parental house- hold included six children, five of whom grew to mature years. George W. is a resident of Cham- paign County, Ill .; Ruth is the wife of Jefferson Haynes, of Huntsville, Ala .; Elizabeth married Jonathan Smith, of Warren County, this State; Sylvanus V., our subject, was next to the young- est born; Jesse L. is a resident of Montgomery County ; and Flora, who died in childhood. The mother in religious belief was a member of the Bap- tist Church.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was George Hartsock, a native of Virginia, and who emigrated to Sugar Grove, this county, at a very early day. Here he spent the balance of his life; he married a Miss Cremar, and there were born to them seven children, six of whom grew to mature years. These were named respectively: David, Samuel, George, Fanny, Lncinda, Ann and Abbie. Grandfather Hartsock was a stanch Democrat and a man of decided ideas, who made his influence felt in his community. The great-grandfather came from Germany. On the maternal side of the house Grandfather Sylvanus Cornell spent his last years in Ohio.

The first twenty two years of the life of our subject were spent at the home farm, working for his father, and then he started out on his own hook. He first formed on rented land and then purchased a half interest in one hundred acres, upon which he operated until 1878. That year he purchased one hundred and forty-four acres where be now resides, and to which he subsequently added forty-four acres, making the amount heretofore mentioned. Hc commenced without means or other resources than his own industry and energy, and has accumulated his property solely by honest labor and good management. He has had very little to do with outside affairs, but his warm interest in the temperance movement has led him to identify himself with the Prohibition party.

The 22d of December, 1870. was made memor- able in the life of our subject by his marriage with Miss Emeline Prater. This lady was born in Warren County, this State, September 22, 1847, and is the daughter of William E. and Ann Eliza

661

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

(Slack) Prater, who were natives respectively of South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Mr. Prater was a farmer by occupation and spent his last years in Warren County, and died there. His widow is still living, and makes her home in Waynesville, Warren County. Grandfather Slack came to this State from Pennsylvania in 1816, and died in Warren County. To William E. Prater and his good wife there was born a family of seven children, viz: Henry, who served three years and three months in the late war; Elizabeth; Job, a resident of Sum- ner County, Kan., who served three years in the late war; Rebecca, Emeline, Mary and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Hartsock have four children-Luther C., Vernon, Elsie May and Edward. The paternal grandmother of our subject was, prior to her mar- riage, a Miss O'Neal.

OHN C. JAMES. Among the many valu- able farms of Greene County, none presents a more attractive appearance than that on section 27, Sugar Creek Township, that is in the possession of Squire James. It has been liis home since 1853, and he has expended upon it much en- ergy and hard labor. It consists of one hundred acres, seventy-five of which are improved, the rest being devoted to timber, and twenty acres of it were cleared by his own hands. A full line of well built farm structures incets the eye of a visitor or passer-by, and every portion of the estate evinces the care of one who is a master of husbandry. The personal character of Mr. James is such as to win the respect of his neighbors and acquaintances, as he is strictly honest, generous, and religious, living a blameless life in their midst for lo! these many years. Being gifted with sound sense, and almost infallible judgment, he has been a power in the community.

A few words regarding the ancestors of Mr. James will not be amiss, before proceeding with his own life history. His grandfather was William James, a native of Wales, who was brought to America when three years of age, and lived in Loudoun County, Va., until 1801, On October 1,

1772, he married Miss Jane Williams, who bore him ten children, not one of whom is now living, although eight survived his own death. In the year above mentioned, he and his family came to the Buekeye State, settling in the northern part of War- ren County, where he remained until his death. That event took place at Columbia, September 30, 1804, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. His wife survived him, reaching the extreme age of ninety- four years.

The oldest member of the family of William and Jane James was born in Loudoun County, Va., No- vember 11, 1773,-and was christened John. He came with the other members of the parental house- hold to Ohio, and was the first member of the fam- ily to locate in Greene County. He came hence in 1808, settling on the northwest quarter of section 35, Sugar Creek Township, where he built a log cabin and opened up a good farm. He was not only a farmer, but a practical surveyor, and well educated. He departed this life September 18, 1841, having prior to that time placed his cstate in an advanced state of improvement. Politically, he was not tied down to any party, but gave his suf- frage to the man he thought most worthy. He was Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for thir- teen years. He was Trustee in the Baptist Church, and a leading member, his wife also belonging to that denomination. The estimable woman whom lie married in the early part of 1801, bore the maiden name of Nancy Whiteford. She was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, her parents being early set- tlers in Maryland, where she was born in March, 1780. Her mother died when she was scareely twelve years of age, and she kept house for her father, having no educational advantages, never attending school but one day when cigliteen years of age. Although uneducated, she possessed na- tive intelligence, and common sense, and a charac- ter which renders her memory a pleasant one, not only to her own relatives, but to all who knew her. She was taught to read the New Testament by her youngest child, our subject. Her marriage took place in Virginia, and she died in this State, May 2, 1851, being buried beside her husband in Mid- dle Run Baptist Cemetery.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs, John

662

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

James, of whom we note the following: Rachael, born November 15, 1801, became the wife of Jolin Berryhill ; she died August 26, 1846, leaving eleven children. Evan B., born November 16, 1803, died January 25, 1831; he married Miss Sarah Sanders, who bore him two children. David W., born No- vember 3,1805, married Rebecca Austin,and was the father of eleven children; his death occurred July 9, 1875. Sarah, born April 15, 1808, became the wife of William Wilgus, and the mother of four children; she breathed her last August 5, 1851. Joshua C., born March 11, 1810, died April 28, 1867; his wife was Maria Burr, who bore eleven children. Lydia J., born January 8, 1813, became the wife of Jacob Smith, and the mother of three children, dying March 2, 1849. Catherine, born March 9, 1816, married Jackson Smith, and became the mother of seven children; Jolin C., of whom we write, is a twin to Catherine.

The early education of John C. James, was ob- . tained in a log schoolhouse, and he completed his studies in a brick school building in an adjoining district. At the age of eighteen years he began his career in life by becoming a clerk in the store of Jeremiah Gest, then the leading merchant of Bell- brook. There he remained four years, after which he formed a partnership with William Shumaker, and they purchased a stock of goods at Mt. Holly, carrying on business there for a ycar, when our sub- ject sold out, and returning to the home farm, oc- cupied himself with tilling the soil for two years. He then returned to Bellbrook, where he resided four years, removing thence to a farm on which he lived five years. Returning again to Bellbrook, he entered into partnership with Mathew Berryhill, with whom, for two years, he was connected in a mercantile business. Selling out at the expiration of that time, he bought and removed to the farm where he now lives, devoting his timc and attention from that day to the pursuit of agriculture.

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.

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 82

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