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 83
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 83
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
On April 26, 1838, Mr. James and Miss Susan Brown, of Montgomery County, were united in the bonds of holy wedlock. The bride was born in Montgomery County, October 28, 1821, and was one of the five children, three of whom are now liv- ing, who comprised the family of Enoch and Mary (Davis) Brown. The parents were probably of
Welsh descent. Mrs. James was the chief counselor and helpmate of her husband for nearly fifty years, performing the duties of wife and mother in a con- scientious manner, manifesting a deep affection for her own family and neighborly kindness for those about her. Her death occurred January 16, 1887. She was the mother of nine children, of whom the following may be noted : Evan was born February 4, 1839, has been twice married, and is now a wid- ower with one daughter, Edna; Permelia was born November 11, 1840, married Josiah Lamme, and has one child; Benjamin A., was born June 6, 1843, and died twelve days later; Harriet was born No- vember 9, 1844, became the wife of John Marshall and has seven children; Rebecca was born January 6, 1847, and died June 1, 1884; she was the wife of John Soward, and the mother of one child. Catherine was born October 5, 1849, and is now the wife of Charles Chase, to whom she has borne two children; she was formerly the wife of John Dun- ham, by whom she had three children, two of whom are living; Isaac was born September 6, 1852, is yet unmarried, and lives in Arkansas; William was born November 2, 1854, and married Sadie How- ells, by whom he had four children; his wife died in January, 1883, and he married Miss Schaf- fer, having three children by the second union; Mary was born September 22, 1858, is the wife of Edward Whitaker, and the mother of two children. She lives upon the home farm, being her father's housekeeper.
Squire James has been a member of the School Board for several years, and has been Trustee of of Sugar Creek Township fifteen years. Prior to this he served as Township Clerk for a couple of years, and also held the office of Supervisor of High- ways. He was elected Justice of the Peace, and served in that position three years. He has been an active member of the Grange, and Master of the society in Bellbrook. He has taken an active part in politics, and has frequently made public speeches in the interest of his party. In general elections he has always voted the Whig and Republican tick- ets, his first Presidential ballot having been cast for William Henry Harrison; he has voted for each Whig or Republican candidate in the suc- cessive campaigns from that day to the present.
bäthern Brougher
Daniel Brougher
665
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
IIe united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in February, 1868, and has been Steward for several years, and also a Trustce. His deccased wife was a member of the same denomination. When he be- gan life for himself as a clerk in Bellbrook in 1834, the village contained five hundred inhabitants. Of that number the only ones now living in the cor- poration are Mrs. Miriam Hale, R. D. Rowsey, Mrs. Laura Miller, and Mrs. Mary Scal.
In August, 1889, the descendants of William James and their connections by marriage, met at the home of Jackson Smith on section 34, Sugar Creek Township, and formed an organization of which our subject was elected President. He is the oldest living member of the family, which includes many prominent eitizens.
D ANIEL BROUGHER. This gentleman occul- pies a prominent position among the success- ful farmers of Bath Township, Greene County and has one of the finest homes within its limits. This comprises one hundred acres of well-developed land, and is pleasantly located on section 4. The residence. which was erected in 1882, is a fine, large frame structure, with attractive surroundings, while adjacent, is a commodious barn, which was erected in 1886, upon the site of onc equally as fine which was struck by lightning, and burned to the ground. Mr. Brougher evidently has a thor- ough understanding of his chosen calling, and is now in a condition to take life easy, and enjoy the fruits of his labors.
A native of Cumberland County, Pa., Mr. Brougher was born near the town of Carlisle, Feb. ruary 24, 1831, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was reared on the farm, and learned blacksmithing of his father who opc- rated a shop. At the age of fifteen years he was master of the art, working with his father, but lie disliked the business and persuaded his father to abandon it for farming. He remained under the home roof until'a young man of twenty-three ycars then, in 1854, struck ont for himself, coming to Clark County, this State, and employing himself
on a farm until after the outbreak of the Civil War. As a member of the State Militia he assisted in driving the raider Morgan from Ohio, and af- terward, in 1863, rented nis father's farm upon which he remained until 1877, when he became the purchaser. He has since occupied it, and has instituted many important improvements. He raises various kinds of grain and stock, which find a ready market at Enon, four miles away.
Mr. Brougher remained a bachelor until ap- proaching the thirty-fourth year of his age, and was then joined in wedlock with Miss Catherine Rynearson, the wedding taking place at the bride's home near Columbus City, Whitley County, Ind., December 28, 1865. Mrs. Brougher was born Sep- tember 17, 1843, in Mad River Township, this State, and is the daughter of William and Mahala (Brown) Rynearson, who were natives of Ohio. Her parents removed to Indiana about 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Brougher have no children of their own, but have an adopted child, Pearl, who is now ten years of age. Politically Mr. Brougher supports the Democratic party, and in religion is a Lutheran. He carefully refrains from assuming the responsi- bilities of office, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests. Hc is an advo- cate of the Grange principles, and thinks it will ultimately lead to great good to the masses of the people.
The father of our subject was Nathaniel Brougher, a native of Cumberland County, Pa., and a son of an old hero of the Revolutionary War. Nathaniel Brougher learned shocmaking in his younger years, but the trade being distasteful, he abandoned it and took up blacksmithing. This latter he followed for a period of thirty years, then engaged in farming in Cumberland County, Pa., until 1855. That year he cmigrated to Ohio, and purchased the land which his son, Daniel, now owns and occupies. Upon this he labored until called hence in 1876, when seventy-two years old. He was a Lutheran in re- ligion, and a Democrat in politics. His wife borc the maiden name of Catherine Camp. She was likewise a native of Cumberland County, Pa., and the daughter of Peter Camp, who was also born there, and who followed farming all his life. Mrs. Catherine Brougher is still living, and makes her
666
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
home with her son, our subject, and is eighty-seven years old. The parental family included four chil- dren, viz .: Isaac, a farmer of Champaign County, this State; Daniel, our subject; Susan, Mrs. Rit- ner, who died in Pennsylvania; and George, a res- ident of Cumberland County, that State.
Mr. and Mrs. Brougher are steadfast supporters of all that is good and worthy, and their portraits, which are shown in connection with this sketch, represent a couple possessing the esteem of the en- tire community.
G EORGE T. COST. The sons of the early pioneers of Greene County, have to a large extent maintained their residences at or near the old homesteads built up by their parents from the wilderness. Among the early settlers of this county were Philip F., and his wife, Jane (Wolf) Cost. They were natives of Maryland and Virginia, and coming to this State settled in Greene County, where they lived until 1836, when they removed to Shelby County where they lived until 1845, when they came back to Greene County where the father still lives at the advanced age of eighty years. Their son, George T., was born October 15, 1837. They came to this county in 1817, and settled two miles south of Fairfield, which still remains the family home where the father is prosecuting his lifelong occupation of farming. Philip Cost is of German descent, while his estimable wife was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were married in this county. The mother was born in Virginia in 1805, and came with her parents to Ohio when but a child. There was born to them a family of eight children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, these being Rachel, the wife of Samuel Wyre; Mary J., Mrs. William G. Confer, of Yellow Springs, this county ; Margaret A., Mrs. Abram Snypp, also living near Yellow Springs; Susan E., at home with her father; John P., was killed at the battle of Liberty Gap, Tenn., June 24, 1863; George T .; and two who died in infancy.
The mother of our subject departed this life at
the homestead in the fall of 1866. The paternal grandfather, John Cost, was born in Frederick County, Md., and married Miss Regina Souder, daughter of a prominent familyin Loudoun County, Va., where she was born. They reared a family of nine children, viz .: George, John, Philip F., An- thony, Josephine, Jonathan, Peter, Mary and Eliza- beth. Grandfather Cost left Maryland on account of slavery, to which he was totally opposed. On the maternal side of the honse, Grandfather Wolf served in the Black Hawk War, and spent his last years in Illinois.
The subject of this notice was reared on the pioneer farm, and received a very good edu- cation, completing his studies at Heidelburg Col- lege, in June, 1861. Subsequently he occupied himself as a teacher for several terms. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he, in 1861, entered the army as a member of Company C, Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Stone River. Prior to this he fought at the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and on the 31st of December, 1862, received a gunshot wound in the right arm on account of which it was ampu- tated near the shoulder. Subsequently he was captured by Forrest's Cavalry and taken to Nash- ville, Tenn., where he was discharged April 4, 1862. He now receives a pension of $45 per month.
Upon leaving the army Mr. Cost supplemented his education by attendance at Miami College, in Dayton, and then returned to his native haunts. He has officiated as Township Clerk three years, and in 1880 was assistant Sergeant-at-Arms during the session of the Sixty-fourth General Assembly. He has served as Deputy Sheriff of this county for four years, and was appointed to his present posi- tion as Deputy Marshal in 1889. He makes an efficient officer of sound sense and good judgment and is giving general satisfaction. In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party.
Nearly twenty-one years ago occurred the mar- riage of George T. Cost with Miss Simretta Min- ton, the wedding taking place April 8, 1869, at Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Cost was born in Miami Township, this county, January 22, 1857, and is the daughter of Ira K. and Magdaline Minton, who
667
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
were natives of Ohio, and who settled in this county at an early period in its history. They are still living, and after years of faithful labor, are spend- ing their later years amid the comforts of a pleasant home in Miami Township. Of this union there have been born six children, two of whom, Frank M. and John, died at the ages of six months and fourteen years. The survivors are: Clifford G., Charles C., George L. and Edward H. Mr. Cost belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is rated among his neighbors as one of the best men in the community.
II. BARKMAN. Among the business estab- lisInnents of Osborn, Greene County, none would be more quickly noticed by a stranger than that of J. II. Barkman & Co., which is devoted to the sale of groceries, hardware and ag- ricultural implements, the firm also having a whole- sale trade in confectioneries and tobacco. The principal member of the firmn also occupies the po- sition of President of the Osborn Bank, one of the most successful institutions of its kind in the county, and which he was instrumental in organi- zing. Mr. Barkman has been gifted by nature to more than an ordinary degree, possessing all the qualities that go to make up a complete manhood. He is one of those who scorn a mean action, and have a natural tendency to all the better things of life. As a citizen he has been liberal and public-spirited, the friend of education, and foremost in the enter- prises that tend to elevate the people. He would sacrifice much to aid the prosperity of the town, by whose citizens he is looked to for advice and assis- tance in every good work. Cultured and refined, with affable and courteous manners,he is deservedly a favorite throughout the community. He is the leading business man of the place, carrying by far the largest stock, and is doing a prosperous busi- ness.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, was Peter Barkman, a native of Germany, who, on coming to America, located at Hagerstown, Md. He married in that place, afterward removing to
this county, where he began farming, having but fairly begun his agricultural work when he died about the year 1831. His son David, who was born in this county, October 6, 1822, was obliged to shift for himself, and was self educated and self made in the most literal sense. After his father's death he was bound out to an uncle, but was so cruelly treated that he ran away, after hav- ing been worked nearly to death. Returning to his mother, who had again resumed housekeeping, he remained with her, and followed agricultural pursuits until past sixteen years old. He and his brother then rented a farm, but the brother died the same year, and David Barkman then took the place himself. IIe boarded with his mother until his marriage in 1849, when he rented the Smith farm in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, for a year, afterward having the Capt. Boyle place an equal length of time.
By this time David Barkman was able to buy one hundred acres of land upon which he located and made a home of his own, continuing the career which was begun under difficulties and discourage- ments, but proved a very successful one. He be- came the owner of two fine farms in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, including three hundred and twenty-three acres. At differ- ent times he was Township Trustee, and he was active in the ranks of the Democratic party. An honest man, he was respected and well liked by his fellow. men in whose midst his character was so clearly exhibited. He passed away April 16, 1884, at the age of sixty-two years. The worthy help- mate who aided him by her counsels and her pru- dent management of household affairs, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Garver, she also being a native of this county. She is now living in Os- born at the age of sixty-one years. She belongs to the Lutheran Church. Her father, John Garver, was a farmer in Montgomery County, whence he finally removed to Allen County, Ind., near Ft. Wayne, where he died. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of two children born to David and Elizabeth Barkman, and the only survivor. His sister, Sarah B.,became the wife of William Harner, and died in Dayton in 1872.
The subject of this sketch, was born September
668
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
15,1851, in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, and being reared on a farm acquired a knowledge of agricultural pursuits, from his father. The ex- . ellent district schools afforded good educational advantages, of which he was not slow to avail him- self, although his health would not permit him to attend steadily, and he was not able to go to col- lege. For two years he could not attend school at all, being seriously troubled with asthma, from which he has suffered more or less, until the last three years, during which time he has been quite free from it. The collegiate education which was denied him by his lack of strength, has been more than balanced by the information which he has ob- tained in other ways, and he ranks to-day among the most intelligent citizens. When about twenty years old he had full charge of his father's farm,run- ning it until he was twenty-five, when he determined to a try mercantile pursuit. In August, 1876, there- fore, he came to Osborn, put up one-half of the building he now occupies and opened a grocery and hardware store, on a capital of $1,000. The business has rapidly increased, and by close appli- cation to its details and a remarkable degree of en- ergy, Mr. Barkman has succeeded far above the average.
In 1880 Mr. Barkman engaged in the implement business, and now has a double store, in which a full line of groceries and hardware is carried, and a large warehouse in which implements are stored. His invoice is over $8,000, and his business the largest in the city. He owns three hundred and twenty-three acres in Montgomery County, which is in two well-improved farms, on one of which is a sawmill, which he superintends. The land is rented, other pursuits claiming more than enough attention.
For several years Mr. Barkman had been desir. ous of starting a bank in Osborn, but had too much to attend to. He therefore consulted with Mr. C. C. Jackson, then of Xenia, ( whose sketch occupies another page in this volume) and laid the plans for starting the Osborn Bank. These two gentlemen, with Mr. Reuben Miller, succeeded in establishing the institution, which was run as a company bank one year, and was then organized under the State laws on New Years' day, 1889, and is now doing a
successful banking business. Mr. Barkman is one of the heaviest stock-holders, is a director and President of the institution. In 1889 he built the bank building, a large brick edifice that is one of the best business houses in the town. He also owns two residences and lots in the corporation.
On September 28, 1876, Mr. Barkman led to the hymeneal altar Mary E., daughter of Robert Sloan, of Wayne Township, Montgomery County. There Mrs. Barkman opened her eyes to the light June 27, 1854, and amid favorable surroundings grew to womanhood. She completed her education in Smith College, at Xenia, acquiring an excellent knowledge of the studies taught, and growing in grace and refinement. Her happy union has been blessed by the birth of four children-Claude E., Estella, Leo and John Orvill. All of whom are being carefully instructed by their parents in vir- tue and courtesy and receiving excellent educational advantages consonant with their years.
The father of Mrs. Barkman was one of the most prominent men of Montgomery County, his home being on the borders of Greene County. We take great pleasure in giving a full sketch of one so well known in this vicinity. His great-grandfather was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America about 1718, settling on a farm in Leba- non County, Pa. He was successful in worldly affairs, and was able to start all of his children in life. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church. His son, John Sloan, was born in Dauphin County, and on March 27, 1792, married Miss Elizabeth French. His father gave him a farm, upon which he made the required improvements soon after- ward erecting a distillery on the place, and also establishing a line of freight teams for hauling mer- chandise from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. He had four sons and nine daughters-Alexander, John F., James, Robert, Jane, Eliza, Sallie, Mary, Isabella, Margaret, Martha, Nancy and Lucinda. When Alexander became grown he went to take charge of a farm in Lycoming County; John F. went to learn a trade; and deatlı claimed three daughters and the son James.
This left John Sloan without other help than that afforded by his youngest son, Robert, who was then but nine years old. In the spring of 1833 he sold
1
669
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
his property, bought horses and conveyanees and on April 1st started with his family for Ohio .. Twenty-one days later he arrived in Montgomery County, and purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land in Wayne Township. The land had upon it an unfinished brick house and a log barn, the yard being enclosed by a Virginia worm fenee, ten rails high, and the place being then considered well improved. Having now arrived at the age of sixty-three years, John Sloan confided his business to his son Robert, feeling that lie was getting too old to manage it. His wife died September 11, 1847, and he followed her to the better land De- eember 3, the same year.
Robert Sloan was born September 7, 1811, in Lebanon County, Pa., and after the entire manage- ment of his father's affairs fell upon him he proved equal to the task, everything prospering under his hands. He became prominent throughout the sec- tion in which he lived, ere long holding a leading position among the men in Montgomery County. His honesty, integrity and worth of character were well known; he was an indulgent and loving father, a thoughtful and devoted husband, and a eonscien- tious and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He had united with the church in Penn- sylvania, when twenty-one years old, and was a zealous and leading member until his death, at which time he held membership in the society at Osborn. He died in 1885.
The wife of Robert Sloan and mother of Mrs. Barkman, was May A. Shepherd, a native of Laneas- ter County, Pa., whose natal day was November 8, 1822. Her father, H. L. Shepherd, was a native of Villars, Canton Berne, Switzerland, born De- eember 17, 1799. He came to this country as a companion to his sister, who had married an Amer- iean gentleman under somewhat romantic eireum- stances. Mr. Flotron, a jeweler of Laneaster, Pa., while traveling in Europe, beeame acquainted with the Shepherd family, who were also jewelers. He became attached to the daughter, Mary A., but her parents refusing to let her leave them,he was obliged to return to America with out her. He had been baek but a short time, however, before he con- cluded that she was necessary to his happiness, and he accordingly returned to Switzerland to again
urge liis suit. He was successful, and they were married, the parents resolving to send her youngest brother with her to see her safe in her new home. They embarked, encountered several storms, were shipwrecked and almost lost, but finally landed in New York, and thenee went to Lancaster, Pa. The sister not liking to be left alone, indueed her brother to remain with her instead of returning to his native land, as his parents expected. He-H. L. Shep- herd -- then entered the employ of Gottleib Seherer, a farmer and distiller, with whom he remained until 1821. He then married Susan Scherer, a sister of his employer, and in 1833 emigrated with his family to Montgomery County, Ohio, wliere he died January 4, 1861, his wife breathing her last February 4, 1864. Robert and Mary (Shepherd) Sloan had three children, the wife of our subject being the youngest. The others are: Susie, wife of H. H. Kneisley, of Montgomery County, Ohio; and Henry C., on the old Sloan homestead.
Mr. Barkman has had offices thrust upon him, being foreed to become a member of the School Board, and is now serving his second term as a Couneilman. He was Township Trustee one year, but deelined a re-nomination. He has been a del- egate to county and State conventions, and is a member of the Democratic Central Committee. Ile is numbered among the most influential members of the party in the north western part of the county, his influence being felt everywhere. He is a ehar- ter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Osborn; is now Distriet Deputy and Representa- tive to the Grand Lodge. Mrs. Barkman is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.
S ILAS W. PRINTZ. The agrieultural in- terests of Mad River Township, Clark County, received a valuable suecession in Marelı, 1883, by the removal hither of Mr. Printz, who settled on section 24, where he has now one hundred and seventy-four acres and a half of prime land which is largely devoted to stock-rais- ing. The improvements consist of a neat and sub- stantial residence, all the barn room required for
670
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
the storage of grain and shelter of stock, corn eribs, sheds, wind-mill, water tanks and etc. in addition to a full supply of farm machinery. A fine orchard and various other fruit trees together with a vine- yard yield the luxuries of their season. In his stock operations Mr. Printz makes a specialty of graded Norman horses and full-blooded Poland- China swine. He raises quantities of corn, wheat and potatoes and operates a steam threshing-ma- ehine of the most improved pattern, which is the source of handsome returns.
Mr. Printz is prominently connected with the Clark County Agricultural Society in whose well- fare he mantains a warm interest, and in connection with which he has served as Superintendent of the hog department and cattle department and has con- tributed liberally of his tune and means to make of the society a suceess. He uniformly votes the Demo- cratie tieket and is the Road Supervisor of District No. 7. He belongs to Ephraim Lodge No. 146, I. O. O. F. at Springfield, also the Knights of Pyth- ias at Enon, being a Trustee of that lodge. He is frequently sent as a delegate to the various conven- tions of his party and it thus will be seen occupies no unimportant position in connection with the var- ious interests of Clark County.
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.