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 88
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 88
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The subject of this notice was reared to man's estate in the city of Xenia, acquired his education in the common schools and at an early age evinced more than ordinary musical talent. IIe finally be- came a teacher of the art, and followed this pro- fession for some time during his younger years. He was first married, February 11, 1858, to Miss
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Angeline Ilays, of Clinton County, this State. This lady was the daughter of Joel and Sarah ( Ray born) Ilays, of Clinton County, and of their union there were born two children, the eldest, Mary E., be- came the wife of John Lineinger; Amanda E. died at the age of nineteen years. The wife and mother departed this life July 7, 1862.
Mr. Babb contracted a second marriage June 11, 1863, with Miss Louisa Lacy. This lady was born June 29, 1835, in Clinton County, this State, and is the daughter of John J. and Ruth (Brown) Laey, the latter deceased. The father is still living, and is a farmer by occupation. About 1855 Mr. Babb removed to Clinton County, where he sojourned until January, 1879. He then changed his resi- dence to Painterville, where he occupied himself in carpentering and milling. Since becoming a voting citizen he has given his allegiance to the Republican party. Ile was elected Justice of the Peace in 1882, and is still serving. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Babb is presented in connection with this biography.
OHN B. DUNKEL. The town of Enon Clark Connty, has been brought to its pres- ent position by the enterprise of a few such men as Mr. Dunkel, whose industry and energy have not only placed him in good cir- cumstanees financially, but have had a perceptible influence upon those around him. The stimulus of competition is perhaps more effective in urging men to exertion than anything which can be named, and there are few in this vicinity who have not had their ambitions quickened by noticing the career of the subject of this sketeli. Ile is regarded as a business man of more than ordinary capacities, is shrewd and self-reliant, the architect of his own fortune, while at the same time one seldom meets a more genial or affable man, or one with whom an hour can be spent in a more pleasant and profitable manner.
A native of the Keystonc State, Mr. Dunkel was
born near the town of Lancaster, November 20, 1847, and was there reared on a farm, receiving such education as was afforded by the common schools. ITis father, John Dunkel, a substantial citizen of excellent character, is represented on another page in this volume. John B. when a lad of sixteen years eame with his father to this county, in the spring of 1864, and remained a member of the parental household for six years thereafter. Then, ready to establish a fireside of his own, he was wedded to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Reuben Shellabarger, at the bride's home in Mad River Township, September 29, 1870. The Shellabarger family is duly represented on another page in this work.
After his marriage Mr. Dunkel operated the old homestead until the spring of 1871. He then rented a farm, in partnership with his brother-in- law one year, and that practically wound up his agricultural operations. In the spring of 1872 he associated himself in partnership with Samuel Ar- thur, and they purchased a stock of goods, and establishing themselves at Enon, conducted a store of general merchandise four months. Mr. Dunkel then purchased the interest of his partner, and en- larging his facilities for business, has continued merchandising until the present time with very satisfactory results. In the year 1885 he took his brother Abraham into partnership, and under the firm style of J. B. Dunkel & Bro., they enjoy the bulk of the trade in their own town, and carry the largest stock of goods. Their store is conveniently arranged, and contains nearly everything which can be mentioned in connection with the village or country household. Mr. Dunkel owns the store, besides his residence and other farm property, and occupies one of the pleasantest homes in the place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dunkel there have been born two children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Clara, is attending Wittenberg College, and expects to graduate in the class of 1894; Harry remains at home with his parents. Mr. Dunkel is a member in good standing of the Christian Chureli, in which he officiates as Trustee, and politically, he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party. He has frc. quently been sent as a delegate to the various con- ventions, and is a member of the Democratic
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Central Committee. Since 1879 he has officiated as Township Treasurer, and has been Town Treas- urer for the past ten years. The cause of educa- tion finds in him a firm friend. He has been a member of the School Board, also of the Council. Socially, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fairfield, and he is Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias at Enon.
NDREW DEFFENBACH, dealer in feed, also keeping a livery stable, has been a resident of Springfield forty-one years. He is of German ancestry, coming from good old stock who made a home in Pennsylvania for many years. In that State his grandfather, Jacob Deffenbach, is believed to have spent his en- tire life. There David Deffenbach, Jr., was born and reared to agricultural pursuits. After reaching manhood the latter married Barbara Rohrer, like himself a native of Lancaster County, wlience they removed to York County. There the wife died in 1841, when her son, our subject, was eleven years old. The widowed father removed to Dauphin County, whence in 1866 he came to Springfield to spend his last years with his son. For some years be kept a hotel in the Keystone State and he had served as Sheriff of Lancaster County.
The natal day of Andrew Deffenbach was Janu- ary 5, 1830, and his birthplace the county of which his parents were natives. When his mother died the home was broken up and from that time he earned his own living. He first found employment with a farmer in Dauphin County, receiving $3 per month and his board for the labor which he per- formed, and remaining with the same man until be was fifteen years old. He then came to Springfield, Ohio, with his brother-in-law, his first employment here being on the railroad. Later he became a farni laborer on property three miles east of town, and being industrious and economical he was soon en- abled to engage in. the livery business. In 1865, he built a stable which is centrally located and the seat of a flourishing business. It occupies a site on the west side of Limestone Street between Main and
Columbia Streets, and has a frontage of seventy- three fcet. and a depth of two hundred. Its full capacity is taxed to accommodate the steeds and vehicles, together with the various other appoint- ments of a well-equipped livery stable, and furnish accommodations for the patrons of the institution.
The estimable Christian woman who in 1858 linked her life and fortune with that of Mr. Deffen- bach, was known in her girlhood as Julia A. Sei- berd. The union has been blessed by the birth of four children-Effie, Pritchard, Essie and Burch- ard. Effie married William Brinsley and has one son, named Chester; Essie married Mort Beard and has one daughter, Helen B. Our subject and his entire family belong to the German Lutheran Church. They are known as earnest believers who conscientiously endeavor to show their faith by their works.
AJ. WILLIAM T. HOUGH. As one of the early pioneers of Clark County, Mr. Ilough deserves more than a passing no- tiec. He came to this section of country during the period of its early development and has contributed his full quota toward its subsequent growth and prosperity. He makes his headquarters at a well-regulated farm on section 13, Moorefield Township, where by a course of industry and pru- dence, he lias surrounded himself and his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
A native of Loudoun County, Va., the subject of this notice was born December 25, about 1811, and is the son of John and Jane (Braden) Hougli, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. His paternal ancestors are believed to have been of Englishi origin. Grandfather Hougli settled in Virginia at an early day, prior to the Revolution- ary War, and spent his last days there. To John Hough and his estimable wife there was born a family of nine children and William T. is the only survivor. The Hough family as far back as the records go liave been Quakers in religious belief. Willlam T. was reared to farming pursuits and
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spent his boyhood and youth in his native State, remaining under the parental roof. His father died when he was a lad of eleven years and being the eldest son, he naturally assumed many of the labors belonging to older years. He assisted his mother and gradually assumed the principal la- bors on the farm to the neglect of his education, but grew up healthful in mind and body and availed himself of the opportunity of reading whenever the occasion permitted, thus keeping himself posted upon current events.
Mr. Hough was married in Fauquier County, in January, 1831, to Miss Louisa Bowersett and to them was born a family of nine children of whom only four are living. John is a farmer by occupa- tion and one of the Trustees of Moorefield Town- ship; George, makes his home in Tenn .; Annie, the wife of Francis Farcl, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Heffebower, a widow, are both residents of Spring- field. In the fall of 1833 Mr. Hough with his wife and one child, left the Old Dominion and coming to Ohio located npon the land which eon- stitutes his present farm. It bore but little resem- blance then to its present condition, being princi- pally wild and uneultivated, and it required the la- bor of years and the outlay of thousands of dol- lars to bring about the present improvements. The home farm comprises one hundred and forty aeres while Mr. Hough lias nineteen and seventy one- hundredth aeres elsewhere in the township. As an example of a man eommeneing in life without other resources than his own industry and perse- verance, he certainly presents in his life and sur- roundings an admirable illustration of that which may be accomplished by a resolute will and good management. His well-tilled aeres yield annually handsome returns and he has a prospect of a eom- petenee for his deelining years,
Mrs. Louisa Hough departed this life at the homestead some years sinec. Mr. Hough contracted a second marriage February 14, 1882, with Mrs. Caroline Chester and there has been born to thiem one daughter, Addie. Mr. Ilough cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and remains a stanch adherent of the Democratie party. He lias served as Justice of the Peace of Moorefield Township. During his younger years he took an
active interest in military affairs and at one time served in the Ohio militia as the Aid-de- camp of Gen. Kiefer during the Mexican War.
The present wife of our subjeet was born in Clark County, November 16, 1843, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (House) Sheeder. Her parents were natives of Chester County, Pa., whence they emigrated to Ohio in 1835, settling in Moorefield Township, Clark County, among its earliest pioneers. The father occupied himself as a farmer and wagon-maker. They brought with them their three children and three more were subsequently added to the household eirele. Five are now living, viz : John, a resident of Springfield; Ambrose living in Bird City, Kan .; Joseph, of Dal- las, Tex; Isaae in Dakota and Mrs. Hough. One daughter, Margaret, died March 10, 1866, in In- diana aged thirty-five years. Both parents are deceased. They were people greatly respected in their community and members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. They traced their ancestry to Germany. Mrs. Hough belongs to the Metho- dist Church.
The deceased children of Mr. Hough by his first wife are-Nannie S. C., Marietta, William, Saralı and Ellen.
RANK E. FROST, a contractor and builder in Donnelsville, Clark County, was born near this place, May 2, 1863, and being the only child of parents who possessed consider- able means and desired their son to be well fitted for the battle of life, he received good school ad- vantages. His boyhood was passed on a farm a mile and a half northwest of Donnelsville, and his early education obtained in the common sehools, which at that period afforded instruction in many of the bigher branches and were under the control of competent instructors. This was supplemented by a business course at Nelson's Business College, at Springfield, after leaving which young Frost beeame a book-keeper for the American Manufac- turing Company, of New Carlisle.
David In Knight
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After aeting in that capacity two years, Mr. Frost became a traveling representative of the Champion City Times for eighteen months, after which he took up his residence at Donnelsville. He is himself a carpenter, and consequently thoroughly competent to select material, seeure reliable work. manship, and properly estimate everything con- nected with his business. IIis own residenee is one of the handsomest in the entire township and is presided over by a lady who is a capable house- wife and an intelligent and charming companion.
The wife of Mr. Frost was born in Claypool, Ind., and bore the maiden name of Lydia Kep- linger. She is a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Heck) Keplinger, both of whom were born in Bethel Township, Clark County, Olio. The rites of wedlock between herself and our subject were celebrated at her home, May 13, 1886. In his po- litical views Mr. Frost is a Demoerat, and his re- ligious convietions have led him to unite with the Lutheran Church. Honorable in his dealings with his fellow-men, reliable as a citizen and considerate in the closer relations of life, he is entitled to and re- ceives the respect of all with whom he comes in contaet.
Jacob Frost, the father of our subject, was born in Greene County, in 1806, but when a boy eame. to Clark County with his parents, who settled in Bethel Township. There he was reared to man- hood and spent the remainder of his life, dying June 2, 1889. Farming was his chosen vocation, and by an industrious and prudent pursuit of the same lie acquired considerable property, being self inade in finances. He was a Democrat. His wife, formerly Miss Indiana Conrad, was born in Wash- ington County, Md., became his wife in Bethel Township, in 1840, and is yet living.
AVID McKNIGHT. There is no State in the Union where agriculture has attained to a higher dignity than in the State of Ohio. Fortunately its originally rich soil fell into the hands of a people of more than ordi- nary intelligence and enterprise, and the result has
been that it has obtained a prestige extending throughout the entire Union. Prominent among those who first inaugurated this extensive and pros- perous industry was the Mcknight family, who have made for themselves an admirable record and of whom the subject of this notice is a worthy representative. He is now quite well advanced in years, having been born October 3, 1818, and at the present time lives only one mile south of his father's old homestead where he first opened his eyes to the light. His own property aggregates two hundred and sixty-two acres in Spring Valley Township, Greene County, which under his man- agement has become highly productive and valu- able.
William and Jane (Fulton) McKnight, the im- mnediate progenitors of our subjeet, were natives of Virginia and spent their last years in Ohio. The father was a lifelong farmer by occupation and an early pioneer of this county. After a well-spent life he rested from his labors, July 16, 1853, pass- ing peacefully away at the homestead which he had built up, amid the regret of many friends. The mother died about. August 6, 1825. Their family consisted of six children, three of whom are living. The subject of this notice received careful parental training and a practical education in the common school, which was conducted in a rude log house, with puncheon floor, slabs for seats and desks and the chimney built outside of dirt and sticks. He worked on the farm with his father until his mar- riage.
The above-mentioned important and interesting event occurred April 23, 1868, the bride being Miss Emma J. Adams. She was born July 19, 1846, in Rappahannock County, Va .. to William M. and Mary Jane (White) Adams, who were natives of Faugnier County, Va. Their births occurred re- speetively September 19, 1802, and September 2, 1812. They were reared and married in their native county. Mr. Adams was given a common-school education and in his younger years followed the profession of a teacher. Later he worked with his father as a millwright. In the fall of 1859, he came to Ohio, settling on a tract of land in the south- western part of Spring Valley Township and fol- lowed farming the remainder of his days. He was
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ealled hence August 1, 1879. Ilis widow is still living, making her home with her three daughters in Spring Valley.
To the parents of Mrs. MeKnight there were born the following children: Marcellus W. is a resident of Kent County, Mieh .; Ann Sophia is the widow of J. Buekles and lives in Spring Valley ; Susan F. is the wife of Fenton Squires and they live in the vicinity of Waynesville; William H .; Jolin C. dur- ing the Civil War served as a Union soldier in the One Hundred and Eighty-eightlı Ohio Infantry; Emma J., James T., Luey, Aliee, Mary Belle and Sarah E. are living in Ohio. The paternal grand- father was John Adams, likewise a native of Vir- ginia who lived in Warren County, that State, and died abont 1861. He was a first-elass earpenter and a skilled millwright. Iu religion he belonged to the Old School Baptist Church. His wife bore the maiden name of Susannah MeLearn. IIer fa- ther was a Scotch weaver, who, after coming to this country settled in Virginia and thereafter followed farming. To John Adams and his estimable part- mer, there was born a family of twelve ehildren, viz: William, Thompson, Charles, Daniel, Joseph, Eveline, Eliza, Lucy, Susan, Sarah, Cordelia and Adeline. John Adams departed this life in Vir- ginia in 1862, at the advaneed age of eighty-fonr years. His wife had passed away many years pre- viously.
To our subjeet and his good wife there were born four children, namely, Hannah, William, Mary and Robert. Mrs. MeKnight belongs to the Old School Baptist Church. Mr. MeKnight upon reaching his majority identified himself with the Whig party, casting his first vote for William H. Harrison. Later he became a staneli defender of Republican principles and at the election of 1888, elleerfully voted for the grandson of "old Tippecanoe." Ile was a strong Union man during the late Civil War and with his brothers contributed liberally toward its prosecution.
Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Me- Knight located where they now reside. In 1880, their first residence was destroyed by fire and the present one was soon afterward ereeted upon the same site. This latter is a fine modern structure, set in the midst of well-kept grounds and with its
surroundings forms one of the most attractive pie- tures in the landscape of this region. The farm comprises three hundred and forty acres, all of which have been aceumulated by the industry, economy and good management of its present pro- prietor.
Among the portraits in this volume of represen- tative citizens of Greene County we are pleased to present that of Mr. McKnight.
W ILLIAM J. BAIRD. On a well-developed farm in Pleasant Township, Clark County, this highly respected gentleman earries on the work of general farming in a manner which re- flects eredit upon his skill and judgment and fur- uishes him with an exeellent income. His estate comprises one hundred and sixty-five aeres and has been his home sinee 1859. Mr. Baird is a native of this county having been born a mile east of Harmony, March 27, 1826. His boyhood and youth were passed in the manner usual to farmers' sons, his time being divided between attendance at the common sehools, the farm labors in which his strength would allow him to assist, and the reerea- tions to be found in the country.
On March 10, 1857, Mr. Baird was united in marriage with Mary Hayward, a lady of many es- timable traits of character. She was born at Har- per's Ferry, Va., being a daughter of David and Margaret (Kane) Hayward, who came to Ohio in 1833 and settled two miles east of Springfield. Mr. Hayward was a blacksmith. The marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Osear, Margaret and Lewis R. The daughter is now the wife of George Everhart. The devoted wife and mother was ealled from time to eternity in September 1864. Afterhav- ing remained a widower until February 19,1867, Mr. Baird contracted a second matrimonial alliance be- ing united with Miss Nancy Kimble. This lady is a daughter of Giles and Eveline (Turner) Kimble and was born in Harmony Township. Her father is a farmer. She is a woman whose worth is ae- knowledged by all who know her and in whom the heart of husband and children may rejoice. She
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has borne our subject five children : Lizzie, Milton J., Nellie A., Eva A., and Laura E.
Mr. Baird has been an active Republican for many years. He has served as Township Trustee and in 1889 was elected to that office unsolicited. For fifteen years he has been a member of the School Board in which he has materially advanced the cause of education. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian Church while his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The ancestry of our subject is an honorable one, the family being originally of Scotland, whence members of it removed to Ireland and thienee came to America. Going back to the third generation prior to our subject we find William Baird, who left to his children over five thousand acres of land in Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. He was in- timately associated in the business with a Mr. Breckenridge who was one of the first men to settle in the Blue Grass State. The next in the direct line was another William Baird, who was born near Hagerstown, Md., March 16, 1762, and who, during the latter part of the Revolutionary War, served as a guard about nine months. He married Dorothy Cammerrer, a native of Maryland and of Dutch ancestry. After having lived for some time in Westmoreland County, Pa., in the spring of 1794 they journeyed to Kentucky on a flatboat, settling at Flemingsburg, whence in 1808 they removed to Olio on horseback. Settlement was made on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harmony Town- ship, Clark County, the acreage being afterward increased to five hundred and fifty. There Mrs. Baird died in 1824, her husband surviving until March 10, 1836. She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family con- sisted of the following sons and daughters: Hester, who married John Smith; Susannah, the wife of Joshua Tatman, of Flemingsburg, Ky., who died childless; Elizabeth, Mary Ann, wife of John Hodge; Peter C., Jolin, who died in Kosciusko County, Ind., and William D.
Peter C. Baird was born in Greensburg, West- moreland County. Pa., September 16, 1792, and grew to maturity in Ohio, where he resided from his fifteenth year until he had passed the age of four-score, dying November 2, 1873. He was a
successful farmer, accumulating a nice fortune. After his marriage he settled on one hundred and fifty-two acres on the National Pike east of Har- mony, where he resided until his death. He was an old line Whig and afterward a sturdy Republi- can. He married Frances Wilson, who was born near King's Mountain, N. C., and who belonged to a highly respectable family. Her father, John Wil- son, was a Justice of the Peace twenty-seven years; he was a strict Presbyterian and was highly thought of by all to whom his character was known. He married Hannah Baird, also of North Carolina whence they came to Ohio, spending the later years of their life in Fayette County. The fathers of both took part in the celebrated battle at King's Mountain.
This worthy couple were the parents of six sons and six daughters, the subject of this biographical notice being the first-born. All of the sons and four daughters lived beyond their childhood. John was accidentally killed in sliding from a straw stack; Willis is living in Dade County, Mo .; Lewis, who served in Company K, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, is now living in Jessamine County, Ky .; Robert J., who belonged to Company I, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, was killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Samuel died when eighteen years old; Clarissa is the wife of John Mills, of Green Township; Caroline lives on the old homestead ; Susan lives with her ; Mary A. is now deceased.
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