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 89
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 89
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OSEPH D. LITTLE. One of the important industries of Clark County is that of the Springfield Fertilizer Company, whose works are located on East High Street, and who em- ploy from thirty to forty men. The business was established in 1883 by L. M. Goode, F. A. Kissell and J. D. Little. They manufacture fertilizing agents, which find a ready sale in the East, and in which there is a large local trade. The subject of this brief biographical notice is of English and Scotch descent and a native of Monmouth County, N. J., where his eyes opened to the light March 30, 1840, Ilis father, Thomas Little, died when
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Joseph was a lad of twelve years, and he was thrown somewhat on his own resources for sup- port. Going to Philadelphia, Pa., he entered the employ of his nnele, A. W. Little, an extensive silk importer, in whose establishment he acquired a knowledge of that trade and good business habits.
Young Little remained with his uncle until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he became a member of a company which was composed of young men from the best Philadelphia families and known as the Anderson Troop. The company was formed into a battalion, and afterward, by the ad- dition of other companies, into a regiment, and ordered to the front. It was not properly officered, however, and on receiving orders to engage in battle, they refused to move the regiment. Three companies of one hundred men each agreed to go into the fight if supplied with proper officers, which was done. During the battle nearly half the men were killed or taken prisoners, Mr. Little be- ing one of the number captured by the enemy. He was taken to Libby Prison, where he remained until 1863, when he was paroled and sent to the Philadelphia hospital on account of sickness. There he received his final diselarge.
After leaving the army, Mr. Little located in Muncic, Ind., where he embarked in mercantile business, selling out, however, a few months later. He then went to Dayton, Ohio, and engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. In 1867 he eame to Springfield, entering the employ of Amos White- ley & Co., manufacturers of reapers and mowers. He remained with that firm three years, at the ex- piration of that period becoming superintendent for the firm of Rinehart, Ballard & Co., afterward aequiring an interest in the coneern. In 1882 the firm sold out to O. S. Kelly. Mr. Little then se- eured an interest in the Trieycle Manufacturing Company, of Springfield, which he disposed of upon the organization of the company to which he now belongs.
In 1875 Mr. Little was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Rinehart, of this city. Her parents are James W. and Caroline (Pennoek) Rinehart, for- merly of Greene County, Pa., in which she was born. She has borne her husband three children
-Elizabeth R., Arthur W. and Joseph D., Jr. Mr. Little belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M., and to Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R.A.M. In polities he is a Republican, and is now repre- senting the Eighth Ward in the City Council. Enterprising in business affairs, honorable as a man and citizen, and manifesting an intelligent inter- est in the movements which are for the good of the community, he receives the respect of many friends. Ilis estimable wife, who was carefully reared and well educated, is also esteemed for her character and usefulness.
MOS BRIGGS. This gentleman is one of the heavy farmers of Clark County, his at- tractive home being situated in Madison Township, on a traet of land which has been in the possession of the family for many years. The dwelling is one of the well-built frame strue- tures which do credit alike to the taste and home care of the oceupants, and is a model of hospitality and comfort. It occupies the site of the log cabin which was the original family home in this State, and which was erected by Jolni Briggs, the grand- father of our subjeet. His father, Samuel Briggs, the great-grand father of Amos, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The family is of Eng- lish lineage, and several generations ago was repre- sented in Virginia by various members. Among these was Samuel Briggs, a native of the Mother Country, who spent the greater part of his life in the Old Dominion. In 1801 his five sons, includ- ing John, the grandfather of our subject, settled on Paint Creek, Ross County, Ohio, whenee two years later one of them with his wife and family, came to the place now occupied by our subject, the other brothers remaining near Chillicothe. After other settlers began to loeate in this neighborhood, John Briggs opened his house to the preaching of the gospel for a number of years, the old log school- house which stood on land formerly owned by Mr. Paullin, near where the brick one now does, being afterward used as a place of worship. The wife of Jobn Briggs was Catherine Peterson, a lady of Ger-
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man ancestry. The remains of both rest in the New South Charleston cemetery. Grandpa Briggs lived until 1852, reaching the age of eighty-six years ; his widow survived until June 1864, being about ninety ycars old when called hence.
The first purchase of John Briggs in this section was four hundred and ninety acres of land, with which he was content, never adding to thic acreage. He had a family of five sons and four daughters, that grew to maturity, and one child that died in 1814, and is buried near the home which is now quite a family neighborhood. The estate was di- vided between the sons, and finally the larger por- tion came the possession of Samuel, to whom some of the others sold, removing West. He departed this life September 8, 1850, his wife surviving un- til January 30, 1889.
About a year after John Briggs settled here, there came to this section from Virginia, George Hempleman and his family. When Mr. Hemple- man caught sight of the cabin in the woods, he turned to his wife, who was riding a pack-horse, and said : "I wonder what fool ever got out to this God-forsaken country." The travelers remained over night in the cabin, where they were treated with the old time frontier hospitality. The supper consisted of venison, and bread baked in a Dutch oven, and was heartily enjoyed by them as they were all very hungry. Elizabeth IIcmpleman, then about six years of age, often afterward referred to it as the best meal they ever had. The family went on four miles, settling where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Miss Elizabeth, after reaching maturity, became the wife of Samnel Briggs, under whose father's roof she and her par- ents had been sheltered on their first entrance into this neighborhood. The George Hempleman men- tioned above, was the son of another George a na- tive of Germany, who also came to Ohio in 1808, settled two miles north of Charleston, and lived to be one hundred and ten years of age. His mortal remains were also deposited in the old South Charles- ton cemetery.
Amos Briggs, of whom we write, was born Feb- ruary 13, 1828, in a house on the old homestead, where he was reared amid somewhat more primi- tive surroundings than those of his present life.
He took his chance in the schools of the day, and acquiring a good practical knowledge of the im- portant branches of study, developing a sturdy manliness which seems to be almost a necessary con- sequence amid the scenes in which his boyhood was passed. On March 12, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret A. Bateman, a noble hearted and intelligent woman, who has been his most cherished companion since their wedding day. The union has been childless.
Having abundant means to gratify their tastes, Mr. and Mrs. Briggs indulge in snch pleasures as people of intelligence, refinement, and a love of nature can enjoy; and find an outlet for the kind- liness and generosity of their natures in quietly as- sisting the needy and aiding in various good works. In 1875, they made an extended trip to the West, which was greatly enjoyed by them at the time, and affords much pleasure in the retrospect. They spent a few days in Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City, thence going to Denver and Colorado Springs, and visiting the points of interest in the Centen- nial State. They then passed through Utah and Nevada to California, stopping as fancy led them, and after reaching the Golden State, making a thorough tour of the Yosemite Valley, and Cala- veras County, the home of the big trees. From California they went to Oregon on a Pacific steamer, returning by the mountain route, so being enabled to view every varicty of scenery that the Rocky Mountain and coast region afford.
Mrs. Margaret Briggs is a great-grand-daughter of Henry Bateman, who bought the mansion of Lord Baltimore near the city of that name, that historic edifice becoming the family home of the Batemans. In it William Bateman was born Feb- ruary 17, 1741. He married Margaret Ducker, a lady of English ancestry, who was born May 5, 1749. Their marriage was celebrated December 27, 1771, among their children being Danicl H., who was born June 1, 1787, and who was the father of Mrs. Briggs. The family is a patriotic one, William Bateman having sent two sons to the War . of 1812, and having had a brother John, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War.
Daniel Bateman chose for his wife Miss Eliza- beth Surlott, who was born in Bracken County,
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Ky., and who accompanied her parents to Ohio in 1820, their settlement being made in Ross Town- ship, Greene County. Mr. Bateman had come to this section in 1812. In 1851, he removed with his family to South Charleston, where both he and his wife passed away. The death of the latter oc- curred November 18, 1854, and he survived until February 2, 1863. The Batemans were believers in the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, and the Surlotts have been Methodists for generations. Mrs. Briggs is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Briggs is a stanch Democrat,
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D AN. BAKER is the owner and occupant of an excellent piece of property in Miami Township, Greene County, which has been his life-long home. It comprises one hundred and thirteen acres of well-improved land, a portion of it being timber, and various crops being raised upon that which is under the plow. The residenec is a substantial brick house, which was built by the father of our subject, and occupies the site of the old log house in which our subject was born. The personal character of Mr. Baker is above reproach, good principles marking his intercourse with his fellow-men, and the utmost kindliness being shown by him to his wife and children. Never having been a rover, his principal knowledge of the world has been obtained by reading, but he keeps up an intelligent interest in the world's affairs by this means.
Among the early settlers in this county was Thomas Baker, who came hither from Pennsylvania about 1812, and settled a mile northwest of Clifton, where he died September 22, 1821, at the age of fifty-ninc years. He was accompanied to this State by his son Nayl, who had opened his eyes to the light in the Keystone State May 25, 1795. The latter after reaching manhood took for his wife Miss Huldah Mills, who was born June 8, 1803, their marriage taking place in 1825. They at once settled on what is now known as the Campbell farin, but after living upon it some years sold and pur- chased that now owned by our subject which they
made their permanent home. There the husband brcatlied his last, April 17, 1865, his widow snr- viving until April 28, 1877. They were the par- ents of nine children, as follows: Sarah, now Mrs. Wilson; Jacob and Thomas, deceased ; William ; Mary and Mrs. Rachael Smith, deceased; Dan ; Mrs. Lettitia Kiler, and an infant.
The natal day of Dan Baker was April 20, 1839. He received but a common-school education and was obliged to work hard, assisting his father until the death of the latter, and afterward continning his labors upon the home place. He had left the pa- rental home during the Civil War, taking the field as a member of Company FF, One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Ohio Infantry, which was detailed for guard duty at Piedmont, W. Va. After serving until his time expired he was discharged at Camp Dennison and returned to the farm, where he has since remained. After his marriage he and his wife settled down upon the homestead and took care of his mother until she passed away.
The wife of Mr. Baker was in her girlhood Susan E. Waymirc. She is one of nine children born to Daniel and Marianna Waymirc, four of whom are now living. Her parents were natives of South Carolina whence they moved to Dayton, Ohio, where she was born July 12, 1845. Her father was a contractor, one of his jobs being the old court- house at Dayton and his last contract the Lagonda House at Springfield. The marriage ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Baker took place February 22, 1872, and has been blessed by the birth of seven children. Joseph, the first-born, died in infancy; Mary Eliza is now sixteen years of age; Huldah is deceased; Anna S. is thirteen years old ; John William is de- ceased ; Bessie Y. has reached the age of eight years; Evan D. is six years old. Mrs. Baker being a woman of intelligence, good education and fine character, ably fulfills the duties of wife and mother, and is, with her husband's co-operation, instilling into the minds of their children firm principles and a desire for usefulness.
Mr. Baker is now filling the office of Supervisor of his district and he has been a member of the School Board for about sixteen years. He has al- ways taken a lively interest in political affairs, vot- ing the Republican ticket. In former years he be-
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longed to the Grange and he is an advocate of temperance. He is a Trustec of the Presbyterian Church to which both he and his wife belong. On his father's side Mr. Baker is of Irish extraction and in the materual line is of Welsh stock. His grandparents Thomas Baker and Sarah Woodward were married in 1785, at the Friends' meeting.
AMES M. BARBER. Among those who have passed away and who have left behind them a good record as men and citizens, may be properly mentioned Mr. Barber. A man of unbonnded energy and enterprise, he most assuredly left his footprints on the sands of time and presented an example of industry and persc- verance worthy of emulation. Commencing witlı modest means, snch was his diligence and his good judgment in the disbursement of his capital, that at his death he left a large estate including five hun- dred and twenty-one acres of land which was di- vided up among his children before the widow had been assigned her dowry of one hundred and nine- teen acres, which with its buildings and other im- provements constitutes one of the most desirable country homes in Greene County.
Mr. Barber was born January 18, 1822, in Cedar- ville Township, and was a man of strong character, warm in his likes and dislikes, but of that tempera- ment which drew toward him hosts of friends and which made him greatly beloved, especially by his near neighbors and his own family. He was form- erly a Democrat in politics but during the latter part of his life was an active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition party. He was warmly inter- ested in temperance movements and totally opposed to the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors. He kept himself thoroughly posted upon current events and loved to travel-a pastime in which he was joined by his amiable wife who en- joyed this recreation as much as himself. Their last journey was to Jacksonville, Fla., where Mr. Barber was attacked with cerebro hemorrhage, from which his death ensued January 25, 1888. The bereaved wife returned home with the remains
of her husband and they were laid to rest in Ce- darville cemetery while over them has been erected the finest monument in this part of the country.
The marriage of James Barber and Miss Mary L. Bickett was celebrated at the bride's home, her father's farm, near Jasper, April 13, 1852, and not quite three years afterward, December 27, 1854, they removed to the home where Mrs. Barber still lives. Mrs. Barber was born May 6, 1833, in Jas- per Township and is the daughter of John Bickett, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1818, settling in Xenia Township, this county. The pa- ternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth Bickett, were natives of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent, and settled in Pennsylvania in the year 1797. The carly progenitors of the family were Protestants as their descendants have uniformly been. Grand- father Bickett upon coming to America settled in Pennsylvania where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife subsequently joined her children in this county and died about 1839 or 1840, having attained to the advanced age of eighty ycars. The Bicketts in coming to America were on the ocean twenty wecks.
Jolin Bickett was married in 1821 to Miss Peggy Dean, daughter of Daniel Dean, who removed to Ohio from Lexington, Ky., at a very early day. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Steele, also of Kentucky.
To Mr. and Mrs. Barber there was born a fam- ily of twelve children, all of whom are living. Jolin C. is a prosperous merchant of Cedarville; Robert Lec is married, has one child and is en- gaged in merchandising at South Salem, this State; he visited California during the gold excitement and is a very intelligent man, well informed upon all general subjects and especially the history of the great West. Charles M. is married and farm- ing on a part of the old homestead, about one-half mile from his mother; he has two children-Colin and Marie. Huldah J., a mutc, married Charles H. Ricc, afflicted in the same manner. They how- ever, have a bright little boy, Jamie, who can do enough talking for the family and can converse with his parents by means of his fingers as readily as they. The little fellow has considerable knowl- edge of telegraphing and is more than ordinarily
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bright and promising. They live on a farm a short distance north of Cedarville. Alice is the wife of R. S. Anderson and the mother of two bright children-Ethel and Eula; they live on their own farm near Clifton, this county; Lanra H. is the wife of D. S. Collins, and they also live on a farm near Clifton; Miss Effie makes her home with her brother in Cedarville; A. D. carries on the home farm for his mother in a highly credita- ble manner; Norah, Ica, Luna and Jessie complete the list. Mr. Barber from his youth was a consis- tent member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which Mrs. Barber belongs as does also her whole family except one son.
C HARLES LEDBETTER was born two miles southwest of Xenia, on the Columbus and Cincinnati Pike, November 2, 1844. Al- though only a boy when the Civil War broke out he was fired with the spirit of patriotism which swept broadeast over the North, and as soon as it was possible to do so, joined the Union forees, be- ing a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, in the one hundred days' service. The most important engagement in which he took part, was at New Creek, W. Va., the one hundred day men being mostly given the duty of guarding stores, roads, and a similar needful ser- viee, thus relieving the older soldiers, and enabling them to devote their time to more aggressive war- fare. Our subjeet had received a common-school edueation, which in this State, and in the latter half of the nineteenth century, is sufficient foundation for a useful and honorable career. He has always lived with his parents, and now works the home- stead, which comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres in Xenia Township.
The father of our subject was John H. Ledbetter, who was born in Virginia, and went with his par- ents to Kentucky, thence coming to Greene County many years ago. After the war he located on sixty- three acres of the land now owned and occupied by our subjeet, increasing his possessions until they reached the acreage before noted. His death oe-
curred in December, 1887, when he was seventy- one years old. He was the father of six children: Joseph, the first-born, belonged to the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, and served in his country's canse until April 9, 1863, when he was sent home from Vieksburg, and died five days after reaching the parental roof. The other members of the family eircle are Charles, Addison, Newton, Laura, and Dieey Ann, who died when two months old.
The wife of John H. Ledbetter, and the mother of our subject, was in her girlhood Miss Jane Rieh- ardson; she was born near Brookville, Ind., April 5, 1820. Her parents William and Ann (Boone) Richardson, lived for some time in Virginia, thence removing to Lebanon, Ohio, and from there to In- diana, where both died. The father was a tanner, distiller, and miller. He was a son of Edmund Richardson, of Maryland, and his wife was a daugh- ter of Valentine Boone, an early settler in Cæsar's Creek Township, and of German origin. The par- ents of Mrs. Ledbetter had twelve children-An- drew, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, Edmund, Lycous, Margaret, Rebecca, Henry, Jackson, Jane, and Ann. After the death of the mother, their father mar- ried Janc Collis, by whom he reared two children, John and Sallie. Both the parents of our subject believed in the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they became identified many years ago.
ILO W. ANDERSON. The farm owned and ocenpied by the above named gentle- man is located in Greene County, four and a half miles south of Xenia, on Caesar's Creek, and comprises seventy acres of land. Al- though the estate is not so large as many in the township, it is one of considerable value, being well improved and eondneted in such a manner as to show that its owner is both enterprising and progressive. Mr. Anderson is engaged in farming and stock-raising and is numbered among the sub- stantial men of the county, in which he has lived all his life.
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The natal day of Milo W. Anderson was March 27, 1857, and his birthplace the farm adjoining that
Yours Truly
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which he now occupies. His parents were Joseph and Matilda (Stanfield) Anderson, whose history will be found on another page in this volume. Under their careful tutelage he became firm in. principles, industrious in habits and fitted for a uscful and honorable life. He was reared on the farm, received a good common-school education, and after his marriage purchased from his father a portion of the old homestead, upon which he has since carried on his own successful eareer.
At the home of the bride's parents, October 5, 1875, the rites of wedloek were celebrated between Milo W. Anderson and Margaret Aliee Howard. The bride is the second child of Minor and Maria (Haverstick) Howard, who are natives of Warren County, Ohio, and of Maryland, respectively. She was born in Xenia, August 29, 1856, is well edi- eated, and possesses those virtues of heart and mind which fit her for usefulness in life and for an influence which extends far beyond her home. The only other member of the family is Emma J., wife of JJames Shane.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Re- formed Church. Their otherwise happy marriage is a childless one, but although denied that outlet for their affection they bestow their good will in abundant measure on those about them, winning in return a due measure of esteem and consideration.
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OIIN A. KNEISLY. To have deseended from a long line of honorable ancestors is a matter of pride to those so happily sitnated, and it is invariably their desire to reflect credit on the worthy name they bear. Naturally, such is the feeling of Mr. Kneisly, who is not only justly proud of his ancestry, but is filling the publie position which he occupies, that of Post- master of Osborn, Greene County, to the satisfac- tion of the community and with honor to himself. His portrait, which will be noticed on the opposite page, represents a prominent citizen of the town, one who has been a leading merchant, and who is, at all times, a liberal supporter of every worthy public enterprise. His genial man-
ners and thorough acquaintance with the world, make him a pleasant companion with whom to pass a few hours, while his education and refine- ment make him welcome in social eireles.
The subject of this sketch was born at Kneisly Station, in Bath Township, December 17, 1851. IIe is the first-born of the three children of Benja- min and Mary (Kauffman) Kneisly, and the only one now living. His brother Benjamin died in infancy, and his sister, Mrs. Susan A. Sheppard, died in Osborn. The lad had good educational advantages in this county, and at Dayton, where he lived with his grandfather until the death of the latter. In boyhood he spent the intervals of study in assisting his grandfather by doing errands and chores that were suited to his years. When seventeen years old he started out for himself, and coming to Osborn became a clerk for his uneles, Christ and John Kanffman. He continned his clerical labors until 1880, when he became a part- ner in the firm of Kauffman & Kneisly, running a grocery store until 1888. He then sold his inter- est and retired from mercantile business, devoting his attention to a public office which he was then holding. In June, 1889, he received the appoint- ment of Postmaster, and is now attending thor- oughly to the duties of the office, and carrying on the sale of a small stock of stationery.
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