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 91
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 91
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Our subject was the youngest child of a large family, and passed the early years of his life in his native county, laying the foundation of his edu- eation in the common schools, and subsequently advanced it by attendance at the academy at Clar- ion, and afterward at Greensburg, and for two years studied under a private tutor at Shippen- ville. He commenced teaching at nineteen, and was thus engaged for several terms in Clarion County. In October, 1852, he went to Indiana, and taught school during the winter, and in March went to Millville, Butler County, where he was licensed to preach by the Miami Synod he having commenced the study of theology in Pennsylvania. His first pastorate was near Greenville, and so suc- cessful was he in his work that he organized sev-
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eral churches in that vicinity. In January, 1854, he was called to Albion, Ind., and much to the sorrow of his old parishioners accepted the call. He was stationed there when the war broke out, and September 24, 1861, he offered his services as Chaplain, and became a member of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and went to the front with the regiment, which was dispatched to Kentucky and stationed at Camp Nevin from October until the following December, and was then sent to Camp Wood. He was with the regiment in the following battles: those of Shiloh, Stone River, Chicka- mauga; was with Sherman on his famous march to Atlanta, in all the engagements that took place on the way, and everywhere did brave service.
During the latter part of the time that our sub- ject was in the army he was on detached service at Nashville and Chattanooga. He was very popular in his capacity of Chaplain, checring the soldiers in the hours of despondency and weariness, rousing their flagging patriotism and caring for them ten- derly when they were wounded and sick, and many a poor soldier had cause to remember him gratefully for his kindly sympathy and never-fail- ing helpfulness in the hour of his greatest need. At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regiment and returned to Indiana. Soon he was called to Elkhart to organize a society there, and he also started two others in the vicinity.
An earnest and effective speaker, our subject was in his element in the pulpit, his natural gifts bore rich fruits, and in his pastoral relations with his people he was all that a spiritual guide should be. He ministered to the congregation in Elkhart until 1870, and was then urged to accept the charge of the religious wants of the inhabi- tants of Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Mich., where he organized a church, and also organized others in Kalamazoo County, preaching there very acceptably until 1875. From there he went to Brookville, and was at the head of the church there two years, and at the expiration of that time re- signed to accept the position of Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors of Wittenberg College. In July, 1877, he took up his abode in Springfield, and has ever since been a resident of this city, re- taining his office as financial secretary of the col-
lege until 1887, discharging the important duties thus devolving upon him in such a manner as to gain the high commendation of all concerned, and in that capacity was of great benefit to the college, in whose interests he labored with great zeal. During this time the college building was erected, in which he took great interest, and labored hard in raising funds for the same. Since giving up that position he has been engaged in the insurance business, as previously mentioned, and is conduct- ing it with marked success. May 1, 1890, he was appointed Stamp Clerk in the post-office in Spring- field, which place he is still filling.
Mr. Delo was united in marriage with Miss Mag- gie C. Munn, a native of Wooster, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Munn, Decem- ber 26, 1853. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of five children- James N., a resident of Salt Lake City ; George W. and Eva, who live in Springfield; and Albert Grant, a resident of Cimarron, Colo.
Mr. Delo has become well and favorably known since taking up his abode in Springfield, through his connections with its business, social and relig- ious interests. He is a gentleman of culture, whose liberal education and pleasant manner make him an important social factor in this community. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Mitchell Post, No. 45, in which he has held the highest offices; was Com- mander in 1889, was Senior-Vice one year, and Chaplain three years.
OSEPH F. CRABILL. A pleasantly lo- cated and valuable piece of property, com- prising two hundred and thirteen acres in Clark County, forms the home farm of the above-named gentleman. The estate is located on section 15, Springfield Township, and is the old homestead of the late Thomas V. Crabill, the father of our subject.
The natal day of the subject of this sketch was February 1, 1859, and his birthplace the farm that is still his home. He is the youngest member of
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his father's family. He received a common -school education, which in the latter half of the nineteenthi century, and in the Buckeye State, includes a thor- ough understanding of all necessary branches. Ilaving determined to adopt an agricultural career, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to perfect himself in his chosen calling, the result be- ing that although young, he ranks among the best farmers and stock-raisers of the county.
At the home of the bride, in Springfield, De- cember 2, 1884, the rites of wedlock were cele- brated between our subject and Miss Mary J. Smith. The intelligent and estimable bride was born in Yellow Springs, Greene County, and is a daughter of A. J. and Rachel Smith. Her graces of mind and manners, and her womanly habits make home attractive, and prove the wisdom of Mr. Cra- bill's choice. The union has been blessed by the birth of one child-Glenna L.
Mr. Crabill takes considerable interest in educa- tional affairs, as he does in other objects that will tend to improve or elevate the people and their material interests. In politics he is a Republican. Ilis manners are cordial and genial, favorably im- pressing those whom he meets, and a further ac- quaintance proves him to be lionorable, energetic and reliable.
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AMES ANDERSON, ESQ. Few men in Clark County have made for themselves a finer record or are held in higher esteem by the people, than lie with whose name we in- troduce this sketch, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. He was for many years Justice of the Peace, and lias long been familiarly known as 'Squire Anderson. As an illustration of the self- made man wlio worked his way upward from a modest position in life to one of affluence, he forms an example well worthy of emulation. Until the spring of 1889, he occupied his father's old home- stead and then removed to his present farm on section 36, Green Township. Ilis residence was put up in the fall of 1888 at the cost of $2,500. It is built of brick in modern style of architecture and with its surroundings, including a fine octagon-
shaped barn and shade and fruit trees, makes a .very pleasant and attractive home.
Mr. Anderson is the owner of eight hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land, mostly under a good state of cultivation and with one hundred and sixty-five acres in timber. Besides that which he occupies, he has three other good farm dwell- ings, with the necessary outbuildings and these are occupied by tenants. He is considerably interested in stock-raising, making a specialty of Polled-An- gus cattle. A leading man in his community and giving his support to all worthy enterprises, Mr. Anderson has been no unimportant factor in bring- ing it to its present position. For many years he has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and for a period of twenty years officiated as Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. For the same length of time he was also a member of the Board of Edu- cation of Green Township and was Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace twelve years each. Ile has kept himself posted upon the leading questions of the day, always casting his influence on the side of right and justice. The Grange movement at an carly date enlisted his sympathies and he served as Master, Secretary, Lecturer, etc., for a number of years. Since becoming a naturalized citizen, he has given his unqualified support to the Republi- can party.
The subject of this sketch was born July 2, 1815, in the town of Milnacraig, Forfarshire, Scotland, and was the fourth child of James and Elizabethi (O'Gilvie) Anderson, who were also born in the Land of the Thistle and came from a long line of sub- stantial ancestry. James Anderson, Sr., first opened his cyes to the light in 1780, and his good wife was boru in 1775. They were married in their native shire in 1806. They emigrated to America in 1820 and making their way directly to Ohio, settled first on Clark's Run, Greene County. Subsequently they removed to a farm south of Yellow Springs where they lived five years. In 1825 they changed their residence to Green Township, Clark County, where they made their permanent home and spent the remainder of their lives.
The father of our subject was both a miller and a weaver by trade and usually followed the latter. In his native Scotland he was a member of the local
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militia which had its headquarters in the city of Perth. Ilis brother George was an Orderly Ser- geant in the British Army and died in India in 1817.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of six children and James, Jr .. is the only surviving ehild. He is indeed the only living rep- resentative of this branch of the Anderson family. He was a lad of five years when he crossed the At- lantie with his parents and was reared to manhood amid the wild seenes of pioneer life. He grew up strong and healthful in mind and body, imbued with the principles which are peculiar to the Scoteh people and which have made them one of the most famous nationalities on the face of the globe. IIe attended the district schools of Miami Township, the temple of learning being a log cabin withi greased paper for window panes, slab benehes for seats, puneheon floor, with no door in summer and in winter simply a quilt hung before the door- way for partial protection from the biting blasts. Later he pursued his studies in a more modern log house and attended scliool for a while at Patterson's Mill, in Clifton.
Always a faithful and devoted son, Mr. Ander- son signalized the depth of his filial affection by remaining with his parents until, passing from earth, they no more needed his affectionate care. He was married August 22, 1889, to Miss Anna, daughter of James Nevius, who came from New Jersey to Ohio during the pioneer days, settling in Yellow Springs, and is now living in this town- ship with his daughter, Mrs. Anderson. Mrs. An- derson was born in Greene County, April 2, 1872, and remained with her parents until her marriage. Mr. Anderson numbers his friends by the seore in the community where he has lived so long and made for himself the record of an honest man and good eitizen.
W ILLIAM HI. ILIFF, a native of Cedarville, Greene County, and one of its oldest resi- dents was born in the then embryo village, July 18, 1840. His parents were natives of this
county, while his grandparents on both sides of the house came from Pennsylvania when young people, in 1804, two years after Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State. Ilis father, Wesley Iliff, was married in early manhood to Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Ballard. Joseph Ballard was the son of an old Revolutionary hero, Lyman Ballard, while Grandfather Wesley Iliff, was the son of James and Betsey (Hill) Iliff of Pennsylvania and of substantial old stoek. Both families traee their ancestry to Germany. Wesley Iliff was for forty years engaged in the lime busi- ness, to which his son, William II. has sueeeeded.
The subject of this notice remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil War and was the first man in his township to proffer his serviees in behalf of the Union, enlisting April 16, 1861, two days after the attack upon Ft. Snın- ter. That night and the day following twenty-six more had been added. They joined a squad at Xenia and were put into the field as Company D, Twelfth Ohio Infantry, in the three montlis serviee. Going to Columbus they assisted in laying out Camp Jackson, which became a noted rendezvous during the war. While the barracks was being prepared they slept in the Senate Chamber. Sub- sequently they organized Camp Dennison and at the expiration of the three monthis the regiment and company were re-organized, enlisting for the three years serviee or during the war.
Mr. Iliff and his comrades were sent to Virginia in June, being assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, and served three years and three months, par- tieipating in the battle of Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Chaneellors ville, Gains Mills, Gettysburg and Winchester, besides numerous other engagements and skirmishes and serving under nearly every general of that army. Being young and full of life and vigor, Mr. Iliff enjoyed the vieissitudes of a soldier's life, being blest with good health,never being confined a day in the hospital or absent from his post and was never in an ambulance. He was the life of a squad, being always ready for mischief or duty as tlie ease presented. Two of his brothers, Thomas V. and John W., were also in the service, being re- speetively in the Fourty-fourth Infantry and
1
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Eighth Cavalry. All three of the boys entered the army before reaching their majority and celebrated their twenty-first birthday in the service.
Ilis term of service having expired, Mr Iliff in 1861, received his honorable discharge and re- turned to his native haunts. He is an active Re- publican and has held many offices of trust and re- sponsibility, being a member of the Town Council, serving as City Marshal and as a member of the School Board, and being one of the census ennu- merators of 1880. For the last four years he has been a guard at the State Prison in Columbus. He was married September 15, 1870, to Miss M. L. Small. She was born August 29, 1841, in Cedarville Township and is the daughter of David and Mary (Wright) Small; the mother is now living in Cedar- ville, the father is deceased. Mrs. Iliff's paternal grandfather was James Small, who came to Ohio from South Carolina in 1804, and who spent his last days in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Iliff are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, viz: Mary, Harry, Walter, Wallace Sarah and Fanny. Mary is the wife of John Mc- Corkell, a leading merchant of Cedarville. The other children are at home. Mr. Iliff is a member in good standing of the Grand Army of the Re- public and the Patriotic Sons of America. He at- tends the Methodist Church while his wife finds religious consolation with the Reformed Presby- terians.
ARMAN KRAUSS. Prominent among the leading men of Springfield, may be properly mentioned Mr. Krauss, a public-spirited and liberal-minded citizen, who is at pre- sent serving on the Board of Education, and who maintains a warm interest in the public schools. Ile is a native of this city, and was born June 8, 1848. Ilis education was mainly conducted in its public schools, and he has grown to manhood with a lifelong interest in the enterprises calculated for her growth and prosperity.
The father of our subject was the well-known Henry Krauss, a native of the Kingdom of Saxony, and born September 22, 1800. The paternal grand-
parents were likewise natives of Saxony, and there spent their entire tives. The father of our subject had three brothers-Godfried, William, and John. The first mentioned spent his entire life in his na- tive Saxony. John and William came to America, and located in Crawford County, this State. After a few years Jolm removed to Salem, Ind., and died there. William settled on a farm in Allen County, this State, near Lima, where he died. Both were married, but neither became parents.
Henry Krauss was reared and educated in his native country, and learned the butcher's trade. There also he was married, but in 1832, after the birth of one child, set out with his little family for America, and located in Franklin County, this State, at Columbus, which was then a small inland town without either railroad or canal, only enjoying out- side intercourse with the world by the stage route. Mr. Krauss worked at his trade for a time, and then removed to Xenia, which he left about 1840, com- ing to Springfield, where he was for a time in the employ of William Grant & Co. He was frugal and industrious, and finally managed to save enough to go into business for himself, which he continued until his death, in 1878.
Mrs. Rosa (King) Krauss, the mother of our sub- ject, was likewise a native of Saxony. and came with her husband and child to America. She died at Springfield in 1865. The parental family con- sisted of fen children, all of whom lived to mature years. They were named respectively : Henrietta, Louisa, Philipona, Minnie, Mary, Harman, An- drew, William, Amelia, and John. Henrietta, the only one born in Germany, died when about five years old, and Minnie dicd at the age of twenty- four years. The others are living.
Mr. Krauss of whom we write, attended school during his boyhood days and assisted his father, rc- maining under the home roof until a man of twenty- five years. He then embarked in business for him- self in the old market house, continuing there until it was torn down, and then established his present market at No. 76 Taylor Street, near where he now resides. He was married in 1875, to Miss Martha Ellen Young. Mrs. Krauss was born in Clark County, in 1857, and is a daughter of Jacob and Melissa (IIullinger) Young, a sketch of whom
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appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Krauss is a Democrat in politics, and is serving his second term as a member of the School Board. Both he and his estimable wife belong to the Second Luth- eran Church. Socially, Mr. Krauss belongs to Springfield Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F., Red Star Lodge, No. 205, K. of P., and the Butcher's Benevo- lent Association.
ANIEL HUBEN. The first German to make a permanent settlement in Spring- field, is still a resident of this city, and highly respected, particularly by those of his own nationality. The best information that can be obtained regarding his progenitors, states that his father was a native of Bavaria, and of pure Ger- man ancestry. After having learned the trade of a miller, he removed to the Province of Loraine, where he resided until his death in 1819. To him and his wife nine children were born, five of them being reared to manhood and womanhood. Two sons, Daniel and Jacob, are the only members of the family who have come to America.
The subject of this notice was born August 21, 1810, in the department of Moselle, Loraine, which then belonged to France. His native place was the village of Walschbrunn, in the Canton of Woll- muenster. Ilis father dying when he was nine years old, he went to live with strangers, and at the age of sixteen years began to learn the trade of a miller. After serving an apprenticeship of two years, he began journey work, following his trade in different cities of France until 1831. In May of that year, he set sail from Havre, and after . thirty-two days spent on the briny deep, landed at New York City. He proceeded at once to Cincin- nati, where he arrived with empty pockets, and hampered by his inability to speak English.
Unable to find work at his trade, Mr. Huben ac- cepted other employment for a time, and then learned the trade of a baker. He served an ap- prenticeship of a year, and then worked for others until the fall of 1833, when he came to Springfield, which was a small but flourishing city. He had
been very industrious and economical, and had suc- ceeded in saving a sufficient amount to enable him to go into business for himself, and renting a build- ing, he opened a bakery. He was successful from the start, and was soon able to purchase a lot and erect the block which he still owns. He afterward added groceries to his stock in trade, and continued in the business until the death of his wife, when he sold out. For a time he occupied himself with the insurance business, but for several years past he has been living retired from active financial occu- pations.
In Cincinnati in 1833, Mr. Huben was united in marriage with Sybilla Otley, who was born in Un- ter Urbach, Oberant Schendorf, Wurtemberg. She possessed the housewifely skill and thrifty ways which belong to her race, and proved a devoted wife and mother, and kind neighbor until called hence in 1869. She was the mother of six children -Mary, Louisa, IIenry, Daniel J., Jacob and Anna. The oldest daughter married Phillip J. Kriegbaum, and lives in Huntington, Ind .; Louisa married M. Volbroth, and is deceased; Daniel J. resides in Bellefontaine, Ohio; while Henry, Jacob, and Anna reside in Springfield.
Mr. Huben was reared in the faith of the Menon- nite Church. He has ever been reputed honorable in his dealings with his fellow-men, kindly in do- mestic life, and is numbered among the better class of citizens. The entire members of the family of Mr. Huben were brought up in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which church the mother be- longed.
OHN B. HELWIG, D.D. Among the noted preachers who have made for themselves a fine reputation in Southern Ohio and occu- pied many positions of trust and responsibil- ity, may be mentioned the subject of this notice, who at present is located in the city of Springfield, and gives his time and attention principally to the ministry. He is a native of this State and born March 6, 1833, near Canal Dover. On the pater- nal side his ancestors were of German descent, and on the maternal side English in nativity and
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Wesleyan in religion. His paternal grandparents, although Lutherans in religious belief, were Puri- tans in the correctness of their home life and in all their relations with each other.
The subject of this notice spent his early life with his paternal grandparents, with whom temper- anee and a scrupulous observanee of the Sabbath were customs and principles inviolable. He re- eeived a practical education in the old-fashioned log sehoolhouse, and being fond of books, made ready progress, manifesting that self-reliance and independence of eharaeter which have so promi- nently marked his subsequent life.
Until a youth of eighteen years young Helwig oceupied himself in the work of the farm, and then served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing. In the meantime the Rev. Dr. Sprechen, President of Wittenberg College, remarked to him: "Brother Aughe, your pastor, thinks you might become a useful man in our eause," to which the modest youth replied, "I had thought that I was engaged in that to which I was best adapted." The words, however, spoken by Dr. Sprechen, awakened a new train of thought in his mind and he began to give his serions attention to the question as to whether he might properly enter the ministry.
The result of these meditations was, that two years later, under the pastorate of the Rev. J. W. Goodlin, thien of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Dr. Hel- wig entered upon his studies at Wittenberg College and was graduated in the elass of '61. He proved a diligent student and by patient perseverance mastered the various branches which he had taken up, while his college life was of that exemplary Christian character which exerted a salutary influ- ence among his associates. The Literary Society had a special charm for him. He was strong in debate and seldom lost a question. Three times upon publie occasions he worthily represented the Excelsior Society, of which he was a member.
Finally, greatly to his satisfaction, Dr. Helwig was regularly ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church by the Wittenberg Synod. His first pas- torate comprised three. congregations at and in the vicinity of Sulphur Springs, this State. Subse- quently he was pastor of churches at Laneaster, Springfield, Cineinnati, Dayton and Akron. Under
his earnest and efficient labors each church which he served rapidly gained strength and prominenec, while personally, Dr. Helwig greatly endeared him- self to the hearts of his people. From the pastor- ate of the church in Dayton he, in 1874, was ealled to the Presideney of Wittenberg College. He filled this position creditably for a period of eight years, and in the meantime also supplied the pulpits of .the First and Seeond Presbyterian and the First Baptist Chureli, of Springfield. The ardous labors involved finally undermined his health, and he was obliged to resign.
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