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 92
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 92
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In order to regain his health and also to em- ploy his time profitably, Mr. Helwig made an ex- tended tour through the principal countries of the Old World. Upon his return, he assumed eharge of the English Lutheran Church, at Akron, Ohio. Four years later he resigned to accept a eall from the First Lutheran Church, of Springfield, of which he had previously been pastor, and in which his services as pastor are still eontinned.
Wittenberg College under the administration of Dr. Helwig progressed in usefulness and influence. As its President, he was beloved by all, and was especially the encourager and helper of those who were struggling against difficulties. As an in- struetor, lie possessed more than ordinary capabili- ties, and the strong Christian influenee which he exereised over all with whom he eame in contaet, was as noticeable in liis maturer years as it was in his early life as a student. As a writer, he is clear and forcible, possessed of large information and a keen, diseriminating judgment. His inaugural ad- dress as President of Wittenberg College was a production from which liberal quotations have been made and from which we select the following:
"Our colleges in relation to lower education should rise like lofty towers out of our towns and cities ; they should lift themselves like hills and mountains from out of the plains. As it is said of Athens and of Alexandria of ancient times, so still should the college be a moral and intellectual me- tropolis whenee elevating influenees go down to all the provinces. I would inscribe over the entrance to the college 'Character before enlture, and enlture before knowledge;' and also tliat other memorable declaration, 'It is not important that this should
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.
be a school of three hundred students or of one hundred or of fifty students, but it is important that it should be a school of Christian gentlemen and ladies who are students in spirit and applica- tion."
Dr. Helwig has attained a considerable degree of popularity as a lecturer. His addresses are char- acterized by a richness of thought, beauty of ex- pression and delivered with a peculiarly distinct enunciation and with a rich, sonorous voice. Among his themes have been: "The Bible," "Temperance," "Romanism and Our American Institutions," "The Rulership of Christ as the King of Nations," and "The King's English."
In July, 1889, Mr. Helwig received the nomina- tion for Governor of Ohio on the Prohibition ticket, at the convention which met at Zanesville. He made a strong race and delivered during the campaign sixty-five speeches in thirty two counties. He has for years maintained the warmest interest in the temperance movement, and proposes to let no opportunity in the future pass by when he may maintain the standard under which he proposes to fight as long as he has breath and the power of speech.
R OBERT CHAMBERS. The Chambers fam- ily is among the oldest and most highly re- spected of any in Greene County. The father of our subject was one of its pioncer settlers, and made for himself a good record. The son, of whom we propose to give a brief notice, is more than ordinarily liberal and public-spirited as a citizen, and has had no small share in the advance- ment of the material and social interests of his township. He is a stockholder and Director of the Osborn Bank, and the Assessor of Osborn Pre- cinct. Financially, he is practically independent, and has accumulated a competence by the exercise of his own industry and perseverance.
The father of our subject was William Chambers, who was born in Ireland near the coast, and was the son of David Chambers, also a native of that country. Grandfather Chambers emigrated toAmer- ica with his family at an early date, and located
in Virginia, where he spent the remaining years of his life. His wife, Eliza, a native of Scotland, re- moved, after the death of hier husband, to Ohio, and died there in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Their son, William, the father of our subject, was about twelve years old when his par- ents came to the United States. He accompanied his mother to this State,and they settled on a rented farm in Montgomery County. When reaching man's estate he purchased one hundred acres of land from which he opened up a good farm, that which is now occupied by his son, Robert. He was a teamster in the army during the War of 1812. Later he resumed farming, and died in 1848, at the age of sixty years. Politically, lic was a sound Democrat.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Kirkwood) Chambers, the mother of our subject, was a native of Virginia, born and reared near the famous natural bridge. Her father, Robert Kirkwood, was also a native of the Old Dominion, whence lie emigrated to Ohio, and located near the present site of the court house in the city of Dayton, where he spent the closing years of his life. He was a man of decided ideas, and prided himself upon his Scotch-Irish ancestry. The mother of our subject died at the old home- stead in 1850. There were born to her and her husband a family of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Jane, married John D. C. Camp- bell, and is living in Huntington County, Ind .; Da- vid died when about sixty years old; Eliza is liv- ing in Montgomery County; Mary, Mrs. Talley, is a resident of Wayne Township; Margaret died when about forty-six years old; Robert, our sub- ject, was the sixth child; Sarah died in Hunting- ton County, Ind.
The subject of this notice was born at the farm where he now lives, October 11, 1827. His early studies were conducted in a log schoolhouse, on the subscription plan, and he attended school abont three months in the year, the balance of the time being devoted to farm work. He remained a mem- ber of the parental household until his father's death, and then operated the farm on shares until 1850, when he purchased the interest of the other heirs and set himself about making the needed im- provements. Here he has one hundred acres, all
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in one body and the most of it in a productive condition. He also owns what is familiarly known as the old Kirkwood farm, southwest on scetion 9, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres, and which is embellished with a fine set of farm buildings. He raises quantities of grain which he feeds chiefly to his stock, the latter being mostly cattle and graded Norman horses. He operates the home farm himself, but the Kirkwood farm is leased to other parties.
In June, 1865, Mr. Chambers took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Malinda, daughter of David and Rachel Snyder. Mrs. Chambers was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and departed this life at her home in Bath Township, in 1870, leav- ing no children. David Snyder was a millwright by trade, and spent his last years in Medway, Ohio. Mr. Chambers, in 1878, contracted a sec- ond marriage with Mrs. Susan Farrer, at St. Mary's, Auglaize County. This lady was born near St. Mary's and is the daughter of a Mr. Bodkin, who was a native of Ohio. Of this union there are no children. Mr. Chambers, politically, affiliates with with the Democratic party. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, served as Road Super- visor and School Director for a number of years, and in 1888 was elected Assessor of Osborn Pre- cinet, which office he still holds. Socially he be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Osborn, and likewise the Encampment.
ORGAN FUDGE, editor and proprietor of the Bellbrook Moon. This gentleman was born five miles cast of Xenia, Greene County, December 5, 1845, and his early life was devoid of special incident, his attention being given to his studies until 1863. He then en- listed in Company A, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infan- try, and served until the close of the war with all the enthusiasm and loyalty possible to a son of the Buckeye State. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, under the leadership of Gen. W. T. Sherman, and he took part in the bat- tles at Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, and Resaca,
and all the heavy engagements from Chattanooga until the capture of Atlanta. He then made one of the sixty thousand gallant men who marched from Atlanta to the sea, and returning toward the Nortlı was present at the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston, in North Carolina, and took part in the Grand Re- view at Washiington. He was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., and received his final discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio.
When his services were no longer needed in be- half of the Union, young Fudge entered a commer- cial school at Owensboro, Ky., but subsequently became a student in Purdy's Commercial College, Indianapolis, Ind., and was graduated from that in- stitution. IIc received an appointment as clerk in the Insanc Asylum in the Hoosier capital, and re- maincd a year, after which he traveled until 1870. He then located in Bellbrook, this county, where he worked at the printing business for several years. Finally removing to Dayton, he remained two years, and then returning to Bellbrook, bought the Bellbrook Moon, a newspaper published by the Magnetic Springs Company. The purchase was made July 18, 1885, and since that day Mr. Fudge was continued to edit the sheet, which is independent in politics, newsy and spicy, and altogether creditable in appearance and contents.
In 1871, not long after he had located in Bell- brook, Mr. Fudge was united in marriage with Miss Anna, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Hop- kins) Willoughby, with whom he lived happily un- til August 3, 1881. On that day Mrs. Fudge and her son Johnnie were returning home from Dayton, after dark, when, during a thunder storm, their horse became frightened at a load of straw, and ran away. Mrs. Fudge was thrown out of the buggy, and her neck was broken. The suddenness of her death added to the sorrow felt by her many friends, to whom her sterling qualities had endeared her. Her funeral was the largest ever witnessed in Bell- brook. She was the mother of two children, Her- bert and John. Her father was a native of New Brunswick, and during the Civil War spent nine- teen months in Libby Prison; her mother was a daughter of Samuel H. Hopkins.
Mr. Fudge remained a widower until October 30, 1889, when he married Mrs. Lavenia G. Ord-
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way, nee Good, widow of Charles Ord way. By her first marriage she had two children: Franklin, born October 24, 1873; and Carrie, June 3, 1876. She was born at Zanesville, Ohio, July 15, 1852, being a daughter of George B. and Ann (Todd) Good. ller father is a native of Woodstock, W. Va., and is of German descent, being a great-grandson of Capt. Mathew Markum, of Germany, who lived to be one hundred and three years old. The mother of Mrs. Fudge was born in Worehester, W. Va., and is a daughter of Benjamin Todd, of Zanesville, who served in the War of 1812, and who is of Freneh deseent. She is a second cousin to the late Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Good with a family of seven children, joined the Shakers at Union village, Warren County, remain- ing there until 1864, when they removed to Xenia.
Mr. Fudge belongs to the Grand Army of the Republie, and is a Republican in polities. He pos- sesses more than ordinary intelligence, is a terse and vigorous writer, and an honorable man, whose influence is felt throughout the community, and who is held in good repute by his fellow-men.
The father of him of whom we write, was the Honorable John Fudge, whose birthplace was in Botetourt County, Va., April 13, 1796, and who died of a paralytic stroke September 15, 1868, at the age of seventy-three years, five months and twelve days. Many years ago he located five miles east of Xenia, purchasing a large cstate on Caesar's Creek, where he earried on the farm and a tannery. Hle was a very prominent man in this section, be- ing a Justice of the Peace for many years, a County Commissioner for a lengthy period, and having been appointed Associate Judge by Gov. Bebb, in 1852, the year that Ramsbottom was hung for mur- der. Ile aeted as administrator of about three hun- dred estates, and was an officer in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served several years in the Legislative halls of the State, both in the Lower Ilouse and the Senate. From "Pencilings from the Senate" in 1852, we take the following: "John Fudge represents the counties of Fayette, Clinton, and Greene in the Senate of Ohio. He is a Whig, and physically the largest man in the Senate, weigh- ing two hundred and fifty pounds. IIe is a hale man, looking young, and not yet gray, although
fifty-five years old. He has filled a seat in the Legis- lature several times, and as a Senator is something of a model."
Jolin Fudge was married three times. His first wife was Catherine Sellers, of Warren County, who bore him six children, five yet surviving. The eldest son, Josephi, was run over by a wagon, and killed in June, 1888. The subject of this sketeli is the only child of the second marriage, his mother having been Temperance Spahr, who died two years after her marriage. The infant was then taken by an aunt, Mrs, Elizabethi Sutton, but upon the third marriage of his father, was again taken home. His stepmother bore the maiden name of Susan Barnett, and her wedding day was February 25, 1846; she still survives.
C M. DICKEY, Seeretary of the Miami Pow- dler Company, of which a full history will be found elsewhere in this ALBUM, is justly considered one of the representative men of the county. This is due to his fine business abilities, to his upright personal character and to his honor- able intercourse with his fellow-men, by all of whom he is spoken of in high terms. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and has excellent standing in the society. His vote is cast with the Republican party, but he has no aspiration for pub- lie office or party honors.
The natal day of this gentleman was February 6, 1835, and his eyes opened to the light of day in Washington County, N. Y. His parents, Joseph and Lavina (Taggart) Dickey, removed to Franklin County, Ohio, when he was but six years old, and there he grew to maturity, completing his education and becoming well informed in the usual branches of an English education and in the topies needed to insure suceess in life.
Mr. Dickey first engaged in farming, but aban- cloned that occupation to embark in the powder business in the Miami Company in 1855, when the company was established in Xenia with its manu- factory at Goes Station. Since that time he has
Yours Truly Susan Sinta
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been interested and connected with it and when, in 1871, the association was reorganized, he became the Secretary, and has held that position from that day. He has succeeded in his efforts, not only se- euring a reputation that is an honor to his man- hood, but acquiring real estate in the county and a standing among men of means.
USAN SINTZ. The subject of this notice owns and occupies the homestead where she was born and which is considered one of the finest bodies of land in Springfield Township, Clark County, being located on section 23. She is a lady of more than ordinary eapaeities and for many years has managed the farm, erecting a fine brick residenee and making other improvements. She is the daughter of Peter Sintz, who was born in York County, Pa., in 1776. Her paternal grand- father, Nicholas Sintz, was a native of Germany where he was reared to manhood and learned the miller's trade. He emigrated to America during the Colonial times and located in Pennsylvania where he followed his trade a number of years. Thence he removed to Virginia where he lived several years and finally about 1810, removed to Ohio and lo- cated in Clark County, where his death took place. He married a lady by the name of Margaret Metzer. She died at the home farm in Clark County, this State.
Peter Sintz when quite young was taken by his parents to Virginia, where he was reared to man's estate and learned the trade of a miller. He followed this some years after reaching manhood, then eom- ing to Ohio entered upon a new life in the pioneer style and endured all the hardships and privations incident to that time and place. He made the jour- dey overland with a team and located in what is now Clark County, prior to its organization and when the greater part of Ohio was a dense wilder- ness inhabited principally by wild animals and In- dians.
Selecting a traet of Government land on section 23, of what is now Springfield Township, Mr. Sintz erected a log cabin and commenced the opening up
of a farm in the wilderness. Within that lowly dwelling his elder children were born, ineluding his daughter Susan. The cabin is still standing and in a good state of preservation. Stoves were com- paratively unknown in those days and for many years Mrs. Sintz eooked by the fireplace. Like all the pioneer housewives she also spun and wove wool and flax and thus clad her children in home- spun. The family was in limited circumstances but by the practice of great industry and economy they in due time found themselves upon the road to prosperity. Mr. Sintz brought his land to a good state of cultivation, effeeting many improvements and providing himself with the implements neees . sary to successful agriculture. In addition to car- rying on the farm he finally built a saw and flour mill, loeating them on Roek Run and superintended the operations of these until his death. This event took place in the fall of 1858.
Peter Sintz in early manhood was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Critz. This lady was born in Vir- ginia and was the daughter of John Critz. She sur- vived her husband many years and died at the homestead at the advanced age of ninety-two. The parental household consisted of seven ehildren, viz: Margaret, Nicholas, Mary, George, Susan, Peter and Elizabeth. Three of these are living and making their homes in this eounty. Miss Susan has has always resided at the home farm. In 1861, she erected a fine briek residenee and she is constantly making improvements so that the property has be- come very valuable. She had been fortunate in her selection of help, while her rare good judgment in the investment of capital has caused her to realize handsome returns. A portrait of Miss Susan Sintz is shown elsewhere in this volume.
E RWIN L. SMITII, better known as "Ed," is a gentleman of varied experienee, having led a very eventful life. He was grad- uated at the Wilberham, Mass., Wesleyan Aead- emy when seventeen years of age, which was in 1857. His father, Stephen Smith, who was one of the largest eotton manufacturers in the Granite
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State, and who had held the position of Council- man, which was an office similar to that of Lieu- tenant Governor, had intended that his son should take a full course at Yalc. Owing to his sudden death the fall after the son's graduation from the academy, the youth was allowed to have his own way, and he chose to accept a position which was offerred him, as assistant book-keeper in a large mercantile house in New York. There he was rap- idly working his way to the front when the fatal shot was fired on Ft. Sumter.
Dropping his pen, young Smith took up the sword in defense of his country, being one of the first men to enlist. He was placed in the Seventy- first New York Regiment, three month's men, and sent at once to the defense of Washington, whence he took part in the first battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re- turned to his native village, Mason, N. II., where his mother still lived, and recruited a company for a New Hampshire regiment. His mother ob- jected to his again entering the service, and sent him on a trip to California. For the next few years therefore, his life was spent in mines and among miners, his headquarters being at Virginia City and Austin, Nev., during the wildest days of those places.
The desire of young Smith to serve his country was still strong, and, in 1864, he again enlisted, becoming a member of the Eighth California In- fantry and Light Artillery, and going to San Fran- cisco on duty, where he stayed until the close of the war. He then returned to his home by way of the Isthmus and New York, but three months after his arrival in his native State he went to St. Louis, and took passage for Ft. Benton, Mont. The trip to that place consumed seventy-two days, and thence he went Helena, where with others he fitted out for a trip to the Salmon River country, in Idaho. The entire winter was spent by him and two partners in the solitudes of the mighty forest. In the spring they went to the Sweetwater mines in Wyoming, where Mr. Smith built the first house in the town, the structure bringing in a rental of 8100 per month. There the prospectors "struck it rich," which was very fortunate for them as they were without means. Taking what rock they could
erush with a common hammer, crushing and wash- ing it, they would colleet gold enough for all their needs. During his sojourn in the West, Mr. Smithi was present at the ceremony of driving the gold spike on the Union & Central Pacific Railroad.
At the beginning of the Leadville excitement, Mr. Smith was early on the ground, where for five years he operated in mining stock and became very wealthy. "Fortune is a fickle jade," and so she proved with him, for soon her smiles gave place to frowns, and he left there about as poor as he went. Secking new fields to work, with a miner's outfit, he made an extended tour through Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Taking the train at El Paso, Tex., for Shreveport, La., he there embarked on a steamner for New Orleans, whence he came by boat to Cincinnati. Having spent the best years of his life chasing the will-o'- the-wisp, Dame Fortune, through the mountain gorges of the Rockies, he made up his mind to quit mining forever, and seek some occupation which, although slow, would be sure. Making his way to Cedarville, Greene County, he engaged as a laborer in a sawmill, and in this place has re- sided since 1885.
In 1886, the mother of our subject, who up to that time had resided in Mason, N. H., Norwich, Conn., Brooklyn, N. Y., and Pawtucket, R. I., and who was quite wealthy, came to live with her only child, rejoicing that he had settled down, and that she could be with him in her last days. Under his supervision she had a fiue modern residence built, but lived only a short time to enjoy it, dying April 5, 1889. The house is heated by steam, and has fine bath rooms, laundry and pantry supplied with hot and cold water, and is lit by gas which is generated on the place by Mr. Smith. He now busies himself at market gardening, and also raises chickens, using the most approved ineubators, from which the young chieks come in long files.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and is now a meinber of the County Central Committee, from Cedarville Township. His father was a Whig and an Aboli- tionist. He belongs to the social orders of Odd Fellows and Free Masons, and is also a member of Post No. 94, G. A. R., of which he is Past Com- mander. He was married in 1886, to Miss Lillie
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M. Phillips, daughter of John and Mary Phillips, of Cedarville, and is the father of two interesting little ones: Stephen, named for his grandfather Smith ; and Maria, the baby, named for her grand- mother Smith.
Stephen Smith, the father of our subject, was a son of Darius and Ruth Smith, the former being a sea captain, all of whose sons followed the sea ex- cept Stephen, who became a cotton manufacturer. The mother of our subject was in girlhood Miss Maria Ellis, of Attleboro, Mass., a daughter of George and Patty Ellis, and a granddaughter of Richard and Mehitable (Draper) Ellis.
OHN PERRIN, deceased, was a life-long res- ident of Springfield Township, Clark County, and born on the farm now occupied by his family, April 15, 1812. The most reliable information regarding the ancestry is, that the grandfather of our subject was one of two brothers who came to America in Colonial times and spent his last years in Maryland engaged in farm- ing. Ilis son Jolin, the father of our subject, was born on the farm seven miles from Hagerstown, Md., reared in his native county and upon reaching manhood married Miss Jane Ingram. Early in the spring of 1806, accompanied by his wife and infant child, he started for Ohio with a pair of horses and wagon and a saddle horse. He and his wife took turns in driving the team and riding horseback, be- ing obliged to ford the streams, their route lying through a very sparsely settled country with no pikes or bridges. After some weeks travel they arrived in what was then a part of Champaign Co- unty, but is now Clark, of which they were there- fore among the earliest settlers.
The greater part of the land in the State was owned by the Government, and there were neither railroads nor canals and no convenient markets. For many years the surplus products raised by the scattering families were taken to Cincinnati, and thence on flat-boats to New Orleans. Mr. Perrin soon purchased a tract of six hundred and forty
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