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 98
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 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
Mt. and Mrs. Halc and their children belong to the Protestant Methodist Church, in which M) Hale is a Class- Leader, while he also holds the office of Superintendent of the Sunday-school and is a teacher. He has been a member of the Sons of Temperance. In 1868 he was elected Corpora- tion Clerk, serving in that capacity ten years. The next year he was elected Township Clerk, and held that office twelve years. A year after his elec- tion to that position he was the successful candi- date for Justice of the Peace, in which position he is now serving his seventh term. In 1888 he was elected Township Trustee, and still holds that office, and he has also been a member of the Vil- lage Council for many years. He has always been a Republican, and no man in this section of eoun- try has done more to advance the interests of the party than he. He was a delegate to the State Con- vention which nominated Charles Foster, whose first term as Governor resulted from that nomination. One of the most noticable adornments of the home of Mr. ITale is a very fine geological cabinet, which proves of great interest to those who find "ser- mons in stones." It is needless for us to multiply words in regard to the position of the family in the community and the esteem in which they are held.
C APT. JOHN H. JACOBY, proprietor of the Valley Mills, an institution familiar to all the residents of Xenia Township, is one of the solid men of Greene County, and a universal favorite, both in social and business circles. In fact he is a born gentleman in the broadest sense of the term, and this comprises all the qualities which can reasonably be required in the makeup of one man. Of stanchi Pennsylvania stock, he was
783
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
born on the 31st of Deeember, 1814, in Northum- berland County, that State, and is a representative of one of its finest old families.
Henry Jacoby, the father of our subject, came with his family to this county in 1815, and settled in Oldtown, where he was employed by his father, the grandfather of our subjeet, John Jacoby by name, for about two years. He then removed to Massies Creek, where he built a small eornmill and distil- lery, which he operated successfully for about ten or twelve years. He next turned his attention to farming, and in 1844 built the mills now operated by his son, Jolin HI. In the meantime the latter had developed into manhood, and became familiar with both the arts of milling and farming. Father Jacoby rested from his earthly labors in the latter part of December, 1859, passing peacefully away at the old farm. ITis wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca Corry. She also died at the old home- stead about 1867. Their family consisted of seven children, two of whom are living.
The subject of this notice was the second child of his parents, and has spent his entire life in the township of his birth. From the time of reaching manhood until the death of his father, he was asso- ciated with the latter in business, and availed him- self of the judgment of that disinterested friend in his business operations, and it is probable that this contributed largely to his sneeess. Since the death of the elder Jacoby, John H. has carried on the mills and farm, the former of which have a capa- eity of seventy-five barrels per day. They are equip- ped with modern machinery, ineluding the roller process, and have become an institution quite indis- pensable to the people of this part of the county. The Captain is quite independent, financially, hav- ing besides his mill property four hundred aeres of land in this county. His parents were both mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and John H. since a young man, has faithfully followed in their foot- steps, giving also his adlierence and support to this religious denomination. Ile eommeneed attending religious services at a very early age, being first earried to the old church in the town of Clifton on a pillow by his mother.
The Captain carned his title by assuming the command of a company of Light Horse Volunteers
which had its existence prior to the late war. He has always taken an active part in political affairs, and is prominent in the ranks of the Republican party in this county. If he has failed in any respect in the performance of all the duties of a good citi- zen, it is that he still remains a bachelor.
P. CHEW, editor and publisher of the Ga- zette and Torchlight, Xenia. The rapid advancement which eivilization has made during the present century, is largely to be attributed to the press. As a disseminator of news the printing press is indispensable, as an educator its infinenee is immeasurable. There is no region in the United States where the newspaper does not enter, either fresh from the press or yellow with age. The old problem, "Is the pen mightier than the sword ?" has been solved long since by practi- cal experience. If Archimides could have placed his famous lever upon a printing press, lie would have come nearer moving the world than if he had seeured what he wished, a base outside of it from which to operate. Greene County is notably a county of newspapers, while the editorial staff is represented by pleasant, foreible, and pointed writers, who advocate their various political views and principles with much ability and sneeess.
Among the various newspapers which mold the publie opinion of the citizens of Greene County, very prominent mention belongs to the Gazette and Torchlight, and among the successful editors and capable business men who compose the editorial staff, one of the most noticeable is J. P. Chew, who is so ably condueting the above-mentioned paper. Two papers were consolidated to form what is now the daily and semi-weekly Gazette and Torchlight, and as "in union there is strength," so by joining these prominent newspapers, an added stimulus was given the political and social circles, as represented by one of the most influential papers of the com- munity.
On September 18, 1838, the Torchlight was es- tablished, and the funds necessary to found and
784
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
conduct it were subscribed by sixty nine citizens. From its first issue until its consolidation with the Gazette, Angust 7, 1888, a period of fifty years, it was an influential force in first the Whig and after- ward the Republican party. Many able men at different times were in control of it, among whom were W. B. Fairchild, Robert McBratney, E. S. Nichols, W. T. Bascom, Perry Hawes, J. M. Mil- burn, Coates Kinney and J. D. Stine.
The Xenia Gazette was established, August 15, 1868, by J. F. Patton, Thomas Tiffany and War- ren Anderson. Subsequently Mr. Tiffany died, and Mr. Anderson sold his interest to Col R. P. Find- ley. On November 1, 1877, the office was pur- chased by J. P. Chew, and has since been con- ducted by him in connection with his son, W. B. Chew, and his son-in-law, J. O. Mc- Cormick. In the year 1880 Mr. Chew changed the weekly Gazette to a semi-weekly paper. In addition thereto, on November 21, 1881, he estab- lished the daily Gazette.
On the 7th of August, 1888, Mr. Chew purchased the Torchlight, and consolidated the two papers under the title of Gazette and Torchlight. It now has the combined circulation two of Xenia's oldest newspaper, which carries it into four thousand homes, and having a very complete office outfit it enjoys remarkable prosperity. When, in 1888, it removed to its present quarters on Green Street, two rooms were sufficient to accommodate its busi- ness and one of them formerly known as Firemen's Hall, afterward as the Y. M. C. A. Hall. Now it occupies seven rooms, and the business has in- creasd many fold under the present management.
In connection with this sketch appears a portrait of Mr. Chew, who stands in the front ranks of the journalistic forces of Greene County.
ARWIN PEIRCE. This worthy descendant of a good ancestral line, occupies a portion of the old Peirce estate in Clark County, which, during the life of his grandfather reached the extent of two thousand acres. Jonathan Peirce came to this section from Chester County, Pa., in
1832, first spending a year in Warren County, and then becoming a resident of Clark County. For several years he operated rented land, but eventually acquired the splendid estate before men- tioned, the land being all in one body. Ile had been a large farmer in the Keystone State, but be coming involved, not only lost his property, but was left several thousand dollars in debt. After getting started here, he returned to the East and bought up his notes, settling all his indebtedness dollar for dollar. Ile made quite a fortune in the Peirce hay rake, in which he was interested. After his death, three days were required to sell the stock that was on his farm. He passed away in 1852. at the age of sixty-five years, leaving two children, among whom and their heirs his estate was divided.
The wife of Grandfather Peirce was Hannalı, daughter of Abram Darlington, of Chester County, Pa. The Darlington family was a large, wealthy, and aristocratic one. When Mr. Peirce met with the financial reverses before mentioned, he would not remain in the section where his wife's people re- sided, but preferred to retrieve his fortune in a dif- ferent locality-which he did. Both the Darling- ton and Peirce families were of English stock, and Quaker faith. They had to leave England on account of their religion, the Quakers at that time being persecuted in England. Jonathan and Hannah Peirce were the parents of five children: William died in 1864, leaving a son and two daugh- ters; Darwin died unmarried shortly after the fam- ily came to Ohio; Susan D. became the wife of a Mr. Jennings, but died without children, prior to the death of her father; Edwin died in 1846, leav- ing three children: Jacob, who now lives in Den- ver, Colo., had seven children, four of whom are yet living.
Edwin Peirce, the father of our subject, married Miss Frances Williams, who was born in Ireland, and accompanied her parents to America which she was but an infant. Her father, William Williams, located in Maryland, and died there, the other mein- bers of the family afterward coming to Springfield, Ohio. After his marriage, Edwin Peirce remained with his father, his wife having charge of the house. After her husband's death, Mrs. Frances Peirce continued to keep house for her father-in-law until
785
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
his death in 1852. Edwin Peiree, although physi- eally a eripple, was mentally vigorous, and posses- sed a eliaracter which won respect. His family consisted of our subjeet; Hannah M., principal of the High School in Delaware, this State; Laura, who married Seymour Harrold, and lives in Dela- ware, Ohio, their family comprising three children. Mr. Harrold now owns one thousand aeres of land near the home of our subjeet.
The subject of this biographieal notice, was born July 5, 1841, and at the age of nineteen years took charge of the farm where he now lives. As the estate had become seriously involved through bad management, he had to work hard to save the land. Ilis mother and two sisters were living with him, and not long after the war broke out, he left them to take care of the farm, and gave himself to his country. His name was attached to the muster roll of Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio In- fantry, his term of service dating from August 5, 1862. Ile joined the army of the Potomae, and took part in various heavy engagements. At Win- chester the regiment was surrounded, and half of its members were lost in eutting their way out. At the terrible battle of the Wilderness, Mr. Peirce bore his share of hard fighting, as he afterward did at Cedar Creek, to which Sheridan eame "from Wineliester twenty miles away," making the ride which have been so glowingly deseribed by our art- ist-poet, T. B. Read. Mr. Peiree took part in all the battles of Richmond and Petersburg, being with his regiment in all its engagements, and although wounded three times, never consenting to go to the hospital. He was shot in the left side withi a minie ball, and also in the left leg, while his right leg was injured by a fragment of a shell. After a merito- rious service, he was mustered ont in July, 1865, and returned to the Buekeye State to resume the peaceful oceupation of farming.
With the help of his sisters, our subjeet soon cleared the old place of debt, and on October 3, 1871, bad his affairs on so firm a footing, that he felt justified in taking to himself a wife. He was therefore married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Mathew Mattinson, of South Charleston. The years which have passed have brought Mr. Peiree prosper- ity and happiness, and have taught him a higher
appreciation of his wife's character than he had as a lover. The associations and duties of married life have brought out her good qualities in brighter relief, as they have strengthened and developed his own character. They have two children, John and Thomas, who will be graduated from the High School at South Charleston, at the conclusion of the present school year.
Mr. Peiree operates two hundred and seventy aeres of the old homestead, one-third of this aere- age belonging to his sister Hannah. He carries on general farming so successfully, as to supply his home with every comfort and enable him to lay aside something on which to depend in deelining years. He is Colonel of the Clark County Regi- ment, of the Grand Army Post, and by his title is quite popularly known. He is now a member of the Soldiers' Relief Commission of the county. In politieal affairs he takes an active part, working for the Republican party, by whom his name was prom- inently mentioned at the spring eaueus in 1890, as a candidate for Sheriff.
S IMON H. WOLF. The agrieulturists of Bath Township, Greene County, have an excellent representative in the gentleman above named, who oeeupies a valuable es- tate on section 18. It comprises one hundred and thirty-eight and a half aeres of valley land, watered by Beaver Creek, all being rich and tillable, and excellently adapted for the cultivation of grain and hay, to which it is mainly devoted. Mr. Wolf also raises graded cattle and high grade Norman horses, using two teams to operate the farm. The im- provements on the estate are such as are common throughout the older agricultural distriets, where farming has been carried on for years, and enter- prise exhibited by the tillers of the soil.
The family of which our subjeet is a member is numbered among the earliest settlers in the county, his grandfather, John Wolf, having eome hither in 1807. A native of Laneaster County, Pa., and a tailor by trade, he had followed that business in his native State for a number of years ere coming
786
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
to Ohio and buying land. He afterward brought his family on in a wagon, and while his sons at- tended to the farm ncar Byron, he continued to work at his trade. He became the owner of a large tract of land, and was able to start his children in life. He was a member of the Reformed Church.
Simon Wolf,the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1805, and was brought to Ohio when about eighteen months old. Being reared in Bath Township, he had the advantages of but meager school privileges, but did the best possi- ble in his surroundings to acquire information. He followed agriculture, locating after he had reached man's estate on a farm given him by his father, and becoming more than ordinarily successful. He became the owner of about six hundred acres of land, in four farms, and still owns about four hun- dred acres. In 1839 he bought property on the Dayton Pike, one mile west of Byron, and locating upon it, he improved and operated it until 1861, when he rented it and retired. In addition to his farming he had operated a sawmill some. In his early days he and his brothers carried on a flour- mill and still-house, and hauled their products to Cincinnati, with four horse teams, taking eight bar- rels of whiskey or twelve barrels of flour to a load, and consuming seven or eight days on the trip. Simon Wolf is now living with his son, Hicks, in Bath Township, of which he is the oldest settler now living. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and his religious adherence is given to the German Reformed Church.
The mother of our subject, and wife of Simon Wolf, above-mentioned, was born in Frederick County, Md., and bore the maiden name of Chris- tina Kershner. Her father, Daniel Kershner, was a native of Maryland, and a blacksmith by trade. He was one of the early settlers on Massey Creek, Xenia Township, this county, where he worked at his trade, subsequently buying a farm in Bath Township, near Byron, where he died. Mrs. Wolf departed this life in 1876, and was the mother of four children: Martin K., who lives in Gentry County, Mo .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Dr. l'arsons, who died in Greene County, Ohio; D. Hicks and Simon II. Martin K. and D. Hieks were in the one hun- dred days' service during the late war, as members
of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Infantry.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, was born April 15, 1841, in the town- ship in which he now resides, received such educa- tion as could be obtained in the common schools, and being reared on the farm was early put to work. Ile remained under the parental roof until he had passed his twentieth birthday, when he en- tered the Union army, being mustered in at Yellow Spring, as a member of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, Company C, in October, 1861. The regiment re- mained at Camp Dennison six months, learning military tactics and cavalry evolutions, after which they were sent South in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. They fought all day Sun- day and Monday on that bloody field, following which, came skirmishes and cavalry dashes through Mississippi and Georgia. Young Wolf served three years and two months, and in December, 1864, was mustered out at Marietta, Ga., by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably dis- charged, having to the best of his ability served his country in her time of need.
Returning to his home, Mr. Wolf began farming for himself on the place he still occupies, and which falls to him upon his father's death. He has car- ried on a successful agricultural carcer, and has also won the esteem of his fellow-citizens for his . upright, Christian character, good citizenship, and kindliness in his relations in life. He is a member of Steele Post, G. A. R., at Fairfield, and an active member of the Reformed Church at Byron. In politics he is a straight Republican. As all intelli- gent, moral citizens are, he is interested in the cause of education and other elevating movements, and gives them his hearty support.
The estimable woman who has presided over Mr. Wolf's home for many years, and with whom he was united in marriage December 18, 1866, was born in Bath Township, and reared and educated in the county. She bore the maiden name of Kate Schauer, and is a daughter of George Schauer, a native of this county, whose parents came here from Pennsylvania at an carly day. George Schauer was a farmer until his death, which occur- red in 1889. The marriage of our subject and his
...
yours Truly E. N. Tibbetts
789
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM.
wife was celebrated near Oldtown, Xenia Town- ship, and has been blessed by the birth of three children. The two sons, Charles and Clifford, are still with their parents; Josephine the second child and only daughter, is the wife of Walter Fackler, a farmer in Xenia Township.
E PHRAIM NEWTON TIBBETTS, a promi- nent and well-to-do citizen of Springfield, lias, by his far-seeing enterprise, shrewd judgment and business tact, been an important fac- tor in promoting the growth of this city, and has thus materially advanced its prosperity. He has an extensive acquaintance here and elsewhere, and his name is honored in financial and social circles throughout the county. IIe and his family are people of high standing in this community, and their cosy, attractive home is the seat of a generous and abounding hospitality, often shared by friend or stranger.
Mr. Tibbetts was born in the town of Madison, Carroll County, N. H., April 28, 1818. His father, Ephraim Tibbetts, was born near Portland, Me., and was a son of Samuel Tibbetts, a native of the same locality. The grandfather was a Revolution- ary hero, and did faithful service under Washington during the seven years in which the Colonists fought for independence. He was a skillful mill- wright, and was successful in making money, a part of which he invested in lands near Portland. IIe finally sold his property there at an advanced price, and moving to New Hampshire located in that part of Stratford County now included in Carroll County, of which he was a pioncer. His object in going there was to secure more land than he had in Maine, that he might settle each of his sons on a farm. His land was located in Madison, and he devoted his time to its improvement, and resided there until his busy life was brought to a close by his death at a ripe old age. His wife, whose maiden name was Haines, died in Maine.
The father of our subject was reared and mar- ried in his native State, and subsequently accom- panied his father and brothers in their removal to
New Hampshire. He located in the town of Madi- son, and on his fine farm there successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising till death closed his mortal career. The maiden name of his wife was Dorcas llolmes ; she was born near Limerick, Me., and died on the home farm in Madison. Her father, Samuel Holmes, was a native of the same place, and served under Washington in the same regiment with the paternal grandparent of our subject, doing gallant work in the cause of freedom. He spent his last years in his native State. Our subject was one of ten children, eight sons and two dangh- ters, all of whom were reared to 'maturity, with the exception of two sons who died in infancy.
The son of whom we write passed the early years of his life on the paternal homestead, the place of his birth. He was a lad of an ambitious, adven- turous spirit, well-endowed with independence, self- reliance and capability, and at the youthful age of fourteen years he took the ordering of his life in his own hands, and borrowing five dollars, started out into the world to begin an independent exist- ence, with all his earthly possessions tied in a cotton handkerchief. He walked to Portland, fifty miles distant, and then boarded a steamer bound for Boston, and at sunrise the next morning stood on a wharf in that city, and before night had secured a situation with a painter, who took him into his family and gave him his board and sixteen dollars a month for wages.
Our subject was employed in house painting and paper hanging, etc., and remained in Boston three years. We next hear of him in Cincinnati, he having traveled thither by rail to Providence, thence by steamer to New York, where a sharper sold him a ticket to Pittsburg to go by canal and rail. He was to have his board and the contract was kept witlı him to furnish his meals as far as Columbia, Pa., and from there lic was made to pay for his board during the three weeks' journey on a canal boat to Pittsburg. In that city he engaged passage on a keel boat, and while they were voyaging down the Ohio, the water became so low that at Wheeling he had to assist in pulling the boat along over the shallow places, and from there to the end of the journey the captain gave him $1 a day and his board for his services. He landed in Cincinnati in
790
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
September with a few dollars in his pocket, and spent his first night in the Galt House. He soon found temporary employment in the city, but work being scarce there, he soon had to seek it elsewhere, and for the ensuing four years though he made his home in Cincinnati, he was working in various other places the most of the time.
Mr. Tibbetts then ventured into business on his own account in Cincinnati, and was prospered in his undertaking. In 1866 he came to Springfield to take up his residence in this city, and bought seven acres of land, later investing in other real- estate until he had forty seven acres of valuable land included within the city. When he purchased it there was but one house on the entire tract, and he utilized his land for agricultural purposes until it became worth more as building property, the city having grown in this direction quite rapidly. With shrewd and characteristic enterprise he laid out an addition to the city, and offered such liberal inducements to home seekers that he soon disposed of the lots at a good advantage. He has since platted two other additions to the city, extending from Clifton to Reed Streets and from Pearl to Taylor Streets, and there are now two hundred and ten houses in these additions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.